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Engadget Daily: unlimited clean power, why there's no Retina MacBook Air and more!
So, why hasn't Apple updated its MacBook Air line with a Retina display? Here's our two-word answer: battery life. That's not all we have on deck though -- check out the rest of our news highlights from the last 24 hours, including a breakthrough in fusion power, further decline of the record industry, a Comic Sans typewriter and more.
Here's why Apple doesn't have a MacBook Air with a Retina display
Another Apple event has come and gone, and there's still no MacBook Air with a Retina display. I won't blame you if you're frustrated -- now that there's a 5K iMac, the Air is Cupertino's last screen-packing computer to ship without an extreme-resolution display. For that matter, competitors haven't had qualms about releasing their own ultraportable laptops with extra-crisp visuals. So, what gives? Is Apple holding back? The company may not be offering answers, but it's most likely that the technology needed to make a Retina-equipped Air simply isn't ready for prime time. As much as Apple would like the Air to hop on the high-res bandwagon, it may have to wait until a whole bunch of pieces fall into place. Read on to see what I mean.
Your dorm room, upgraded
It's autumn once more and that means you're back at school. The car-load of Craigslist-sourced furniture is unpacked, you've already had the first (of likely many) arguments with your roommate about a spilled bowl of ramen. Not to mention, you've probably already been through a glut of syllabus readings and awkward around-the-room introductions. So, you have the essentials for the next two semesters covered. But, financial aid disbursements are direct-depositing their way into bank accounts everywhere right about now. You've already bought your books, so what're you going to do with the rest of that "free" money? Make your dorm the envy of everyone on your floor, that's what -- and we've a few suggestions of kit to help do just that from sun up to sun down. [Image credit: Jeff Dlouhy/Flickr]
Apple patent application hints at a Siri-like assistant for Macs
Siri might be making her way to a Mac near you. According to a patent application filed in February and released today, Apple's considering bringing the iPhone personal assistant to its desktop OS. The 92-page document details how you'll interact with Apple's "digital assistant," a term that occurs 574 times in the patent app (the name Siri never makes an appearance, however). According to the document, a desktop version could pair Siri's current actions with more complex functionality, such as file and system management. After calling on the assistant by using a specific gesture on the touchpad or clicking an icon in the dock, you could use it to send emails, find images or YouTube videos on the web, print documents or copy and "hold" multiple files. As TechCrunch notes, there's no reference to such an assistant in the Yosemite beta preview, so it'll probably be at least another year before Siri (or her better-equipped equivalent) arrives on the Mac.
Apple decal sellers saw a tremendous spike in sales following 'Stickers' ad
Your worst fear, confirmed: Engadget's staff laptop of choice is the MacBook Air. Other than the massive checks we each personally receive from Apple (har har), it's our go-to laptop because it's light, fast, and great for the kind of work we do. It doesn't hurt that it looks sweet with stickers as well, of course. And after Apple highlighted users' proclivity for decking out their MBAs in a recent video (seen below), the world of laptop decal sellers was suddenly cast in the spotlight. That spotlight resulted in a lot of new buyers, according to a report on MacStories. Quite a few more, actually. One of the vendors MacStories spoke with saw orders increase by 400 percent since the ad aired, and page views jumped from a typical 500 per day all the way up to a peak of some 4,500 last week. If you dug any of those stickers, well, our sister site TUAW searched out links for where to buy those 74 decals. And while a majority of those depicted are easily found online, for those that aren't, the site scoured Etsy and other places for suitable stand-ins. Now for the hard part: picking out the perfect decal. Ben Gilbert contributed to this report
Apple's MacBook Air is now $100 cheaper and has a slightly faster processor
Been waiting for a MacBook Air refresh? Breathe easy, friend, because one has arrived -- well, sort of. Cupertino has quietly updated its online store with a familiar looking ultraportable, matching last year's model almost spec for spec: 4GB of RAM, 128 or 256GB of flash storage, a 1,440 x 900 resolution display, Intel HD 5000 graphics and a slim wedge frame with all the trimmings -- Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports and a SDXC card reader. The laptop's processor, on the other hand, has been upgraded: We're still talking about Intel's Haswell architecture, but the standard 2014 MacBook Air now boasts a 1.4GHz Core i5 CPU. That's only a hair faster than last year's 1.3GHz processor while idling, but it also has a higher Turbo Boost speed (2.7GHz compared to 2.6GHz) and could well have better efficiency too, by virtue of the fact that it represents the best of what Intel's fabs are currently capable of. The other big change is in the price, as these new units are $100 cheaper than the ones you could pick up yesterday (or £100 cheaper, if you're in the UK). The Air now starts at $899 (£749) for an 11-inch model, while the 13-inch version will set you back $999 (£849). If you were looking for some Retina action, however, or a major step-change in battery life, then that's probably still some way off.
Kanex Simple Dock is a perfect match for your MacBook
Kanex today introduced a new product that's sure to get the attention of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro owners who need a few more USB 3.0 ports and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. The US$119 Kanex Simple Dock makes it easy to gain those ports and fast Ethernet with just a single USB 3.0 connection. The Simple Dock has a 2.1A charging port for your favorite iOS device, and iPhone owners will love the fact that there's a flat "table" on the top of the dock that's perfect for housing a plugged-in phone. Three USB 3.0 ports expand the capabilities of your MacBook, and there's no need to purchase Apple's $29 Ethernet adapter as the Simple Dock has Gigabit Ethernet built in. The entire structure of the Simple Dock is made of a zinc alloy that matches the shiny good looks of your MacBook, and cable-management channels on the bottom of the Simple Dock keep your cables from creating an unruly mess on your desktop. We'll have a full review of the Kanex Simple Dock in the near future; in the meantime, you can visit the Kanex Simple Dock web page for more information.
Pelican ProGear 1070CC HardBack Case: Ultimate protection for your MacBook Air
Pelican has been making amazing hard-side cases for quite a while, creating some of the favorite shipping cases for cameras, firearms, servers and other items that owners want to have softly cradled in foam while protected with a hard shell. Recently, the company launched the ProGear 1070CC HardBack Case (US$85.00) for 13" Ultrabooks, which of course fits the 13" and 11" MacBook Air. Read on for details about this protective case, then enter for a chance to win one courtesy of Pelican Products and TUAW. The ProGear HardBack Case is built tough. The design? Well, it's not going to appeal to everyone. If you're in an executive office, a nice leather case or bag for your MacBook Air is going to do just fine. But if you're the type who needs a laptop case that you can throw into the back of a pickup truck or take on a oceanographic or mountaineering expedition, then this case is perfect for you. The outside of the case is built of the same ultra-tough material that Pelican uses for their other cases, and I know for a fact that this material can hold up. I used to do training for a company that shipped PC projectors in Pelican cases, and I saw these cases get dropped, fall off of baggage carts, even get bumped by cars. The outside of the cases were beat up, but the gear inside was never damaged. The bottom of the case has four non-slip rubber feet to keep it from sliding on hard surfaces like wet boat decks, and there are a pair of hefty hinges on the back that allow the top of the case to lay flat if desired. On the front is a latch that keeps the case closed in transit, and there's even spot to put a padlock if you really want to keep your MacBook Air safe. On the inside of the case is a foam insert that's designed to cradle a 13" (or 11") MacBook Air or other "ultrabook" type computer. To ensure that the MacBook Air doesn't slide around, there are four small foam bumper pads that keep it in place. Like most Pelican cases, the ProGear 1070CC Hardback Case is watertight and crushproof. By watertight, the company states that the contents can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. There's a pressure relief valve built in for equalizing pressure between the inside and outside of the case, which could be useful in aeronautical or extreme mountaineering situations. The case also comes with a rugged, padded shoulder strap for carrying. In terms of dimensions, the outside of the case measures 15.29" x 11.96" x 1.60" (38.8 x 30.4 x 4.1 cm). Inside dimensions are 12.80" x 8.95" x 0.72" (32.5 x 22.7 x 1.8 cm). It's not a lightweight at 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg), but you'll be happy for the protection it offers. Conclusion If you need extreme protection for a MacBook Air, then the Pelican ProGear 1070CC HardBack Case is the ultimate crushproof, watertight, and impact resistant case to get. Pros Incredibly durable Can stay submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes Perfect for both the 13" and 11" MacBook Air models Lifetime guarantee Case can accept a lock for true security Extremely reasonable price for a case you'll never need to replace Cons Rather plain looking, and definitely not stylish Who is it for? Anyone whose workplace is outside an office and who needs complete protection of his or her MacBook Air. Giveaway Some lucky TUAW reader is going to be sliding his or her MacBook Air into this Pelican ProGear 1070CC HardBack Case in a little over a week. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 23, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Pelican ProGear 1070CC HardBack Case for MacBook Air, valued at US$85.00 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Apple releases firmware fix for Toshiba SSDs in 2012 MacBook Airs
Apple has released MacBook Air Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.1. The update can be downloaded by running Software Update on compatible MacBook Airs. The update is for mid-2012 MacBook Airs and will, in most cases, install the new firmware. But the update also checks the reliability of the MacBook Air's drive to save data and if it is found to be faulty, Apple will replace the drive. From the update's release notes: This firmware update is recommended for MacBook Air (mid 2012) models. Apple has discovered that a small percentage of flash storage drives in these MacBook Air models have an issue that may result in data loss. This update tests your drive and, in the majority of cases, installs new firmware to resolve the issue. If your drive cannot be updated, Apple will replace it, free of charge. If your drive is found to be faulty, Apple has detailed how to claim a replacement on the MacBook Air Flash Storage Drive Replacement Program page.
gdgt's best deals for October 16th: Apple MacBook Air (11-inch), Samsung 46-inch LED Smart TV
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our friends at sister site gdgt track price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Today's top deals include gear that could pass for back to school necessities -- if you're convincing. The popular and uber-portable 11-inch MacBook Air (mid-2012) is currently cruising at low-priced altitudes, and budding filmmakers or game coders could make an argument for nabbing Samsung's 46-inch F8000 series LED TV for "research" at its current price point. Want to make the most of your post-ramen bankroll? Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list -- every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Caturday: Multiple Macs need multiple cats
When you have a MacBook Pro, a MacBook Air and an iPad, you have to make sure that they're constantly in use to maximize your investment. For TUAW reader Belle, that was a simple thing to accomplish as she has a couple of gorgeous feline friends who seem to enjoy the company of their human and the Apple products. We'd love to see photos of your favorite feline soaking up the warmth of an Apple product, chasing a Magic Mouse, or just being a general nuisance while you're attempting to work on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Please let us know via our feedback page and please remember that your cat photo has to have some sort of connection to Apple or its products. For security reasons we can't accept inbound attachments, so you should host the photo (Dropbox, Flickr, iPhoto Journals, etc.) and send us the link. Many thanks to Belle for sharing this photo with us.
Apple releases EFI Firmware Update 2.7 for Mid-2013 MacBook Air
Owners of the latest MacBook Air models, take note: Apple has just released an EFI firmware update that fixes those pesky problems when trying to use Windows 8 via Boot Camp. Here's what Apple says about the MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.7: This update is recommended for MacBook Air (mid 2013) models. This update addresses an issue which may cause a black screen to appear when installing Windows 7 or Windows 8 using Boot Camp Assistant if both an external optical drive and USB thumb drive are connected to the system. This update also ensures that the system will boot by default into OS X after installation of Windows 8. Owners of the latest MacBook Air can get the firmware update by running Software Update on their Mac or by downloading it directly here.
Apple releases SMC Firmware Update battery fixes for MacBooks
Apple has released a slew of SMC Firmware Updates for all of its MacBook computers. The updates are for all MacBook models between mid-2012 and mid-2013, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro with Retina display and fixes significant battery issues many users were experiencing. MacBook Pro's SMC Firmware Update 1.8 This update is recommended for MacBook Pro (mid 2012) models. This update addresses rare issues where the battery unexpectedly stops functioning or the system hangs when the battery charge reaches less than 1 percent. MacBook Pro Retina SMC Update 1.2 This update is recommended for 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (late 2012) models, and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (mid 2012) models. This update addresses rare issues where the battery unexpectedly stops functioning or the system hangs when the battery charge reaches less than 1 percent. MacBook Air SMC Update 1.9 This update is recommended for MacBook Air (mid 2012 and mid 2013) models. This update addresses rare issues where the battery unexpectedly stops functioning, the system does not recognize the battery or the system hangs when the battery charge reaches less than 1 percent. All updates can be downloaded by running Software Update on the respective MacBooks.
Twelve South introduces GhostStand for MacBook
Now here's a way to make your MacBook look almost like it's floating in mid-air: the design wizards at Twelve South have announced GhostStand (US$34.99), a transparent Lucite platform that elevates a MacBook about six inches off of the desktop for easy viewing. The two blades that make up the GhostStand have double-inlaid brushed-metal rails that are lined with silicone to both grip and protect the MacBook and desk surface. The stand is a wonderful way to elevate a MacBook screen to improve dual-monitor use, and also offers a more ergonomic arrangement for any MacBook user. As with Twelve South's previous recent addition to the family, the HiRise for iPhone 5 / iPad mini, the pricing on this attractive stand is quite reasonable. We're happy to see that Twelve South is making more affordable products that still offer beautiful design and top-quality construction. TUAW will feature a full review of the GhostStand in the near future.
GoToMeeting issues with MacBook Air camera persist
Since the launch of the latest MacBook Air, Citrix GoToMeeting users on the new machines have not been able to use their onboard webcams. The latest edition of the MacBook Air was released on June 10, 2013. On June 11, Apple put up a support page addressing an issue with the FaceTime HD camera not working with some applications. This issue has been around for quite some time. Much to the chagrin of many GoToMeeting users, other video chat programs -- Skype, FaceTime and Google Hangouts -- have released updates or already worked with the new MacBook Air. But those services don't offer the same security and features that GoToMeeting offers. It's a good program for video conferencing, which is why some users are getting frustrated about the lack of any clear timeframe as to when the issue will be fixed. The only public information available about the issue is a thread on the GoToMeeting community page, which was started on June 25. On June 28, a GoToMeeting Community Leader made a post blaming a change in the MacBook Air's video driver and said there was no timeframe available for fixing the issue as it would require an update to the GoToMeeting endpoint. On July 16, a community member received an email response about the issue from Citrix. Hello Robert, Thank you for contacting Citrix Global Customer Support. At this time there has not been an announced ETA on when an updated version of GoToMeeting is to be released to address this issue. We apologize for any inconvenience with this. Your comments are valuable and have been forwarded on to our Development Team to be considered for a future enhancement. We encourage you to continue providing us information about your experiences using GoToMeeting as we are constantly seeking ways to enhance and improve our product. Thanks again for taking the time to write to us with your suggestion. Thank you, Adrian Iglesias | Coordinator, Global Customer Support Citrix | Online Services Division http://www.citrixonline.com On July 18, August 5 and August 22 the same Community Leader as before responded, each time with the same basic message. At this time, no ETA is available and developers are aware of the issue. We've reached out to Citrix for a comment as to the status of an update. In the meantime, you can follow the community thread about this issue here.
It's a bag, it's a sleeve, it's the Booq Viper courier
The bag-making pros at Booq are back at it again. Just in time for back-to-school, they've introduced two new bags that are really a hybrid of the traditional computer bag and a stiff sleeve. The Booq Viper courier comes in both 13-inch (US$99.95) and 15-inch ($109.95) flavors, and we'll be giving away one of the 15-inch models later ... so stay tuned. Design It's the design of this bag that makes it different from all the rest. Most computer bags are like the one I got from the company when I hired on: they have a shoulder strap, a padded pocket for the computer (with the requisite Velcro strap to hold it in place), a couple of other pockets for papers and accessories, and the ever-popular slots for pens. For those who love lightweight and compact protection for their laptops, there are a number of manufacturers who make sleeves. Booq's contribution to the laptop sleeve market has been the Viper series, made up of the case (starting at $44.95), the hardcase (starting at $49.95), and the sleeve (starting at $39.95). This series has a semi-rigid exterior with a cloth finish, and provides extra protection for your laptop. Now the Booq folks have created a mashup of the Viper semi-rigid cases and sleeves and a more traditional MacBook bag with these two Booq Viper courier bags. The exterior of the Booq Viper courier is covered in a waterproof and organically dyed natural fibre fabric in a neutral grey color. It has a nice feel and looks quite classy. Hiding inside the Viper courier are a variety of pockets into which you can slide a surprising amount of gear. Rather than describe the functions of all of these pockets, check out the following short video from Booq: Functionality OK, so you can fit a lot of gear into the Booq Viper courier. I think that the high points of this bag are the padding around the laptop pocket and the internal iPad pocket. One other feature that Booq provides with many of its products is a serialized TerraLinq tag that is unique to your bag. If you lose the bag, the tag provides a way for the finder to hopefully get it back to you. The shoulder strap was very comfortable, even when I weighed down the bag with my 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display, a full-sized iPad, an iPad mini, charging cables, my iPhone, and some assorted papers and magazines from my desk. The other main selling point of the Booq Viper courier is how it looks; it's one of the more classy laptop bags I've seen in the recent past. I love the small touches that really add to the usability of the bag -- the cloth zipper pulls that make it easy to open the bag, the handles that tuck away if you're not using them, and the easy-to-remove shoulder strap. The Viper courier is a bag that would look equally at home on the shoulder of a college student or in an executive boardroom. It's not flashy; instead, it's understated and professional. Although the Booq Viper courier can hold a surprising amount of gear, you might need a bag that has a bit more space in it. Booq recently announced a new member of the family: the Booq Boa brief ($149.95). I personally don't think it's as nice-looking as the Viper courier, but your tastes may be different from mine. Conclusion For the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro user with a 13-inch or 15-inch model, the Booq Viper courier provides top-notch protection to your gear while looking good at the same time. Pros Comfortable removable shoulder strap Surprising amount of storage space in a relatively slim bag TerraLinq service can help you be reunited with a lost or stolen bag Fabric material is waterproof Zipper pulls provide ease of entry Special interior pocket for iPad Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who wants a classy-looking, relatively inexpensive, and well-constructed laptop case for their MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. Giveaway And now it's time for someone with a nice MacBook to win this lovely bag! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 27, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Booq Viper courier bag worth $109.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Daily Update for August 22, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Pad & Quill's Cartella Linen: A solid addition to an great line
Steve Sande is normally our Pad & Quill guru, but when the new Cartella Linen came along, he had one sent out to me for a test drive. Design I took a look at the leather-bound Cartella nearly a year ago with my smaller MacBook Air, and the larger linen-bound one is much the same. Instead of covered in leather, it features American Buckram cloth that's used in binding books. You have your choice of red or black. As with previous models, the interior tray is made of Baltic Birch, with cutouts to hold the MacBook Air in place and rubber bumpers to create a tight fit. The ports are easily accessed, and a slash pocket can hold papers. A thick elastic band secures the case. Like all their cases, the Cartella Linen is handmade in Minneapolis. %Gallery-195856% Functionality The Baltic Birch wood shell that holds the MacBook Air in place has been redesigned, and it's a lot more secure than the version I tried last year. When I knocked the case a bit too hard in the older model, the computer easily slid out. With the Cartella Linen, I was able to hold my MacBook Air in the case upside down, and it stayed put (note, do not try this at home.) It wouldn't come out unless I gave the case a really sharp shake. The linen Cartella also comes with extra bumpers in case you need to customize the fit, but I didn't need them. I carried the Cartella around my day job with the lid open all the time, something I hesitated to do when testing the older case. Folded back, the case is the perfect angle for typing, whether it's being held on a lap or sitting on a table. The one thing I do worry about with the linen model is the top half of the case curving. I do a lot of typing at home with my laptop in my lap, and after three days of testing, the top of the Cartella case has buckled a bit to account for the uneven surface. When you close the laptop, the case no longer lies flat over the lid. It's something that might bother some users, and I'm curious as to how the case is going to hold up over time as a result. The Cartella Linen folded back after regular lap use (bottom) vs. the regular Cartella There's enough airflow when the laptop is in the case that the MacBook Air is running much cooler. I've yet to have the fans kick on while using my MacBook Air while in the case, which is a huge bonus. Conclusion I've really enjoyed reviewing the Cartella Linen, in a lot of ways even more so than the original. The better-fitting wood shell makes the case rock-solid, though I am concerned about the cloth-bound top portion of the case giving out after long-term use. It's practical, sturdy and looks great in my bag when heading to work, the bookstore, the coffee shop, or any place you want to tote your MacBook Air. It's a solid addition to the Cartella line. The Cartella Linen comes in red and black. It'll fit all MacBook Air models produced since late 2010. The 11-inch version is US$89.99, and the 13-inch model is $99.99.
MacBook Air gets gaming credentials through home-built external GPU (video)
The MacBook Air's integrated graphics all but rule it out as a serious gaming machine. However, Larry Gadea at the Tech Inferno forums has found a way to make the Air a powerhouse through an ad hoc external GPU. His design mates a PCI Express video card to the Mac's Thunderbolt port through a combination of two adapters, a Boot Camp installation of Windows 7 and third-party software. The performance improvement is appropriately dramatic, leading to frame rates up to seven times faster than what Intel's HD 5000 can manage. Just don't expect to buy a pre-assembled version anytime soon -- the peripheral needs a desktop-class power supply just to run, and Intel won't issue the licenses needed to commercialize Thunderbolt GPUs. If you're absolutely determined to get a Crysis-worthy ultraportable, though, you'll find Gadea's instructions at the source link.
2013 Macbook Air update fixes flickering screen and WiFi, available now
If you've been experiencing unstable WiFi as well as flickers while Photoshopping on your new mid-year MacBook Air, Apple's got you covered. The tech giant reports that the patch addresses the aforementioned issues cropping up in "rare instances," as well as a bug that causes audio levels to jump around during video playback. The software update -- 1.0, if you're interested in the details -- is available from Apple Support in the links below.
