tweet-this
Latest
Show floor video: Equinux shows the TubeStick
Equinux, makers of iSale, CoverScout and an interesting collection of other apps, was at Macworld demoing TubeStick, their TV receiver. Like El Gato's EyeTV, the TubeStick is a hardware doohickey with the TV parts inside (logically) and some software that lets you watch TV on your Mac. Unlike El Gato, however, there is a social aspect to TubeStick. Example: you can chat with friends who are watching the same thing. The CEO took us on a quick tour, which you can view after the break.(Note: Equinux also gave us some show swag which we'll be giving away next week)
Embracing weightless data
I can't stop talking about the MacBook Air. It's so thin, so light and so gosh-darn sexy (in the way that only a machine shaped like a two thousand-dollar toilet lid can be). Since the topic seems to have worn thin with my kids -- my 4-year-old insists that the lack of a Firewire port is ludicrous and my 2-year-old is threatening to "...go Edubuntu" just to spite me -- I'm going to share my thoughts with you.
A sampling of Mac games on display at Macworld 2008
Mike took a tour of some Mac game booths over in Moscone West. Check out a quick review of Tiger Woods Golf, Sims Pool and Sims Bowling for the iPod, making machinima using 'The Movies' (who'd a thunk it), a brief interlude with Aquaria, a true Guitar Hero (seriously, one of the world's best takes on the hardest song on the hardest setting), and a look at EVE Online, now available in PC, Linux and Mac. All this in less than 9 minutes.
Pocketguitar for the iPhone lets you strum on the multitouch
Engadget found this slick little gem over the weekend for your jailbroken iPhone. It's a virtual guitar (a lot like Jam Sessions if you've ever played that, actually -- reaffirming my thought that the iPhone is the best handheld gaming device ever made), where you can put your fingers over the strings at the top, and then strum on the bottom to play notes and chords. Not only can you play your own songs, but you can even play along with any stored music you have on your iPhone, too. And every song, I tell you, can be improved by throwing in another guitar solo.Pocketguitar for the iPhone and iPod touch is available on the ModMyiFone.com Community Sources packing in Installer under Toys. Load it up and strum away.
Show floor video: Axiotron's Modbook wows the crowd
Who said there can only be one big portable computer announcement at Macworld Expo? The long-awaited Axiotron Modbook -- a FrankenMac adaptation of the MacBook into a surprisingly sleek and functional tablet machine -- was originally shown at last year's Macworld Expo and has finally reached shipping status (available starting at $2290). Does the lure of a touchscreen outweigh the siren call of a MacBook Air? Can you get real work done with Ink gesture recognition?We got a quick demo at the Axiotron booth (video after the jump). For mobile artists, storyboard work or architectural annotations, the Modbook might be just the thing.
Show floor video: Parallels Server virtualizes OS X Server
While VMware's OS X virtualization offering is described as a 'technology preview' (translation: still too buggy for beta), the team at Parallels is beta-ready with the new Parallels Server product, allowing you to virtualize OS X Server alongside your Windows, Windows Server and Linux VMs. The server version from 'Big Red' also features experimental support for Intel's VT-d directed I/O capability (present on the newest Mac Pro and XServe machines), lightweight and 'bare metal/headless' hypervisor modes, and 2-way SMP multicore in a VM (expected to support 4-way SMP in the final version).Feel the power of this mostly operational virtualization station in our brief video demo with Parallels marketing lead Ben Rudolph (video after the jump). Pricing and availability on Parallels Server aren't announced yet but as soon as they are we'll let you know.Update: Commenters have suggested that 'too buggy for beta' was an unfair characterization of VMware's demo, and they're probably right -- I did not mean to diminish the incredible efforts of developers at VMware, who like the Parallels crew have been working very hard on this. Also suggested was the notion that Parallels Server beta is an inferior offering and it can't install an unmodified copy of Leopard Server (as VMware's demo did -- the video linked on Regis' blog was shot by me :-). I can't vouch for the install process, but I can say that the Parallels instance of X Server worked as expected when I had hands-on time with it. Parallels is not new, corporately, to the challenge of enterprise virtualization; the Virtuozzo product line is both reliable and well-regarded, and the engineering talent behind those products is now collaborating on the Parallels Server work.
TUAW Interviews Merlin Mann
Wandering the floor of Macworld you're bound to run into all sorts of folks. As we were taping behind the Apple booth we saw Merlin Mann talking to the Panic guys. He was kind enough to take a moment from his busy (but organized) schedule and talk to us.Also available on: YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Crackle
TUAW Interviews Christopher Breen
Christopher Breen knows a thing or two about iPods, iTunes and the Apple digital media ecosystem. We asked him about the limits of the newly-enabled Apple TV purchases, HD content and the fragile-yet-sexy Macbook Air.Also available on: YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Crackle
Gallery: MacBook Air
Haven't seen enough of Apple's decidedly tasty MacBook Air? Wanting to see some shots to persuade you that you do actually need to buy one? Never fear, for we've got a smorgasbord of MacBook Air photos.%Gallery-14035%
Macworld Swag-Grab: Skitch Tee
Everyone loves a bit of trade-show swag, and whilst we can't get our hands on anything as large (or perhaps more apt: costly) as a MacBook Air we have got our mitts on a selection of swag which the vendors have offered to give away. We kick off with everyone's favourite: a tee-shirt from Plasq, the makers of Skitch! We've got just one of these to give away, so how do you go about winning?Simple: after reading this post, comment below (making sure to read the terms and conditions) and then activate your comment! You've got until 11:59 PM EST on Thursday 17th January to comment, after which a real, live TUAW blogger will run over to the Plasq booth, and grab the tee in the correct size (which we'll confirm via email).You can only win once and the winner will be drawn, at random, after the giveaway closes at 11:59pm on Thursday 17th January.
MacSpeech releases Dictate, wins Best of Show
For some time now speech recognition on the Mac has lagged behind Windows, particularly Dragon Naturally Speaking. Well, no more, as MacSpeech, developer of iListen for the Mac, has managed to license the Dragon engine from maker Nuance for the new MacSpeech Dictate announced at Macworld.In addition to standard speech recognition and transcription into various applications like Word and Pages, Dictate also allows you to control your Mac by voice including support for Automator and AppleScript. According to our man on the show floor, it's impressive enough that it has won a Best of Show award.MacSpeech Dictate will be available on February 15 for Intel Macs starting at $199, and registered users of iListen will be able to crossgrade for $99 unless purchased in 2008, in which case it will be $29 (iListen has been discontinued).Update: A press release has been issued with more specifics on pricing. The crossgrade price for iListen users is actually $99; the $29 crossgrade is only available until April 15 to people who purchased iListen in 2008.
Royal Caribbean new ships carry Mac infrastructure
At today's Mac IT conference opening session, Bruce Wolf from the Royal Caribbean cruise line discussed the computing infrastructure for some of the company's newest ships. Since these ships are built for an extended lifespan, the technology choices made during the build process are still critical up to 15 years later. Apple and Nanonation provided a solution proposal that apparently knocked the socks off of the RC executive committee, and some of the proposed tech began to make its way into the ship's operations.Beginning in late 2006 with the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, shipboard signage onboard was driven by Mac Minis with an XServe back end and Samsung displays. Later, custom messaging to the passengers (announcements, shore excursions, fitness center scheduling, casino promotions and touchscreen ship maps) appeared on the largescreen displays. Moving on from the big displays, some newer builds have entertainment and reservations capability (dining and activities) in the staterooms.Moving forward, ships will be equipped with a broadcast room that feeds content to both guest staterooms and crew cabins (each driven by either a Mini or an Apple TV). Back-of-house crew signage, guest enrichment centers for learning opportunities and public signage will all be Mac-driven. Eventually, every television on the ship will be backed by a Mac. On the Celebrity Solstice, now under construction, the build in progress is supporting 1000 stateroom TVs from a bank of XServes and Mac Minis.Next time you cruise the shining seas, keep an eye out for the Mac in the back!
Confirmed: iTunes 7.6 needed for some successful 1.1.3 upgrades
A heads-up for those who are struggling to get iPhones updated: If you've tried upgrading your iPhone or iPod touch to 1.1.3 and are getting mysterious errors that keep you from finishing the upgrade or restore process, make sure you're already running iTunes 7.6. I'm hearing reports from various parties that pre-7.6 iTunes installations will may fail to properly upgrade iPhones and touches. After installing the newer software, the upgrades begin to work properly. iTunes 7.6 is available in Software Update or directly from Apple.Update: It looks like there are 1.1.3 successes on both Mac and Windows without 7.6. If you do get the update error, go ahead and upgrade but as reader responses are showing, you may not need to upgrade beforehand.Update 2: The specific errors you may encounter are 1603 and 1604. If you get these errors, update to 7.6, and if possible reboot both iPhone and your computer.
iPhone 1.1.3 changes Gmail access to IMAP, affects mail deletion
If you're a seasoned Gmail user, you're probably well aware that Google's email is available via IMAP for use with your iPhone. Of course, in previous versions of the iPhone firmware, the all-in-one Gmail configuration option was for the (very different) POP protocol: Gmail didn't enable IMAP until after the launch of the iPhone.If you know your IMAP from your SMTP, then you're probably already aware of why this is neat -- and also a curse over the previous POP system, if you don't take careful note of how the different protocols behave. Because IMAP actually keeps all your folders in sync with your server-side mailbox at Google, any changes you make to your mail on 1.1.3 will now also be reflected on the Gmail server. This means when you delete that message on your iPhone, in 1.1.2 it would still be archived on the Gmail server; with 1.1.3 and IMAP it now hits the master trash can and will be deleted after 30 days under Gmail's trash can rules. You have been warned!
1.1.3 update leaves GoPhone users stranded
Some iPhone users on the GoPhone plan across the country are finding themselves without access to the EDGE network after the 1.1.3 firmware update, and neither AT&T's customer support nor the AT&T forums are offering very many options for affected customers. "You are not subscribed to the EDGE network" is the message facing the affected users. Subsequent calls to AT&T have resulted in a mixed response. They're aware of the problem and generally offering a change of plans as a solution. The options seem to involve restarting your monthly billing or paying by the kilobyte, which is likely not a prospect most previously content GoPhone users are looking forward to. Update: Despite earlier assumptions by myself and users who first reported the problem it is not the 1.1.3 update that is causing the GoPhone problem, but rather an apparently coincidental server crash. AT&T support is offering a limited quick fix for some users, but is working on a long-term solution.
Inquisitor answers the call
Inquisitor, Dave Watanabe's search tool for Safari, was the cause of a recent debate regarding disclosure of affiliate links. In response to public criticism, Watanabe has released a new version that both marks sponsored links and even allows you to disable the affiliate links entirely. He offers his response in a recent blog post.You'll notice an update to the download page as well, offering a statement regarding the affiliate links that Inquisitor (now, optionally) inserts into search results. I commend him for this response and I think a lot of people will be relieved that they won't need to give up one of the tools that makes Safari great, even if just on principle.
Apple TV Take 2
The Apple TV has hardly been the most successful Apple product. In fact, you could say it has been kind of a flop. Even Steve Jobs admitted in his keynote address that the Apple TV has failed to meet expectations and truly link online content with the television. So what is Apple's plan to try to change that? Welcome to Apple TV Redux!While the Apple TV's form factor remains the same, the software interface has changed significantly. The most notable feature is the ability to buy music, movies and iTunes rentals directly from the device, no computer required. Frankly, this is something I think should have been included from the very beginning. The Apple TV will be able to playback HD and standard definition movies and support Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.Additionally, Apple TV will now support interactive slideshows via Flickr and .Mac accounts.There's one more change - one I also think is a big improvement to the overall product - the price has dropped. The 40 GB entry model is now just $229 USD (down from $299) and the 160 GB model is $329. Now that users actually have the ability to buy content directly from the device, and that HD content will be readily available, it has suddenly become much more attractive.Current Apple TV owners can get the additional benefits via a software update now in the two weeks (when the new units ship).
MWSF '08 keynote video is online
Well, that didn't take long! Roughly one our after Randy Newman sang at the end of Steve's Keynote presentation, the video has been posted on Apple's website. Reading about the keynote is fun, but watching the video is so much better. See the demos, marvel at the shiny hardware, revel in the crowd's "oohs" and "aahs." Finally, whip out your credit card!Thanks, Sebastian!Update: Apple seems to have removed the video. We're sure it will be back up later. Keep your eyes on the Special Events page.It's back.
iTunes Digital Copy
iTunes Digital Copy sort of snuck into the Keynote, but it is a pretty big deal (that we already knew about). Starting today if you buy any 20th Century Fox DVD that is labeled 'iTunes Digital Copy' you'll not only get the physical DVD, but a digital copy. Simply insert the disk into your Mac or PC, enter a unique code into iTunes, and iTunes will import a digital version of the movie onto your Mac/PC. You can view the movie on your Mac, iPod, or iPhone as many times as you like (since you own the movie) but the digital copy can only be imported into one iTunes library.
Time Capsule backs up your Macs
Apple has released Time Capsule, a NAS (network-attached storage, I'll admit I'm so far from an IT guy that I had to look it up) unit that will wirelessly sync with multiple instances of Time Machine, all the while also working as an 802.11n base station (there are three included ethernet ports as well). Time Capsule has wireless backup, wireless networking, and even a USB port for networked printing, a networked hard drive, or both with a USB hub.And perhaps most amazing is the sheer size available-- it's $399 for a 500gb hard drive, and $499 for a 1 TB hard drive. Sure, that's a little pricey if you've got only one or two computers at home, but $500 for a complete (and completely wireless) backup solution for a house full of computers is a pretty nice setup. This definitely won't cause as much of a stir as the iPhone updates or the MacBook Air today, but for someone who's been seeking a backup solution for a whole house of computers, Time Capsule has to be pretty good news. It's available for preorder right now, and will release in February.
