Walmart has lowed the price of the 16GB iPhone 3GS from US$197 to $97. You still, of course, must sign up for the two-year service contract.
Also, the 32GB version is still $297 at the giant retail chain. There are rumors that Apple will announce a new iPhone at June's Worldwide Developer Conference.
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Apple has launched its 2010 back-to-school promo (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/back_to_school). Students and educators can buy a Mac and get a free iPod touch.
If you’re a college student or a faculty or staff member at any grade level and you buy a new Mac with Apple education pricing from May 25 through Sept. 7, 2010, you can get a free 8GB iPod touch. You're also eligible for a US$50 discount on the MacBook, $100 off a MacBook Air, up to $200 off of a MacBook Pro, and up to a $100 on an iMac.
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On the new "MacVoices" (http://www.macvoices.com, James Lee of Tropical Software tells how he's looking for a few good people to help test and suggest for the upcoming iPhone and iPad versions of TopXNotes.
He talks about the history of their flagship program, where it falls in the note-taking software hierarchy, and why so many users find it easy to understand and adopt. TopXNotes recently received an interface update; Lee covers that, along with his plans for the mobile device version and invites you to contact him to participate. He also has some praise for Apple's iPad/iPhone development policies, and uses some examples from the Mac's past to explain why he supports their efforts to protect us from "the nasty stuff."
"MacVoices" is an Internet show and podcast that delivers in-depth discussions with the most influential people in the Mac industry, as well as "the individuals who are out there...
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OpenTrust (http://www.opentrust.com), a next gen IT security software publisher, says it has successfully secured the iPad using its OpenTrust Mobile technology to secure access to corporate networks.
OpenTrust Mobile supports the most common Mobile OS including iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows. This latest development will allow customers to manage digital identities held on the Apple iPad, along with smart phones equipped with Digital IDs, to remotely and automatically authenticate themselves to corporate networks, according to OpenTrust Chief Technical Officer Sherley Brothier.
"The iPad is one of many end user platforms we are targeting, including other mobile computing devices and smartphones," he says. "In line with our core mission of building trusted ecosystems, it is important that our authentication offering supports all users, all networks and all devices, in particular mobile ones."
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Kroll Ontrack (http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/apple%2Drecovery%2Dservices/) -- a provider of information management, data recovery, and legal technology products and services -- has announced improvements to its data recovery capabilities for Mac systems, addressing the surge in usage of Apple systems, services, applications and devices, including the iPad, iPhone and iPod.
Through its Ontrack Data Recovery services, Kroll Ontrack’s proprietary Recovery Positioning SystemT feature adds a higher level of precision to the data recovery process, resulting in faster service and a higher quality data recovery, according to Todd Johnson, vice president of Ontrack Data Recovery operations, Kroll Ontrack.
Ontrack Data Recovery engineers report that requests for Mac-specific data recoveries have doubled over the last three...
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Honeywell (http://www.honeywell.com), a provider of security technology, is helping consumers give their home and business security systems modern-day makeovers using some of today's most popular mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPod touch.
The company’s Total Connect communications service -- which consumers use to remotely control their security systems from Web-enabled devices such as laptops and smart phones -- now provides streaming video services that allow consumers to view live video of their homes and businesses. The system notifies customers via email of security incidents such as attempted break-ins, and non-emergency events such as a child returning home from school.
Consumers can then access the video from a laptop or handheld mobile device. In addition, they can remotely pan and tilt cameras, manually record video clips, or even take snapshots.
Total Connect...
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In this week's poll, we're asking whether you think Apple should released an iPad-like Mac -- in other words, one with a closed system. The poll is located on the right hand side of the home page beneath the Macsimum Opinion column.
In our last poll, we asked if Apple should support Flash on its mobile devices. Seventy-nine percent of you said "no," and 21% said "yes."
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Carnation Software has released MacWise 12.0.3 (http://www.MacWise.com) for Mac OS X 10.2 and higher. The new version is a maintenance release that fixes some bugs.
Many host computers are programmed to instruct the client app to save and restore screens. MacWise 12.0 or later supports three sets of escape sequences commonly used by PC clients (HostAccess, Accuterm and System Builder).
The software emulates ADDS Viewpoint, Wyse 50, Wyse 60, Wyse 370, Televideo TV 925, DEC VT100, VT220 and Prism terminals. MacWise also supports ANSI and SCO ANSI color. Esprit III color is also supported in Wyse 370 mode, and AppleScript. It works with Intel or PowerPC Macs, MacBooks, Powerbooks and desktops and allows users to connect to the host via serial, modem, telnet, ssh, via the internet or local connection.
MacWise 12 costs US$95 for a single users license. Version 12.0.3 is a free upgrade for registered...
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Here are the latest iPhone/iPod touch/iPod/iPad apps announced. You can find 'em at the Apple App Store (http://www.itunes.com/appstore/).
Macsoftex has announced American Poetry 1.0 for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. It's an US$0.99, searchable compendium of 5,000 poems by 50 of America's greatest poets. The app uses a parchment/sepia motif with a modest Victorian floral border to display poems in a black Times font, which is adjustable in size. A century of American poetry from Edgar Allan Poe and Edna St. Vincent Millay, to Sylvia Plath and William Carlos Williams is represented.
Hot Chili Apps has released Text Buttons 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch users. The $0.99 app enables the user to add buttons important contacts. Buttons can be created by using words and symbols in individual colors. Friends and relatives will be represented by a customized icon in the address book and by...
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iLuv (http://www.i-luv.com) has announced their new line of peripherals for the iPad, Mac/PC desktops and laptops. The newest products in this line include three small and portable speaker options. The line-up includes:
° iSP130: Mini Clip Speaker (US$19.99), a speaker companion for any laptop. The USB powered iSP130 includes a built-in hanging clip for mounting;
° iSP150: Portable Speaker Bar ($34.99), designed for iPad, iPhone, iPod, laptops and other portable audio devices with a 3.5mm jack. It features a built-in power switch, volume control and two power source options: USB or 4 AAA batteries;
° iSP170: Cube Speakers ($39.99), a small cubed designed, USB powered speaker solution designed for laptop users. The iSP170 is 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches in size and features built-in volume control.
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Koingo Software has updated Mac Cleanse (http://www.koingosw.com/products/maccleanse.php), a small Mac OS X application geared towards purifying your system, to version 2.0.1. The upgrade adds an option to always obtain admin auth before a scan/delete in the Preferences window.It also automatically prints out certain types of crash information to the Console.
MacCleanse can perform over 50 tasks that would take nearly an hour to perform manually. It erases caches, logs, cookies, histories, and more. You can purify junk from your system, clear personal information, and recover hard drive space. Mac Cleanse is available for US$19.95. Version 2.0.1 is a paid upgrade ($9.99) for customers owning a 1.x license that's more than six months old.
Mac Cleanse also contains enhanced features for specific applications like FireFox (including beta 3), Mozilla,...
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HungrySeacow Software has updated YummySoup (http://www.hungryseacow.com/home/yummysoup.html), its recipe management software for Mac OS X, to version 1.9.4. BBCGoodFood.com and MyRecipes.com importers have been updated in the new version.
YummySoup 1.9.4 is a free update for registered users; for new users the cost is US$20. A 15-day demo is available at the HungrySeacow Software web site.
YummySoup is a Universal Binary app, so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
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FinderPop (http://www.finderpop.com/), a preference pane that extends OS X's contextual menus using a FinderPop Items folder much as the Apple Menu Items folder used to do for the Apple menu, has been updated to version 2.3.0. The upgrade is ready for Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard").
You can use it as a launcher that takes up zero screen real estate or a filesystem browser. Also, FinderPop sports a Processes menu (so you can command-click a blank menubar area.)
FinderPop is Universal Binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. It requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. The app is free, but if you like it, you're encouraged to make a donation to the developer so development can continue.
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The popularity of the iPhone doesn't show signs of subsiding in Korea, with its sales surpassing 700,000 units as of May 22, just six months since its launch here, reports the "Korea Herald" (http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100523000165).
It took 27 days for KT to increase its iPhone subscribers from 500,000 to 600,000, while it took only 25 days to add another 100,000 subscribers. An average of 4,000 users bought the iPhone per day since its rollout in late November, according to KT, the exclusive vendor of the smartphone in Korea, notes the "Herald."
Meanwhile, the number of iPhone applications made by Korean developers is nearing 6,000, according to Dreamwiz, an iPhone app developer.
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On the new "MacVoices" (http://www.macvoices.com), conference organizer Steve Scott is about to pull off a difficult project: putting together a developers conference in four weeks.
That would be the NSConference MINI, and Scott explains how it came about, who it's for, and why it doesn't compete with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. He has plenty of experience, organizing two versions of the full NSConference, and outlines how the NSConference MINI will be a bit different, with attendee-determined and provided content, and an impromptu organizational style. Scott also provides an update on the Mac Developer Network, some video training they are offering, and more.
"MacVoices" is an Internet show and podcast that delivers in-depth discussions with the most influential people in the Mac industry, as well as "the individuals who are out there making it happen on the front lines of the...
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Bose (http://www.bose.com) has introduced new Lifestyle V-Class and T-Class home theater systems, combining proprietary 5.1 surround sound with the new Bose Unify intelligent integration system that's designed to overcome much of the growing complexity of setting up and using home theater systems. And they're iPod compatible.
The Lifestyle V-Class systems include Jewel Cube or Direct/Reflecting= speaker arrays, a built-in AM/FM tuner, a dock for iPod, and a universal remote control with a two-line display to show what radio station or song is playing; there’s no need to turn on the TV. The systems include Direct/Reflecting or Virtually Invisible speaker arrays, and a universal remote control. All systems include a control console for connection to sources and use automatic video upscaling for the highest resolution a TV can accept, up to 1080p via HDMI.
The Lifestyle V35 and V25 systems are available from...
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MacCaption Player from CPC (http://www.cpcweb.com), which provides HD closed captioned/subtitled video to museum kiosks, is being released today at the American Association of Museums’ “MuseumExpo” in Los Angeles.
MacCaption Player can output captioned and subtitled HD video superior to that of Blu-ray because of its capability to accept video exported directly from a broadcast editing system, using the video format that is native to the editing system, such as Apple ProRes, according to the folks at the American Association of Museums. And Runs on Reliable and Energy Efficient Mac Computers. MacCaption Player software runs on a Mac mini or any other newer model Mac.
MacCaption Player software comes with a display controller that allows the public to control the display of captions and subtitles. It uses standard cables such as USB and HDMI. In most cases, no additional wiring is necessary. The ADA (...
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Elgato (http://www.elgato.com) has debuted the world’s only DVR solution that provides full access to premium cable or satellite TV content on a Mac -- EyeTV HD (US$199.95). Customers can now watch record, edit and enjoy cable and satellite in high-definition, including all their premium channels.
What's more, EyeTV HD includes a dual-format capture mode that records in iPad and iPhone formats at the same time, allowing users to stream live and recorded TV to an iPhone or iPad using the optional EyeTV app.
To use you simply connect EyeTV HD to the outputs of the cable or satellite receiver with the included component cables, and to the computer via USB. Then position the included infrared channel changer cable nearby. The EyeTV software setup assistant takes you through a configuration process.
EyeTV HD records in the H.264 format for a high-definition digital picture. The H.264 format sports a...
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Intel (http://www.intel.com) has introduced Intel Core processors, extending the availability of its award-winning Intel Core processor family to ultra-thin laptops. The number 32 is key -- Intel's chip design and manufacturing dubbed "32 nanometers" delivers 32 percent slimmer laptops and more than 32% better performance.
Based on Intel's 32 nanometer (nm) technology manufacturing, the processors are more than 32% smaller and deliver more than 32% better performance, says Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group at Intel. These new processors also reduce power consumption3 more than 15%, resulting in great battery life, he adds.
They also sport Intel's Turbo Boost technology, which will automatically accelerate performance. And Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, available in Intel Core i7, Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i3 processors, provides responsiveness and helps reduce...
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Digital Anarchy (http://www.digitalanarchy.com/) has released a free 64-bit update for its Beauty Box skin retouching software. Beauty Box 1.0.1 is fully compatible with the Adobe CS5 Suite and runs natively in 64-bit host applications and operating systems.
The plug-in provides a way of smoothing skin and removing blemishes in film, HD and video. It's regularly priced at USS$199. The skin retouching software works in After Effects 7.0–CS5, Premiere Pro CS4–CS5 and Final Cut Pro 6.0–7.0. On the Mac, the product runs on Mac OS X 10.4 and higher.
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The FCC has issued its 14th Annual Report on the state of the wireless industry as required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. One of the "thinly veiled targets" in this report is Apple’s iPhone, according to "Minyanville" (http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/fcc-fcc-report-fcc-1...).
"First up were their concerns about exclusive handset arrangements (EHA)," the article says. "Obviously, this isn’t Apple-specific but the issue from the FCC’s perspective is that device manufacturers target carriers with the largest installed base of subscribers leaving the smaller carriers at a disadvantage."
What's more, the report includes a...
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Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, in a note to clients, has raised her Apple price target from US$275 to $310 per share (from $275), and upped her 2011 iPhone sales estimates to 61.5 million units. She also says Verizon users really want an iPhone.
Huberty told clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/24/morgan-stanley-ups-aapl-target-to...) -- that:
° The percentage of current iPhone customers planning to upgrade rose from 18% in November 2009 to 58% in March 2010. Huberty estimates that the combination of a growing installed base and a rising upgrade rate could yield 19 million upgrade units in 2011.
° Apple will probably cut the price of the iPhone 3GS to $99. If Apple and AT&T could also find a way to cut monthly service costs to $75 from about $...
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Apple’s run of "incredible products (and growth) has been achieved with a staggeringly low R&D spend," reports "Silicon Alley Insider" (http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-and-efficiently-growing-its-future-...). The article says Apple only spent US$4.6 billion on R&D over the past four years, while revenues soared from $25 billion to $43 billion.
In contrast, Microsoft spent 700% that amount on R&D during the same period: $31 billion. Likewise Cisco and Intel spent about 400% as much as Apple on R&D -- $19 billion and $23 billion respectively.
"These are astounding differences above Apple's research and development spend, especially considering that during this period Apple developed the iPhone and iPad," says "Silicon Alley Insider." "In fact it's rumored that Apple...
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Streaming Networks has released iRecord Music PMR-300 (http://www.irecord.com), an US$79.99, one-touch personal audio recorder that can directly record music and audio to portable media players (PMP), including all iPhone and iPod devices. The recorded files appear in the PMP’s playlist for immediate playback.
iRecord Music can also record to its internal storage space of 2GB. The contents can later be synced to an attached PMP with a touch of a button. Virtually any analog source is supported by iRecord Music, with a gain selection switch that compensates for peak-to-peak variation of output signal levels of different analog sources. Supported audio codecs are MP3, AAC, WAV, and FLAC.
iRecord Music is also a voice recorder and an audio player. Meetings, lectures and any other audio signal can be recorded using the on-board microphone. The USB cap of iRecord Music, housing a rechargeable battery,...
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The Reputation Institute (http://www.reputationinstitute.com), an international organization devoted to advancing knowledge about corporate reputations, has released a list of the most reputable companies in the world. Apple ranks number six on the list.
The study provides a first ever assessment of the global reputation landscape -- the companies that are most liked, trusted, and respected by the general public across 24 countries, says Dr. Charles Fobrun, chairman of the Reputation Institution. Data collection was powered by Survey Sampling International.
The study was conducted in two parts. In January 2010, Reputation Institute measured the reputations of the world’s 600 largest companies in their home countries. The highest rated companies in each of 32 countries were then selected as candidates for a second study that also rated the world’s most visible and valuable...
