I use Audio Hijack Pro 2 for capturing Internet radio streams and various talk radio shows for time shifting and for listening to on my iPod. Just after the release of version 2 Rogue Amoeba has announced an update to version 2.1.

It might seem difficult to improve on Audio Hijack Pro 2, released just two months ago with over 35 brand-new features. But Rogue Amoeba has done just that with Audio Hijack Pro 2.1. This free update for owners of Audio Hijack Pro 2 brings several new features, including the new Channel Tweaker plugin, Sample Rate settings in AIFF recordings, variables in recording ID3 Tags, and 800×600-resolution compliance. As well, over two dozen bugs both big and small have been fixed, including issues with AAC recordings and many others.
As always, Audio Hijack Pro will drastically change the way you use audio on your computer by giving you the freedom to listen to audio when you want and how you want. Record and enhance any audio with Audio Hijack Pro – it’s the cornerstone of your digital audio experience.

Do you use a stream ripper? Which one and what do you use it for?

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Wired’s Cult of Mac has a great story on a laser-engraving service for PowerBooks. This is only for those not concerned with resale value.

Aaron Novak and Daniel Forsythe are thinking of launching a custom laser-engraving service for PowerBooks, a la iPod engravings. Novak writes:
“This is one of the first tests using a retro pixel cassette-tape design. If there is any interest in people wanting to buy custom designed laser engraved power book lids, we may try making a business out of it. Right now were thinking about charging $60 or so… Dan, the co-creator, is setting up a website for the stuff now but he can be contacted at defor@eastrain.com.”

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In this german article, Sony is said to stop selling copy protected Audio CDs. So, may I finally (after several years) be able to buy a real Audio CD and hear it with my Powerbook? That?s good news. (Thanks Markus Weimer).

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CNet has posted a chart helping everyone who loves music figure out which online music sites can be used with their player. Especially useful for those Mac faithful who own (GASP!) another portable music player.

Finding the right MP3 player isn’t an easy proposition now that there are so many options to choose from. To complicate the matter further, certain players work only with certain online music stores. Even if you already have an MP3 player, it can be tricky to figure out which stores sell songs that your player can actually play.
In other words, online music is a jungle. Think of this chart as your machete, slicing through the tangles and confusion. It doesn’t list every player in the world, but it goes a long way toward helping you make sure that your purchased songs will work with your MP3 player. (Note on testing: Players were tested using at least one of the following: bundled software, RealPlayer, and Windows Media Player. We are continually testing popular players as new stores/services, firmware updates, and DRM technology are constantly being implemented.)

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MacInTouch has posted a Future PowerBook Survey asking readers what they’re looking for in their next ‘Book. Some of the responses include: the ability to swap batteries in sleep mode, brighter backlight and moving the annoying function key. Good article and worth a read…
Besides a G5 processor and Blue-Ray DVD burner what else could someone possibly want in a PowerBook?

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Charles Moore’s Road Warrior column discusses new processor upgrades from Daystar for the PowerBook G4 Titanium.

Last week Daystar/XLR8 quietly added Titanium PowerBook processor upgrades to their existing Pismo and Lombard G4 upgrade solutions. I have a Daystar 550 MHz G4 upgrade in my own Pismo PowerBook and am delighted with it and the excellent service I received from Daystar. You can read my The Road Warrior review here…
Titanium PowerBook processor upgrades have been considered a long shot (never say never), but Daystar has figured out how to engineer modest 30 percent – 40 percent speed enhancements. According to Daystar’s Gary Dailey, form factor and ROM constraints have thus far prevented them from going beyond that.

Read more at MacOpinion.

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The MacComparisonZone pits a PowerBook G4 (12-inch) 1.33GHz against a Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz and askes “What Are The Performance, Feature And Price Differences?” The article points out the performance inherent in the faster G5 processor and notes the paltry US$50 price difference. Spoiler: The G5 processor is 37% faster and gaming graphics performance is 88% better. Read the rest of the stats at MacComparisonZone.
Have you had to choose between a desktop and a portable? Which did you choose and why?

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XLR8YourMac’s Friday news page had the first reader report on runtime from a PB G4/1GHz owner (4+hrs vs 2.5 w/stock battery) using the Newer Tech 4800mAh battery for PB G4 Ti/15in models. Here’s another reader’s comments on runtime with it:

I’ve been using Newer’s 4800mAh battery in my 500-MHz Titanium, and I gotta say, it’s great. I get, at minimum, three hours of running time (which is when I watch a 2-plus-hour DVD in full screen mode with AirPort off), and normally more than four hours of life otherwise. (Typically 4:30 to 5:00, depending on active hardware, open apps, and screen brightness.)

Read more at XLR8YourMac.com.

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InfoWorld’s Chad

When considering the purchase of any piece of mobile technology it is important to consider the entire real cost of the item including the accessories. The devil in certainly in the details and with PDA and smartphones especially, you should expect to spend almost the cost of the base unit on the requisite cases, batteries and chargers.
For example, the new HP iPaq h6315 smartphone/PDA costs much more than the attractive base price of US$499 (with activation, US$599 without).
Look at these extra expenses as Total Cost of Acquisition (TCA) and if you dive in and purchase the new iPAQ (or any mobile phone or PDA, for that matter) prepare yourself to buy the following (almost immediately). Read more…

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