Ever since 10.4.7 or the recent iChat 3.0 update, video requests fail 80% or more, with the “Send / Don’t Send” bug reports to Apple. I have plenty of bandwidth, 8 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up on static ISP cable (Roadrunner So Cal).
I reboot my AirPort base stations, Sonicwall, everything and it only works once in a while.
Contributed by: Vic

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As an iPod with Video owner, it doesn’t take long to realize that watching a full-length movie on that tiny screen just isn’t realistic. Yes, it’s cute. Yes, it draws attention from my kids’ friends (and mine too). And, in a pinch, it does the trick. But after a year with it, mainly what I’ve found is it’s simply an easier way to carry around movies and TV shows to watch someplace else (of course, besides a music player). Where I used to carry around 20+ DVDs, I now simply plug my iPod with Video into the video-in of most TVs (using Apple’s iPod AV cable – $19) and off I go. My kids love it, especially in the van using the built-in video player.
This past weekend, while shopping for myself for my big 4-0, I happened across the Sonic Impact SI5 at the Apple Store. Basically, the SI5 looks like a portable DVD player, but the iPod sits in a tray to play the movies. For $200 it plays the movies, but little else. So I went searching for other options when I came across the iLuv Portable iPod player AND DVD player.
I picked it up at Micro Center for under $150. I thought “what a great idea – a portable DVD player AND a large 7″ screen for my iPod.” I unpacked it, excitedly thinking I could get caught up on some last-season episodes of Lost before this season starts in February.
Click the jump for the full review…

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Jason wrote his top 13 missing iPhone features in his ZDNet blog, The Apple Core, and he makes good points; the only ones I disagree on are more related to my own work style: I don’t need OTA downloads from iTMS because I shun DRM; I don’t use Office so I don’t need Office support, and I personally like the sealed battery if it cuts down on size (it does) and gives better clean lines (it does). But these are just me, and most people will find those important.
But the one thing Jason missed – the big missing functionality in my world – is handwriting recognition.
I’ve written on a handheld device for years; first it was a series of Palm OS devices, then a Sony Ericsson P800. (OK, fine, there were two Newtons before any of that.) It’s just so much more natural to write than to type with your thumbs on tiny keypads. I know the whole opposable thumbs thing is cool, but just because we have them doesn’t mean we must be reduced to them. Writing is natural, and hey – isn’t the iPhone UI all about natural gestures and movement?
OS X has had Inkwell in there for a couple of years, quietly lurking below the surface, and it still hasn’t been taken advantage of. If you read Lev Grossman’s article in Time about the origin of the iPhone, it’s easy to guess that Inkwell came about because Apple was thinking tablet (and Steve spake, saying unto them, “makest me handwriting recognition software, for lo, I may want to use it!”), but by the time they changed directions, Inkwell was done and released. So maybe now’s the perfect time: Inkwell on an iPhone? Killer.
I’m also holding out hope for the “next” iPhone. So soon, you ask? Well, remember the time in the way back, before the keynote last week? There were rumors going around about how there were going to be two iPhones, one consumer, one smartphone. The iPhone that Steve demo’d wowed everyone so well, and does things so much better than any smartphone does, that we all thought that was it… but what if it’s not? What if (are you sitting down?)… what if that was Apple’s idea of a consumer level phone? What if there’s a higher-end phone, a real smart phone, waiting in the wings?
A lot can happen between now and June. I’m holding out hope.
Contributed by: Steve Abrahamson

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With all the discussion surrounding Apple and an iPhone device, could an Apple phone turn up as the ultimate remote for Apple’s iTV. Front Row + Apple Remotes are already bundled with Mac hardware. Wouldn’t it seem reasonable that a new phone would provide remote control for the upcoming iTV?
The thought is that a new Apple phone will integrate with iTV as a remote that you can use within the house… never misplacing your phone or remote and be a nearby and available phone to use. I imagine that the phone/remote would pile up the minutes as it would be the first choice of a phone to use while using your home media.
Smart phones are no more clumsy than other (TV, CD, DVD, VCR) remotes. An all-in-one Apple device that simplifies this media experience would be welcome. I’d imagine someone in Cupertino would think so.
Contributed by: Dave Walter

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Apple’s market position and recent performance suggest the company has the ability, capacity, and interest in shaking up the mobile phone industry, something that service providers, manufacturers, and consumers desperately need. Here’s why.
Read More…
Contributed by: Daniel Eran, RDM

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Apple’s iPod is a runaway hit, but will any of that success translate into different product categories? There are significant reasons why Apple is poised to repeat the same iPod success in new arenas. It has little to do with music playback, and instead relates to the integrated network of services Apple has built to support the iPod. Read More…
Contributed by: Daniel Eran, RDM

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Apple’s strategy for a new set of consumer electronics devices seems to be beyond the grasp of most industry analysts. That should really come as no surprise, because they don’t seem to understand what made the iPod a success over the last five years either.
Since its release, analysts have been falling all over themselves to identify the next “iPod killer.” They still throw out the phrase every time Sony releases a new version of a Walkman branded phone or Microsoft renames its latest version of Janus DRM, to suggest that the iPod is on the verge of being eclipsed.
In reality however, the iPod is not only experiencing dramatic growth, but also moving into new markets and new form factors. Not only are there three lines of iPods, but there are at least two more iPod cousins on the way: the already announced iTV device, and the rumored iPhone.
Read More…
Contributed by: Daniel Eran, RDM

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Fans of yesterday’s “Anyone Knee’d a PowerBook?” will appreciate today’s Extreme MacBook installment. Those that really love their MacBooks may want to skip ahead to the next story as this one’s kinda gory.

Yes, I destroyed my MacBook
This was actually my third one. The others went back as DOA. This one almost worked, enough for me to keep it. It never really worked right though. Random lockups, wireless dropouts, wireless not working when returning from sleep. Weird stuff like my whole desktop just disappearing. Yes I tried different memory, and it always passed the Apple hardware test fine.
After six months of this crap, In a fit of rage I did this to it. The rage was probably caused by the crazy amounts of drugs I am on for Lupus at the moment.
It cut my hand pretty bad in the process, hence the blood. I can’t afford another one, so now I have to use my Windows PC
I was really disappointed in this computer as my previous Mac (Mac mini) was the best computer I have ever owned.

If you’ve got the stomach for it, there’s eight more pictures of MacBook murder.
Contributed by: carbuncle

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A reader sent in the following story about an extremely damaged PowerBook – the result of apparent anger management issues:

One-two over the knee.
And a slam to the floor makes PB no more.
I am a very busy kinda guy, with little tolerance for imperfection, and every once in a while the pressure valve just pops!
In any case, I had a fairly recent backup and thanks to .Mac syncing, I’m back up and running with a new MBP.
And to tell the truth my new machine is much nicer than my 1.33 PB.

Another, even worse picture after the jump…
Contributed by: EtyHead

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally run without the long version after the jump due to a technical error. This is the entire article and the PowerPage regrets the error. – Ed.
Did you know that when you install TechToolPro 4 it is constantly running an anti-piracy service? Did you know that it was sending your serial number out to every other Mac on your network? I didn’t think so.
Micromat slipped some broad and sweeping anti-piracy measures into a TechToolPro update awhile back. TechToolProtection, the daemon that constantly runs on every Mac installed with TechToolPro, does much more than “protect” your Mac, as its name implies.
TechToolProtection starts a Bonjour service that is constantly broadcasting critical pieces of information about your Mac to other systems… information that anyone on a network subnet can read.
But, that’s the least of your worries. It also broadcasts your Mac’s serial number. This is something that even Microsoft refuses to do with their most stringent anti-piracy measures. Even Microsoft agrees that publishing your machine’s serial number can place it at-risk for security attacks, as well as accessing your personal information.
Gaining your Mac’s serial number can be used for pretexting with Apple, accessing insurance information about you, and places your identity at risk. Not to mention that should there be a recall on your Mac, anyone can claim parts for your Mac, and pocket the cash selling them.
There are known knows, and there are known unknowns about TTP’s anti-piracy measures. We don’t know what else is being broadcast, but Micromat has indicated to myself and others that it is not encrypted.
Finally, we do know that there is no need for this. Net Monitor uses the same Bonjour method of sniffing out piracy, and does not broadcast your Mac’s serial number. Also, it does not run 24/7, but only when the app itself is running, minimizing the chances of your serial number being pirated by someone else.
Want to see this in action? Download Bonjour Browser (don’t bother opening TechToolPro). If you see “_ttp4daemon.tcp.” running, congratulations, anyone can rip off info about you and your Mac.
Want to put a stop to this? Post in Micromat’s forum or send a note to them letting them know you care about your privacy. Or, don’t, and let someone more nefarious take care of you. A temporary workaround is barring TechToolProtection from starting up, or, close it after startup (and every startup) from Activity Monitor.
I approached Micromat with this issue in-depth, and their response was “you’re the only one complaining”. I tried to respond to them that this was simply because nobody knew about it yet… but that did not go too well. I also want to add that I own and use TechTool Pro on a weekly basis, and endorse its ability to repair and fix your sick Mac. I just wish Micromat would be as ardent about your privacy and system resources as they are about their feature set.
Contributed By: Christopher Price – PCS Intel

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