Review: Roxio Toast 9 Titanium
05 May 2008 09:57 EST
PowerPage Contributor
By Bob Kaneko
Roxio has released Toast 9 Titanium, the latest version of its flagship authoring software for creating just about any kind of optical media you can imagine. I have been using Toast since somewhere in the neighborhood of version 4 and it is on my short list of must-have software items. If all you want to do is burn playlists from iTunes and make DVD’s of your home movies, then you can probably get by with Apple’s built-in software. However, if you do any authoring or media work beyond the basics, Toast is a highly recommended tool for your authoring arsenal.
If you are familiar with Toast 8, Toast 9 is a logical step forward. Roxio has polished the interface a bit, making it look stylistically similar to Apple’s current crop of iMacs. They have also extended the reach of the product. In addition to standard CDs and DVDs, Toast 9 can burn Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs. Of course if you create one of the latter, you won’t have very many places to play it, but the ability is there.
In writing this review, I decided to Google “Adaptec Toast 4” since that’s where I started with the product. The first result led me to a review written by Stephen F. Nathans in March of 2000. In his review, he starts by saying, “It’s a strange time to be Toast.” It was strange because Apple was in the middle of a shift away from SCSI toward USB and Firewire and device support was questionable. I would echo that sentiment today. The difference is, today it’s strange because I believe we are approaching the tail end of the use of optical media for storage and delivery.
Apple tends to be a harbinger of technology. What Apple does today, the rest of the industry will do tomorrow. With that in mind, it’s not hard to see what Apple thinks of the future of optical media. There is still no support for Blu-ray or HD-DVD from the company. In addition, if you look at the last update to the iLife suite, iDVD was pretty much swept under the carpet. Sure, it got a few tweaks and some new themes, but I’m fairly certain the writing is on the wall. They killed the floppy when they introduced the first iMac. While optical is hanging on with the MacBook Air and its external optical drive, I think it’s only a matter of time.
So, what does a good CD/DVD burning package do when its core competency is on the endangered list? It adapts. (That would have been a lot better if Toast was still published by Adaptec.)
Click the jump for the full review...
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Counterpoint: WeatherBug for iPhone (Updated)
04 May 2008 03:23 EST
Kenn Marks
Not that I want to rain on Jason's parade, but after his article "Web app: Best iPhone weather" at the Apple Core, I just had to add my two cents and shed a little sunlight on the subject of weather applications for the un-jailbroken iPhone.
My number one favorite weather web app is WeatherBug for the iPhone. For two main reasons: one - it lets me have multiple sites bookmarked (a maximum of six) and, like the Apple weather app, I can scroll back and forth between my preselected locations to see not only today's forecast but the next several days as well. Secondly - I am able to display current local radar for that location so I can become my own meteorologist and predict the weather in the near future for a destination I will be going to soon.
For additional information and the Update click the headline jump.
Let us know what your thoughts and observations over in the comments and forums.
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Review: Helio Ocean
03 May 2008 03:53 EST
David Klein
Planning this review has been very difficult. The Helio Ocean is an incredible phone. See? I have already encountered an understatement.
This dual sliding phone is perfectly task-oriented. If I want to make a call, I slide the phone up. If I want to watch YouTube videos or browse the web, I slide the phone sideways. Just like the Mysto, the software is what gives Helio its edge over competitors. The menu system is elegant and intuitive. The built-in options for e-mail include: Yahoo, AOL, Windows Live, Gmail, Earthlink (Earthlink?), Microsoft Exchange and a Helio provided address.
The web browser is adequate, but if you are savvy, you can download Opera Mini directly to the phone. Opera Mini has a very unique approach to mobile browsing that I have not seen before. You see the entire web page and have control over a rectangle that zooms in on its area when selected. Very clever.
The tactile QWERTY keyboard thankfully has raised buttons (unlike the Helio Mysto). I can definitely pump out around 20 words per minute. Numbers and symbols are accessible via an "ALT" button. It is actually tough to go back to an iPhone after using this keyboard so much. I really like how the keyboard does not have buttons that are destined to access applications forever. I am always disappointed when designers try to incorporate the phone's interface into the hardware.
Click the jump for the full review...
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Lost Pictures Just a Klix Away
22 April 2008 08:30 EST
Kenn Marks
Just imagine all the photography terms, like Snap, Click, or Polaroid and that is the ease at which JoeSoft's Klix software will make your damaged image files on one of your memory cards or damaged files on your digital picture frame reappear. WIth Klix, an easy to use digital picture recovery program, your pictures are not lost, they're just three Klix away from total recovery.
Remember, this is software for the "Average Joe" and is made by the same company that produced the Stox software we reviewed a couple weeks back.
"Everybody loves digital cameras because they are easy to use and there's no film or developing costs involved. However, one of the big problems with digital cameras is that the media cards they save pictures on can be easily corrupted or accidentally erased. You then run the risk of losing your irreplaceable pictures of your baby's first steps, son's graduation or your trip to Hawaii. It happens all too often...Have no fear, Klix is here! With just a few "Klix", your pictures are back in perfect condition. No worries, no fuss, and no angry family members!"
It is so easy to use just select a camera or media card, press start and just watch your lost, deleted, or erased pictures reappear. Just click and drag the ones you want or make an exact copy to your hard drive and recover it later. Users can not only recover their digital images but their movies as well.
My family loves it because we lost some of the family pictures put on Great Grandma's digital picture frame and were concerned that those heirloom pictures were now lost for good. Thanks to Klix, all 80 years of family history has been returned to the present.
If you have friends you have not yet convinced to switch, Klix is available as a Windows Vista-certified application also, so they too can recover their lost images.
For a complete feature and benefit set click the Jump or click for the Klix video.
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Review: iLap
17 April 2008 10:04 EST
Chris Barylick
By TJ Regno
Remember when portable computers were called "laptops"? Most consumers still call them laptops, but computer companies are less likely to use this label. Reason being, they get hot. I don’t mean warm. I mean HOT. And not just Apple portables but every notebook manufacturers portable computers get hot.
The main difference between a laptop from 10 years ago and current times, is they are so much more powerful and slimmer. With power comes great heat. Putting these current portable powerhouses on your lap is not the best idea, unless you want your pants ironed.
Well, I own a portable computer and my lap is empty, what do I do? Rain Design has a solution - The iLap. The iLap is a raised surface for your portable computer. Being raised allows for heat dissipation, circulation and support for your wrists.
On the iLap is a padded rear swivel base (for your legs) and a front padded, cushioned wrist support. The majority of the iLap is made of Aluminum, which helps dissipate the heat put off by your portable computer of choice. The iLap is available in a variety of sizes from 12” to 17” and is compatible with both Mac and PC models. Prices ranging from US$49.90 to US$69.90.
Click the jump for the full review...
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Review: Guitar Rig 3.1.0
15 April 2008 07:35 EST
Chris Barylick
By Pierce Case
Native Instruments has done a great job on making something that works great even better. Having been a Mac user, I wanted to find out how the newest version of Guitar Rig works. Having already reviewed previous models of Guitar, I was expecting an modest improvement. But this time around the people at Native Instruments got it right.
Since the transition to Intel processors, using Guitar Rig has become a pure joy. Guitar Rig arrives with a user manual as well as a software CD (though the latest drivers can be found online from Native Instruments' web site). Along with a new black stainless steel Rack Control Board, one thing you will find when using the Guitar Rig for the first time is that they have completely overhauled both the software and hardware, giving you 12 high quality amps, 17 guitar cabinets, six bass cabinets and over 40 high quality effects.
Using Guitar Rig 3.1.0 for the first time answered some of the annoying problems of the past versions. What they did was make it "NOISE FREE". All the amplifiers and stompboxes are noise free "thanks to a new set of algorithms." The result is now you don't have the noisy guitar amp sounds you had before. It doesn't stop there. Additional improvements to the LIVE VIEW include changes to the foot pedals including a new 192 khz, 24-bit USB 2.0 stereo interface.
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Taking Stox of Your Investments
11 April 2008 11:19 EST
Kenn Marks
Stox is one of several ways one can monitor personal investments. It is brought to us by the people over at JoeSoft, a Prosoft Engineering company (makers of Drive Genius 2 & Data Rescue II). For us Mac Old-Timers, Prosoft is a familiar desktop name, having been around since 1985 and being responsible for such Apple licensed technologies as Disk Utilities and Drive Setup. Although the people at JoeSoft are a whole new generation of programmers than those who helped up put hard drives on our Mac Plus's & SE's, they've been supporting the platform faithfully since our infancy.
This is a very impressive program at first glance. Although it is like an accounting program in that you cannot purchase stocks unless you have first deposited cash to purchase those stocks (that is If you expect it all to balance). Therefore, if you are moving from another program or just deciding to track your existing portfolio with a software application, then you have to first enter all your stock information then go back before the first entry date and make a cash deposit so all your purchases are paid for.
This will skew your actual gains since you are not seeing your initial investment grow, only your investment as far back as your account summary provides. In my case, I started my portfolio 20 years ago and stocks have come and gone in the interim, even though I'm still holding onto some of the positions I started with 20 years ago Apple has split twice in that time and other positions have been liquidated and new positions acquired. So with this program I had to enter a cash investment of around four times what my original cash infusion was twenty years ago.
The only way to make it accurate is to sit down with all your account records from day one and enter all your Buy/Sell transactions. If past accuracy is not what you are seeking, then starting from today and entering the information from your current account summary will be sufficient. You will quickly be able to see position gains/losses and set buy sell triggers in a particular position.
Click the headline jump for the full story...
Let us know your experiences and what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Viddyou.com Review
10 April 2008 08:00 EST
David Klein
Video is the new photo.
We can see evidence of the booming video trend in both hardware and software. Virtually every digital camera available is one switch away from recording video. Larger capacity media allows us to record longer, higher quality videos without purchasing a dedicated video camera.
In the last two years, there has been an explosion of videos uploaded to the Internet to be viewed by the world. Only recently have we seen these videos actually take on reasonable viewing quality. High definition video camera prices are falling as fast as high definition televisions. Sharing low quality videos recorded on your cheap digital camera is easy. Lots of services exist. Sharing high definition videos has a limited number of solutions. One I would like to discuss that has been quickly gaining popularity is Viddyou.com.
It's obvious there are so many new web applications which promote community behavior that we, the users, feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately, so many of these services are useful but they consistently lack one crucial element: personality.
Viddyou is bursting with personality which is why I love the product so much, and I know the founders will be successful. Personality gets people to come back to your site. It makes people both enjoy the service and remember it when they are away from their computers.
Click the jump for the full review...
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Review: Marware Protection Pack Plus
07 April 2008 12:53 EST
David Klein
There isn't much to say about the Marware Protection Pack Plus. It does its job well. Despite the warning, I put the black model on my white Macbook. There are three pieces: a keyboard cover, a hand rest, and a protective sleeve. The consistent themes for this product are: soft, microfiber, protection, easy, etc. The keyboard cover has two purposes: protect the screen from long-term damage from the keyboard (this happens on portables quite often -- eventually you can see slight indentations), and clean the display.
I get annoyed by smudges and fingerprints so this makes me happy. The hand rest is perfect for discoloration prevention which I've seen a few times on white Macbooks. You can also use the keyboard without worrying about your watch and ID bracelet scratching the enclosure. Applying the hand rest took some patience similar to placing a protective film cover on the iPhone/iPod Touch. No bubbles; no crookedness.
Basically, the US$27 (Amazon.com) investment is worth it if you want to keep your Macbook looking beautiful.
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Review: Moshi Celesta Keyboard
30 March 2008 04:40 EST
David Klein
Many products in the computer world have become utilitarian. This is surprising, considering how young the consumer computer industry is. Occasionally, a company besides Apple takes a risk by releasing a premium-priced product that does not necessarily offer additional features but looks and feels beautiful. The Moshi Celesta embodies this mentality.
It is an extremely basic wired keyboard (that wire is the only flaw) made of keys, aluminum, and a reflective top. It does not offer an extensive array of programmable keys and sliders. Its focus is elegance. The Moshi logotype is gracefully illuminated along with the caps lock and number lock indicators. It offers two USB ports, volume controls, and an eject key (all recognized by OS X). Although it is not designed for ergonomic perfection, it is still very comfortable to use with a built-in downward angle. When the keyboard is not being used, one can cover the keys with an embroidered dust cover. This reviewer assumed the dust cover was meant for cleaning until he opened it and realized it was a perfect fit.
The Moshi Celesta was born to rest in front of an iMac. If one is feeling nostalgic then it is easy to imagine it also placed next to an Apple Cube. I miss the convenience of having more desk space while using an Apple wireless Bluetooth keyboard (which lacks a numerical keypad), but I am quickly forgetting I ever owned it.
Basically, if you are searching for a way to quickly upgrade the aesthetics of your work environment, I highly recommend this product.
The Moshi Celesta Keyboard is available for US$120 from Dr. Bott.
If you've found a killer third party keyboard for your Mac, let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Review: Perfect Headphones Set
24 March 2008 01:11 EST
David Klein
It has taken me many years to acquire what I like to call the perfect headphones setup. Despite my limited experience within the audio industry, I have gone through many pairs of headphones. Some fall apart, some are regrettable, and some are sold for an inevitable upgrade.
I have divided headphones into three categories: work/travel, mobile, and home. Work and travel overlap because in both situations one needs to block out obnoxious noises (co-workers, cell phone blabbers, engines, etc.) with strong noise canceling. The only requirement for the Mobile category is they must be small enough to fit in your laptop bag/purse. This usually means lightweight or in-ears. Home is basically professional. You don't have to worry about taking them outside or on airplanes so don't hold back. These are your dream headphones: sealed, large drivers, etc.
Below is my current setup. I had to sell off my Sennheiser HD 212 Pro's, Senneheiser HD 280 Pro's, and Sony MDR 7000's to achieve the perfect array.
Work/Mobile:
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling
This pair has some cool features. Besides the obvious 40mm drivers, its battery enclosure is built-in (no external compartment). Also, its cable is detachable allowing you to shut out your surroundings without a dangling, unused cable. And for my corny, immature side, this pair has a small blue light when the noise canceling is active. I'm a sucker for blue lights (hence my passion for LaCie hard drives). They are currently US$131.19 on Amazon.
Travel:
Shure SE420
These in-ears are absolutely amazing. They come with several fittings to ensure maximum comfort once inside your ears. The rubber fittings have an unusual insertion process. First, you have to press them with force on all sides. Then you quickly insert them into your ears and hold them still for about five seconds. This allows them to expand and essentially clog your ears creating a virtual sound isolating experience. They are currently US$259.99 on Amazon.
Home (Professional):
Sony MDR 7506
This is by far the best pair of headphones I have ever owned. Honestly, when I first placed them on my head I thought "How great can these be?" They're so light and flimsy!" As soon as I clicked the play button I was corrected. You literally hear every detail intended to be heard by the artist. They are currently US$99 on Amazon.
What's your ideal headphones set? Let us know over in the comments or forums.
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Review: Sound Devices 722 Digital Audio Recorder
10 March 2008 07:02 EST
Youngmoo Kim
By Youngmoo Kim and Patrick Richardson
Review
We were very excited to field test the Sound Devices 722 Portable, High-Resolution Audio Recorder, which the company bills as “the ultimate DAT upgrade”. Although Sound Devices markets the 722 towards professional recording engineers as well as documentary and electronic news gathering (ENG) production, our tests focused primarily on its performance in music recording in both studio and live settings. For those of us who remember (fondly) the Tascam DA-P1 portable DAT field recorder, the 722 is a littler smaller, a lot more flexible, and just as pricey.
Click on the headline link for the entire review...
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Review: Booq Boa 3M
10 March 2008 01:54 EST
Chris Barylick
By TJ Regno
In the past I have owned Booq’s sleeves, now came the opportunity to rock one of their newest laptop backpacks: the Boa 3M. Toted as their best backpack to date (this is the third generation of the Boa), this backpack is definitely geared towards the “road warrior” or traveling computer user, whatever label you prefer. The bag is a little heavy itself, this is probably because of its size and padding.
What the Boa 3M offers is a spacious backpack that can carry your 13”-17” Mac notebook of choice or 13”-15” PC notebook 13”-15”. Adding any of these sized notebooks will just add to the weight of the Boa which weighs in at almost four and a half pounds. This might not sound like much, but add a three to seven pound computer and it’s AC adapter, accessories, your keys and a bottle of water and you are getting nearly 20 pounds on your back. This is where the “road warrior” suggestion comes into play.
In NYC, we utilize mass transit for getting around and climbing in out of trains and their stations. It is not fun during rush hour with a bulging heavy bag on your back. But this what the Boa allows: the capacity to carry your desk on your back. If this applies to you then keep reading.
The Boa’s padded area is more than sufficient to use for an iBook or MacBook without a sleeve (these notebooks have polycarbonate bodies, stronger than the thin metals used on other notebooks). The bag offers style with more than enough pockets (maybe too many?) to carry anything you would need to keep your office mobile.
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Review: Helio Mysto
09 March 2008 09:50 EST
Chris Barylick
By David Klein
Using the Helio Mysto is very unusual for me. Why? It's like taking a step back from the modern cell phone experience. For the past couple of years I have been spoiled by large, touchable screens and interfaces that have moved way beyond up-down-left-right navigation. Although the Mysto comes loaded with many applications, including a well-equipped Yahoo suite, it maintains a dying mobile experience.
The Internet browser is constrained by the phone's untouchable display, it has one thing that no other phone I have used has: SPEED. This is what 3G is supposed to be. Using the Mysto to check GMail, use Yahoo's various sites, and read news headlines is actually possible, unlike so many other phones which claim to have 3G connectivity. My previous review of the Verizon Voyager is a great example of 3G disappointment.
The Mysto's hardware is very unusual. The force feedback is nice, but some buttons are touch sensitive while others actually need to be pressed with effort. The lack of consistency is very confusing. Even after several hours of use I have to hesitate to see if my button press did something or if I have to press harder a second time. If you are just starting out with the Mysto, be patient. It took me several hours before I could confidently send a text message without accidentally erasing it halfway through. The right arrow key almost overlaps onto the go-back-to-the-previous-menu key. You can only imagine how frustrating this is while composing a full sentence message.
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Review: Verizon Voyager
22 February 2008 12:00 EST
Chris Barylick
By David Klein
Verizon's Voyager is a valiant response to AT&T and the iPhone.
However, it still grasps onto an aging style of cell phone software and as such, does not make the leap into a new generation of usability
and interaction. This reviewer focuses on the Voyager's outside
display since the inside is reminiscent of other Verizon phones that
are equipped with a QWERTY keyboard. We know LG makes good phones
with tactile keyboards. The challenge was to integrate a
touch-sensitive screen.
I have several general complaints about Verizon's interface. The
menus always dedicate a significant amount of real estate to allow the
user to quickly gain access to other features. For example, in the
Settings menu, I select the settings I want to edit. A quarter of the
screen shows which settings I am currently editing plus the other
settings that are accessible by pressing the left or right arrow
buttons.
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Review: Flip Video Ultra Series 60 Minute Model
20 February 2008 10:18 EST
Chris Barylick
By Anthony Regno-Peterson
Puredigital is the company producing the Flip Video cameras. The cameras are avail-able in two models: the Flip Video starting at US$119.99, available in Black/White and, the model being reviewed, the Flip Video Ultra starting at US$149.99, available in Black/White/Pink/Green/Orange color options.
The differences are the Ultra Series offering greater capacities for recording as well as a higher resolution LCD for viewing (both cameras have 1.5" LCD). The Ultra series is stated to have a faster power-up to record time and a date/time function. The Ultra series also offers great battery life over the standard model 2.5 hours over 2 hours. Physically, they differ as well with the Ultra video model offering the option for a tripod, "Action mount" and an Underwater case at US$49.
The naming scheme of the models is based on the length of time they can record up to. Being reviewed is the top model offered, the Ultra Series 60 Minute model at US$179.99, which records on two gigabytes of flash memory (non- removable/upgradeable).
The Flip Video Ultra Camcorder offers a nice, simple design. Standard equipment to be had on a camcorder: lens, LCD, microphone, power/record/playback/delete buttons, direction pad for use of digital zoom and navigating menu, tripod mount and TV Out.
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Nokia N95 8 GB Update vs N95 Original - a Mac User's Perspective
30 January 2008 02:16 EST
Neal Hoskins
Walt Mossberg recently make a videocast about how he felt the control of the mobile phone giant providers was really too overbearing. Given that they are all trying to sell one form of the Internet or another, the strict rules for what you can or cannot do and the amazing costs incurred really make it an interesting and somewhat frustrating time for mobile users.
Enter in 2007 the iPhone and the Nokia N95. Both of these unique handsets are setting the pace for mobile Internet and smart phones. In one corner, the N95 silver edition had the great camera, GPS and libraries of software. In the other corner, the iPhone had a new sleek operating system and touch controls. Since the heady days of summer '07, there have been many bouts between the two, with the iPhone just winning (mainly due the always-present Apple "wow" factor). And to give them credit, Nokia had really tried to help Mac users integrate the phone with their mac via the iSync module and the multimedia bowser for music and photos that they developed just for the Mac and N95.
So when Nokia released the N95 8 gigabyte black edition it was with great expectation that I got to see a preview model at the end of last year (the phone is now shipping in Europe and the U.S.). This comparison of the old and new version is really with a Mac user in mind.
Well, to begin, let's just quickly see the changes to the specs:
Size: The N95 8gb is one millimeter thicker - quite a little fatty these days
and another nine grams.
Contributed by Neal Hoskins
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Kudit Releases Social Network Game - iPhone / iPod Touch
30 November 2007 08:48 EST
Kenn Marks
Kudit the maker of "The Missing iPhone and iPod Touch applications".
Kudit has five areas of applications:
Calculators - Body Mass Index, Kitchen Converter, Resistor Value*, Tips, Words per Minute*
Tools - Coin Flip*, Stopwatch*
Score Keepers - Spades, Us vs Them
Games - Chain Reaction@, Let it Roll@, Mosaic@, Roshambo*, Simon@
Toys - Finger Scan, Lites@, Mystic 8-Ball, Mystic Seer
Most applications have a 3-month subscription for US$1.99 those marked by an "*" are FREE and "@" are 3 months for $4.99. If you visit their site directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch, you're directed directly to the main application page and not the site's home page.
Besides being free, Roshambo is a two-player network game that lets you register and play on the Roshambo site. . . .
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Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Review: Battlefield 2142
16 November 2007 08:37 EST
Chris Barylick
When Electronic Arts announced that it would be bringing several marquee titles to the Mac this year, the reaction was one of anticipation. After years of waiting for recognition, Mac OS X would be recognized as a top tier gaming platform by the industry’s largest publisher.
Steve Jobs’ transition to the Intel architecture had paid off yet again and it seemed cost-effective to bring the newest and coolest games to the Mac in shorter order than had been seen in previous years.
Perhaps the most anticipated of the four initial release titles was Battlefield 2142, the latest in the wildly successful Battlefield first person shooter franchise. Set in a futuristic environment 135 years into the future and after a second ice age, the game pits a group known as the European Union forces against the Pan-Asian Coalition for control of the world’s remaining resources.
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Macworld Reviews Santa-Rosa MacBook Laptops
15 November 2007 09:05 EST
Chris Barylick
The newest MacBook laptops are out and there's some zip to them.
Or at least that's what Jackie Dove has to say in her review of the new units over at Macworld.
The laptops, which now feature Intel's Santa Rosa architecture, came through with flying colors despite a modest difference in clock speeds from 2.16 GHz to 2.2 GHz on the high end while the low-end remained at 2 GHz.
In spite of these relatively minor changes, the adjustments under the hood appear to make all the difference. A new chip architecture, faster front-side bus, upgraded graphics processor and doubled RAM capacity help improve the unit's speed apart from the clock speed upgrade.
Other changes include new media control keys alongside the function keys, a slightly lighter weight (5 pounds as opposed to 5.1 pounds on the previous revision), larger 120 and 160 gigabyte hard drives for the mid and high-end models and an 8X double-loading SuperDrive on the high end.
Battery life also improved in the new units with a complete charge taking 3 hours and 23 minutes for a fully charged battery to deplete itself as opposed to 3 hours and 20 minutes on the previous 2.16 GHz model and 3 hours on a 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro laptop.
Check out the review for the full numbers, bench marks and frame rates.
If you've picked up one of the new units and have something to say about it, let us know in the comments or forums.
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PPUG Missed Discussions
04 November 2007 06:37 EST
Kenn Marks
For all of you who were not able to visit Manayunk, PA to participate in the Fall Philly PowerBook Users Group, we missed you. Jason O'Grady discussed the iPhone; Rob Parker, Time Machine; and some of the outstanding features of OS X 10.5 Leopard were covered by Youngmoo Kim. Three hours flew by and some little tidbits were missed.
In the iPhone area: Rumors are afloat that touch screens are in short supply (DigiTimes) possibly hampering deliveries for the Holidays of both iPhones and iPod Touch. With the iPhone starting its run in Europe (UK, France, & Germany) this Friday November 9th, demand will greatly go beyond the suspected 250,000 unlocked units already overseas.
Hackers beware, according to t3.co.uk the iPhones shipping to Europe will have firmware v 1.1.2. This update adds dozens of language support features, special keyboard layouts to accommodate the French and German language needs and the current TIFF exploit Jailbreak hack is now closed. By Friday the rest of us should have access to all these new features.
Click the jump for the full story...
Let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.
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Review: Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
26 October 2007 09:00 EST
Chris Barylick
For years, the Command and Conquer games have been considered among the cream of the crop for the real-time strategy genre. The latest installment, Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, doesn’t disappoint and stands as an ample improvement over Command and Conquer: Generals, the last game in the series to come to the Mac.
Set in the not-too-distant future, Tiberium Wars places the ruling Global Defense Initiative (GDI) against the cult-like Brotherhood of Nod, a faction led by the charismatic Kane figure and obsessed with a crystalline fuel source called Tiberium that’s become the staple of Earth’s economy at this time.
As the game begins, the Brotherhood of Nod has emerged from 17 years of silence to conduct an unexpected and worldwide offensive against its enemies, assassinating the majority of GDI’s leaders and tipping the long-standing conflict in their favor.
GDI then scrambles together the last of its forces, placing you in command in an attempt to regain control. Depending on which side is chosen, players can command the well-rounded GDI forces or side with Nod and manage a force that relies on quicker attacks, comparatively weaker vehicles and a renegade fighting style.
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Review: Digital Touch
23 October 2007 08:00 EST
Chuck Freedman
The iPod Touch now has a competitor.
It didn’t take long – less than one month – for the iPod Touch to be copied. Stumbling along online, I found a device that almost completely resembles the iPod Touch. Digital Touch released their multi-touch display, which rivals iPod Touch and iPhone’s sharp display of icons. (I’d give you a website here for the manufacturer, but there isn’t one listed anywhere on the box or the manual. However, if you simply search for Digital Touch DT-2 online, you’ll find several links).
In general, this “revolutionary new Portable Media Player with a large multi-touch display screen and with an innovate new software that empowers you to glide through music, videos, flip through photos and radio stations, with a simple touch of a button.” Well, that’s what’s printed on the box anyway.
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Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
12 October 2007 11:38 EST
Chris Barylick
For the past several years that Harry Potter has been popular, it’s picked up a few fans along the way.
Part of me dismissed this as routine, a trend that would eventually subside.
It didn’t and soon my friends began talking about the books while my sister began buying the new ones as soon as they hit the shelves.
By the time both the group of them were camping out for the release of “The Deathly Hallows” this year, there was no getting around it; I’d have to see what the game was all about.
Despite being several books back in the reading cycle (and actually enjoying them – I really need to finish off “Goblet of Fire” one of these days) as well as never having picked up a controller for a Harry Potter video game in my life, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, developed by EA UK and produced by Electronic Arts, proved to be one of the most fun titles I’d had a chance to play on my Mac in recent weeks.
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