The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.tuaw.com The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gif The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) http://www.tuaw.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mac 101: iCal alarms]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/mac-101-ical-alarms/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/mac-101-ical-alarms/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/mac-101-ical-alarms/#commentsFiled under: , ,

iCal is the calendar software that ships with every Mac. When combined with a MobileMe account, it's quite handy. In fact, iCal is the only calendar I use.

New users are often unaware of how much iCal can do. In this post, I'll focus on the types of alarms you can create. With a few simple steps, you can go beyond a simple beeping message.

First, create a new event. Simply double-click the proper time on the proper day and an hour-long event appears. Double-click the event, and the edit window appears. From here you can name your event, identify the location and duration (all day vs. timed), set repeat options and the target calendar if you maintain more than one (I don't).

Now for the fun part. Below the calendar option you'll see "Alarm." Clicking it reveals several options:
  1. None (kind of self-explanatory)
  2. Message (presents a dialog box on your Mac and iPhone/iPod touch if synced via MobileMe)
  3. Message with sound (same as above with plus a system sound)
  4. Email (send an email message to a given address)
  5. Open file (Open a file on your Mac)
  6. Run Script (My favorite. See below)
The first three are self-explanatory. When selecting a message and/or system sound, you have to option to display it minutes, hours or even days before or after the event. Likewise, you can chose any system sound you like.

The email option is nice as well. For instance, once the mini at my day job has completed its daily task, I have it send me an email as a confirmation. As long as I see that message, I know that everything's A-OK.

The option to open a file is handy, too. I'm using it to open a Keynote file right now, but you can have it launch a kiosk application, perhaps a broadcast app like Nicecast, etc.

Finally is run script. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not Applescript pro, but even I see the powerful potential here: Have iCal run any script you can write up at any time. Awesome! Finally, you can set more than one alarm to an event. For example, display a message and send me an email, just to be sure I make that meeting.

As you see, iCal can do much more than store your appointments. Now go be productive and have fun!

TUAWMac 101: iCal alarms originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>icalmac 101Mac101softwareMon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CNN: Steve Jobs back at work]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/cnn-steve-jobs-back-at-work/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/cnn-steve-jobs-back-at-work/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/cnn-steve-jobs-back-at-work/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As promised, Steve's medical leave ended with the month of June. Last January, Apple announced that CEO Steve Jobs would take a leave of absense to deal with medical issues for approximately six months. Since then, we've learned that Steve had a liver transplant and today Apple confirmed his return.

"Steve Jobs is back to work. He is at Apple a few days a week and working from home the other days," Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said. "We're glad to have him back."
That's great news for the company and, more importantly, for Steve himself. There has been much noise about Steve during the past six months, including Apple's future without him, who might take over and the company's obligation to keep investors informed about the health of their CEO. Here's hoping the din dies down and that Steve continues to enjoy a long and productive career at Apple.

TUAWCNN: Steve Jobs back at work originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applehealthsteve jobsSteveJobsMon, 29 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple supporting universal European handset chargers]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/apple-supporting-universal-european-handset-chargers/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/apple-supporting-universal-european-handset-chargers/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/29/apple-supporting-universal-european-handset-chargers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week I ordered my iPhone 3GS from the AT&T Store (no Apple Stores out here in the boonies). Five days later it was ready to be picked up and I drove out to the mall to get it.

While the AT&T employee activated it and performed the soul-stealing voodoo that accompanies a new sale, a woman at the next counter was exchanging her own AT&T phone (not an iPhone). I only heard a part of her conversation, but it went something like this:

"Can I use my old adapter with this one?"

"No, m'am. You'll have to buy a new one."

"What about my car charger?"

"No, that will need to be replaced, too."

"Ugh. OK. I'll just throw them away."

What a nuisance. She's got to spend extra money and those plastic and electronic doodads will occupy the bottom of a landfill until The End Of Days. The problem is even worse in the Europen Union. Fortunately, a group of manufacturers, including Apple, is working to change that. Apple, Nokia and Research in Motion have agreed to support a European Union-backed initiative to standardize these devices across the EU. It's a good idea that would benefit consumers and the environment.

The agreement is limited to smartphones for now, but if all goes well, will be expanded in 2012. Good luck to everyone involved.

TUAWApple supporting universal European handset chargers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterseuropean unionEuropeanUnionphone chargerPhoneChargerpowerstandardswasteMon, 29 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mac mini and Dropbox: Getting it done]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/27/mac-mini-and-dropbox-getting-it-done/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/27/mac-mini-and-dropbox-getting-it-done/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/27/mac-mini-and-dropbox-getting-it-done/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yesterday I wrote about my love of the Mac mini. So dependable and unobtrusive, it's the Honda Civic of computers. In the post, I briefly described how we use Dropbox to send routinely-updated Keynote files to the mini. A few of you wrote to ask for details, so I decided to share that information here on the blog. We use two pieces of software: Dropbox and iCal.

Dropbox

Here's the setup. First, the Mac mini is connected to the projector in the Projection Room above the theater via DVI. Every day, it runs a slideshow before the orientation film. That slideshow contains sponsorship information, museum news, etc.

It's updated once a week or so by someone in the art department (we'll call her "Janie"). Janie's desk is a couple hundred yards and two buildings away from the Projection Room. The Keynote file lives in a Dropbox folder that both Janie's PC and the mini can access. Of course, we don't want Janie editing the slideshow while it's running before a room full of guests. That's where iCal comes in.

iCal

We stop showing the film at 4:00 PM and Janie arrives for the day at 9:00 AM, so we set up two repeating iCal events.

The first event launches the slideshow in the morning. Every weekday at 8:45 AM (doors open at 9:00), there's a repeating iCal event with an alarm set to open the slideshow where it lives in Dropbox. Note that the show has been set to run at launch and loop indefinitely in Keynote.

What about updating? Easy. We stop running the slideshow at 4:00 PM and Janie leaves for the day at 5:00 PM. A second repeating iCal event has an alarm that runs the following super-simple Applescript:
Tell application "Keynote"
quit
End tell
The script does just what you expect -- it kills Keynote. This runs at 4:05 PM each weekday, and frees Janie to spend 10 or 15 minutes updating the file from her PC just before she goes home. The next morning, the first iCal event re-launches the slideshow and the cycle repeats.

That's how two free pieces of software (iCal and Dropbox) combine with an inexpensive, consumer level one to create a simple and effective solution to a problem. Best of all, it doesn't require a computer science degree or even a week with a giant manual. The iCal events and script are invisible to Janie. All she knows is, "I open the folder on my PC, change the slideshow, hit Save and I'm done." Sure, we could have dumped it on a central server, set up some sort of FTP voodoo that would have given Janie a headache, etc. But why? If the simple solution works, use it.

If you try something similar, let me know how it goes. Thanks to everyone who asked about this.

TUAWMac mini and Dropbox: Getting it done originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automationdropboxfeatureshow-toicalkeynotekioskmac miniMacMinischedulingsoftwareSat, 27 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The mighty mini]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-mighty-mini/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-mighty-mini/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/26/the-mighty-mini/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While the iPhone, iPod and laptops get most of the glory, the Mac mini chugs quietly along, doing its job well and making owners happy. Earlier at my day job, I was working with one of our minis and recognized how I rely on it to perform a critical function without the slightest hesitation. In other words, it's time to give the little guy some recognition.

When I'm not blogging for you folks, I'm managing the web presence and other tech goodies of a large museum here in balmy Massachusetts. When customers arrive in our lobby, they can view a slide show of what's new via a gorgeous HDTV hung above the ticket counter. Behind the HDTV is a Mac mini running Keynote. Once a week, the art department sends an updated Keynote presentation to the mini via Dropbox. This simple and reliable system is powered by an Intel-based mini.

Here's the best part. Before our guests move on to the exhibits, they view a brief orientation film and slide show that displays sponsor information. Thousands of people watch both the orientation movie and slideshow every week. Behind it all is a G4 Mac mini (pictured on the right*).

This machine has been absolutely rock solid. Again, the art department uploads new slide shows to it via Dropbox and the whole operation couldn't be simpler. When I look at the Laptop Hunter ads, and I see Lauren squealing over her Dell, I think, "Would I trust that machine to do what this mini does when it's 4 or 5 years old? Heck, no." The G4 in question is stock from the factory. Plus, if its HD croaks tomorrow, the only critical bit of data -- the slide show and movie -- lives on Dropbox so we're covered. In a pinch, we've got a Mac Pro that could take on the workload in under 10 minutes.

In a world where the new and shiny gets most of the attention, the plain and reliable is often overlooked. So here's a post to praise the Mac mini. The tiny, go-anywhere, do-anything, ultra-reliable computer that I absolutely love. No wonder there are racks full of them at Macminicolo and other facilities.

Now I'm certain there are others out there with dutiful minis. Home servers, media centers, carputers, etc. If that's you, send a snapshot to Flickr and tag it TUAWmini. We'll post some of our favorites this weekend.

*No, it doesn't live on the floor. I moved it to compose the shot. Rest assured that it was returned to its cozy shelf immediately after.

TUAWThe mighty mini originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cult of macCultOfMachardwaremac miniMacMinimacsFri, 26 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mac 101: Getting the most out of Dictionary.app]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/mac-101-the-dictionary/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/mac-101-the-dictionary/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/25/mac-101-the-dictionary/#commentsFiled under: ,

Welcome back to Mac 101, our series of posts aimed at novice Mac users and veterans who like the occasional refresher.

Mac OS X is equipped with a dictionary application that does pretty much what you'd expect, and a few things you might not. Here's how you can get the most out of Dictionary.

Most people use a dictionary to look up a word's definition. Doing so in Dictionary is pretty straightforward: Just launch the app, type your target term into the search field and hit return. That's all well and good, but not very interesting.

Here's what is. Click any word in the definition to find the meaning of that word. Do this just once, and an orange "Snap Back" icon appears in the search field. When clicked, it brings you back to your original search term.

Here's another cool trick. Let's say you looked up "Surname." Dictionary displays it broken up by syllable: "suro.name." If you highlight and copy it, it will paste as it should be written: "surname."

But wait, there's more! Highlight or position the cursor over a word in any Cocoa application (Safari, for example) and hit Control-Command-D. A small window appears that displays that word's definition and thesaurus alternative(s). If the term in question is the name of an Apple product, you'll see that product's official description from Apple. Clicking "More" at the bottom of this tiny window launches Dictionary.

Let's say you typically misspell a word that you have to type often (my Achilles' heel is "Twitterrific"). Simply right- or Control-click that word and select "Learn Spelling" to add it to Dictionary.

Dictionary is also more than a collection of definitions. You can quickly switch between a thesaurus, official descriptions of Apple products and Wikipedia. Additionally, select "Font/Back Matter" from the Go menu to access a slew of great information, like
  • Proofreader's Marks
  • The History of English
  • Countries of the World
  • Chemical Elements
Of course, every single word you find there can be clicked to reveal its definition. Finally, here's a bit of eye candy that isn't useful but still fun. You can browse every photo in Dictionary by navigating to
/Library/Dictionaries/New Oxford American Dictionary.dictionary/Contents/Images

and switching to Cover Flow view.

TUAWMac 101: Getting the most out of Dictionary.app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationdictionarymac 101Mac101softwaretips and tricksTipsAndTricksThu, 25 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Methodist University Hospital confirms Steve's liver transplant]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/23/methodist-university-hospital-confirms-steves-liver-transplant/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/23/methodist-university-hospital-confirms-steves-liver-transplant/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/23/methodist-university-hospital-confirms-steves-liver-transplant/#commentsFiled under:

Late last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Steve Jobs had a liver transplant in April. As of this morning, however, we still hadn't received confirmation from either Apple or any of the hospitals at which the procedure might have been performed. That's changed. Earlier today, Methodist University Hospital in Memphis released a statement confirming the surgery, with Steve's permission:

"I am pleased to confirm today, with the patient's permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with the University of Tennessee in Memphis ... Our one-year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs's choice of transplant centers."

James D. Eason, M.D., Program Director at Methodist University Hospital's Transplant Institute, composed the statement and explained that Steve went through the typical transplant eligibility process; in order to receive a donor liver, he had to be the sickest person on the list when the matching organ became available.

This statement stands in contrast to the theories considered in today's New York Times piece about Steve's surgery, which noted that past preferential treatment for celebrities and wealthy patients has largely been ended but there are still ways in which someone with Jobs's resources could try to game the system. The Memphis transplant center has one of the shortest waiting periods in the US for liver patients.

Let us extend a "Well done" to the medical team and "Speedy recovery" to Steve.

TUAWMethodist University Hospital confirms Steve's liver transplant originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>livermemphissteve jobsSteveJobstransplantTue, 23 Jun 2009 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Some reports of iTunes issues while upgrading to 3.0]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/17/some-reports-of-itunes-issues-while-upgrading-to-3-0/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/17/some-reports-of-itunes-issues-while-upgrading-to-3-0/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/17/some-reports-of-itunes-issues-while-upgrading-to-3-0/#commentsFiled under: ,



A bit late to the party, I started the process of updating my iPhone at 3:00 PM Eastern. iTunes downloaded the update without a problem, but the install process was halted with the error message:

"The iPhone [your iPhone] cannot be updated at this time because the iPhone activation server is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

From there I've got two options: OK, which simply closes the dialog box, and More Information, which points a browser to a Knowledge Base article on iPhone activation issues. Mike also noted the appearance of an error -4 dialog earlier.

It looks to us like Apple's servers are getting slammed hard. A bit of patience ought to do the trick; you might also benefit from restarting both iTunes and your iPhone. Still, the whole thing makes me feel like Veruca Salt: "But I want an Oompa Loompa NOW!"

TUAWSome reports of iTunes issues while upgrading to 3.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneiphone 3g siphone os 3.0Iphone3gSIphoneOs3.0upgradeWed, 17 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Freelancer's iPhone: Productivity solutions for independent professionals]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/the-freelancers-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/the-freelancers-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/16/the-freelancers-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last summer I started to fantasize about working for myself. I pictured a home office, afternoons with the kids and life as the boss. My employer maintained a similar fantasy, and a few months later they went out of business and left 120 of us high and dry. Synchronicity is cruel. Thanks for that, Carl Jung.

I've learned that working solo is 1 part thrilling, 90 parts horrifying and 9 parts educational. Also, I've found the best setup for my iPhone to help me through my self-employed day. Here I'll describe the apps, settings and hardware that I've found most useful. Feel free to share your own.


Continue reading The Freelancer's iPhone: Productivity solutions for independent professionals

TUAWThe Freelancer's iPhone: Productivity solutions for independent professionals originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freelanceiphoneipod touchIpodTouchproductivityTue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Snow Leopard build 10A380 screenshots]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/12/snow-leopard-build-10a380-screenshots/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/12/snow-leopard-build-10a380-screenshots/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/12/snow-leopard-build-10a380-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Flux has posted some pictures of Snow Leopard build 10A380, and there are some interesting things worth pointing out.

The stack frame now has a attractive border between it and the shadow which looks quite nice. Also, an option for folder actions now appears in the Finder's contextual menu.

There's a cool feature in Safari that lets you create a note from any selected text. I'm also happy to see that the Image Capture app no longer looks completely out of place and matches the other apps. Also, Preview's "Contact Sheet" view is very cool. Think of a PDF's pages being displayed in a big grid.

What's very nice to note, and what I'm most looking forward to, is the list of apps that Michael describes as looking the same but operating much faster, including Address Book and Font Book. I love what Apple's doing with this update in tidying up Leopard and making it tighter, faster and more efficient. I can't wait to buy this.

TUAWSnow Leopard build 10A380 screenshots originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>screenshotssnow leopardSnowLeopardFri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Store hours to change for iPhone 3G S launch]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/11/store-hours-to-change-for-iphone-3g-s-launch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/11/store-hours-to-change-for-iphone-3g-s-launch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/11/store-hours-to-change-for-iphone-3g-s-launch/#commentsFiled under: ,



Apple and AT&T are preparing for the launch of the iPhone 3G S on June 19th by opening their doors early. Specifically, many Apple Stores will be open at 8:00 AM. Of course, the phones will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, so standing in line with your credit card might not guarantee you a handset on launch day. Go through the pre-order process if you're concerned.

Additionally, AT&T stores have setup pre-ordering online, and customers who take advantage will be able to show up at 7:00 AM. For more detail about AT&T's plans, check out Seth's video above.

Good luck, shoppers. Is it crazy that I want the white one?

[Via MacNN]

TUAWStore hours to change for iPhone 3G S launch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple storeAppleStoreattiphone 3g sIphone3gSretailThu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[De-clutter: How I used my iPhone and Evernote to travel light]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/de-clutter-how-i-used-my-iphone-and-evernote-to-travel/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/de-clutter-how-i-used-my-iphone-and-evernote-to-travel/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/de-clutter-how-i-used-my-iphone-and-evernote-to-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Recently I spent a few days in Paris, France. I travel light: One bag (pro tip: Roll your clothes), one jacket and one hat. I love getting my necessities down to a single carry-on bag. What I hate is all the paper. Airline confirmation receipts, bus schedules, relevant correspondence from family and friends, etc. Not to mention lists of restaurants to try, sights to see, etc.

This time I went nearly paper-free (I'm sticking with paper boarding passes for international flights, although iPhone scanning has been done and is now officially supported by some carriers), thanks to my iPhone and 2 applications. Here's how I did it.

Tracking flights

Of course, the first thing I've got to do is line up all of my flights. I typically go from Boston to Newark when I'm traveling internationally, which means there are several connecting flights to manage with Flight Update and Evernote.

Flight Update [App Store link] is among my top 5 iPhone apps. Here's how it works and why I love it. First, add a trip and then add your flights. You can designate a preferred airline if there's one you use often. Enter your flight number and date (or search by route if you prefer) and Flight Update fills in an incredible amount of data as if by magic.

You'll get airtime, departing and arriving airport, terminal, distance, scheduled meals and so much more. It even identifies the type of plane and offers a color-coded seating chart (the colors rate the seats by desirability). You can even search for alternate flights should a problem arise.

What I really love about Flight Update is that it consistently beats the airport at dispensing timely information. For example, the flight I took from Newark, New Jersey to Boston, MA this past Monday was listed as delayed on my iPhone before the announcement was made at the gate. When the delay was later lifted (thank goodness), my iPhone let me know before the airport did. That's awesome. At $4.99US, you simply can't beat Flight Update. Every iPhone-toting traveler ought to own it.

Eliminating paper

With Flight Tracker handling the airplanes, I turned to Evernote [App Store link] to handle the paper. This is straightforward: I made a notebook called "Paris" and filled it with:
  • Confirmation codes for each flight, including the original emails as PDFs
  • Hotel information
  • Correspondence from family members I'd be traveling with
  • Special instructions
With each one tagged "Paris," I simply created a saved search. Here's how. First, enter your search term. Next, click the little blue arrow, scroll down and select "Save Search." From then on, you can access all documents that meet your criteria (in my case, a single tag) by hitting the bookmark button. In fact, I just left it there for the duration of my trip.

When I checked in at the airport kiosk, I simply grabbed my confirmation number from Evernote. Same with the hotel. When I found the restaurants and other points of interest that I wanted to explore, I snapped a photo note and applied the "Paris" tag. Back at the hotel, everything was sent to the Evernote servers via the free WiFi.

This has been said before, but Evernote (free from the App Store, basic and premium plans available) is awesome. Human beings have short term memory, long term memory and now, Evernote.

Keep in mind

Going paperless isn't without risk. There's a good chance that your airport will have a lousy cell signal and no free WiFi. Having to pony up $5 or so just to get a code is a hassle if you forgot to sync before leaving the house. Additionally, not all ticket agents are tolerant of kids these days with their fancy smart phones, and may give you an odd look (or a hard time) when you say, "I don't have the printout, but I have my iPhone!" Hence my hesitation to abandon paper boarding passes.

Finally, Evernote displays PDFs as attachments, meaning you can't view them without an internet connection. If you think that might be an issue, copy and paste the text itself into a note.

In the end I had a very enjoyable travel experience with just a small bag, my wallet and my iPhone. Here's a huge thank you to the developers of Flight Tracker and Evernote. Your apps are awesome.

As noted by our commenters below, you may also get a travel boost out of the Tripit app, which Steve reviewed not long ago.

TUAWDe-clutter: How I used my iPhone and Evernote to travel light originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportapp storeAppStoreevernoteflight trackerflightsFlightTrackeriphoneipod touchIpodTouchtravelvacationWed, 10 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sketch an iPhone app UI with a special stencil]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/sketch-an-iphone-app-ui-with-special-stencil/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/sketch-an-iphone-app-ui-with-special-stencil/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/sketch-an-iphone-app-ui-with-special-stencil/#commentsFiled under: ,

This is really neat. The folks at Design Commission have produced a stencil to assist with the iPhone/iPod touch UI prototyping, brainstorming sessions, flows, interaction techniques, etc. that you'll do before you begin coding.

Of course, it includes all the standard iconography and buttons. Doesn't it make you want to just break out a fresh sheet of paper and set to work? If you want one, act fast, as they've only produced 100. Each kit ($16.95US) comes with the stencil and a Zebra mechanical pencil. A matching letter-sized template can be downloaded from the website as a PDF.

Now go and make the next killer app!

TUAWSketch an iPhone app UI with a special stencil originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsdesign commissionDesignCommissiondeveloperiphonestencilWed, 10 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[T Mobile shares iPhone processor, RAM specs]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/t-mobile-shares-iphone-processor-ram-specs/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/t-mobile-shares-iphone-processor-ram-specs/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/10/t-mobile-shares-iphone-processor-ram-specs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As Jason Snell points out at Macworld, Apple doesn't want people thinking of the iPhone as a computer. At least, not the way geeks like you and I do. As iPhone product marketing manager Bob Borchers told Jason, "...it's just faster, better, quicker, snappier, and a great experience."

Apple doesn't want us worrying about the "how," but many of us do, which is why we're interested in a blurb at T Mobile's Netherlands site which lists the iPhone 3G S as having 256MB RAM and a 600 MHz processor. Of course, we can't verify these specs yet but some have suspected, including myself, that the new model would hold 256MB RAM.

I understand the logic behind Apple's move. John Q. Customer is uninterested in the iPhone's innards and cares only that it works. For many, terms like processor, RAM and MHz only make the thing sound complicated and foreign.

Geeks like us, however, can't resist.

[Via MacDailyNews]

TUAWT Mobile shares iPhone processor, RAM specs originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardwareiphoneiphone 3gsIphone3gsprocessor speedProcessorSpeedrumorsWed, 10 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[TUAW First Look: Parachute Panic for iPhone]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/tuaw-first-look-parachute-panic/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/tuaw-first-look-parachute-panic/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/tuaw-first-look-parachute-panic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I love iPhone games. Zen Bound, Frenzic and Peggle are among my favorites. Each feels right on the phone, from the utilization of the touch screen to the graphics and sound. Best of all, there's no definitive end, so I can continue to play for as long as I like.

Earlier this week, they were all knocked down a peg as Parachute Panic [App Store link] became my favorite. It's part Defender, part SketchFighter 4000 Alpha and a lot of fun. The goal is simple: Allow paratroopers safe passage from an airplane to the deck of a ship. As they fall, you must deploy their chutes (some open on their own but most don't; I'd have a word with the manufacturer) while avoiding rotating helicopter blades, abducting space aliens, electrical storms and hungry sharks. Additionally, you've got to alter the wind direction to ensure they hit the target and not the open sea.

The graphics are absolutely charming. The paratroopers are stick figures and the ships, aliens, sharks, etc. resemble simple sketches done with marker. Everything is on a background that looks like a crumpled sheet of grid paper, like those we used in elementary school. An acoustic guitar plays gentle broken chords during gameplay.

Speaking of the gameplay, that's also a treat. To deploy a stubborn chute, simply tap the plummeting trooper. Defeat helicopters and aliens by tapping them 5 times, and alter the wind direction by swiping left, right or down to speed things up (pro tip: Swipe up to pause the game). At first it's easy: land two troopers on a stationary ship without interference from enemies. Then the ships start to move and get smaller, their numbers increase, the paratroopers pour from the planes like water over Niagara Falls and enemies abound. Careful attention, wind manipulation and parachute timing will get you through.

I've only got one request here, and that's a way to compare scores with friends. Some of my buddies are kicking my butt, and the competition would be more fun with a site set up for (among other things) trash talk, similar to Frenzic.com.

Is it worth 99 pennies? Positively. Check out the gallery of screen shots below.

Gallery: Parachute Panic

Start screenPlummeting towards the seaSafe landingLevel 1 - nice and easyOptions screen

TUAWTUAW First Look: Parachute Panic for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoregamesiphoneipod touchIpodTouchparachute panicParachutePanicWed, 03 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 WWDC posters appear at Moscone West]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/2009-wwdc-posters-appear-at-moscone-west/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/2009-wwdc-posters-appear-at-moscone-west/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/2009-wwdc-posters-appear-at-moscone-west/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TUAW buddy Adam Jackson has posted pictures he took of a WWDC poster that's currently hanging in the Moscone Center. Bearing the phrase "One year later. Light-years ahead" and several flying app icons, it puts the iPhone front-and-center, as one would expect. Some folks are using Flickr's Notes feature to ID apps they recognize. Feel free to fill in the gaps.

We expect Apple to demo and distribute a new, nearly-final build of Snow Leopard to developers, and at least announce a ship date for iPhone OS 3.0. It will be nice if we get a firm release date for Snow Leopard and a preview of new iPhone hardware, but we aren't holding our breath. Stay tuned to TUAW during the show for coverage and reaction to everything from WWDC.

Of course, I wouldn't be a nit-picky jerk if I didn't mention that a year is a measure of time while a light year is a measure of distance. I wonder if the new iPhone will make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.

Thanks Adam!

TUAW2009 WWDC posters appear at Moscone West originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneipod touchIpodTouchmosconewwdcWed, 03 Jun 2009 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[New York's flagship Apple Store doing great business]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/new-yorks-flagship-apple-store-doing-great-business/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/new-yorks-flagship-apple-store-doing-great-business/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/03/new-yorks-flagship-apple-store-doing-great-business/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New York City's flagship Apple Store, located on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, is doing tremendous business. According to The New York Post, that store raked in $440 million in one year. Of course, the location doesn't hurt. It's right by Central Park and the huge, glass cube is a real tourist draw.

The Post also notes that the SoHo store pulled in $100 million, but didn't provide any stats on the West 14th Street store. In the meantime, construction has begun on what's rumored to be a fourth NYC store, expected to open at the corner of 67th and Broadway on Manhattan's Upper West Side later this year. If that store and a rumored Brooklyn store are opened, NYC would boast six stores total (including the Staten Island store).

Apple intends to open 25 new stores for fiscal year 2009, half of them outside the United States.

[via AppleInsider]

TUAWNew York's flagship Apple Store doing great business originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple storeAppleStorenew york cityNewYorkCityretailWed, 03 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Pay to re-download iPhone/iPod touch apps]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/01/rumor-pay-to-re-download-iphone-ipod-touch-apps/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/01/rumor-pay-to-re-download-iphone-ipod-touch-apps/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/01/rumor-pay-to-re-download-iphone-ipod-touch-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you own and iPod touch or an iPhone, you might have bought an app, deleted it for whatever reason and then downloaded it again from the App Store. Since Apple keeps a record of your purchases, you were presented with a dialog box saying that you could re-download that app for free.

According to iPodNN, some developers with preview copies of iPhone OS 3.0 have seen a dialog box (pictured at right) prompting them to either re-download a missing app for free via their computer, or simply buy it again via their iPhones. Who knows why this could be, or if it will even make the final version of iPhone OS 3.0 -- one might think it's to save AT&T bandwidth, but why not restrict the option to WiFi?

In any case, we'll find out soon enough.

TUAWRumor: Pay to re-download iPhone/iPod touch apps originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneiphone os 3.0IphoneOs3.0ipod touchIpodTouchrumorsMon, 01 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TUAW First Look: Trip Cubby 2]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/22/tuaw-first-look-trip-cubby-2/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/22/tuaw-first-look-trip-cubby-2/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/22/tuaw-first-look-trip-cubby-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In the past year, my iPhone has become packed to the gills with apps. Some are for fun and some are for work. A prime example of the latter is Trip Cubby. My job (and Uncle Sam) requires me to keep close tabs on mileage. Trip Cubby makes recording my trips simple and fun, and version 2 improves upon a winner.

To get started, add a new trip and fill in your destination, purpose, any tags you'd like and so on. Designate a vehicle and its starting odometer reading. You can also categorize a trip (business, charity, etc.) and add relevant notes (tip: Add frequent trips to favorites for future reference).

From there, click done and you're off! Once you arrive, select your trip again, enter the final odometer reading and click Done. Trip Cubby assumes a mileage rate of $0.550, but you're free to change that if need be.

Here's where it gets good. You can sync all of your data online at App Cubby, should you lose anything. Also, you can mail all of your data to yourself from within the app as a CSV (a HUGE time saver at tax time). Typically I'm a pen-and-paper guy, but Trip Cubby has replaced the notebook in my glovebox.

Here's where it gets really good. Version 2 has introduced fantastic new features, including:
  1. Predictive text input and data entry shortcuts. The main reason I use paper for text-heavy input is that I can write much faster than I can type. Predictive input helps a lot.
  2. Charts. Oh, the charts. My favorite aspect of Gas Cubby is the beautiful and informative charts and graphs. It's so very helpful to see your data presented with a graph, and with a simple tilt of the iPhone you can view your Trip Cubby data depicted by category, paid vs. unpaid and miles driven per day, all across various amounts of time.
  3. Bulk edit trips. Delete several trips or mark them paid all at once.
There's more to this update, but these are the highlights for me. Trip Cubby is an app that I use and rely upon every day. It's a free upgrade for registered users and can be purchased via the App Store for $9.99US.

TUAWTUAW First Look: Trip Cubby 2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 22 May 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app cubbyapp storeAppCubbyAppStoreiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gtrip cubbyTripCubbyFri, 22 May 2009 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Kindle app for iPhone updated]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/kindle-app-for-iphone-updated/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/kindle-app-for-iphone-updated/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/kindle-app-for-iphone-updated/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Amazon's Kindle app for iPhone [App Store link] was updated this week to include, among other things, landscape mode! Hooray! Additionally, you can change the color of both the text and the background. I like the "Sepia" option; it's similar to the way Classics looks.

Finally, you can turn pages by tapping on either side of the screen (I still prefer to swipe). You'll remember that the Kindle store for iPhone is still only accessible via Mobile Safari, and was optimized a few weeks ago.

Kindle for iPhone was introduced in March of this year and has been popular since.

TUAWKindle app for iPhone updated originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonapp storeAppStoreiphoneipod touchIpodTouchkindleWed, 20 May 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BrandIndex: Microsoft's ads effective]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/brandindex-microsofts-ads-effective/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/brandindex-microsofts-ads-effective/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/20/brandindex-microsofts-ads-effective/#commentsFiled under: ,

BrandIndex is reporting this week that Microsoft's "Laptop Hunter" and similar ads are changing consumer's perceived value of Windows machines. YouGov conducted a survey of 5,000 consumers to measure the "value score" of both Macs and Windows machines. The value score represents a customer's perception of "bang for the buck." We don't know exactly how that's measured by the survey.

What they found was a steady increase in Microsoft's score since the price-conscious ads began. Simultaneously, Apple's score has fallen.

You can argue the validity of the commercials' claims, but what's undeniable is that people shop on price. When John Q. Public decides to buy a computer, 9 times out of 10 his initial thought is, "What's this going to cost me?" Most shoppers aren't like you and me, concerned with statistics and performance. They want cheap. As someone who has bought hundreds of computers for two schools over 8 years, I know what I'm talking about.

While the ads may infuriate Mac nerds like us, they might persuade everyone else.

[Via Electronista]

TUAWBrandIndex: Microsoft's ads effective originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsapplecommercialslaptop hunterLaptopHuntermicrosoftWed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teachers: Monitor school attendance with iPhone 3G]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/teachers-monitor-school-attendance-with-iphone-3g/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/teachers-monitor-school-attendance-with-iphone-3g/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/teachers-monitor-school-attendance-with-iphone-3g/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's an interesting idea. The Mainichi Daily News is reporting that Japan's Aoyama Gakuin University has distributed 550 iPhone 3Gs to staff and students so that they can use the phone's GPS capabilities to monitor class attendance. In fact, the school will cover the basic charges so that the students aren't required to absorb the extra financial burden.

That seems like an awfully expensive way to accomplish what my sixth grade teacher, Sr. Dolores, did by shouting, "Caolo!" and waiting for my "Here!", but a major university has different needs (and budgets) than a tiny elementary school in Scranton.

We've seen similar large-scale iPhone adoption recently at University of Missouri's Journalism School and Abilene Christian University. Good luck to everyone involved.

[Via MacDailyNews]

TUAWTeachers: Monitor school attendance with iPhone 3G originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 19 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gjapanTue, 19 May 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab your US Army-issue iPod touch, soldier!]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/grab-your-us-army-issue-ipod-touch-soldier/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/grab-your-us-army-issue-ipod-touch-soldier/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/19/grab-your-us-army-issue-ipod-touch-soldier/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Contemporary soldiers are fighting what Newsweek calls "Networked Warfare." Portable electronic devices and other equipment keep them connected to each other, weapons systems and real-time intelligence where ever they may be. In Iraq, the iPod touch is finding a role with the US military.

In one scenario, touches with language software have replaced much pricier translation units. In fact, soldiers are finding that iPods can replace several devices, lessening the burden of gear that must be carried around. Indian development firm Next Wave Systems is reportedly developing a system that would allow a soldier to receive intelligence almost instantly from a picture snapped with the iPod. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense is developing software that will let soldiers monitor video from aerial drones.

As for the iPod's durability, Newsweek reports that it's held up to military life with the proper outer casing. What's more, most of today's soldiers have used or already own an iPod touch, so training time can be kept to a minimum.

At one point, the article notes that, "Apple devices make it easy to shoot, store and play video." Of course, neither the iPhone nor iPod touch we all know can shoot video, though it's possible the Newsweek author is thinking of another Apple product (or just maybe there's a milspec iPhone that does video in advance of the 3.0 release). It's interesting to see a consumer product being used in such an important role. Good luck and be safe to everyone who lifts one in service.

Photo via tikigod at Flickr (here's the story behind it).

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

TUAWGrab your US Army-issue iPod touch, soldier! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipodipod touchIpodTouchus militaryUsMilitaryTue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alleged Snow Leopard screenshots and video]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/18/alleged-snow-leopard-screenshots-and-video/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/18/alleged-snow-leopard-screenshots-and-video/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/18/alleged-snow-leopard-screenshots-and-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Mac Magazine has posted (English translation) what they're claiming to be several screenshots and videos of Snow Leopard, the forthcoming major update to OS X. Some of the goodies on display include a slider that allows you to adjust the size of icons in a Finder window (much like iPhoto does), new Stacks behavior and a peek at Quicktime X, which has a black border in this build.

In the video above, we see some cool smart quotes, smart dashes, smart dates (add to iCal; view date in iCal) and auto-correction of spelling errors.

We first saw screenshots last year, and Apple issued a code freeze on the APIs last week. I, for one, am looking forward to this tidied up version of Leopard.

For more, check out this video.

TUAWAlleged Snow Leopard screenshots and video originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 18 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>operating systemOperatingSystemosos xOsXsnow leopardSnowLeopardMon, 18 May 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Contest: Design the first three-sided Apple Store]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/14/contest-design-the-first-three-sided-apple-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/14/contest-design-the-first-three-sided-apple-store/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/14/contest-design-the-first-three-sided-apple-store/#commentsFiled under:

Chicago's Halsted Street will soon be the site of a unique Apple Store -- the first with three sides exposed. When seated on the odd piece of land, the store will offer visibility from every direction and 650 linear feet of storefront.

As you can see from the map at right, the architects at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson have a tough task ahead with this project. ifoAppleStore.com wants to know, how would you design this store? They're running a contest now to find the most interesting or clever design. Submit your drawing to gary@ifoAppleStore.com by June 15, 2009, and the winner will receive a $100 Apple gift card.

They note that you needn't worry about the store's interiors in your drawing. Note that Apple's chunk of property is 215 feet on Clybourn Ave., 220 feet on Halsted St., 123 feet on W. North Ave., and a curving 81 feet at the back of the transit station.

Have fun and good luck!

TUAWContest: Design the first three-sided Apple Store originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 14 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple storeAppleStorechicagocontestretailWhere: ChicagoWhere:ChicagoThu, 14 May 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone-controlled R2D2]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/iphone-controlled-r2d2/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/iphone-controlled-r2d2/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/iphone-controlled-r2d2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's impossible not to love a blog post that begins, "I found a way to remote control my R2D2 with an iPhone."

The video above shows the author, ggpipe, using the iPhone's accelerometer to control R2's dome. Pretty cool. In the future, he plans to use the phone to send text to R2's logic displays. We love it and can't wait to see a fully assembled, iPhone-powered R2D2!

It's great to see people extending the iPhone's capabilities, and homegrown remotes are a cool choice. A couple of weeks ago, we posted a story about a guy who turned his iPhone into an R/C aircraft controller, and last year we saw Delphi's Wireless Vehicle Access software that lets you control many of your car's functions. Keep up the good work, everyone!

[Via Rick Yaeger]

TUAWiPhone-controlled R2D2 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hacksiphoner2d2remotestar warsStarWarswirelessTue, 12 May 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Security Update 2009-002 available for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/security-update-2009-002-available-for-mac-os-x-10-4-tiger/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/security-update-2009-002-available-for-mac-os-x-10-4-tiger/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/security-update-2009-002-available-for-mac-os-x-10-4-tiger/#commentsFiled under: ,

The updates keep coming from Apple today. Security Update 2009-002 for Tiger is now available, both Intel and PPC. According to Apple, this update "...is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X. Previous security updates have been incorporated into this security update." It's nice to know what's being installed on your Mac, isn't it?

The Intel download is 165MB while the PPC version is just 75MB. As usual, if you notice anything especially good or bad after installing this update, please let us know.

TUAWSecurity Update 2009-002 available for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intelmac os x 10.4MacOsX10.4ppcsoftware updateSoftwareUpdatetigerTue, 12 May 2009 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Store window displays receive awards]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/apple-store-window-displays-receive-awards/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/apple-store-window-displays-receive-awards/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/apple-store-window-displays-receive-awards/#commentsFiled under: ,

When I was a young lad in Scranton, Pa, pierogi in one pocket and anthracite coal in the other, my mother and I would wait for the Colts bus in front of the Globe Department Store. Now, before you assume that this post will be nothing more than endless, irrelevant Andy Rooney-style sentimentality from Dave, I'll tell you that it's only in the first two paragraphs.

The Globe staff created ornate window displays with those animatronic figures that seemed festive at the time but would later scare the daylights out of me. I was reminded of Scranton and The Globe last winter during a visit to Boston's Boylston Street Apple Store, where I photographed the elf at right. The adjacent window had a similarly-stylized Santa holding an iPhone, and both were very cute with a 1960's claymation appeal.

The Association for Retail Environments must have liked them as well, as they awarded Apple's "Holiday Santa iPhone" window display "Best Visual Presentation," along with the "Back to School" and "Cherry Blossom Nano" displays. You can read more details on the awards here or download a PDF with additional details. Well done, Apple!

TUAWApple Store window displays receive awards originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple storeAppleStoreawardsholidaysretailTue, 12 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Code freeze on Snow Leopard APIs issued]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/code-freeze-on-snow-leopard-apis-issued/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/code-freeze-on-snow-leopard-apis-issued/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/12/code-freeze-on-snow-leopard-apis-issued/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're getting close to Mac OS 10.6 release time, I can feel it. MacNN is reporting that Apple has issued a code freeze on Snow Leopard APIs. What that means is developers who are using the current build, number 10A354, are able to write code assuming all major components of the OS are in place. Minor changes in this build include Chinese handwriting recognition for multi-touch trackpads.

For now, your guess is as good as ours as to when Snow Leopard will be released. In the meantime, you can browse Apple's Snow Leopard web pages (which went up in June of '08 believe it or not) or catch up on other rumors.

TUAWCode freeze on Snow Leopard APIs issued originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 12 May 2009 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mac os xMacOsXosrumorssnow leopardSnowLeopardTue, 12 May 2009 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[What happens when your iPhone overheats]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/what-happens-when-your-iphone-overheats/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/what-happens-when-your-iphone-overheats/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/what-happens-when-your-iphone-overheats/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The iPhone Blog has posted a screenshot of a warning screen that the iPhone 3G produces when it's over heated. According to Apple, it's totally legit. From the Knowledge Base:
"Operate iPhone 3G in a place where the temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F) ... If the interior temperature of iPhone 3G exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience [the] Temperature warning screen."
Here in New England, we don't see temperatures above 95º F often. Still, I have felt it heat up pretty good after playing music for two hours straight during a summertime commute. It does get cold, however, and two weeks ago we saw a frozen iPod come back to life. It's nice to know that these devices can survive (or protect themselves from) temperature extremes.

[Via Macenstein]

TUAWWhat happens when your iPhone overheats originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneipodipod touchIpodTouchknowledge baseKnowledgeBaseMon, 11 May 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iPod touch, iPhone required for journalism students]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/ipod-touch-iphone-required-for-journalism-students/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/ipod-touch-iphone-required-for-journalism-students/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/11/ipod-touch-iphone-required-for-journalism-students/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Brian Brooks, associate dean of the University of Missouri's Journalism School, knows how his students learn. "Lectures are the worst possible learning format," he told Columbia Missourian. "There's been some research done that shows if a student can hear that lecture a second time, they retain three times as much of that lecture."

I can distinctly remember a former French instructor giving us cassette tapes of lessons from week to week (this was long before iPods, kids), and walking around with the voices of Mireille and Robert in my ears. Even all these years later, I can still manage marginally useless phrases like, "The red shirt of my brother is on the dresser."

The point is repetition increases retention, and that's why Mizzou is requiring incoming journalism students to have iPod touches or iPhones to carry audio versions of class lectures. Mr. Brooks points out that students who lack an iPhone or iPod touch won't be punished or miss out on anything, but they've described them as "required" so that students with financial need can include their cost in aid.

Apple has historically offered a laptop/iPod combo as a back-to-school special that these students could potentially take part in, provided that the touch is included (the iPod is typically a nano in the bundle).

The good news is, if you're going to Mizzou next year for journalism, you've got an excuse to buy a shiny new gadget.


TUAWiPod touch, iPhone required for journalism students originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneipodmizzouuniversity of missouriUniversityOfMissouriMon, 11 May 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Snow Leopard discussions on Apple's Developer Forums]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/new-snow-leopard-discussions-on-apples-developer-forums/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/new-snow-leopard-discussions-on-apples-developer-forums/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/new-snow-leopard-discussions-on-apples-developer-forums/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Apple has relaxed a long-standing policy of restrictiveness regarding open conversation about unreleased versions of Mac OS X by creating a Snow Leopard discussion forum for developers. Historically, Apple has prevented conversation about future versions even among those bound by the same Non-Disclosure Agreement (which proved very challenging in the rampup to the iPhone SDK going public).

These new forums aren't available to the public or student developers, so don't begin a fruitless search. Only the developers who receive seed releases (those in Apple's Premier and Select developer programs) have access.

I'm not a member of the ADC. We know that some of you are. What's your take on this? Is it a surprise, and do you plan to make use of the forum? Let us know.

TUAWNew Snow Leopard discussions on Apple's Developer Forums originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adcapple developer connectionAppleDeveloperConnectionmac os xMacOsXossnow leopardSnowLeopardFri, 08 May 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitterrific 2 for iPhone and iPod touch available]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/twitterrific-2-for-iphone-and-pod-touch-available/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/twitterrific-2-for-iphone-and-pod-touch-available/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/08/twitterrific-2-for-iphone-and-pod-touch-available/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Iconfactory's Twitterrific was one of the first Twitter applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. Since its introduction, The Twitter App Wars have begun in earnest. If Twitter is the Belle of the Ball, there's a long line of suitors who want to be her beau.

The new Twitterrific makes a serious play for her affection. Long-absent features like multiple account support, search and "tweet actions" like re-tweeting are all included, plus new goodies like a gorgeous, color-coded tabbed UI and the Filter Bar. Quickly find your mentions via "@ replies," direct messages, starred favorites or tweets you've "marked," which are like private favorites.

There's so much more to this app and we'll have a full review for you soon. Until then, you can get familiar with Twitterrific 2 on the new "Tweetorials" page. Twitterrific 2 Premium is available now from the App Store [link] for $3.99US. An ad-supported free version is also available [link].

TUAWTwitterrific 2 for iPhone and iPod touch available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 08 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoreiconfactorytwittertwitterrifictwitterrific 2Twitterrific2Fri, 08 May 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: AT&T to reduce cost of entry iPhone plan]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/rumor-atandt-to-reduce-cost-of-entry-iphone-plan/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/rumor-atandt-to-reduce-cost-of-entry-iphone-plan/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/rumor-atandt-to-reduce-cost-of-entry-iphone-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Street is reporting on a rumor today that AT&T is planning to drop the cost of the entry-level iPhone plan in the US from $69US per month to $59 per month. The suspected drop will take place when new iPhone models are released, as early as "...next month."

What's AT&T's motivation here? To attract price-conscious customers, woo Apple away from a rumored Verizon deal or simply clear inventory for the next-generation iPhone? As a person who's on this plan, I honestly don't care why -- I just hope it happens.

The change would trim $120/year off of the current plan, reducing the overall cost of the 2-year plan to $1,760. [The original $240/year mention was due to an editing error. -Ed.]

[Via The Apple Blog]

TUAWRumor: AT&T to reduce cost of entry iPhone plan originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcontractsiphonerumorsThu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TUAW Watercooler: Apple's next big thing]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/tuaw-watercooler-apples-next-big-thing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/tuaw-watercooler-apples-next-big-thing/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/07/tuaw-watercooler-apples-next-big-thing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The internal email list for all the TUAW bloggers is a busy place. Some of the best conversations from the list, including musings, rants and raves, don't ever appear on the site. Today we wanted to give you a taste of one of those conversations, about Apple's 'next big thing.'

There has been plenty of discussion lately about Apple's next category-defining product. For months, I've dismissed tablet rumors. I know that Windows-based tablets are plentiful, but I've never used one, and don't know what the most useful applications are. I immediately think of a guy conducting inventory in a warehouse, but I know that's only because I have no experience with these machines.

Some suggest something that's essentially a laptop inside a touch screen, much like the iMac is a computer within its display; of course, Axiotron already makes a MacBook-based tablet. I don't see the practicality. I certainly enjoy the internet and email on my iPhone, but the amount of typing I do on the iPhone is a small percentage of what I do on my MacBook Pro.

Still, I think a similar device is coming.

Continue reading TUAW Watercooler: Apple's next big thing

TUAWTUAW Watercooler: Apple's next big thing originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebookereaderitabletkindlerumorThu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newton among "Biggest Cults in Tech"]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/06/newton-among-biggest-cults-in-tech/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/06/newton-among-biggest-cults-in-tech/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/06/newton-among-biggest-cults-in-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I'm proud to count myself among InfoWorld's Tech cult No. 7: The Tao of Newton. I'll confess that my 2100 has seen less action since I bought my iPhone, but it'll never be relegated to my basement wasteland where various Palms, Visors and even a 3Com Audrey dream of more useful days.

Newton ownership is definitely not for everyone. it's big and takes some doing to get it to cooperate with contemporary hardware and software. But for the faithful it's a terrific piece of hardware. For more Newton information, check out The NewtonTalk mailing list.

People either have the love or they don't. You can have mine when you pull it from my cold, dead hands.

TUAWNewton among "Biggest Cults in Tech" originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple historyAppleHistoryinfoworldnewtonWed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple to replace water-damaged iPhones via out-of-warranty service]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/05/apple-to-replace-water-damaged-iphones/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/05/apple-to-replace-water-damaged-iphones/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/05/apple-to-replace-water-damaged-iphones/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple has instituted a new policy that will let iPhone owners swap their liquid-damaged iPhones for replacements. For $199US, customers can swap their defunct phones for a refurb unit, provided that it succumbed to an out-of-warranty encounter with liquid. Here's the catch: Said swap renews your 2-year contract with AT&T -- so it's pretty much like buying a new phone, except if you were to do that out of contract it would cost you $499 for a 16GB unit.*

Of course, this could also be another way to clear current iPhone inventory in preparation for a new model.

We couldn't determine if sweat-induced failures are covered by this program, but we'll let you know if we find out.

*Update: Apple has told us that a replacement under out-of-warranty service would not renew a customer's contract. We apologize for the error.

TUAWApple to replace water-damaged iPhones via out-of-warranty service originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphoneiphone 3gIphone3greplacementwater damageWaterDamageTue, 05 May 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Swine flu? There's an app for that]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/swine-flu-theres-an-app-for-that/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/swine-flu-theres-an-app-for-that/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/swine-flu-theres-an-app-for-that/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The folks at IntuApps have responded to the Swine Flu pandemic in the way that only a developer could: By building an app!

The forthcoming Swine Flu Tracker for iPhone and iPod touch (it's pending App Store approval as of this writing) will do 3 things. First, it will display the current threat level as determined by the World Health Organization. Secondly, it drops pins onto Google maps to represent confirmed or suspected cases.

Finally, it tracks and reports on Swine Flu news from around the world. If you're traveling or simply concerned about this problem, it sounds like you might find Swine Flu Tracker useful. Of course, we haven't played with it yet, so the app's actual performance remains to be seen.

We can only hope that Apple's notoriously long review process won't keep Swine Flu Tracker out of our hands for too long, as we want to live to see it.

TUAWSwine flu? There's an app for that originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 02 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gluiphoneipod touchIpodTouchswine fluswine flu trackerSwineFluSwineFluTrackerSat, 02 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Cheaper Macs soon]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/rumor-cheaper-macs-soon/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/rumor-cheaper-macs-soon/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/02/rumor-cheaper-macs-soon/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's a thin rumor at AppleInsider suggesting that Apple will introduce less expensive MacBooks and iMacs this spring. Unfortunately, the article doesn't mention pricing or what concessions will be made to reduce the cost.

While it's easy to assume that Apple is reponding to the Microsoft ads that depict their machines as too expensive, AppleInsider's source suggests that the price reduction is a response to the popularity of netbooks (Acer has been showing growth).

Apple typically starts the back-to-school sales at towards the end of the summer, and has bundled an iPod with computers sold to students. That offer plus a low-cost Mac would be powerful.

TUAWRumor: Cheaper Macs soon originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 02 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>imacmacbookmacbook proMacbookProrumorsSat, 02 May 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon has acquired Stanza]]>http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/30/amazon-has-acquired-stanza/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/30/amazon-has-acquired-stanza/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/30/amazon-has-acquired-stanza/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last month Amazon released the free Kindle application for the iPhone in the US [App Store link], shortly after the Kindle 2 hit the market. If you haven't used it yet, it works quite well. Users can buy books (but not subscriptions) from the Kindle Store via Mobile Safari for reading on their iPhones, although the purchasing process is easier from a desktop browser. Unlike the Kindle, the iPhone app is able to display color images, but it lacks text-to-speech as well as a direct connection to the Kindle Store. Whispersync, which synchronizes ebooks between the iPhone app and Kindle, works as advertised.

A few weeks ago, we posted a comparison of ebook readers featuring, among others, the iPhone app Stanza [App Store link]. As Steve mentioned, Stanza works with nearly every ebook format, even Project Gutenberg etexts. I only used Stanza briefly to check it out and I can say that the UI was very nice. Additionally, the folks who created Stanza have an existing relationship with ebook seller Fictionwise. In fact, Fictionwise created an ebook store just for Stanza users.

This week, we've learned that Amazon has acquired the company behind Stanza. We can only assume that aspects of Stanza will make it into a future release of Kindle for the iPhone.

TUAWAmazon has acquired Stanza originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonebookereaderiphoneipod touchIpodTouchkindlestanzaThu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST