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gadgets posts

Filed under: Hardware, MacBook, iPhone, iPod touch

Time names Apple MacBook, iPod touch among best travel gadgets

Time Magazine has published their list of 2009's best travel gadgets, and the iPod touch and MacBook have made the cut. Time notes the MacBook's size and high green ratings as well as the iPod touch's speed, Wi-Fi compatibility and library of games worked in their favor.

I do my share of traveling (as does Steve) and find that my iPhone plus a couple of well-selected apps are enough to get the job done most of the time.

It's strange that the iPhone wasn't included, since its connectivity isn't limited to Wi-Fi as the iPod touch is. It's even stranger that several apps also made the list, like Yelp (tap the masses for dining tips) [iTunes link] and the Zipcar App (find a quick-and-easy rental), but not the device that would get the most out of them. Perhaps it was the high cost of service for the iPhone?

Stranger still is their inclusion of the Droid. We assume it made the cut based upon its proven track record. I mean, it's been out for a whole 3 days now.

[Via MacDailyNews]

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, iPod Family, Multimedia, Odds and ends, iPod nano, iPod touch

Rumors: iPod, cameras expecting offspring

If the rumors are to be believed, then cameras and the iPod are getting it on lately, because in about nine months (or whatever the gestation period is for gadgets -- you're welcome for that mental image) we'll be seeing lots of iPods with lenses in them. First up is the fine folks at iLounge, who claim they've seen the newest iPod nano, and it's got a camera right where your finger usually is. They also say the new version has a lower click wheel and a smaller action button. You may laugh (it does look pretty silly), but on the other hand, I just saw the nanos during a trip to the Apple Store the other day, and I held it by its corners... while I was watching video. Add that to the rumor that Apple is adding in video recording to the iPod lines, and it becomes slightly more credible.

In fact, we're not the only people who've seen that line of reasoning: Computerworld's Seth Weintraub follows the same path, speculating that not only is Apple beefing up the camera capabilities on their iPod lines, but they're set to branch the iPod touch off into a digital HD camera/"photography computer": "Imagine an iPod Touch with a good camera and lens. That's about it." All rumors, of course, but he says it's very easy to see happening, and we have to agree.

Filed under: Software

Google Gadgets in your OS X Dashboard

Google has announced that the next version of Google Desktop (we've written about Google Desktop before) will allow users to run Google Gadgets alongside Mac OS X Widgets in the Dashboard. This new functionality should be available tomorrow.

I don't use Google Desktop or Gadgets, and rarely use Dashboard widgets, so I just can't get excited about this. However, I know they each have their devotees, so those among you have something to look forward to tomorrow.

[Via MacMinute]

Filed under: Internet Tools, Widget Watch

Widget Watch: Google Gadget Widget

We've previously seen products from Mesa Dynamics that can turn Google gadgets into Mac OS X Dashboard widgets. The Google Gadget Widget is another such utility that runs inside the Dashboard itself. All you need to do is simply copy any universal Google gadget's code from the Google Homepage into this widget, and you'll be ready to roll with widgetized gadgets. Or gadgetized widgets? Wagits? Gigets? This is starting to get complicated.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Multimedia, Odds and ends

Opinion: SideShow - Even Microsoft has a Good Idea Occasionally

You can file this one under the "even a stopped clock is right twice a day" if you like, but I will now commit the grievous sin of suggesting that there is an interesting feature in Vista that I'd actually like to see Apple implement in some form. It is called SideShow, and it allows computer makers to build in a a secondary display for showing a variety of information. So for instance, a notebook might have a secondary display on the back side of the main display that would allow you to glance at your calendar (on the right), see music track information, or even check email without opening the laptop. What runs on these little displays are Microsoft's Dashboard widget equivalent: gadgets.

Even before SideShow many PC geeks (especially on Linux) have been using USB LCD displays, which are small monochrome displays that plug into a USB port and can provide system diagnostic information (temperatures, fans speeds, etc.) or even, with the proper drivers, indicate new email, etc. Unfortunately, OS X lacks any kind of drivers for these secondary displays, though someone has managed to build LCDproc for OS X. Personally, I'd love to have something like SideShow for the Mac, either built-in to the outside of a new MacBook, or even on something like Emtrace's stand-alone WidgetStation, which would run Dashboard widgets. With the iPhone apparently having some sort of widgets, Apple is already moving them beyond the desktop, so it wouldn't even be that much of a stretch.

So what do you think, TUAW readers, am I nuts for thinking Microsoft has a cool idea here?

Filed under: Productivity, Internet Tools, Widget Watch

Widget Watch: ThinkFree/Office doc viewer (Dashboard, Yahoo! and Google)

If, for one reason or another, you don't have or don't want Microsoft Office installed, but you still need to view a doc, spreadsheet or presentation, the ThinkFree Online office crew have created a couple widgets (and even a Google module) to help ease your pain. I haven't been following ThinkFree's products very closely, but one of their services called the ThinkFree Viewer lets anyone publish a document online by linking to their web-based viewer - this removes a visitor's need to have one compatible app or another installed just to be able to view the file.

To make things even easier for those attachments you receive or the occasional document you simply have lying around, they have now released a new Dashboard widget and a Google module (for their Personalized Homepage), in addition to the Yahoo! Widget we blogged way back in May. These all work essentially the same way: drag and drop a compatible ThinkFree or Microsoft Office doc onto the widget, and it will upload the file to ThinkFree's temporary online viewer so you can crack it open with the least amount of hassle. Of course, there might be limitations to what their viewer can render, but this should make things a little easier for non-Office Office users out there.

Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Internet Tools, Widget Watch

Turn Google gadgets into widgets, widgets into apps

Google, like seemingly almost every other web services company on the planet these days, offers a personalized Google homepage that allows you to customize the page with more or less the internet version of widgets. Google calls them gadgets, and you can drag and drop them to create just the page you want.

Recently, Google announced they were breaking the chains that bind their gadgets to their homepage, allowing anyone to copy and paste some simple HTML to place any gadget on their own site. But why stop there? Dan from Uneasysilence dropped us a line about Mesa Dynamics, an interesting app company who has created two widget and gadget wrangling apps.

First up is Amnesty Generator, a free utility that turns any Google gadget into a Mac OS X Dashboard widget. It sounds like one catch with this process, however, is that any gadget-cum-widget is 100% internet dependent, even if it's something like a standalone game. This makes sense to me though, since the HTML is still calling out somewhere to get whatever makes up the gadget widget.

Second on the list from Mesa Dynamics is Amnesty Singles, which unleashes widgets from the Dashboard and turns them into full-blown apps. This utility costs $9.95 and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 (though it's Universal), and I would imagine the internet dependence still exists for Google gadgets when turned into apps, though I would imagine Mac OS X Dashboard widgets which don't need the internet to begin with will act just fine without being online.

So there's your time-waster for the day: gadgets to widgets to apps, oh my!

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Rumors, WWDC

Scobleizer wasn't wrong about products at WWDC; this just wasn't the right time

Some are upset at The Scobleizer, as his predictions of a 'dizzying' amount of post-WWDC Apple products and wish for an Apple Store sleepover didn't exactly come true. Scoble even went so far as to apologize on his blog Tuesday, offering a theory as to why our credit cards aren't getting maxed on a fleet of new Apple gadgets: he proposes that Apple didn't bring the goods because they didn't want to screw up their back-to-school sales. If Apple dropped something huge now, they might not have been able to supply enough product in time for all those young whipper-snappers to go back to school. It sounds plausible enough, but I propose a different theory.

This is the World Wide Developer Conference, not the World Wide Consumer Gadgets Conference. This is an event first and foremost for the developers, so Apple can get them (and also the press) excited about what's coming down the pipeline in terms of developer-related OS improvements, innovations and new tools, as well as pro hardware like the Mac Pro. Events like January's Macworld and out-of-the-blue, invite-only media blitzes are where Apple drops their crazy new products for the masses.

So I don't think the Scobleizer was wrong, I just think his predictions were shooting a little early. Don't worry, y'all will get your shot at an Apple Store sleepover yet.

Thanks Jonas!

Filed under: Humor, Cult of Mac, PowerBook, MacBook

That unique "new Mac" smell


You all know what I'm talking about: the moment you tear open your new Mac and are greeted by that complex combination of a "little bit of plastic bag with a hint of lindenberry followed by a rush of Styrofoam." We all love it. Just like every other Apple product I've purchased new, my MacBook features that same unique scent.

I'd forgotten how much I missed it. I purchased my last Mac (a 15" Titanium PowerBook) second hand, from a smoker. Then I spilt a glass of wine on the keyboard which made it pong of cheap rosé. Needless to say, my MacBook smells significantly better than my old Mac. Its scent is amongst my most favorite smells and in my opinion it is second only to the smell of napalm in the morning.

Knowing this, you'll understand my disappointment after I Googled "that new Mac smell" and found that research suggests that the smell emanating from new gadgets is very unhealthy. Wikipedia's entry on a similar feature found in cars, "that new car smell", links to research that likens the odor to sniffing glue. There's also an article from 2004 on Geek.com that recounts evidence that toxic fire retardant chemicals found in computers can be transferred to dust. Although the article says that "two of the chemicals in question (penta and octa-brominated diphenyl) have already been banned and will no longer be used in production by the end of this year," I'm forced to reconsider my love of the smell of new Macs.

Does anyone have any information that would restore my confidence in my new Mac's smell?

Filed under: Hardware, Apple

Washington Post on Apple and product placement

The Washington Post has an interesting article about all the 'free' product placement Apple has apparently received in TV shows and movies in recent years. The article states that Apple doesn't pay for all that publicity, but the company won't discuss how their products end up helping CSIs track down their suspect or how the iPod helps employees of The Office land a punchline.

However, the article goes on to mention that product placement is often "arranged through some kind of barter in which the show provides exposure in exchange for products or services" - doesn't that mean the placement is still being paid for?

Semantics aside, let's hope the Hollywood writers and Apple's tech evangelist don't go too overboard; the producers of NBC's The Office "pride themselves on being real" and seem to understand proper placement: "Indeed, actors on the show's drab workplace set do not use snazzy Apple computers, but rather black, generic desktop PCs." Hooray for the real world.

[via Slashdot]

Filed under: Hardware, Software, Cult of Mac

You know your tech lust is bad when...

...all monetary amounts translate into Apple/computer/gadget purchases. Let me explain.

A friend of mine told me he lost his wallet containing $300 on the bus the other day (he since recovered the wallet, cash and all). I then told a fellow Mac using friend about this unfortunate event, and the first thing he says is "Yikes! That's almost a mini!" (To be fair, this friend is in the market for a Mac mini.) This dialog got me wondering: how bad can tech lust get?

I'm not talking about the Apple fanboys who can't resist the urge to bash Windows and blindly proclaim Apple's infallibility and perfect security track record (even though neither exist) on every blog post and forum thread they invade. I'm asking: what lengths or depths have you or a family member/friend gone to for that *one* gadget, or for the Mac you're reading this on now? Feel free to share your stories of obsession and desperation involving Macs and gadgets - we won't hold them against you (much).

Filed under: Software, Internet Tools

Opera to include its own widgets

Forget podcast overload, I'm suffering from widget overload. There are Konfabulator widgets (now called Yahoo! Widgets Engine) and Apple Dashboard widgets. Microsoft will included "gadgets" with Vista, KDE will soon support Dashboard widgets and a soon-to-be-released version of the Opera web browser will feature its own built-in widgets. Phew.

The next preview version of Opera to be released (scheduled for some time this week) will include tools that will allow users to view information drawn from certain websites, like sports scores or weather reports, without having to continually revisit those sites. A dozen "demo widgets" will be included. Integrated BitTorrent search and download will also be a part of the Opera preview release.

The idea of widgets written and launched directly from a browser is kind of interesting. I'll have to check this out.

[Via MacSlash]

Update: It's available now.

Thanks, James!

Filed under: Cult of Mac, Odds and ends

The Land of the Rising Mac

JapanTodd Ogasawara, of the mac devcenter, has just gotten home from a family trip to Japan, or what he calls, 'Gadget Heaven.' We all know that Japan is a big market for Mac equipment, and that the Japanese are amongst some of the biggest and most loyal Mac users on the planet, so whilst you are in Japan you would be wise to pick up some gadgets.

Todd offers up some advice for gadget purchases in Japan:
  • Can you read the instructions in Japanese?
  • How do you know it works with your Mac?
  • How are you going to pack it and get it back home?
  • What will you do if it malfunctions and requires warranty maintenance? 

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