iLife '09 Ships Jan 27

The new version of iLife will include updated versions of iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand. The new version of iPhoto adds geo-tagging support, face recognition and improved Facebook support. iMovie now includes video stabilization, a new precision editor, animated maps, and more. The new version of GarageBand adds tutorials showing how to play piano and guitar…

PC World Rounds Up "Six Worst Apple Products of All Time"

PC World’s six products include the Macintosh IIvi and IIvx, Macintosh TV, Pippin, Power Mac 4400, the “Hockey Puck” USB mouse for iMac, and the one controversial choice (in our view), the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (the TAM). The full article offers the specifics on each product, including what it was and why the magazine picked…

Adobe Ships InDesign CS4 Server

Adobe InDesign Server works as a back end allowing companies to automate document design and publishing. Server solutions are available from Adobe partners, and can also be developed in-house for customized automation needs.A list of InDesign CS4 Server solution partners is available at the Adobe Web site.

The Half-life of Steve Jobs' Leadership

First of all, one has to remember that the management structure, as it exists with Mr. Jobs was uniquely designed by Mr. Jobs. In simple terms, Tim Cook handles the procurement and operations side, Peter Oppenheimer manages the money, Scott Forstall handles the iPhone software, Bertrand Serlet handles Mac OS X, Bob Mansfield handles the…

Analyst: Apple Beating Recession So Far

“Desktop units were weaker than expected with [Apple’s] management commenting on a shift toward portables (a trend resembling the overall PC market),” Mr. Um said. “If the trend continues (uncertain if it will, but certainly bears watching), portables will have to grow at a much faster rate to offset desktop weakness, which we think could…

Intego: Pirated iWork '09 Hides Trojan

The Trojan, dubbed OSX.Trojan.iServices.A, is included as a payload in otherwise normal iWork installers, so users may not be aware that they have also installed malicious code on their Macs. Users that have downloaded and installed a pirated version of iWork ’09 can check for iWorkServices in /System/Library/StartupItems. iWorkServices is the malicious payload that’s installed…

Apple COO Says No to Apple Netbook, Denigrates Existing Models

The comments came during Apple’s quarterly conference call with analysts when one analyst asked CFO Peter Oppenheimer and Mr. Cook what they thought of the netbook space, which saw enormous growth during the December quarter for PC companies such as Acer. “We’re watching that space,” said Mr. Cook. “Right now from our point of view,…

SEC Probes Steve Jobs Health Disclosure

Unnamed sources close to the matter have said that the SEC is conducting a private investigation to determine whether or not the Cupertino-based company’s disclosures regarding Mr. Jobs where designed to mislead investors.Mr. Jobs released a statement through Apple on January 5 where he stated that he was being treated for a hormone imbalance that…

A Deeper Look at the Worlds vs. NCsoft Lawsuit

Unfortunately, trying to get to the bottom of the lawsuit’s merits is much like trying to figure out the true origins of that “May you live in interesting times” curse. As M. Scott Boone, associate professor of law at Appalachian School of Law, told me: “The Patent Office was ill-prepared to deal with the onslaught…

Who Needs an 8 Hour Battery Anyway?

To which I say: Who cares? All right, I am sure there are a few people who care (and most of them will likely post critical comments here). But they make up a very very small minority. I contend that, for the rest of us, the MacBook Pro’s extended battery life is of trivial concern and,…

Ableton Unveils Live 8, Suite 8

Ableton Suite 8 will get a new sound library with over 1,600 sounds, a new physical modeling instrument for creating realistic mallet sounds and percussion, Latin percussion, an updated Operator synthesizer, and more.Ableton Live 8 and Suite 8 should be available in the second quarter of 2009. Ableton Live 8 pricing starts at US$449, and…

Analyst: Jobs Absence a Trial Period for Cook

“Obviously we are saddened by the news that Steve’s medical issues are more complex than he previously thought. However, we do feel a 6-month medical leave of absence is the right thing for Apple and believe the company is in able hands under the leadership of COO Tim Cook,” Mr. Marshall said. “It is our…

Manhattan Portage Launches Four New Laptop Bags

The Laptop Tote is a slim nylon bag capable of storing a MacBook or 15-inch MacBook Pro notebook, and includes a total of four pockets and a mesh bottle holder. The bag features an interior padded laptop sleeve and shoulder pad on the strap and arrives with a key ring attached to the exterior. The bag…

TMO's Editor Choice Awards for 2009

There are no categories, and they are listed in no particular order. Without further ado, below you’ll find the recipients of the The Mac Observer’s Editors’ Choice Awards for 2009.  Things and Things for the iPhone, Cultured CodeThings, for Mac and iPhone, from Cultured Code is an extremely well thought-out task management solution. It’s incredibly simple…

iWork '09 is Evolutionary, not Revolutionary - and Great

Apple has often chosen to release new software that seems limited, but is strong on a new way of doing things. Later, as users become accustomed to the app, evolutionary additions come, in a transparent way. That keeps the app fresh and simple, but incrementally adds power. This is what Apple is doing with iWork…

Steve Jobs Should Step Down from Apple

The mentally challenged tech press, pundits and analysts covering Apple are going to give him and Apple no peace. Most every single article regarding the company and its CEO, from here on out, will harp on, allude to, and/or call into question his health, his likelihood of not returning, and potential unclean hands on the…

Apple Mini DisplayPort to Join Standard

Apple introduced the Mini DisplayPort when it unveiled the new unibody-style MacBook and MacBook Pro last fall. At the time, Apple said that is would make details on the port design available to any company wanting to make compatible products and would not charge any licensing fees.DisplayPort 1.2 is also slated to add support for…

Apple Extends Relationship with LG with 5 Year Display Contract

“Although LG Display already had a relationship with Apple, the deal’s duration and the size of the advance show that the two companies are involved in a long-term, strategic alliance,” Son Young-jun, a spokesman for LG Display, told Reuters. LG Display already provides some 70% of Apple’s displays for notebooks and Cinema Displays.

Optical Illusions and Glossy Displays

At Macworld yesterday I was chatting with Rob Griffiths who mentioned that a friend of his just doesn’t “see” the reflections. He wonders what the problem is that others complain about. On the other hand, Rob himself sees every tiny light bulb reflected in the display, and it drives him crazy. As soon as he…

Microvision Demonstrates SHOW WX Laser Projector

Unlike many other projectors, which use lamps or LEDs and a lens to project an image, the SHOW EX uses laser light. The benefit of this is twofold. First, there is no need to focus; the projector can be placed at any distance from the projection surface. Second, you can get bright and vivid colors…

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