The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is close to a new policy that will allow notebook computers to remain inside some special types of cases as they go through airport X-ray machines. New cases are being developed by Targus and Skooba. The policy could go into into effect in a few months, according to TSA chief…
News
AAPL Down Dramatically for No Obvious Reasons
Appleis stock (AAPL) dropped nearly US$8.00 on Wednesday for no obvious reasons, according to Barronis. It could be nothing more than profit taking in an ugly market. The news about Apple on Wednesday was minor: a lawsuit over the name “Mighty Mouse” and the fact that the company will use LED backlighting in future notebook…
Man & Machine Sues Apple For "Mighty Mouse" Trademark Infringement
The lawsuit largely accuses Apple of being a bully company intent on confusing the marketplace with its use of Mighty Mouse. "Because of its size, fame, and advertising budget" M&M wrote in its complaint, "Appleis use of the Mighty Mouse trademark has and will continue to overwhelm M&Mis use" of the trademark. "Appleis use of…
Apple Updates 3G iPod nano Software to 1.1.2
Apple slipped out a new update for the third generation iPod nano on Tuesday. Like so many of its updates, the company went light on details and only said that this one included bug fixes. iPod nano Software 1.1.2 is available through iTunes.
Microsoft VP: Company Focusing on Online Services, Advertising
Mr. Johnsonis other goals include “consolidate ad platform and win in display,” and “deliver end-to-end user experiences across PC, phone, and Web.” He acknowledged Microsoftis renewed negotiations with Yahoo and added “Regardless of the outcome of any new discussions, it is important that we continue to move forward to strengthen our online services business. The…
Yahoo to Icahn: Get a Clue
Roy Bostock, Chairman of the Yahoo Board of Directors, said in a letter to Mr. Icahn “Your letter reflects a significant misunderstanding of the facts about the Microsoft proposal and the diligence with which our board evaluated and responded to that proposal.” He added “A fair-minded review of the factual record leads to one conclusion:…
ForeSee Survey: Apple, Newegg and H-P Lead in Online Satisfaction
In the ForeSee Results Top 100 Online Retail Satisfaction Index published today, Apple, Newegg and HP provided the best online experience of the electronics e-retailers. A copy of the report was obtained by TMO. “The Web continues to be a bright spot in retail, which is good news for retailers and even better news for…
Adobe Intros Flash Player 10 Beta
Atrois real-time image effects.
Mozilla Releases Thunderbird 3 Alpha
The Mozilla group has released an alpha of its Thunderbird e-mail program for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. New in this version for Mac is the long-awaited integration with the Mac OS X Address Book. The early release is for testing only. “This release does not represent the final product. Some of the features…
CW: Nine Apps to Tweak the Look of Leopard
Some of the interface changes in Leopard were controversial, so it didnit take long for developers to create apps that can tweak the Leopard look-and-feel, either back to Tiger or just something new, according to Computerworld on Wednesday. While some changes have traditionally required command-line trickery that can cause concern for some users, a new…
RIM's Empire Strikes Back at Apple
RIM knows itis in a battle, a two horse race, with Appleis iPhone. The new BlackBerry Bold is RIMis latest weapon in the war, according to the Wall Street Journal on Monday. [Subscription required.] RIMis new smartphone, designed to fend off the iPhone assault, runs on the higher speed 3G network, adds processing punch and…
C|Net: Remote Possibilities for Apple
Apple has tackled a lot of consumer products that just havenit been friendly enough for the everyday consumer and made them gems of design, excellence and ease of use. Appleis next move might be the wireless remote control, according to C|Net on Tuesday. For example, Appleis iPod click wheel married two different sets of controls…
Microsoft Says Visual Basic Returning to Office
While Microsoft enhanced AppleScript and Automator support in Office 2008, many VBA macro users found that their documents simply failed to function properly and required rewritten scripts. The limitation also meant that documents that rely on VBA macros were no longer cross-platform compatible. Company spokespeople commented “Although the Mac BU increased support in Office 2008…
Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #152: Have I Been Hacked?
Listen Now: Download: or (AAC coming shortly courtesy of Michael Johnston of iPhoneAlley) Show notes for Mac Geek Gab Podcast For May 12, 2008 Listeners wonder if their Macs have been hacked, and Dave and John talk through the symptoms. After that, it’s off to the mailbag which is chock full of tips and questions…
Podcast - Apple Weekly Report #125: iPhone Expansion, NBC and Zune, Apple's Eco-stance
Direct Link: MP3 Version Listen Now: The iPhone machine is in full swing with carrier deals for over 20 new countries announced this week, Apple’s lawsuit express dropped off a couple of passengers, Steve Jobs isn’t making as much as he used to, Microsoft bailed on its Yahoo takeover, and NBC cozied up with the…
Apple Settles Power Adapter Suit
Estimates put the number of potentially qualifying Mac owners in the neighborhood of 2.3 million. The agreement earned preliminary approval in the San Jose U.S. District Court on March 24, but is awaiting final approval on September 8. The class action suit claimed that the laptop power adapter “dangerously frays, sparks and prematurely fails to…
Microsoft Dissolves Yahoo Proxy Board
The Redmond-based company had culled a list of potential proxy board members in preparation for a hostile takeover move if it could not reach a buyout agreement with the Internet search and advertising company Yahoo. When the two companies failed to reach an agreement, Microsoft chose to walk away from the table instead of pursuing…
Consumer Reports gets it right (at last)!
Consumer Reports finally gets it right! Consumer Reports may not be the most influential voice in determining which computers are most preferred by the buying public. But it matters. Each year, for the past who knows how many years, the magazine has dutifully provided its assessment of the best and worst in computers. And almost…
Microsoft Resumes Distribution of Windows XP SP3
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that they have resumed the availability of Windows XP SP3 at the Microsoft Download Center. Distribution was halted last week when a last minute incompatibility with Vista SP1 and the Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) software was discovered. Microsoft has published a hotfix for the RMS issue and advised that it…
Podcast - Mac Geek Gab #151: Startup Sounds, FileTypes, EQ, and Bits vs. Bytes
Listen Now: Download: or (AAC courtesy of Michael Johnston of iPhoneAlley) Show notes for Mac Geek Gab Podcast For May 5, 2008 Listener tips shine through this week, with some answers about startup sounds and filetypes. Then your two favorite geeks do their part by answering your questions about equalization settings, Time Machine backups, and…
Apple's Cash Hoard Rivals Microsoft's
Apple has more cash on hand than Google and IBM and is second only to Microsoft, according to a story at seattlepi on Monday. While Microsoft’s cash has dwindled due to dividends and share buy backs, Apple’s has steadily grown. In fact, Apple has more cash than Hewlett-Packard and Dell combined. The trend, according to…
AmTech Reinstates AAPL Buy Rating, Ups Target Price
Prior to Appleis positive quarterly earnings report, Mr. Wu voiced concerns over how much investors were expecting from the Mac, iPod and iPhone maker. He also expressed concerns over the companyis high valuation and stock volatility. “We overestimated the potential negative reaction on the quarter and in hindsight should have moderated our near-term posture rather…
MacPractice DDS Interfaces with Digital X-ray Equipment
MacPractice announced the immediate availability on Monday of their all Mac interface to PLANMECA Panoramic and Cephalometric digital X-ray equipment and PLANMECA digital sensors via Ethernet. “MacPractice DR is the first fully integrated, digital radiography solution for Mac users, and now it works directly with some of the finest products available to dentists from PLANMECA”…
Apple Cuts 174 Elk Grove Jobs
Of the 174 job cuts, 99 were Internet sales representatives, and 41 were online customer chat positions. Apple said the positions were eliminated because it is moving some of its sales and support functions to its Texas offices. Colliers International research director Garrick Brown called the move “just more bad news for Elk Grove,” and…