Flash MX 2004 version 7.2 is available for download from the companyis Web site. The upgrade to the companyis multimedia authoring tool offers more than 120 bug fixes and improvements, including more efficient use of system resources, better performance and stability, improved help documentation and more, the company said. Macromedia said the update also increases…
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1,500 Line Up To Buy iPod mini in Japan
The iPod mini brought as many as 1,500 people to wait in line in Japan the first day the units went on sale, according to a report at MacCentral Saturday. The iPod mini went on sale in Japan this Saturday after a delay of many months. The delay was due to demand in the US…
Just a Thought - iPod and Me
"You are the Sunshine of My Life" Stevie Wonder, Talking Book I finally bought an iPod. The stars aligned just so, Fate smiled, Luck was a lady, and Apple put some 10 GB refurbished iPods up for sale on it’s Hot Deals Web site. So, now I have an iPod, and I have to say…
Contour Design Perfit Mouse Optical
Ever since 1984 we have used input devices (like) mice to directly interact with our computers. Weive been through one button, two buttons, three buttons and beyond. Weive endured a dizzying array of sizes and button placements as the years passed. And still, to this day, many of us remain on the search for the…
Computing with Bifocals - Back to School, New Software, & a New Apple Store
Back To School In the middle of May, I spent the better part of three days at a local public middle school. The term "public" school in the US refers to the educational system supported by taxpayers that is available to all children. We call schools "private" if parents pay a fee to send their…
Apple & TIBCO Reportedly Settle Over Rendezvous; Welcome To OpenTalk
Apple has reportedly settled a lawsuit with TIBCO over the use of the name “Rendezvous” for Apple’s implementation of the ZeroConf networking protocol. The lawsuit was filed in August of 2003, with TIBCO accusing Apple of knowing that the name was already in use for a networking-related product. In a statement from TIBCO at the…
Time Names AirPort Express Weekly 'Gadget'
Columnist Wilson Rothman called Express, “very small and simple to use” and mentioned its easy iwizardi setup and compatibility with Windows. Mr. Rothman ended his column by warning users of an installation problem he encountered. “First, if you have a Microsoft-branded wireless router (now discontinued), you may have difficulty sending music to Express,” he wrote.…
BusinessWeek Looks at Walkman vs. iPod Capacity Claims
In an editorial at BusinessWeek, Cliff Edwards looks at capacity claims, and the sound quality issues relating to that, between Apple’s iPod and Sony’s Walkman NW-HD1. At issue is the methodology used by Sony to claim that its 20 GB Walkman can hold more music than Apple’s 20 GB iPod, something only possible by using…
Macworld Boston Wrap-Up - TMO's Staff Reacts
As the final part of our three-part series on the reaction to Macworld Boston 2004, we interviewed TMO staff members to gauge their opinions. The recurring theme: “Who needs Apple?” With everyone’s expectations set so low, the buzz on the show floor was a surprise to us all. For more reaction to Macworld, check out…
TMO's Staff Reacts
A s the final part of our three-part series on the reaction to Macworld Boston 2004, we interviewed TMO staff members to gauge their opinions. The recurring theme: “Who needs Apple?” With everyoneis expectations set so low, the buzz on the show floor was a surprise to us all. For more reaction to Macworld, check…
July 10 - 17: The Executive Shuffle, Profits, Jaguar Introduced
This week (July 10-11) in 1981, Apple saw the departure of its first president, Michael "Scotty" Scott. Mr. Scott had been brought in from outside Apple in 19977 to help bring some corporate credibility and direction for the fast growing company. In 1981, however, investors were not happy with Mr. Scott because of some setbacks…
DV Expo - Attendees Drool Over Steadicam Flyer as 'Splurge' Gift
NEW YORK, NY — It’s the ultimate gift for anyone shooting with a video camera. It’s the gift you’d buy yourself if you could afford it. It’s the gift that gets noticed. It’s the gift that’s only US$6,500. It’s the Steadicam Flyer from The Tiffen Company and if you’ve ever been to a sporting event…
Mesa Dynamics Updates Beholder With Network Enhancements
Mesa Dynamics today released Beholder 1.5, a significant upgrade to its free image searching utility for the Macintosh. Beholder can automatically retrieve images by querying various Internet searching services, crawling specific web sites or scanning folders – including iPhoto libraries – on a user’s computer. Thumbnails are displayed with link details and a zoomed preview…
Apple Ships AirPort Express, Announces 80,000 Pre-Orders
Apple announced this morning that it has begun shipping AirPort Express, the company’s portable 802.11g base station. The device was announced in June, and features wireless networking and printing, as well as wireless streaming of music to a stereo or speakers through AirTunes, software that works through iTunes. In the announcement today, Apple claimed 80,000…
DV Expo - Absent From Boston, Apple Woos Video Experts in NYC
NEW YORK, NY — Noticeably absent from Mac Expo this week in Boston, Apple Computer joined a strong contingent of video companies including Adobe, Canon, Panasonic and Sony on Wednesday at the exhibition opening of the third annual Digital Video Expo East at the Jacob K. Javits convention center in New York City. More than…
TMO Reports - Confirmed: Office Depot to Not Stock Apple Products in Retail Stores
Office Depot, Inc. will not stock and sell Apple products over the counter at its 800-plus retail stores in the US as part of its new authorized reseller agreement, but that policy could change in the future, a company spokesman told The Mac Observer, Tuesday. “The extent of our relationship with Apple will be determined…
Absent From Boston, Apple Woos Video Experts in NYC
More than 11,000 professionals are attending conferences and exhibits through Friday covering production, post-production, delivery and business practices related to the video industry, according to shower organizers. 75 exhibitors are on hand to show off their products and services to attendees, including 3D software, animation and design tools, audio solutions, authoring software, cameras, DVD duplication…
Roku Licenses iTunes Technology For Standalone Wireless iTunes Player
B OSTON, MASS – First there was iTunes, and it was good, but one needed to be at oneis computer, or an authorized computer, to listen to their music. Then there was iTunes Express. It allows one to stream to an audio device connected to the iTunes Express, and you still need to be at…
iPod Threatens Windows Domination of Copy-Protected CDs
The popularity of the iPod is putting pressure on the copy-protection business. CNet News reported yesterday that the most successful copy-protected CD to date, Contraband by Velvet Revolver, was the subject of many complaints from consumers who couldn’t play music from the CD on their iPod. According to the article, those complaints, and the continuing…
TMO Reports - Group Urges People To Boycott Macworld
BOSTON, MASS. — An unknown group is urging Bostonians and hotel guests to boycott Macworld. The group is driving a large billboard trailer around the streets of downtown Boston around the convention center area asking people to “Say no to Macworld,” and to “save our jobs.” The billboard also urges people to call the Massachusetts…
Office Depot Becomes Apple Reseller, Company Web Site Claims
“I can not confirm this report,” company spokesman Brian Levine told TMO, from Delray Beach, Florida, late Monday night. “I have no knowledge of this development.” Mr. Levine appeared confused by the report when contacted. Although he did not outright deny the report, he did not confirm the partnership, nor did he offer further details.…
July 1 - 10: Hello Cat, So Long Gil, Goodbye Cube
[Authors Note: Owen and I are still behind in this series, but are working hard to catch up – Bryan] Jef Raskin is one of the most controversial figures in the Mac’s early days. Indeed, the Mac was originally his project, though the product envisioned by Mr. Raskin bore little resemblance to the computer that…
Financial Times Says Apple Must Innovate The iPod Or Miss Out
Being a market leader is tough – being a market leader in the music business is even tougher. Such is the position in which Apple finds itself with the iPod and the iTunes Music Store. Apple’s iPod claims 25% of the market for all digital music players, and a whopping 70% of all legal music…
TMO Reports - Gartner: iPod, Portable Devices a Corporate Security Risk
Companies should consider banning portable storage devices such as Apple’s iPod from corporate personal computers because they can spread viruses or steal critical corporate data, according to the research company Gartner, Inc. The report, obtained by The Mac Observer and issued this week, does not recommend outright the banning of such devices from office environments,…