AT&T: only one iPhone per customer, please
Dennis Sellers 
May 15, 2008 at 12:33pm
In an internal memo to departments this week, AT&T said that customers are now allowed to purchase only one iPhone until further notice.
OWC announces lower prices for Mercury On-The-Go FireWire drives
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 12:32pm
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the lowest cost line of OWC Mercury On-The-Go FireWire + USB 2.0 storage drives, with 500GB capacity priced at US$329.
kwiry introduces new photo, mobile features
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 12:31pm
kwiry has introduced new capabilities to its free service that turns text messages into helpful online reminders. Users can now send in photos, as well as access their kwirys anytime, anywhere from their mobile phone.
FlyTunes adds radio stations to iPhone, iPod touch
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 11:04am
FlyTunes—which offers a digital music service for the iPhone, iPod touch and other portable media players and cell phones—has ported AccuRadio’s 320-plus streaming radio channels into an iPhone-/iPod Touch-friendly format, reports Wired.
Onset announces Wi-Fi Remote Monitoring System
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 11:03am
Onset Computer Corp. has unveiled the US$724 HOBO U30/Wi-Fi Remote Monitoring System, a web-based monitoring system that provides real-time, remote access to energy and environmental data over any Wi-Fi network.
Apple patent involves beefed-up touch pad features
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:49am
Touch pads on upcoming Apple products will get more functionality if the technology mentioned in patent 20080111795 (filed at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office) is used. Invented by Steven Bollinger, the patent relates to sensor array configurations that allow for the accurate determination of an object’s position.
Review: Proporta Advanced Screen Protector for the MacBook Air a mixed bag
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:48am
Proporta’s the Advanced Screen Protector for the MacBook Air may be the cat’s meow for some people (and I know that reference just dated me severely), but it just doesn’t do it for me.
Apple patent involves LED displays with more ‘pleasing visual effects’
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:47am
LED displays on Apple devices may get a “more pleasing visual effect under a variety of ambient lighting conditions,” according to patent 20080111500 (filed at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office) is used. Invented by Bryan Hoover, the patent generally relates to the field of illumination control and more particularly involves luminance control of lights.
Cable modems win over DSL in first quarter
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:47am
Cable companies attracted more Internet subscribers than phone companies did in the first quarter, reversing a 3 1/2-year trend, according to Wired.
T-Mobile sells more than 100,000 iPhones in Germany
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:47am
Deutsche Telekom CEO Rene Obermann says that, so far, the telecommunications company’s T-Mobile unit has sold more than 100,000 iPhones in Germany, reports Fortune.
Battlestations: Midway game coming to Mac OS X in June
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:44am
Feral Interactive will release a Mac version of Battlestations: Midway on June 27, 2008 for US$49.95. The game is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5.
Apple patents involve partial, unaligned vectors
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:43am
Apple patents for efficiently accessing unaligned partial vectors and efficiently accessing unaligned vectors have appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office).
New Take Control books look at Mac OS X Mail
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:43am
TidBTIS and Take Control have released two new Take Control titles for the Mac OS X Mail application. Take Control of Apple Mail in Leopard and Take Control of Spam in Apple Mail are both by author Joe Kissell and both cost US$10.
Monetra update adds electronic check verification, more
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:43am
Main Street Softworks has released Monetra 7.0, the update of the payment server software that processes credit card, debit card, gift card, and electronic benefit card transactions via retail point-of-sale and eCommerce systems. The upgrade offers electronic check verification and conversion with image upload for the Electronic Clearing House (ECHO) processing platform.
Biggest US Apple retail store opens today
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 10:16am
Ron Johnson, the senior vice president who leads Apple’s retail strategy, told Reuters on the sidelines of a news briefing that international retail presence would be an important driver of future sales.
iStockphoto seeks submissions for new microstock audio offering
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 6:20am
iStockphoto is offering images online for prices as low as US$1 and has announced it will add royalty-free audio tracks to its collection of downloadable stock content in September.
Marware introduces C.E.O. Envi for MacBook Air
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 5:22am
Marware has introduced the C.E.O. Envi sleeve for the MacBook Air. It’s a US$89.99 leather case with a sleek profile. The Envi has a soft-lined interior that “hugs” the world’s thinnest laptop and reduces smudges and fingerprints associated with normal use.
Smith Micro to distribute RapidWeaver
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 5:21am
Smith Micro Software has signed an exclusive publishing agreement to distribute RapidWeaver, a US$49.99 web site builder made exclusively for the Mac OS X. It’s created by Realmac Software.
PhotoAcute Studio is new tool for improving digital photos
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 5:20am
Almalence has released PhotoAcute Studio, a Mac OS X compatible edge tool for improving digital photos. It offers a method of dynamic range expansion that removes the noise from the shadow areas of the images.
Oki introduces C5650 series of digital color printers
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 5:19am
Oki Data Americas has introduced the C5650 Series of A4 digital color printers. The series offer Single Pass ColorT Technology for enhanced media handling up to 213gsm paper and 8.5×47.24 inch banners. They have a duty cycle of 60,000 pages and a paper capacity of 930 sheet.
Macsimum Opinion
Apple-HBO announcement will shake up the iTunes Store
By Dennis Sellers 
May 16 at 7:47am
This week it was announced that programming from HBO is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Store. However, in a major change, the HBO shows will have flexible pricing. And I’m afraid that, though it may be a necessary evil, it’s going to mar the simplicity of the online store.
Macsimum Poll
Recent Articles
- Friday 16, 2008
- Apple sues Atico over iPod accessories patent
- Orange to sell iPhone in Middle East, Africa, other European countries
- How to use the Apple TV as a sales tool
- What’s up with the iPhone ‘shortages’?
- Apple-HBO announcement will shake up the iTunes Store
- Freshly Squeezed Reviews: the ol’ rooSwitch-a-roo
- Apple tops customer satisfaction survey of computer, electronics e-tailers
- ‘setteB.IT’: Apple wins D&AD Awards
- Macsimum Migration Kit: Exercise & fitness software
- ‘Usual Suspects’ is iTunes ‘Movie Rental of the Week’
- UK: iTunes album sales hit record high
- Native Instruments releases KONTAKT Retro Machines
- MacBook sales to hit three million this year?
- Movie review: ‘Prince Caspian’ pretty good despite Prince Caspian
- Info needed on parental control software for the Mac
- The Mac Night Owl: ‘Do you really need Microsoft Office?’
- Thursday 15, 2008
- May 15 ‘Macsimum Podcast’ now available
- Mac software updates for May 15
- Apple patent involves iPhone and short range wireless networks
- ‘Macsimum Recommended Reading’ for May 15
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
Said:
OK how’s “Kitty” Cat! Stupid auto word changer; The word was not meant to be dirty and is NOT when used in context. Silly…
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
Said:
As I thought the “reported” MacBook, MacBook pro update did not happen, it would have been WAY, WAY to soon.
The “NEW” upgrade rumor: http://9to5mac.com/macbook_upgrade_schedule has things posted for July-September. Steve “might” pull something at WWDC, but probably not. At WWDC You will see iPhone (if not sooner), and possible MacMini updates, perhaps even an iPod (iPod Touch?) as well as PRE announcement for 10.6 “##### Cat”! The Warmest, fuzziest, friendliest OS ever built; “It purrs when you use it!”
Apple tends to make updates in a 4 to 6 month increment. The last Macbook updates were Feb 28th; Given 4 months, start looking early-mid June. This also co-insides with BackToSchool, Apples favorite time for Notebook updates!
For the Apple computer update schedule (when they last upgraded this Mac) checkout : http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/
This site has been the BEST indicator of Apple upgrade/update trends. Note the Mac Mini, if they don’t phase it out this would be RIPE for an update at WWDC!
Apple-HBO announcement will shake up the iTunes Store
Said:
Well, not all pricing was $1.99. NOVA from PBS costs $4.99. Some of the History channel specials cost $3.99. Back in the day, and unsurprisingly (given NBC/Universal’s...greed), short clips from Sataurday night live cost $1.99, just like music videos.
So variable pricing has been going on on iTunes for a while, just not in a high profile way.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
El Jabon Said:
Maty,The screen is going to 14 inch.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
Said:
And the LED display?
Thanks.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
El Jabon Said:
Jared,
No they will not just the MacBooks.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
Said:
are the macbook pros going to be updated?
The Mac Night Owl: 'Apple begins to succumb to entertainment industry demands'
Said:
Bandwidth, and storage both cost money. To say that a television episode or movie should be priced the same as a song, is to say the least naïve.
New MacTech DVD available
Said:
$29.95 + $20 “handling” charges… Course, you can’t find that out until you get all the way to end of the ordering process…
Donovan's views: Apple Retail -- talk the talk, walk the walk
Said:
It’s not surprising that the US was the primary target for the Apple stores. There is a huge population in the US, a lot of towns and cities that can support an Apple Store, easier distribution through the supply channels and, most important, Apple has a good understanding of the various employment laws and regulations.
The next easiest markets would be the UK and Australia/New Zealand - mainly because of the common language. I worked in retailing in Australia for 8 years and found it very similar to the US, leaving me to believe that it will be an excellent market for Apple. It’s after the UK, however, because of the population differences. The Aussies, however, are very quick to pick up new technologies and I think that they will do well.
As for other countries, Apple will need to establish a local corporate structure, requiring a significant investment, as well as determining how business is done in each of the countries. Other facets, such as developing a customer support structure, also takes time. I therefore see Apple taking their time in order to “do it right” - which is a good thing.
Donovan's views: Apple Retail -- talk the talk, walk the walk
Said:
Just a quick note:
““Today, Apple is about 50 percent international revenue and about 50 percent in the U.S. We increasingly want to get our retail presence out in the other countries.”
Magic word in that sentence: Revenue
So what’s interesting is that 13% of Apple Stores generate 50% of the revenue.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
El Jabon Said:
J.B,
No the prices will not change. Well, not on apple.com/store but from other websites and bestbuy will have the old models for a couple of days before apple ships the new models to them.
Donovan's views: Apple Retail -- talk the talk, walk the walk
Said:
The first 71 stores opened were in the U.S, and 96 of the first 98 stored opened were in the U.S (the other 2 were in Japan). But 6 of the last 20 stores opened were not in the U.S. So Apple’s made a lot of progress in opening non-U.S. stores.
Apple thinks long-term, so I wouldn’t expect the numbers to even out quickly, as there are still many more places to put stores in the U.S., and Apple may still choose to heavily use reseller stores, in order to provide better localization in non-English speaking cultures/nations.
DVD burners will continue to outpace Blu-ray drives for at least another three years
Said:
Although it is a chicken-egg scenario, it is more about the cost of the media than it is the drive. And the cost of a coaster. BD 25G discs will have to hit $2 before they will have any mass market potential, $1 and they will grow exponentially and if a BD disc can nearly match the cost of a DVD disc, Bluray will be ubiquitous.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
J.B. Said:
I am currently a PC user and I am looking to purchase a macbook. After reading these postings I think I am going to wait for these impending upgrades, my one question is the price. Will the price of the new macbooks be the same as the current pricing or will it increase? And if so, once the new macbooks come out, will it be possible for a short time to get the old models?
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
El Jabon Said:
K.T,
The upgrade is going to be that it is going to look like a MacBook Air. But what is really cool is that if you buy an apple product and a week later they come out with the new one you just call apple and tell them it works for 14 days. So buy your MacBook 12 days before the 9th of May when they release the new MacBook and when they come out with it call apple. Hoped this helped:)
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
K.T Said:
El Jabon,
my family want to get a new macbook asap,
but you tell us that “wait” is a good choice,
how can I trying to persuade them. Thanks.
Would that be a major upgrade?
any different??
Sprint's new Instinct vs. iPhone (videos)
Said:
I have been researching this Instint for some time now and I too am noticing the slow responsiveness to the keypad when touched. Hopefully Samsung and Sprint will have this corected before their launch date to the pubic. However, as with everything there is advantages and disadvantages to everything. I will enjoy the sd slot, then slimmer model, the faster internt, the music download, and will not enjoy not having the “pinch zoom and out” capabilities. That in my personal opinion is what makes the internet soo cool and what actually makes the I phone. So to compare...y is there? the I phone is just that and the Instinct will be and do it’s thing. Advantages vs Disadvantages....that’s what t boils down too
Study: Blu-ray wins the format battle, but consumers don’t buy it
Said:
Stating the obvious: until HD TV sets are more common, more titles are available on BlueRay, and BlueRay player costs are down, this market will remain flat.
After the stimulus checks roll out, we might see a difference. But, Christmas 2008 will likely see a spike in growth. Lots of folks like me are waiting for the big sales.
New Apple laptops tomorrow?
Said:
Ok then I will wait, and thank you for the help again.
The problem with my current computer is that since it was purchased in 2004 (which is a crappy dell) shuts down every 5-10 minutes because the fan is broken. So to end the year in a good manor I wanted to get a laptop that at least works.