‘Usual Suspects’ is iTunes ‘Movie Rental of the Week’
Dennis Sellers 
May 16, 2008 at 7:36am
Usual Suspects is the 99 cent “Movie Rental of the Week” at the iTunes Store. It’s a 1995 thriller directed by Bryan Singer and starring Kevin Spacey, Benicio Del Toro, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollack and Chazz Palminteri, among others.
UK: iTunes album sales hit record high
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 7:36am
New figures from the Official UK Charts Company – the group which tracks UK chart positions – show that digital album sales climbed by 69.3 per cent in comparison with the first quarter of 2007. “That’s encouraging because it means digital music buyers are beginning to see album purchases as viable using services such as iTunes,” notes Macworld UK.
Native Instruments releases KONTAKT Retro Machines
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 6:20am
Native Instruments has KONTAKT Retro Machines, which provides the sounds of the synthesizers and drum machines of the 70’s and 80’s.
MacBook sales to hit three million this year?
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 6:20am
AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) will “evenly split” the LCD panel orders from Apple for the next rev of MacBooks in the third quarter, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times.
Movie review: ‘Prince Caspian’ pretty good despite Prince Caspian
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 6:19am
By Ramona Bissudo
Putting aside the discussion about whether the Narnia tales are a retelling of the Christ story (read into them what you will), The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is a worthy follow-up to 2005’s The Chronicles of Narnia, though neither matches the epic Lord of the Rings films.
Info needed on parental control software for the Mac
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 5:41am
Our next Macsimum Migration Kit will look at parental control software for the Mac. If you use or know of such goodies, drop us a line (dsellers@macsimumnews.com) by Wednesday, May 21.
The Mac Night Owl: ‘Do you really need Microsoft Office?’
Dennis Sellers May 16, 2008 at 5:22am
On today’s commentary, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Steinberg asks, “Do you really need Microsoft Office?”
May 15 ‘Macsimum Podcast’ now available
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 6:00pm
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The Macsimum Podcast for May 15 is now available here and the RSS feed is here. Today’s sponsor is Trans International, a maker of memory for a variety of Macs.
Mac software updates for May 15
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 3:04pm
app4mac has released CutX Content Filter 4.5 Beta 1 for Mac OS X. CutX is an extended site blocking plug-in designed for Apple’s Safari web browser. The basic purpose of the plugin is to empower Mac users to view the web as they like. People can block any web site with adult contents using keyword or domains lists. IT administrators can block the web sites of competitors or entertainment web sites.
Apple patent involves iPhone and short range wireless networks
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 3:03pm
The iPhone can already playback video, browse the Internet, and place phone calls, but a new Apple filing at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office by Apple hints that the communications device may “one day take your lunch order and serve as a tour guide at the local zoo,” reports AppleInsider.
‘Macsimum Recommended Reading’ for May 15
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 3:02pm
“Intel disclaims ZDNet report over larger iPhone or internet tablet”—The Guardian
‘setteB.IT’: Singapore Airlines welcomes aboard the iPod, iPod touch
Dennis Sellers May 15, 2008 at 1:24pm
By Fabio M. Zambelli
setteB.IT published an article about iPod/iPhone integration in Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics. Five Airbus A340-500 will be converted in business class only aircrafts.
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.
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
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Freshly Squeezed Reviews: the ol' rooSwitch-a-roo
Said:
Hi,
For mailing lists try Direct Mail. A GEM. You will think how you lived without it.
Apple-HBO announcement will shake up the iTunes Store
Said:
I don’t know where this idea that price uniformity or simplicity is one of the big attractions of iTunes came from. Breadth of selection and ease of purchase/download is the big attraction of iTunes --that you can find everything you want without having to shop other websites. Customers will not be driven away because there are no longer three standard prices in iTunes. As long as prices are competitive, people won’t mind, they’re not that stupid. If they were, people would be running out of supermarkets screaming their heads off in panic and confusion over the thousands of different prices that confronted them there.
'Usual Suspects' is iTunes 'Movie Rental of the Week'
Said:
Thanks for the weekly heads-up on the 99 cent movie! Keep up the good work!
Apple-HBO announcement will shake up the iTunes Store
Said:
I actually support variable pricing for video and static pricing for music. And there is the reason why. Production costs. A Bare Bones production is multiple millions of dollars. The typical music production now probably doesn’t crack $200k for 70% of all artists. The equipment costs are massive for video and the level of involved personnel. If you want good quality video it’s going to cost you.
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:)