Stan's List

TIVO HD

The US is moving to HDTV, slower than I thought, yet with the continued drop in the price of the LCD HDTVs the conversion is picking up speed. Those that have HD quality TV probably wonder how they got along without it. Almost all channels have an HD version of that channel, including the PBS channels. PBS KQED, in the bay area, has at least 4 HD channels that I know of. It makes sense for TIVO to be HD capable. Being able to control when and what you watch began with the VHS recorder, but by all reports has been surpassed by technology. Actually, TIVO has been around quite a while, and digital has it all over tape. In this version TIVO does HD, but at a resolution limit of 1080i, and further does not work with Direct TV. Below I have referred you to an article about HDTV resolutions. Read more about TIVO, including the FAQ linked on their TIVO HD web page.

See this about.com article explaining the display differences between 1980i and 1080p. It all comes down to a matter of personal tastes.

Toast 8

While this version is not new (Macworld best of show 2007), Toast has had the ability to convert video files to a DVD, with a menus, since Toast 5, much like iDVD in iLife. If the TIVO is connected to your network, Toast 8 has the ability to import TIVO data and make a DVD.

McAfee

They insisted today that I could access Virex from their main page. Thinking they have a Mac link, I wait till I get home. Nothing has changed, just finding any reference to Mac is frustrating. They also mentioned that the minimum purchase is for 3 users. If you search for Macintosh, you will find this purchase page confirming a minimum of 3 licenses are required.

Intego

I am now the owner of a single license of just released VirusBarrier X5. There is a show special of $49.95. Actually, all their products on on the disc.

Flockstar

Flock, based on Firefox open source code, is an example of what directions browsers can take. The browser optimizes sharing video and photos, chat, access to your favorite websites. Where the browser seems to be for the web socialite, the browser is intended to emphasis the individual preferences and maximize access. See a demo of the browser at booth 4301 in the West Wing or visit their web page.

More Air:

Two cables available you should iconsider when purchasing are the MagSafe Airline Adapter and the Ethernet Adapter. As the MBA is well designed for traveling by air (was that intentional by Apple?) The first cable is self explanatory, whereas the second is a USB 2.0 to ethernet connector providing 10/100 BASE-T.

Conversations with Apple personnel confirmed Tuesday comments, with this slight amendment. The MBA using Airport can see into other Macs so enabled (sharing) and transfer files and even install Office from the install disc on the other Mac. DiskWarrior would still require an external DVD drive, not because DiskWarrior requires a DVD drive, only that you will need a DVD drive at some point. MBA will boot from external DVD drive.

The ML-1630 is a laser printer and the SCX-4500 is a laser print, copy and scanner. While the features are not new, the form factor is. Samsung is advertising these as the smallest printers or 3-in-1 anywhere. Also they are very quiet, only 45 db. Soft melodic low toner and paper alert tones. If you are at Macworld I suggest you stop over at booth 1237, or visit them at their web page.

I really liked this style, unlike most printers, who look like the box they came out of, this style is a new approach. The web page above has not only a picture of this printer, but some of their other printers which look like every other printer.

I have taken some time with this one. The style is Apple, yet it is for a special segment. As Mossberg has stated, the Air is likely for someone who spends a lot of time in the air. Strange isn’t?

The only way to install the OS is by an attached DVD drive. No networking, no Target Mode, no FireWire, no Ethernet, no PC card slot, as there is only USB. Single applications may be installed via Wi-Fi., but without an external DVD drive the MacBook Air is an island with maybe web access.

I also think the price is too high, reminiscent of the iPhone. At $1,800 for the Air, the MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 and you get a fully equipped laptop:

15 inch 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1440 x 900 resolution
2GB memory
120GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM

and don’t forget, ethernet and FireWire and PC card slot

Do we even want to mention the MacBook? No PC card slot, but pretty much everything else and at a darn better price.

iPhone 1.1.3

GPS-like location positioning on Maps, SMS texting to multiple recipients, customized home screens, IMAP for Gmail, iTunes Store movie rentals, video chapters and sub-titles, lyrics support in iPod mode. Download 1.1.3 via iTunes 7.6.

iPod Touch 1.1.3

Maps, Mail, Stock Notes and Weather plus the new iPhone updates. Free with new iPod touch or a very misunderstood $20 download from iTunes Store for current owners.

There are video demos of the new features of either the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Dr. Bott’s T3Hub USB 2.0 hub for laptops has the ability to report itself as a powered hub to the laptop. As their web mentions the T3Hub powers devices which normally would not function when connected to an unpowered hub. This would be most useful in the field where your extension cord can not follow and you have more than one USB device to connect or a device that requires a powered hub. I have it presently connect to my desktop Mac, but I am looking forward to testing it far from a wall socket. Normally $20, save $5 at Macworld, Booth 2118, or you could try their web page and see if they will honor the Macworld price.

Nicely done!!

The following updates are available via Software Update or from Apple’s Downloads page:

iTunes 7.6

Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.

Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

QuickTime 7.4

QuickTime 7.4 addresses security issues and delivers:
- Numerous bug fixes
- Support for iTunes

This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this website.

iMovie 7.1.1

This update addresses issues when publishing movies to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

Front Row 2.1.2

This Front Row update provides for bug fixes and improved iTunes compatibility.

Likely to be announced at the Keynote, NY Times reports sales of iPhones for Christmas are indicated by a surge in Google traffic. iPhone traffic topped all other mobile phones and that is continuing. This is in spite of having a small share of the cell phone market. As reported before, iPhone owners use the internet far more than internet enabled cell phones. Also, mentioned is that Yahoo is reporting a disproportionate increase of traffic via its online ad tracker. More …

9to5Mac: Apple expected to announce sales of 5 million iPhones 

Briefly:

Office 2008 faster than 2004?

• On Intel-based Macs: YES (nearly twice as fast)
• On PowerPC-based Macs: NO, in fact, 2008 runs mostly slower.

Does Office 2008 run faster on Leopard than Tiger?

• On Intel-based Macs: YES.

While the analysis and results will be published in the March 2008 issue ofMacTech Magazine, the MacTech web page has the preview now.

Is this an indication of where Mac software is headed? Almost twisting our arm to move to Intel Macs

We’re almost there. The expo opens Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., as the Keynote commences at 10:00. Some conferences begin on Monday and continue during the week What was unusual, there were not a last minute free expo passes by any vendor. There are slated some 455 exhibitors, with 50,000 attendees expected to attend Tuesday.So far, this is the predicted agenda for the Keynote (not in any particular order):A major update to Apple TV in response to the movie contracts to be announced.Slim laptop of some description, as a number of possible features have been predicted.iPhone firmware 1.1.3 update (yippee)Last year, the iPhone was announced and released the end of June. With the 3 G iPhone predicted June or July, an announcement would be consistent.