Mac-A-Doodle

Mac-A-Doodle tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2010-01-08:/macadoodle//32 2010-01-08T11:05:00Z Movable Type 5.01 Apple sells used products for less in China tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2009:/macadoodle//32.10205 2009-01-20T04:39:06Z 2010-01-08T11:05:00Z

Reuters BEIJING--Apple Inc said on Tuesday it had launched an online shop selling secon d-hand Apple products in China, offering discounts of up to 22 percent, as it l ooks to beef up its business in the country. These are products that were previously sold and returned to Apple and have und ergone quality tests, the company's website said. The refurbished products available on Apple's Chinese website ranged from a 308 yuan ($44) iPod shuffle to an iMac computer costing more than 14,000 yuan ($2, 047). "We kicked off the campaign at the end of last year," said Huang Yun a, Apple's spokeswoman in China. She declined to give a figure of total used pr oducts available. Apple has introduced similar deals in other countries, including the Unites Sta tes, the United Kingdom and Japan, for years, but second-hand purchase only mak es up a small portion of its total sales. U.S. retailer Best Buy Co earlier this month started selling refurbished versio ns of Apple iPhone 3G that were priced about $50 less than new ones in an effor t to seek new ways to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers. ($=6.84 yuan).]]> Job's letter calms Mac community tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2009:/macadoodle//32.10204 2009-01-07T10:11:09Z 2010-01-08T11:05:00Z

By Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net APPLE CEO Steve Jobs won't be delivering the keynote in this year's MacWorld ev ent (January 5 to 9). The iconic Apple CEO has recently confirmed the cause of his weight loss, dispr oving speculations that it was due to cancer. In a letter, Jobs said everyone can relax and enjoy the MacWorld event, as he s tressed that doctors have found that a hormone imbalance has been causing his c ontinuous weight loss. He wrote:

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and st raightforward, and I've already begun treatment. But, just like I didn't lose t his much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will t ake me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple's CEO duri ng my recovery. He called for the Apple community to support him in his recovery.

To read his full letter, click here.]]> 'Tap Tap Dance' an iPhone stage for hot musicians tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10203 2008-12-05T10:44:53Z 2010-01-08T11:05:00Z

By Glenn Chapman Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO -- A "Tap Tap Dance" videogame built exclusively for Apple's hip iPhones was launched Thursday, challenging users to stay in rhythm with songs b y tapping the device's screen in time to the music. Offering an Internet-age stage for a new generation of musicians, the game is t he brainchild of Tapulous, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California. "We went from a game familiar to people that play 'Guitar Hero' or 'Rock Band' to something more similar to an interactive music video," said Tapulous chief e xecutive Bart Decrem. "We are really pushing forward and defining our own exper ience. We are really proud of that." Thursday's launch came on the heels of Apple revealing that the free "Tap Tap Revenge" earned top spot as the most popular iPhone game in 2008. "Geek rock" band Weezer recorded six traditional Christmas songs for a special holiday-season version of the iPhone videogame expected to hit Apple's online A pp Store at iTunes this week. "Dance" is an iteration of the game featuring hot dance-music genre artists suc h as Daft Punk, Moby, Justice, Chemical Brothers and Soul Magic Orchestra. Unlike "Revenge," the "Dance" and Weezer versions of the game are priced at 4.9 9 dollars (US) each at the App Store. Weezer and other musicians connected with Tapulous as "Revenge" gained momentum and iPhone sales continued to soar. Weezer band member Scott Shriner said often fans at their concerts wave iPhones showing on-screen virtual lighter flames, a playful fire-free application for the devices. "The drummer and I are big iPhone fans, and I'm a huge gaming fan at the same t ime and obviously a huge music fan," Shriner said while discussing teaming up w ith Tapulous. "Weezer's goal for a while now has been to get fans more involved in our music and live shows and this seemed a way to get people physically involved in our m usic." Besides, he added, "I love Christmas songs and it seemed like a good match." There have been "well over" three million downloads of "Revenge" during the pas t four months and the appeal is clear to artists seeking ways to sell their mus ic and connect with fans, according to Tapulous co-founder Andrew Lacy. "For the last 10 years the music industry has been struggling to re-invent itse lf and counter slumping sales," Lacy said. "Being on MySpace or Facebook and connecting with fans is more important than e ver. But, if you look at games artists are being more successful selling music there than they are in the traditional model." "Guitar Hero" published by Activision is a videogame sales superstar and "Rock Band" by Harmonix has earned similar acclaim. Shriner said Weezer is "absolutel y" exploring putting its music in more videogames. "People are engaging with the music products and are willing to pay a pretty bi g premium," Decrem said. "The friction gets removed. The iPhone is always in your pocket and always conn ected online, so people can access music and games at all times." Tapulous launched in January of this year with the goal of crafting application s exclusively for iPhones and iPod Touch devices, which are essentially iPhones without the mobile telephone feature. "We got really excited by the device," Lacy said. "We saw it as a truly disrupt ive platform." Tapulous had "Revenge" and two other applications ready when Apple opened its A pp Store in July. "It started as a simple music rhythm game but we developed a relationship with musicians and labels that saw it as a platform to interact with users." "Revenge" launched with about five music tracks that Tapulous hired artists to create but has grown to 55 songs including "some really big hits." Tapulous teamed with musician Trent Reznor to make a version of the game devote d to his Nine Inch Nails music. Tapulous splits revenues with musicians after paying a standard 30 percent of t he price of its games with the App Store. A major overhaul of the free game is planned for early next year. "We are also talking to the artists about refreshing and updating the game, so these are sort of living things that evolve," Decrem said. "We have been approa ched by artists and labels so we will be doing more of these in the coming year ."]]> Apple yanks Macintosh anti-virus software advice tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10202 2008-12-04T10:07:12Z 2010-01-08T11:05:00Z

By Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple replaced advice on Wednesday that people install anti-vi rus software on Macintosh computers with assurances that the machines are safe "out of the box." The move prompted online speculation as to whether Apple was merely polishing t he Macintosh image or that the increasingly popular computers are as impervious to hackers as the California company maintains. Apple routinely touts how rarely Macintosh computers are afflicted with malicio us software as compared to machines based on Microsoft Windows operating system s, which run more than 90 percent of the computers in the world. On Tuesday Apple removed a 2007 Knowledge Base posting telling people to instal l "multiple anti-virus utilities" in Macintosh computers to thwart ill-willed s oftware savants with arrays of defenses. "We removed the Knowledge Base article because it was old and inaccu rate," Apple spokeswoman Monica Sarkar said Wednesday. "The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protections agains t malicious software and security threats right out of the box." Some software specialists believe that Macintosh computers have been spared att acks mostly because hackers see more return in targeting Windows-based machines that make up the bulk of the market. Macintosh sales have rocketed with the popularity of Apple's iPhones and iPods, but the rising profile of the computers has also made them more appealing to h ackers. Software security firms consistently urge people to protect computers with anti -virus software kept up-to-date no matter the operating systems used. "Since no system can be 100 percent immune for every threat, running anti-virus software may offer additional protection," Sarkar said.]]> Apple store rises in Alabang tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10201 2008-10-12T15:57:11Z 2010-01-08T11:04:59Z

By Marjorie Gorospe INQUIRER.net HAVING a hard time with your own PC? Tired of not being cool enough to switch t o an Apple computer? Well, you donât have to go any further to find sexy and co ol Apple products located in one store. Thereâs now one in Alabang Town Center owned by Ben Loo. INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Lawrence Casiraya got to talk to Ben Loo and h ere's the video interview:

A fan of Apple products, Loo opened an Apple store, dubbed Switch, to encourage more local users to consider switching from using the PC to Apple. The store o ffers everything from the latest iPod, iPhone, MAC notebooks and other peripher als genuinely manufactured by Apple Inc. Loo calls his target market "potential switchers." The store in Alabang may be a long drive for most people. But he wants to concentrate first in small commun ity and not jeopardize their business with the current competition. Having been an Apple user for a long time, Loo admits that he is always awaitin g for the next innovative Apple product. At the present, he's very excited and is looking forward to all "switchers" com ing to see his store.]]> Apple drops NDA on iPhone developers tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10200 2008-10-02T01:13:11Z 2010-01-08T11:04:59Z

DUE to pressures from developers, Apple has finally decided to drop the non-disclosure ag reements that software developers for the iPhone are required to sign, a report from Agence Fr ance-Presse said. Excerpt: WASHINGTON -- Apple said Wednesday that it...

decided to drop the non-disclosure ag reements that software developers for the iPhone are required to sign, a report from Agence Fr ance-Presse said. Excerpt:

WASHINGTON -- Apple said Wednesday that it was dropping a controver sial non-disclosure agreement that software developers who wanted to create app lications for the iPhone mobile telephone had been forced to sign. The non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, prevented software developers seeking to take part in the iPhone Developer Program from discussing their work, even with colleagues. Apple's move to drop the NDA came just days after Internet search giant Google jumped into the mobile telephone market with a handset powered by Google's open -source Android software. The ability of outside developers to freely write applications for the phone, t he T-Mobile G1, which Google developed with telecom carrier T-Mobile, is seen a s a major selling point by Google and its partners.

Also from the Apple website:

We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple i nventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others donât s teal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of pate nts on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off b y others. However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and ot hers interested in helping further the iPhoneâs success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA c overing released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased soft ware and features will remain under NDA until they are released. Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.]]> Jobs on his health and the new iPODs tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10199 2008-09-10T03:39:19Z 2010-01-08T11:04:56Z
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs is far from sick, as he launched the new line of iPODs, Agence Fra nce-Presse reports. Excerpt: Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on Tuesday unveiled new iPod model s and iTunes stores upgrades for the...
launched the new line of iPODs, Agence Fra nce-Presse reports. Excerpt:
Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on Tuesday unveiled new iPod model s and iTunes stores upgrades for the coming holiday season as he brushed aside reports about his health. Jobs kicked off a theatrical press event in downtown San Francisco by poking fu n at persistent rumors about his health.
]]> iTunes 8 is out tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10197 2008-09-10T01:56:14Z 2010-01-08T11:04:55Z
Probably you've already downloaded the iTunes version 8. According to Apple's website, iTunes 8 features a "genius sidebar and playlist" feature, which we found no t working in countries like the Philippines. We almost fell out of our chairs i...
Apple's website, iTunes 8 features a "genius sidebar and playlist" feature, which we found no t working in countries like the Philippines. We almost fell out of our chairs i n excitement, as we read the Genius Sidebar feature but was quickly doused by t his message, "Genius sidebar is not available in your country." Bummer. More about Genius Sidebar:
While you reacquaint yourself with the music you already own, let G enius introduce you to new music youâll love. As you select songs in your libra ry, the Genius sidebar displays songs from the iTunes Store that go great with it. The Genius sidebar wonât recommend songs already in your library, and you c an preview and buy recommended songs directly from the sidebar.
Okay, a quick notes on the new features: A "grid view," which makes organization of your music easier, we believe. So yo u have the traditional and confusing view, the cover flow, and now this, grid v iew. High-definition shows are now available on iTunes 8. Apple says you can now pur chase select episodes of your favorite TV shows in high definition for just $2. 99. We hope this is also available to Philippine users. Finally, "enhanced accessibility." iTunes 8 has been made more screen reader fr iendly on both Mac and PC. Well, if you have a terabyte of music, what would yo u do? Hope this helps you wade through your growing library of music. "Manage your iTunes library using VoiceOver in Mac OS X Leopard or Window-Eyes for Windows XP and Windows Vista. Or use your screen reader to purchase or down load content from the iTunes Store â including iTunes U," Apple says. So there you go, what are your thoughts?]]> ZiPhone unlocks iPhone 3G? Already? tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10194 2008-06-16T04:41:11Z 2010-01-08T11:04:55Z
I've seen fast, but this takes the cake. The guy behind ZiPhone, the turnkey app that simplied iPhone unlocking and put it within the reach of everyone for free (and putting lots of would-be hack-trepreneurs out of business in...
I've seen fast, but this takes the cake. The guy behind ZiPhone, the turnkey app that simplied iPhone unlocking and put it within the reach of everyone for free (and putting lots of would-be hack-trepreneurs out of business in one fell swoop), claims that his software can already do the same for the new iPhone 3G< /strong> on his blog ZiPhone Status. W e don't know how he can do that, given that the new iPhone won't be out until J uly 11, but we've seen stranger things before. Zibri himself said on the blog on a post dated June 10 that he was still waiting to get his hands on the 2.0 software and a unit, but two day s later posts that he's already patched and unlocked the firmware baseband. He also says all the carriers are supported already (and even adds our own Globe Telecom to his long list). We'll see. In the meantime we'll order a large grain of salt to go, please.]]> World of Warcraft on the iPhone? tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10190 2008-06-15T02:49:36Z 2010-01-08T11:04:53Z
It's way possible now. The technology that will eventually allow you to play Warcraft on your new iPhone is called Interactive 3D Streaming , being developed by Comverse and Intel, which takes out the CPU burden from the mobile...
It's way possible now. The technology that will eventually allow you to play Warcraft on your new iPhone is called Interactive 3D Streaming , being developed by Comverse and Intel, which takes out the CPU burden from the mobile device and just streams the good stuff to it. The hurdle is that MMORPGs like WoW and Second Life require lots of horsepower and number crunching from th e CPU and the graphics chips to do what they do. The new technology does all th e heavy lifting on their backend server, and then just streams it to the gamer via WiMax or 3G via a gateway designed by Com verse. (Aren't you glad iPhones do 3G now?) Can't wait. More on Comverse 3D Streaming here.]]> Mac-A-Doodle Tip: Quick calculations via Spotlight tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10192 2008-06-14T14:56:21Z 2010-01-08T11:04:54Z
Goes to show we don't know everyt hing. Dunno if you knew this already, but the Doodler didn't until h e stumbled on it on Mactips.org. You can do basic arithmetic by just entering the equation into the little Spotlight...
Goes to show we don't know everyt hing. Dunno if you knew this already, but the Doodler didn't until h e stumbled on it on Mactips.org. You can do basic arithmetic by just entering the equation into the little Spotlight window on the upper right corner of your screen, as in "1 +1", and it will promptly spit out the answer. No need to call up the dashboard widget or access the Calculator app that we allÂ keep handy on the dock. It works for addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/) an d calculating exponents (^) and factorials (!).]]> The updates keep comin' tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10189 2008-06-12T14:05:59Z 2010-01-08T11:04:52Z
Next up is Airport Base Station Update 2008-002, which includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications: - AirPort Utility - AirPort Base Station Agent" As to what these fixes and compatibility updates actually are, we certainly won...
Airport Base Station Update 2008-002, which
includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications: - AirPort Utility - AirPort Base Station Agent"
As to what these fixes and compatibility updates actually are, we certainly won 't know from Software Update. It doesn't even link to a Knowledge Base article on the Apple website. (We'll look it up for you.) The update will fix what's pertinent to your system. In the Doodler's case it just updated Airport Utility to Versio n 5.3.2, a 10.5mb download.]]> The update circus continues... tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10188 2008-06-11T13:44:09Z 2010-01-08T11:04:52Z
Two more fresh updates availa ble on Software Update, which show up after you update Quicktime to yesterday's 7.5 release. One is iDVD 7.0.2, a 21.9mb download on Leopard 10.5.3. (Your mileage could vary.) Apple's ever-helpful not es tell us...
Two more fresh updates availa ble on Software Update, which show up after you update Quicktime to yesterday's 7.5 release. One is iDVD 7.0.2, a 21.9mb download on Leopard 10.5.3. (Your mileage could vary.) Apple's ever-helpful not es tell us what this update is for:
This update supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."
The other one is iMovie 7.1.2, a 19.3mb downl oad. Apple also talks about this one:
This update supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."
Gee, thanks for the info.]]> Half a Steve tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10186 2008-06-10T23:43:40Z 2010-01-08T11:04:52Z
Let's stop talking about the iPhone3G for a minute. Did you ge t a good look at Steve Jobs at the WWDC Keynote yesterday? See the pic above: on the left, Steve at the keynote for iPhone 1.0 over...
Let's stop talking about the iPhone3G for a minute. Did you ge t a good look at Steve Jobs at the WWDC Keynote yesterday? See the pic above: on the left, Steve at the keynote for iPhone 1.0 over a year ago, and on the right, at yesterday's presentation. They say black mock turtl enecks really are slimming, but this is a bit much. Ever since he came onstage yesterday at Moscone West, the web has been as much abuzz about Mr. Jobs and how frighteningly thin he's become si nce we last saw him as much as the new iPhone itself. Google h is name today and you'll likely get news items like this at the top of the search list. Jobs came out in 2003 to disclose his ongoing battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, which has since been successfully treated, or so he says. It's hard to tell because, as we all know, Apple and Steve Jobs seem p retty good at keeping secrets. If something's amiss with The Steve, it'll have tremendous impact on the future and direction of Apple, because face itâthe man is A pple. More than any other company in recent history, multi-billion dollar Apple Inc. is the one whose fate is most intimately intertwined with the vision of i ts leader. Let's hope that he's just been spending too much time with his Wii Fit balance board thing. Seriously though, let's pray that things are all right for Steve Jobs.]]> Quicktime 7.5 Update tag:blogs.inquirer.net,2008:/macadoodle//32.10185 2008-06-10T12:32:35Z 2010-01-08T11:04:11Z
As is expe cted after a keynote address, we have the first of likely several updates to co me, probably until the release of the new iPhone on July 11. ( I was expecting iTunes to come first, but I...
As is expe cted after a keynote address, we have the first of likely several updates to co me, probably until the release of the new iPhone on July 11. ( I was expecting iTunes to come first, but I was wrong.) It's Quicktime 7.5. As usual, here's Apple's detailed and thorough explanation of what's new: "QuickTime 7.5 improves application compatibility and addresses sec urity issues." Hmph. It's a 60mb download via Software Update, or through iTunes for Windows users. Restart required.]]>