A month ago, we introduced our first issue of the Smoking Apples Magazine, and it was a huge success for us. We received a tremendous response for the first issue ...
For someone who stays 24/7 on the internet, I've signed up for a lot of internet services. However, due to overlapping of functions in many of these services, it becomes ...
MobileMe, despite all the bad press it has been subjected to since its launch, is a really great service. Three members of the Smoking Apples team have been using MobileMe ...
The Onion News Network has the goods on the latest story to hit the web. The MacBook Wheel, a revolutionary new Apple laptop that completely does away with the keyboard! Needless to say, we’ll be reviewing this beautiful piece of technology very soon at the Smoking Apples test labs. Till then, Jeff Tate from Onion News Network has the full story.
The video, after the jump, and highly recommended for pre-keynote stress release… Continue Reading »
We had reports of Picasa showing face at Macworld, and today Google has themselves announced Picasa on the official Google blog.
Today, we’re releasing Picasa for Mac. While we’ve previously offered both a standalone Picasa Web Albums uploader and an iPhoto plugin for Mac users, Picasa for Mac finally brings all of the advanced sharing and sync features of Picasa to the millions of Mac OS X users who use Picasa Web Albums. Not to mention the “it-slices-and-dices” feature list that covers everything from color balance to collages.
Picasa for Mac looks and works much like Picasa on other platforms, and offers trademark Picasa features — such as non-destructive editing, and the ability to keep track of photos anywhere on your hard drive, then automatically account for new images as you add them.
If you’ve seen Picasa 3 for the PC, it should be just about the same on the Mac. Picasa will also have a one-way integration with iPhoto, being able to import tags and ratings along with the pictures.
Should iPhoto users switch to Picasa? We can only say that once we take a good look at that and iPhoto 09 that’s set
to release today. Before we leave it at that, I just want to comment on how out of place the UI is. Everything from the buttons to the shading doesn’t look like anything on the Macintosh. This will of course be perfect for Windows switchers looking for some familiarity.
The team will be demoing this release at Macworld, but you can download the beta yourself from Picasa.Google.com. Official screencast after the break. Continue Reading »
FileMaker Inc., a subsidiary of Apple, has just upgraded their flagship database suite to version 10. Incorporating a whole new user interface and features.
With a fresh new interface, FileMaker Pro 10 delivers the most dramatic design changes in over a decade. The redesigned and customizable Status Toolbar — similar to browser toolbars — puts commonly used FileMaker Pro features, previously only accessible from the main menu, right at users’ fingertips for streamlined navigation, better workflow and time-saving shortcuts.
Other major new features, such as the ability to save the results of a search, and Script Triggers, which launch scripts triggered by user actions or based on time limits, make using databases easier than ever before. - FileMaker Press Release
FileMaker is a professional database application and comes in many flavours. Available immediately, FileMaker Pro 10 is offered at a suggested retail price of $299 /$179 upgrade. Your other options are:
For home and small business users considering using a database app on the Mac, do check out Bento 2 ($49), made by the same people who make FileMaker. Dipped in Cocoa, Bento 2 features the integration that a Mac application should boast of.
Ed note: If time permits, we’ll be doing a full review of both FileMaker and Bento 2, so stay tuned for more updates.
You read that right.
Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs
Dear Apple Community,
For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.
Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.
I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.
As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.
Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.
The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.
I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.
So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.
Steve
That should settle everyone for a while. In response to that letter, Apple’s Board decided to issue a public statement as well:
Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors
It is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.
As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple’s CEO, you will know it.
Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation. He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board.
This could be the best news I’ve heard all year long (well, it’s just been 5 days since). Steve Jobs is fine and will continue to run Apple. We’re looking forward to a WWDC keynote with Jobs delivering the smoking keynote in full health.
The Apple Lounge (Italian site) has got the goods. Spy shots (at least we’d like to believe they had some difficulty getting them) of Apple’s final Macworld booth. There’s a lot of pics, many of them with black curtains so you can cook up some Apple fantasies!
The most interesting shot of them all? The banner which says “Macworld 2010. The start of a new era. January 4-8, 2010.” As Gizmodo says, “You bet!”
There’s another interesting one, “Even the small talk will be big”, but I’m not sure whether Apple’s or IDG Macworld’s words.
As the momentum builds up for Macworld, we’re seeing more rumours, and more rumours. If you come across any interesting news, articles or rumours, send them along to pr@sa.com or twitter them @smokingapples.
Macworld: Hoping for a Steve Jobs surprise »
Apple’s December surprise may have lowered expectations for Macworld 2009 in terms of product introductions, but it only raised expectations in terms of Apple’s CEO — because it didn’t rule out the possibility that the rabbit in Schiller’s sleeve next week is … wait for it … Steve Jobs himself, making a cameo appearance just before the curtain falls.
We do sincerely hope that Steve Jobs makes an appearance. After all, one of our team members has made a 6000 mile trip to Macworld, only to find out last minute that Steve Jobs cancelled out on him.
Enjoying the show, avoiding the flamethrower: life inside Apple »
What’s it like working inside Apple when the MacWorld announcements are made? The man who set up many of its email systems and worked there 17 years explains the inside story of the preparation, the unveiling – and why it’s sometimes best to avoid Steve Jobs.
The best line from this article? ”Just imagine Steve Jobs wandering the hall with a flame thrower in hand, asking random people ‘do you work on MobileMe?’” when talking about the MobileMess fiasco. A recommended read for the Apple fan.
Raising the App Store’s Base Price to $4.99 Would Be a Good Thing »
A somewhat questionable article, but there are some points here. Without a $0.99 pricing, there wouldn’t be any crApps in the store. While you’re there check out the discussions in the comments as well. For what it’s worth, I think this is a one for Apple to figure out.
Google’s iPhone app has a hidden menu »
Using a two finger swipe gesture in the settings pane, a new menu appears. You can then change the colour scheme of the app. I wonder if Apple knew about this, and whether this is a nice way for developers to smuggle in features Apple wouldn’t otherwise allow!
Screen savers live! »
Dan Frakes does an impressive job collecting all of the awesome screensavers in a Macworld video. The complete list list is also there for videophobes. Highly recommended if you are looking out for the good stuff.
Unlock your iPhone 3G. A crunchgear guide »
Apparently the success rate is around 50/50, so hang in there if it hasn’t been working for you yet.
TV analyst who predicted Apple would dump Apple TV in 2008 eats crow - again »
A MacDailyNews research article on some idiot who predicted twice that the AppleTV would fail, and has the guts to do it again!
For live updates on what happens in the Apple community, follow us on twitter @smokingapples!
Smoking Apples would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
May 2009 be a year of peace, and prosperity, and awesome Apple products! We would also like to wish Steve Jobs the best of health, and see him at a lot more Apple keynotes. And of course, if he doesn’t want to do any more keynotes, his choice is fine by us.
Once again, thank you for visiting Smoking Apples this past year, and hope you continue to do so in the new. Now let’s hope for an awesome Macworld 09!
[Image courtesy Drumsnwhistles]
Just as we approach the beginning of a new year, 30GB Zunes around the globe have decided to take a break. Gizmodo reports that around midnight last night, Zunes started becoming unresponsive and practically useless. Okay, we all knew that Zunes were practically useless, but now that they’ve become unresponsive as well, that’s something to talk about.
Apparently, around 2:00 AM today, the Zune models either reset, or were already off. Upon when turning on, the thing loads up and… freezes with a full loading bar (as pictured above). I thought my brother was the only one with it, but then it happened to my Zune. Then I checked out the forums and it seems everyone with a 30GB HDD model has had this happen to them. - Gizmodo report.
I must admit this is the weirdest stunt out of Redmond. When I was reading the report, I didn’t know what to think! At least give it a feel-good 31st December date. What’s with the extra day left? The public however is hell bent on calling this the Z2k9 (or more pricisely, Z2k~9).
This sure sounds like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, but there’s no need to panic. I mean, even if all the Zunes in the world turned into evil robots, that would mean we would have around 23 brown cripples to take care of. Not a problem at all. Anyway, since we are into naming every event that happens,
Anyone’s iPod Touch also acting up? If you notice anything weird, shoot us an email. Nothing? We thought so.
As Macworld approaches (just 7 days to go!) the rumour mill begins spinning faster and faster. AppleInsider has a report (*ahem* rumour *ahem*) that Apple is set to release new Magnesium-Aluminium iMacs early next year.
“A new family of iMacs due early next year may include a more sophisticated cooling system, hints the latest reports from sources close to the company’s Taiwanese manufacturing facilities.” reports Slash Lane for AppleInsider.
AI’s report is based on Chinese paper Economic Daily News’ report, which claims that Foxconn has secured a contract with Apple to manufacture the new chassis. Foxconn will also manufacture the ‘cooling module’, says the paper.
DigiTimes, another publication situated near Apple’s manufacturing facilities, recently cited sources who said Apple and rival PC makers HP, Acer and Dell had each agreed to use a new family of quad-core desktop chips from Intel in systems due early in 2009. These are low-power desktop chips operating at 65W compared to the 55W of the current iMacs’ mobile processors. Therefore, a decision by Apple to employ the chips inside the iMac line could signal a need for modifications to the computer’s cooling methods.
This move will definitely help bring in Quad-Core processors in a big way for Apple’s consumer desktop. They could built in sophisticated graphics and power, ready and waiting for when Snow Leopard comes trotting along with its Multi-Core “Grand Central” optimisations and features. So are we excited about Macworld or not!
[Full report at AppleInsider]
I know I know. We haven’t posted anything for the past two days, but what else can you expect? There’s so much of good food around that one can hardly stay awake to get any work done. Luckily the entire tech community has been slow to the task as well, as we have seen hardly any news stories pop up. Here are a few that caught our eye.
Multi-Touch Swipe Gestures for iPhone Keyboard »
Apple plans to implement gestures that will perform tasks such as a space bar or return without having to hit the required key on the keyboard. Seems interesting, but where’s our copy-paste!!!
Macenstein’s first annual “The 12 Days AFTER Christmas” Giveaway »
When Dr. Macenstein has an idea, it is always a brilliant one. They’re gonna have giveaways every day, with gifts from hardware and software companies. I’d suggest you give it a shot!
Wal-Mart announces availability of Apple iPhone 3G, starting Sunday, December 28 »
So we finally see one of the biggest stores in the US carry the iPhone. So much for the $99 4GB iPhone rumour though.
iPhone fart app pulls in nearly $10,000 a day »
We mentioned that it was good (or bad) and look what happened! iFart Mobile rakes in $9,198 in a single day. In a single day! I still can’t believe it.
Your first day with a new Mac: the get-started guide for Windows users »
Techradar has some excellent tips for new Mac users. Check it out if you’re new on the scene.
So you just got your first Mac – now what? »
TUAW has got a whole series of Now What articles for new Apple users. Too many to list out here.
MacHeist’s Giving Tree unwraps presents »
The presents are unwrapped. They’ve got some great gifts including 1Password, Headlines RSS reader, and a bunch of other stuff. Recommended.
Smoking Apples is a website and blog dedicated to all things Apple and their impact on the marketplace. From Macs and iPods to the iPhone and Apple TV, we strive to be your one-stop solution for any and everything related to Apple Inc. and its products. Throw in a podcast, few great authors, regular blog posts and reviews, some screencasts, and various other extra-curricular activities and you've got yourself a full fledged website. Yeah, even we were surprised. Read More »
