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Google’s Rose Yao talks to us this week about the latest Macintosh software for the Mac, Google Desktop. Robert H. reviews the Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones and the Aluminum Desktop Stand from LapWorks. And Nemo returns with another great interview, this time with author Tim Grey. Plus the latest in Apple, iPod, iPhone, and Macintosh news.
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Regular readers of the MyMac website or listeners to the MyMac.com podcast will be familiar with the disappointment expressed by Tim Robertson and myself about the divergence in compatibility between Microsoft Office versions on the Windows and Macintosh platforms.
Unlike Microsoft, one of the other giants of the software industry that also straddles the Apple and PC divide recognizes the business benefits that truly embracing a cross-platform approach can offer – that company is Adobe.
Maybe it is because Adobe started in the font business (where the look of text needs to be consistent on different computers), and originally developed for the Macintosh alone, but their approach has always recognized that making it easier to share data benefits everyone. Take the development of their Portable Document Format (PDF) technology – using PDF means that any document can be distributed to any user, and that document will always appear and print exactly as the creator intended – whatever the computing platform being used, and whatever the print platform might be (be it a cheap inkjet or a high end professional print setting machine).
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Shure Sound Isolating Earphones
Models SE210 and SE310
Price: SE210 is $150 and SE310 is $250
http://www.shure.com
“Developed for THE PROS” is on the packaging. I was excited to hear these little wonders. After all, I’m a PRO, musician that is. And I have not had a very successful history with ear buds (as I like to call them). They never seem to fit my ears correctly. And Shure has made sure (no pun intended) that problem doesn’t happen to me this time.
They included with the phones, as they call them, a nice semi hard zippered carrying case that contains a cable extension for the cord, and a re-sealable plastic baggy with no less than seven pairs of “sleeves,” and a cleaning wand that can be used to dig dirt or wax out of the sleeve you’ll be using most of the time. The phones come with a set of sleeves already installed. That makes eight sets all together. I thought if I couldn’t find the right set of sleeves for me in this selection then I will never be able to enjoy using ear buds. Ever!
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ety8 In-the-Ear Bluetooth Earphones
Etymotic Research
Price: $299 with iPod Adapter, or $199 earphones only
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er88.aspx
Late-model iPods are the only ones that can use ER’s 8-Mate Adapter for iPod, so don’t bother trying with your 3G iPod. I did, and flunked. 4G or later, plus all nanos and minis are supported. You can learn about this and everything else relating to ety8 from the links on its informative web site.
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What you really need to know about these new Bluetooth wireless premium in-ear ‘phones:
• AUDIO QUALITY = very good (not excellent — see below) Continue reading »
• SOUND VOLUME = loud and robust (be careful, please)
• BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY = almost immediate
• BATTERY CHARGING VIA USB = effortless
• SIZE AND WEIGHT = tiny and lightweight
• IN-EAR COMFORT = good, after break in period
• EASE OF WORKING CONTROLS WHILE IN-EARS = acceptable
• VARIETY OF SIZES OF EAR TIPS PROVIDED = extensive
• QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION = very good
• APPEARANCE AND STYLING = peculiar but distinctive
• NEED TO BUY IPOD BLUETOOTH ADAPTER = good idea
iKaraoke
Griffin Technology
Price: $50
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/ikaraoke/
It’s hot. It’s cool. It works. It sounds good (but not great). It takes less than ten minutes to set up the first time, and ten seconds afterward. It speaks iPod, and iPod speaks and sings through it. So do you. It’s a terrific bargain, and a brilliant innovation. If you don’t have it already, stop reading and get it now.
It’s iKaraoke from Griffin Technology. Apple Store staff tell MyMac.com it’s flying off the shelves, week after week. (Editors note: this was one of the most wanted giveaway items during our AppleQuiz at the Apple Store in Grand Rapids. Everyone wanted this!) You use it to sing or speak via iPod through your stereo system. Fifty dollars? Ha! Once you try it you’ll be hooked, and go out of your way to find opportunities to use iKaraoke as often as possible. You’ll start telling friends and strangers about it, and drive them nuts until they obtain one and do the same ad infinitum.
Extract iKaraoke from its sealed plastic package, plug it into your iPod dock connector, configure a few basic settings, and sing along with whoever and whatever is playing on your iPod. Griffin gives you a choice of FM transmission or auxiliary cable connection to a stereo system. In our tests, “FM Mode” was inconsistent, so MyMac.com recommends “Line Out Mode” for best music and vocal quality. A printed manual is included with iKaraoke, so you don’t need to guess how to use the darn thing.
“The thrill of karaoke on your iPod” may not ring your chimes, but there are many other potential uses for iKaraoke. Music, dance, and other performing arts instructors will immediately see its benefits for enhanced teaching and rehearsing. Family sing-a-longs will never again be dull, assisted by iKaraoke. It “isolates the lead vocals and fades them into the background,” exactly like genuine karaoke recordings, using a physical Vocals switch.
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Painter X
Company: Corel
Price: $419.00 ($219.00 upgrade, $99.00 education)
corel.com
2007 might be known as the year the big software titles jumped onto the universal binary ship. Adobe just announced CS3, Microsoft Office is expected later this year, and Corel recently released Painter X.
I have been a long time user of Painter. The last version I purchased was Painter 8, which did run on my Intel Mac, and I did notice a speed bump running in Rosetta. However, the speed bump of Painter X running as a universal binary is even more noticeable. In fact, Corel states that users will see up to a 5 times faster startup time, and other impressive speed improvements (of course this all depends on your processor and memory amounts).
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Robert Hazelrigg joins Tim, Chad, and Guy for our roundtable discussion on the weeks Mac and Apple news. He also reviews a processor upgrade for the original iMac and the Crumpler Bag. David Cohen spends time responding to listener feedback – dodging potential Microsoft detection of running Vista in a virtual machine, and getting Bonjour for Windows working effectively on an Airport network. Plus John Nemo interviews Katrin Eismann, the author of Real World Digital Photography.
40 Digital Photography Techniques, 3rd Edition
by : Young Jin
O’Reilly Media, Inc.
ISBN: 89-314-3369-7
208 pages
$16.99 US, $22.99 CA
Most people who like taking pictures probably don’t want to spend time reading manuals and long books about camera techniques. Most avid shooters I imagine just want specific techniques and strategies they can easily understand and try out.
Well, Young Jin’s 3rd edition of 40 Digital Photography Techniques is a very useful resources for these type of digital photographers. First off, the almost 7″x7″ size of the book makes it very useful for fitting it into a medium size camera bag and using it when you’re out taking pictures. Secondly, manner of the instructions in the book are easy to follow and apply, though the book does provide some advance techniques.
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moshi Nano Pouch
Aevoe Corporation
Price: $20.00
www.aevoe.com/moshi
Moshi, purveyor of electronics fashion, is a company looking towards quality and utility.
With an eye for fashion the company is quickly establishing itself as the “go to” makers of protective products for computers as well as other electronic devices, such as this wonderful little Nano Pouch I now have protecting my iPod Nano.
The pouch comes in three designs, one tailored for the Nano, one tailored for the iPod mini as well as one for the Video iPod. My Nano slipped perfectly into the protective embrace of the pouch, which is lined with a micro-fiber fabric called Terahedron™. This Micron-sized fibre, says moshi, will not scratch the handset, has an anti-static and splash-proof surface treatment, is free of chemical treatments, and is machine washable (cold wash, no bleach, delicate cycle). The anti-static feature will keep your iPod free from electrical discharge.
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VisualHub
Company: Techspansion
Price: $23.32
www.techspansion.com
Watching videos on your computer, iPod, AppleTV, or any other device should be simple. Unfortunately, with so many choices in video format, watching videos can be a royal pain. Trying to remember which device can play which format is not fun. And while there are plenty of other video conversion tools for the Macintosh, I haven’t found any that offers either the ease of use or the depth that VisualHub does.
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So I’ve covered Safari alternatives and Thunderbird alternatives, so now it is time for iChat alternatives. These alternatives are chat clients that will communicate with iChat. With the exception of AIM, the main benefit of these programs is that they will allow you to talk to your friends on several services at once. Instead of opening Yahoo Messenger, iChat, Microsoft Messenger, and others at the same time, these programs will talk with most of the popular clients at the same time.
By the way, all of these programs are free.
DiskWarrior 4.0
Company: Alsoft
Price: $99.00
Previous owners can upgrade for $49.95
http://www.alsoft.com
DiskWarrior is a utility that I’ve always considered the best Mac item developed because although you may not use or need it daily, when you do need it, it’s the one tool that you’ll be glad you have on hand. I have been using DiskWarrior for years now and I’ve always been impressed with it. DiskWarrior 4.0, the newest version, is not that different from previous versions although Alsoft has added a new twist or two to keep it from becoming a stale, old product.
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TruePower AC Laptop Adapter
FastMac
Price: $36
http://fastmac.com/poweradapter.php
Road warriors and computer professionals value having multiples of everything, but few people spend the pocket change price of this mighty TruePower cable for PowerBooks and iBooks. It’s a versatile product at a very affordable price. Learn everything about it here.
Remove TruePower from package, connect plug ends to AC power and PowerBook/iBook, then charge or operate your laptop as usual. Function and fit are identical to Apple’s original equipment power units, with three notable exceptions:
• There is no amber/green illumination where TruePower meets laptop chassis
• TruePower is a one-piece unit, that doesn’t split apart into two segments
• Electrical fitting is two-prong only, for maximum ease of use.
Construction is robust, and a movie on FastMac’s web site demonstrates how much abuse the cable and power briquette can withstand.
I use TruePower every day. It resides in the frontmost zippered compartment of my massive Torq computer pack for instant retrieval and storage. My Apple equivalent power unit stays at home, and my FastMac cable goes everywhere with John Nemo, Computer Tutor.
MyMac.com rating: 4 out of 5. Price is low, value is high, quality is good.
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Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is delayed, and this weeks show looks into the news. Also, Robert reviews the TVMini HD from Miglia and David talks about Adobe, their contributions to cross-platform computing, and their current cross-platform approach in their software products.
Roxio Toast 8 Titanium
Company: Roxio
Price: $79.99 ($59.99 with $20 mail-in rebate)
Previous owners can upgrade for $59.99 (provided you have a copy of Toast 7, Jam 6 or Popcorn 1 on your computer)
http://www.roxio.com
The last time I used Toast was version 4.2 and I was pleased with it then. Checking out Toast 8 is like going back home after being away for a long time. It’s nice to settle back down with something that’s familiar and doesn’t cause problems. While changes have been made, they’re good changes and one will readily adapt to them rather quickly.
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Guy Serle was invited to speak Washington Apple Pi User Group Meeting on March 24, and this is the result of that visit.
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We would love to hear from you. Please email any comments to mymacpodcast@gmail.com, or better still, call us at 801-938-5559 and leave your feedback there so we can share your thoughts on a future episode.
Links from the show:
Washington Apple Pi
Maxtor OneTouch III Mini 160GB
Company: Seagate Maxtor
Price $200 (large discounts are available, so shop with that in mind)
http://www.maxtorsolutions.com/en/catalog/OTIII_Mini/
Seagate buys Maxtor and retains the Maxtor brand. The company provides a unit to MyMac.com reviewer during Macworld 2007 Expo. Reviewer successfully uses and evaluates hardware/software combo. The product has both strengths and weaknesses. Positive outweighs negative, and reviewer recommends unit, with some reservations. Reviewer uses product, and learns to optimize its features. End of story, or beginning? Reviewer is tempted to make this a “RSR” (really short review).
Recently, a coworker had problems downloading email attachments from Thunderbird. The program wanted to save the file to the Desktop of another user on the computer. I searched through Thunderbird’s preferences numerous times for a download location and I could not find anything that would fix the problem. I figured it was a Thunderbird bug. Then I was in Safari’s preferences and found what I was looking for.
You see, Safari is the control center for several internet related actions. Instead of putting these actions in a System Preference (which would make sense) Apple has these settings hidden in Safari. These settings are your default web browser, where to save downloaded files, and your default rss reader.
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MyMac Podcast #385
MyMac Podcast #384