In-Ear Buds — Models K315, K317, and K319
Company: AKG
Price: $55, $90, and $120
http://www.akg.com

I couldn’t believe my ears, so I assembled a guest panel, ages 16 to 75, to assist in this evaluation. Each person was asked to use AKG’s bargain-priced K315 earbuds as long as they liked, before answering the following questions:

• How do they sound?

• Do you prefer them with or without the foam speaker covers?

• How do they fit?

All listeners unanimously agreed these $55 headphones sound good. Only one person preferred the foam covers. Two people could not get the buds to fit in their ears, because their ears were too small and/or the speaker enclosures were too large. The other four participants said the fit was fine. Never before had a panel been so consistent on audio quality and so divided on fit.

AKG gives earbud aficionados five choices of headphones. Two low-end models have already been reviewed critically at MyMac. Now we’re listening and looking at the three higher-priced earbuds. Are these buds for you?

Outstanding attention to web site presentation, product packaging, and case design has gone into all of these three slightly different earbuds. No instructions are provided, because AKG decided none are needed. Only one pair of foam covers is included, of inferior quality. Perhaps this company doesn’t take foam covers seriously; they are certainly out of favor at Apple, although I tend to use foam covers on the rare occasions I listen with earbuds.

You would be correct to expect that with a pricing structure of $55, $90, and $120, the sound quality would trend upward from good to better to best. AKG’s oversized speaker enclosures provide an audio experience that is:

• very pleasant with K315

• impressive with K317

• outstanding with K319.

Each models has a unique cable and case design.

K315′s traditional cable has an in-line volume control slider that is rather coarse and clumsy; the case is zippered, with premium, semi-rigid squishy foam.

K317 has an unusual and quirky behind-neck lanyard cable, with bonus cable extender adapters for iPhone and cell phone jacks, but no volume control; the case is zippered vinyl.

K319 includes both the aforementioned extender cables, plus an airplane adapter plug, and the same volume control as on K315; the case large, zippered vinyl.

All AKG in-ear headphones have a small raised dot on the interior of the left vertical segment, just above where the cable meets the plastic housing. Bravo! Never again need reviewers complain that a company makes it difficult to determine left ear from right.

Because you must try before you buy, make sure that wherever you purchase or audition AKG’s earbuds you have sufficient time to determine if the fit is good. You won’t have substandard audio with either of these three models. Our recommendation is if a conventional earbud is your preference, you’ll be pleased with the sound from the very affordable K315 buds, and you’ll be overjoyed with everything about the more expensive, but still reasonably-priced, K319. If you like the lanyard cable configuration for your earbuds, K317 from AKG will satisfy you.
But if you, like a substantial percentage of potential buyers, are not happy with AKG buds’ ear placement, do not presume they will become more comfortable over time. They won’t. Our MyMac ratings are only for people who have no problems with the fit of the earbuds in this series.

K315: 3.5 out of 5

K 317: 3.5 out of 5

K319: 4 out of 5

Please follow the links below for close-up photos of the different ear tips and colors, including a "Gallery" page for each product.

LINKS:

K315 product page

K317 product page

K319 product page

Prior MyMac review of AKG low-end buds, by Mark Rudd.

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Download the show here and subscribe in iTunes
Guy, David, and Tim welcome Gary Malpas (GazMaz) to the show as this weeks Listener Invite. What happens when a Mac users buys a stolen Macintosh in the U.K., getting hooked on the Mac, Facebook, and a lot more is discussed in a fun and light show.
OWC USB to DVI/HDMI/VGA Display Adapter

Please review our show in iTunes!
Links from the show:
GazMaz.com

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Fastpack 250
Company: Lowepro
Price: $119.99
lowepro.com

A GEEK’S DILEMMA
In addition to my love affair with all things Apple (sans those moments of invasive encroachment upon my electronic liberty), I am a lover of photography and photography related technologies. Like many photo-Geeks, I love to carry along my MacBook and a DSLR when leaving the house. Considering the size of most DSLRs, finding a backpack that would allow one to securely and comfortably carry both pieces of tech has never been an easy task. If you could find a backpack that could meet the above mentioned requirements, it generally was large, bulky, and non-pleasing aesthetically (let’s just say it, UGLY).

As a leader in this space, Lowepro has been producing a wide selection of protective carrying solutions for photographic and electronic devices since 1967. Prior to my evaluation of the product reviewed in this article, my experience with Lowepro was limited to word of mouth and the occasional scanning of an online review. I was excited to finally get my tech stained hands on one of these vaunted products from Lowepro. As I awaited the delivery of the Fastpack 250, I felt a sense of excitement. Would this be a great solution to the problem facing so many Geeks, or would it be another in the long line of also-rans relegated to the pile of bags and backpacks that just didn’t fit the bill?

DESIGN
Once the Fastpack 250 arrived, I removed it from the shipping container and found a bag that was well constructed and stout.

The front offers a huge main compartment to store just about anything you need on your trip (more on this compartment later). Additionally, there is a smaller quick-access compartment in front of the main compartment for those little things you need to access quickly. In the lower section of the front, a buckle-secured flap doubles as a cover for the zipper clad storage compartment underneath and a camera compartment opening guard (more on this later).

The business end of the Fastpack is the left side (when worn on the back) of the backpack. This is where all the magic happens, so to speak. Moving from the back to the front, The first compartment is secured by a zipper that runs the vertical length of the bag. This is designed to securely carry a widescreen notebook computer with a screen size measuring up to 15.4″ in length. I really liked the ease with which the side opening allowed me to insert and remove my notebook. IMO, this is much easier than the normal top load backpack.

Moving forward from the computer compartment, what I consider to be the greatest selling point of this backpack, is the side access camera compartment. The intelligent design of this compartment really sets the Lowepro products which utilize this feature, apart. The previously mentioned front flap provides a guard against opening the side access too far and dumping your expensive camera equipment onto the not so friendly ground below. The side access opening was designed to allow you to easily slip the backpack off the right shoulder so that the backpack may then slide under your left shoulder. With the backpack still anchored by the left shoulder strap, you may easily access your camera for that quick picture opportunity. You can then easily secure your camera back within the backpack, slide it back over both shoulders, and done.

The right side of the backpack provides a mesh pocket with a drawstring. This is handy for a water bottle or something that requires immediate access. The drawstring is a nice addition to provide the greatest flexibly possible.

The back of the Fastpack 250 is designed to properly distribute the weight associated with carrying around a notebook computer, DSLR camera, and all the associated connectors, adapters, and cables. In addition to the two appropriately padded and very comfortable shoulder straps, Lowepro has added a secondary support system to the Fastpack 250 through a padded adjustable waist-belt (more on this later).

While I am a fan of simplicity in design, I am also attracted to beautiful, sexy, and svelte industrial designs. I guess that is why I have been a fan of most of the products which have been mercilessly thrust upon me and my severely depleted bank account by that captain of Cupertino and his merry band of minstrels. As such, I would like to see Lowepro trim a few inches from the overall size of the Fastpack. Indeed, it would take some rethinking in-order to continue to allow someone like myself to carry a full-frame DSLR and a ubiquitous notebook, in a design that was as thin and sexy as physically possible. Don’t get me wrong, I love this bag. However, I could love it even more if it were a little less.

FEATURES
Lowepro has taken a very straight forward and simple design perspective for the Fastpack 250. There are not a lot of gadgets and gismos here. Just a well constructed backpack with three major sections (computer, camera, and storage). It is refreshing to find a product that is simplified around and focused upon doing a really great job on the basics of what a backpack in this space should be. Just what you need, nothing more, nothing less. Jump to the product page for the specs.

USABILITY
The Fastpack 250 arrived just in time (thanks Vanessa) for me to take it on a vacation/photowalk I had planned with my family. I knew this would give me a chance to really put the Fastpack to the test. The night before we left on the trip, I laid out most everything (sans clothing items) I would be packing in the Fastpack 250 during my photowalks.

As you can see, the Fastpack 250 can handle pretty much whatever you throw at it. While the spacious main storage compartment can indeed handle both large and small items, I found it hard to find particular items because everything must be placed into one big compartment. My work around was to combine similar items into ziplock bags and then place all the bags into the compartment. This compartment would be much more usable if it was divided into different sections through one or more dividers that could be arranged as needed similar to the camera compartment.

With the Fastpack 250 loaded with my MacBook Air, Canon 5D2, adapters, cables, water etc., I was off for a day of fun under the sun. While the weight of the pack was substantial, I was able to dramatically lessen the stress on my upper body and shoulders by buckling and adjusting the waist-belt. I could hardly believe the difference once the belt was employed. It was like night and day. Once I arrived back home from my trip, I left everything but the MacBook Air in the Fastpack and added a White MacBook and then changed that out for a 15″ MacBook Pro. While the weight change for each notebook was noticeable, the waist-belt evenly distributed the weight and allowed the added weight to be carried comfortably. Great Job Lowepro!

As I stated above, the greatest feature of this backpack, IMO, is the side access camera compartment. With the Fastpack fully loaded, I was able to remove the right shoulder strap, slide the entire pack under my left shoulder, easily remove my camera and, “get the shot.” Restoring my camera into the Fastpack was just as easy as removing my precious (sorry for the Rings reference). At no time did I worry about the security of my highly sensitive and expensive electronics. I think this is the best endorsement I could give any bag or backpack.

MAKING A GREAT PRODUCT EVEN BETTER
As noted above, there are a few areas which could be improved to make this great product even better. Adding configurable dividers to the main storage compartment would allow a better utilization of this large compartment. Because the Fastpack 250 will generally carry substantial weight, adding a pad to the top handle would allow the pack to be lifted without any discomfort to the hand. Finally, a little redesign on the next version to reduce the overall size and footprint while maintaining the basic storage capabilities would widen the appeal of this product to a larger customer base.

MyMac.com Rating:
I am very impressed with the Lowepro Fastpack 250. It is a simple design that securely protects your computer and camera while providing easy access to your gear. Even with the minor recommended improvements, this is a strong product that should be a serious contender for anyone in the market for a backpack within this category. I am awarding the Lowepro Fastpack 250 an outstanding rating of 4.5 out of 5 in our MyMac.com Rating System.

Download the show here or via iTunes
This week we interview Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief of the TechRepublic. You may hear Jason on other podcasts talking about the weeks tech news and events, but we turn the table on this show and ask Jason questions about Jason!

Please send all feedback to feedback@mymac.com

Review our show on iTunes Please!

Sponsor – Other World Computing

Links from the show:
TechRepublic.com
Apple’s gigantic new data center foreshadows a cloudy future

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Pagehand
Company: Cocomot LLC
Price: $49.95 ($39.95 for a limited time)
www.pagehand.com

I have never been a Microsoft Word user. In fact, ever since I have owned a Mac I have used Appleworks/Clarisworks or Pages. However, I recently discovered a new kid on the block called “Pagehand.” In fact my last few articles here at MyMac (including this one) have been type in Pagehand.

Pagehand is a simple word processor built exclusively for OSX. It has most of the basic word processing features like spell check, fonts, columns, font effects, etc. However, some features like images, and footnotes are missing. These features are planned in updates. In fact, you can check on future features here.

One other feature which I like to have in a word processor is a ruler down the side of the document. There is a ruler at the top, but a ruler down the side allows you to see how long your document is. This is really helpful for students trying to hit that one page paper mark. Without the ruler you have to keep scrolling down to see where you are on the page.

Even with some standard features missing, Pagehand has some very unique features that make it something to consider. First, and a great idea, is the default save format is PDF. This way you can email a finished document to anyone and they will be able to open it. They won’t be able to edit it, unless they have Pagehand because it is a Pagehand PDF, but they can read it. No need to worry if it is saved in the correct Word format.

Speaking of Word, you are able to export your files into Word format, and other standard formats should you want to use it in another program or have someone else edit it in another program. A must for an word processor these days.

Another unique feature is the inspector. Most programs I work with these days (especially iLife programs) have inspectors. Inspectors are windows that float above other windows and have settings like font, or paragraph settings, etc. In Pagehand your inspector is attached to the side of the window. There is not floating window to move around and get in your way. I really like this feature. I am constantly moving inspectors around in other programs.

Want another feature? Pagehand will categorize your fonts for you so you don’t have to scroll through hundreds of fonts to find the correct one. Sure, Font Book can do this, but Pagehand does it in the program for you. I love not having to open Font Book and look for a font style.

You can also make and save style sheets for documents that need to share the same look and feel.

Another unique feature that I have never seen before is a menu listing for letters with accents. For example, do you need an a with an accent over it? Go to the Letter With Accent menu and pick the letter you need and accent type.

So is Pagehand worth $40? or $50 when the price goes up? It really depends on what your needs are. Pagehand sets out to make word processing easier and less confusing, and it does that. If you need a full blown Microsoft Office or Pages, then this is not the right word processor for you. Not yet anyway. However, if you just want a simple and easy to use program to type documents in without any annoying bells and whistles all over the place with features that will be added on an ongoing basis, this is the program to buy.

I really like it, and for my typing needs it is perfect. However, it is missing some key features for some people so a perfect score is not warranted.

MyMac Rating: 4 out of 5.

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

inMotion MAX
Company: Altec Lansing
Price: $199.95
Altec Lansing

The dimensions of the inMotion MAX are 12.2"(W)x2"(D)x7.6"(H). It is a very portable size, easy to pickup and take along on a weekend to the coast, to a different room of the house, and anywhere in between. In particular, the design feels very thin and sexy. Altec Lansing, as always, has spent a great deal of time designing a beautiful enclosure for their state of the art audio system.

With an LCD display on the front which scrolls the meta data of the content being played and beautifully backlit controls on the top which light up when touched, Altec Lansing has included some nice touches which make the inMotion MAX both elegant and practical. The glossy black case may indeed be a fingerprint magnet, however, it provides a classy chassy for this small wonder.

The controls are clearly marked and easy to activate. They are flush with the top surface and touch sensitive (very nice touch, no pun). I really like the fact that they are backlit. Nice addition for those "special" moments when it is dark and the remote is nowhere to be found.

Speaking of finding the remote, I am equally impressed with the Remote Cubby built into the inMoton MAX (see above picture). Too many manufactures of electronic equipment have failed to realize that remotes are easily lost. Kudos to Altec Lansing for their solution. Now if we could only remember to slide the remote in its home after using it.

Of course, what would an audio system be with out a docking station. Altec Lansing has come up with a nice design for the inMotion MAX. At the base of the front, there is a retractable docking station that allows you to retract the dock when it is not needed. Having the ability to retract the dock helps to maintain the thin profile of the inMotion MAX. All in all, a very nice design that does not sacrifice beauty for practicality.

FEATURES
With such a practical collection of features like: an FM Radio, Alarm Clock Functionality, an Enhanced Remote, a Li-ion Rechargeable Battery, and a Remote Cubby to name only a few, the inMotion MAX is indeed feature rich. Jump to the product page for the specs.

USABILITY
It is important not to get lost in the design of the inMotion MAX. After all, this is first and foremost an audio system. Built around two 2" full-range drivers and two 2" passive radiators, the inMotion MAX, on paper, is rather light on the hardware that would normally produce the deep bass we have all come to desire in our audio systems.

Like its sibling, the T612, the inMotion MAX relies upon Altec Lansing’s XdB technology to produce deep bass without a subwoofer. Unlike the T612, the inMotion MAX does not quite achieve the level of bass achieved by the T612 (see MyMac.com review of the T612). Instead, the inMotion MAX produces a more evenly balanced tonal quality.

No matter what type of content I played through the inMotion MAX, I received a pleasant and balanced tone sans the peaks and valleys of audio systems containing tweeters and subwoofers. High end audio is not, IMO, what this system was designed to achieve. Rather, this system was designed to produce pleasant audio on the go while including many other practical features which make this a very useful traveling partner and a great value.

It is indeed the feature set that made me stand up and take notice of this little wonder. As a, "Works With iPhone" compliant audio system, I tested the ability to seamlessly receive a call on my docked iPhone 3GS while listening to content. As expected, the inMotion MAX gently lowered the volume and with a quick selection of the speaker on the iPhone, routed the call through the audio system speakers. Once the call was finished, the music volume was gently raised to its previous level. Never could a hint of cell noise be heard.

Sporting a rechargeable Li-ion battery, I was able to take the inMotion MAX all around the house and enjoy my content wherever I happened to be located. Easily attaching the included antenna, I tried out the FM Radio. This is a nice option when you are minus your internet connection and need some local information or news. The enhanced remote is very nice. With the ability to control the speaker system functions, the FM radio, playlists, and song navigation, the remote was clearly not an afterthought for Altec Lansing. I know this is silly, but I just love the remote cubby. With the number of remotes I have, umm, misplaced, the remote cubby alone would be worth the price for me.

For me, Altec Lansing hit a home run with this product. It does not pretend to be something it is not. It is a great portable audio system that combines good audio quality with many practical features. All in all, a great value! 

MAKING A GREAT THING EVEN BETTER

There is not much to improve here. If I could pick one area for improvement, I would like to have a battery that lasted a little longer than the 2.5 – 3.0 hours I was achieving in my tests. If one were somewhere without the ability to plug into a power outlet, it could be a little disappointing.  

MyMac.com Rating:
The Altec Lansing inMotion MAX is a great portable audio system that expertly achieves the purposes for which it was designed and manufactured. I am awarding the inMotion MAX a MyMac super value rating of 5 out of 5 in our MyMac.com Rating System .

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Macally ECOFAN Bamboo Cooling Stand for Laptop
Ecofan and EcofanPro
US $39.99 for either Ecofan or EcofanPro: Availability To Be Announced
Macally.com

The first thing that attracted me to the new Macally ECOFAN Bamboo Cooling Stand was that it was made from bamboo. Bamboo is not a wood, but a grass. It has incredible strength, both tensile and hard strength that is, pound for pound, stronger than steel. It grows very fast almost anywhere that’s temperate in climate, and is completely biodegradable, Hence, the name ECOFAN.

I like the styling of these stands. There are two models: The ECOFAN PRO stand, and the "standard," which is just designated simply as ECOFAN. They are similarly well constructed. After close inspection, they are trim, sturdy, and finely crafted. I noticed nails in the underside frame. My first thought was "ugh, nails." But looking closely I could see that they are quality nails, not cheap tacks or brads, and they are put in perfectly flush with the wood, neatly and cleanly. The whole unit is glued, I’m sure, and all the pieces are aligned and finished perfectly. The square gum rubber feet will keep your desk from any scratches or scrapes if you move the stand around occasionally.

Underneath the unit is the box that houses the fans. Screws are used in construction of the fan housing. The PRO model has the fans sitting side by side horizontally under the length of the laptop. The standard model has the fans going one on top of the other vertically under the computer. That signals the thought that perhaps one model might cool better than the other, depending on where the fan is located in the computer. I kind of doubt it, but I’m sure there are some folks who are just so "tuned in" to the minutiae that the difference would be enough to decide the model for them.

The main difference, at least to me, is in the design of the stand itself. The PRO model adjusts to three different altitudes in the back via a swinging brace and three notches on the frame. The front is also built up slightly to accommodate the brace, thus raising the keyboard a little further off the desk. The standard model is one height only, and the front is lower and closer to the desk than the PRO model. Both units are compatible with any laptop up to 17". They both have USB cables ( USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compatible) which are 39 1/4" in length.

I’ve been using the PRO model for the past week. Today I started using the standard model. I like the standard one just fine. I don’t really need all that adjustment. But that’s me. YOU may need the adjustment. It’s totally subjective.

I like the way the fans work. They’re not totally silent, but they are very quiet; a faint hum, according to Macally, at around 23.5 dBA. I do notice them when I first plug into the USB port. By the time I call up my program of choice I’ve already forgotten about them.

Do they cool the computer? You bet. Without them the fan in this old MacBook comes on after 20 minutes on Photoshop. When I plug in the fans before I start ‘shoppin’ the computer’s fan remains off.

I like these stands for all the reasons the company wants me to. They’re stylish, handsome, sturdy, practical, and ego-friendly. I would want one of these for my desk if I didn’t have one.

I would not try traveling with the ECOFAN. They are portable, but not practical for a lot of travel. Backpacking? No. Biking? No. I would find something lighter. These are substantial stands that are almost like furniture, which is how they’re made. They weigh in at 1.3 Kg each. That’s about 2.5 lb.

Conclusion: If the company is going for a beautiful and practical stand for the home that looks great, will probably last over years of usage, and cools the computer, they have succeeded. Therefore MyMac applauds ECOFAN for it’s offering, and making it ego-friendly to boot.

MyMac Rating: 5 out of 5

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Download the show here, and via iTunes
Justin Bryce is our guest for the Listener Invite this week. We discuss the PalmPre and iTunes, Snow Leopard, and support for older (PowerPC) Macintosh computers. Host – Tim Robertson, Guy Serle, and David Cohen.

OWC eSATA ExpressCard/34 Adapter Price: $19.99

Review our show on iTunes Please!

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE?
As Eric Blair sat down and began to pen his dystopian novel, not even he could have imagined a world where the tyranny and oppression of a totalitarian government could be supplanted by remotely controlled bits and bytes. In what may be the greatest example of irony in a great many years, Amazon chose to electronically enter each Kindle wherein resided a legally purchased copy of George Orwell’s epic novel warning of the dangers of a repressive totalitarian government and unceremoniously remove it.

In his groundbreaking commercial, “1984″ (Above) director Ridley Scott presented his Orwellian vision of a Macless world. As Big Brother despotically brainwashed the hopeless and helpless masses, the dark and dreary scene was a powerful testament to these inalienable truths we hold to be self-evident. In a free and democratic society, one has the right to choose which computer platform best suits his or her needs and one has the right to protect that which is his or hers.

Would we as a society have stood for storm troopers with an AA upon their collars and sleeves breaking into our homes and removing our hard bound copies of “1984″? Of course not. Yet, their seems to be very little outrage (outside of the blogosphere) among the masses who have purchased the Kindle and enjoyed the ubiquity of its platform.

Without question, this land of the free was founded upon the principles necessary to provide liberty for all. In fact, this freedom and liberty has been and continues to be paid for by the blood of our brave men and women within the armed forces. While our country remains the land of the free, there is a real threat gathering overhead like a menacing storm casting its dark shadow over the electronic landscape. 

THE BLURRY BOUNDARIES OF DRM
The bane of modern day digital media consumption is Digital Rights Management. The origin of this management system was for the purpose of allowing the copyright owners to control and monetize their content. In the past, the Fair Use doctrine within US copyright law has provided purchasers of copyrighted content, the right to make a backup copy of the copyrighted content. While their have been cases of abuse, this system has served to provide the purchasers of copyrighted content a level of security incase of accidental destruction.

There has, by and large, existed an unwritten agreement between the content creators and the consumers of that created content. Every content creator has understood that DRM could always be broken by some bright teenager up for the challenge. Most content creators have proceeded on the basis that the vast majority of consumers will reward quality content with a swipe of their plastic laden hands.

Possession, to this point, has been the line over which most of the content creators and or distributors have been unwilling to step. Once the consumer possessed the purchased (as opposed to rented) content, he or she was expected to follow the Fair Use doctrine accordingly.

Now that hardware manufactures (Apple iPhone, Amazon Kindle, others) have, through a combination of hardware and software, provided themselves a backdoor into their hardware devices in order to remove content for reasons they deem reasonable and appropriate, the consumer is left to wonder what, if any, protection they have over their purchased content.

THE KEYS TO THE CANDY SHOP
What parent would knowingly hand over the keys to a candy store to their children? That would be irresponsible. Absolute power has the tendency to corrupt absolutely! This may be one of the most cliché statements of all time. There are too many examples to list. However, we all understand how dangerous it is to give this kind of power to any individual, government, or company.

What if Amazon had chosen not to build a “kill switch” into the Kindle? They would have been forced to compensate the copyright holder(s) of Nineteen Eighty-Four and the consumers would have continued to posses the legally purchased content. Amazon would have subsequently removed the book from its catalog and everyone is happy. The old adage of, “we did it because we could” would apply. If there is no kill switch, there can be no removal of legally purchased content.

The king of Cupertino would be wise to learn from the mistake of Amazon. Apple has placed a similar app kill switch within the iPhone. Like Amazon, Apple could theoretically remove an app from any or all iPhones at any time and according to their discretion. Indeed a very slippery slope to navigate.

There has been outrage among the developer community over Apple’s app approval process. Taking on the role of censor, Apple has received a great deal of criticism over those apps it has rejected for various reasons. There is a huge difference between removing an app from their servers and removing an app from your iPhone. How long will it be before Apple moves its censorship beyond its own servers and onto your iPhone?

LET FREEDOM REIGN
This is the greatest country on this mud ball we call earth! As citizens of the United States, we enjoy freedoms the rest of the world can only dream about. Over two-hundred years ago, our forefathers fought for our right to live free from tyranny in all its forms. After many years and lives, the United States formed, “a better union.” This union stands as a beacon to all who dare to dream of, “freedom and liberty for all.”

Not unlike our forefathers as they arrived on the shoes of this new world, we have reached a monumental moment in this country. A moment born of our prosperity and technological advancement. A moment that will unquestionably shape and form the electronic landscape well into the future. Will we allow ourselves to be enslaved by those who would remove our electronic liberty and freedom? Will we lower our collective heads in submission to those powers that seek to steal away our freedom through their invasive DRM methods?

The revolutionary battle cry of Patrick Henry stands before us as it did in 1775 before the Virginia Convention. “To arms! To arms!” was the resolute response which echoed through the crowd of revolutionists moved by the impassioned word’s of Henry. They knew the time for action had arrived. They were willing to stand and fight for what they believed to be their inalienable right. The only question that remains is, are we?

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Download the MP3 here, or subscribe via iTunes
This week, we interview Harry McCracken, creator of the Technologizer website. We also look at the FCC investigation of Apple and AT&T over the Google Voice app rejection, as well as the delay of StarCraft II. Hosts – Tim Robertson, David Cohen, and Guy Serle.

Drive Genius 2 + Data Rescue II
Special Bundle Price: $109.99

Review our show on iTunes Please!

Links:
Technologizer.com

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

I recently made the switch from Comcast to Verizon FIOS and I love it. However, one of the big issues I had after the switch was getting EyeTV and my EyeTV Hybrid working correctly. After searching the internet and the Elgato forums, I found a solution.

Let’s step back a minute: When Comcast, EyeTV was connected with the coaxial cable there were no problems with EyeTV switching channels and recording my scheduled shows for recording.

However, with FIOS it does not work that way. FIOS requires a set-top box, and as a result EyeTV has to work like a VCR used to be. You have to record what you watch, AND more importantly EyeTV cannot control the channel switching. You would have to leave the application on channel 3 and set the box to the channel you want to record before recording starts.

This method works, but is annoying, and you know you are going to forget to set the channel on the box.

What to do? There is a solution. You need something called an IRblaster or infrared blaster. This is a piece of hardware that connects via usb and when EyeTV changes the channel the box sends a signal to your cable box (like a remote) and changes the channel. Believe it or not it works great.

Apparently, there are only a few IRblasters available. The one I purchased is called the ZephirIR and was $60 after shipping. Setup was a little confusing, but once I figured it out everything started working great.

I still think there are some kinks to work out, but the IRblaster is definitely a workable solution. If you have FIOS and an EyeTV unit, this is something you MUST have.

There is your MyMac Macspiration break…we now return you to your regular programming…..Oh and leave your comments below!

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Trend Smart Surfing for Mac 1.0
Company: Trend Micro
Price: $49 for 12-month subscription
http://us.trendmicro.com

Working with Trend Micro’s Trend Smart Surfing for Mac security suite brought to mind my all-time favorite food prep appliance – the Showtime Grill from legendary inventor/huckster Ron Popeil. Like the Showtime, TSSM is pretty much a “set it and forget it” proposition that just works, a welcome entry into a field where security software is often difficult to configure, overly intrusive and CPU-intensive.

Trend Micro’s reviewer’s guide to TSSM asserts that it was built for Mac from the ground up, as opposed to simply porting a Windows app to the Mac. If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’d know that approach scores big points with me, and based on my experience throughout the installation and setup process, I can confirm that TSSM is an upstanding Mac citizen from top to toe. But what most impressed me about this app is that, as previously noted, it truly does operate on a “set it and forget it” principle. As long as you’ve got a G4 or newer Mac, and you’re using OS X 10.4.11 or 10.5.5 or higher, you can just run the installer, then go about your business while TSSM watches out for malware, phishing scams, viruses, and malicious Web sites.

If you can operate a light switch, you can configure the basic protection settings for Trend Smart Surfing for Mac. The settings are password-protected using your Mac’s administrator account, saving you the trouble of having to memorize yet another password.

Then again, maybe you’re one of those people who just loves to immerse yourself in all the gory details of a program’s inner workings. If so, rest assured that TSSM will let you tinker with its settings to your heart’s content. If you’re not satisfied to simply accept the basic Web threat detection settings, or if you want to block specific sites from being accessed by other users of your Mac, a trip to the Web settings area will allow you to adjust precisely how aggressive you’d like TSSM to be when detecting Web threats. The Website Filter enables further customization by enabling you to block entire categories of sites from a broad spectrum of content areas including Adult (nudity, gambling, illegal drugs, violence), Social (personals, dating, occult, activist groups), Computers/Bandwidth (ringtones, software downloads) and many more. And if all that’s not enough, you can use the “Approved Websites…” and “Blocked Websites…” to configure access at the individual site level.

Using TSSM’s Website Filter, I’ve just blocked access to all online trading from my computer. Or, as TSSM puts it, in its breathlessly hyper-technical vernacular, I’ve prohibited viewing of “Sites that promote/provide information/means to trading of securities/investment of assets/insurance (online/offline)”.

I know what you’re thinking…Is TSSM really going to block me from visiting eTrade.com? How will it know how to do that? How will I know it’s working? Here’s the answer, in the form of a very polite, descriptive and helpful browser-based message that tells you what’s been blocked, why it’s been blocked, how to un-block it, and also how to request that the nice folks at Trend Micro confirm that the site truly should have been blocked in the first place.

Further customization of TSSM is available via the “Scans” settings area, which controls what gets scanned during the automatic, on-demand and scheduled scanning sessions that check for viruses and other assorted malware. The default “Smart Scan” setting “quickly checks for malicious software in the places where it tends to hide,” while the Custom Scan allows you to specify what gets scanned. The Full Scan checks your entire drive, the most thorough but most time-consuming option. The Scan Preferences button allows you to determine whether scanning will occur automatically whenever files are opened, when a scan is initiated manually by you, and/or according to a preset schedule. You can also decide how you want TSSM to deal with any infected files it discovers, specifying that they be deleted immediately, cleaned, quarantined or passed over, and you can even set first and second actions independently, meaning that you can have the program attempt to clean infected files first, then dispose of them if they can’t be rehabilitated.

In my testing, I set TSSM’s Automatic Scanning to first attempt to clean any infected files it found, then quarantine them if they couldn’t be cleaned. As I’m quite vigilant about viruses and malware, I didn’t expect any files to be flagged by the program, but sure enough, within a few moments TSSM located two Microsoft Word files from 2006 attached to a couple of old email messages, both of them still infected with the infamous W97M/Melissa.A virus. Unfortunately TSSM was unable to clean the files and I was forced to delete them, although they had long since outlived their usefulness to me anyway.

If at first you don’t succeed…TSSM lets you configure both a first and second action to take when scanning discovers a problematic file. In this case, I’ve set the On-Demand Scans to first attempt to “clean” the file, and if that’s unsuccessful, quarantine it so it can’t do any further damage.

At the risk of getting overly technical while reviewing a Mac security suite designed specifically for novices, I want to highlight two unique aspects of the approach that Trend Micro has taken with TSSM, because I think they represents a positive step forward in the battle to keep ahead of the miscreants that create this malware in the first place. First off, TSSM emphasizes protection from Web-based attacks like “phishing” scams which are far more apt to affect Mac users than viruses or spyware, and provides this protection regardless of which programs you happen to be using. TSSM accomplishes this feat by operating in the space between your applications and the Internet, at the system/network level. What that means to you is that no matter which programs you might be using at a particular time, TSSM is actively protecting you from Web-based threats, even from Web links embedded in instant messages or emails – with no need to install individual plug-ins or add-ons into programs like Safari, Apple Mail, FireFox or iChat.

The second aspect of TSSM’s protection mechanism that’s worth noting is that TSSM (along with all its Windows counterparts) uses a “next-generation cloud-based infrastructure for gathering and analyzing threat data” (a.k.a. the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network). In humanspeak, this simply means that Trend Micro stores up-to-the-minute data about Web-based security threats in an online “cloud,” and each time a Mac user running TSSM attempts to access a Web site via browser, the URL is checked – within the space of a few milliseconds – against the threat data in the cloud, and access is blocked if warranted. This means that you’re effectively protected against new threats the moment Trend Micro detects them; no need to wait for daily or weekly updates to be downloaded to your Mac, which can often come too late to prevent exposure to a brand-new exploit.

So, does TSSM really live up to my initial “set it and forget it” hype? Pretty much so, yes. I encountered a few minor problems with the automatic scanning putting the kibosh on my nightly backup routine; some detective work determined that the issue is actually related to the mounting of disk images followed by TSSM’s immediate attempt to scan them, since it interrupted another automated task that also involves the automated mounting of disk images. Although you can add specific directories and/or individual files to a scan exceptions list, you can’t exclude an entire drive from being scanned, something that would be useful in preventing these kinds of issues when entire volumes are mounted for automated backups or other purposes.

As you might expect, the scanning process impacts the Mac’s performance to some extent while running, but once the scan is completed performance immediately returns to normal. I could find no evidence of TSSM’s “Web Threat Protection” causing even the slightest impact on performance when visiting dozens of sites in rapid succession, even though every URL I visited was indeed checked at the Trend Micro cloud first (said activity confirmed by the ever-useful Little Snitch).

I was also a bit disappointed that TSSM was unable to “clean” the two infected Word files it found, given that most anti-virus utilities (Norton AntiVirus for Mac and Intego VirusBarrier, among others) are capable of repairing files containing infections like the Melissa virus and other macro viruses common to Microsoft products. As this is only a version 1.0 product, I’m hopeful that these issues can be rectified in a future release.

There’s no question that at this point in time, Mac users are far more susceptible to email and Web-based “phishing” threats then they are to spyware and viruses. Given that, I think TSSM just might be the most well-designed and complete protection suite currently available to Mac users, as its approach emphasizes up-to-the-second protection against social-engineering style dangers, while still providing solid virus and spyware protection in a package that has very minimal impact on the Mac’s performance.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a 12-lb. turkey roasting in my Showtime Grill…

MyMac.com Rating: 4.5 out of 5

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

N+ Wireless Router with USB Storage Port
Company: Belkin
Price: $120 (much lower prices are available from online merchants)
Belkin.com

The following review is aimed toward the typical home or small office user, not the ultra-geeker 192.168 browser interface gear-head. This router will satisfy both types of users, but the former is our target reader, as we begin with:

1. Follow the detailed Quick Installation Guide instructions for physical configuration.

2. Complete the Setup Assistant procedures on the included CD.

3. Skip step 2 if you don’t need wireless router security.

4. Read and use the PDF manual if you want to get geeky with customized settings that are beyond the scope of the setup wizard.

5. Be patient with the Setup Assistant if something confusing happens during software installation.

6. Once your router is working both wired and wirelessly, insert a USB drive into the dedicated port on the router to make sure your data is available on your new network.

7. Congratulate yourself on obtaining and installing one of the best wireless routers available.

Belkin’s N+ Router CD Setup Assistant wizard is comprehensive, but it isn’t perfect. Near the end of the process, after I chose my level of wireless security and created my new network password, my MacBook Pro’s AirPort wireless capability disappeared. I was perplexed, and more than a little annoyed.

Restarting the computer and router didn’t work, and I couldn’t get to first base with AirPort in my Network Preferences. After an hour of frustration, I did a Google search for "airport not configured." Completing the steps recommended by kahuna1342 in the MacRumors.com forum, I restored my AirPort, and I was using Belkin’s N+ router for wired and wireless Internetting within a minute. My wife’s G4 iBook, which is running Tiger 10.4, had instantly picked up the Belkin’s signal, which had to travel fifty feet through several walls and doors. She was in surf city while my Leopard 10.5 Macbook Pro was still off the network.

That was two weeks ago. Neither Barbara nor I have used wired Ethernet since installation was complete. The Belkin N+ router sits quietly and cooly, broadcasting our secure signal throughout the house where we are staying on vacation, which did not previously have wireless Internet. (Four Ethernet ports are included, which is typical for a router in this category.)

With its rounded design, integrated base, and two upward antennas, the physical router is tall, secure, sleek, and stylish. Blue lights on the front panel glow, and rarely blink. Compared to most other routers, whose front panel lights blink incessantly, the N+ has an almost static game face. Belkin’s engineers and product team did a nice job with every aspect of the physical device.

I was skeptical about the USB Storage feature of this router, having been disappointed with previous Network Attached Storage (NAS) routers reviewed at MyMac. Plugging in Verbatim’s mighty midget Store ‘n’ Go Micro USB Drive, it appeared in seconds within the Shared contents of the Belkin N+ in every open Finder window. Hooray! Strictly speaking, this Belkin unit is not a NAS router, but I’m not complaining, because it works. Data access is approximately half as speedy as when the USB drive is plugged directly into the computer.

CNET awarded the N+ Belkin router an editor’s choice award, alongside a comprehensive text, chart, and video review, plus user comments. MyMac won’t attempt to replicate what has already been posted on the Internet in praise and criticism of this product. We have used and reviewed other companies’ comparable routers in the past. Linksys and NewerTech were our previous favorites. Several months using Belkin’s N+ will determine if it joins our permanent recommended list. Belkin makes other routers with different features and prices, but they consider the N+ to be their best one.

MyMac rating: 4 out of 5

LINKS:
AirPort reconfiguration help
NAS hard drive review
Verbatim Micro USB Drive review (second from top)
CNET router review and reader comments

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Macally BTMouse2
$49.99
Macally BTKey
$69.99
Company: macally
www.macally.com

I have been looking for a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for a while without success. The problem? Every Bluetooth mouse I find is notebook size and every keyboard is either not Mac compatible, has too many bells and whistles and is enormous, or it is missing the number pad (Apple). Macally has solved all of this with the BTMouse2 and the BTKey keyboard.

Let’s start with the Bluetooth mouse. The BTMouse2 is a great looking mouse. It is the size and shape of Apple’s Mighty Mouse, but has a slick black finish to it. It is a three button mouse (left, right, and click wheel).

I have mentioned this before, but for this item it is worth mentioning again. I am over 6 feet tall and have large hands to go with the height. I like a larger mouse, and prefer to use my oversized mouse from another company. However, this is a full size mouse and most people will have no issues with the size.

The mouse itself is very responsive and extremely light. I have had no lag in using it. In fact it is extremely responsive. The pointer flies through the screen and I can’t figure out how to slow down the pace. The system preference for mice does not control it, but there is a driver for it from the Macally website.

Now for the keyboard. They keyboard is great. It has all the standard keys you want and expect on an Apple keyboard. The layout is the same and there are no extra media keys or other keys to make the size enormous. As I mentioned earlier, it has a number pad which for me is a must on a keyboard and the only reason I would not buy an Apple Bluetooth keyboard.

My only complaint about the keyboard is the weight. It is fairly heavy for a keyboard and weighs a lot more than Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard.

Setup for both items is very easy. You turn Bluetooth on in System Preferences and use the Bluetooth assistant to connect the products to your computer.

Pricing for both the mouse and keyboard is very reasonable too. They are not as cheap as wired items, but wireless usually coasts more. Compared to Apple’s keyboard and mouse they are cheaper, especially if you get both.

So, if you are in the market for a Bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse the Macally BTMouse2 and the BTKey are definitely worth checking out.
MYMAC RATING: 4.5 out of 5 for both the mouse and the keyboard

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast

Run Windows on your Mac without rebooting!  Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac provides the complete suite of essentials to run Windows on Mac the easy, fast and powerful way.