If you are a person who reads the news, speculation, and rumors about any Apple product you know that iOS 5 rumors and speculation is in full swing. One of these rumors I saw (and I don’t remember where) was that Spaces is coming to iOS 5. When I first heard this I thought this was a stupid idea. However, now that I have thought about it I think I have figured out a way it might work.
Spaces on the Mac allows you to have additional desktop “spaces” with certain applications. You could have a space for productivity applications, a space for internet/email, etc. When you run a certain application it will only be visible in its assigned space.
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Mobile hotspots, the feature that basically turns new cell phones into a wireless router is nothing new. It is just, officially, new to the iPhone. In the US this feature comes with a $20 addition to your phone bill. With that twenty dollars you get an additional 2gb of data for your connected devices. I say this feature should be free. Why? Read on.
Sketch
Company: Bohemiancoding
Price: $40
I have tried a lot of vector drawing tools out there that I consider a more affordable way to get vector drawing on a Mac without have to buy Adobe Illustrator. Sketch is a new entry into the market that aims to be one of these products. The price is right, but how does it compete?
First let’s look at the features. Sketch is packed with different features including an infinite workspace. The infinite workspace allows you to create without being confined to the dimensions of a piece of paper. However, I personally don’t see much purpose to this. In the end, your image will have to confined to some dimensions. I’d rather work towards those dimensions up front instead of having to plan and adjust after I create.
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Casestand
Company Macally
Price: $29.99
Are you looking for a case for the new fourth generation iPod Touch you just got as a present over the holidays? If you are, I suggest checking out Macally’s new Casestand.
I love my iPad and I use it for many tasks that I would normally do on my computer. However, there is still one task I always have to go to the computer for. I can’t upload a file from my iPad to a website.
For example, I am typing this post on my iPad right now. If I want to upload an image to the article I can’t unless I go to my iMac. There are many times I need to upload something to a website and can’t do it because I am on my iPad. This might be for an article I am writing or another project I am working on.
Wouldn’t it be nice for those browse buttons on webpages could work and access the file system on the iPad? Or Dropbox?
I can’t think of many new features for the next version of iOS, but this is definitely on my wish list.
What features do you want in the iOS?
iCase
Company: Powis
Prices range between $49.95-$79.95
iPad cases are a dime a dozen and I wasn’t expecting much when I got an email asking me to try out a new and different type of case. I agreed, and it turns out I was pleasantly surprised with what I got. The iCase is the iPad case I have been looking for, and didn’t even know it.
The case itself is made up of a very hard board. When closed it looks like a book. In fact, one of the customization options is to have a book/journal look to the outside of the case. The case is also available in a variety of leather, color, and/or pattern finishes. These finishes are what determine the price of the case. In the near future you will be able to provide your own artwork for the case. In the meantime, you can personalize the case with your name, website, or whatever on the inside of the case and it looks fantastic.
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ArtRage for iPad
Company: Ambient Design
$6.99
iTunes link
I have had the opportunity to review several versions of the great natural media painting program for the Mac called ArtRage for MyMac through my years writing for the site. The desktop version of ArtRage is fantastic and I was thrilled when I learned there was an iPad app released. I was even more thrilled when I was presented with the opportunity to review the app.
I have a lot of email accounts. Probably more than I should. One is personal, one for MyMac, one for work, one for junk, etc. I use Apple Mail for my personal email and Postbox (based on Thunderbird) for the other accounts that are gmail based, and Entourage for work. However, I find myself using Postbox and Entourage less and less for checking email and defaulting to my iPod Touch or iPad.
I don’t mind Apple Mail, but if there is email in the account when I check the others I just use the Touch or iPad too. Why? Because checking email on those device is SOOOOO much faster! I don’t have to wait for the program to open and download the mail. I wake up the device, look at the Mail icon, and I know if there is mail waiting for me. I open the Mail app and I instantly get access to the email in those accounts. In fact, I just used my iPod to read email and I am sitting at my iMac right now. It is just so much faster and easier.
Even writing emails on the iPod or iPad is easier and faster. I don’t mind the touch keyboard (I rarely type a long email), and I can probably type several emails in the time it takes to open Postbox and have a blank email template pop up.
Unless I need to do something the iOS device can’t and I need a desktop client, I check my email there.
I just wish there would be other mail clients for my iPod and iPad. I have tried a couple, but don’t like them. I am not a fan of the single inbox, and would like to have a separate place for my personal email to avoid sending mail from the wrong address. That would be my only complaint.
What about you. Has the iPod or iPad changed the way you do email? Leave a comment below.
Adobe Flash Professional CS5
Company: Adobe
Price: New user $699, Upgrade $199
Note: This review is from the artist/animator point of view, which is what I use Flash for (when I use it). I am not a programmer and do not use Flash for web design and do not know programming used in flash and web design. I also do not do complex coding in Flash.
As an artist and teacher who occasionally needs to create a short animation I have always turned to Flash as my go to program. WIth all of the animation programs I have tested and reviewed for MyMac, it has always been one of the easiest to create an animation in, and it still is. Just opening the program presents you with a ton of templates to get you started on your project.
While most of the new features in CS5 are code and programming related (a full description of new features can be found here: http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/whatsnew/) there are a few features that are for the basic animator. Since I am not a programmer, I am going to focus on the features that more effect my use of Flash.
Reveal
Motif Gloss/Reveal
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $24.99, $19.99
When looking for iPod cases and accessories you can always count on Griffin to be at the front of the pack with products. When the 4th generation iPod Touch was released Griffin was one of the first companies to offer cases. I had the opportunity to try out two of these cases. I tested the Motif Gloss (also available in Diamond pattern) and the Reveal.
Both cases easily protect the iPod from minor falls and items in your purse, bag, or pocket. The cases cover the back and sides of the iPod with openings for the dock connector, speaker, microphone, and camera.
Adobe Premiere Elements 9
Company: Adobe
Price: $99.99 for Standard,
$149.99 bundled with Photoshop Elements 9,
$139.99 with Plus
Note: I am writing this review as iMovie ’11 is being released. I have note tried iMovie ’11 and any iMovie references are to iMovie ’09.
If you are an iMovie user and frustrated with the limits of the current version, Adobe Premiere Elements strives to be the next step. Premiere Elements is like iMove 09 on steroids. You can edit your movies, add effects, and export them in a variety of formats for viewing. I view it as the movie editing program for everyone. However, I found it to be harder to use than I had hoped, and not something I would say is for everyone.
Macally 4th Gen iPod Touch Cases
Company: Macally
Price: $29.99 for each model reviewed
If you have a fourth generation iPod Touch and you are looking for a case I wish you good luck. They seem to be few and far between right now. However, one of the companies right out of the gate with cases is Macally. I had the opportunity to test three different Macally cases for the new iPod Touch and each one would be a good choice. The choice you make depends on what you are looking for .
I had the opportunity to review the Clear Flexible Protective Case, the Clear Snap-On Protective Case, and the Snap-On Protective Case. Before I get to the specifics of each one, let me cover some features they all have in common. First, and most importantly the cases cover the sides and back of your ipod leaving openings for the controls, camera lens, microphone, speaker, and the dock connector. Each case will definitely protect your iPod in a lite (maybe harder) fall.
Chargepod
Company: Callpod
Price: $49.99 and up depending on package and accessories
Website: http://www.callpod.com
If you are like me you travel with numerous chargers. You have one for the iPod, on for the phone, one for the camera, and then several car versions of the same chargers. Let’s forget traveling, my kitchen counter has at least three chargers on it at any given time. What if there was a product that could reduce all of the chargers you have to keep with you? The Chargepod aims to be that product and succeeds nicely.
I’ve read articles and heard podcasts where people talk about iOS becoming or replacing OSX on the desktop Macs. I’ve also read the rumors about a touchscreen iMac. I have always thought this concept was ridiculous, until earlier tonight.
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Photoshop CS5 Extended
Company: Adobe
Price: $999 upgrade $349 (education pricing also available)
Last week you read (or should have read) part one of my Photoshop CS5 review. This week you get part two which includes more new features discussed and my conclusion. Is it worth the price of upgrading? Read on to find out!
Photoshop CS5 Extended
Company: Adobe
Price: $999 upgrade $349 (education pricing also available)
Last June I presented my first look at Photoshop CS5, and I was very impressed with the new features. Back then I felt it was definitely worth the upgrade. After many more weeks of using the software it is time to reevaluate and see if my opinion is the same or has changed.
For part one of the review I am going to cover Content Aware Fill and Puppet Warp.
Air Display
Avatron Software Inc.
Price: $9.99
iTunes Link
If you have wanted two displays on your Mac but never wanted to buy a second display or don’t have the space for one you should check out Air Display. Air Display is an app for your iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad that turns you iOS device into a second monitor. It is a universal app so you only have to buy it once for all three devices.
MotionX GPS Drive HD=
MotionX
$2.99
iTunes Link
MotionX GPS Drive HD for the iPad is my first experience with any GPS unit. I have never found the need for one, but I had heard a lot of buzz around this app and was about to go on two trips when I was asked to review it. What a better test?
Before I get to the performance of the app, I want to talk about a few features.
First, the search. The search feature in the app is great. If you are looking for a Mexican restaurant you can select that from the list of categories and up will come a list to choose from. You can search in any number of categories, or type in an address or place to search for.
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ArtStudio for iPad
Company: Lucky Clan
Price: $4.99
iTunes link
Recently I reviewed the iPhone/iPod Touch version of ArtStudio and I loved it. It was and still is my favorite art program for that platform. With that said what could be better than ArtStudio? How about ArtStudio for iPad! All of the ArtStudio greatest and more to the bigger iPad screen.
I’ve been playing with the iPad version of ArtStudio for several weeks now and just like it’s smaller counterpart it is fantastic.
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As I write this article I am in Ocean City, MD on my iPad 3G. We have been here for four days now, and I have to say I am really glad I bought the 3G model of the iPad. I am not disappointed in the performance of it at all. I am disappointed in the new data plan, but more on that later.
We are staying in a condo without WIFI, and the 3G service on the iPad has been fantastic. Full signal strength at all times. The speed of the network is slower than expected (I had never used any 3G device before, not even an iPhone) . However, for surfing the web, doing emails, and reading RSS feeds it is great. Downloading apps or other small items seems very slow. My wife streamed a movie through the Netflix app and it was low quality and choppy.
Comments. Be heard!
MyMac Podcast #403
Review
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