1110consulting

For those of you with AppleTV’s check the software update for a new release of the software that ties in better with iTunes 8.x.

AppleTV is on of the Apple items I have looked at over the years and one of the biggest stopping points is I do not yet have a HDTV. The AppleTV will work with composite in, but most say it does not look or work as well.

With the latest software and iTunes integration I’m closer than ever. I have been looking at a refurbished from Apple ($50 or so cheaper) and still has the same bells and whistles and I’m thinking about Boxee on the system too (Hulu, CBS, others) it becomes more of a internet playback device than something tied right into iTunes.

Anyone care to comment?

Apple released an update for the buttonless trackpad on the macbook and macbook pro tonight. Following the update, the system reboots and installs a firmware update on the machine to update the software - during the update the trackpad is unresponsive (normal).

So far the trackpad is running well on my machine (other reports?) and seems to be a bit more sensitive. Hopefully Apple will continue to take this great technology and improve upon it.

Have a new macbook or macbook pro - start software update (no download link yet) and update your machine.

Since the release of iPhone 2.0, I have been very happy with the solution.  It works well with Exchange, software and the phone itself is A LOT more stable and some nice new features - though STILL NO cut & paste

iPhone 2.2 will take things to the next, next level.  Google street view, some new advances in the software and hopefully some general speed boosts (and HOPEFULLY) cut and paste.

wordpress.org is working on the next version of wordpress (2.7). 2.6.3 is the current version but after some playing i installed 2.7 on my server to see what the changes are.

from a practical view, 2.7 changes the way the admin sees wordpress (which i really like). the admin interface is clean, much more web2.0 and easy to navigate. i have not tried themes or plugins, but the system itself seems really clean, easy to integrate and when 2.7 appears for the masses- if wordpress holds true the update/upgrade will be easy.

in my test i installed 2.6.2 from godaddy. i then removed the entire wordpress folder and files (leaving the database) and copied over the 2.7b2 files. i changed the config file to match the file that was originally created when godaddy generated the database and uploaded that.

opened the 2.7 index page, the system told me to update the database (which i did and with one post took 15 seconds) and off i went. Logged into the admin and all was right with the world.

if all holds true, the system will show an update to 2.7 “soon”, i will upgrade to the version, update the database and off i will go! anyone else trying 2.7, let us know!

Apple released an update to their iPhoto application which improves some of the printing features and benefits for cards, books and calendars.

As usual, Apple (and I) highly recommend the update to this 7.1.5 version. Fire up software update, download and install the software.

Apple stated months ago that it would again release an 10.x update in the coming months (early 2009). They appear to be on track with an early 2009 release of Snow Leopard (10.6) for 1Q09.

The release is available to developers and the focus of the update will be more of the foundation of the Mac (finder/OS) than features and bells/whistles.

For many users that have intel machine (anything bought in the last couple of years) will see some serious improvements in the day-to-day operation of the machine. The use of new graphic cards (like the new macbooks and macbook pros have) will be able to utilize the speed of the machine AND the power of the graphic processor to improve many “basic” operations.

I’m looking forward to 10.6 for a number of reasons. The later versions of the systems (10.5) have some things I use a lot (time machine for one) and very excited for the next steps of the system that will provide better performance, network and windows integration and hopefully address a few “issues” that arise from time to time…

More to come…

After months, the rumors of an October 14th date of a new macbook/macbook pro are starting to show some teeth…

a number of sites (electronista link following) have started circulating a new image of the possible case of the new macbook. the brick name is said to come from the process to create the case - the unit starts as a solid brick of aluminum.

this would produce a light and SOLID case. many believe this will be a costly process initially for apple, but return many benefits in the coming years with this process.

again, i’m waiting for the new macbook and hope that this is it! will it appear on the 14, will apple announce it on the 14th with the product available in time for the holidays? my personal hope is a machine will be introduced next week and be available immediately but time will tell.

UPDATE!
Apple has announced an event on the 14th 10am PT! “The spotlight turns to notebooks.”

could this be it? the latest rumors meet in the middle with a number of discussions that have been floating around that Oct 14 (tuesday of course) would be the release of the next macbooks (maybe pros too).

again, i personally have been waiting (almost holding my breath) for the new macbooks. i expected (like many) that this summer would be the release or early fall (in time for back to school) but alas - nothing!

nvidia is said to be showing off the new macbooks with their graphic cards installed. this would be a welcomed addition to the macbook since it is a “downside” that all the graphic processing comes from the main board and does limit some things. for many macbook users (myself included) - graphics are secondary on the macbook - it is a machine for word processing, email, web - all things it does very quickly and very well.

the graphics benefits would be welcomed though. more to come in the next week (a week from tomorrow actually). HOPE - HOPE - HOPE… i’m a-itchin’

UPDATE!
Apple has announced an event on the 14th 10am PT! “The spotlight turns to notebooks.”

Following the iPhone 2.1 update from Apple, I have found a few things have improved drastically. The backup and sync process is only momentary vs. the previous 5-15 minutes I experienced…

The install process of a new app is quick and the process of syncing is the same (limited by how fast USB2 actually is). Since I had some issues with the MacBook in the last few days, the rebuild of the MacBook to 10.5.5 and a restore iPhone 2.1 have proven to be a real good improvements in the system in general.

The reports from the 3G front are improved battery life, better and faster network operation and general “good stuff”. Your experiences and reports since 2.1 - let us know!

there are now talks about apple shipping the new macbooks to stores this week (for sept 23?)

as i have said a number of times - i’m waiting very impatiently for the new macbooks and it would not surprise me if the apple store went down tomorrow (16th) or next tuesday (23rd) with the new machines showing up when the store comes back online. i think i’ll look at the specs and if all is as i expect i’ll take a trip to the short hills store and get the new machine and order all the “extras”.

i’m planning on a 320gb drive and 4gb+ ram. hear anything?