Category: Apple

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Apple makes the call; send back your batteries

What goes around, comes around.  Luckily, I’m not apart of this one.

Apple Computer is following the lead of Dell and recalling 1.8 million laptop batteries supplied by Sony Corp., saying the batteries are a fire hazard.

The move Thursday follows Dell’s recall of 4.1 million batteries two weeks ago. Those batteries were also built by Sony.  […]

The batteries were sold with 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop computers from October 2003 through August 2006, according to the safety commission.  [cbc]

Oddly enough, this does not involve any of the new MacBooks, but this is on top of the recall for batteries of the 15″ MacBook Pro.  I’ve read many reports from users noting the amount of heat that MacBooks, the iBooks replacement, produce.  Perhaps the new models haven’t had enough of a run in the market to produce enough complaints or incidents.  Time will tell.

Find more information about the iBook and PowerBook battery recall on Apple’s website.

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Apple Store employees fired for downloading Leopard

Mental note: When you acquire software from the internet that you shouldn’t have in the first place and is from the company that sends out your paycheck, keep your mouth shut.

At least five employees of Apple’s retail stores have been fired after downloading copies of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard from the Internet that were distributed to developers at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference two weeks ago. “Dozens” more also face termination, Think Secret has learned.

The axed employees had apparently been overheard discussing their acquisition of Leopard with their co-workers, prompting Apple “corporate” to investigate after word reached Cupertino. The staffers were dismissed after admitting to acquiring the software illegally.

“All of us know that we violated our NDA and ethics policy. Therefore, because we had the character to tell the truth and to face the consequences of our actions, we were terminated,” said one of the fired employees, who spoke with Think Secret on condition of anonymity. “My only question is, if we all lied and denied it would we still be working at Apple today? Even more so, is that the kind of person that Apple wants working for them?”  [thinksecret]

It is outstanding that they confessed to their actions.  These people love Apple enough to work the retail aspect of the company, so it stands to reason that some of them would be overly anxious to get their hands on the new operating system that was unveiled a few weeks ago.

At the same time, why didn’t they keep this to themselves?!  That’s like some one at Starbucks telling co-workers that they’re stealing coffee.  If you know that you are in violation of the rules at your job, then why tell anyone about it?

It’s simple.  Apple wants intelligent people working for them.

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Use a bookmark to resize your browser window

I found this tip via Macworld a while ago, but it was meant for use in Safari. However, in making my switch to Firefox, this was a feature that made the jump all the more interesting because it works in this browser as well. Here’s how it breaks down from Macworld.

Launch Safari (or your favorite browser) and create a new bookmark. Most browsers will require that you bookmark a specific site. In Safari, open a site and then choose Bookmarks: Add Bookmark. Give the bookmark a name that will help you remember the screen size, such as 800×600 or 1024×768. Next, edit the address of the bookmark—in Safari, go to Bookmarks: Show All Bookmarks and navigate to your newly created bookmark. Change the Address portion of the bookmark to:

javascript:self .moveTo(0,0);self.resizeTo(800,600);

Open any page in Safari and select the bookmark. You’ll see that page in an 800-by-600-pixel browser window. You can then duplicate this bookmark and create other sizes as needed; just change the name and the relevant code. When you’re done, move your new bookmarks to a convenient location; then click on them when you want to test your pages at different resolutions. [macworld]

I like to have three of these bookmarks in my toolbar. From small, medium, to large, it gets very useful. I’ve even gone as far as making them slightly button-like, naming them “-“, “+”, and “++”. You can minimize and maximize windows all you want, but to make it quick and simple, just hit your bookmark and you’re done.

This might not be too handy for those folks out there that don’t have a lot of real estate on their monitor. If you run a monitor at the screen size of 1024-by-768, then you might not see the advantage. I can’t be sure if this works in the world of PC’s, but it stands to reason that it should. It’s great for previewing how websites you are working on look, but I just like it for the simple reason of keeping everything on my screen in a more controlled state of chaos.

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Thoughts on Jobs’ keynote at the WWDC

WWDC 2006 Keynote Streaming Re-Broadcast (apple.com)I’m sitting here, being my classic, Apple geek self, watching the stream of yesterday’s keynote speech by Steve Jobs[wiki] at the World Wide Developers Conference. I figured that I would throw some of my thoughts about it while I watch it.

Why? I dig this type of stuff. It’s not about being on top of everything that comes out there in terms of technology. It’s exciting. It’s a spectacle. I’d do the same thing about the NAB in Las Vegas, but I don’t make it down there for it, nor is there anything comparable to what Jobs does during these keynotes.

Dude, it’s just fun.

Phil Schiller[wiki] always kills me, and I think it’s great that he came out to unveil the Mac Pro. Yes, say good bye to the PowerMac and the legacy of the G5. I’m actually sad to say that. That word “Power” had a nice ring to it, but getting back to the basics is alright with me. My parents bought an original Macintosh when they came out in 1984. Life changed a lot then, and damn… look at where we are now.

Continue reading “Thoughts on Jobs’ keynote at the WWDC”

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Apple recalls batteries to certain Mac Book Pros

Just passing on the word for those who might not pay attention to news like this like I do.

Apple has initiated a worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006.

We recently discovered that some 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries supplied to Apple do not meet our high standards for battery performance. To give our users the best experience possible, we will replace these batteries for customers free of charge. [apple]

These exchange programs are relatively painless. Go to the Apple page, find out if you have a battery within the serial number range they are recalling, and fill out the form on the web. Apple ships you the replacement, and all you have to do is put the recalled battery in a prepaid, preaddressed shipping package of some sort. Usually this is done through FedEx, so the final step is tossing it into your nearest drop box or arranging for pick up.

I had a buddy who got bit by this once, not knowing that his power adapter was recalled until it over heated and died. It only took a few days to get the replacement, but if he would have been aware of it before hand, the lack of power for his laptop could have been avoided.

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The rumors are starting to pile up

In an effort to share some of the rumors I’m hearing about upcoming Apple products, here is a post with the top ones that I have heard so far.

The links to those stories might not speak directly to the rumor, but it’s along those lines of the buzz that’s starting to come about with the World Wide Developers Conference kicking off on August 7th with a keynote speech by Steve Jobs. And of course, we cannot forget that it will be the first public demo of Leopard, the next operating system for the Mac.

Regardless, it’s always a time for Apple to release something at the WWDC with the usual, “One more thing.”

Update:  Added another rumor of the “iPhone” as it’s been an ongoing topic, but the linked news story brings it back to attention.

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Folks in Cupertino make some pretty good stuff

Talking to Grandma during her visit in Iowa via iChatIt’s really no secret that I’m an Apple fan, even though I’m very capable of living in a Windows world. Afterall, my official title at the radio station I worked at was “IT Support Level 2”, but that didn’t change the fact that I was working on 5kW AM and 100kW FM transmitter sites. I’ve just been using Apples since I was four, maybe earlier. In fact, I was probably able to use a computer sooner than I was able to read, but I digress.

The brilliancy of iChat and the ability to communicate via video is pretty cool, and lots of users will tell you that. However, when my eighty-seven year old grandma has the ability to see and talk to me from my parent’s house in Iowa, that’s when you realize that this technology is pretty damn cool. Combine that with my aunt, uncle, and cousin that Rebecca has yet to meet, you begin to understand the gap that is bridged. The world seems smaller at that point.

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A lot of chatter about a Microsoft, “iPod killer”

A lot of sites have been reporting on this for the last week, but the rumors are turning more factual. It won’t be too surprising that by the time you head out to do you Christmas shopping this year, Microsoft will have their own portable media player trying to empty more cash out of your wallet.

Music companies are apparently leaking some details about Microsoft’s plans, according to a Times story that cites sources close to the project. As the story goes, Microsoft is not merely developing one product aimed at dethroning the iPod. It is developing a complete line of Xbox-branded digital media products, including a device that plays media, a software media player and an online media service.

Microsoft has code-named the project “Argo” in honor of the huge warship used by the Greek mythological hero named Jason, the Times reported. Microsoft executives were not immediately available for comment. [macnewsworld]

The friendly geeks, I mean folks, over at Engadget have posted a photo of the yet to be revealed device, saying that the source is some one working very close to the project. Being a companion to the Xbox brand, this might not be the only device of its kind released. Only time will tell, but “wireless” is the buzz word surrounding it.

But will this be an iPod killer? I wouldn’t bet on it. Based on a post from MacRumors, this product, or products, is likely to be utilized much in the same way that Apple uses the iPod and iTunes music store. Obviously, Microsoft is pushing to get their own contracts for their service, whatever it might be.

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RDS compatible iPod transmitters

Caught word of this on Macworld and thought it was pretty nifty.  Do you own a car with a RDS compatible stereo?  Got an iPod?  This might be worth checking out.

Kensington’s new RDS FM Transmitter/Car Charger for iPod works with Radio Display System (RDS)-enabled car stereos. The $89.99 device transmits artist and song title information from the iPod to RDS-equipped car stereos. It’s expected to go on sale this month.

Like other FM transmitters for the iPod, the Kensington RDS FM Transmitter enables the iPod to transmit to your automobile’s stereo on an unused frequency. You can set three memory settings to tune into unused frequencies as you drive. The iPod LCD can be used to display station information.  [playlistmag]

Powered through your car’s cigarette lighter/power outlet and “works with any iPod that comes with a 30-pin dock connector except third-generation iPods.”

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If it’s metallic, lightning is attracted to it

There has been one of those warnings put out by medical researchers saying not to use iPods or cellphones during thunderstorms[guardian]. This makes complete and total sense, but is it really anything that we, as educated human beings, shouldn’t already know?

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — A teenager who was hit by lightning over the weekend talked about his close brush with death Thursday.

Jason Bunch was mowing the lawn and listening to his iPod at his home in Castle Rock in the 3200 block of Cherry Plum Way on Sunday when he was struck. […]

“From where the iPod was, it damaged my hearing and it ruptured my eardrums. Where the cord was, it burned me all down my body,” said Bunch. “We need to shave my head because my hair is like dreadlocks. It’s all sticking together.” [thedenverchannel]

Now there are couple other details to this that strikes me, no pun intended.

He was mowing the lawn in weather conditions where lightning was possible. It seems to me that the mower would have been the main thing saying, “Hey, lightning! Here I am!” However, since his ear buds were the highest point of contact, that’s where the strike made its entrance. Any part of his body touching the mower probably didn’t help much, but with the iPod on him, the bolt did it best to fry those components first before moving on.

With that being said, why is the focus here on the iPod? He was probably trying to mow as much of the lawn before the storm came in. Lots of people do it. It just seems that the story here is saying that if you have an iPod on while you frolic in the rain, you will be struck by lightning. Officials will admit that occurances of this is rare, but worthy of educating the public.

Millions of golfers from around the world are saying, “Tell me something I don’t know.”