Macenstein

Apple releases iTunes 7.1.1 update to fix library-destroying 7.1 update

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Apple today has responded to reports from users of lost or corrupted music libraries after installing last week’s iTunes 7.1 update by releasing iTunes 7.1.1. Apple claims the update “addresses a stability issue and minor compatibility problems in iTunes 7.1.” While those of us who recently lost our iTunes libraries and were forced to rebuild from backups may not consider those problems minor (I for one now have over 14,000 songs need... Read More

More info on the Elgato/Miglia split

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Elgato, makers of the stellar EyeTV PVR software for Mac, announced yesterday they had dissolved their partnership with hardware manufacturer Miglia, effective February 7th. Miglia produces a wide range of TV tuners for the Mac as well as the PC, including its TVMini HD, ad the TVBook Pro for mobile Mac users. Elgato says it will continue to support current Miglia hardware with EyeTV software updates. A source close to Miglia’s distribution channel... Read More

iTunes’ Dirty Little Secret: Not All Tracks Can Be Redownloaded

Posted by Dr. Macenstein [DISCLAIMER: I have added this disclaimer to the head of this article in hopes people will actually read it before posting comments. This article is not in any way bashing Apple, nor criticizing their generous redownloading policy. It is merely meant to point out what I see as a glitch in their system, and to serve as yet another warning to those folks who do not already backup their iTunes purchases.] We’ve all heard the horror stories of people... Read More

Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.4.9 and iPhoto 6.0.6

Posted by Lab Rat From Software Update: The 10.4.9 Update is recommended for PowerPC and Intel-based Mac computers currently running Mac OS X Tiger version 10.4.8 and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes or compatibility updates for the following applications and technologies: - RAW camera support - Handling of large or malformed images that could cause crashes - Image capture performance - Mouse scrolling and keyboard shortcuts - Font handling -... Read More

Review: DiskWarrior 4 by Alsoft

Posted by Dr. Macenstein It’s an unfortunate fact of life that the majority of people looking to buy a disk repair utility are doing so the day after a horrible hard drive crash. What’s even more shocking is when someone who has been covering the Mac industry as long as I have falls into this category. My story is simple. I bought a new Mac Pro last November, loaded it up with hard drives and moved some 80GB of music and videos to a drive specifically reserved for... Read More

New Steve Ballmer Silhouette Zune Ad

Posted by iGor The infamous September 2000 video of CEO Steve Ballmer going nuts at a Microsoft 25th anniversary pep rally will likely go down in tech history as one of the funniest pieces of video ever. At least around here, anyway. Well, the funniest just got funnier. Faithful Macenstein reader Andrew sent us this video from BoreMe.com where some industrious soul has taken Ballmer’s Disco freak-out and turned it into an iPod-like silhouette Zune ad. Really well done.... Read More

Apple TV gameplay confirmed?

Posted by Helper Monkey The good folks over at MacScoop have poked around the latest iTunes update and come up with some pretty convincing evidence of gameplay functionality in the upcoming Apple TV. Rumors have predicted that Apple TV would have some game playing capability, and it now appears that will be the case. Odds are, since iTunes is apparently being used to sync the games with the Apple TV, the games available will include those currently offered via the iTunes store... Read More

Everyone’s (least) favorite Howard Stern Wackpacker, Eric the Midget Widget

Fans of Howard Stern’s radio show need no introduction to Eric the Midget, the diminutive frequent caller to the show and reluctant member of Stern’s Wackpack. Despite his size, he’s quickly grown (sorry) to become the Wackpacker you love to hate (or just plain hate to hate). Well, for the 2 of you out there who can’t get enough of Eric… behold! The Eric the Midget Dashboard Widget, appropriately entitled, “Eric the Widget“, by Justin... Read More

Apple updates iTunes and QuickTime

Posted by Helper Monkey Apple today released point updates for both iTunes 7 and QuickTime 7. The QuickTime update (7.1.5) contains numerous bug fixes as well as some security fixes which Apple deems “critical“. The iTunes update (7.1) adds support of Apple TV and a new full screen Cover Flow view, as well as improved song sorting options. The updates are available via software update, or by clicking here: QuickTime 7.1.5, iTunes 7.1.  Read More

HandBrake and MediaFork are once again one and the same

Posted by Dr. Macenstein HandBrake, everyone’s favorite free DVD to MPEG-4 ripping application (despite having the worst icon ever) announced yesterday that it has re-joined forces with with MediaFork, the multi-platform DVD ripper that spun off during HandBrake’s early development. No word on why we should be excited, but the folks over at HandBrake seem to be, so that’s good enough for us! Something we all SHOULD get excited about, HOWEVER, is they have... Read More