Macenstein

Apple’s love affair with Gorillaz

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Apple’s iTunes software has been downloaded by both Mac and PC users close to 500 million times. Starting last January, Apple added a new feature to the iTunes software called the iTunes MiniStore. The MiniStore is one of the first things every iTunes user sees when they first launch the software. Thanks to privacy issues, a small screen now pops up at the bottom of iTunes and you can choose whether or not you want the MiniStore to be visible. I... Read More

Apple uses Leopard Preview to take passive-aggressive shot at Microsoft

Posted by iGor Steve Jobs is truly a master at delivering jabs and Microsoft (or as he affectionately calls them, “Our friends in Redmond“). While some are subtle, others can be more direct. Remember when Apple hung up those WWDC banners this last year which read “Redmond, Start Your Photocopier”? That was pretty straightforward. Steve was flat out saying that Microsoft’s developers would try to steal as many features from Leopard as they could... Read More

Review: “One iPod Cable to Rule Them All”; SendStation’s PocketDock AV

Posted by Dr. Macenstein I’m one of those people who actively uses the “video” capabilities of my video iPod. I use it to watch TV shows, movies, photo slide shows, work presentations, you name it. In the car, at home, I’m an iPod video nut. My current solution is a $1.98 iPod cable I found on Amazon (although they charged me $12 shipping… should have read that more carefully). Well, they packed all 198 cents’ worth of quality into that cable.... Read More

Review: Newer Technology’s Mac Pro eSATA Extender Cable; The $25 way to add eSATA to your Mac Pro

Posted by Dr. Macenstein USB and FireWire are all well and good, but these days all the cool kids are talking about SATA. The Serial ATA protocol is the latest and (in theory) fastest way to hook up peripherals to your computer. With a theoretical transfer rate of 3.0 Gbit/second, SATA 300 drives are used inside every Mac Pro, and provide a degree of speed that was unheard of (or at least unaffordable) just a couple years ago. And these days more and more peripheral makers are... Read More

From the “We told you so” files: Universal security bugs discovered in Safari 3 beta

Posted by Dr. Macenstein When we first posted our conspiratorial thoughts on Apple’s motives for releasing the Safari 3 beta, our readers were extremely vocal. While many agreed with our theory that Apple was hoping the larger Windows hacker population would help find bugs and security holes in the Safari browser before the iPhone makes its debut next week, there were just as many who called us idiots. As faithful Macenstein reader Chris put it: “The holes that security... Read More

New iPod Game: Kaplan’s SAT PREP 2008

Posted by Helper Monkey The iPod has long been criticized by educators as a distraction in the classroom, but now it seems the iPod may actually be able to do a little teaching of its own. Kaplan, the famous test preparation company, has released KAPLAN SAT PREP 2008. The three part series of iPod games helps students prepare for the SAT in Math, Reading, and Writing. Games can be purchased individually for $4.99 a piece, or as a $14.97 bundle which includes all 3 modules (We’ll... Read More

Video: Randall Stephenson (Chairman and CEO of AT&T) on iPhone, AT&T’s new Video Share service, and AT&T’s evolution

Randall Stephenson, the new Chairman and CEO of AT&T, recently made his first public speech in his new position at NXTcomm in Chicago on June 19th. Randall touched on the iPhone, AT&T’s new Video Share service, and how AT&T will evolve in the coming years. Below is a video podcast of the event which showcases highlights from the speech.  Read More

Having a problem with the 10.4.10 update? Try booting in Safe Mode

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Just a day after the release of Apple’s 10.4.10 update, there are already a number of healthy threads  Read More

Apple posts Mac OS X Update v 10.4.10 (delta)

Posted by Dr. Macenstein Above: Marty DiBergi and I are wondering if this thing goes to eleven. From Apple’s Download page The 10.4.10 Update is recommended for PowerPC and Intel-based Mac computers currently running Mac OS X Tiger. This update includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes or compatibility updates for the following applications and technologies: The following improvements apply to both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs unless otherwise... Read More

SarcasticGamer takes on Microsoft’s Surface

SarcasticGamer.com has posted a hilarious re-edit of Microsoft’s “Surface” demo. While the Surface still is a pretty cool piece of technology, we think this commercial brilliantly points out that it is a pretty cool piece of technology looking for a realistic application. (Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Rowlings for the link). Enjoy.  Read More