Macenstein

Mauled by a Leopard

I was mauled by a Leopard yesterday, and while I somehow managed to survive his initial attack, he came back this morning to take another bite. Luckily I am a quick healer, so I am back to 90% health, but I urge anyone out there taking the Leopard upgrade for granted take a quick moment and listen to my tale. The sad story I admit I may have been lulled into a false sense of security by how smoothly my last four OS X updates went, and perhaps I should have been more prepared.... Read More

iPhone got an undocumented video boost with 1.1.1

iPhoneCode has posted a list of some of the undocumented features brought to the iPhone with the 1.1.1 Firmware update. There are a bunch of goodies in the report, some more useful than others. But one thing I found interesting is their claim that: “The iPhone can now playback H.264 video at throughput rates up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov... Read More

Apple, set .Mac free!

When Apple first launched OS X, they were in the unique position of being able to build an entire operating system from scratch. The ability to free themselves from legacy code and obsolete technologies allowed them to start fresh with one of the most solid and feature complete “Version 1.0′s” of any OS. As OS X has matured, it has become more and more apparent that Apple is running out of real “must-have” features that need to be added. This is... Read More

1Password is free, today only!

Agile Web Solutions is giving away copies of its acclaimed password managing software today only. Why would they do that? Well, apparently a new version of 1Password will be released in a few weeks, and Agile’s hope is you’ll enjoy using the current version so much that you’ll be tripping over yourself trying to purchase the upgrade when it comes out. Interesting theory. Let’s hope it works out for them. In any case, their faith in humanity is your gain!... Read More

Imitation is the sincerest form of imitating someone

Engadget Japan noticed something looked a tad familiar about the latest Sony DSC-T2 press pics. See if you can spot it. Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Brian for the tip!  Read More

Leopard: Still no FTP support? WTF?!

The early reviews of Mac OS X Leopard are coming in from those lucky enough to have been shipped a review copy, had their pre-order shipped early, or stolen downloaded a copy through the Torrents. And while these reports are all well and good, what matters most to us is what the faithful Macenstein readers have to say. One such faithful reader (and early Leopard adopter) The Hendry, was overall pleased with the release, but lamented to us that Leopard still sports one glaring... Read More

Review: WaterField’s iPhone / iPod Travel Case

Available in 6 colors and 3 sizes, the WaterField iPod/iPhone cases provide stylish (and pricey) travel protection for your gear. WaterField is quickly becoming one of my favorite iPhone case makers. I’m almost at the point now that I think I could tell a WaterField case from another manufacturer’s based solely on the quality of the stitching – these things are that well made. Their iPhone/iPod Travel Case is the latest offering I’ve had the pleasure of... Read More

Creating a rich man’s “poor man’s” Apple TV

Faithful Macenstein reader Phil writes: Hi Doc, I tried finding info on this on Google and all known mac forums, but have not found anything so far. I am wondering whether I can use Dot.Tunes to stream video to my iPod touch (they say I can: http://www.dottunes.net/ipod_touch.html) and then use the Apple composite cable to connect the touch to my TV, creating a poor man’s Apple TV. Do you know whether this is possible? Thank you, Phil Hey Phil, Well, first off, I wouldn’t... Read More

Minesweeper: The Movie

Although Microsoft couldn’t get its Halo movie made for budgetary reasons, thank God it looks like Minesweeper is a go! Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader ZIGGY for the link.  Read More

Review: Macally TunePro Flat Panel Stereo Speaker

Above: Not for ugly people… The TunePro’s mirrored panel looks as good as the room you have it in. Macally’s TunePro sports one of the cooler iPod speaker designs we’ve seen in awhile, and certainly the coolest in the iPod alarm clock category. The entire front of the nearly 14-inch long flat panel speaker is covered with a reflective plastic that doubles as a mirror which “pulses” along with the music. It gives off a kind of “rippling”... Read More