Apple post SuperDrive Firmware Update 2.1
Thursday, June 28, 2007
If you own any of the MacBook or MacBook Pro models listed below, then head on over to the Apple Download here and update the firmware on your SuperDrive. It is said to improve readability of certain CD media, so can only be a good thing. The download weighs in at 12MB and should show up in Software Update, but can also be downloaded and applied separately by clicking our link above.I installed the update this morning, which went fine and took about two minutes.
System Requirements;
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later
- MacBook Pro Core Duo (15 -inch 1.83GHz, 2.0GHz, or 2.16GHz)
- MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (15 -inch 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz)
- MacBook Core Duo (13 -inch 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz)
- MacBook Core 2 Duo (13 -inch 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz)
Labels: Mac Software
Pentax launch K100D Super digital SLR
Pentax have launched the K100D Super, by way of an update to its entry level model. The K100D Super adds their Dust Removal system, which was previously only available in their higher end models. This model features a 6.1 megapixel sensor, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and is compatible with all Pentax SLR lenses. The kit complete with 18-55mm zoom lens will come in at under $600, available around August.Labels: Digital Photography
Extensis X1 update for InDesign CS3
Extensis have released an updated plug-in for use with their Suitcase Server X1 Client and Adobe InDesign CS3. The updated plug-in can be downloaded here.Labels: Mac Software
Miglia Dialog+ - handy for Skype & iChat
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
When Skype first hit the scene, manufacturers jumped on board with handsets that resembled regular phones. They were tethered to your computer by a wire, so not very friendly, other than making the user feel more at home by holding something up to their ear. Then came the advent of cordless handsets, followed by wifi enabled units, then dual purpose models that could make regular calls, as well as Skype based calls. Somewhere in between they slipped some totally useless Windows Live handsets in, thanks Philips.Miglia have produced something a little different, with their Dialog+ handset, by making something that will appeal to both the Mac and PC markets. The Dialog+ offers the ability to make wireless Skype calls, compatible with both the Mac and PC. For Mac users they have also built in iChat AV capability. So with the press of a button, you can use this for your iChat contacts too.
In the box you get the handset itself, which is supplied with three AAA batteries. These charge by attaching the handset with the supplied USB cable. To get the Dialog+ to communicate with your Mac or PC you need to install some drivers and attach a USB dongle, which offers a range of up to 25 metres. It is a shame this does not use Bluetooth to connect. I personally hate USB dongles, but I suppose I can forgive Miglia for this. Once the drivers are installed, you need to adjust a few sound settings, connect the handset wirelessly to the dongle, and you are good to go.
You can control Skype and iChat in the normal way using your computer screen, then just use the Dialog+ to have the conversation. The main strength of this product is the ability to sit away from your computer and use it as a normal phone. You have buttons to access your Skype or iChat contacts, plus another one for call history. As long as you are signed into the relevant account on your computer, you can sit back and make calls from the comfort of your sofa.
In my tests, I found that the range was pretty good, I could get about 22 metres before things got a little choppy. The voice quality was pretty darn good, I could hear who I was talking to very clearly, and my guinea pig callers commented on how clear my voice sounded at their end.
The user interface is pretty good and the blue backlit screen is nice too, nothing fancy, but very functional.
In summary, I can recommend the Dialog+ to anyone who uses Skype and iChat a lot. It makes them more accessible and you will find that you use the services a lot more. The handset is well made and the low price makes the Dialog+ fantastic value for money.
Product: Dialog+
Price: £43.00
Supplied by: Miglia
Contact: +44 (0)1442 827222
Labels: Mac Peripherals, PC Peripherals
iPhone Tariffs Ahoy!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Well, the monthly cost for the iPhone is finally online, and whilst not cheap (compared to what UK users tend to spend) it is not too bad. I suppose it is all relative though, with US wages tending to be better than in the UK. So hop on board and let us know how well things go on the 29th.Labels: Apple iPhone
Bluetooth Texter Widget
I stumbled across this neat little Widget on the Apple Website. Bluetooth Texter is a freeware widget from Happymaking Games. It basically allows you to type in a message, select a mobile phone number, connect to your bluetooth mobile phone and send the message via your mobile. This is great, as typing in on a regular keyboard is so much quicker. Give it a try, it is available to download here.Labels: Mac Software
Iomega launch new portable and eSata Pro Hard Drives
Iomega Corporation today introduced two exciting new choices in portable and desktop storage: the stylish Iomega® eGo™ USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive and the speedy Iomega® eSATA/USB 2.0 Professional Hard Drive.Iomega’s Latest Portable Hard Drive
The Iomega® eGo™ Portable Hard Drive USB 2.0 is a fast and fun notebook hard drive that delivers on form and function. Iomega’s new eGo Drive has an elegantly curved chassis with the choice of two colors – cherry-red or burnished gray – and chrome endcaps that sets it apart from other portable hard drives. With the new eGo Drive, Iomega introduces flair and panache to the HDD market, something rarely seen in any competitor’s product. The eGo Drive also packs a lot of storage capability – the 160GB* 2.5-inch drive is USB-powered for simple operation (no power supply required), and it comes with EMC® Retrospect® HD software for automatic backups, scheduled backups, or on-demand backups. DropGuard™ technology protects the drive from accidental damage caused by drops of up to 51 inches so users can carry up to 640,000 photos, over 2,900 hours of music or 240 hours of video** with confidence.
“The Iomega eGo Portable Hard Drive calls attention to itself with its beautiful red contoured case, while its automatic backup software works transparently to protect your digital life,” said Peter Wharton, Vice President, Marketing, Iomega Corporation. “The eGo Drive gives users a high capacity portable hard drive as well as a fashion statement that says they’re different than all the rest.”
Iomega’s Latest eSATA External Hard Drive
Also announced today is the Iomega® eSATA/USB 2.0 Professional Hard Drive, a slender silver hard drive that uses the new 3 Gbit/second eSATA interface for the fastest possible access to its 500GB storage capacity. Its high performance makes it a perfect match for the demands of advanced graphics software, video editing applications, and small server or network environments. This Iomega eSATA Professional Hard Drive also comes with award-winning EMC Retrospect Express software for automatic backups, scheduled backups, or on-demand backups, as well as other advanced features. For computers that do not have an eSATA interface (PCI eSATA cards are available separately), the USB 2.0 interface offers a universally popular alternative.
“Iomega’s new 500GB eSATA Professional Hard Drive combines blazing speed with high capacity and an industrial design that’s rugged and futuristic,” said Wharton. “In today’s data-intensive world, both of Iomega’s new external hard drives dispense with boring design and give users an eye-catching excuse to focus on safeguarding their digital files.”
Compatibility
Both drives are compatible with Microsoft® Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home/XP Professional/XP Professional x64, and Windows Vista™. The eGo Portable Hard Drive is compatible with Mac OS X 10.1.5 or above; the Professional Hard Drive eSATA is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 or above.
The eSATA/USB 2.0 Professional Hard Drive requires a system with an eSATA interface for operation as an eSATA drive (PCI eSATA card not included).
Price and Availability
The Iomega® 160GB eGo™ Portable Hard Drive USB 2.0 is now available for 139.00 Euro VAT included. The Iomega® eSATA/USB 2.0 500GB Professional Hard Drive is also now available for 179.00 Euro VAT included. Both products are available from online retailers, VARs, resellers and select retailers, as well as at www.iomega.com.
Labels: Mac Peripherals, PC Peripherals
Burnout Paradise - coming Winter 07
Electronic Arts Inc., are bringing a revolutionary new Burnout™ videogame (currently in development) to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360™ systems. Players will be able to take their dangerous driving experience to a whole new level when Burnout™ Paradise is unleashed this winter.Burnout Paradise proves that crashing is awesome! Next generation technology has enabled an unprecedented level of crash deformation allowing you to experience the most explosive pile-ups in the series’ history. Now the development team can realise their original vision for the Burnout franchise: an open world environment where you can do anything, anywhere, anytime!
“We have been working towards Burnout Paradise for quite some time. Next generation consoles have opened up a raft of new gameplay opportunities and the Criterion team has leapt at the chance to innovate and raise the bar to an all-new high,” said Pete Hawley, Executive Producer, Burnout Paradise. “There are going to be some big surprises and a lot of new features but the core of the game is still pure Burnout. Instant accessibility will be reinforced by innovative on-line capabilities which will see Burnout Paradise smash racing conventions.’’
Burnout Paradise will ship under the EA™ brand and is developed by EA’s Criterion Studio in Guildford, UK.
Labels: Gaming
Gear4 HouseParty 24/7 Review
Friday, June 22, 2007
When I get sent a product to review, I normally like to test it for a really good length of time, but when Gear4 sent me their HouseParty 24/7 to check out, I had to break that rule, read on to find out why.The HouseParty 24/7 is available in black or white and is a compact speaker dock system, with lots of added functionality. When I say compact, it is by no means tiny, but the design has really been well thought out. About the size of a double height regular clock radio, the 24/7 boasts two nice speakers in the front and a downwards firing bass unit. The front on the unit also has a nice blue LED display for the time, mode you are in, alarms, and frequency of the radio station you are listening to. The top of the unit houses the well laid out buttons and the dock for your iPod. I guess that brief description really gives the game away about what the 24/7 actually offers. To recap, you get an iPod speaker system, clock, alarm clock and an AM/FM radio.
Supplied with the unit are six different size dock adapters. These allow the unit to accommodate every iPod that sports a dock connector, including the 4th, 5th & 6th generation full size iPod, the Mini, Photo, and Nano. Gear4 also supply a slimline remote to control the unit, the iPod and alarms etc. The remote is nothing to shout about, but it does get the job done. You also get external FM and AM aerials, which improve the radio reception a great deal. Whilst on the subject of the radio, reception is really good and easy to tune and store presets.
Sound quality is not of great importance for an alarm clock, but is if you plan to use the 24/7 for regular listening too. I am happy to say that this little unit really does deliver nice quality sound. The 2.1 speaker system creates a nice warm sound, with some real oomph in the bass department. Well done Gear4, this unit really does sound good for both radio and iPod playback.
Unlike some other speaker units, I really like the way this one interacts with my iPod. Whilst testing with my 5th Gen, it charges the unit whilst in use (or switched on). When the 24/7 is turned off, the power is not sent to the dock connector, so the iPod (and its screen) switches off. Other speaker units I have tested keep charging the iPod even whilst switched off, so the iPod screen remains on (not ideal). Thankfully, the 24/7 addresses this matter.
In summary, the HouseParty 24/7 offers great music reproduction. It allows you to wake up to the radio or your iPod, all from the one unit. Both the build and sound quality are brilliant, and well worth the asking price. This review was brought to you so quickly because the HouseParty 24/7 simply is soooooo good.
Product: Gear4 HouseParty 24/7
Price: £99.99
Supplied by: Gear4
Contact: info@gear4.com
Labels: Apple iPod, Reviews
Traps Drums - Big Sound… Small Package
When I was given the task of finding an alternative product to interest our valued readers, one that would take them outside the norm, that would ease the RSI, and offer some fun and exercise at the same time… I must admit that I was stumped. It is a foregone conclusion that a lot of the population surf the net, and when they are not surfing they are watching TV. On top of this, for maybe eight hours of the day they are staring at a computer screen.
Then I stumbled upon a website by Traps Drums, offering a portable drum kit, with a full-size sound. I am not sure why, but it caught my attention, probably because I had always wanted a drum kit as a kid, but never got one. So, a few phone calls later and the kind guys at Alchemy Engineering (the manufacturers) sent me an A400 kit to play with.The whole kit was delivered in one compact box, and my initial reaction was that there was no way this was going to deliver on its promises. The A400 kit consists of tubular frames, that fit together with plastic sleeve clamps. Everything looks a bit confusing, as there are so many parts, and the instructions are a bit hard to see, due to having black and white illustrations. This is something that Traps are working on, so new kits should come with clearer instructions from mid-July.
That said, putting the kit together is pretty straightforward, if you take things one step at a time, there is only a certain way that the parts can fit together.Once the frame is up and the kick bass drum in place, the remaining toms and cymbals all clamp firmly in place. As standard the kit comes with a 12-inch snare drum, 10, 12 & 14-inch Toms, a 20-inch kick (bass) drum, 13-inch hi hat cymbals, 14-inch crash cymbal, 18-inch crash ride cymbal, two pedals, a stool and drum sticks. It is pretty conclusive that you do not need anything else to get started.
Before I move onto the performance, I must emphasize that the A400 kit is of a very high build quality. Everything fits together perfectly and oozes a perfect finish. The stool is a little flimsy, with the mount nut needing to be tightened every now and again, but apart from that you couldn't ask for much more. You also get Remo heads on this kit, with the traditional multi screw tuning system, just like on full size kits. This is superb, as it allows you to individually tune each drum for that perfect sound. It also allows for new heads should you need to replace them in the future.
Now, I have played around on a Yamaha HipGig kit (around £700) before and I thought that there was no way that the A400 Traps would sound anything like them, after all, they take up half the space and cost almost half the price. To say I was astounded is really an understatement, the sound was full, accurate, and the responsiveness of the heads was great. Close your eyes and listen to the Traps and you really could not tell the difference… well maybe a little, but it is certainly not a worse or better sound in comparison to a full size kit.
Traps also supply bags for the A400, allowing you to easily transport the A400 to a gig, which is really useful. No need for a small transit with this kit ! You can also customise and add to the A400 with an extra 8-inch Tom, and move things around on the rack to get everything perfectly positioned for your individual style.
My suggestion to you all… get away from that screen for a while and use your creativity to learn to play the drums, you will love it. To all you budding musicians, the A400 kit is very compact and sounds great, so put it at the top of your list. Finally, to any readers who currently play the drums… if you need something compact, that still sounds great, either for gigging or for practicing at home, then the A400 will deliver all you could want, plus much more. The attention to detail, the build quality and sound, not to mention to superb aftersales support, all adds up to a stunningly good package.Product: Traps A400 Drum Kit
Price: £299-£325
Supplied by: Alchemy Engineering Design Ltd
Contact: +44 (0)1202 476027
Email: support@trapsdrums.com
Keep your kit Crisp n Dry with Overboard
A little bit late for Glastonbury this year, but what the heck, the great British summertime is upon us, so we are bound to get wet one way or another. If you take part in any type of water sport, or just fancy walking around the rainy UK, then the products sent to me by OverBoard may well be of interest to you.
OverBoard make a range of waterproof technology cases for a whole range of items. Varying in size and shape for mobile phones, cameras, iPod, handheld games consoles and the like. They use what is referred to as a Slide Seal System™ which really does seal the item in the bag, so it is nice and safe. The small waterproof phone case that I tested with my beloved K800i is a perfect fit. 
The phone pops into the case, then the top closes together over two sliders, which you push towards the centre of the case to seal your prized possession. Once inside, I bravely put my K800i into a bowl of water, dunked it about a bit, pulled it out and dried the case off. I can honestly say, that no water entered into the case at all… very impressive. According to the specification, you can get away with up to 6m of water, so if you did accidentally drop your kit into the swimming pool, it should remain nice and dry. Apart from water, the case also protects against dirt, sand and dust. It is also supplied with a neck lanyard, which securely clips onto the case.
I also had a 15 litre Dry Flat Bag to test, which measures 35cm by 37cm and holds a lot more kit. It has an adjustable shoulder strap for comfortably carrying around, and when not in use it packs down to a nice compact size. The Dry Flat Bag is a different prospect, and is not a submersible bag. Instead, if it is dropped into water it floats. Again, out came some of my trusty gadgets, a camera, iPod, mobile phone and a rain jacket. All fitted in with no problem, and ten minutes later I had a bath full of water to drop the bag into. Sure enough it floated, and when I checked the contents all was fine and dandy.
The OverBoard range has highly impressed me. The design is nice and clean, with a modern touch. Most importantly, the product works, doing exactly what the manufacturer claims. Another massive plus point is the price, which has been kept very low, so the whole range certainly offers excellent value for money. If you want to protect your kit, then I urge you to check out the range at www.over-board.co.uk and get yourself protected !
Product: OverBoard Small Waterproof Phone Case
Price: £14.99
Product: OverBoard 15 ltr Dry Flat Bag
Price: £17.49
Supplied by: OverBoard Accessories Ltd
Contact: +44 (0)1932 232126
Labels: Apple iPod, Digital Photography, Gadgets, Reviews
KDE 4 news: Plasma icons, plus more
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Plasma introduced interactive icons, Solid now takes over the media, and the first taskbar mockups have been revealed.via liquidat read more | digg story
Labels: Linux News
Users strike back against corporate customer service
Unhappy about making 10 phone calls to customer service only to have problems go unsolved, consumers are increasingly adopting sneaky tactics to get their problems solved. Small claims court, it turns out, is a wonderful resource.via arstechnica.com read more | digg story
Labels: General News
MetroLite - nice carriage for your laptop !
Brenthaven has launched its MetroLite range, a selection of laptop shoulder bags perfect for the professional market. Now 17% lighter, the MetroLite range are sleek, lightweight cases with a patent-pending CORE Protection System that protects the screen from impact throughout. At just £49.95 it comes in green and black and fits laptops from 12-inches to 15.4-inches.The MetroLite range is a protective yet extra light solution for anyone who travels with their computer, it has improved handles and ergonomic padded shoulder strap to balance weight comfortably. It includes a front organiser pocket, which is a perfect fit for your iPod, PDA or mobile phone. Brenthaven has included an innovative grommet and storage pocket for headphones or a mobile phone headset plus an AC Adaptor pocket with easy access. A back slip pocket is built in for all your loose paperwork or newspapers. The MetroLite range even incorporates a soft faux-suede lining.
Labels: Mac Peripherals
Apple Updates - New iPhone Gallery
With only days away from the iPhone launch, we must remind ourselves not to get tired of the news. After all, this is going to be one of the biggest products launches for Apple in a long time. They have updated their iPhone pages with a snazzy new gallery, showing this little darling in various poses, complete with dock. Check out the new gallery here.Labels: Apple iPhone
Griffin TuneJuice 2 Review
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
If you use your iPod a lot and would like to extend its playback time a little, then you really should check out the TuneJuice 2 from Griffin Technology. The simplest ideas are often the best, and this little device takes standard AAA batteries, then connects to any iPod with a dock connector. It is available in the US for $29.99 and in the UK the average price is around £10. It is well made and comes highly recommended. Check out the video review below… oh, and enjoy the pout at the start of the video :-)Product: TuneJuice 2
Price: $29.99 (US)
Average UK Price: £9.99
Supplied by: Griffin Technology
Labels: Apple iPod, Reviews
Cocktail 3.8 released - look after your Mac
Cocktail… the popular maintenance utility for your Mac has just been upgraded to version 3.8. This new version has an improved interface and some addition features, such as being enabling and disabling spotlight searches for certain disks. A demo of the application is available and the full version costs $15.Labels: Mac Software
Apple Improves iPhone Specs for June 29
Monday, June 18, 2007
Apple today announced that iPhone™ will deliver significantly longer battery life when it ships on June 29 than was originally estimated when iPhone was unveiled in January. iPhone will feature up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback or 24 hours of audio playback.* In addition, iPhone will feature up to 250 hours—more than 10 days—of standby time. Apple also announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its stunning 3.5-inch display, has been upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.“With 8 hours of talk time, and 24 hours of audio playback, iPhone’s battery life is longer than any other ‘Smartphone’ and even longer than most MP3 players,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also upgraded iPhone’s entire top surface from plastic to optical-quality glass for superior scratch resistance and clarity. There has never been a phone like iPhone, and we can't wait to get this truly magical product into the hands of customers starting just 11 days from today.”
Read the full press release here.
Labels: Apple News
Apple UK open new shop in PC World
This came as a surprise to me, but news has appeared on Apple's website detailing a new shop they have opened within PC World at Enfield, Middlesex, UK. My previous experiences with buying Apple kit from a PC World has left a lot to be desired, so this news is very welcome. The page on the Apple website explains how the full range of desktops and laptops are on display, with regular demonstrations of the kit and related software. Good move, let us hope this helps to spread the word.Labels: Apple News
Wacom Bamboo Graphics Tablet Review
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Wacom Bamboo is a pen driven graphics tablet aimed at the consumer market, but like the professional Intuos product line, really oozes oodles of quality. Straight from the box, you can see that this compact sized tablet is well made and will be a lot more useful than just signing the odd document.The active area of the Bamboo is just under A5 size, and above the active area are four customisable ExpressKeys, to which you can assign various functions. There is also a rather cool looking TouchRing for zooming into and scrolling around documents. The supplied pen offers 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, has a double switch rocker button and an eraser tip.
Where the Intuos tablet from Wacom is aimed at the graphic design professional, the Bamboo has been designed with the regu