In December of 2014 I accidentally spilled some beverage (was it lemonade coconut water?) onto my MacBook Pro (that I'd owned since 2008-2009) and it no longer would work. After a visit at the Genius bar they said it was unfixable. I was on vacation in Florida so I had to have a new laptop to entertain myself for those two weeks alone. Enter the MacBook Air.
I got the 11" model because it's so small and adorable, and a lot cheaper too natch. I bought a little orange skin/case for it to help deter any harsh impacts. It's worked wonderfully ever since I bought it. Convenient, accessible and on-task. I couldn't be happier.
And so light you can put it in your large purse or workbag without a second thought. I can still view Netflix, Amazon Instant or YouTube videos without trouble because the landscape monitor is very high quality.
Although I still miss my very first MacBook Pro, I do have another replacement and this lovely Air to play with.
I've actually left my Lenovo Gaming laptop by the wayside because it's so huge, bulky and the track pad so glitchy and inconvenient to use.
Showing posts with label apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apple. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Monday, June 6, 2011
iOS 5
Today Steve Jobs and the Apple team released info about the upcoming iOS 5 update.
The best source for concise info about what the new OS will do is from Mobile Crunch (Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5).
The biggest deal for many seems to be the addition of notifications, and missed notifications on the lock screen that allow you to swipe directly to the pertinent app. Apparently many folks felt this was a major issue on the Apple vs. Android battlefield.
I'm personally more interested in the newsstand portion of iBooks, where your subscriptions to magazines will now appear.
Many folks were also stoked to hear about the reading list option. From Safari, you can now add items to a reading list which will showcase your articles in a "prettied up" version. Sort of like your very own magazine or newspaper.
Reminders, the way I understand it, is the least useful change for me personally. I already have reminders popping up from my calendar, which I've synced to Google Calendar for years now.
One thing that is interesting is the photo shortcut from the lock screen. This makes capturing spontaneous shots easier, faster, and better. They say the camera's improved as well with this latest software update. This is probably aimed at higher-pixel camera phones coming out daily nowadays.
The thumb keyboard cracks me up. It's the keyboard separated into two areas, one on the left margin and one on the right margin.
The "PC Free" concept is pretty much, yes very, a huge deal, since we've all been tethered to laptops and desktops indefinitely for iPhone and iPad updates and syncing...and let's not even bring up iTunes syncing *shiver* The Wireless synch to iTunes and the iPad mirroring are nice add-ons that make a difference without much effort from the user.
Twitter is now better integrated, and iMessages promises stealth and speed when sharing between users--not something earthshaking since I don't really use my IM app of choice (eBuddy) all that much anymore, nor IM in general. And I doubt this is that relevant for most, since they're anyway used to texting.
I am very excited that this latest iOS update brings with it so much functionality, that I can barely contain myself to run home and plug in the little buggers to see how it all applies to the particular models of devices I own (iPad 2 and iPhone 3GS).
If anything interesting happens once I update, I'll be sure to follow up with a post.
Cheers and happy iOS-ing. Of course, we have to wait until the fall, but what's a couple of months!
The best source for concise info about what the new OS will do is from Mobile Crunch (Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5).
The biggest deal for many seems to be the addition of notifications, and missed notifications on the lock screen that allow you to swipe directly to the pertinent app. Apparently many folks felt this was a major issue on the Apple vs. Android battlefield.
I'm personally more interested in the newsstand portion of iBooks, where your subscriptions to magazines will now appear.
Many folks were also stoked to hear about the reading list option. From Safari, you can now add items to a reading list which will showcase your articles in a "prettied up" version. Sort of like your very own magazine or newspaper.
Reminders, the way I understand it, is the least useful change for me personally. I already have reminders popping up from my calendar, which I've synced to Google Calendar for years now.
One thing that is interesting is the photo shortcut from the lock screen. This makes capturing spontaneous shots easier, faster, and better. They say the camera's improved as well with this latest software update. This is probably aimed at higher-pixel camera phones coming out daily nowadays.
The thumb keyboard cracks me up. It's the keyboard separated into two areas, one on the left margin and one on the right margin.
The "PC Free" concept is pretty much, yes very, a huge deal, since we've all been tethered to laptops and desktops indefinitely for iPhone and iPad updates and syncing...and let's not even bring up iTunes syncing *shiver* The Wireless synch to iTunes and the iPad mirroring are nice add-ons that make a difference without much effort from the user.
Twitter is now better integrated, and iMessages promises stealth and speed when sharing between users--not something earthshaking since I don't really use my IM app of choice (eBuddy) all that much anymore, nor IM in general. And I doubt this is that relevant for most, since they're anyway used to texting.
I am very excited that this latest iOS update brings with it so much functionality, that I can barely contain myself to run home and plug in the little buggers to see how it all applies to the particular models of devices I own (iPad 2 and iPhone 3GS).
If anything interesting happens once I update, I'll be sure to follow up with a post.
Cheers and happy iOS-ing. Of course, we have to wait until the fall, but what's a couple of months!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I Got an iPad!!
The significant-other unit talked a lot about getting me an iPad 2 for my birthday, but ordered it in such a way that it got to me about three weeks after the fact. Which is no big deal!
I had a day scheduled as a work-from-home day on which I could sign for the delivery before the UPS guy sent it back.
I have been having a blast surfing, listening to music, and reading on my new iPad. My only regret is that it doesn't save attachments. I can't imagine why. Since I have attachments I need to send to my Dropbox. I need to identify a way to possibly email my attachments to Dropbox directly.
Otherwise, the screen, the weight, the apps, everything is peachy. Just how I love it.
Here's some images I've captured thus far, and I will be adding more as I find new neat things to save/share.
I had a day scheduled as a work-from-home day on which I could sign for the delivery before the UPS guy sent it back.
I have been having a blast surfing, listening to music, and reading on my new iPad. My only regret is that it doesn't save attachments. I can't imagine why. Since I have attachments I need to send to my Dropbox. I need to identify a way to possibly email my attachments to Dropbox directly.
Otherwise, the screen, the weight, the apps, everything is peachy. Just how I love it.
Here's some images I've captured thus far, and I will be adding more as I find new neat things to save/share.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
New Favorite: InCase Neoprene Sleeve
I don't take my MacBook Pro out often, and usually only for a rare work or business travel appearance. However, when I do take my lil buddy out, I don't want it to slip out of my grasp or get knocked about.
So today, since I was already at the Apple store to visit the Genius bar, I went ahead and took a look at the neoprene cases they had on display.
I saw they had the plain black one from InCase--a brand I'm already acquainted with as I've bough a number of rubberized iPhone cases over the past three years from them.
The InCase Neoprene Sleeve Plus case is simple black neoprene, but the surprise is the furry white lining that helps cushion your little aluminum cased jewel.
At $39.95 this is not bad at all, when you consider you pay the same price for a little rubber case for an iPhone (!).
On the InCase website there are a number of solid colors as well as color combinations to choose from.
The zipper is uber smooth and the zipper pulls are rubberized to prevent slippage. They're also big enough to help both small hands and large hands get a sturdy fix on them to pull.
This is a great investment for my little MacBook, and it makes carrying it, a non-slipping good bet.
So today, since I was already at the Apple store to visit the Genius bar, I went ahead and took a look at the neoprene cases they had on display.
I saw they had the plain black one from InCase--a brand I'm already acquainted with as I've bough a number of rubberized iPhone cases over the past three years from them.
 |
| image from InCase website |
The InCase Neoprene Sleeve Plus case is simple black neoprene, but the surprise is the furry white lining that helps cushion your little aluminum cased jewel.
At $39.95 this is not bad at all, when you consider you pay the same price for a little rubber case for an iPhone (!).
 |
| image from InCase website |
The zipper is uber smooth and the zipper pulls are rubberized to prevent slippage. They're also big enough to help both small hands and large hands get a sturdy fix on them to pull.
This is a great investment for my little MacBook, and it makes carrying it, a non-slipping good bet.
Learn: Secure Delete Trash in OS X
I had this weird thing happen to my MacBook Pro OSX+ over the last month: everything I put in the trash bin would refuse to budge when I was trying to clear it out.
I finally decided yesterday to visit an Apple store Genius and finally we figured out what it was. I had selected secure delete from the Finder > Preferences > Advanced > Empty Trash Securely
Apparently, when you're deleting securely it takes way longer to delete as it's really scrubbing stuff out. If you delete say five things at a time, it's all groovy. If you have, say 2,000 items *ahem* it just doesn't budge.
Better delete securely a little at a time or just take the secure checkmark off and just do a regular delete.
This was so simple I almost smacked my forehead. Thank Mr. Genius guy!
I finally decided yesterday to visit an Apple store Genius and finally we figured out what it was. I had selected secure delete from the Finder > Preferences > Advanced > Empty Trash Securely
Apparently, when you're deleting securely it takes way longer to delete as it's really scrubbing stuff out. If you delete say five things at a time, it's all groovy. If you have, say 2,000 items *ahem* it just doesn't budge.
Better delete securely a little at a time or just take the secure checkmark off and just do a regular delete.
This was so simple I almost smacked my forehead. Thank Mr. Genius guy!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
iOS 4.3
Friday was the official rollout of iOS 4.3 to all iPhones (3Gs and above) and iPads.
According to the Apple OS update page, the benefits are mostly for iPhone 4 users:
The Naperville, Illinois Apple store reported a line so long down Jefferson Avenue, that it bent around the corner where the Eddie Bauer store is (Crowds Come Out to Naperville Apple Store for New iPad 2) located.
I even read somewhere that they offered customers in line a free Starbucks drink, since the line and wait were so long.
After a few hours of sales, Apple officially reduced the shipping time wait for a new iPad 2 to 2-3 weeks, according to an update by ZDNet.
So...did you get yours yet? Are you going for an iPad 1 because it's much cheaper now? Or are you favoring an Android tablet?
According to the Apple OS update page, the benefits are mostly for iPhone 4 users:
- personal hotspot for up to five devices
- iTunes home sharing
- new AirPlay features
- faster Safari performance via the newfangled Apple Nitro JavaScrip engine
- HD video via Apple's Digital AV Adapter
- Ping features
- new settings for message alerts
- single-tap conference calling pause
- and a number of bug fixes
The Naperville, Illinois Apple store reported a line so long down Jefferson Avenue, that it bent around the corner where the Eddie Bauer store is (Crowds Come Out to Naperville Apple Store for New iPad 2) located.
I even read somewhere that they offered customers in line a free Starbucks drink, since the line and wait were so long.
After a few hours of sales, Apple officially reduced the shipping time wait for a new iPad 2 to 2-3 weeks, according to an update by ZDNet.
So...did you get yours yet? Are you going for an iPad 1 because it's much cheaper now? Or are you favoring an Android tablet?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
iPad 2
Today was the greatly anticipated Apple iPad 2 keynote. I was able to follow along by reading Endgadget.com's great live blogging page.
It looks like the iOS update, 4.3, will be out March 11--when I believe the new iPad will come out.
It looks like the iOS update, 4.3, will be out March 11--when I believe the new iPad will come out.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Apps and Electronic Subscriptions, Oh My!
Apple announced subscription rules for electronic publishers on Tuesday (Apple Launches Subscriptions on the App Store), saying it will keep 30% of subscription profits. Google immediately followed up on Wednesday (A simple way for publishers to manage access to digital content) with their own rules: you get to keep 90% of your tablet subscription profits.
To say that Apple's statement stirred up some healthy discourse and controversy, would be an understatement (Apple’s Big Subscription Bet: Brilliant, Brazen, Or Batsh*t Crazy?). Twitter and blogs alike lit up like Christmas trees with criticism and analysis.
Obviously, Apple is trying to place a structure in place that will create revenue for all involved, and since it's the creator of the system, it wants to get its fair share. Yes?
If you are an app programmer/publisher, which team would you be on? Door number one: the Apple team that is building something to last, and that creates some revenue for you, or door number two: the team that wants to get traffic and quantity and will get you more moolah.
And if you are an app creator negotiating with a publisher, wouldn't you like to know there's a difference in what you can take home and what you gotta give up?
I'm going to keep an eye on this and see what comes out of it.
To say that Apple's statement stirred up some healthy discourse and controversy, would be an understatement (Apple’s Big Subscription Bet: Brilliant, Brazen, Or Batsh*t Crazy?). Twitter and blogs alike lit up like Christmas trees with criticism and analysis.
Obviously, Apple is trying to place a structure in place that will create revenue for all involved, and since it's the creator of the system, it wants to get its fair share. Yes?
If you are an app programmer/publisher, which team would you be on? Door number one: the Apple team that is building something to last, and that creates some revenue for you, or door number two: the team that wants to get traffic and quantity and will get you more moolah.
And if you are an app creator negotiating with a publisher, wouldn't you like to know there's a difference in what you can take home and what you gotta give up?
I'm going to keep an eye on this and see what comes out of it.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
To iPad or Not to iPad? A Decision By the Numbers
Many business people are dragging around their little iPads lately. Showoffs they are.
I see them at meetings, on the plane. The little case or portfolio that they use allows them to have them at an incline on a table to easily view and type on the cornea display.
Some say that an iPad's more convenient than a laptop...it's lighter, you can access almost any document pending you have the right app, and they're very portable. Alternatively, of course, there is the Mac AirBook...
Options, Options
So what are the options if you're also considering an iPad as part of your mobile toolset?
First of all, you need to decide whether you want the Wi-Fi model, or you want to spring for the more expensive 3G and the required data plan.
According to the Apple iPad page, the Wi-Fi model come in these flavors:
Wi-Fi vs. Data Plan
Wi-Fi models can survive munching off free Wi-Fi from Starbucks, some hotels, and other generous locales. Meanwhile, the 3G will only work wherever the 3G network extends to. But there's also a third option: using the Wi-Fi model with a Mi-Fi card. A Mi-Fi is an intelligent mobile hot spot you can use for a laptop, a tablet, your Wi-Fi enabled smart phone, and more.
When it comes to iPad service providers, you have AT&T and Verizon. I looked at Verizon's iPad page first because they're the recent partners and may have some exciting propositions to compete against old hat AT&T.
The Verizon Proposition
I was surprised to learn that the Verizon iPad page offers only a Wi-Fi version of the iPad (all three memory size offerings) bundled with a Mi-Fi 2200 mobile hotspot.
The plus here, is that their Mi-Fi comes free in this bundle for the price of the iPad at whatever memory tier you're picking, and with a one-year ($70) or two-year (free) contract for the data plan. Typically, the Mi-Fi only goes for $269.99.
So if you go for Verizon's iPad, you get the three memory option iPads at face value, the Mi-Fi hotspot for free, and service at these levels:
Is it me or are they making most of their money off of people who don't know how many G they need and end up paying over after the allowance? Hm.
Plus:
The AT&T Proposition
On the other hand, AT&T seems to be offering the Wi-Fi+3G option in the three memory levels. They seem to assume that if you want the non-3G you'll just step into your nearest Apple store to get the device on your own.
The AT&T Wi-Fi system includes over 200,000 Wi-Fi spot locations. You can find one of their hot spots using their Find an AT&T Hot Spot site.
The AT&T 3G plans come in domestic or international flavors:
Domestic
International with usage limit and 30-day expiration
Plans automatically expire when you run out of data or when the 30-day cycle comes to an end. Plans automatically renew every 30-day cycle.
My personal experience with the 3G network under AT&T is that it doesn't typically provide healthy coverage during our vacations. If you're hoping to use the GPS feature to help guide you to and fro your travel itinerary destinations, it can get scary. Have paper maps or a real GPS unit. Let me tell you, it's not a fun surprise to find out your iPhone signal isn't available when you're in the middle of the road between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, or out in swampland highways in the middle of Louisiana.
AT&T has a Coverage Viewer page where you can look up the data coverage provided by their network in the US.
I was unable to locate small print fee information for the AT&T data package.
Before finalizing your decision, it's best you go somewhere in person and 1) play around with the device yourself, and 2) talk numbers and specs with the attendant there.
I hope this helps someone out there trying to make heads or tails out of the service plans, and hoping to make their iPad buying decision soon. Good luck!
I see them at meetings, on the plane. The little case or portfolio that they use allows them to have them at an incline on a table to easily view and type on the cornea display.
Some say that an iPad's more convenient than a laptop...it's lighter, you can access almost any document pending you have the right app, and they're very portable. Alternatively, of course, there is the Mac AirBook...
Options, Options
So what are the options if you're also considering an iPad as part of your mobile toolset?
First of all, you need to decide whether you want the Wi-Fi model, or you want to spring for the more expensive 3G and the required data plan.
According to the Apple iPad page, the Wi-Fi model come in these flavors:
- 16G for $499
- 32G for $599
- 64G for $699
- 16G for $629
- 32G for $729
- 64G for $829
Wi-Fi vs. Data Plan
Wi-Fi models can survive munching off free Wi-Fi from Starbucks, some hotels, and other generous locales. Meanwhile, the 3G will only work wherever the 3G network extends to. But there's also a third option: using the Wi-Fi model with a Mi-Fi card. A Mi-Fi is an intelligent mobile hot spot you can use for a laptop, a tablet, your Wi-Fi enabled smart phone, and more.
When it comes to iPad service providers, you have AT&T and Verizon. I looked at Verizon's iPad page first because they're the recent partners and may have some exciting propositions to compete against old hat AT&T.
The Verizon Proposition
I was surprised to learn that the Verizon iPad page offers only a Wi-Fi version of the iPad (all three memory size offerings) bundled with a Mi-Fi 2200 mobile hotspot.
The plus here, is that their Mi-Fi comes free in this bundle for the price of the iPad at whatever memory tier you're picking, and with a one-year ($70) or two-year (free) contract for the data plan. Typically, the Mi-Fi only goes for $269.99.
So if you go for Verizon's iPad, you get the three memory option iPads at face value, the Mi-Fi hotspot for free, and service at these levels:
- 1G data for $20 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 3G data for $35 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 5G data for $50 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
- 10G data for $80 monthly, $20 per GB rate after allowance
Is it me or are they making most of their money off of people who don't know how many G they need and end up paying over after the allowance? Hm.
Plus:
- mobile insurance for $4
- line activation $35
- you should add I-Dial if you like roaming
- tolls, taxes, and surcharges @ anywhere from 5-39% of your monthly bill
- monthly Federal Universal Service Charge on interstate and international telecom charges @ 15.5% per line
- monthly regulatory charge up to .02 per line
- monthly administrative charge up to .06 per line
This information was last updated on the Verizon site on January 1, 2011.
On the other hand, AT&T seems to be offering the Wi-Fi+3G option in the three memory levels. They seem to assume that if you want the non-3G you'll just step into your nearest Apple store to get the device on your own.
The AT&T Wi-Fi system includes over 200,000 Wi-Fi spot locations. You can find one of their hot spots using their Find an AT&T Hot Spot site.
The AT&T 3G plans come in domestic or international flavors:
Domestic
- 250MB at $14.99 a month
- 2GB at $25 a month
International with usage limit and 30-day expiration
- 20MB at $24.99
- 50MB at $59.99
- 100MB at $119.99
- 200MB at $199.99
Plans automatically expire when you run out of data or when the 30-day cycle comes to an end. Plans automatically renew every 30-day cycle.
My personal experience with the 3G network under AT&T is that it doesn't typically provide healthy coverage during our vacations. If you're hoping to use the GPS feature to help guide you to and fro your travel itinerary destinations, it can get scary. Have paper maps or a real GPS unit. Let me tell you, it's not a fun surprise to find out your iPhone signal isn't available when you're in the middle of the road between Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, or out in swampland highways in the middle of Louisiana.
AT&T has a Coverage Viewer page where you can look up the data coverage provided by their network in the US.
I was unable to locate small print fee information for the AT&T data package.
Before finalizing your decision, it's best you go somewhere in person and 1) play around with the device yourself, and 2) talk numbers and specs with the attendant there.
I hope this helps someone out there trying to make heads or tails out of the service plans, and hoping to make their iPad buying decision soon. Good luck!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Find My iPhone, Now!
With last week's iOS update, a nifty little thing came along called iPhone finder.
I completely forgot about this feature until I read this article today by Wired, titled How to Activate Find My iPhone for iOS 4.
Check it out and see if it's worth your while to learn how to access this feature. Mind you, it's only for iPhone 4, iPad or fourth-generation iPod Touch.
I completely forgot about this feature until I read this article today by Wired, titled How to Activate Find My iPhone for iOS 4.
Check it out and see if it's worth your while to learn how to access this feature. Mind you, it's only for iPhone 4, iPad or fourth-generation iPod Touch.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Cropping Photos in Mac OS X
I needed to crop a photo using my mac, so I looked up tutorials and this one by eHow (How to Use Preview for Basic Image Editing: Crop, Rotate and Resize) fit the bill perfectly.
iPad Price Comparison
Seeing how the iPad may very well be a hot item this holiday gift-giving season, and spurred by a conversation with a friend, I decided I should check out any price differences for the iPad (hardware and data plans). Here's the merry result of my search:
Hardware @ Walmart | Apple.com | Verizon | AT&T
For the record, Verizon made it near impossible to find this data plan info via navigation alone. I eventually found it via their search box! Watchu hidin guys? ^_^
Hardware @ Walmart | Apple.com | Verizon | AT&T
- $829
- $729
- $699
- $629
- $599
- $499
- Domestic 250MB @ $14.99/mth; 2GB @ $25/mth
- International 20MB @ $24.99/mth; 50MB @ $59.99/mth; 100MB @ $119.99/mth; 200MB @ $199.99/mth
- 1GB @ $20/mth ($20/1GB overage)
- 3GB @ $35/mth ($10/1GB overage)
- 5GB @ $50/mth ($10/1GB overage)
- 10GB @ $80/mth ($10/1GB overage)
For the record, Verizon made it near impossible to find this data plan info via navigation alone. I eventually found it via their search box! Watchu hidin guys? ^_^
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sync your iPhone to a New Computer
My VAIO is on its last leg. It's been taking forever to just open up programs. I may have to consider having it sent to Sony to get it cleaned up.
I have been thinking about switching my iPhone sync over to my MacBook Pro for a while, and this was the week I actually got around to working on it. It's been a busy-work intensive experience.
I wish I'd gone to the Genius bar at my local Apple store *before* I started working on this little task, so that I got the straight story before I started the monumental undertaking. Cause it's quite easy really.
So here's what you do when you need to start syncing your iPhone from a new computer:
1) Take an external drive, connect it to your new computer, if it's a mac use the magnifying glass icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to look for the disk utility. Once in the utility, select and reformat your external drive (MS DOS FAT format) then eject it.
2) plug in your external drive to your old computer. Go to iTunes, Preferences and click Advanced, the address in the very first box is where the folder called iTunes is located. Navigate there and copy it.
3) Navigate to your external drive and paste the iTunes folder. Eject your external drive.
4) Connect the external drive to the new computer, copy the iTunes folder. Navigate to the iTunes folder in the new computer, click paste (replace).
5) then go to iTunes, under Store select "Authorize this computer"
The next time you hook up your iPhone to your iTunes in the new computer, all apps and such will cross over, allowing you to sync from this computer from now on without losing your information.
Good luck!
I have been thinking about switching my iPhone sync over to my MacBook Pro for a while, and this was the week I actually got around to working on it. It's been a busy-work intensive experience.
I wish I'd gone to the Genius bar at my local Apple store *before* I started working on this little task, so that I got the straight story before I started the monumental undertaking. Cause it's quite easy really.
So here's what you do when you need to start syncing your iPhone from a new computer:
1) Take an external drive, connect it to your new computer, if it's a mac use the magnifying glass icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to look for the disk utility. Once in the utility, select and reformat your external drive (MS DOS FAT format) then eject it.
2) plug in your external drive to your old computer. Go to iTunes, Preferences and click Advanced, the address in the very first box is where the folder called iTunes is located. Navigate there and copy it.
3) Navigate to your external drive and paste the iTunes folder. Eject your external drive.
4) Connect the external drive to the new computer, copy the iTunes folder. Navigate to the iTunes folder in the new computer, click paste (replace).
5) then go to iTunes, under Store select "Authorize this computer"
The next time you hook up your iPhone to your iTunes in the new computer, all apps and such will cross over, allowing you to sync from this computer from now on without losing your information.
Good luck!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
iTunes 10
My friend and I were WAY overexcited about iTunes 10. So much so, we stayed online till 10 pm CT when they released it, so we could both download it and compare notes.
Did I mention my friend was in Minnesota and I am in Illinois? IM rules.
So we each realized something as we began our respective downloads, mine was a lot faster than his, even though we both have DSL. That was peculiar. After that, nothing much differed. Installation and use was just as fine.
This version of iTunes changed most of the interface to a gray hue, and added Apple's new music social networking tool, Ping. I'm not really sure what to make of Ping yet. You can follow other people with similar music tastes (yeah, on Last.fm and Pandora you can as well) and follow musicians and groups (yeah, so can you on Facebook, duh). So I'm not really sure what the use of it is.
Apple may very well drop it a la Google Wave. Time will tell. I also don't know what to make with this new default view, where you have album art, album name, song, artist, etc. I kinda hate it. I switched to the regular list view which I used before. I really don't care much for the album cover view.
One thing that I can tell you right now, is that my laptop's gotten worse with this latest install. So much so that it hangs continuously, making surfing, chatting, or pretty much anything quite the chore. This must be a heavy iTunes install. Must be sucking the memory (.99GB) dry outta my ole VAIO.
This sucks because this is the laptop I use to sync my iPhone...and although I was able to share my iTunes music library between two computers using Dropbox, I am unable to get my iTunes on my Mac Book Pro to recognize what apps my iPhone should have. This makes me not a happy camper.
I checked online and pretty much no one supports RAM to fit this make of laptop anymore. Makes me feel antiquated and dusty. In a corner like.
Steve Jobs said during his Apple Music Keynote that the new iPhones OS update would come out in November. Here we go again...can't wait.
Did I mention my friend was in Minnesota and I am in Illinois? IM rules.
 |
| my library on iTunes 10 |
This version of iTunes changed most of the interface to a gray hue, and added Apple's new music social networking tool, Ping. I'm not really sure what to make of Ping yet. You can follow other people with similar music tastes (yeah, on Last.fm and Pandora you can as well) and follow musicians and groups (yeah, so can you on Facebook, duh). So I'm not really sure what the use of it is.
Apple may very well drop it a la Google Wave. Time will tell. I also don't know what to make with this new default view, where you have album art, album name, song, artist, etc. I kinda hate it. I switched to the regular list view which I used before. I really don't care much for the album cover view.
One thing that I can tell you right now, is that my laptop's gotten worse with this latest install. So much so that it hangs continuously, making surfing, chatting, or pretty much anything quite the chore. This must be a heavy iTunes install. Must be sucking the memory (.99GB) dry outta my ole VAIO.
This sucks because this is the laptop I use to sync my iPhone...and although I was able to share my iTunes music library between two computers using Dropbox, I am unable to get my iTunes on my Mac Book Pro to recognize what apps my iPhone should have. This makes me not a happy camper.
I checked online and pretty much no one supports RAM to fit this make of laptop anymore. Makes me feel antiquated and dusty. In a corner like.
Steve Jobs said during his Apple Music Keynote that the new iPhones OS update would come out in November. Here we go again...can't wait.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
iOS 4
I was so excited to hear that, finally, the iOS 4 was ready to download Monday. YEY!
But it wouldn't be until 1 pm, so I had to try not to freak out at work, be a good child, and wait until the afternoon when I could be home to install the upgrade. At the end of the workday, I rushed home and, exhibiting unusual patience, walked my dog first, and then finally sat down to attend to some iPhone download ecstasy.
But first, my system was telling me that I needed to download the new iTunes. Ok, but no safari thanks. About 20 minutes later...there is iTunes! Next! Yes I want to update! But then..then...my download was telling me it would take 11 hours, then 10, then 7...and for the next 20-25 minutes it was stuck at 7 hours. Wow can there really be that many people and that little bandwith at Apple? Hmm. Could it be a problem with our Wi-Fi? Should I go reset the router? Hm..All of a sudden the download connection crashed. I was left with mouth wide open. I decided to restart my laptop. That might settle some things. Once it was all up again, I tried downloading the blessed, joyous OS 4 again. And this time...it was only going to take 29 minutes. Much more sensible. Except it was...more like an hour and a quarter in true time...
Finally, with new OS downloaded, the installation began...another 10 minutes or so. It was by then about an hour and a half past my bedtime and the headache I had all day was bearing down on my few, remaining brain cells.
When the OS was finally installed I grabbed the phone, unplugged it from my laptop and headed upstairs to crash in my bed. I looked first at playing with the folder feature--drag an icon on top of another and it will create a folder. I got a hang of the folder feature rather quickly, thankfully. But when it came to multitasking...the apps I was trying to get to multitask weren't up to...er...task. I did a quick search and figured that most apps needed to update as well to have the multitasking ability...another couple of minutes to update the apps...my eyes were more than half closed by now.
Precious time gone to Apple. What was I thinking? *yawn* Can't this wait until tomorrow morning?
Well, finally, the apps updated and I was able to begin the multitasking...you open an app, double click the home button, and select other apps to "downsize." I haven't figured out how to just shut down apps instead of automatically placing them in the taskbar...and I can't seem to find that video where they walk through all that stuff...chuck this up to the learning curve I guess.
One thing's emerged since that very exhausting night...I especially like the much, much faster shutter speed on the camera, and the really amazing superzoom feature for closeups. It makes a really big difference for me as I love snapping pix wherever I go.
For those of you of the apple cult...how has your upgrade gone?
But it wouldn't be until 1 pm, so I had to try not to freak out at work, be a good child, and wait until the afternoon when I could be home to install the upgrade. At the end of the workday, I rushed home and, exhibiting unusual patience, walked my dog first, and then finally sat down to attend to some iPhone download ecstasy.
 |
| Proof that it was going to take 7 hours... |
Finally, with new OS downloaded, the installation began...another 10 minutes or so. It was by then about an hour and a half past my bedtime and the headache I had all day was bearing down on my few, remaining brain cells.
When the OS was finally installed I grabbed the phone, unplugged it from my laptop and headed upstairs to crash in my bed. I looked first at playing with the folder feature--drag an icon on top of another and it will create a folder. I got a hang of the folder feature rather quickly, thankfully. But when it came to multitasking...the apps I was trying to get to multitask weren't up to...er...task. I did a quick search and figured that most apps needed to update as well to have the multitasking ability...another couple of minutes to update the apps...my eyes were more than half closed by now.
Precious time gone to Apple. What was I thinking? *yawn* Can't this wait until tomorrow morning?
Well, finally, the apps updated and I was able to begin the multitasking...you open an app, double click the home button, and select other apps to "downsize." I haven't figured out how to just shut down apps instead of automatically placing them in the taskbar...and I can't seem to find that video where they walk through all that stuff...chuck this up to the learning curve I guess.
One thing's emerged since that very exhausting night...I especially like the much, much faster shutter speed on the camera, and the really amazing superzoom feature for closeups. It makes a really big difference for me as I love snapping pix wherever I go.
For those of you of the apple cult...how has your upgrade gone?
Monday, June 21, 2010
iPhone/Touch OS 4 Released Today!
I've been eagerly, impatiently waiting for the OS release so I can check out the multitasking option. I'd love to listen to Pandora or Last FM and do other stuff at the same time, like IM or check email or my Google Reader.
I just saw mention of the OS on the Mashable Facebook page. It links to a brief rundown of the main, new features most folks are looking forward to. I'm not sure I am too eager to see what the folders are like, since I'm sure it's another way to store too much stuff on the phone or even, load the phone up with apps you hardly ever use but which are neatly stored away in the folders. Still, I could use it for my music apps all in one folder, or my travel/food locator apps all in another folder. I guess it does have it's benefits after all...
I will be very happy this afternoon when I get home and am able to plug in my phone to iTunes and see if the upgrade's available yet.
I just saw mention of the OS on the Mashable Facebook page. It links to a brief rundown of the main, new features most folks are looking forward to. I'm not sure I am too eager to see what the folders are like, since I'm sure it's another way to store too much stuff on the phone or even, load the phone up with apps you hardly ever use but which are neatly stored away in the folders. Still, I could use it for my music apps all in one folder, or my travel/food locator apps all in another folder. I guess it does have it's benefits after all...
I will be very happy this afternoon when I get home and am able to plug in my phone to iTunes and see if the upgrade's available yet.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MacBook Pro vs. Sony Vaio, An Update
The Laptop Wars!! Hardly.
So I've now been using my MacBook Pro for about four months and I still really like it. The learning curve was short because I watched as many Apple videos and read as many Windows-to-Mac switch articles as possible.
I especially enjoy the portability. My Mac is 13 inches, so I can slide it into my work bag and that's it! The battery is far far better than the (2007) Sony Vaio, so I often don't even take my charger with me. On the other hand, for my Vaio, I had to purchase a replacement charging cord because the one I had, suddenly started sparking at a section where it somehow got cut, while I was on the sofa with Benny (my dog). Eek. Talking about waking up from hiberantion in January, that really got my motor running that day. Luckily, no injuries to sofa or otherwise were had.
But would I give up the Sony to switch to Mac? No. I prefer to have two laptops for different purposes.
My Sony has all my movies (and the huge letterbox screen to watch them with) and all my music collection. I also use it to synch my iPhone. My documents and photos are stored on Dropbox so I can access them anywhere. My Vaio also has my Dreamweaver CS4 and Photoshop 7. So I do most of my web programming homework or on-the-side experiments there.
My Mac is used as an Internet appliance (as is my iPhone mostly!) where I just learn the Mac way, download interesting software, then uninstall it after I get bored with it, and just keep on trucking on my merry Apple-tinted web 2.0 way.
I still don't understand why the industry standard in graphic design is using Macs. The quality of pixels and art/design/layout can be modified using the same standards either in a Windows machine or a Mac. The software is the same (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign etc.). I'm sure there has to be a reason besides the eye candy and encapsulation convenience of Mac products. I certainly don't feel like taking up a full-time job working on web programming or design (either on a Mac or Windows), because, well for one I have been there and done that and didn't like it, and secondly, I like the flexibility of playing with these projects when the muse strikes and then moving on to something else.
As it regards the new delectable iPad...I'm not so sure I need it. I like reading paper books, because screen reading causes me eye strain--and boy, after editing pages and pages at work during the day, the last thing I need is more eye strain. And I know everything looks delicious on the iPad, but I see it just fine on my two laptops and iPhone.
I'm not into photo album features because I do just fine with Flickr. I'm not into newspaper reading, because I use feeds and stream my info in multiple fashion online (and on apps on my iPhone). And I can listen to Pandora and mp3s on my iPhone or laptops just fine right now. I'm not really seeing the point just yet. And importantly, I have a beef with finger smudges on slippery products--that's why I am now on my second rubber/non-slip cover for my iPhone.
What do you think about the Windows vs. Mac fight? Are you getting an iPad?
So I've now been using my MacBook Pro for about four months and I still really like it. The learning curve was short because I watched as many Apple videos and read as many Windows-to-Mac switch articles as possible.
I especially enjoy the portability. My Mac is 13 inches, so I can slide it into my work bag and that's it! The battery is far far better than the (2007) Sony Vaio, so I often don't even take my charger with me. On the other hand, for my Vaio, I had to purchase a replacement charging cord because the one I had, suddenly started sparking at a section where it somehow got cut, while I was on the sofa with Benny (my dog). Eek. Talking about waking up from hiberantion in January, that really got my motor running that day. Luckily, no injuries to sofa or otherwise were had.
But would I give up the Sony to switch to Mac? No. I prefer to have two laptops for different purposes.
My Sony has all my movies (and the huge letterbox screen to watch them with) and all my music collection. I also use it to synch my iPhone. My documents and photos are stored on Dropbox so I can access them anywhere. My Vaio also has my Dreamweaver CS4 and Photoshop 7. So I do most of my web programming homework or on-the-side experiments there.
My Mac is used as an Internet appliance (as is my iPhone mostly!) where I just learn the Mac way, download interesting software, then uninstall it after I get bored with it, and just keep on trucking on my merry Apple-tinted web 2.0 way.
I still don't understand why the industry standard in graphic design is using Macs. The quality of pixels and art/design/layout can be modified using the same standards either in a Windows machine or a Mac. The software is the same (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign etc.). I'm sure there has to be a reason besides the eye candy and encapsulation convenience of Mac products. I certainly don't feel like taking up a full-time job working on web programming or design (either on a Mac or Windows), because, well for one I have been there and done that and didn't like it, and secondly, I like the flexibility of playing with these projects when the muse strikes and then moving on to something else.
As it regards the new delectable iPad...I'm not so sure I need it. I like reading paper books, because screen reading causes me eye strain--and boy, after editing pages and pages at work during the day, the last thing I need is more eye strain. And I know everything looks delicious on the iPad, but I see it just fine on my two laptops and iPhone.
I'm not into photo album features because I do just fine with Flickr. I'm not into newspaper reading, because I use feeds and stream my info in multiple fashion online (and on apps on my iPhone). And I can listen to Pandora and mp3s on my iPhone or laptops just fine right now. I'm not really seeing the point just yet. And importantly, I have a beef with finger smudges on slippery products--that's why I am now on my second rubber/non-slip cover for my iPhone.
What do you think about the Windows vs. Mac fight? Are you getting an iPad?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts
This Apple Support website has great shortcuts info.
But the wiki keyboard shortcuts page is impressive and includes cross-platform info.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
MacBook Pro
I've acquired a MacBook Pro and haven't been able to keep away too terribly long today. Lots of fun playing with it. I even learned to maximize (use mouse pad to zoom then click the green button on the window). I also learned there's a trick to "home" and "end" for text lines (command-left arrow or command-right arrow).
I haven't figured out page up and page down yet however...will keep looking things up as they are needed -- tons of resources out there, thankfully.
Installing programs on a Mac is so easy, I seriously am having way too much fun.
I haven't figured out page up and page down yet however...will keep looking things up as they are needed -- tons of resources out there, thankfully.
Installing programs on a Mac is so easy, I seriously am having way too much fun.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Format your Mac's HD
Ever wondered if you could reformat your Mac's hard drive? Wonder no more! Wired shows you how under their "how to wiki."
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