Bites from the Apple: Cyber Monday, Bah-da Bah-da-da-da
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A combination of a sick toddler, bandaged fingertip from a vegetable slicing incident (which made typing rather painful), and overwhelming urge to nap after too much bread pudding delayed the usual publishing of Bites on Black Friday (or over the weekend). But since we inhabit a virtual space on the inter-tubes, publishing on Cyber Monday feels about right (as does my finger after a few days of healing). So let’s get it started…
- One of the big deals of the day is VMware Fusion 2 (the emulation software that enables you to run Windows on Intel-based Macs), which is 50 percent off for December 1st (via TUAW). And don’t forget Amazon’s other computer-related Black Friday deals, which continue for another day, as well as a $25 rebate on the Mac mini (offered through December 8).
- Having battery drain problems since installing the iPhone OS 2.2 update? The iPhone Atlas blog reports that you might not be alone, and offers some tips on improving your battery life. On the positive side, IntoMobile reports on some minor tweaks that have improved functionality.
- It’s been reported around the gadgetosphere that the iPhone DevTeam (the same folks who have brought us the ability to jailbreak our iPhones) has found a way to bring Linux to the iPhone–though at this point, you can’t do much with it (i.e., no support for writing to flash memory, using the touchscreen, or really anything useful). Dan Moren at Macworld notes that this might set the stage for installing Google’s Android OS on the iPhone, “though as someone who’s been using a G1 for a few days now, that seems like overhauling a Porsche to run like a Hyundai”
- With the economy on shaky legs, this is a great time to visit Low End Mac for ideas on how to recycle your old computers for new functionality. In a post titled “Old Macs in the New Economy,” John Hatchett offers an example of how he’s using his old sage green iMac as his home’s digital jukebox.
- Apple’s redesigned in-ear headphones, which also include a remote control and microphone, were announced earlier this fall with the new iPod releases, but haven’t seen the light of day yet. If you can’t wait, Wired’s Gadget Lab has a review of Griffin’s TuneBuds Mobile earbuds, which perform many of the same functions as Apple’s earbuds but at a lower price point. And they’re compatible with the iPhone 3G and this year’s iPod refresh:
The iPhone gets to take advantage of all the features. The inline button will answer and hang up calls, pause, play and skip songs, both forward and back, and the microphone will also let you record sound. The 2G iPod Touch gets all of this except the part pertaining to telephone calls, and the 4G iPod Nano will work with the mic, but not the remote controls, as will the 120GB Classic.
- Jason O’Grady wonders if the iPhone killed satellite radio…
- iPhone Killer Watch: David Pogue is no fan of the BlackBerry Storm touchscreen smartphone–here’s just one example of his frustration:
To scroll a list, you’re supposed to flick your finger across the screen, just as on the iPhone. But even this simple act is head-bangingly frustrating; the phone takes far too long to figure out that you’re swiping and not just tapping. It inevitably highlights some random list item when you began to swipe, and then there’s a disorienting delay before the scrolling begins.
- Web Worker Daily rounds up four iPhone VoIP applications, including JAHJAH (which is actually a web app), Fring, TruPhone, and the new Nimbuzz (which is also reviewed at The Apple Blog).
- Since last we posted, Boxee has been updated to tackle the Apple TV 2.3 update and the DRM problem with watching content over the new MacBook DisplayPort output has been fixed… sort of. MacNN reports that the QuickTime 7.5.7 update resolves this issue for the new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models, but only with standard definition movies bought or rented from iTunes. High-def video still conforms to the HDCP copy protection.
- The Beatles/iTunes saga continues…
- And finally… for the Apple faithful this holiday season, the documentary film, Welcome to Macintosh, is getting released on DVD on December 15 (you can get it via the official site, as well via third-party sellers at Amazon). Cult of Mac notes that it “features a mix of history and cult with interviews from ex-Apple employees, engineers and community members, shedding light on the company’s innovations, failures, cultural impact and what the future holds post co-founder Steve Jobs.”
However, if your Apple fandom is a bit less reverent, be sure to check out the latest episode that seriously tweaks the cult of Steve Jobs. You can check out the entire episode over at Hulu (the relevant bits are at the beginning of the episode) as it seems the YouTube version of the relevant bits (which are at the beginning of the episode) that has been all the rage in the Apple neighborhoods of the gadgetosphere has been taken down.
–Agen G.N. Schmitz
Tags: amazon, battery drain, big deals, black friday deals, bread pudding, cyber monday, digital jukebox, emulation software, google, hatchett, iphone, memories, minor tweaks, moren, new economy, old macs, s, shaky legs, sick toddler, tuaw, virtual space
Tags: amazon, battery drain, big deals, black friday deals, bread pudding, cyber monday, digital jukebox, emulation software, google, hatchett, iphone, memories, minor tweaks, moren, new economy, old macs, s, shaky legs, sick toddler, tuaw, virtual space
