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Apple have during this week released an update to iOS, v4.3 now suppports-
Personal wireless hotspot for iPhone 4, for up to 5 devices
AirPlay Enhancements
Safari Performance
iTunes Home Sharing
Details here-
Technology Blog
Snippets of information from around the web
Apple have today announced-
Random House to offer 17000 books on iBooks
iPad2-
New A5 chip, dual core, faster graphics
Front and rear cameras
Thinner design
White option! Shipping from day one.
March 25 Shipping in NZ
HDMI out, 1080p, now video out works with all apps
Magnetic smart covers
iOS 4.3
With Apple’s inclusion of a new technology yesterday in the updated line of MacBook Pro’s, very little was known about this new port.
Apple have completely bypassed USB3 and moved onto the next level, in typical Apple fashion.
Intel have developed the new interface along with Apple engineers to allow HD displays and IO devices to work together on the new port.
Here is an outline of the new technology-
http://www.tested.com/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-intels-thunderbolt-light-peak/1894/
Engadget have a review and live video of the new port in action using FCP-
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/intel-thunderbolt-a-closer-look/
Apple have this morning released new MacBook Pro hardware, now with quad core cpu’s and Thunderbolt included.
The new line up includes-
-17″ 1920×1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. US$2499
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. US$2199.
-15″ 1440×900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M 256MB. US$1799
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. US$1499
-13″ 1280×800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. US$1199
Apple have also changed the graphics from Nvidia to AMD Radeon.
The new Thunderbolt port allows HD displays and high speed IO devices to be connected for transfer rates up to 10Gbps, ha, take that USB3!
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/
WorkflowMax have today released a great new feature, the ability to change the colour theme, login url, logo and the main banner across the top of the page.
So now you have the ability to brand your WorkflowMax to your own settings
Video here-
http://www.workflowmax.com/tutorials.aspx?id=252a8578
Full list of changes here-
https://my.workflowmax.com/help/latest%20changes%2030%20january%202011.htm
Raskin is a great Finder alternative that allows you to visually see everything that you need in one customized interface using multi-touch gestures on various Apple interface devices. This great app runs on-top of the OS X Finder to provide an intuitive interface great for all users that enjoy shortcuts, visual ui and visual control via gestures.
I have been using it for a few days now, takes some getting used to but when you do, it flies.
It seamlessly integrates with a number of apps out the box.
You can get a 30 day demo here-
You will probably know someone or yourself that may have an old iPhone or iPod or even an iPad with a cracked screen or dead battery?
Well, you can now get them fixed quickly and for very good value too.
Richard from iHelp provides a very good service, even same day on cracked screens.
His contact details are-
021 211 8081
richardatlarge@hotmail.com
WorkflowMax have today released a very handy new feature- custom fields.
This allows you to setup your own fields for use against different areas in the job management workflow.
For a full list of features-
http://www.workflowmax.com/custom-fields.aspx
Other changes also listed here-
https://my.workflowmax.com/help/?Latest%20Changes%2013%20December%202010.htm
With the release of iOS 4.2.1 today, Apple have changed their offering on this previously paid for option.
Its now free to use and simple to setup, just use your existing Apple ID.
This page explains method-
http://www.apple.com/iphone/find-my-iphone-setup/
If you have an old Apple ID, one without an email as the user name, you will need to change this ID to an email address based one, sign in to your Apple ID account and you will get the option to change the Apple ID.
Then you can setup mobileme and enable the devices you require.
You can send a message to the lost device, wipe or lock it remotely.
Apple have today released the long awaited iOS 4.2.1 for all iOS devices.
This means you can now update your iPad, iPod touch and iPhone to the latest and greatest.
New features include-
Multitasking on iPad
Folders on iPad
AirPrint
AirPlay
Find My iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
And other features listed on this page-
There is also some speculation around free MobileMe services and find my device. Not sure at this stage, time will tell. MobileMe page still states 60 day trial.
Apple have also updated the MobileMe login page and updates are on their way for the iWork apps to support AirPrint.
http://www.macrumors.com/2010/11/22/ios-4-2-notes-revamped-me-com-login-page-iwork-for-ipad-updates/
Want to manage all your digital assets in one web based branded interface?
Provide limited access logins for clients and suppliers to download and re-purpose media files?
Ability to add buttons to front page per group of users to perform various tasks.
Add custom fields to assets and populate with product data.
Collection basket and download or email assets to users.
Run reports to find out which assets are being used by users.
Full text search within documents (pdf and word files)
Turn pdf’s into proofs and invite users to comment and collaborate on them? Full historical tracking system on proof versions.
Create pdf templates for repetitive media and catalogue’s which can be populated by assets and metadata.
Output to high resolution PDF or Indesign for further editing.
Full retail catalogue automated solutions.
Customised solutions to fit your workflow.
Hosted in the cloud and available on a high speed connection at a major NZ ISP.
Or have it installed on your own local server.
Contact us for a free demo.
We got one in last week, after 2 weeks on order.
This unit effectively replaces the 24″ screen that was around for a short time. The 30″ is still available but will probably be phased out in the future, unless they revamp it with the new enclosure and push the size even further past 30″.
Personally I do not like the glossy displays, I am more of a matt display person. There is no option to order a matt version of this screen, just like the iMac models its glossy or nothing. Only the MacBook line offers this option now.
So onto the nitty gritty, its a very nice looking unit, compliments the 27″ iMac and 17″ MacBook Pro nicely (see image below), be aware-
1 It only officially works with a Mini display port, there is a 3rd party DVI adapter available but its pricey.
2 Make sure that you plug in the USB cable, even if you do not intend to use the 3 USB ports on the screen, its essential for the OS to control brightness etc.
Here is the Macworld review-
Adobe have recently shown some tools which allow the use of certain features on mobile devices, namely the iPad and Samsung Galaxy tablet. Also shown were mockups of intended interface for iPhone users. This is all great but unless they allow finer control via Wacom or other such device its going to be pretty clunky using your finder for Photoshop work.
Apple have announced that no more Xserve orders will be filled after 31 January 2011.
This is the end of a machine which served a area of business that required the 1u server form factor, personally I do not understand the reason why, maybe they were not profitable enough? Apple list the reasons in the pdf below as the current line of Mac Pro’s are more powerful and various other reasons.
I do not relish the though of having to purchase a 6u space at a data centre to host a Mac Pro, it costs way more than a 1u Xserve.
So the MacPro and Mini are listed as alternative options to replace Xserve’s.
Xserve’s included an application that monitored the hardware and alerted via email any issues, no mention of this in the MacPro replacement. Currently this software is not supported on the MacMini server hardware. LOM (lights out management) will not be supported.
The Xserve ADM drive sleds will be supported until the end of 2011 or until stocks run out, all existing 12 month warranties and APSS extensions will be honored.
Microsoft have surprisingly shifted their rich web development away from Silverlight to HTML5.
A Microsoft senior engineer has stated-
“HTML is the only true cross platform solution for everything, including (Apple’s) iOS platform,”
SecureMac have issued an alert for malware that may be delivered by Java on a Mac. The trojan horse is apparently spreading through social networking sites -
Rival security firm Intego have responded, saying its low risk-
Again as with anything on the internet, know what you are clicking on and read what the messages are saying when requesting access to install or access your machine, whether it be Mac or Windows.
This time they have got it right!
Its not often that I say that about a Microsoft product, but I have to give credit to the Mac business unit on this one.
Its a pleasure to start any of the four applications and see them launched and ready to use within 3 seconds.
WOW, compared to the previous versions that is fast!
So onto the interface changes
Word-
Powerpoint-
Outlook-
As you can see from the images above, Microsoft have re-designed the interface so its more in line with the ‘ribbon toolbar’ that has been in use on the Windows version since 2007. Once you get used to the changes its really quite easy to navigate around.
Overall the new suite of applications are pretty responsive compare to previous versions.
Outlook is the new application here which has replaced Entourage, funny it still felt like Entourage to me, just has a new name.
All in all the new version of Office is very good, users who have been holding off should buy the upgrade, it is available for purchase from today.
Microsoft also have a multi-user version for business now, its a 2 user pack.
For a more in depth review-
http://www.itpro.co.uk/627997/microsoft-office-2011-for-mac-word-2011-review
Apple yesterday held an event to release new products-
MacBook Air 11″ and 13″, now with flash based storage, a host of new features, see here for more information-
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, brings new features and iOS functionality, coming late 2011, Mac app store coming within 90 days-
iLife 11, new apps, better features, available now-
Facetime beta for Mac, call to other Mac users and iPod/iPhone 4 users-
MacBook Pro Core i7 speed bump to 2.8Ghz-
Finally!! No longer the bloated resource hog that Office for Mac used to be.
New version is great, we will post a short review soon outlining the new stuff in the final version.
New version is available for purchase on October 26.
Recently Xero have decided to invest NZ $200,000 in Max solutions which developed the workflow tool WorkflowMax-
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