The Apple Core

July 3rd, 2008

Google Talk optimized for iPhone

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 8:04 am

Categories: iPhone, Google

Tags: Apple iPhone, Google Inc., Google Talk, Text Messaging/SMS/MMS, Telephony, Team Management, Web Browsers, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology

A blog post by software engineer Adam Connors from the Google mobile team announces a new version of Google Talk for iPhone and iPod touch.

In addition to sending your friends Gmail messages from your iPhone, you can now chat with them while you’re on the move, too! In your iPhone browser, just go to www.google.com/talk, sign in and start chatting. That’s it. Google Talk runs entirely in the browser so there’s no need to download or install anything.

GTalk combined with the free AIM client for iPhone may mean that I don’t have to pay for an expensive SMS plan from AT&T after all.

What do you think? Could IM be a free substitute for SMS?

July 3rd, 2008

DJ your Independence Day party with your Mac

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 6:00 am

Categories: Music, Software, iTunes

Tags: Apple Macintosh, Radio, Apple iTunes, Music, Pandora, Jason D. O'Grady

If you’re having people over to your house this weekend to celebrate Independence day (04 July, here in the U.S.) – a few tunes are probably in order. Luckily the Mac is one of the best platforms for creating a great party environment thanks to its vast music playback options, and if there’s one thing that a party needs, its music.

There are several ways to use your Mac to create a nice party atmosphere, here some of the options.

First (and easiest) is to simply play songs from your iTunes library. It’s best to create a playlist ahead of time though because nothing is worse that just clicking shuffle and having things like podcasts or audiobooks play just when the party’s getting started. Instead, add your guests tried and true favorites to a playlist and remember to click on the repeat icon so that the music never stops. For a smooth transition between songs turn on Crossfade Playback under Preferences > Playback.

If your iTunes music library is a mess and you don’t have the time to put together a rockin’ playlist, try an iTunes Radio station instead. I recommend auditioning a bunch of stations ahead of time to see which ones you like, then bookmarking a couple in a “Radio Stations” playlist. You need a reliable Internet connection to stream music, so if yours is spotty stay away from streaming your party music. Also, you should refrain from downloading that, uh, Linux distro on BitTorrent while you’re streaming music as it tends to saturate any Internet connection and will cause dropouts and disconnects in your music stream.

Don’t forget about the visuals. If you’re using iTunes and your Mac is going to be in sight, turn on a cool visualizer (View > Turn on Visualizer). Bonus points if you connect a projector to your Mac and project the visuals on a wall or into your pool or something.

If both of above are too vexing give Pandora a whirl. Pandora a super-cool music streaming service that’s completely Web-based. (They also have a desktop client that dispenses with the browser altogether.) Pandora takes a different approach than Internet radio stations which simply allow you to pick a channel and listen to it. Instead, Pandora allows you to create your own custom radio station by typing in names of artists that you like. Pandora takes that information and plays back music from your artists and ones that are similar based on human recommendations of artists that are similar. It learns your tastes as you click on its thumbs up and thumbs down icons as individual tracks play and learns your musical tastes. Spend a little time customizing your Pandora (with several different stations) and you won’t regret it.

If you like classic rock (including Dylan, Clapton, Bowie, The Grateful Dead, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, etc.) check out Wolfgang’s Vault. It’s a free, Web-based streaming site with the world’s largest collection of live concert recordings from the personal archive of legendary concert promoter Bill Graham. It was called ” the most important collection of rock memorabilia and recordings ever assembled in one business,” by The Wall Street Journal, Dec 13, 2005. Enough said.

Remember to connect your Mac or iPod to your home stereo and a decent set of speakers for the maximum effect. The wimpy drivers in your MacBook won’t cut it folks.

Finally, be conscious of your neighbors if you’re dropping a trance set into the wee hours. Cranky neighbors and municipal noise ordinances can get your party shut down faster than you can say “Yes officer?” The best bet when throwing an outdoor soiree involving music and adult beverages is to invite your neighbors over. They’re far less likely to call the cops if you do.

Happy Independence day!

How do you plan to celebrate Independence Day? Are you including any technology or are you going off the grid?

July 2nd, 2008

What to do with your first generation iPhone (updated)

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 10:06 am

Categories: Hardware, iPhone, AT&T

Tags: Apple iPhone, 3G, Digital Music, Cellular Phones, Digital Media, Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason D. O'Grady

With the launch of the iPhone 3G a little over a week away and new rate plans published many people are wondering what to do with their first generation iPhones.

An AppleInsider story lists a bunch of options including handing it down to a family member or friend. AT&T has posted a PDF file outlining how to transfer your contacts from other phones to the iPhone 3G (from a first generation iPhone you only need to sync it with iTunes).

Some other options for your first generation iPhone from reader Bill Elkus include:

• Unlock the iPhone 1.0 and keep it for International use.
• Keep the iPhone 1.0 in reserve in case the new iPhone is lost or requires service.
• Keep or hand down the iPhone 1.0 to be used as a Wi-Fi iPod touch.

I’m tempted to upgrade my old iPhone to the 2.0 software in order to use the new features when out of the U.S.; or as an iPod touch; but I suspect that will make it more difficult to jailbreak.

Update:  AT&T has confirmed that owners will be able to deactivate first generation iPhones to be used as Wi-Fi iPods.

“If the [original] device is not re-activated as a wireless phone after you’ve upgraded to iPhone 3G, it will still work as an iTunes player and can access Wi-Fi,” the spokesperson said.

Yay!

July 2nd, 2008

AT&T releases domestic iPhone 3G rate plans

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:35 am

Categories: iPhone, AT&T, 3G

Tags: Apple iPhone, AT&T Corp., 3G, Cellular Phones, Text Messaging/SMS/MMS, Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Online Communications, Jason D. O'Grady

AT&T today released their rate plan information for the iPhone 3G which goes on sale at 8am on 11 July 2008. As expected the free 200 SMS messages included in the original iPhone rate plans are gone and now cost US$5 per month for 200 messages, US$15 per month for 1,500 messages and US$20 per month for unlimited messages. (see the Add Text Plan chart below).

AT&T is clearly pushing their unlimited plans which sell for US$129.99 for individuals (AT&T Nation) and US$259.99 for FamilyTalk plans with two phones.

Full details are on the AT&T iPhone Web site.

I’m a FamilyTalk subscriber and only buying one iPhone 3G, so I’m not really sure how the billing works (especially with SMS) with a mix of iPhones and iPhone 3Gs. I’m most likely going to get the Family Talk 2100 plan (US$169.99) with two additional lines (US$39.99 each).

What iPhone 3G plan are you going to get?

July 1st, 2008

Apple posts iPhone 3G guided tours

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 7:06 am

Categories: iPhone, 3G

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Video, 3G, Corporate Communications, Cellular Phones, Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Marketing

As was the case this time last year, Apple has posted two Web video demonstrating some of the features of the new iPhone 3G.

You’re host is, you guessed it, the same guy that did the first iPhone videos (Bob?). Last time he was a little more mellow, this time he must have been tanking Red Bull or something because he’s decidedly more hyped. Either way, the Web video is a good way to learn some of the new iPhone 3G features before it hit stores on 11 July 2008.

The first is a 30+ minute general overview for customers that are new to iPhone, the second is a shorter (~10 minute) video for people that are upgrading from the first generation iPhone to the 3G model.

You can watch the streams on Apple’s site (in S, M or L) or download them in two sizes.

June 30th, 2008

Apple releases Leopard 10.5.4 update

Posted by David Morgenstern @ 5:14 pm

Categories: Leopard, 10.5

Tags: Apple Inc., Issue, Construction, Performance Management, Human Resources, Workforce Management, David Morgenstern

Apple late Monday releases another update to its Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system. The 10.5.4 update includes a raft of security and performance tweaks for iCal, Airport and more.

The correct syncing between Macs hosts and iPhones is important to Cupertino and this update targets several issues with iCal. The technical note about the update said that the update boosts reliability around meeting request and cancellation notification and then syncing with an iPhone. It also prevents someone deleting an iCal event without notifying its creator.

Here are some more of the goodness in the 10.5.4 update:

General
•Resolves an issue with saving and reopening Adobe Creative Suite 3 files on a remote server.
•Includes additional RAW image support for several cameras.
•Addresses an issue that may result in a partially installed X11 application.
•Improves L2TP VPN client reliability.

AirPort
•Addresses AirPort reliability issues with 5GHz networks.
•Addresses AirPort issues that may result in slower performance in Logic Studio or MainStage.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 30th, 2008

Overclock a Mac Pro or Xserve in software

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:33 am

Categories: Software, Mac Pro, Xserve

Tags: Apple Xserve, Apple Macintosh, Overclocking, Desktops, Apple Mac OS, Hardware, Operating Systems, Software, Jason D. O'Grady

Our pals over at ZDNet Germany have released an overclocking tool for the Mac Pro and Xserve that raises the speed of the processor, front side bus and memory – all without opening the case. Although tons of overclocking tools are available for Windows, up until now, little if any have been available for the Mac OS.

“ZDNet Clock 1.0″ for Mac OS X supports the Mac Pro and the Xserve and requires an Intel processor and Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. More information and test results from three Mac Pro models is available at ZDNet.de.

June 30th, 2008

T-Mobile bringing iPhone to The Netherlands

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:20 am

Categories: International, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Netherlands, T-Mobile, Wireless LANs, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Jason D. O'Grady

T-Mobile will introduce the iPhone in The Netherlands. There are three plans, the cheapest being €30 per month. All plans will have unlimited data, 2 Mbit down and 384 Kbps up. You also get free access to 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots. Not a bad deal, especially compared the the shellacking Canadians are getting. (Tip: Jack)

June 30th, 2008

My other phone is on Verizon

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 9:07 am

Categories: Mobile phone, iPhone, AT&T, Verizon

Tags: Apple iPhone, Phone, Coverage, Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Corp., Alias, VZW, Keyboards, Telecom & Utilities, E-mail

How’s the AT&T coverage by you?

The AT&T wireless coverage in my area (southern New Jersey, close to Atlantic City) is atrocious. This is a problem for me as an iPhone user because I can’t get decent coverage in my house (1 bar tops) and my entire city is pretty much entirely dark (mostly zero bars). I complain about this all the time on the PowerPage Podcast and many people email me to say that AT&T coverage in their area is just fine.

I called AT&T customer service and they told me that my house is located in a “moderate” coverage area (which is supported by their coverage viewer) which should have “sufficient signal strength for on-street or in-the-open coverage.” But it doesn’t. I have one tiny spot in my backyard that gets one bar of signal but I usually get dropped within the first 10 seconds of any call.

Due to the horrible AT&T coverage in my area I’ve resorted to carrying two mobile phones and my other phone is a Samsung u740 (a.k.a. Alias) on Verizon Wireless.  VZW gets excellent coverage in my house, my city and even the remotest parts of the beach and even out on the water. Verizon has the best coverage of any wireless provider, hands down. I wish Apple would have gone with Verizon for iPhone.

The Samsung u740/Alias is a capable handset, although it isn’t an iPhone. The Alias features a unique dual hinge design so that it acts like a standard flip phone when making calls, then it flips on the other axis to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for things like SMS, IM and email.

I don’t really use the V-Cast music and video features but they’re available if you want them. Having real hardware keys to tap out messages is a nice change of pace compared to the virtual keyboard on iPhone, but the buttons are small and cramped. The compromise is that the QWERTY keyboard also contains the numerical keys, which means that they’re incredibly small. (Full review at CNet).

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How’s the AT&T coverage in your area?

June 27th, 2008

Canucks freaking over Rogers iPhone rates

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 11:39 pm

Categories: iPhone, 3G

Tags: Apple iPhone, Plan, Microsoft Office, Databases, Office Suites, Software, Enterprise Software, Data Management, Jason D. O'Grady

Rogers/Fido just announced their iPhone rate plans today, and our Canadian neighbors to the north are sorta freaking out about them. Just take a look at Digg.

We’re kind of spoiled here in the U.S. with our unlimited data plans, but capped data and massive overage fees aren’t the only thing that Canadian iPhone customers are pissed off about. Get a load of the paltry 150 minute plan and CAN$15 extra charge for caller ID. Sheesh.

Here’s a sample of the cheapest iPhone plan on Rogers/Fido (prices are in Canadian dollars):

$60.00 - Price plan - 150 minutes/75 SMS
$00.50 - 911 Access fee
$06.95 - System Access fee
$15.00 - Caller ID (WTF?)

$82.45 - Sub Total

$04.13 - GST
$10.73 - Total Taxes

$86.58 - Monthly Total
$93.18 - Including PST

I wonder when AT&T is going to clue us in about the U.S. rate plans?