49 posts tagged “apple”
I've been a fan of online to-do list generator "Remember the Milk" for some time. However, I found myself printing off the weekly schedule for when I was going to be away froma computer, and then inevitably, losing it or leaving it at home. I wanted mobile online access to the service and now my prayers have been answered.
RtM have released an app for the iPhone, which not only allows you to access your lists over the air, but also syncronises changes and permits offline access for when you have no signal (e.g. on the tube or on a flight).
The app is free to download from the iTunes app store - but it does required a pro account with RtM to work. This costs $25 per year, but for me it's worth every penny. If you want to try it out, you can download the app and take advantage of a free 15-day trial. Give it a go.
...but it's not mine. My boyfriend came back from the Apple Store with a brand spankin' new 2.4Ghz Macbook. And I'm supposed to just grin and bear it. Oh well. I get to paw his and check it out properly before buying something on impulse.
First impressions? It looks gorgeous, weighs little and feels solid and well made. Not as plastic-lite as some of the other Macbook models.
However, I've spent this afternoon working on my own Macbook (tedious professional stuff, to get more tedious letters after my name) and have convinced myself there's no need to upgrade. No need at all.
Do I sound like I'm in denial?
So I missed the Apple macbook event earlier this week. My own fault, I had scheduled a meeting which overlapped with the multiple live-blogging feeds I was planning to follow. I ended up reading bits of it from my iPhone on the bus home.
Honestly?
I don't think I missed a lot. Don't get me wrong, the new Macbook and Macbok Pro are beautiful to behold and if I didn't already own a laptop, I'd have placed my order already. But my own Macbook is less than a year old and working beautifully. I have no need to buy a replacement.
Need.
That's the key word. If I had followed my inner Mac-faboy, I'd have placed my order on Tuesday. Instead, I took a step back and applied logic (I know, I was amazed too). It's an investment I don't need to make right now.
However, if Stevie Jobs had held up an 8-inch Macbook mini or something similar, then yes - I would have beat a path to the Apple Store.
Don't worry - my inner Mac geek hasn't gone away.
Maybe he's just grown up a little.
PS - Amazing how many of the predictions for this event were spot on.
PPS - Steve didn't completely reject the notion of a netbook... so he may still get my money
Gizmodo has helpfully gathered all of the available information on Apple's upcoming laptop announcement (14th Oct). Here's what they have to say:
The facts
• There's an Apple event on October 14 and we will be there to liveblog the pants out of it.
• Long overdue, a new MacBook line will be unveiled, with newly-designed MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
• Remember that Apple told resellers not to stock MacBooks or iPods (this was just before the Let's Rock announcement).
The logical and probable rumors
• The MacBook Air, being a recent design, will probably get a features bump, but not a redesign. This could to be supported by price cuts during the summer.
• Despite the pretty mock ups, the MacBook and the MacBook Pro will probably look like the MacBook Air, but on a different scale. In previous generations, there was always a new model that introduced a new look, then the rest followed up.
• Several images of the base top, the base bottom and the display frame of the MacBook Pro have surfaced. It is still not clear if these images are real or not, even while they do look real indeed.
• Some people alleged that these images show a shell carved out of a single piece of aluminum, using a new and revolutionary manufacturing process code-named "Brick".
• However, there are several reasons to believe this may not be the case, starting with an Apple patent detailing a new welding process. However, both manufacturing techniques may have been combined for this product.
• The MacBook in the teaser invitation may be the 13-inch model. Assuming the Apple logo is the same size as before, that is. They have changed its size before.
• Following Apple's commitment for greener computers, all displays in the upcoming MacBook line may be LED-based.
Crazy rumors and wishful thinking
• The usual blurry MacBook spyshots have appeared, some of which, like this one, have been proven to be fake.
• The glass iPhone trackpads are most probably just that, fake.
• Some crazy people really wish to see a touch notebook.
• There's even more crazy people that think that a semi-transparent MacBook Pro may appear, based on an Apple patent.
• Some really really crazy people have been dreaming about tablet Macs since 2007 and before.
I'm still hoping for a 9 or 10 inch netbook. I know, I know. But hope springs eternal and all that. Annoyingly, I'll probably miss the announcement as I'll be battling my way home from a meeting in central London at the time. Or, I could simply stay behind and read the multiple live-blogging opportunities.... who needs dinner anyway?
If there is a new netbook, Apple will be getting even more of my cash - I've already decided to buy an iMac for home if the netbook gives me access to Mac OS X on the go (and required Mobile Me syncing etc).
The excellent Cult of Mac is theorising about what the rumoured 'Brick' from Apple could be. I'd love this to be true, but I really don't think this is what we'll see announced next month (please let me be wrong!)
Apple’s “Brick” would be a hybrid laptop/tablet/ebook that dispenses with a physical keyboard and trackpad in favor of a virtual, adaptive UI that blends multitouch, gestures and its own orientation to switch between different modes:
Laptop — When the Brick is held horizontally with the two screens at an angle, the bottom screen turns into a virtual keyboard and touchpad. There’s no tactile feedback for touch typists, but never mind, corrective text handily makes up for the myriad errors. The top screen acts like a regular laptop screen, except that it also is touch sensitive, and is responsive to multitouch gestures like double-tap to zoom, pinching and scrolling.
Tablet — When the two halves are opened fully they snap together in the middle to make a tablet with a continuous touch-sensitive screen. This mode is best for surfing the web, browsing and editing photos, and displaying mind-altering music visualizers.
eBook — Like laptop mode but held vertically. Each screen transforms into an electronic page for easy reading. Displays eBooks, eMags or specially laid out websites. Readers navigate by swiping the screen to turn the pages.
Tabletop — Like tablet mode but for two people. When an onscreen button is pushed, the screens are oriented for two users sitting opposite each other. Great for collaborative tasks and especially games.
The accompanying pics are from an OLPC mock-up previously published, but it makes you think - Apple could definitely do this now. The question is: will they?
I'd just love an Apple netbook - small form factor, ultra portable, rugged and the full Mac OS X. To be able to sync all my MobilMe content, access the web, use Skype and blog etc. Yes - I'd definitely get in line for one of those.
Show us your favorite accessory.
Accessory? Well, I don't go anywhere without it...
I was just out for a walk in the sun, and I came across this new monument on Wapping High Street.
It's dedicated to the civilian dead of the WWII Blitz on London's East End. Quite striking and tasteful, I thought.
As the sun was shining, it gave me the perfect opportunity to take a couple of snaps with the iPhone to guage the quality.
Not too bad for a camera on a mobile, I think.
Using the Blogit tool to access Vox from my iPhone.
Don't think I'll be posting massive opinion pieces (ie rants) with this, but it's useful to be able to access my blog while on the move.
Are you going to be amongst the first people to buy the iPhone 3G? If so, when do you plan on picking yours up and which one will you be purchasing?
Yes! I just picked mine up. It's a black, 16GB model. I had a nightmare dealing with the chimps at Carphone Warehouse this morning (who to be fair were quite overwhelmed by the demand) when my iPhone failed to show up as promised. Nine hours later, I popped back and there it was, waiting for me.
I had to feel sorry for the the various punters in the shop with me, wandering in on the off chance that there were any iPhones left. There were not.
I'm pleased with it so far... but that's not saying much as I haven't been able to set it up yet. I like the size and weight, while the overall build quality seems good. I've promised to take my other half out to dinner tonight, so serious playing around with the newest gadget will have to wait until later. Or tomorrow morning.
The best bit? I cancelled my T-Mobile contract, incurring a cancellation penalty (of course). However, I sold my iPod touch which almost covers that, and a nice cashback from Quidco (you really should register) covered the cost of the new handset (£59).
This is probably my least wallet-injuring Apple purchase ever.
That is all.
(Cue several days of hand-wringing giddiness and all-round nerdery).
