Source: YouTube.com
Image Source: www.behance.net
9To5 Mac is reporting that Apple’s recently released developers beta of OS X Lion is without “Front Row.” Front Row was Apple’s multimedia front end for audio/video playback, whether it was on a computer screen or hooked up to an external monitor/TV. While it came pre-loaded free with OS X, overall adoption of the app is questionable - I have used it but a number of times. Additionally, competing applications like PLEX, offered supperior playback for audio/video – as well as support for multiple file formats, not just apple’s native media formats. That said, OS X Lion is still in very early stages and the future of Front Row is still unknown. AppleTV anyone?
Source: 9to5Mac.com
If Twitter can predict the stock market’s movement, then why can’t FourSquare predict the Oscars? The above mentioned infographic is based on locational data collected by FourSquare during the 2010 calendar year – in terms of movies and individuals. Have it handy during Sunday’s festivities!
Source: FourSqaure.com
Apple OS X Lion: Since Apple released the beta of OS X Lion last Thursday, information has started coming out about the OS’s features and what we can expect when Lion get released later in 2011. One of the most striking/obvious tweaks has been to OS X’s core applications, with significan changes to the Finder, Mail, Address Book and iCal – all of which have taken from Apple’s iOS. The “Finder” can now be resized from all corners, offers additional sidebar configuration options and overlayed scrollbars.
“Mail” has essentially morphed into the iOS version, with a tri-columned appearance for better navigation and organization – as well as a “Full Screen” mode. Additionally, “Address Book” and “iCal” have done the same – both shifting to “Full Screen” options and a more iOS appearance. A combination of “Full Screen” mode and Apple’s newest implementation of “Expose” should make work flow much easier to handle, as well as application switching, much more navigation friendly.
SSD TRIM: While Apple has made SSD hard drives optional on many of its hardware products, OS X has not had native TRIM support – preventing many from spending a significant amount of money on an SSD drive that can not be managed correctly. Hints within OS X Lion now support claims that Apple’s next gen OS will indeed support TRIM.
” …In computing, a TRIM command allows an operating system to inform a solid-state drive (SSD) which blocks of data are no longer considered in use and can be wiped internally. While TRIM is frequently spelled in capital letters, it is not an acronym; it is merely a command name.” - WIki
IPhone 5 Parts: It was only a matter of time until we had some leaks concerning Apple’s next gen iPhone and it looks like “iDeals:China” is tossing out the first photo. Below, is a rumored picture of the iPhone 5′s digitizer, similar to the one found on the current generation iPhone. iDeals claims that the actual dimension size of this digitizer is slightly larger than the iPhone 4′s, which would go along with rumors stating that the iPhone 5 will move to a 4inch display – up from the current 3.5in. Time will tell.
Image Source: Smokingapples.com
Sick of traditional silicon microprocessors? Well IMEC has just created the world’s first organic, plastic based (not silicon) microprocessor – high tech clothing is quickly becoming a reality. So what are the great benefits to this? PRICE! Having microprocessors made out of this new organic composite, instead of silicon, could produce microprocessors at 1/10th of todays prices.
The 8-bit logic circuit with 4000 transistors executed 6 instructions per second and while this isn’t ground breaking, it will eventually lead to incorporating high powered microprocessors within everyday materials like clothing. From there, tech fashion houses could create clothing powered by movement (friction) that could completely expand the traditional use/functionality of clothing. The future is looking stylish. NEXT!
Source: Inhabitat.com
Where are the doubters now? Android is on the march, kind of like the “Droid Army” in Star Wars: The phantom Menace (No Sith Lord) and what better way to understand this growth than with a visually stunning timeline! Trust me, this is not like your grandpa’s camping trip slideshow. This was posted over at the Android Developer Channel for all our amusement. Enjoy.
Source: Engadget.com
Well, it was rumored and here we are – Apple completely refreshed their MacBook Pro line. The exterior looks about the same except for a small lightning icon next to the minidisplay port (Image Below) other than that, all the goodness is inside…..let’s take a look.
The Big Three: Intel’s Sandy Bridge chipset sits nicely inside all models (13-17in) with the 15in and 17in getting quad core options. Nvidea is out and ATI has joined the party with the 15in getting either the Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5 or HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5 and the 17in getting HD 6750M with 1GB GDDR5. The 13in gets left out in the cold, using only Intel’s HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics. Maybe the biggest news or the most mysterious, is the addition of “Thunder Bolt” or Intel’s “Light Peak” technology – “….Thunderbolt technology has arrived — and MacBook Pro is the first notebook to have it. Now one connection carries both DisplayPort and PCI Express. With two 10-Gbps data channels, you can transfer data more than 12 times faster than with FireWire 800…”
More news is still pouring in and Intel is scheduled to have a special event today (Feb. 24th) in San Francisco at 10am (PST). So, we should know more about “Light peak” or “Thunder Bolt” or “Ball Lightning” – check back soon. Otherwise, click here and have Steve and company tell you about the redesign.
Source: Apple.com
Image Source: Paper-Leaf.com
Apple has started sending out invites for a March 2nd event in San Francisco and from the image above – it’s all about the ipad 2. We knew this was coming, we just didn’t have a date and from the ridiculous amount of rumors over the last two weeks, there were even chances of a release push back. Now that we now when, we still need the specs and……whom is going to host the event? My guess is that Jobs will not be there and that the iPad 2 will come in wifi – 3G – CDMA flavors with storage starting at 16GB. If they can hit a $499 price point – lights out Android. NEXT!
The same day Amazon announced it’s new streaming service for Amazon Prime Members, Netflix counter punches with a 2 year content deal with CBS for shows like Medium, Flashpoint, Frasier, Cheers and StarTrek. While the actual details of the 2 year content deal were not announced, CBS’s back catalog of shows adds to Netflix growing streaming services and hugely overshadows Amazon’s catalog of 5,000 movies/shows.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, said in a statement. ”Netflix is now the only online premium subscription service with shows featured on all four broadcast networks and dozens of cable TV’s biggest brands.” Sounds good to us but we would love to see more players in this sector – wink wink Apple and Google. NEXT!!
Source: BGR.com
Do you have $290 million you wanna toss towards a dying business model with archaic consumer products – well then, Blockbuster is for you. After filing for bankruptcy back in the fall 0f 2010 – BB has emerged full of energy and looking to hook up……essentially they want a sugar daddy. So the bottom line is, who is stupid enough to pour money into this black hole of a business?
Netflix and companies like it, that offer audio/video streaming services, are the future. This model allows the consumer to easily access the content they desire at prices they desire. If renting a physical DVD from Blockbuster costs from $3.75-$4.25 and subscribing to Netflix streaming services is $7.99 a month/unlimited streams – you do the math. Good luck BB. NEXT!!
Source: Engadget.com / Image Source: TheNextWeb.com
Forget about organ cloning – how about printing what you need? Engineers at Cornell University have been testing out a new bio-printer what essentially prints and cuts out pieces of silicone for body parts like ears, skin and heart valves. This could be amazing tech for burn victims and people suffering from skin graph procedures.
Source: BBC.co.uk
Image Source: LunchBreath.com
Wouldn’t you know it, just as I get my T2i, Canon announces their new T3i DSLR. I know, I know – classic. So what does this sexy new piece of hardware get you for its $899 price tag:
- 18.0 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for high image quality and speed.
- ISO 100 – 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light.
- Improved EOS Full HD Movie mode with manual exposure control, expanded recording with new Movie Digital zoom and Video Snapshot features for enhanced video shooting options.
- Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor (3:2) for shooting at high or low angles and 1,040,000-dot VGA with reflection reduction
- New Scene Intelligent Auto mode and Picture Style Auto incorporating the new EOS Scene Detection System to capture beautiful scenes with ease.
For me, the flip out LCD is the giant upgrade, which allows you to really shoot HD video at multiple/comfortable viewing angles for the photographer. As for the other 2 main differences: New 18-55mm lens and new lens filters – they don’t really apply to me as I’m not a professional photographer. Would have loved that flip out screen – damn!! This one’s for you Stew.
Source: Amazon.com
Kara Swisher of All Things D, has stated that multiple sources have told her that Apple will be holding a “Special Event” on the 2nd of March. The Apple rumor mill has been churning as of late, with multiple hardware products ripe for a refresh, including iPad 2, MacBook Pros and iMacs? The iPad and MBPs are both overdue for new hardware specs and rumors have even stated that Apple retail locations are holding late night Sunday meetings, for all employees that have signed NDA forms, regarding new features/hardware. This would makes sense if new hardware was coming, as store employees would have to know the ins/outs for genius bar reasons.
iPad 2: While the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts doesn’t have any specific event on the 2nd of March posted on their calendar (might be more telling) but here is what we have heard about the iPad 2: New form factor (thinner, lighter, tapered edges) – A5 processor, More RAM, Camera and GPU. If Apple can pack all that goodness in a WiFi only $499 price point – Motorola, Samsung, HP and others have just been punked!
MacBook Pro: Maybe more than any other piece of hardware, Apple’s MBP are over due for a serious refresh and it looks like it might come as soon as this Thursday (Steve Job’s B-Day) or as far away as the 2nd of March. Intel has announced that their mobile “Sandy Bridge” chipset is ready to go and has already been implemented in Windows notebooks. Why “Sandy Bridge”? How about better battery life, lower energy consumption and silicon where the CPU and GPU are located on the same chip. What’s not to like? Also, how about a new hybride style dual SSD/HD drive implementation? This would essentially use a 8-10Gb SSD onboard for the OS and then use a traditional hard drive for additional space – sounds good to me.
iMac: Amidst all the madness, a recent rumor has stated that event the imac line will get a refresh, possibly switching to Intel’s “Sandy Bridge” chipset as well. The iMac has used Intel’s mobile chipset’s in the past, so this update would make sense, even if it was just a performance bump. This coming week will be full of mysteries. NEXT!
Source: AppleInsider.com
Image Source: Flickr.com
Impressed by USB 3.0? You haven’t seen nothing yet. AppleInsider is reporting that Apple could announce, as early as this coming week, not only new MacBook Pros but also a new optical connection standard. This ultra high speed optical connection startdard sounds a lot like Intel’s project “Light Peak” which starts at 10Gbps and can scale all the way up to 100Gbps.
Ever wonder why Apple never adopted USB 3.0? In fact, if the specs Intel has released are real world transfer rates, USB 3.0 could have a relatively short shelf life, especially when compared to its older brother USB 2.0. While hard drive sizes have exploded, with 1TB drives becoming both common place and inexpensive, the bottle neck has always been data transfer rates. With 10Gbps transfer rates, Light Peak could not only open up this long standing bottle neck, it would allow for a sudden and uniforming connection standard for a wide range of devices.
An industry wide adoption of Light Peak would very quickly eliminate the need for USB, FireWire, DisplayPort and HDMI among a variety of aging connection standards. I for one, believe there needs to be a larger push for adoption of such modern standards – we still live in a world with S-Video and VGA. Why?
Source: Appleinsider.com
Image Source: MrBrainWash.com
“…I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today…”
Irina Werning’s time traversing photo project is simply put, stunning. How much we change and how much we stay the same always amazes me – especially with photography being the medium. Irina’s full project can be found at her site – Click Here.
Well, its been less than a week since Apple released the details of its “Subscription Model” for the App Store and we’re hearing that both the Department of Justice and the FTC are looking (preliminary) into Apple’s implementation. As if that wasn’t enough, European regulators have also stated that they are looking into possible anti-competitive practices, in terms of the very same “Subscription Model.” While all three agencies have stated that they are not opening an investigation yet, this pressure might get the boys in Cupertino to think twice about that 30% cut?
On the other hand, does Apple really have anything to fear? They own about 25% of the smartphone market (hardly a monopoly) – They own 75% of the tablet market (large but not really established) but Android has grabbed 22% in less then a year. Android’s success has really enabled Apple to really tighten the ropes, in terms of component supplies and itunes/app store rules – with less fear of regulation. Imagine if Android didn’t exist, Apple would most definitely be under judicial review.
Bottom line: This is just a check in by the DOJ and FTC – nothing will come of it. Apple’s share of both the tablet and smartphone market will slow, as Android, RIMM and “Nokisoft” get their acts together. Plus, Google just announced their version of “Subscription Services” for Android Market – competition. Will Apple sell a ton of phones and tablets this year – sure! Will they expand their mobile strategy - yes! Are they a monopoly – by no means.
Source: Arstechnica.com
Remember when RIMM bought TAT (The Astonishing Tribe) and everyone said, “Yes. Your UI needs help.” Ok, no one really said that but everyone was thinking it. Well, that little purchase was shown off today at MWC in the form of photo and weather apps for the PlayBook. (Videos Below)
The picture app shows off a beautiful 3D looking UI that reminds me of Microsoft surface – where pictures are thrown about and manipulated through multi-touch. Aura, (the weather application) enables the user to manipulate the weather in different ways – by touch or by the built in accelerometer. Hours of fun!
Source: BGR.com
Source: Paradigm-attic.com
Washington is trying to get the funding together for a US train system, all the while the rest of the world is racing ahead with complex maglev bullet trains. Recently, Japan’s Central Railway Company announced that it’s planning the contruction of a 310MPH maglev train that will go from Tokyo to Nagoya (178miles) in just 70 minutes – cutting the current time by 40 minutes.
Maglev is a magnetic levitation system that lifts the train off the track, thus lowering the friction it incurs as it travels along. This lowered friction rate is what allows bullet trains to reach such accelerated speeds – especially over long distances. Japan, Germany, France and recently China have all either built or upgraded their extensive bullet train rail systems – realizing that mass transite is needed for their expanding economies but also as a way to lower their carbon footprints.
Source: Inhabitat.com