Feb 03
Some unfortunate users have suffered from email troubles with Mail since OS X Mavericks’ launch, something addressed with 10.9.1 after a sharp focus on the issue by Apple. Still, some … Continue reading
Feb 03
Apple’s MacBooks have always been nicely designed and despite what detractors say about OS X, laptop OEMs have no trouble attempting to copy the look and design of the MacBook but tossing Windows onboard instead. Well it seems that in a little advertising snafu, Dell has accidentally advertised its Dell XPS 15 laptop that shows the computer running both Windows 8 and OS X! Given that the laptop was not designed to run OS X, this is obviously a mistake and an example of when marketing/advertising gets a little too creative to the point where it becomes a little unbelievable.
The video which was hosted on Dell’s YouTube page has since been taken down (the reuploaded video can be found on The Verge’s website). The video was actually hosted on its page for a little over a month so we’re actually surprised it was not taken down sooner. The video depicts the XPS 15 being used for creative purposes and in an attempt to show the laptop’s features, it showed off how the laptop would be able to swap between Windows 8’s Start Screen and an app that looks like it’s running in OS X. This is evident in the menu bar as well as the buttons in the app itself which are distinctly that of the OS X flavor. No word on Dell about the marketing hiccup but perhaps the removal of the ad from its YouTube page is enough.
Dell XPS 15 Advertised Running OS X By Mistake original content from Ubergizmo. 
     |
Jan 27
While iOS 7 and OS X will not be merging anytime soon, it seems that at least in terms of visuals, there will be some kind of unification. According to a report from 9to5Mac, they claim that the upcoming OS X 10.10, which has been given the codename “Syrah”, will take some design cues from iOS 7 and feature a flatter look compared to OS X Mavericks. However it should be noted that the visual changes will not be as dramatic as compared to iOS 6 to iOS 7, presumably because they don’t want their users to be completely thrown off by the new look which was one of the problems that Microsoft faced when they introduced Windows 8 to new users upgrading from older versions of Windows.
It is unclear as to what else we might expect from OS X 10.10 or when we can look forward to it being announced and released, but assuming Apple is keeping to an annual release cycle, chances are we might see it towards the later part of 2014. The folks at MacRumors have also reported seeing low levels of activity from devices running on OS X 10.10, although that is unsurprising given that Apple is probably working on it already and it could be in its early development stages. In any case what do you guys think? Would you be interested in a flatter OS X?
OS X 10.10 Could Feature A Flatter Design original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Jan 27
This afternoon Apple has shared their financial Q1 2014 results with the public, showing that, in the quarter leading up to the 30th anniversary of the Apple/Mac connection, the company … Continue reading
Jan 26
With the major revamp made to iOS 7 and with the changes introduced in OS X Mavericks, many had speculated that it would come to the point where Apple would unify both operating systems, kind of like how it has been speculated that Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 could eventually merge and form one unified platform. As it stands there is some cross platform functionality and shared features in iOS and OS X, such as the ability to send/receive iMessages along with the notification center, for example. Well for those who are looking forward to iOS and OS X becoming “one” one day, you’d be out of luck because according to Apple’s Phil Schiller, such an endeavor would be a waste of energy.
Speaking with MacWorld, Schiller was quoted as saying, “We don’t waste time thinking, ‘But it should be one [interface!]‘ How do you make these [operating systems] merge together?’ What a waste of energy that would be.” This was echoed by Apple’s software head, Craig Federighi who said, “The reason OS X has a different interface than iOS isn’t because one came after the other or because this one’s old and this one’s new. Instead, it’s because using a mouse and keyboard just isn’t the same as tapping with your finger.” What do you guys think? Would you prefer if iOS and OS X merge and become a single platform, or would you prefer keeping things separate but have some cross platform functionality instead?
Merging iOS And OS X Will Be A Waste Of Energy, According To Phil Schiller original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Jan 24
Apple is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Mac with a new video and microsite released today featuring some fond remembrances of the machines over the years from creative professionals including Moby, artist April Greiman, photographer Jon Stanmeyer and more. The site features use cases exemplified by some of the best creative, educational and scientific professionals of the past 30 years, attaching a renowned face to each generation of new hardware from the original Macintosh all the way up to the brand new Mac Pro.
There’s also an interactive element to the site, with a section called “Your First Mac” where Apple asks visitors to tell them about their own first experience with a Cupertino computer, featuring a brief quiz where you select your inaugural introduction to Macintosh and then choose from a list of general activities you used said machine for. For me, the first Mac I actually owned all to myself was 2005′s eMac, which I bought used and which had been modified by the local authorized Mac shop to have the power button up front instead of hidden all the way round back of that deep CRT.
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 6.47.32 AM
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 6.47.53 AM
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 6.48.02 AM
Apple seems to be tabulating that input in real-time on the site, and is displaying a running breakdown of the most popular first Mac models and what percentage of visitors were using said machines. There’s also a slider that lets you see, depending on which year you’re looking at, what first-time Mac users were mostly doing on their hardware: Early on, there’s a lot of educational use and desktop publishing, but ‘Internet & Email’ starts taking over in the mid-90s as you might expect and remains dominant right through to today.
If you are or have been a Mac user at any time during the past three decades, the site’s bound to trigger some nostalgia, and even if you aren’t, you’ll get a glimpse into why this computing pioneer has managed to invoke so much devotion from its fans, and why Apple executives told MacWorld that the “Mac keeps going forever.”
Jan 15
When it comes to flashing custom ROMs onto Android phones, safe to say it is not something that the not-so tech savvy should attempt as a mistake could result in you bricking your brand new phone. Sure, one could go and do their homework and follow instructions, but not everyone is so tech savvy which is why the folks at Cyanogen Inc. released the CyanogenMod Installer app onto the Play store before it was pulled. Basically what the installer did was to help users install a custom ROM like CyanogenMod on their phone in a few easy steps, as opposed to the traditional method which required multiple steps and could sometimes be a lengthy process.
In any case the good news is that for those running Mac computers, a beta version of the CyanogenMod Installer has made its way onto the Mac. Like we said this is currently a beta version so there might be some kinks left to work out, but should otherwise prove to be quite functional. For those interested in getting their hands on the installer, head on over to the CyanogenMod Mac community page and follow the instructions which has been listed under the “About this community” section where you will find links to the download and a list of devices that are currently supported by the installer.
CyanogenMod Installer Beta Makes Its Way Onto Mac Computers original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
Jan 09
According to Griffin, its PowerMate knob and button gained a “dedicated user base.” I don’t know whether that’s one thousand or one million users, but apparently that base is dedicated enough that Griffin was compelled to release an update to the PowerMate Bluetooth, which now connects to OS X 10.8+ computers via NFC. Just kidding. It uses Bluetooth. I was testing you. You passed.
Out of the box, you can use the PowerMate Bluetooth to adjust the volume or mute your Mac. It also has preset controls for iMovie and Garageband. But it also comes with a companion software where you can add commands for various programs and manage multiple units. Griffin also gave a few instances where the device was hacked. People used it as a MIDI controller, as a gaming display and an audio visualizer. Mike Flaminio checked out the PowerMate Bluetooth at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES):
The PowerMate Bluetooth will be available this summer for $60 (USD). Honestly I think the Palette will get you more bang for your buck, but if you really want a wireless setup then the PowerMate Bluetooth may be what you’re looking for.
[via Griffin]
Jan 04
Some apps do one thing, and they do it well. Others have a host of clever, hidden uses that you might have never thought of on your own. Here are our favorite clever uses for popular apps.
| |
Dec 31
This week the folks at iFixit have taken to the Mac Pro for 2013, and under the hood they’ve found some extremely favorable results. In addition to finding what iFixit … Continue reading
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.