Macworld back issues from December 2008:
Growing pains: Apple's still learning how to run the App Store.(FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK)(Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Apple's in uncharted territory these days. The iPhone is wildly popular and software for it is flying off the virtual shelves of the App Store. But in the company's rush to create this new marketplace, it let a lot of important details fall through the cracks. How Apple chooses to address ...
Loving and loathing Apple; Your iPhone 3G and MobileMe tales roll in.(FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... All About the iPhone I feel a longing when I see articles about the iPhone, and I ruefully skip over them ("iPhone 2.0," September 2008). I drool when someone around me is using an iPhone and I know I can't have one. It's not that I'm poor or low-tech--it's that I'm a Verizon ...
Correction.(Correction notice)
Dec 01, 2008 ... In October's Mobile Mac column, we incorrectly stated that iChat doesn't allow encrypted file transfers. You can send ...
Overheard on the forums X.(FEEDBACK)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Apple has shown signs of slowing down to rebuild; isn't that what Snow Leopard shows us, that it is willing to hunker down and rework all the things that really matter, rather than try to bolt on new, glitzier features? Mjtomlin macworld.com/2797 The ...
Caution pays off.(FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I suppose if you tend to loiter out there on the bleeding edge, Jason Snell's cautionary approach to the new App Store (From the Editor's Desk, September 2008) might be warranted. As for me, I simply rely on the reviews of other people to ...
Adobe Angst.(FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... In your tiny blurb about the 10.5.4 Leopard update, which noted that the update fixed a server issue with Adobe Creative Suite 3, you glossed over a huge issue that has significance in the deteriorating relationship between Apple and Adobe ("OS X 10.5.4 Ready for Download," Mac User, ...
A Guitar for Macs.(FEEDBACK)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I was surprised that Jim Dalrymple didn't mention Brian Moore Guitars' iGuitar (www.iguitar.com) as one of the right guitars in "Choose the Right Guitar" (Recording Studio, ...
MobileMe disappointments.(FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... I have been a .Mac subscriber for three years, but I am starting to question why I continue with Apple and Mac as my experiences get worse. I have had significant e-mail issues at least once a week for the past couple months, and about once a month prior to that. Apple's support site is ...
Do you plan on buying an iphone 3G?(READER POLL)(Survey)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... <Pre> Do you plan on buying an iPhone 3G? 34% Yes, it will be my first iPhone 12% Yes, I already have one, but I want to upgrade 10% No, I ...
What about Entourage?(FEEDBACK)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I enjoyed your head-to-head calendar comparison but was very disappointed that you didn't include Entourage 2008 ...
Apple updates MacBooks: models feature new design, Multi-Touch glass trackpad, and improved graphics.(LAPTOPS)
Dec 01, 2008; ... The invitation to Apple's October special event in Cupertino included the phrase "The spotlight turns to notebooks," and Steve Jobs and company didn't disappoint on fulfilling that promise. Apple has completely redesigned the MacBook and MacBook Pro, updated the MacBook Air, and even ...
MySpace launches music service.(iPod News)
Dec 01, 2008; ... At least two years in the making, MySpace Music (music.myspace.com) is finally ready for its close-up. The skinny is that members can stream pretty much whatever they want--apparently millions of tracks are available from EMI, Warner Music, Sony BMG, and Universal--and then download tracks ...
AC/DC hates iTunes in the name of artistic integrity.(iPod News)(Verizon Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Last year, in an unprecedented move, the band AC/DC gave Verizon exclusive rights to sell its music online--which raised the question: why would AC/DC continue to spurn Apple, despite iTunes' vast success? Doesn't the group like making money? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
Napster gets sold.(iPod News)(Best Buy Company Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Best Buy has laid down $121 million to purchase music service Napster. The retail chain already owns part of the site, having shelled out $10 million back in 2004 for a joint marketing agreement. The Best Buy acquisition is just the latest move in the long-troubled history of Napster, ...
eGo Helium.(HARDWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... eGo Helium, from Iomega (www.iomega.com): 320GB portable hard drive ...
Exilim EX-FH20.(HARDWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Exilim EX-FH20, from Casio (www.casio.com): Point-and-shoot ...
Microsoft says good-bye to the Bill and Jerry show.(BUSINESS)(Bill Gates)(Jerry Seinfeld)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Remember how Microsoft paid Jerry Seinfeld $10 million to participate in its new ad campaign? Well, that turned out to be $5 million per commercial, as the collaboration with Bill Gates lasted only two spots. Microsoft has moved on from the surreal ads to a new campaign intended to ...
Activity monitor.(briefs)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Google cofounder Sergey Brin launches a personal blog called Too too.blogspot.com CNet UK looks at the 50 most significant ...
iTrip Auto.(HARDWARE)(Griffin Technology Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... iTrip Auto, from Griffin Technology (www.griffintechnology.com): Charger and FM transmitter for iPod plugs ...
Phaser 3300MFP.(HARDWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Phaser 3300MFP, from Xerox (www.office.xerox.com): Multifunction laser printer outputs 30 ...
One file that plays anywhere.(VIDEO)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Media companies have seen the future: one day there will be a way to disseminate digital video files that will play on any screen or device a user happens to own. The companies have teamed up with Microsoft, Sony, Intel, and a host of other technology companies to create the Digital ...
Sell your own movies on iTunes.(iTUNES)(TuneCore)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... TuneCore (www.tunecore.com)--a film distribution service--has added iTunes to its list of distributors. Through the service, you can sell your full-length film, documentary, or live concert through iTunes with no back-end ...
By the numbers.
Dec 01, 2008 ... 10.6% Apple's U.S. laptop market share in the second quarter of 2008, according to NPD Group's DisplaySearch. 4GB Capacity of fourth-generation ipod ...
Apple finally patents OSX's dock.(LEGAL)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... It's taken nearly nine years, but the Dock is no longer "patent pending." Apple now has a patent on the application launcher so many people love to hate. The patent reads in part: "To provide greater access and consolidation to frequently used items in the graphical user interface, a ...
Checkpoint-friendly laptop bags explained.(ACCESSORIES)(United States. Transportation Security Administration)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... In early August, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced new rules covering "checkpoint-friendly" laptop bags. The goal of these regulations is to increase the speed and efficiency of airport security checkpoints by allowing passengers to keep their laptop computers ...
Adios, techspansion.(UTILITIES)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Say it ain't so! Techspansion, maker of the fine media conversion utilities VisualHub, AudialHub, and iSquint, has discontinued its applications and is shutting down for good. Wrote Techspansion founder Tyler Loch, "After much soul-searching (it's not you, it's me), for personal ...
Who caved, Apple or NBC?(iTUNES)(National Broadcasting Company Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... By now you've probably heard that, along with announcing the release of new iPods and iTunes 8, Apple also stated that NBC television shows were returning to the iTunes Store. So which company blinked? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] JB Perrette, NBC's president of digital ...
Reset App Store reviews, please.(iPHONE)(Apple Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I was very happy to see Apple's recent change to the commenting system at the App Store, which now requires customers to download iPhone software before they review it. But I'd like to suggest that Apple take the logical next step: zap all comments from the App Store and just start over. ...
Mac Pros releasing toxic gases?(HARDWARE)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... A report in French publication Liberation has suggested that pre-2008 Mac Pros might be releasing nasty fumes such as benzene--which can lead to a variety of illnesses ...
Mac streaming coming to Netflix.(INTERNET)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... It's been a year and a half since Netflix announced its intention to bring its currently PC-only Watch It Now movie-streaming feature to the Mac. Finally, the company has promised Mac users they will be able to enjoy the feature by the end of 2008. More good news: Netflix is expanding its ...
Gadget gifts.(Tech Trends)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Consumer electronics make some of the most popular holiday gifts these days. Last year's wish list for U.S. consumers shows that portable audio players and ...
F10 Launch Studio 2.0.(SOFTWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... F10 Launch Studio 2.0, from Chronos (www.chronosnet.com): Launch utility now ...
NoteBook 3.0.(SOFTWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... NoteBook 3.0, from Circus Ponies (www.circusponies.com): Organizational ...
PDFpen 4.0.(SOFTWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... PDFpen 4.0, from SmileOnMyMac (www.smileonmymac.com): PDF-editing ...
QuickBooks Accounting 2009.(SOFTWARE)
Dec 01, 2008 ... QuickBooks Accounting 2009, from Intuit (quickbooks.intuit.com): Accounting program adds ...
If it ain't broke ...(GRAPHICS)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... For his recent New Yorker cover (left), illustrator and author Bob Staake used Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (released in 1995) as his primary tool. "I am anything but a technophobe," says Staake. "I rarely ever ...
The Newton lives.(HARDWARE)
Dec 01, 2008; ... The future is handheld, and Apple has developed one of the most exciting handheld platforms around, so it's only logical that aficionados of the device have organized a three-day conference starting July 31,2009, in Vancouver. Topics will include GPS, syncing, and development--for the ...
More awards for Apple.(BUSINESS)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Readers of gadget magazine T3 can't seem to get enough of Apple--they've chosen Apple products for four of 11 total prizes in the 2008 Garmin T3 Gadget Awards. Apple captured Gadget of the Year (iPod touch), Best Music Gadget (iPod touch), Commuter Gadget of the Year (iPhone), and the ...
Crossover Chromium.(Hot Stuff)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Itching to try out Chrome, Google's new (and currently Windows-only) Web browser, but don't feel like leaving the confines of your Mac? You could install it on Boot Camp or via virtualization, but that's a lot of hassle just to use one application. Fortunately, CodeWeavers, the company ...
UD-10.1 USB Audio Converter and TA-10 class-T stereo Audio Amplifier.(Hot Stuff)(Trends Audio)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Getting high-quality digital audio out of your Mac is challenging. Trends Audio's $149 UD-10.1 USB Audio Converter concurrently outputs audio via USB to five interfaces: optical, coax RCA, coax BNC, XLR AES/EBU, and 3.5mm stereo. Power to the digital and analog sections is regulated ...
G2 Personal Radio Player.(Hot Stuff)(Slacker)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Internet radio can be addictive, but it's not very portable. You can use an Internet radio application for the iPhone, but you'll be sapping precious power. If you don't mind carrying around yet another device, turn to Slacker's G2 Personal Radio Player (4GB, $200; 8GB, $250), for use with ...
MercuryMover.(Hot Stuff)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... MercuryMover is a $24 preference pane that gives users the ability to resize and position windows via keyboard shortcuts, without having to resort to a mouse or trackpad. Version 2.0 adds a number of new features, including ...
JamVox.(Hot Stuff)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Vox amps have been used on some of the most classic music recordings of all time; now you can get those tones on your computer with the $340 JamVox, Vox's new USB monitor and software system. JamVox gives you access to 19 guitar amps and 54 vintage and modern effects, all from the comfort ...
Keyboards and mice at hand: vast array of input-device choices entice Mac users.(Reviews)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Want to add some zing to your desktop or traveling gear? Older accessories becomming sluggish or outdated? A new keyboard or mouse may liven up your act, get some wires out of the way, or help you work faster, more accurately, or more comfortably. We've scoured the market for innovative ...
Keyboard-mouse sets: buying components together offers additional benefits.(Reviews)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008; ... The beauty of buying a keyboard and mouse together is more than just aesthetic uniformity; most sets provide cordless convenience and significant improvements on your Mighty Mouse and standard keyboard. While some sets offer a bedazzling array of new buttons, others focus on style and ...
The keyboard connection: you're not confined to the model that came with your Mac.(Keyboard and Mice)(Table)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Your keyboard is the most-used component of your computer system--after the display, of course--yet many people are still using the one that came with their Mac. That's a shame, because today's stand-alone keyboards have a lot to offer. We've taken a look at nine recent models for the Mac ....
Mightier mice: there's more to mousing than the mighty mouse and trackpads.(Keyboards and Mice)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008; ... All hail the humble mouse, lowly foot soldier of the productivity wars, pint-size pointer-pushing pawn in service to mighty King Mac. Your mouse is the only peripheral you caress for hours a day, but you may have never thought of replacing the limited Mighty Mouse that shipped with your ...
Software.(macworld.com/reviews)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008 ... BusySync 2.1 RATING: VERY GOOD PRICE: $25 per computer COMPANY: BusyMac URL: www.busymac.com BusySync 2.1.6 makes calendar sharing for a family or small group as painless as it can be without the use of a dedicated calendar server. The program allows other ...
Hardware.(macworld.com/reviews)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Selphy CP770 RATING: GOOD 1/2 PRICE: $149 COMPANY: Canon URL: www.usa.canon.com Sporting a clever bucket design that makes it easy to pack cords and extra media, the Selphy CP770 is a portable dye-sublimation photo printer capable of outputting either ...
Drobo with FireWire 800.(SPEED BOOST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... RATING: VERY GOOD PRICE: $499 COMPANY: Data Robotics URL: www.drobo.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Drobo drive array uses a simplified RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) technology to protect against drive failure. The device has slots for up to four Serial ...
BeatMaker 1.0.2.(MUSIC)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... RATING: VERY GOOD PRICE: $20 COMPANY: Intua URL: macworld.com/3911 The music-creation tool BeatMaker is no stripped-down miniversion of a desktop program. With its multiple screens--including ones that offer 16 ...
FileMagnet 1.0.1.(STORAGE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... RATING:GOOD 1/2 PRICE: $5 COMPANY: Magnetism Studios URL: macworld.com/3905 Among the apps that let you store and view documents on your iPod touch or iPhone, FileMagnet excels in file-format compatibility, reading both ...
Sportacular 1.2.(SPORTS )(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... RATING: VERY GOOD 1/2 PRICE: free COMPANY: Jeff Hamilton URL: macworld.com/3909 Sportacular offers an at-a-glance view of the day's sporting scores, plus the ability to drill down into a ...
More reviews; See more iPhone and iPod touch apps we've tested at iPhone Central (macworld.com/3850).(App Store Selections)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... <Pre> APPLICATION DESCRIPTION PRICE RATING FIND CODE (A) 1Password 1.3.2 password keeper free GOOD 1/23915 Ambiance 1.4 ambient-noise maker $1VERY GOOD 3917 ...
Pennies 1.0.1.(PRODUCTIVITY)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... RATING: GOOD 1/2 PRICE: $3 COMPANY: Design by a Knife URL: macworld.com/3907 Think of Pennies as a handy way to keep track of expenses quickly and simply. The user sets a monthly budget and enters expenses; as the month progresses, the needle in Pennies' gas-gauge-like ...
PCalc 1.0.2.(PRODUCTIVITY)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... RATING: VERY GOOD 1/2 PRICE: $10 COMPANY: TLA Systems URL: macworld.com/3903 PCalc is an appealing alternative to the iPhone's built-in calculator, offering a compelling combination of advanced functions and useful conversion and constant ...
Mac gems: Get more and expanded reviews at macworld.com/macgems.(REVIEWS)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008; ... UTILITIES Bean 1.3.3 RATING: VERY GOOD PRICE: free COMPANY: James Hoover URL: www.bean-osx.com If you need more text-editing goodness than OS X's own TextEdit serves up, consider Bean. Bean supports .rtf, .rtfd, .txt, .html, and .webarchive formats. It ...
The mac world gear guide: 51 cool add-ons and accessories for your Mac, iPod, and iPhone.(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Your iPod has given you countless hours of entertainment. Your iPhone keeps you connected, no matter where you go. And your Mac--well, from work to play to preserving family memories, there's hardly any part of your life it doesn't touch. These Apple products have been there for ...
Gear for your iPod; They call it "the iPod ecosystem"--that's the expanding universe of speakers, headphones, cases, and other player-related paraphernalia that now surrounds the iPod. Worried about finding the right gear to make your iPod sing? We're on the case.(FEATURES)(briefs)(Loud Enough)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Keep it Down in There Given how early and often kids listen to music these days, damage to young ears is a big concern. Ultimate Ears' LoudEnough headphones offer a unique solution: kid-friendly earbuds that restrict output to safe levels--you simply can't crank the volume too ...
Gear for your iPhone; Apple amped up the iPhone's cool factor with a revamped version released this summer. Is it possible to make your phone any cooler? We've got the accessories and applications for the job.(RichardSolo)(Ten One Design)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Battery backup Maybe you're navigating around a strange city and relying heavily on the Web and Google Maps. Maybe you've just finished a long conference call. Or maybe you forgot to plug in your iPhone last night. Whatever the reason, sometimes your iPhone needs a little ...
Gear for the mobile: getting up and going can be complex in the digital age. When you hit the road, you're usually accompanied by a multitude of devices that demand your care and attention. But don't fret--we've got you covered with mobile gear that will keep you connected, organized, and powered up.(The Macworld Gear Guide)(briefs)(Kensington)(Other World Computing)
Dec 01, 2008; ... REUSABLE BAG Keen's Alameda 15 is a stylish messenger-like bag with the standard fixings: an internal pocket for 15-inch laptops, external and internal document pockets, two water-bottle pouches, a mobile-phone pouch, and a number of smaller compartments for miscellaneous items ....
Gear for your desktop: a Mac on your desk gives you a pretty powerful workstation--but also a pretty barren one. These products can help spruce up your workspace while also helping you get more creative, store more data, and finish more work.(The Macworld Gear Guide)(briefs)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Power Mogul Surge protectors may lack the glamour of, say, Apple's latest iPhone release. But the Conserve Energy Saving 8-Outlet Surge Protector isn't any old power strip. This one has a wireless remote you can mount on the wall. Flip the switch, and it turns the Conserve off, ...
We review the latest iPod Nano, iPod Touch, and iTunes 8.(Real GENIUS)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... In the seven years since its introduction, the iPod and iTunes have evolved to meet the media demands of their users. In its recent updates, Apple redesigned the iPod nano, pared down the iPod classic to a single 120GB model, and made changes to the iPod touch inside and out. And iTunes, ...
4GiPod NANO.(Real Genius)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008; ... The latest iPod nano isn't a dramatic upgrade from the previous model, but it offers some unique new features, more storage for the same price, and a new design--albeit one that looks quite familiar. In the process, the nano has officially surpassed the iPod classic as Apple's flagship ...
2G iPod touch.(Real Genius)(Product/service evaluation)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Attempting to describe the second-generation iPod touch succinctly, Apple simply declares it--to the chagrin of English teachers everywhere--"the funnest iPod ever." The new iPod touch ($229 to $399) could be considered an incremental improvement upon the original wide-screen device. But ...