New Posts to The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Feb 24, 2010:
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1) Battle of Puppets brings the fight to the marionette stage
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/battle-of-puppets-brings-the-fight-to-the-marionette-stage/
Filed under: Gaming, Software, Deals, App Store
Battle of Puppets fell through the cracks here when it was first released, and that was unfortunate -- it's a 2D real-time strategy game for the iPhone with a distinctive art style and a plethora of cool features that definitely deserves a look. The team has been updating the app often, and the latest update not only adds in achievements and leaderboards via the OpenFeint platform, but also has dropped the price to just 99 cents for a limited time.
The game has a surprising amount of strategic depth -- more than you'd expect for an iPhone title. There are five different armies (each one representing an "opera" theme), each with its own strengths and weaknesses, and the little unit battles play out over 22 different theaters, where various environmental changes can actually affect the strategy of the game. And in addition to commanding [...]
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2) Mac 101: How to use the iTunes parental controls
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/mac-101-how-to-use-the-itunes-parental-controls/
Filed under: iTunes, Mac 101As Apple removes sexually suggestive apps from the App Store (and is evidently preparing a Red Light District for the future), users are wondering how they can protect their kids from certain content. With that in mind, here's an overview of the parental controls in iTunes.
Note that the screenshot at right is from iTunes 9.0.3. Older versions look slightly different. Parental controls are only available in iTunes 5 and later.
To access these settings, select Preferences from the iTunes menu, and then click the Parental tab. Here you've got several options.
First, you can disable access to podcasts, internet radio or the iTunes Store completely. Note that you can keep iTunes U accessible while disabling the rest of the store. Additionally, you can deny access to shared libraries. Once turned off, these items won't appear in the left sidebar of the iTunes [...]
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3) Eliminate the blue outer glow in Exposé
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/eliminate-the-blue-outer-glow-in-expose/
Filed under: Tips and tricks, Snow LeopardOne of the more questionable changes that was introduced in 10.6 Snow Leopard was a soft, blue glow that appears around application windows when using Exposé. Previously, in 10.5 Leopard, the entire Window was highlighted blue; now, however, the Exposé window previews are able to update their contents on the fly and obfuscating them with a blue highlight negatively affects the user experience.
Unfortunately, the blue glow that Apple's designers have chosen to overcome this gap is somewhat garish and just plain lacking in style. In response, creativebits has posted a tip for changing that glow into something a little more eye-catching and a little less flashy.
The process is fairly simple and involves replacing two PNG image files within the Dock application. Creativebits has the full explanation as well as a sample set of replacement files [...]
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4) Tune Runner rises to the top on a wave of free
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/tune-runner-rises-to-the-top-on-a-wave-of-free/
Filed under: Gaming, Freeware, Apple, Developer, iPhone, App StoreThere's been some interesting discussion in our comments section lately about Ngmoco's freemium model -- first they made headlines by endorsing it even to the detriment of one of their most popular games, and then they bought Freeverse and the conversation started up again. But while customers don't seem to like the freemium model very much, there's a growing number of examples that go the other way, and here's another: Appy Entertainment is a company that's been doing fairly well with a game called FaceFighter, but last weekend, they decided to drop the price of that game to free, and use the giveaway to promote their newest game, Tune Runner. And the plan worked extremely well -- after just a week, their original music game is rivaling Rock Band and Tap Tap Revenge for downloads.
FaceFighter hadn't been doing badly, [...]
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5) iPhone modded with titanium back
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/iphone-modded-with-titanium-back/
Filed under: Hardware, Mods, iPhone, iPad
Everyone's saying that the next version of the iPhone will have a case upgrade, but Martin Schrotz couldn't wait -- he encased his iPhone 3GS in titanium, and Engadget has a gallery of pictures of the ubercool mod. I thought he had actually put the titanium cover over the plastic back, but apparently he went whole hog and actually removed the back cover and replaced it with this one. The design isn't quite perfect (though it looks great for a one-man mod, don't get me wrong) -- the logo is a tad too big, and the metal looks a little homemade to be Apple's actual brushed metal -- but it is much cleaner than the current plastic design.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if the iPhone's next revision does take away a lot from the iPad. Hopefully not just in the hardware, either -- a cool metal back would be great, but I'd like to see the firmware [...]
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6) Aperture 3.0.1 available now in Software Update
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/aperture-3-0-1-available-now-in-software-update/
Filed under: Multimedia, Apple Professional, Software Update
Although Aperture 3 introduced a lot of new features, it also introduced a lot of bugs. Apple's support forums have been abuzz with reports of memory leaks and issues with the new Faces functionality. Aperture 3.0.1 has arrived in Software Update, and Apple's support document for the update details several fixes for its flagship photo-processing program. Hopefully it addresses the two biggest issues users have faced: virtual memory growing out of control and consuming all free space on the hard drive, and Aperture libraries being invisible in Media Sharing if Faces is activated.
Let us know how your update goes in the comments.
UPDATE: Many users are saying that if you are running the unactivated trial version of Aperture 3, Software Update will fail to install the update. Instead, you'll have to re-download the complete [...]
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7) Apple sells 10 billionth iTunes download
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/apple-sells-10-billionth-itunes-download/
Filed under: iTunes, Apple
As speculated earlier today, Apple did in fact manage to sell their 10 billionth iTunes download. This represents a huge milestone for both Apple and the music industry. Apple has revolutionized the music industry with the iPod and iTunes. It seems like only yesterday that Apple sold the 500 millionth song to much fanfare. It's pretty clear that this whole digital music thing has really caught on. Here's to another 10 billion Apple, from your fans at TUAW.TUAWApple sells 10 billionth iTunes download originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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8) It's 5 PM ET. Come join us for TUAW TV Live... and bring popcorn
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/its-5-pm-et-come-join-us-for-tuaw-tv-live-and-bring-popcorn/
Filed under: Video, PodcastingJoin the festive, party-like atmosphere that is TUAW TV Live. Take your favorite beverage, a bowl of freshly popped popcorn, and your MacBook to the couch, and then join in on the fun as your host Steve Sande and a possible co-host bring merriment and mirth to your day.
We have lots to talk about, as usual, and it's easy for you to provide your input. If you're not familiar with our format, just click the "Read More" link below to bring up the video feed (it will show older episodes until we go live) and the chat screen. You can watch the amazingly life-like video, listen in on the audio, and then post questions or comments to the talking head(s) that you see on screen. Sometimes we even respond!
The fun starts at approximately 5 PM ET and lasts for about one hour.
TUAWIt's 5 PM ET. Come join us for TUAW TV Live... and bring popcorn originally appeared [...]
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9) Carry the Moon in your pocket with this free iPhone app
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/carry-the-moon-in-your-pocket-with-this-free-iphone-app/
Filed under: App ReviewLast week I was pleased to suggest some free astronomy programs of interest to star-gazers. This week, I'm at it again hoping that space or science buffs get a look at Moon Globe.
This very handy app gives you a complete map of our nearest space neighbor, showing you what is visible on any night and from any location. The on-screen display of the moon at the current phase is striking, and very detailed. You can zoom in or out with the usual pinch and stretch moves you are familiar with. It's easy to magnify up to 300 times with stunning detail. With a tap, you will see where spacecraft have landed on the moon and identify surface features like craters, mountain ranges and valleys.
The mosaic of pictures that make up the presentation are seamless, and the app gives you the tools to exactly match what you might see in binoculars or a telescope. That's really [...]
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10) 10 billionth iTunes download going down today
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/10-billionth-itunes-download-going-down-today/
Filed under: iTS, Apple, Music
Obama Pacman has done the math, and they claim that the 10 billionth song download on iTunes (which Apple is paying out a $10k gift card for) is going to happen today, February 24th. So if you've been waiting to buy some music, today's the day to do it -- go pick up some songs in the early to late evening, and you might end up being the lucky winner.
Plus, contest aside, this means Apple will have sold 10 billion songs on their store. That's an incredible number, and it's a number that has changed this industry for sure. Fortune's Brainstorm Tech blog has a nice short look at just what that means for the store itself, including the fact that the store is now making over $520 million a quarter (even though Apple says that it's only slightly profitable for them, as they're more interested in hardware than content) and that the Black Eyed Peas have two of [...]
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11) Best Buy to sell iPads
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/best-buy-to-sell-ipads/
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, iPadLast Tuesday, Apple's COO Tim Cook announced that consumers will be able to buy the iPad at Best Buy locations in the US.
While speaking at the Goldman Sachs annual tech conference in San Francisco, Mr. Cook told the crowd that the iPad will be sold at "... places with really great assisted sales," like Best Buy. There's no word on iPads appearing at other 3rd party retailers, domestically or overseas, but Mr. Cook says that we can expect sales partners to expand over time.
Apple began selling Macs at Best Buy, a big box store in the US, in 2006. A year later that program expanded into the small, store-within-a-store boutiques that many locations feature today. Macs, accessories and soon, iPads, can all be had at Best Buy.
As for the propaganda, Tim laid it on thick. "The experience is just absolutely incredible," he said. "And so we're [...]
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12) Switch 101: A guide to using OS X
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/switch-101-a-guide-to-using-os-x/
Filed under: OS, Switchers
As the resident Mac expert for my family and friends, I often find myself fielding questions from the recent switchers in my life. A lot of those questions come in the form of "how do I <insert random Windows task here>?" Apparently Apple's support folk have also encountered this phenomenon as Apple has created a knowledge base article to tackle many of these questions.
The article, entitled "Switch 101: On Windows I used to..." is part of Apple's Switch 101 series which is directly aimed at getting recent switchers comfortable with using OS X. It covers such tasks as finding and opening files, quitting applications, and using shortcut key modifiers (such as , the Command key).
I have shown this article to many recent switchers both in my family and otherwise; it has always proved to be a valuable resource to those that are new the Mac platform. Another [...]
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13) Join us at 5 PM ET today for TUAW TV Live
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/join-us-at-5-pm-et-today-for-tuaw-tv-live/
Filed under: Video, PodcastingOur regular Wednesday episode of TUAW TV Live happens at 5 PM ET (2 PM PT) today. Join TUAW blogger Steve Sande as we have an hour-long discussion of this week's Apple news.
Due to the issues we had last week, we'll be back to good ol' Ustream this time. Some of the potential topics of interest this week include:
Steve Jobs turns 55!
Steve's surprise for viewers
Notational Velocity + SimpleNote = Love
Having the last word on the future of Macworld Expo
Cleaning up the dirty App Store
Geek lunch
Of course, it wouldn't be TUAW TV Live if you weren't there providing input, so we'll have the chat open for your typing pleasure.
See you at 5 PM ET!TUAWJoin us at 5 PM ET today for TUAW TV Live originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email [...]
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14) Apple creating "explicit" category for App Store
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/apple-creating-explicit-category-for-app-store/
Filed under: Apple, iPhone, App Store, SDK, iPod touch
digg_url = 'http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/apple-creating-explicit-category-for-app-store/';
After all of the kerfuffle earlier this week about Apple shutting down racy apps in the App Store, it appears that the company might be creating a special place for all of that suggestive and sexy content.
tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/apple-creating-explicit-category-for-app-store/'; tweetmeme_source = 'tuaw';
We received a tip and a screenshot (seen above) from a developer who pointed out the new "Explicit" category in the tool used to submit apps into the store.
While TUAW has not yet been able to confirm this, The new category could be the first sign that Apple may provide enhanced parental controls or even a separate "adult" App Store. This would not only maintain the revenue stream from these apps for both [...]
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15) PC World study: AT&T network has undergone "drastic makeover"
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/pc-world-study-atandt-network-has-undergone-drastic-makeover/
Filed under: iPhone
According to AT&T's commercials, they provide both "a better 3G experience" as well as "the nation's fastest 3G network." And, based on PC World's latest 3G wireless performance study, they've got more meat and potatoes (as if Luke Wilson wasn't enough) to back up their claims.
The study, a collaboration between PC World and wireless analysis firm Novarum, took place from December 2009 to January 2010, and compares the four major U.S. wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile) in 13 "broadly representative" cities in the U.S. During the study, 51,000 separate tests were run, in which 850 square miles, and 7 million wireless subscribers, were covered.
AT&T showed marked improvements over their figures from a similar study conducted during March and April 2009. Highlights of the most recent study include:
Using notebook computers (e.g., with a [...]
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16) Steve Jobs turns 55
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/steve-jobs-turns-55/
Filed under: Steve Jobs, AppleIt's February 24, 2010, which means that Steve Jobs has his 55th birthday today.
Not many people get to start up a company and then develop several completely new markets during their lives. Steve Jobs has been intimately involved with popularizing a number of devices during his lifetime: the personal computer (Apple II and Mac), the MP3 player (iPod), the smartphone (iPhone), and now the media tablet (iPad).
All of the Apple fans here at TUAW wish Steve a happy birthday and many more years of Thinking Different.TUAWSteve Jobs turns 55 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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17) Tim Cook: Yes, we're a "mobile device company"
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/tim-cook-yes-were-a-mobile-device-company/
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Hardware, Steve Jobs, AppleI caught this back when Steve Jobs said it on stage at the event a few weeks ago, and I was surprised that more people hadn't yet. Jobs called Apple "the largest mobile device company in the world," and I had to do a double-take. Mobile device company? But don't you sell computers? Aren't you the top premium PC brand in the world?
Pass, says Apple. Tim Cook confirmed at a Goldman Sachs press conference yesterday that Apple is calling themselves a "mobile device company" officially. The "traditional model" of having companies sell different things -- hardware, software, peripherals -- just doesn't work on today's world, according to Cook. So Apple is no longer a computer company, or an OS maker (though he does say that OS X scales just fine down to the smaller devices), or a media giant. Its main focus is mobile devices. Side [...]
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18) Report: iPhone is number three smartphone platform worldwide
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/report-iphone-is-number-three-smartphone-platform-worldwide/
Filed under: Hardware, Software
(Chart by Apple Insider)
A new Gartner report puts the iPhone at number three on the list of smartphone platforms in use worldwide, right behind Nokia's Symbian OS and the RIM software used in Blackberry devices. More importantly, the report has Apple's device gaining market share -- its unit share has more than doubled in the last year, from 11.4 million units in 2008 to more than 24 million in 2009.
Android is also on the list, and while it's not quite competing with iPhone yet, that brand experienced even greater growth, from less than a million phones in 2008 up to almost 7 million in 2009. And perhaps the most interesting takeaway is that while Symbian experienced a nearly 10% drop in market share, both its and RIM's totals actually rose. While cellphone sales at large are down, smartphone sales are up across the board. I don't know how much you can [...]
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19) How to turn an 8-track into a speaker dock
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/02/24/how-to-turn-an-8-track-into-a-speaker-dock/
Filed under: Accessories, Humor, iPod Family, Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, Music
I'm a fan of both silly iPod docks and re-purposing old tech gear, so this how-to at Unpluggd hit me in just the right spot. It's really more of a hack than a how-to -- the guy fixed his 8-track player just by replacing a corroded belt, and then used a cassette adapter to connect the 8-track to his iPod's audio output. But it does sound like a fun Saturday project, taking apart an old player, and the retro design of the thing is probably worth keeping around anyway.
The sound quality, as he says, is "interesting," too. But there are probably benefits -- disco just doesn't sound the same through a crystal clear set of speakers playing a digital file as it does going through the dusty old 8-track wires. The funkiness works, in this case.
[Via Cult of Mac]TUAWHow to turn an 8-track into a speaker dock [...]
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