Q uickerTek has brought its 5.5dBi wireless antenna boosting option to the Mac mini, which improves the systems AirPort reception. QuickerTek says its omnidirectional solution allows the Mac mini to reach access points up to three times further away. A three-foot coax cable comes with the antenna for easy mounting. The new design does not…
Analyst: Apple Product Availability Improving; Tiger Outselling TurboTax
< A href="https://www.apple.com/powermac/">Apple Computeris product availability has improved across the board, with the exception of the iPod U2 Special Edition, according to a Wall Street analyst. In a research note obtained by The Mac Observer, Piper Jaffrayis Gene Munster told clients Thursday that Apple had reduced lead times, particularly for the Mac mini and iPod…
CNN: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Profits?
The next major upgrade to Mac OS X, Tiger, could be a big source of profits to Apple for the rest of fiscal 2005, according to a CNN editorial. Quoting several analysts, Paul R. La Monica wrote that the profits from Apple’s software sales could receive a big boost from Tiger, and that this was…
Arizona Fraterinity & Sorority Kicks Off iPod Modeling Contest
Recognizing that Apple’s iPod has already become an icon across universities everywhere, two Greek chapters at the University of Arizona have taken the music player to a new level with the iPose modeling contest and philanthropy effort. The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and the Alpha Phi sorority chapters have launched the contest this week with…
Apple Hot Deals Update For MacMall, Ramjet, Clearance
A pple has updated the Hot Deals page for MacMall, Ramjet, and the Clearance page at the Macintosh Product Guide. The Mac Product Guide is a list of Mac compatible hardware and software products on the market. The Hot Deals section of the Product Guide features several Mac retailers and special offers that one can…
TMO Reports - DVForge Nixes Virus Prize Contest
Within 12 hours of announcing an open contest to successfully create and deploy an “in the wild” active virus for Mac OS X, Mac and iPod peripheral maker DVForge Inc. canceled the campaign saying it was ill advised and fraught with legal concerns. The contest — titled the Mac OS X Virus Prize 2005 –…
Seattle Times Asks "Who's Your Mac Daddy?"
T he question of who earned the name "father of the Macintosh" was recently energized by the death of one of its original creators, Jef Raskins. Mr. Raskins died February 26th, 2005, and that sparked a raft of news articles, including one at The Mac Observer, erroneously calling him the father of the Macintosh. Paul…
Frameline - A Power Mac G5 at Ground Zero of Austin Art Blaze
A few months ago, Kyle Fuller considered himself a platform switch hitter, using both Mac and PCs in his production company, SlamChannel, offices. Kyle felt indifferent towards either system, using both to accomplish the various needs of the multi-media outfit. That all changed, however, when his company’s main project was saved by a Power Mac…
Servers, Cellular & Pics on Inside Mac
The show, hosted by Scott Sheppard, features an interview with Random Digression columnist Dave Loebig, giving his take on the latest issues and e-mail heis getting from Mac users, Elgatois Tina Kulow on their products that can turn a Mac into an all-purpose entertainment center, Laura Burstein talking with Mac Mercis Rick Yaeger on how…
Apple Settles Lawsuit With One Tiger Leak Defendant
A pple has settled a lawsuit with one of three defendants it sued for distributing developer versions of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, the company said Wednesday. Doug Steigerwald, a student and Apple Developer Connection member at the time, was sued in December 2004 after Apple determined that he was the source for pre-release copies…
Apple Buys File Translation Firm
< A href="https://www.apple.com">Apple Computer has acquired file translation firm SchemaSoft, a 40-person developer of software that allows applications to read and write file formats from other applications. Think Secret broke the story early on Tuesday, and CNet News confirmed it with Apple Tuesday afternoon. "Apple has acquired assets from SchemaSoft, a developer of software components…
NY Times Offers Historical Context for Apple's Rumor Lawsuits
< A href="https://www.apple.com">Apple CEO Steve Jobsi obsession with secrecy and controlling Appleis product announcements has roots that are decades old, according to New York Times reporter John Markoff. The veteran reporter has penned an article that offers in-depth historical context for Appleis current efforts to sue Mac rumor site Think Secret, and subpoena information from…
Using Your PowerBook as an Input Device
I t is possible to use your PowerBook as an input device, according to author Amit Singh, who is working on a book about Mac hardware. In the more recent revision to the PowerBook line, Apple Computer added something called the Apple Motion Sensor (AMS), a technology makes it possible for your PowerBook to lock…
Computing with Bifocals - Four Cool Web Sites
Today’s column will focus on some cool Web sites that beginners might enjoy exploring. Readers are most welcome to recommend their own favorites for future review and inclusion. 20Q.net I know you remember the game 20 Questions from your (long ago) childhood wherein you chose an object and the players could ask up to twenty…
Morgan Stanley Upgrades Apple to 'Overweight'
M organ Stanley became the fourth analyst this week to raise its estimates for Apple this quarter, upgrading Apple to “overweight” Friday. The firm said it believes the iPod halo effect — PC iPod owners switching to Macs — is roughly double what the market expects. Analyst Rebecca Runkle set a $60 price target for…
Inside Pixar's Headquarters
W hile many Apple fans are familiar with One Infinite Loop, Appleis headquarters in Cupertino, CA, fewer are aware of what the insides of Pixar look like, where Apple and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs spends part of his time. For those interested, Ainit It Cool News serves up a collection of recent photos from inside…
Bruce Springsteen on U2 iPod & "The Boss" iPod
B ruce Springsteen would like to see a red, white and blue iPod The Boss Special Edition, modeled after the black and red iPod U2 Special Edition. Apple may want to take note of that, because in edition to the millions of fans Mr. Springsteen commands around the world that might want to buy such…
Google X: Google With a Touch of Apple Flair
While Mac users are no doubt accustomed to searching Google directly from their Web browser’s Toolbar, for those times when you absolutely have to load Google’s homepage, do so in style with the new Google X. “Today is an amazing day: A small idea – a fun late-night coding jaunt to help me learn Javascript…
Apple Acknowledges Trackpad Woes on New PowerBooks
A pple has acknowledged issues with the trackpads on new PowerBook G4 models and has posted a tech note with a workaround. “If you find that the trackpad cursor on your PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.5GHz), PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz), or PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.67GHz) temporarily stops tracking or behaves erratically, try the following steps to…
The Back Page - Dvorak: Apple Lawsuits are Threat to Free Press
Apple’s lawsuit against Think Secret, and its attempts to subpoena information from AppleInsider and PowerPage, are threats to a free press, according to curmudgeonly pundit John C. Dvorak. Long noted for his criticisms of, and occasional praise for, Apple, Mr. Dvorak sees a ruling from a California judge declaring the Web sites as not being…
Tracking Issues With Apple's New PowerBooks
T he troubleshooting gurus at MacFixIt have put together a special report that details the most widespread issues reported with Appleis new PowerBook G4 models, as well as some workarounds. The most common problem lies with the new trackpad, with many users reporting problems with tracking speed and clicking. Another problem involves oversensitive ambient light…
Apple Hot Deals Update for MacMall, Sweetwater, Clearance Page
A pple has updated the Hot Deals page for MacMall and Sweetwater Sound, as well as the “Clearance” page at the Macintosh Product Guide. The Mac Product Guide is a list of Mac compatible hardware and software products on the market. The Hot Deals section of the Product Guide features several Mac retailers and special…
Apple Discloses 2004 Exec Stock Option Profits; Rubinstein Rakes in $26M
In its annual proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple said Jonathan Rubinstein, senior vice president of its iPod division, collected $26.3 million in value from exercising 3 million stock options last year. For 2004, Rubinsteinis compensation included a restricted stock grant valued at about $6.3 million and a salary totaling $485,216,…
Napster CEO Calls Steve Jobs "Frightened"
< A href="https://www.napster.com">Napster CEO Chris Gorog wasnit pulling punches in an interview with Engadget published Monday, saying that Apple CEO Steve Jobs must have been frightened to send out an e-mail to record execs pointing out holes in Napster security. In the interview, Mr. Gorog was asked about the iPod, which he called your grandfatheris…
