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Twitter on Adium is working well..

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We’ve been beta testing the new Adium 1.4 nightly builds for a couple of days, using the new Twitter functionality.  Everything else is mostly the same (except Facebook seems more reliable)  It works fairly well.  If you want to follow along, go grab yourself the freshest nightly build.

Because the nature of Twitter is much different than other instant messaging services, you have to first let Twitter know it’s cool for Adium to connect via a web interface.  Twitter is also different in that you just get a stream of messages in one Adium window.  Had they put each message in a new window, the app would become too annoying to deal with immediately.  The one window updates every minute or so (see below) and shows Twits from all of your followings.

It isn’t as fully functional as other desktop clients like Tweetie (and Twitterific) which we’ll continue to use for our day-to-day Tweeting.  Overall, though, it looks like a solid way to get your Tweets and also to broadcast your important news to the world. 

FWIW, 9to5mac’s Twitter feed is here.

Jibbler voice controls added to iPhone 3.0?

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Ars points out that the new iPhone OS has some special speech-related references with a codename Jibbler.  It looks to provide voice synthesis and also rudimentary voice recognition for functions like voice calling and possibly more advance featres like voice navigation of Springboard, the Finder of the iPhone.

Our sources turned up references to classes and methods named VSSpeechSynthesizer, VSRecognitionSession, SBVoiceControlDisableHandlerActions, SBSensitiveJibblerEnabled, and SBVoiceControlSoundCompletion. SB refers to SpringBoard, and VS likely refers to Voice Services. The separate Voice Services classes leave open the possibility that Apple may eventually allow access to these services via the official SDK. There’s no indication whether these voice features will be tied to newer hardware expected this summer or if the features will be compatible with existing iPhone hardware.

Finally, these functions could help out with assisted services for disabled users and help in their ability to interact with the iPhone and the iPod touch.

Apps like Google Mobile and Vlingo have used voice recognition on the iPhone but the means to do so has never been built into the Core OS..until now.

Will Apple's Mac business sales experience "Shrinkage"?

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That’s the big question on everyone’s minds as Apple’s earnings call looms.  Everyone from NPD to Gartner has predicted shrinkage.  On the flip side, Apple did release a whole new set of Minis, iMacs and Mac Pros (and even a new XServe) this quarter which usually includes some pent up demand purchasing.  Will Apple surprise everyone with flat sales or maybe even slightly higher than last year’s figures?  We’d love to see Apple buck the recession.

If not, they could always say they were in the pool.

Belkin Conserve Surge protector pays for itself in months

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CNet points us to the Belkin Conserve Surge Protector which shuts down 6 of its 8 outlets completely with a remote switch that you can mount by/like a lightswitch.  The idea is pretty simple but can you make it work?  A lot of devices require always on-functionality.  Cable Modem, Router,  etc. Plus, all Macs are pretty good about going to super low power mode when idle so is the cost savings worth it?

On the other hand, devices like lights, printers, TVs, and some computers and peripherals can be shut down to save a buck or so a week.  Oh, and Amazon has the device at a very friendly $25 after $10 Belkin rebate.

 

Apple jumps 32 spots to Number 71 in Fortune 500

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Apple hasn’t been in the Fortune 100 since its revenue generating freefall in 1990’s.  It has been gaining steadily in the 2000’s until the recession hit and knocked out a significant swath of competitiors.  Today, it finds itself at #71, its second all time highest (it was #67 in 1994).  Will we see Apple in the top 50 in 2010?

via Apple 2.0

Bonus: Who can make the best graphic of Apple’s Fortune ranking over the years?  Data below:

Update: Giel Wins with KA and "JGIML" runners up.  See below.


1989 114
1990 96
1991 95
1992 81
1993 76
1994 67
1995 123
2005 263
2006 159
2007 121
2008 103
2009 71

Apple FY 09 Second Quarter Results Conference Call: April 22, 2009, 2:00 p.m. PDT

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We’ll finally see if the recession is affecting Apple and what the official line is on it.  All the details are here.  We’ll either liveblog or report back as soon as it is over.  Or we won’t if there isn’t anything interesting.  Just so you know.

 We’ll also find out why Steve’s hand makes such a great cupholder.  Man that is a crazy look!

Tweetie desktop client for Twitterers hits the mark

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For those of you Twitterers who use Tweetie on iPhone, you know that atebits makes a solid product.  We’ve been beta testing their Tweetie Mac desktop client for a week and we can confirm that it is a simple, solid product.  It does what it is supposed to do then gets out of the way.  We’ve been using Twitteriffic until now which has some other great features but are inclined to make the switch to Tweetie.

Tweetie for Mac Desktop is available now for $15 but they offer a free, ad supported version that is almost as nice.  Download here. 

You can follow 9to5mac on twitter here.  We’re throwing in some extra bits now an again that we aren’t going to put "in print".  By the way, if you are looking for a very far out Twtter experience, try the new 3D Twitter experience called Twitt3D.

 Tell Oprah we said hi!

Flash enters the home

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It really is interesting to see this web of companies all entering into each others territory.  Google is building an OS to compete with Microsoft and Apple.  Microsoft is making an iPod touch-like Zzzune. 

Adobe today is announcing their foray into the home television market space (AppleTV and many others) with Flash for TV.  Adobe said it expects the first available products with the new Flash runtime will likely be televisions shipped later this year.

Hardware and chip partners for the project include Broadcom, Intel, NXP Semiconductors, Sigma Designs and STMicroelectronics. Distribution partners include Comcast, Disney Interactive, Netflix, New York Times Co. and Atlantic Records.

'Apple AV Cable' to launch with iPhone HD?

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Phonenews has posted some welcome (if true – we’re not so sure how legit this one is) information on upcoming iPod and iPhone AV cables.  Until now, Apple has made its users buy expensive, specially-chipped cables if they wanted iPods and iPhones to connect to TVs.  Because of this complication and cost, the cables haven’t sold very well. We also hear that the new Zune will have HD out.

Phonenews thinks that is about to change:

Apple will remedy this with a cable, which is known simply as the Apple AV Cable. The cable will function similar to the Xbox 360 Component AV Cable. The consolidated cable will support both component and composite output, allowing users to plug in to both HDTV and SDTV displays without the need for multiple cables.

The reason that Apple is doing this has been confirmed by PhoneNews.com. The next generation of iPhone and iPod touch will make broad and sweeping changes to HD display capacity on the devices. First, Apple will likely offer at least one version of the iPhone and one version of iPod touch with an even higher resolution screen, targeting both Microsoft’s Zune HD, as well as HTC’s Touch HD and Touch Pro2.

Currently the iPhone and iPod touch do not exceed 480i and 480p (respectively) in terms of video resolution. However, the next iPhone and iPod touch will enable full HD playback, with 720p and 1080i output modes.

Multiple options will be given to users to get HD video onto their TV, via iPhone and iPod. First, consumers will be able to store HD shows on their devices directly. However, considering the limits of flash storage, this is a time consuming process. Enter Bonjour. Apple will also provide the ability for users to plug their iPhone into their HDTV, and gateway onto a user’s Wi-Fi network, and access their entire iTunes library on their HDTV.

The end result is that a user can sit at their HDTV, using an Apple AV Dock and an Apple Remote, controlling their iPhone much as they do an Apple TV today. This ensures that a new iPhone owner will be able to purchase, for under $100, all the equipment needed to access (via the iPhone) all of their computer-stored HD content, on their HDTV.

A welcome and timely upgrade if true.  We aren’t so sure how well HD Video will stream over Wifi to the new iPhones.  They’ll also have to have some serious video muscle in them.  We’ll believe it when we see it.

New 'Get a Mac' ads don't acknowledge 'PC Hunter' talking points

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We were worried that Apple would somehow try to respond to the PC Hunter advertising by switching their message.  They didn’t.  They are staying on their message.  Our favorite?  Legal Copy: (more below)

Also see them at Apple

Update: ‘Clockwork Orange’ Alex has transcribed the Legal copy which we’ve pasted below – thanks!:

Please note that when you first receive your PC there is some suggested work that needs to be done before PCs can perform at their peak. These steps include, but are not limited to, downgrading and installing necessary drivers for peripherals. These drivers may include printers, scanners, cameras, storage devices, music players, and other media devices. There may be more depending on your needs. It is also recommended that first time users remove all unneeded bloatware and remove all optional components. To remove unwanted bloatware first open uninstaller, select applications to remove, and uninstall. To remove optional components, click start, go to all programs and open control panel, select remove components, select components you want to remove, select next, when done, select finish. Once initial prep is complete, PCs may then be easy to use under certain controlled conditions and when properly maintained. In order for PCs to achieve optimal performance on a regular basis and for long periods of time, routine maintenance should include (but is not limited to) the following: download and install updated anti-virus software, check for system updates, clean out registry, defragment hard drive, free up disk space, remove temporary Internet files, empty the recycle bin, remove unnecessary programs, run error check utility and fix file system errors. It is recommended that a maintenance schedule is developed and adhered to in order to make sure your PC is running safe and secure. Update your software, do a virus scan, and run error check utility once a week. Search for and download software and driver updates, free up disk space, and defragment hard drive at least once a month. Empty the recycle bin and remove unnecessary programs once every three months. Back up all your files once a year. Please see instruction manual for more details. Failure to perform these functions may result in the following: freezes, viruses, slow performance, and/or error messages. If problems persist after routine maintenance is performed, please contact your local IT professional who may or may not refer you to your software or hardware manager depending on where the problem originated. Important information about easy to use PCs: PCs may become more difficult to use if the following occurs: sluggish operating system, viruses, and error messages, crashing, and freezing. Unfortunately, freezing and/or crashing are sometimes unavoidable. To avoid sluggish operating systems, crashing and freezing, it is recommended that you clean up your system registry, defragment your hard drive, free up your disk space, and perform other routine maintenance tasks. To clean out your system registry, first backup your data, backup your registry, purchase, download, and install Registry Repair program, then quit all programs, scan registry, determine safe registry items to repair/delete/remove, select ok, and repeat if necessary. To defragment your hard drive, click start, and go to all programs>accessories>system tools>and open disk defragmenter, then select C: drive, select defragment and wait. To free up disk space on your PC, click start, go to all programs>accessories>system tools>and open disk cleanup. Scan will automatically start. From scan results, select files to be removed, select ok. Restarting your PC may then be necessary upon completion of system registry clean up, hard drive defragmentation, and disk space clean out. Please note: trying to remove registry items on your own is not recommended. It is often difficult to determine which items correspond to which applications, and by attempting to remove items yourself, you might accidentally remove a valid registry item, causing software crashes and errors. If a system registry becomes corrupt because you made a mistake when cleaning out the registry, follow these steps: back up data, back up registry, purchase, download, and install Registry Repair program, quit all programs, scan registry, determine safe registry items to repair/delete/remove, then select ok and repeat if necessary. Also, easy to use PCs can experience difficulty if malware, viruses, or spyware infect your PC’s system. There are 1.5 million signature-based malware detections with 20,000 new ones discovered everyday (based on 2008 reporting). Although some viruses are unavoidable, there are some preventative measures that you can take. When you first get your PC, configure your security settings (including things like Internet firewall, automatic updating, anti-virus, anti-spyware and other malware protection, other Internet security settings, and user account control). Eventually you may have to download and install security patches for your operating system and then as security updates become available download and install again. If your PC does get infected with malware talk with your IT professional first about the risks and benefits of treating the problem as your own. Do not try to remove a virus unless your IT professional has taught you and you understand everything. Ask them if you have any questions. Please see accompanying important information about virus protection on your hardware and software manufacturer’s website. Anyone can sit down and edit photos on their PC as long as their computer is running properly. Please note that proper maintenance, specifically disk defragmentation can take anywhere from minutes to hours to run depending on the size of your hard drive and how fragmented it is. Therefore, editing photos might be postponed if you choose to run maintenance on your computer prior to this act. Please note: your camera driver must be installed on your PC in order to review and edit your photos. Your camera will not work with your PC if the software/drivers are not downloaded first. Editing photos on a PC may be difficult for children under a certain age, or for people who are unfamiliar with how a PC works and how to download camera software and drivers. Also, no PC connected to the Internet is one hundred percent immune to viruses, spyware, adware, or other forms of malware. Once a year, PC users should back up a year’s worth of photos and files to a CD or DVD. Power PC users should start fresh and back up all their files and applications on an external hard drive, then use your original system installer disks to erase, rebuild, and reinstall your operating system from scratch. Therefore, if your PC is not one hundred percent trouble free at least you won’t lose all of your files. PC does not claim ownership of problems that occur from materials or software that you downloaded off the Internet. If your warranty has expired, and your PC is not one hundred percent trouble free, you are not eligible for a refund or replacement under the terms of the warranty. In addition, we cannot help you with software or hardware obtained without a warranty, such as software provided “as is” or for free.” Again, if problems persist, please contact your IT professional.

Microsoft Windows 7 Starter for Netbooks to only allow 3 concurrent applications?

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The Wall St. Journal had this one today:

Microsoft Corp. is taking an unusual approach with its new Windows 7 operating system: Customers buying many of the least-expensive laptops[netbooks] with the software are likely to be limited to running three applications at a time and miss out on other key features, or pay for an upgrade.

Holy Fail-Whale Batman!  Netbooks are the hottest item today in the Windows world, accounting for any and all growth in the PC sector.  By and large, they run Windows XP (which is actually not bad after using Vista for a few minutes).  According to the WSJ, Microsoft is only making $15 off of each copy of XP being put on those Netbooks.  This is largely because very capable, free Linux distributions are "good enough" and consumers are only willing to pay a few extra bucks for the Windows they are used to.  Windows only commands a $15 premium over free software on low end PCs.

Netbooks — compact laptops that can cost less than $300 — pose problems for Microsoft because it can’t charge computer makers as much for software used on the low-end systems as for standard desktops and laptops. The financial effects were felt in the quarter ended in December, when it contributed to an 8% decline in Windows revenue. Investors will be searching Microsoft’s quarterly financial results this Thursday for further signs of netbooks’ impact.

So, Microsoft will be screwed when they try to release Windows 7 on Netbooks.  If they charge anything more than $20, huge swaths of customers migrate to Linux.  If they charge less, they lose all kinds of revenue.  What can they do?  They are going to try to entice their customers to upgrade?

Microsoft is only letting its customers use three applications at a time and is using its patented "crippled by design" features to limit other areas of the operating system?  This isn’t going to fly well in our collective opinions.  Hell, we’ll take the seven year old Windows XP and be happy.

Here’s the scenario: You are working on three applications (Say Outlook, Word and Internet Explorer), but you want to edit something in Excel.  You try to open it and that paper clip thing comes up to tell you that you need to purchase an upgrade to unlock Windows for this functionality.  You proceed to throw the computer out the window?

What if you just want to open the calculator?!  Or an image viewer?  RSS reader?  Or an IM Client?  Or your Skype is ringing? 

Even if you do only need three applications most of the time, the mental anguish when trying to open that fourth in an emergancy or just even knowing in the back of your head that three is the limit is going to be painful for the Microsoft camp.  This isn’t going to be good.

Apple's App Store filling up with Books?

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According to Ben Lorica from O’Reilly, "Books as Apps" is the fastest growing segment of application developement in the App store.  Here’s what’s happening: Instead of just selling an eBook through Amazon and the other online distributors, Publishers (with help from developers like Scrollmotion) are creating their own app out of a book.  They can then sell the app with all of the freedom that Apple has allowed its other developers.   The "Books as Apps" category has grown 280% in the last three months alone and is threatening to overtake categories like Entertainment and Games.  Read more.

PeaPod to use iPhone/iPod as ignition key

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We told you last week about the PeaPod, a small electric powered "neighborhood vehicle" with green creds and anemic top speeds.  At the time, Peter E. Arnell, the man behind the name of the vehicle, rambled though the car’s use of an iPhone as the center of the navigation and entertainment system – which we thought was innovative.

He neglected to mention that the iPod or iPhone, with its special PeaPod application, could also function as the car’s ignition system.  We’re not sure exactly how the functionality would work (what if someone else jailbreaks and steals the app?  Or what if your iPhone breaks an you have to get a new one with new serial number?) but the worst case scenario, you are loosing a 25MPH vehicle.  You can always hop on a bike and chase down the perps to get your car back.

 

 

Toys Weekend deal: LaCie USB-powered 500GB portable HD $99+Free shipping

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From the Toys section:

Amazon.com offers the Sam Hecht-designed LaCie Little Disk 500GB 2.5" Portable USB 2.0 External Hard Drive, model no. 301841, for $99.95 with free shipping ($0.20/GB). That’s the lowest total price we could find by $6, although it was a buck less in February (since expired.) This USB-powered 2.5" hard drive runs at 5400 rpm and features an 8MB cache.

 

Screw Sling, Hulu player coming to iPhone?

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We know the story with Sling on the iPhone is turning into an ugly one. Still want to get quality TV on your iPhone?  Good news!

According to SAI, there is a Hulu app coming to the iPhone and it is "BAD ASS". 

Hulu is in the process of developing an app for Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone and iPod touch, we have learned from a plugged-in industry executive. The app is coming soon (within a few months) and is "badass" — as excellent as Hulu’s Web site. Video will work over both wi-fi and 3G[nice!], we’re told.

We absolutely love the sound of this and would even be happy to throw a few bucks toward the developers.  It will be interesting to see what AT&T thinks about streaming not Uverse video all day over their network.  Something tells us, it isn’t going to be as easy as it seems.

 

Pirate Bay founders get book thrown at them…

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In a bad week for pirates of all sorts, the Pirate Bay’s four founders were found guilty of helping consumers illegally download online music and films, handing the entertainment industry a victory in the battle to protect copyrighted material in Sweden.  The penalty?  One year in (Swedish) jail and $3.5 million in fines.  While they probably make the money in a month of ad revenue, the year in jail is a big signal to torrent sites out there, that there are consequences to their actions.

We’re not exactly sure why they got in trouble from a legal perspective because they didn’t host the files that were illegal, they just pointed to them.  Sites like Google, Microsoft Live Search and Yahoo do this as well. 

Chalk one up for the movie studios.

 

The Pirate Bay website is still up and serving torrents at last look.

 

 

ZuneHD Specs?

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BGR is reporting some interesting ZuneHD specs, some of which look pretty solid.  Notably, it would be the first mainstream device with NVIDIA’s Tegra ARM chips that are supposed to blaze.  Also, a large, touch OLED screen would be a first in a mainstream electronics device as well.  We’ll have to wait until August to see if Apple will match these so far imaginary specs.

  •  ~3.6-inch OLED full toudchscreen [iPod=3.5 inch]
  • NVIDIA Tegra powered [Damn!]
  • 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB versions
  • HDMI Connection to stream straight to your TV
  • HD Radio
  • Web browser
  • Wi-Fi compatible, with wireless marketplace[O RLY?! is this thing going to run WINMOB?]
  • Released, early fall
  • International release of the Zune device itself
  • Home AV packs, Car packs, Charge packs

Also, wtf is HD radio?

Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg spills on Apple dealings

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Today Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg disputed a few beliefs about Apple’s past dealings with Verizon as well as ruling out any dealings with the company until LTE technology is rolled out in 2010. 

It was popular belief that Apple had originally gone to Verizon to launch its iPhone. According to Seiderberg,

Apple never seriously considered making a CDMA version of the iPhone because it didn’t have as wide a distribution opportunity.

USA Today and many others reported in 2007:

They also sparred over the iPhone. As previously reported by USA TODAY, Verizon passed on the opportunity to become the exclusive U.S. distributor, balking at Apple’s demand for control over distribution, pricing, marketing and more. That left an opening for AT&T — then called Cingular — to cement a deal. (AT&T on Monday officially dumped the Cingular name and store signs now are being switched. The move came slightly ahead of schedule.)

Denny Strigl, Verizon’s chief operating officer, decided to pass on the iPhone deal and says he has no regrets: "Time will tell" if he made the right call, he says.

Obviously there are some pretty serious contradictions there.  Perhaps Mr. Seidenberg’s history is of the revisionist sort.

He also seemed to dismiss the iPhone as a possible choice in the near future:

Mr. Seidenberg also addressed the notion of Apple Inc.’s iPhone ever coming to the Verizon Wireless network, saying it is more likely that Apple would be willing to work with the carrier under the fourth-generation, or 4G, network, which follows the same technology standard as AT&T Inc.’s 4G plans.

This is some pretty bleak news for those of us who wanted to see some carrier competition for the iPhone market.

Wall Street Journal iPhone app hits the mark

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The Wall Street Journal iPhone App (iTunes link) just hit the iTunes Store.  We’ve downloaded and are looking through it as we type.  It isn’t full of content yet but we’re sure more will stream in as time goes on.  Even though the video section only has six videos, we were able to Walt Mossberg’s MobileMe re-review

While we generally like the NYTimes content better, the WSJ.app does a lot of things better than their iPhone app (which came out almost a year ago).  The ‘photo flipping’ of articles is great and the video works really well as well.  A very positive, polished first experience.

If you are a fan of the Journal, this app will make a great addition to your reading collection.  (and the articles are free!)

 

Walt Mossberg re-reviews MobileMe

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Walt Mossberg, Personal Technology Columnist for the Wall Street Journal, reviewed MobileMe when it first came out last summer.  As we all remember, it was a bit of a rotten egg initially.  Walt agreed.   Nine months later he’s got a much better opinion of it. 

How about you?  Or is Google Apps better? 

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/452319854

Biggest problem: Outlook integration isn’t "there" yet.  The written version is here.

Front facing iPhone camera, motion detection systems detailed

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MacRumors today details a series of patent applications filed by Apple which deal with motion and the iPhone.  The first patent details movement as an input method.  The example they use is flicking the phone to step through contacts.  The iPhone already uses such an interface for "shake to shuffle" music as well as apps like Urban Spoon use this type of gesture to pick a random restaurant in the area.

Next, Apple details an idea of making the lettering/ GUI choices bigger while the iPhone detects it is in motion.  This would make the iPhone easier to use while jogging or (hopefully not) driving.  The example they cite is the contact list which enlarges as it detects motion (image below).

Perhaps most interestingly, however, a reader points out that Apple has a front facing camera on the patent application, meaning that we’ll hopefully see this feature for video chatting in an upcoming model, maybe even in June?  It is labeled "180" in the image below right above the earpiece.