MacCast 05.27.2009 - Show #267
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Media/Links
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Opening
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Opening Music
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Music is Say Anything by Manda and the Marbles
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Mandaandthemarbles.com
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Sponsor
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Circus Ponies
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Notebook 3.0
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Great for planning your summer travel.
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Clip research on hotels, destinations.
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Save maps and routes.
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Add travel receipts and reservations
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Make lists of stuff you need to pack.
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Outline your schedule.
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Free 30-day trial
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News
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Apple doubles up it's smartphone share
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iLounge and others cite the latest Gartner numbers showing Apple's iPhone doubling it's worldwide smartphone market share since last year
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The numbers show Apple had a 5.3% share in Q1 of 2008 and a Q1 '09 share of 10.8%.
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According to ArsTechnica Apple's overall global mobile phone market share is at 1.42 percent, up from 1.1 percent for all of 2008.
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RIM gained just over a 6% share year over year. 13.3 to 19.9%.
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Nokia still has a commanding lead with 41.2% ove the global share, but they were down about 4% from 45.1% last year.
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When narrowing the scope, Mac Rumors points out that Apple Q4 2008 to Q1 2009 numbers show much slower growth rising just .1% from 10.7% to 10.8%.
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Seems typical of the lifecycle. Big boost on release with drop off as consumers wait for the next big thing.
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iPhone may be the smarter phone when it comes to web surfing.
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AdMob Metrics released their numbers on Smartphone data traffic showing the iPhone OS had 8 percent of the smartphone market (Gartner numbers), but generated 43 percent of mobile Web requests and 65 percent of HTML usage
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NEXT, next gen iPhone rumors surface
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ArsTechnica and others have turned to Apple's job postings for insight on future iPhone/iPod Touch plans
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2 listings caught their eyes, High Performance/Low Level Programmer and an Embedded Video Processing & Analysis engineer.
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Specifically the listings call for a candidate familiar with the ARM architecture and its NEON vector processing unit.
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NEON is the vector unit in ARMv7 Cortex. Current gen iPhones/iPod Touches use a ARMv6-based processor.
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Speculation is that future devices would use ARMv7 which supports multi-core variations and could better support background processing.
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with the job listing so close to WWDC, sounds like the Cortex ARMs might not be for the upcoming next gen iPhone.
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The video engineer they are looking for needs experience with real-time streaming over WiFi and cellular networks.
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This one gets interesting when you combine it with the rumor that Apple is planning to build a server farm in North Carolina. The state voted to offer tax breaks that could benefit Apple if they build there and spend over $1 billion there over the next 9 years.
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And the rumor that may get direct Movie and TV downloads via the iTunes store. This one was covered on Ars Technica, but seems highly suspect since it is sourced from an iPhone ad link.
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Still, farm could be to support streaming TV and Movie purchases.
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Gruber weighs in on 3rd gen iPhone specs
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John Gruber of Daring Fireball has handicapped the next gen iPhone and predicts, "roughly double the CPU horsepower and an improved video-capable camera, with 16 and 32 GB storage capacities".
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Upping the processor to a next gen 600 MHz one. Architechture change will show more performance than the MHz jump seems to imply.
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Double the RAM, 256 MB.
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Pricing the same at $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB
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Roughly same design as current models.
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Some reported 3rd gen iPhone replcement parts surfaced on a Hong Kong site suggesting some minor redesigns according to iLounge.
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ear piece higher on the bezel making room for more sensors or camera parts
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black metallic bezel vs. silver
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lists an LCD screen part, no specs, at roughly twice the cost of current screen. $73 vs. $35.
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Also believes rumors of magnetometer (digital compass) and improved camera (auto focus) with video capabilities.
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iPhone 3G supplies dry up at AT&T
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With the rumored next gen iPhone announcemnt just around the corner is this surprising?
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Some customers are reporting that some AT&T stores say they are out the 3G model and offering refurbished model if you need a replacement.
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AT&T reps also say they are not expecting any new iPhone 3G stock.
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Ealier rumors of a slipped email to Vodafone staff in Australia claimed that the 16GB iPhone was declared "end of life".
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Apple tablet may wait until next decade
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MacNN says Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster doesn't think we will see the rumored Mac Media tablet until the next decade. Ok, 2010 is just 8 months away, but it is next decade.
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Munster says Apple will need a 3rd tweaked verion of OS X for the device, thus the delay.
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Also claims Apple is shopping suppliers for 7 to 10" screens for a device in the $500 to $700 range.
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Apple Insider reported that Digitimes claims Wintek has been selected as the LCD panel supplier for the Mac tablet.
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He also mentions conversations with "a key company in the mobile space". Many people belive the Apple tablet would include some sort of cellular data component and subsidies. Some suggest Verizon as the US carrier.
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MacRumors says Businessweek's Peter Burrows has his own sources that seem to corroborate Munsters information and puts a launch date as early as the beginning of next year.
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If Munster and Burrow's are right, Apple may need to let developers in on it at WWDC. Not sure if they will want to tip their hand or not though.
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Don't forget the iPod rumors too
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Apple Insider and iLounge are saying that a new iPod Nano may also surface around July or August adding a larger screen and built-in camera
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Screen aspect ratio of 1.5:1, up from 1.33:1
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A camera similar to the 3G iPhone's mounted in the lower left of the rear case
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AT&T considers new data plans and plans boosted network
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via iLounge
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Rumors had surfaced last week that AT&T may be considering more limited data access plans that could reduce iPhone data costs by $10.
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AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega confirmed at the Reuters Global Technology Summit in New York that the company is considering alternative plans to help stimulate demand for all web enabled phones.
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Not to be left out of the deal making on data, Electronista reports that Rogers in Canada is considering bringing back their 6GB for $30 data plan promo for the next gen iPhone.
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AT&T also announced it will boost it's 3G data network to 7.2 Mbps and plans to broaden it's coverage and capacity in major metro areas.
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Safari's messy tops sites feature leaving trails
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Cult of Mac cited a Slashdot piece that linked to a blog post by designer and musician C. Harwick, from Chapel Hill, NC.
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He claims that Safari 4 Betas History, RSS Feeds, and Top Sites are eating up storage and a privacy concern
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History: ~/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari, stores files with your history. Choosing History-->Clear History seems to remove these from the Safari History menu, but doesn't seem to remove the files from the folder.
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Feeds: ~/Library/PubSub/Feeds/, a file gets created here each time your feeds get checked and have changed. This can grow if your feeds are checked frequently. The RSS tab in the Safari preferences allows you to control how often these get purged (keep 2 weeks, keep 1 day, etc.) That seems to not be functioning properly. Clicking the "Remove Now" didn't seem to clear the files.
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Top Sites: /private/var/folders/[XX]/[Hex]/-Caches-/com.apple.Safari/Webpage Previews/, 2 image files JPG and PNG for Top sites previews.
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Deleting these by clicking the 'edit' button on the Top Sites page and clicking the 'X' doesn't remove the image files. It does remove the images from the Top Sites display.
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Some of the articles also claim that the files still get created while in "Private Browsing…" mode, but I tested this in Safari Beta 4 (5528.17) and it seemed to not create any files.
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Using Safari Beta 4 (5528.17) . If you want a clean slate use the Safari-->Reset Safari… options.
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"Remove all webpage preview images" seems to reset the Top Sites preview images. They will get recreated based on History, so you may combine that with "Clear History". If you want the default set of Top sites back you can check the "Reset Top Sites" option.
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Using the "Clear History" option from the "Reset Safari" panel also removes the history metadata files. Incidentally it also worked using the History->Clear History menu. It did take a few seconds to see the change in the Finder.
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Did not find a way to easily clear the RSS cache files
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Security research publishes OS X Java exploit proof of concept
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From The Mac Observer.
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Security researcher Landon Fuller published a proof of concept exploit on his blog to illustrate the danger of this vulnerability.
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The expolit loads a java applet in the browser and then execute the UNIX "say" command using the current logged in user level permissions.
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There is no security alert or permissions requested by the browser before executing the command outside the browser.
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Sun released a patch for the vulnerability in December of 2008 and it was not part of Apple's latest 10.5.7 or security updates for Leopard or Tiger.
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Mac OS X users should disable Java applets in their browsers and disable 'Open "safe" files after downloading' in Safari.
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Could a Pan-European iTunes Store become a reality?
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Macworld says we are at least one step closer
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Responding to an accusation from the EU's European Commission's Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes that the various European collecting societies running national monopolies. France's SACEM agreed, SACEM agreed in principle to allow it's works to be licensed more easily across Europe.
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Label EMI has also agreed to allow selling of it's catalog across the EU.
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Currently Apple has to negotiate rights with agencies in each of the 27 EU countries which is why all countries are not represented in iTunes yet.
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Back to school promo and Macbook bump
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Buy a qualifying Mac and iPod with your Apple education discount from May 27, 2009, through September 8, 2009, and receive an online rebate up to $229
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Qualifying Macs include, a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac Pro at the educational price.
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New White Macbook
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2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (2.0 in Uni)
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2GB DDR2 Memory (DDR3 in Uni)
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160GB hard drive
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NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
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2 USB 2.0 and 1 FW 400 port (no FW in Uni)
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$999.00 USD, vs. $1,299 USD for Unibody Macbook
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Sponsor
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Cocoatech
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Pathfinder 5, amazing file browser and management application.
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I am constantly discovering new features, like the built-in image editor.
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Great for quick simple edits
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cropping, rotating, simple effects, etc.
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Also built-in application launcher.
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Free 30-day trial
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Feedback, Comments and Commentary
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Choosing a Mac mouse
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Had a number of questions this week about mice.
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A mouse is a personal preference, so what features are most important to you?
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Wired or Wireless. If Wireless, RF or Bluetooth?
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How many buttons? Extra buttons.
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Scroll wheel
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Portable
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Is it Mac compatible?
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The basics
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Most USB mice will work with basic functionality on a Mac without any additional drivers
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left & right buttons, cursor movement, and scroll wheel
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Extra features
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To activate most 3rd party mice extra features and programmability you will need additional software
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Drivers usually include a system preference pane
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Check before you purchase to see if the mouse is Mac compatible.
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Brands
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Logitech
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Kensington
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Microsoft
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RadTech
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3rd party drivers
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Natahn wanted to know about software to allow the Mighty Mouse scrollball to function as a trackball to control cursor movements.
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SteerMouse
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USB Overdrive
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Both these say they are Mac compatible, but haven't been updated since 2008
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Alternatives
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Tablets, trackballs, trackpads, etc.
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Software vs. Hardware RAID-1
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Play question from Tom
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Hardware is always preferred since there will always be some overhead with software raid. Your Mac will have to act as RAID controller.
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There also might be data integrity issues with software RAID. If you Mac crashes while doing it's RAID thing, who knows?
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Might just be a simple rebuild
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Finding Mac upgrade parts
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Lex wanted to know how to get the right kind of hard drive to add to his Mac Pro.
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Basically a 3.5" SATA drive, but what about specifics? Buffer, speed, etc.
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Going to a big box store like Fry's or Best Buy can be confusing and when it comes to raw components like Memory or drives Apple and those guys aren't much help.
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Getting the specs
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Apple's spec database
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Mac Tracker, awesome app and can sync to your iPod and there is an iPhone iPod Touch version for free.
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detailed specs on just about everything Apple makes or has made including startup chimes.
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Where do I go?
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Xlr8your Mac
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All kinds of articles on upgrades, drive compatability database, video card performance, etc.
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iFixit
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They have parts and compnents and their teardown section and guides are very good.
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Other World Computing
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I buy most of my bare hard drives from here or Fry's
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Also good source for RAM
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They have how-to videos as well.
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Crucial
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This is where I buy most of my memory
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The memory wizard makes sure you get the right stuff for your Mac
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What to do with that old iPhone
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Play comment from Brian
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You can keep it and use it unactivated. May even still be able to make emergency calls?
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Hack it. Use the PwnageTool and gain access to unauthorized apps. Couls also possibly unlock it if you want. Disclaimer: leagalities of jailbreaking are in dispute.
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Give it to another user. They will need to activate it with a carrier and likely sign a contract.
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Wipe the data. Settings -> General -> Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings.
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Closing
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Podcast Marketplace
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Thanks to my sponsors
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Circus Ponies
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Smile on my Mac
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Faronics, Deep Freeze
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Audible
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CocoaTech, Path Finder 5
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Keep emails coming. Audio comments.
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281-622-4269 or 281-Mac-I-Am-9
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PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
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MacCast Forum
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"A Lonely September" by Plain White T's
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From the Podsafe Music Network
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Artist's site
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Buy on iTunes
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EOL: His Holiness, Mr. Jobs
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Found on Flickr, a stained glass trinity featuring Steve Jobs, Linus Torvalds, and Bill Gates (via Cult of Mac)
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