Google Profiles – have you heard of them?

Google seems to me to be power hungry, or at least getting there. But, what can I say? I love their products. I hope the trust I put in them won\’t be misused. I love Gmail, Google, Blogger, Picasa, and Chrome. Well add a new one to the list: Google Profiles. Eventually, Google will release its public social networking plans. I keep reiterating the same things I guess, but I do love simplicity and Google Profiles continues Google’s throning style. Check it out. (note: I guess this has , but so what – double triple post for the win)

ORIGINAL POST

iTunes 8.1’s new feature: iTunes DJ

Today, I booted into Vista (gasp! no!!! but this is another post that will come shortly, until then see my Win7 post using pictures). My Windows 7 partition is not nearly as big as my Vista partition which is one of the main factors in why I don’t want to move my music to a place that a clean install of iTunes will like. So, I booted into Vista so that I could reorganize my playlists on my iPod, and specifically make a new one, because I didn’t have time to last time I added music to iTunes.

To my surprise, iTunes had an update ready, so I went ahead and installed it (iTunes 8.1). I didn’t notice any change except for one small thing. The list of playlists looked a little “pushed down”. So I pulled my eyes upward in the left navigation panel and saw a new button “iTunes DJ”. Curiously, I clicked on it.

As you can see from the picture, it plays all of your songs randomly (and, just an assumption as I’m back on Windows 7 again, I think if you uncheck some it will not play those). It can show a wide range of upcoming songs as well as previously played songs. The “randomizer” accounts for higher rated songs and can even play them more often. And, Apple must have just released an app or something of the sort (I don’t own an iPod touch/iPhone, can’t check ) because you can use your iPod touch/iPhone as a remote for the DJ. The remote function can, for instance, be used by all of your friends at your party at once to either request songs one by one or even vote on them without needing to have their hands on the keyboard/mouse. Pretty nifty huh?

On a side note, I brought this up because the program my school radio station uses for automation (we have one “automation computer” and another with a different DJ program that I do not think automizes but is very nice for actual DJ-ing) has been having some problems lately. In certain instances, when you try to “Insert” cuts into the line to be played, the program would freeze and so we have pretty much stopped inserting with that computer. I just thought it was interesting that iTunes now has an option for a DJ mode. And it’s free. But then again, our automation computer’s program does have very nice additional features like weather, notes, clocks, and other personalized tidbits that I do not think we could function well without. But, the Radio/TV class is still great and the problem with the program is being looked at and will probably be fixed soon.

original post

iPod Touch/iPhone as a Wireless Mouse with Snatch

While trolling for stylish and useful apps on the App Store this morning, I ran across several different takes on using the iPod Touch or iPhone as a mouse.  Being somewhat skeptical and strapped for cash, I chose to try out the free version of “Snatch” from Hoofien.  Now, the general idea behind any of these applications is using your portable device to control your computer.  In the weeks following the OS 2 update I found myself trying out VNC Mocha Lite-a remote, well, VNC client.  MochaLite, though, tried to display the whole of my MBP desktop on the 3.5 inch iPod Touch screen, which was not what I needed.  What I wanted to do with it was control my MacBook.  I didn’t necessarily want to be in the othe room, just away from it.  There’s really not a good way to display the whole thing on that screen, and if I really wanted to bring it with me, I’d bring it with me.  That’s why it’s called a ‘laptop’.  But I digress.  What SnatchTest and other mouse applications allow me to do is take remote control of my cursor in a touchpad like manner.

New Device Media Manager Could Be A Revolution

I have a very stupid phone. At least, it seems that way now-a-days. With iPhones and Blackberry’s running around, each proclaiming themselves to be the epitome of phone excellence, my old fashioned RAZR is pretty out of date. I can’t get any kind of media on it (besides the photos I take) without going through a very difficult process involving a monkey skull and a lot of sheep’s blood. It’s possible that that is a lie. In truth, Verizon offers their VCAST manager for phones, but my phone (an inherited piece) is too archaic even for that: and both the software I can use for my phone (a silver RAZR circa 2007) and the VCAST manager are complex and locked down, so I don’t use my phone for anything other than calls. Of course, I’m not as up to speed with my phone as the rest of the tech community is: most phones are capable of handling images, videos, and music, in addition to their data connections. Anyone who has a phone with those abilities (read: everyone) needs to put content on their phone somehow. There’s at least a manager for each carrier on the market, and in general, they aren’t top priority for phone manufacturers. Also, for anyone who has a lot of these devices, keeping around 16 different programs that are ineffective to start with is not optimal. That’s where doubleTwist comes in.

Spotlight on Notebooks, 1:35-1:55

Now to the Air: getting significant space upgrades to 120GB HD, double the space, option of 128GB SSD

Added a mini-display port to the Air as well as the new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. $1799 for lower end, $2499 for higher.

New display, confirmed.  Comes with built in-iSight (finally), stereo speakers (slick), 24 inch LED backlit display (1920×1200 resolution).  $900.  Very thin, glass display (last gen-cinema display/iMac hybrid).

Has built in cables to power MacBook/MacBook Pro (MagSafe) and a USB (for what I don’t know).

One more thing…

And it’s the MacBook.  Depressing.  Adding a model instead of replacing, is a smaller version of new MacBook Pros, entry price at just a dollar below $1000, not looking like much.  All metal, first MacBook to do so.  5 hours of battery life, little more beveled than the previous version, more like new MBP, MBAir.

Both MBP and MacBook meet EPEAT Gold specifications for environmental friendliness.

9400M included on MacBook, significantly ups the graphics power.

Wait, newer version MacBooks are actually $1299, the older plastic white model is dropping down to $999.

Cheaper than higher ends used to be, though.  Faster processor, larger hard drive, backlit keyboard added for $1599.

MacBook on same shipping schedule as MacBook Pros (ship today, available tomorrow).

MacBook spec: Core 2 Duo 3 MB L2

Consensus: Brick refers to the process used to make all of Apple’s new notebooks: one piece of aluminum cut out of, makes it stronger, lighter.

Apple’s pushing the process big time, apparently, with a video from Jonathan Ive about the process.

Store still down.

I need to figure out how to do updates like they do with the live blogs instead of summaries like this.  Let me know if you have suggestions.

No word on the 17 inch MBP, TUAW points out.  Word is that SuperDrives are finally on all models.  EnGadget points out that Apple has all matte displays.  Depressing, but who didn’t see that coming?

All right, it looks like nothing more is coming.  Enjoy your new Apple Notebooks…that is, if you’re not busy bailing yourself out of the economy boat.  I’d be set to pick up one of the new Cinema Displays and an Air if anyone wants to donate.

Stay tuned here, to Ars, TUAW, EnGadget, and Gizmodo for the rest of the live (or meta-live) blogging experience, and keep your eyes peeled for the new notebooks in the wild at your local Apple store and online.  (Apple store is still down).  Thanks for reading!

Spotlight on Notebooks: 1:15-1:35

It’s all very exciting: one piece of aluminum is taken and parts are removed to result in a stronger and significantly lighter casing.

The plan is to use this to create more notebooks like the Air.

NVIDIA usage confirmed from Jobs: the new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M: “16 parallel graphics cores, 54 Gigaflops of graphics performance, up to 5 times faster graphics than Intel integrated graphics” (Jobs via Ars).

Multi-Touch glass trackpad, confirmed.  (I’m on my way to bingo winning action).  Entire trackpad is the button, as predicted by DF’s John Gruber.  Capable of Mighty-Mouse style two (in this case, more) button action via software.  39% larger trackpad, more gestures added (some four finger).

New MacBook Pro, confirmed.  Looks just like the leaked photos.  Graphics=NVIDIA, All ports on one side, Air manufacturing process (one piece of aluminum plus some), (LED) backlit display & keyboard, trackpad, corners look more rounded, feels more like an Air.  Keyboard also Air-esque.  DVI port, gone.  (Sniff) Replaced with Mini-DVI.  Magnetic latch, iSight, usual MBP items.  “Environmentally repsonsible”

Casing is very light, very thin, still very robust though.

Lied earlier, NVIDIA in the MBP is actually the 9600M GT with 32 Parallel Graphics cores, 512MB GDDR3, 120 GigaFlops AND the GeForce 9400M.  Can switch between the two to improve battery life (lower end=5 hours, upper end=4 hours, not bad).

No FW 400, confirmed.  2 USB, MagSafe, Superdrive (apparently not Supderduper Blu-Ray drive), other standard ports.  HDD and SSD available on MacBook Pro (hope the price drops on this).

Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11N, no change.  Less than 1 inch thick (0.95″).  Thinnest MBP ever.

Ships today, in stores tomorrow.

Two models, starting at $1999, 15 inch, 2.4 GHz, 3MB L2 2GB RAM, BOTH NVIDIA CHIPS, 250GB HD, superdrive

Second, $2499, processor speed does get a bump to 2.53GHz with 6MB L2 (both can be upgraded to 2.8 GHz apparently).

Where It’s At

Well, it took me since the “Let’s Rock” event, but I finally understand what TUAW is talking about when they say “Meta Live-Blogging”-and it’s exactly what I’m doing.  They summarize what all the other bloggers are reporting and bring it together in one easy to find place.  Hmmm…my mistake earlier when I said they were live blogging, but it’s still just as good.  Stay tuned.

Spotlight on Notebooks: 1:00-1:15

We’re monitoring the feeds, and it looks like things are just starting to heat up.

Tim Cook is actually speaking first, not his Jobsness.

Blah blah blah we make better computers, we added boot camp, Cook is giving a basic summary of everything that is good about Macs.  Perhaps a preclude to a new release, Apple?

“Our get a Mac ads are good” Yes, they are.  Even Microsoft tries to copy them.  We don’t copy Microsoft though: Leopard>Vista.  Ouch.

Lots of new stores around the globe.  Fun statistic from Cook: 50% of Mac sales are to users that are new to Macs.

31% revenue share for Macs in US market.

47% of University students use Macs.  Translation: “damn, we’re looking fine today”

Jobs comes back to talk about ‘Notebooks’: starting with how they’re made.  Jonathan Ive is going to talk about how the old MacBook Pros were made.  Wheee!

Much ado about how the cases need to be robust, how they’re put together.  Suffice to say that it’s a significant process.  (check out photos at Ars, Gizmodo, or EnGadget, as well as explanations)

Surely they’ll change all this with the new, all aluminum notebooks.

Down

Well, TUAW caught it: the Apple store is down (about 20 minutes ago).  Must be putting up some juicy new Notebook action!

Early Morning Roundup

Well, ladies and gents, it’s a little over four hours to “go time” but as per usual, rumors have been changing last-minute.  First off, photos have been posted of the purported new MacBook Pro, and it’s going to drive some people nuts.  Apple seems to be swapping their products over to the new iMac design with an all aluminum case complete with black outlined display, no latch, and a glass trackpad with no visible button.  Daring Fireball points out that the trackpad is actually all button, in that you push down at any point to click.  New purchasers will also have the benefit of a MacBook-Air-style keyboard, but no matte displays (glossy only, like the new iMac).

It appears as though the graphics card rumor is still standing, but that we will not see processor boosts in any model (without updating the actual processor chipset, I’m not surprised).  Confirmed from MacNN is the rumor that the MacBooks will not have a Firewire port, while the MacBook Pros should hold on to their FW800s.

Finally, rumors are circling that a rumored $899 item will actually be a 24-inch LED display and not the cheap MacBook with economy-boosting action (but both are still speculation, we’ll have to wait until 1pm EST today to find out).

Stay tuned for the actual event (coverage starting here just before 1pm EST/10am PST) or at any of the following sites that will actually be live-blogging the event:

TUAW Ars EnGadget Gizmodo