MacMost: Archives

Most video cameras produce files in a format that iMovie can handle right away. However, some cameras use special video formats that iMovie can't read without your help. There are three strategies you can use to get incompatible video into iMovie: installing software that comes with your camera, researching solutions on the company Web site, or converting the video using free third-party tools.

You can go even further with Print As PDF by printing into Preview and then saving the preview document. You can reduce the file size or apply any number of Quartz filters. You can even make your own filter. You can also save as an encrypted PDF.

If you have a wireless network at home you should set up wireless security. It is as simple as setting a password through the Airport Utility application or the Web interface of your wireless router. This will not only prevent others from accessing your network and using your Internet connection, but it will also encrypt your data.

Looks like Apple spent this week cleaning up some dusty corners. First, they released a Mac Pro update to fix a nasty bug in 2009 Mac Pros that made the processor go wild when playing some audio. The update has been long-awaited by many.
Next, Apple gave the gift of a free update to iPod Touch users. Touch users have had to pay for their OS updates, unlike iPhone users who apparently pay by having a mobile phone contract. These $10 updates have been skipped by many users, leaving Apple having to support older versions of the OS. So this week Apple suddenly made the 3.0 OS update available for free via the regular update channels. Those with an iPod Touch who stuck with version 2.0 of the OS apparently only need to check for updates through iTunes while their Touch is connected. But reports of this working are sporadic, as it would require someone who hasn’t updated yet.
Then Apple decided to deal with a rare hard drive issue that affects some MacBook users who purchased in 2006 and 2007. Apple is reportedly offering a free repair if you have the issue, even though your warranty is long gone. If you think you might be affected, check out this page at the Apple site.
Outside of the mothership, an interesting third-party software development took place this week when Dragon acquired MacSpeech. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the leader in speak-to-type software for Windows. MacSpeech used Dragon’s engine in their Mac software. I guess Dragon decided that MacSpeech was doing well enough for them to enter the Mac market again by simply acquiring the company. So soon MacSpeech won’t just be “close” to NaturallySpeaking, it probably will be NaturallySpeaking.

Learn how to walk away from your Mac without worrying about others easily getting access to your data or messing up your settings. By setting your Mac to log you out, or require a password when you have left it, you can walk away from a Mac in a semi-public area like your work space or home office.

Text Clippings allow you to save pieces of text as small files in the Finder and drag them into text documents and fields. You can create them by dragging text from an application to the Finder.

Gary Rosenzweig tackles the controversial question of whether you need to buy anti-virus software for your Mac. There are currently no active Mac viruses and anti-virus software could cause unexpected problems. Staying informed and up-to-date is a better option.

Typically, the week of MacWorld Expo is the biggest week of the year for Apple news. But not this year. Without Apple’s participation there is little to report, in fact. The Expo is about half the size it was last year, taking up only one hall in San Francisco’s Moscone Center instead of two. And the press releases and announcements are more of the side-show variety, with new iPhone cases, apps, third-party Mac software updates, and a few new gadgets.
Apple’s only major announcement this week is the release of a new version of Aperture, their professional-level photo management and editing software. This new version catches up with the cheaper iLife application iPhoto by adding Faces and Places. Aperture is more in line with Adobe’s Lightroom software, also meant for the professional crowd. Also new in Aperture 3 are a set of new slideshow creation features that produce HD video slideshows.

Audacity is a free open source sound editor that anyone who edits audio should have on their Mac. It allows you to record, edit, alter and export sounds. It can be much easier to use than GarageBand for simple tasks.

The Sonos ZonePlayers are devices for playing music from your Mac or streaming service through your home network. Take a look at the S5 and the ZP90 ZonePlayers and see how they work. You can also get a ZoneBridge to use your ZonePlayers wirelessly. Sonos Web site. Sonos at Amazon.com.

Go beyond bookmarks by using your Safari History as an endless bookmarking system. The trick is to learn how to search your history to find pages you have visited hours or days ago. This powerful feature of the Web browser is often overlooked by new Mac users and long-time users alike.

With so much hype built up around the iPad before its launch, it is not surprising that the device couldn’t live up to it. Many Apple fanboys turned against their favorite company this week, complaining that the iPad doesn’t live up to their expectations. Specifically, many wish it had a camera, multitasking, longer battery life, and support for Adobe Flash.
Other articles are pushing back against this backlash, pointing out how the iPhone was a success and it didn’t have a ready-to-go App Store like the iPad will have at launch.
A pair of updates came out this week for iTunes and the iPhone OS. iTunes 9.0.3 fixes a bug where iTunes forgets what you specify for “remember password for purchases.” It also reportedly fixes bugs having to do with smart playlists and podcasts. The iPhone OS update, version 3.1.3 improves battery reporting and fixes a number of bugs and security issues.

Since the Magic Mouse's surface is one big touch-sensitive area, it was only a matter of time before third-party developers came up with solutions for adding custom gestures. By installing free and inexpensive system extensions, you can assign commands to various swipes and taps.

You don't need to pay top dollar for Macs, iPods and iPhones. Other sellers besides Apple have the same products for a little less. Plus you can use educational discounts and credit cards to save even more. Here are some useful tips on how to buy Apple products for less.

You can use GarageBand as a simple audio file editor. Just drag and drop a sound file into GarageBand to edit it. You can adjust the volume, cut out parts of the sound and apply filters. You can then export as a standard sound file or a compressed file.

Apple announced a whole new class of device yesterday with the introduction of the iPad. It is essentially a large iPod Touch, but with some interesting features. Here is a summary iPad hardware details:
– 9.5 inches tall, 7.5 inches wide and .5 inches deep.
– Screen resolution is 1024×768.
– Uses a new Apple A4 processor.
– Multitouch screen with more than 1000 sensors.
– Accelerometer, compass, light sensor, WiFi and Bluetooth.
– Optional 3G as well, unlocked. Takes a GSM micro sim card.
– 10-hour battery life.
– Uses iPhone/iPod dock connector.
– Includes built-in speaker and a microphone.
– Headphone jack.
– On/Off/Sleep, Home, mute and volume buttons.
The software for the iPad is version 3.2 of the iPhone/iPod Touch OS. This is not a Mac. To get additional software you will need to purchase it from the App Store. All existing iPhone apps should work on the device, with the ability to pixel-double the size to better fit the screen.
In addition, there will be some iPad-specific apps, such as Apple’s own iWork applications: Pages, Number and Keynote. There will also be a iBooks app for reading eBooks, and Apple will be launching the “iBookstore” for purchashing eBooks.
AT&T will be offering 3G data plans for the iPad in the U.S., including a $30/month unlimited plan. You can prepay for plans, apparantly without a contract.
There are some accessories planned, including a dock stand with a full-sized keyboard and a SD card adapter.
The price for the iPad will be $499 for the base WiFi-only 16GB model, then $599 and $699 for 32GB and 64GB models. Add $130 to each of those for the optional 3G.
The WiFi-only models will be available in late March, while the 3G models will come out a month after that.
In other news, Apple reported quarterly results on Monday which included new records for Macs and iPhones. It was Apple’s best performing quarter ever with record profits.

Apple announced a new product today: the iPad. Essentially a large iPod Touch, the iPad is capable of running iPhone apps at a higher resolution. You can use it to purchase and use music, videos and books. It comes in a WiFi and a WiFi+3G version and will be available at the end of March for prices starting at $499.

Here is a list of the major points announced at this special event.
10:00 — Steve Jobs takes the stage and talks about Apple as a mobile hardware company.
10:10 — Announcement: the iPad!
10:11 — Steve is demonstrating the device. Looks like a giant iPhone or iPod Touch. One-screen keyboard. Basic apps with a similar iPhone interface.
10: 12 — Steve shows off browsing the Web, viewing pictures and video.
10:16 — Includes a large screen email app, closer to the iPhone’s email than Mail on the Mac.
10:24 — Showing off a version of iCal.
10:26 — Show off Google maps, with street view.
10:30 — 1/2 inch thin, 1 1/2 pounds, 9.7-inch display, multi-touch.
10:31 — Apple is using their own processor chip, a 1Ghz Apple A4 chip.
10:32 — Memory options will range from 16GB to 64GB.
10:33 — Has Wifi (802.11n) and Bluetooth. Accelerometer, compass. Speaker, mic, dock connector.
10:34 — Claiming 10-hour battery life, even with video playing.
10:35 — Can run all iPhone apps as-is. Will double pixels and run them full screen.
10:37 — Developers can modify their apps to take full advantage of the larger display.
10:38 — New version of the iPhone SDK today for developers to update their apps.
10:40 — Showing off 3D shooter game running in full screen.
10:43 — New York Times showing off their app.
10:44 — Showing off “Brushes” app that lets you paint.
10:48 — EA showing off Need For Speed on the iPad, a 3D racing game.
10:50 — MLB.com shows off their baseball app, with video.
10:55 — iBooks is an eBook reader app. Can download books direction to the iPad.
10:58 — The iPad uses the standard ePub format, so we might be able to get books from elsewhere or make our own without Apple.
10:59 — A version of iWork will be available for the iPad. Showing off Keynote, Pages and Numbers. Numbers uses a lot of special keyboards for entering specific data types.
11:14 — iWork will cost $9.99 per application.
11:15 — You can also get the iPad with 3G wireless networking.
11:16 — AT&T will offer a 250MB/month plan for $14.99. $29.99 gets you unlimited data from AT&T. Also includes free use of AT&T WiFi hotspot locations.
11:17 — 3G data plans are prepaid. Sign up right on the iPad itself.
11:18 — Plans are for the U.S. only, but they hope to have international plans by June.
11:19 — The iPad is “unlocked” so you can use any GSM micro SIM from any carrier.
11:20 — Prices start at $500.
11:21 — $499 for the 16GB WiFi-only model. $599 for 32GB and $699 for 64GB. With 3G it will be $629, $729 and $829.
11:22 — Shipping in 60 days. First the WiFi-only ones. Then 30 more days for the first 3G ones.
11:23 — Apple will also sell a dock stand, and a dock/keyboard stand with a full-sized keyboard.
12:33 — Looks like the books will be sold through the “iBookstore.” So there will be iTunes for music and video, the App Store for apps, and the iBookstore for books.
You should be able to watch the whole thing yourself at Apple.com soon.
Will have a video up on MacMost shortly…

In 24 hours we’ll find out what the Apple Tablet looks like, what it can do, and what Apple wants us to use the Tablet for. But in the mean time we can speculate and empose our wishes on to this potential device. Plus, it is fun to take the pulse of the community to see what their expections are just before the device is real.
So, by far, the number one task users want from the Tablet is to be able to browse the Web. Nearly 50% of all respondants mentioned this as one of three things they would like to do. And it is pretty certain that no matter what form the Tablet takes that we should have a version of Safari on the device. The iPhone and iPod Touch do, so it would be a no-brainer that the Tablet will as well.
Second, with about 36% was “reading books.” Clearly there is the idea that the Tablet will compete with the Kindle here. In fact, if the sales match up with the hype then it should soon outpace the Kindle as the number one eBook reader.
Email came in third, with 30% of people wanting to read and send email on the Tablet. It’s a sure bet that the Tablet will support this as well, whether it is a Mac or a iPod Touch-like device.
The only surprise at the bottom of the 16-item list is that games ended up 11th, with only 12% interested in playing games. Some analysts have even speculated that games will be the primary function of the Tablet. If there is an app store for the Tablet, it is certain to be dominated by games like the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store.
Here is the original poll with results:

---

Before we find out what the tablet looks like, what it does, and what it can be used for, tell MacMost what you think. Based on your guess about what the tablet will be, what would you be most likely to use an Apple Tablet device for? Select 3 answers. If you have a top-3 idea that isn’t listed, answer in the comments section below.

What to do when your Mac slows down. If you are experiencing a slowdown, there are several things you can check before having a pro take a look. Learn how to use Activity Monitor, Disk Utility and the System Preferences to look for obvious problems. There are also some other tips for clearing up trouble.