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Apple Releases the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED

James — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 05:41:39 +0000

Apple has released the new iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED, a special edition iPod nano that helps in the fight against AIDS. According to MacMerc:

Apple today announced the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. (RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage business in the fight against AIDS in Africa by getting the world’s most iconic companies to make uniquely branded products. A portion of the profits from these products goes directly to the Global Fund to fund programs for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Apple will donate $10 from every iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sale to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. “Which means your iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sounds good and does good at the same time.”

Apple Releases the Mac Pro

James — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:50:09 +0000

Apple has released the new Mac Pro, Apple’s Intel-based successor to the Power Mac line. According to MacMerc:

Apple today unveiled the new Mac Pro, a quad Xeon, 64-bit desktop workstation featuring two new Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors running up to 3.0 GHz and a new system architecture that delivers up to twice the performance of the Power Mac G5 Quad.

Only one pre-built configuration of the Mac Pro is available today, starting at $2,499, but the Mac Pro is fully customizable via “more than 4.9 million build-to-order options”.

Apple Releases the MacBook

James — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:50:51 +0000

Apple has released the new MacBook, Apple’s Intel-based successor to the iBook line. According to MacMerc:

Apple today unveiled the MacBook, a consumer notebook featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and a new 13-inch glossy widescreen display. With speeds up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook, the new MacBook completes Apple’s Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.

The MacBook is a quarter of an inch thinner than the former iBook G4 and features a display which is “79% brighter with 30% more viewing area,” a built-in iSight camera, Front Row and the Apple Remote, and a MagSafe Power Adapter, which “is designed to magnetically guide your cord into place and disconnect smoothly if someone trips over it.” Like the iPod, the MacBook is available in either black or white.

Free Portable Multimedia Applications

James — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 21:20:56 +0000

In this week’s Freeloader Friday, Brian has presented us with a few useful, free, and portable multimedia applications. These portable applications can be run from any portable storage device, require absolutely no installation, and leave absolutely no personal data behind on the host computer, which makes them ideal for the workplace or almost any public computer. If you enjoyed this week’s Freeloader Friday, then you may also be interested in a few reruns, such as On the Run, Getting Things Done, and Online Office. Visit FreeSMUG for more Mac-compatible portable applications and PortableApps.com for Windows-compatible portable applications.

Run Windows on Your Intel-based Mac

James — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:27:49 +0000

Apple has released Boot Camp, which “provides a straightforward means of letting your [Intel-based] Mac run Windows.” According to MacMerc:

Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD. After the installation is complete, users can choose to run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computer.

Boot Camp has been released as a public beta and is available on a trial-basis for a limited time only. Apple plans to include Boot Camp as a feature in the next major release of Mac OS X.

Rick’s iChat Status Icons

James — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:43:56 +0000

Rick was not pleased by .Mac’s iChat status icons, so he decided to create his own.

Having downloaded [the .Mac set] myself, I quickly found that its 9 icons didn’t really fit in with my lifestyle. For instance, I don’t go to the gym so much, and when I go OOTO (Out Of The Office) it rarely if ever requires the use of a plane as depicted on the icon. No, I needed my own set.

Rick’s witty iChat status icons are compatible with almost every text-based chat client, including (but not limited to) iChat and Adium.

Spotlight Update: Mozilla Foundation Projects

James — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:19:20 +0000

Do you ever find yourself wondering what the Mozilla Foundation is up to? Wondering how well their current projects are doing? Well, in that case, it’s time for an opinionated review, which has once again been updated to reflect the current versions. This updated review briefly covers Firefox v1.5, Camino v1.0, and Thunderbird v1.5. Enjoy the Spotlight on the Current Mozilla Foundation Projects!

Apple Releases the iPod Hi-Fi

James — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 20:14:01 +0000

Apple has released the iPod Hi-Fi, “the stereo for the new century.” According to MacMerc:

Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod. iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.

The iPod Hi-Fi “delivers crystal-clear, audiophile-quality sound in a clean, compact design,” and is available starting at $349.

Apple Releases the First Intel Mac Minis

James — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 20:07:12 +0000

Apple has released the first Intel-based Mac minis. According to MacMerc:

The new Mac mini is now up to four times faster with the Intel Core Duo, includes even greater expansion in the same incredibly compact design, and is the most affordable way to enjoy Front Row and iLife â€˜06.

The 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo (dual-core) Mac mini is available starting at $799 and the 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo (single-core) Mac mini is available starting at $599.

How to Use Photoshop’s Extract Filter

James — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 08:24:43 +0000

I have been so busy lately that I forgot to mention Rick’s recent tutorial on how to effectively use Photoshop’s Extract filter. If you have always wanted to learn how to extract items from your photos with Photoshop, then this is the tutorial for you! For more blockbuster Photoshop tutorials, see Attack of the iPod People, Comic Art Effect, The Lord of the Rings Tutorial, Matrix Code Retooled, and the MacMerc.com Graphic Tips and Tutorials archive.