Smartphones NOT So Smart!

Me: If I don't move for 5+ hours, my phone should be aware and quit polling for nearby wifi hotspots. Not found in 10 min, try again in 10 min.

Friend: I just turn wifi off

Me: I turn it off too, but by the time I remember, it's already used 25% battery life. I use wifi at home, otherwise I'd turn it off altogether. They make this crap seem like its innovative, but they stop just to make the phone look pretty. Apple: Fix the software and make it more intelligent...THEN beautify!

Ugh!

I'm beginning to HATE iWeb. I can only post things if I use my MacBook or iMac. I can't create iWeb content using my iPad or a Windows machine (WTF). There's also the issue with my Macbook having an older copy of iWeb...I'm trying to prevent having to spend $70 to get the latest version of iLife. Yeah, its only $70, but factor in that I have to use the word 'only' every time I purchase software or computer supplies...that stuff adds up (seriously).

So, coming back to Blogger seems to be the logical solution. I can access Blogger from any system while I can't with iWeb. I don't have to pay for Blogger to ensure compatibility, either. I think iWeb has become an afterthought for Apple. The Apple mindset of "we know better than the user/consumer" gets old after awhile...

Apple Taps Unisys to Assist With Business and Government Support

 

Bloomberg reports that Apple has brought in IT service provider Unisys to help with support for its corporate and government customers, a growing area of focus for Apple.

More here.

iPhone 4 Sells Out in Apple's Chinese Online Store in Only 10 Hours, Scalpers Blamed

Earlier this week, Apple debuted its Chinese online store, offering consumers in that country the ability to order the full range of Apple products directly from the company. M.I.C gadget reports, however, that the store's supplies of the iPhone 4 recent incidents in Apple's retail stores in China, scalpers are being blamed for rapid depletion of Apple's online store stocks. With Apple employing more stringent standards for in-store iPhone 4 sales, including reservations, purchase limits and ID requirements, the new online store appears to be scalpers' latest target.

More here.

iPad now available in AT&T and Verizon retail stores

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/28/ipad-now-available-in-atandt-and-verizon-retail-stores/

AT&T is offering only the three Wi-Fi + 3G models, priced at Apple's standard $629/$729/$829. The company also continues to offer its two no-contract monthly data plans at 250 MB ($14.99) and 2 GB ($25.00). Monthly international data plans are also available for those traveling outside of the United States, although at significantly higher prices than domestic data.

For its part, Verizon is offering the the Wi-Fi-only iPad models, promoting bundles with the carrier's MiFi mobile hotspot for $629.99/$729.99/$829.99, effectively offering an over-50% discount on the MiFi's standard no-contract price of $269.99. No-contract monthly data plans for the iPad/MiFi bundle are offered at 1 GB ($20), 3 GB ($35), 5 GB ($50) and 10 GB ($80). The carrier is also offering unbundled Wi-Fi iPads for $499.99/$599.99/$699.99.

Is there Kismac for iPad?

The title says it all.

I left my Macbook in the passenger seat on the way to work one day, leaving Kismac running...

What I wanted to know was how many unsecured WAPs I crossed on my way to work.  I no longer have the gathered data but I was shocked...approximately 20% of the observed WAPs were not secure at all.

I'd like to be able to do this again, leveraging my iPad.  I'm currently looking for something similar to Kismac (or Kismac itself) for the iPad.

[Edit:  found something here...not particularly good news but it is understandable.]

iPad = Desktop/Laptop Replacement?

Do you think that an iPad can replace a laptop (not a netbook) or a desktop?  If so, why?  Feel free to leave comments.

The reason I'd like to leave netbooks out of the equation is that netbooks and iPads are going to be similar, specification-wise.  I don't always like to compare apples to apples.  :)  Besides, if someone is going to argue that iPads can be used as full-on computer systems, it would make for a stronger argument if the comparison was against a non-netbook system.

I believe Steve Jobs (Apple's CEO) even suggested that the iPad wasn't designed to be a laptop/desktop replacement.  While the iPad can be made into something it isn't, the design goals shouldn't be changed, at least not without real planning/scoping on the part of the Apple dev team.

The iPad is a good tool...but its not a laptop or desktop replacement.  I'd not even want it to be.  There will always be things that a laptop or desktop will do better...sometimes mobility doesn't matter (like when I'm home?).

iPad First Usage FAQ

I'm going to attempt to keep a tally of questions regarding the first few weeks of iPad usage.

Q1. I plug my iPad to my Macbook so that it can charge, but it isn't charging. What's the deal?
A1. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4060 states that this won't work, as the iPad is beefier equipment and it requires a strong power source (or charge it while it is in sleep mode, when it's drawing almost no power).

Q2: Can I manipulate what shows in images I select as backgrounds?

A2: Yes: http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=9565984&postcount=2. When setting up the wallpapers, you can pinch/zoom and pan them around to get them centered just how you like...the trick is, if you then rotate the system, you can do it again for the other orientation, and it remembers both. This way you could use a 1024x768 image, and then zoom in the portrait version so that it fills the 768x1024 screen without being ugly.

I'll add more as I discover more learning challenges.

iPad Time!

So, I got me an iPad today...the 32GB wifi-only model. In fact, I'm postIng from it right now!

I also got the Apple case for it, and the camera connection kit.

Right now, I'm trying to get data to it (pictures and music and such).

My major interest right now is learning what is needed for iWorks stuff, like Keynote. Movies would be nice too.

I've yet to tell the wife that I got it, so some sparks may be generated when she finds out.

Mac Remote Printing?

I'm still delving/experimenting with printing in OS X.  I've not messed with the OS X configuration much regarding printing, but apparently the printing service (CUPS) is enabled:

macbook:~ rsinclair$  telnet 192.168.1.109 631
Trying 192.168.1.109...
Connected to imac.home.
Escape character is '^]'.

Connection closed by foreign host.

I also found that I can print docs that are local to me at a remote computer by using the following command:

cat filename.pdf | ssh unixfool@192.168.1.109 lpr *

It asks for a password (for logging into the remote machine so that it can execute the 'lpr' command against the file output.  The resulting printout gets the job done but its not particularly pretty.

* Gleaned from http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20061203204459481.

Magic Mouse Is Indeed Magical

So, I bought my iMac on 2/20/10.  It came with a Magic Mouse.

I've been using the same batteries that the mouse came with.  Today, those batteries went dead.  So, I got 53 days of use out of them.  That's NOT bad, especially for Bluetooth!

There's a thread on Apple's iMac forums discussion the 'horrible' battery life of Magic Mice.  I'm not seeing those experiences.  Some are trying different mice, but I think it would SUCK to not be able to use the Magic Mouse's features.  This mouse is like no other!

iWeb - Location of iWeb File (For Backup)

So, I just learned where iWeb stores its files: 

~/Library/Application Support/iWeb/Domain

 

Note that this is one file instead of a bunch of them.

 

I've a different version of iWeb on my Macbook than I do on my iMac.  I'd like to begin using my iMac to develop my web pages.

 

Another thing I should do is find out how to upgrade some of the Apple software on my Macs.

Mini DisplayPort and Macbook/iMac?

I'd like to use the iMac as a second screen to my Macbook.  Apple's site hints that this is doable:

Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately). 27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources (adapters sold separately).

I know that my Macbook has a Mini DisplayPort out.  The iMac has the same thing but the 27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources.  So, based on the above quote, what I want to do is possible.

Today, while at Microcenter to purchase Windows 7, I decided to stop by their Apple department.  I told the salesman that I had both a Macbook and iMac and that I wanted to use the iMac as a second screen for my Macbook.  He gave me a Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapter.  I thought this was fine at the time, but when I got home and had a look at the back of the iMac, I saw that it also had a Mini DisplayPort...the adaptor that the salesman gave me won't work.  I either need a cable that has Mini DisplayPort connections on both ends or I need to buy another Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapter (to use with a DVI cable, putting both Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapters on each end of the DVI cable).

Now, Apple's Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapters are $20 each.  If I had to buy another, I'd be paying $40...and I also don't have a spare DVI cable, so I'd have to buy that also.  That may add up to almost $50!

I saw this a few minutes ago.  Look at the cost! $6.39!  And the customer reviews are nothing but praises on how easy it is to use....and it's just one cable, with no adapter(s).  Someone told me on the Apple forums that I'd have to buy some $150 adapter...ermmm, he's wrong.

So, I'll order that cable either tonight or tomorrow.

I'll also either use that Windows 7 (Professional 64-bit) on my iMac in Parallels or Bootcamp, or just use it on my gaming machine (which is currently running Windows XP SP3).

[EDIT (4/4/2010):

I found out two things:  I need a $150 converter and the $6 cable won't work without the converter, as I've a mini-DVI on the Macbook, not a mini-Displayport.  I'm not going to pay $150 to use the iMac as a second display.  $150 will pay for a new monitor!  I'll use another monitor before I do that.]

New Software Added - 3/28/2010

Added KisMac to my Macbook.

This software is NICE!!  I've used Kismet before (on a Sharp Zaurus SL5500), but the Mac version is VERY nice!

One disturbing thing (that I should put on my security blog) is that I saw a lot of WAPs in my neighborhood still using WEP.  Three of them were Actiontec routers, which show the new rollout of FIOS from Verizon.  Mine also shows up, but mine is set to use WPA2.  There were maybe 5-6 WAPs using WPA (of maybe 10-12), but I was the ONLY one that I detected that was using WPA2.  That's not good, IMO.

I may take a drive around tomorrow to sample the neighborhood.  I'll parse that data and post it on my security blog.

Reported iMac Issue - Won't Wake From Sleep

So, on MacRumors and the Apple forums, there are documented issues with Macs that won't wake from sleep.  The aforementioned links show forum posts of the issue, but in all honesty, this has been going on for quite awhile in the Mac world:  here's an example of ALL Mac machines and not just iMacs.

I've experienced this only once with my new iMac.  It happened on the evening of the 17th of March.  It hasn't happened since.  I know the machine woke because I heard it turn on inside the case.  I think the screen/monitor couldn't recover for some reason, and I ended up rebooting.

Some are suggesting that this is a hardware issue with the iMac.  I doubt it, since it's been affecting other machines (for years).  It almost has to be third-party software being installed, or maybe some recent patch that's been affecting the recent iMacs, but really, again, this has been going on for years.  There's one report that people with G5s have always experienced this issue.  I have personal experience that it was happening with Macbooks, although it hasn't happened recently.

What really hinders the troubleshooting of this is the fact that its happening intermittently.  Some people are reporting that they've fixed this by reinstalling OS X.  Others are reporting fixes by resetting the SMC.  Some are removing widgets and software and seeing results.  Some are reporting fixes by unplugging USB hubs from their machines.  Some are getting internals replaced by Apple, such as graphics cards, power supplies, and motherboards.

Honestly, this is all over the place and could hint at multiple issues.

There's been no official word from Apple (ever).

[ EDIT 4/2/2010:


http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1018 addresses the waking issue. ]

iPhone, Safari, IE8, Firefox all fall on day one of Pwn2Own

iPhone, Safari, IE8, Firefox all fall on day one of Pwn2Own

Link:  http://tinyurl.com/ydhzhwp (credit: Computerworld.com)

Hackers took down Apple's iPhone and Safari browser, Microsoft's Internet Explore 8 (IE8) and Mozilla's Firefox within minutes at today's Pwn2Own contest, as expected.

Of the browsers set up as targets for the contest, only Google's Chrome remained standing on the first day.

More Widgets and Apps

A few more widgets that I've installed onto the iMac:

MightyMonitor - monitors battery life of keyboard/mouse.

A few more apps:

Smultron - HTML editor
Adium - IM chat client

Note that all of the above is free or donate-ware.  I'll always try those types of software first.

MobileMe

Experimenting with MobileMe.  MobileMe is fantastic.  I mainly got it so that I could track and erase my iPhone in case I lost it.  I also wanted to play with it to learn its capabilities while using it on a trial basis.  What really got me was the iCalendar syncing. I am beginning to be heavily involved with teleconferencing at work and am sometimes participating in these three times a day, along with my other tasks, so I really needed to be able to track what I’d be doing in advance of a call, no matter what system I was using.  So, with MobileMe, I can edit or add a calendar entry and no matter which system I use, the other gets updated.  The calendar entry can be done on either my Macbook, iMac or iPhone!

 

I also decided to start trying to evaluate other aspects of MobileMe, such as the blogging and website potential.  Blogging will be first, but I'm also willing to test webpage capability.


The blog looks good so far (only one entry, but linked pictures show up slowly...not particularly good). And, I have to use iWeb to make blog posts...I don't think iWeb is accessible via the web, though...I'll find out soon enough and it may be at MobileMe.


I'll post my evaluations here as I discover the good and bad.

Recent Software Installs

The software I've tried so far:

Adium - multi-protocol IM client (more protocol support than iChat)
mBackup - for backup of mSecure for my iPhone
Firefox - browser for Mac from Mozilla
Chrome - beta browser for Mac from Google
iWork - office suite for Mac
TeamSpeak 3 - voice chat for Mac
Flip4Mac - WMV Components allow you to import, export and play Windows Media video and audio files on your Mac
Hewlett-Packard printer software/drivers - for HP Deskjet All-In-One F4240 printer

The software I still want to install:

Xchat (Aqua) - IRC client for Mac
One of these - DVD/CD burning software for Mac

Time Machine

So, I've got a 750GM LaCie drive that I bought maybe a year and a half ago at Microcenter for the purpose of backing up my work laptop's hard disk.  Instead, I decided to use it for my Macbook.  I've been using it off and on, but after I got the iMac, I decided that I could just activate Time Machine on the desktop.  In fact, I may be able to use it for both the laptop and desktop.

Backing up every hour for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all the previous months is cool as hell when all you have to do is keep it plugged in (and not that this is without configuration).

Sooner or later, though, I'm going to have to get a bigger drive...got a 1TB disk in the iMac.