Tag: mac
10 free apps/programs that every Mac user must have
I can't remember the last time I paid for an application or program — disregarding mobile apps ones. Think about it, when did you last pay for native application? Let's ignore games too, because they don't really count. What was…
Easy image manipulation software: five of the best
1. Adobe Photoshop Elements [PC / Mac]
Photoshop? Easy?
There’s no denying that the various flavours of Photoshop contain some very advanced features, but in fact it’s possible to do basic image and photo editing and manipulation plus a range of “fancy” things without a whole lot of training.
Photoshop Elements is a cut-down version of the full-blown package which means it doesn’t have as many features but it’s also cheaper. In fact, it often comes bundled with digital cameras.
Get to grips with the basics of Photoshop Elements and you may well find yourself wanting to delve deeper into its powerful tools.
Ease of use: 3/5
Features: 5/5
Price: Latest version around £60, may be bundled. PC / Mac
Chrome on Mac gets a step closer
Google’s Chrome browser doesn’t have a massive marketshare, but those who use it love it very dearly thanks to its great UI and blazing speed. At the moment it’s Windows-only, however recent videos posted by Google indicate that a Mac client is making good progress.
Chromium is the open source project that’s behind the Chrome browser. The latest iteration of the source code for OS X is making good progress, as you can see in the video below:
Unlike the last video of the software in action, now you can actually click on the screen, load websites, and follow links. Crazy, eh? Who on earth would want to do that? It’s still crashing a lot, but at least Google’s getting closer to a working OS X port.
(via Ars Technica)
Mac Mini refresh finally announced
There’s been rumours of a an upgrade of the Mac Mini for ages. First, back in December we thought it’d come at Macworld. Then, in Feb, we tracked down an image with a surfeit of USB ports and some basic specs. Then, yesterday, we thought the refresh would come at the end of this month.
Well, Apple has confounded all our expectations, and has announced a new Mac Mini, with the following specs:
- 5x USB
- 1x FireWire 800
- 1x mini DVI
- 1x Display poort
- Nvidia chipset (like the newest MacBook)
- starting at Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 Ghz
- 2 GB DDR3 memory (max 4 GB)
- 120 GB hard disk (max 320 GB)
Not bad eh? Not face-meltingly good specs, but they’ll do. As with every Apple product announced ever, it’s available now, and costs £XXX.
Apple UK
Knockoff of iWork '09 contains Mac-unfriendly Trojan Horse
There’s a new Trojan Horse for Mac in town and it’s riding around in pirate copies of iWork ’09.
OSX.Trojan.iServices.A secretes itself in otherwise fully-functioning copies of Apple’s latest office software. It installs itself in a startup directory and gives itself full root privileges (in other words, it’s God to your Mac).
Security firm Intego is warning anyone who has downloaded installer software from filesharing/Torrent sites that they could now be infected. Intego’s latest updates for VirusBarrier X4 and X5 will now protect against and disinfect the virus…
Tech Trumpet: Mac25
Welcome to Tech Trumpet, where I attempt to make vaguely musical (and festive) sounds using a variety of gadgets and computers.
This week, by way of a very understated celebration of the Apple Macintosh’s 25th birthday on Saturday (today is when the iconic “1984” SuperBowl ad was shown), I’ve composed a short piece based on Mac System 7 operating system sounds…
BBC iPlayer programme downloads finally coming to Mac and Linux users via Adobe AIR
Yes, that long-winded title pretty much sums up it up – Mac and Linux users who have been (im)patiently waiting for the BBC to develop software that will allow them to download programmes from iPlayer will soon see their wish come true.
The BBC has partnered with Adobe (makes a change from Microsoft) to launch an AIR version of the iPlayer software. As Adobe’s AIR platform is (allegedly) cross-platform, it should mean that any operating system capable of running it will be able to download content…
Teufel unveils Concept E Magnum Power Edition 5.1 Speaker Set
Here’s a new home cinema speaker setup from Teufel. It’s designed for computers and consoles, though it takes phono inputs, so you’ll need some conversion cables. It consists of a subwoofer, centre speaker, and four satellites, and can pump out a rather loud 450 watts.
There are two colour options – midnight black and matt silver – and it comes with an infrered remote for volume control, but the best feature of this setup is that it’s only £160 (€189). That’s bargaintastic for a full on 5.1 surround system. It won’t be the highest-fi system you’ve ever heard, but for pumping out Halo, Mario Kart, World of Warcraft, or a DVD in full surround, I couldn’t think of a finer device.
Teufel
Related posts: IFA 2008: Fortune Technology’s Sound Base G1 – surround sound for your laptop | Mirage intros Nanosat 5.1 wrap-around surround speaker system
Psystar antitrust claim dismissed by judge
Mac cloning company Psystar has just had its antitrust case against Apple dismissed, meaning that its hopes of remaining in business are now miniscule. Psystar had argued that Apple was being anticompetitive to prevent other companies selling computers that run OS X.
Psystar claimed that Apple’s OS is so unique that it suffers no competitors, but the judge said that “the pleadings…fail to allege facts plausibly supporting (this) counterintuitive claim”. Psystar has 20 days to come up with a better argument, or its countersuit will be formally dismissed and they’ll be faced with Apple’s lawsuit claiming that it infringes on Apple’s copyright material and trademarks.
Psystar (via Cnet)
Related posts: PsyStar finally sees Apple lawsuit | Psystar: fact or fiction – the OpenMac traders have no premises
National Geographic to start making games
In yet another sign that games are rapidly taking over from movies as the #1 entertainment medium, veteran nature documentary producer National Geographic has decided that it fancies a shot at making the next “Hunting Unlimited 2009”.
Curiously, though, the company has decided that it’s only going to develop for a very limited set of platforms – naming Mac and iPhone specifically. Is there an Apple-National Geographic deal that I don’t know about?
The first title, “Herod’s Lost Tomb”, is already available on Mac, iPhone and Windows. It’s about the biblical King Herod, who reportedly wasn’t too fond of baby boys. More titles are on the way, including “Sudoku Traveler: China”, “National Geographic: Africa”, and the intriguingly titled “From the Bottom Up”.
National Geographic Channel (via Macworld)
Related posts: Chinese scientists continue thumbing nose at nature | Video games to outsell music and movies this year
