Microsoft's Mac Business Unit this week is making available to Mac users a "fully functional, no strings attached" free trial of Office 2008 so that prospective buyers and users of previous versions can 'kick the tires' on new suite before plunking down the cash for a permanent copy.
New Intel Firmware for X25-M Significantly Boosts Performance
Red Alert, one of our forum members, performed a test on his X25-M before and after applying the new firmware:
The performance gain in sequential and random writing mode is really significant, moving in average from 58 MB/S to 80 MB/s. Of course, such figures are rather low when compared to other more recent SSD models usually reaching 200 MB/s in writing mode. However, the Intel X25-M remains the reference unit for performance level when dealing with multiple small files. This firmware update illustrates the potential of improvement for such storage unit.
Another reader had problem with his firmware update and his X25-M will have to be serviced (under warranty), so if you plan to apply this new firmware for your Intel X25-M, remember to backup or clone your drive before applying the procedure. Firmware and explanations are available from Intel website. It is recommended for all X25-M with a firmware number ending with 8610.
On this Day is an iPhone app for the history buff
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
I admit I wasn't much of a history nut when I was very young, but as I got older I found the subject more and more fascinating. Heck, I even wound up writing a book about a producer of historical epic films. I think a good perspective on history helps you understand the present, so I welcome On this Day [App Store link] for the iPhone/ iPod touch. For $0.99US it's a pretty good way to find out what happened on the current day. It includes 14,000 historical events, so instead of seeing 2 or 3 items you often get 40 or so. There are some other similar apps for the iPhone, including World Book- The Day in History and Today's History, but neither of them have as many events, and one requires an internet connection to work.
On this Day worked with no issues, but there are a few things that would make it better. Like most people, I wanted to check my birthday and see what notable events, other than my birth, took place. But the app only displays history from the current date. That's a real downer. I talked to the developer and he says he'll change that in a future version. I also found the info button with links to support and sources a bit picky about where I tap. The developer agrees, and says he'll fix it.
On this Day adds a nice feature to the iPhone, and has some real depth. I think a really nice 'blue sky' feature would be links to Wikipedia so I could learn more about these events if the mood strikes me.
Sample screens below:
TUAWOn this Day is an iPhone app for the history buff originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
AT&T iPhone Exclusivity Expires in 2010, AT&T Asking for Extension?
The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T's exclusive offering of the iPhone will expire next year but that AT&T is working with Apple to extend it to 2011.
But AT&T's exclusive deal to carry the iPhone in the U.S. expires next year, ...
at&t looks to keep its iPhone exclusive
AT&T's exclusive deal to sell the iPhone in the U.S. expires next year, and AT&T CEO Stephenson is in talks with Apple for an extension until 2011.
New Apple Store at North and Clybourne in Chicago
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, Odds and ends, Apple
My current city of Chicago isn't really suffering for Apple Stores -- the one on Michigan Avenue kind of makes up for any other missed areas around here, as it's the nicest and biggest one I've seen (but then again, I haven't been to the ones in New York near Mr. Rose). But it's good to hear that we're going to be getting another store, this one a little bit outside the Loop, on the city's northside. State Street and the theater area, you might think, would be a little more fitting for the next big retail center, but no: apparently the burgeoning retail area between a gutted Cabrini Green and Lincoln Park is the place to be. Coincidentally, I used to work as a manager at the North Halsted Borders there -- served cafe sandwiches to John Malkovitch and found a book for Kurtwood "Clarence Boddicker" Smith, both visiting from Steppenwolf down the street.But perhaps I'm getting too personal -- just color me excited to have a new Apple Store even closer to where I live now (near Clark and Diversey). The new store is set to open on the empty lot that used to be taken up by a gas station between North and Clybourn (right across from the Red Line stop) and would have about 15,000 square feet in the "long-term location." No word from Crain's yet, though, over when the store would open or even when ground might be broken. Still, all of the development guys seem happy -- they'll probably get in there as fast as they can.
TUAWNew Apple Store at North and Clybourne in Chicago originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iPhone's Going Places: Enterprises, Other Networks, China?
It looks as though Apple might finally be able to crack the China market with its iPhone. The rumor mill at one time had the company in talks with China Mobile, the country's leading carrier, but those negotiations apparently fell through over questions of money. Also, Apple is rumored to be finally creating a new, CDMA version of its iPhone that could topple AT&T's exclusive carrier position in the U.S. Meanwhile, the iPhone seems to be catching on in the enterprise, another wide-open market for the device.
Apple Seeds iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 and New SDK to Developers
Apple today seeded the third beta version of iPhone OS 3.0, along with a new build of the software development kit (SDK), to developers. World of Apple republishes the seed notes for the SDK, detailing a number of changes to various c...
Updates of iMovie and Aperture
Microsoft offering Office 2008 free trial for Mac users
Microsoft's Mac Business Unit this week is making available to Mac users a "fully functional, no strings attached" free trial of Office 2008 so that prospective buyers and users of previous versions can 'kick the tires' on new suite before plunking down the cash for a permanent copy.
New Intel Firmware for X25-M Significantly Boosts Performance
Red Alert, one of our forum members, performed a test on his X25-M before and after applying the new firmware:
The performance gain in sequential and random writing mode is really significant, moving in average from 58 MB/S to 80 MB/s. Of course, such figures are rather low when compared to other more recent SSD models usually reaching 200 MB/s in writing mode. However, the Intel X25-M remains the reference unit for performance level when dealing with multiple small files. This firmware update illustrates the potential of improvement for such storage unit.
Another reader had problem with his firmware update and his X25-M will have to be serviced (under warranty), so if you plan to apply this new firmware for your Intel X25-M, remember to backup or clone your drive before applying the procedure. Firmware and explanations are available from Intel website. It is recommended for all X25-M with a firmware number ending with 8610.
On this Day is an iPhone app for the history buff
Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review
I admit I wasn't much of a history nut when I was very young, but as I got older I found the subject more and more fascinating. Heck, I even wound up writing a book about a producer of historical epic films. I think a good perspective on history helps you understand the present, so I welcome On this Day [App Store link] for the iPhone/ iPod touch. For $0.99US it's a pretty good way to find out what happened on the current day. It includes 14,000 historical events, so instead of seeing 2 or 3 items you often get 40 or so. There are some other similar apps for the iPhone, including World Book- The Day in History and Today's History, but neither of them have as many events, and one requires an internet connection to work.
On this Day worked with no issues, but there are a few things that would make it better. Like most people, I wanted to check my birthday and see what notable events, other than my birth, took place. But the app only displays history from the current date. That's a real downer. I talked to the developer and he says he'll change that in a future version. I also found the info button with links to support and sources a bit picky about where I tap. The developer agrees, and says he'll fix it.
On this Day adds a nice feature to the iPhone, and has some real depth. I think a really nice 'blue sky' feature would be links to Wikipedia so I could learn more about these events if the mood strikes me.
Sample screens below:
TUAWOn this Day is an iPhone app for the history buff originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
AT&T iPhone Exclusivity Expires in 2010, AT&T Asking for Extension?
The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T's exclusive offering of the iPhone will expire next year but that AT&T is working with Apple to extend it to 2011.
But AT&T's exclusive deal to carry the iPhone in the U.S. expires next year, ...
at&t looks to keep its iPhone exclusive
AT&T's exclusive deal to sell the iPhone in the U.S. expires next year, and AT&T CEO Stephenson is in talks with Apple for an extension until 2011.
New Apple Store at North and Clybourne in Chicago
Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, Odds and ends, Apple
My current city of Chicago isn't really suffering for Apple Stores -- the one on Michigan Avenue kind of makes up for any other missed areas around here, as it's the nicest and biggest one I've seen (but then again, I haven't been to the ones in New York near Mr. Rose). But it's good to hear that we're going to be getting another store, this one a little bit outside the Loop, on the city's northside. State Street and the theater area, you might think, would be a little more fitting for the next big retail center, but no: apparently the burgeoning retail area between a gutted Cabrini Green and Lincoln Park is the place to be. Coincidentally, I used to work as a manager at the North Halsted Borders there -- served cafe sandwiches to John Malkovitch and found a book for Kurtwood "Clarence Boddicker" Smith, both visiting from Steppenwolf down the street.But perhaps I'm getting too personal -- just color me excited to have a new Apple Store even closer to where I live now (near Clark and Diversey). The new store is set to open on the empty lot that used to be taken up by a gas station between North and Clybourn (right across from the Red Line stop) and would have about 15,000 square feet in the "long-term location." No word from Crain's yet, though, over when the store would open or even when ground might be broken. Still, all of the development guys seem happy -- they'll probably get in there as fast as they can.
TUAWNew Apple Store at North and Clybourne in Chicago originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iPhone's Going Places: Enterprises, Other Networks, China?
It looks as though Apple might finally be able to crack the China market with its iPhone. The rumor mill at one time had the company in talks with China Mobile, the country's leading carrier, but those negotiations apparently fell through over questions of money. Also, Apple is rumored to be finally creating a new, CDMA version of its iPhone that could topple AT&T's exclusive carrier position in the U.S. Meanwhile, the iPhone seems to be catching on in the enterprise, another wide-open market for the device.Apple Seeds iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 and New SDK to Developers
Apple today seeded the third beta version of iPhone OS 3.0, along with a new build of the software development kit (SDK), to developers. World of Apple republishes the seed notes for the SDK, detailing a number of changes to various c...
Updates of iMovie and Aperture
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