Testing the pros and cons of Mavericks' multi-display support

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

While Mavericks won't be officially released for a few months, developers already have their hands on the beta, and are putting the operating system to the test. One intrepid YouTube user, MrThaiBox123, has uploaded a video showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of the system's multi-monitor abilities. And he's done this with six 27-inch monitors. You know, just like your average work space.

It's important to note that the issues MrThaiBox123 deals with could all be fixed by the public release this fall. Still this is a fascinating look at both the upcoming operating system and the troubleshooting that comes with beta testing.

Testing the pros and cons of Mavericks' multi-display support originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Video May Show iOS 7 Running on an iPad

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Apple has yet to release iOS 7 for the iPad, which has led to speculation about what the operating system will look like on a larger screen.

Over the weekend, photos from the iOS 7 simulator in Xcode 5 surfaced, demonstrating how several stock iOS apps might look on Apple's tablet, and now a tipster has directed us to Russia-based YouTube user Rozetked, who has released a video of what he claims is iOS 7 "alpha" running on an iPad.


Rozetked does not explain where the software came from nor how it was installed on the tablet, so there is no proof that the video depicts a bona fide version of iOS 7 running on the iPad. In fact, at one point, a crash displays the iOS 6 Apple loading icon rather than the flatter iOS 7 version, which means it could be an elaborately crafted rendering.

Though the video's legitimacy is questionable, it does offer a clearer picture of what iOS 7 might look like when installed on an iPad. Both the Notification Center and the Control Center appear in appropriate portions to the screen size and the Control Center lacks the Flashlight setting that was found in the simulated screenshots, instead offering iPad-specific options that include just AirDrop and AirPlay.

notificationcenter
iOS 7 Control Center as displayed in the video

In comparison, the iPhone Control Center offers a Flashlight along with quick access to the Clock, the Calculator, and the Camera.

In addition to displaying the Notification Center and the Control Center options on the iPad, the video also offers a look at several apps, including Music and Videos. Both folder functionality and 2x app mode are demonstrated as well, and several stock app icons are identical to the iPhone versions.

It is unclear when Apple plans to release iOS 7 on the iPad for developers, having chosen to instead focus its attention on the iPhone version of the operating system.

(Thanks, Gary!)


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Vine 1.1.3 update adds a share button

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

A new update has been released for the popular social video app Vine that adds a sharing button beneath posts in your feed, along with the standard bug fixes that come with every update. Sharing is a nice touch that the app has been sorely lacking since its launch. When you hit share, you're given a list of options: Twitter, Facebook or embed.

When you share your own videos, the link is sent directly to the feed of your choice with no option to insert a personal message. The Vine is simply shared with the text you attached to it. However, when you share a friend's Vine you're given the option of attaching your own text to the repost, so you can tag friends... or perhaps enemies.

You can find the Vine version 1.1.3 in the App Store right now.

Vine 1.1.3 update adds a share button originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Giving Retail Employees Beta Access to OS X Mavericks

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

NewImageLast year, roughly a month before Apple released OS X Mountain Lion, it extended its beta program to certain Apple Retail Store staff members. This year, the company appears to be doing something similar.

9to5Mac reports that retail store staff are again being invited to try the beta of OS X Mavericks.
You are invited to participate in the pre-release OS X Mavericks seed program. Participation, including submitting feedback, is completely voluntary and not an expectation of your job. If you accept, we will provide you with a pre-release version of OS X Mavericks to install and use. You will get to preview all of the exciting new features like iBooks, Maps, Calendar, Safari, iCloud Keychain, Multiple Displays, Notifications, Finder Tabs, Tags, and much more! You should use OS X Mavericks only your personal computer and on your personal time. Apple will provide you with ways to submit feedback on your experiences with OS X Mavericks, should you choose to do so. Apple also asks that you use future builds of OS X Mavericks as they are made available. The responses from prior seed programs have been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to everyone who participated!
The site also notes that Apple has provided prerelease versions of Mavericks to its AppleSeed beta testing group.

Before WWDC, a leak suggested that Apple was well into the development of OS X 10.9, with a build number of 13A451 appearing on a recent internal release. One possible implication of the high build number was that Apple was closer to a public release of Mavericks after its unveiling than with previous OS X beta releases.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Facebook for iOS Adds Status Update Icons, New Sharing Controls
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• 'Bike Baron' Named Starbucks App of the Week, Available for Free
• Apple Releases New Java 6 Updates with Security Enhancements
• 'Paper' Developers Get $15 Million in Funding For Future Apps and Hardware
• 'Chatology' Addresses Glaring Search Issues in Apple's Messages App for Mac
• Shazam App Updated with Music Discovery, New-Look Tab Bar and More
• Jony Ive Gets Title Change, Now Senior Vice President of Design
    


Mac pros react to the Mac Pro

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

It's been over a week since Apple announced the new Mac Pro, and while public opinion has been quite positive, the creative professionals who will most likely be the target market for the shiny cylinder haven't been heard from... until now. Macworld UK's Karen Haslam followed up with a number of power users, and found that while many are thrilled with the prospect of Apple's new flagship product, there are some concerns as well.

The lack of internal expansion in the new design is of concern to several commenters. Writing for Broadcast Engineer, David Austerberry noted that "If I upgrade, that spaghetti under the desk will be joined by more Thunderbolt spaghetti connecting to external storage." Referring to the turntable base of the new Mac Pro, Austerberry says, "If I need to plug in an external drive to bring in video content, I can attempt to plug in at the back, but the chassis isn't going to turn easily with all the cables plugged in. Some front connectors would have been dead handy!"

Despite the concerns about internal expansion, Final Cut Pro trainer Larry Jordan recently blogged that 80 percent of current Mac Pro users don't have any PCI cards installed except for the graphics card. Jordan also wrote that "Apple essentially provided a virtually unlimited number of card slots for users that need the maximum in expandability," in reference to the use of the still unproven Thunderbolt 2 bus.

Pros need a lot of storage. Video editor Lou Borella bemoans the lack of Thunderbolt peripherals, saying that the "missing piece is the lack of high-speed Thunderbolt-native RAID 5 storage systems" and "very, very few 5- to 10-drive RAID 5 systems, which we editors need the most."

Most of the pros seemed thrilled with the prospect of the Xeon E5-powered Mac Pro and fast PCIe flash memory. But most were also concerned about the lack of choice of GPU in the new Mac Pro. Borella "was drooling at the thought of two NVidia Titans" in his future Mac Pro, but Apple has apparently decided that the two built-in AMD FirePro workstation-class GPUs are enough. Some Mac users have software that isn't optimized or even compatible with the new graphics card, so the ability to swap out GPUs is a major concern.

For the most part, many of the pros were optimistic, with Borella noting that "This machine will change the way my peripherals sit on my desk. It will cause me to take a hard look at my current monitor situation. It will cause me to re-evaluate my home network and my NAS devices. It might even cause me to give a harder look to FCPX. For good or bad this Mac Pro will change everything and cause a ripple effect in my entire computing life... It's probably about time that some company takes me to the next step."

We'll hear more about the Mac Pro, including pricing and expansion possibilities, as the fall release date draws closer. If you're a current Mac Pro owner and have your doubts or hopes about the new model, please leave us your comments below.

Mac pros react to the Mac Pro originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily iPhone App: Agricola is Playdek's great adaptation of the board game

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Daily iPhone App Agricola is Playdek's great adaptation of the board game

Agricola is one of the most popular board games around these days -- it's sort of a farming simulation game, where you can take two turns every round, and then periodically get rewards paid off in a harvest. Playdek is an up-and-coming iOS developer that's mostly done card games so far -- they're behind the Penny Arcade card game, as well as the excellent Ascension and a more complicated one I really like called Nightfall. Now, Playdek has teamed up with the creators of Agricola and Lookout Games to produce this iOS adaptation, available right now on the App Store for US$6.99.

The way the game works is that every round, you send out a family member to perform some task for you, including growing crops, bringing in resources or building fences for animals. During the game, you can add more members to your family, which means you'll have more chances to bring in resources, but you'll also have more people to feed when the harvest comes around. The game is complex, but the core idea (of building up your farm bit by bit) is strong, so after playing through the tutorial and seeing the process for a while, it's easy to start building your own strategies and plans.

Just as with the rest of their titles, Playdek has done a great job here in the presentation -- the game's stark but beautiful music goes well with the theme of fighting just to have enough, and all of the title's various processes and features are clearly displayed with charming and iconic touches. The game uses a top-down 2D drawn style, which might not have been quite as impressive as a full 3D farm environment, but works very well in getting all of the information you need across clearly. Plus, in addition to four gameplay modes, there's online or offline multiplayer, including a pass-and-play mode which is always a nice. Playdek knows well how to translate card games over to iOS, and this title proves they've been able to bring that expertise to board games as well. Agricola might be a bit pricey for those unfamiliar (or uninterested) in the original, but if you're looking for a full-featured, well-made adaptation of the popular board game, this is definitely it.

Daily iPhone App: Agricola is Playdek's great adaptation of the board game originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Update for June 18, 2013

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.

No Flash? Click here to listen.

Subscribe via RSS

Daily Update for June 18, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked Image Suggests 'Voice Memo' Will Return in Future iOS 7 Beta Release

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

A leaked image from a WWDC developer session is making the rounds, showing that the Voice Memo app that isn't currently included in the iOS 7 Beta 1 will make an appearance in a future release.

Voicememo
Also, a tipster tells us the release notes for the first iOS 7 Beta mention the Voice Memo app:
Voice Memos - Known Issues

The VoiceMemos app is not available in this seed.
The Voice Memo app doesn't seem to appear in any of the iOS 7 marketing materials on Apple's website, but developers should see it in a future iOS 7 beta release and we expect it to be included in the final iOS 7 release this fall.


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DevJuice: iOS/Android PortKit translates visual metaphors

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

The clever folk over at Kintek have posted a handy system-to-system guide for anyone working in the mobile development space. This metaphor overview quickly references how items like buttons, switches, one-of-n selection and other common interface items are expressed by default in the target arenas.

You'll find items from Android, iOS 6 and iOS 7 listed side by side, so you can quickly review their visual presentation. Resource links take you to developer documentation. It's nicely done and well worth checking out.

[Via Swiss Miss]

DevJuice: iOS/Android PortKit translates visual metaphors originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Deals for June 18, 2013

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

It's time to save some of that hard-earned cash with our Daily Deals, featuring a handy list from Dealnews and our own hand-picked selections that include some sweet deals on iOS and OS X software (all prices are USD). Prices are subject to change.

Deals from Dealnews

  • StackSocial: [Mac Software] The Name Your Own Price Double Down Mac Bundle for $4
  • DiscountMags: [Magazines] Macworld Magazine 2-Year Subscription (24 issues) for $13
  • MacUpdate Promo: [Mac Software] Flavours for Mac downloads for $10
  • Adorama: [Camera Accessories] LumiQuest Event Shooting Kit for $35 + free shipping
  • Paydeals.com: [iPad Accessories] ZAGG iPad and Android Tablet Accessories from $25 + free shipping
  • all4cellular.com: [Camera Accessories] 160-LED Continuous Light Panel w/ Mount, Filters for $25 + free shipping
  • DealGenius: [Surge Protectors] Coleman Cable 10-Outlet Surge Protector 2-Pack for $20 + free shipping
  • Paydeals.com: [iPhone Accessories] Griffin TuneFlex AUX Car Charger Mount for iPhone for $7 + free shipping
  • TigerDirect: [Keyboards] Ultra Slim USB Keyboard for $0 after rebate + $2 s&h
  • Adorama: [Digital Tablets] Wacom Bamboo 4-Button Craft Tablet for $55 + free shipping
  • Paydeals.com: [iPad Accessories] Sena Florence Leather Folio for iPad for $13 + free shipping
  • TigerDirect: [Battery Backups/UPSs] Battery Backups at TigerDirect from $80 + $15 s&h

iOS Software

  • Gridditor [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $1.99] Gridditor is a new way to quickly and easily edit photos.

  • World War Z [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $4.99] The World War Z game challenges you: play to survive. In a race against time, travel the world to rescue your loved ones in the midst of the deadly Zombie pandemic.

  • TinyLegends[TM] Monster Crasher [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] Thousands of lives are depending on you. And valiant warriors are waiting for your call to eliminate the impending threat once for all.

  • Commando Jack [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] You are Commando Jack, the baddest, meanest, toughest soldier planet Earth has to offer, and it's up to you to save the world from alien invasion.

  • Occasions+ [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $0.99] Occasions+ is the best way to keep track of and remember important occasions in your busy life.

  • mPass Pro [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $4.99] mPass provides a safe and simple way to store and manage all your passwords and private information.

  • Random Heroes 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] Sequel to the amazing Random Heroes; now with more guns, explosions and crazy characters.

  • RPG DarkGate - KEMCO [iPhone; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $6.99] Presenting Dark Gate, a full-blown fantasy RPG.

  • Star Defender 3 [iPad; Category: Games; Now free, down from $1.99] Get ready to fight through hoards of alien beasts in Star Defender 3.

  • LetterLasso [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] A new dynamic touch-based spelling game where a player attaches moving letters together in the correct order to spell a word.

  • Battle Academy [iPad; Category: Games; On sale for $9.99, down from $19.99] Approachable, absorbing and visually impressive yet detailed, Battle Academy aims to revolutionise the strategy games market with a blend of intuitive design and compelling game play.

  • Posing App [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $2.99] The ultimate posing reference for both photographers and models.

  • CIA : Operation Ajax [iPad; Category: Books; Now free, down from $4.99] Operation Ajax tells the true story of the first CIA backed coup which toppled Iran's democracy in 1953. Combining subtle animation with a film-quality soundtrack, the story unfolds in a groundbreaking cinematic reading experience.

  • Net Master - IT Tools & LAN Scanner [iPhone; Category: Utilities; Now free, down from $5.99] Net Master is a utility application developed for Network Administrators and IT Professionals but presented in a format targeted for non-professionals.

  • My Measures & Dimensions [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $2.99] Just take a photo, add arrows, angles, text or notes. Now the measures are stored and always in your pocket wherever you go.

  • 7 Minute Workout [iOS Universal; Category: Health & Fitness; Now free, down from $0.99] 12 high intensity bodyweight exercises. 30 seconds per exercise, 10 seconds rest between exercises.

  • Paper Titans [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $2.99] Paper Titans is a charming and gentle papercraft-inspired puzzle adventure set across 45 lovingly crafted and beautifully realized levels.

  • Over [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; On sale for $0.99, down from $1.99] Add beautiful text and artwork to your photos and share them on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr & Instagram.

  • Tapatalk Forum App [iOS Universal; Category: Social Networking; Now free, down from $0.99] Tapatalk is the top forum app that allows you to connect to thousands of internet forums with ability to access private messages and upload images.

  • Toca Hair Salon 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Education; Now free, down from $1.99] Our bestselling app Toca Hair Salon is back in an even better version, with new characters, new tools, new accessories and even more hairstyling fun. Apple's App of the week.

OS X Software

  • Two Dollar Tuesday [OS X; Category: Various; On sale for $1.99] Two Dollar Tuesday offers three OS X apps for $1.99. Titles include Snail, Keynote Quarter and DM1:Drum Machine.

  • Fantastical [OS X; Category: Productivity; On sale for $19.99, down from $29.99] Presenting the calendar app you'll actually enjoy using. Type in that you have "Lunch with John on Friday at 1pm" and Fantastical will schedule it.

  • EverFont PRO - Font Preview Tool for Developers and Designers [OS X; Category: Utilities; Now free, down from $2.99] A font sampling tool for developers and designers, or anyone who just want to check out all the beautiful fonts included in Mac.

  • iBank [OS X; Category: Finance; On sale for $49.99, down from $59.99] The Gold Standard for Mac money management. 10th anniversary sale, $10 off until July 15.

  • popCalendar [OS X; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $0.99] popCalendar is a tiny calendar that fits in your menu bar giving you a faster access to your timetable.

  • Snap [OS X; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $0.99] Launch an app in a snap. Ridiculously easy shortcut management for the Mac.

  • ForkLift - File Manager and FTP/SFTP/WebDAV/Amazon S3 client [OS X; Category: Productivity; On sale for $4.99, down from $19.99] ForkLift is a robust and elegant file manager and FTP/SFTP client.

  • MoneyWiz - Personal Finance [OS X; Category: Finance; On sale for $19.99, down from $29.99] Do more with your money. View all your accounts, budgets and bills in one place. Experience reports on a whole new level. Sync Everything across devices.

Daily Deals for June 18, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knights of Pen and Paper now updated to +1 edition

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

The excellent iOS RPG Knights of Pen and Paper has been updated to the +1 Edition (as we heard it would be back at GDC) and is now available as a free update on the App Store. This new version, which is technically 2.02, brings lots of new content, game updates, new dungeons to explore and many other extras. For example, there's now a place called The Tavern, where you can keep old heroes and swap in new ones. Several new battle options nearly turned Knights of Pen and Paper into entirely new game.

The +1 edition was spurred on by the game's new publisher, Paradox. Thanks to that collaboration, the game is also now available on Steam for US$9.99. But again, the iOS version is a free update, so if you've grabbed the game already, do be sure to download and give this version a try. If you haven't purchased it yet, you can grab it now for $2.99.

Knights of Pen and Paper now updated to +1 edition originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GOG.com hosts big summer sale, including lots of cheap Mac games

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

GOG.com has launched a huge summer sale today, with over 500 games available for very cheap and more changing in and out every day. I'm mentioning it here because the site has a big Mac section with classic games like Dungeon Keeper, Syndicate and even the great System Shock 2 all on sale for less than US$5 each. Alpha Centauri is one of my favorite games ever, and it's also on sale, as is the recent indie success FTL: Faster Than Light.

GOG is even offering the excellent dungeon crawler Torchlight for the low, low price of completely free, so definitely grab that and play it if you haven't yet. The big sale lasts through July 5, and there will be more titles in the mix as the event goes on, so stay tuned for more great games to play on your Mac this summer.

GOG.com hosts big summer sale, including lots of cheap Mac games originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paper for iPad developer receives $15 million in funding

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

What do you do when your one and only iPad app is a runaway success? If you're FiftyThree, the development firm behind the beautiful journal / art app Paper (free, many in-app purchases available), you get funding for expansion into new areas.

FiftyThree announced today that it received US$15 million in a Series A funding round led by Andreesen Horowitz, with such stellar investors as Twitter's Jack Dorsey, Bright Capital, Highline Ventures and SV Angel joining the party. Paper has been profitable from day one; it's usually in the Top 10 Paid Apps on the App Store, and over 80 million users have downloaded the app.

What's FiftyThree planning on doing with $15 million? Co-founder and CEO Georg Petschnigg says that he wants to add to his team of employees in Seattle and NYC, and create a suite of software, hardware and services. GigaOM's Erica Ogg talked with Petschnigg and although he wouldn't elaborate, the idea of a Paper-branded stylus is a natural outgrowth. Petschnigg's big picture for the firm appears to be collaboration: "We've been focused on iPad there, but the next part we're working on is services that will start to answer the question of how people work together and collaborate."

All secretive talk aside, we're looking forward to seeing what's next from the team at FiftyThree.

Paper for iPad developer receives $15 million in funding originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neat revises mobile scanning app, adds expense reporting

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Pushing towards a paperless future, the neat folks at Neat have released version 2.0 of Neat for iOS. The new build of the scanning-on-the-go application features much faster performance, scan annotation, new sharing and collaboration options, plus a new expense-reporting tool.

Neat has made its bones as a desktop scanning solution, offering both compact and ADF-enabled scanners that work with the company's Mac and PC applications for document management. The Neat mobile app extends that find-my-files experience for access on the go, with scans and folders synchronizing to the NeatCloud online service. You can quickly share folders or individual scans to collaborate with colleagues, or search the OCR / indexed text of your documents to find what you need quickly.

The expense report feature is intriguing; it creates a summary PDF from a collection or folder of receipt scans, totaling up the expenditure and listing categories as it goes. It's not going to supplant dedicated expense-reporting iOS tools like Concur, but for mobile freelancers who want a quick way to send expense overviews while simultaneously filing the receipts for safekeeping, it may get some traction.

The NeatCloud platform also includes an optional human-powered verification step called NeatVerify, which will run the automatic OCR results from your receipt or business card scans (no documents) past the eyes of a real, live person for checking. You can get 30 credits for this service for US$4.99 a month, so it's probably best to save it for key items.

Speaking of credits, while the Neat application is a free download from the App Store, the required NeatCloud service works on a paid subscription basis. After a 30-day free trial, you will need either the $14.99 or $29.99 monthly NeatCloud plan (discounted if you sign up for a year) to use the app; both plans offer additional features like extra users, cross-service search and more. Compare and contrast the $45 annual cost of an Evernote premium subscription, and you get the sense that Neat is aiming at the more demanding side of the market.

Neat revises mobile scanning app, adds expense reporting originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily iPad App: Tayasui Sketches is a basic, but beautiful sketching app

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Casual artists looking to expand their sketching skills to the iPad should take a close look at Tayasui Sketches. The app landed in the iOS App Store earlier this month and rivals Paper as one of the best easy-to-use sketchbook apps.

Sketches reminds me of an artist's workbench with a canvas in the middle and a handful of tools neatly arranged on the side. Sketches includes six drawing tools, one fill tool and one eraser to get you started. You can use a US$1.99 in-app purchase to buy the complete set of 12 tools and their interchangeable tips. Besides the new tools, the pro version also gives you the ability to change the size and opacity of your tool tip.

Sketches may look simple on the surface, but there are a few key features that make the app a useful tool for serious sketchers and not just child's play. First and foremost is the ability to zoom in on the canvas and add small details to a drawing. It's great for adding a wrinkle to a forehead or the veins on a leaf. You can also draw a shape and fill it in with a pattern in one or two taps. You can even tweak the colors using a level tool that'll let you get the right hue, saturation and brightness. About the only thing missing from the app is support for notebooks. It would be wonderful to be able to group your individual sketches into a notebook to organize them.

Tayasui Sketches is available for free from the iOS App Store.

Daily iPad App: Tayasui Sketches is a basic, but beautiful sketching app originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chatology for Mac lets you easily search Message histories

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Chatology for Mac lets you easily search Message histories

Flexibits has released Chatology for Mac (US$19.99), which lets you search your Messages chat history with great ease and success. Its looks will make it familiar to just about anyone who's used a Mac within the last ten years and and its integration with Messages is just lovely. Say goodbye to Apple's chat search.

Looks

Chatology is similar to iTunes, iPhoto and others as it has a list on the left and related details on the right. Again, it will be super familiar to most Mac owners, so you'll be up and running in no time. Click any name on the right to view the associated chat logs in clear, legible text. Conversations, images and links are a mere click away.

Finally, you can opt to see your conversations as balloons or boxes (I prefer balloons).

Gallery: Chatology for Mac

Chat historyImage viewLearn to love Command-F again

Use

Chatology finds the chat logs stored on your Mac at launch and displays each conversation according to the person on the other end. Click any name in the leftmost column to see your full history with that person in the center column, sorted by date. You'll also see the conversation's start time and duration.

You can refine your history by viewing logs from today, within the last seven days, the last 30 or within the last year. Once you've selected a particular history to scour, you can view the full conversation, just images or just links. While testing this app, I was able to find two images I remembered seeing in chat but failed to drag out. It was crazy easy to find them: I just pulled up the conversation, clicked "images" and there it was.

There's a search box, too. Simply type in the term you're after and there it is.

Here's what I love about Chatology. There's a preference to enable Messages integration. When enabled, you'll be brought right to Chatology when you hit Command-F in Messages. It's like launching über-search mode.

Finally, you can export any conversation as a plain text file, use Quick Look to view images and delete a chat log, all from the app.

Conclusion

Those who have lots of conversations in chat, especially those that might include desirable reference information, will do well to install Chatology. Likewise, it's a good choice for users who are not satisfied with the search feature in Messages.

Chatology for Mac is available now for US$19.99 from the Flexibits Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later. Please note that Chatology for Mac will only be available from the Flexibits Store. It will not available from the Mac App Store. Unfortunately, Apple's policies won't allow an app like Chatology on the Mac App Store.

Pick it up now and get searching.

Chatology for Mac lets you easily search Message histories originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T begins FaceTime over cellular rollout

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

As noted by AppleInsider, AT&T has begun its FaceTime over cellular rollout to users. Back in May, AT&T stated that, by the end of 2013, all users would be able to use FaceTime over cellular. It appears that transition has begun. According to AppleInsider:

So far, activation of the service has been verified in parts of New York, Maryland, Georgia, Louisiana, California and Hawaii. Voice and video quality is nearly on a par with the WiFi implementation of the service, suggesting AT&T is not throttling those subscribers who choose to use the feature while on the go.

In January AT&T began rolling out FaceTime over cellular to users of its tiered data plans. By the time this current rollout is complete, all AT&T users will be able to use FaceTime over cellular, including those on grandfathered-in unlimited data plans.

[Editor's Note: A couple of weeks ago I noticed FaceTime over cellular was enabled for me, and I'm in Tennessee -- others confirm similar activations in the state. - VA]

AT&T begins FaceTime over cellular rollout originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goal Zero and AT&T join up for Street Charge in NYC

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Goal Zero's solar charging products are a favorite here at TUAW, and the company loves New Yorkers -- it provided a number of charging products during the power outages after last fall's Hurricane Sandy. Now Goal Zero, AT&T and Brooklyn-based design studio PENSA are teaming up to offer public solar-powered charging stations in NYC. Street Charge will be going live today at Fort Greene Park, with a total of 25 units bringing power to the people this summer.

Additional Street Charge devices will be installed as the summer heats up at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Coney Island, Riverside Park, Rockaways, Summerstage in Central Park, Randall's Island, Governor's Island, Union Square and Hudson River Park. The 90-day trial program is light-impact -- solar power means no digging up parks or pathways to lay cable.

The top of the "metal tree" is covered with three monocrystalline solar panels to charge up batteries located in the "trunk." There are three tiny tables, equipped with built-in charging cords for iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and phones with micro-USB connectors. Each of the USB ports provides five volts at up to two amps of current (10 watts), enough to fully charge an iPhone in about two hours although the companies expect most people to just "top off" their devices. That current level is compatible with iPad fast charging as well. Three female USB connectors are also available for those who bring their own cords. The bottom of the "branches" feature LED lights to illuminate the area at night.

Goal Zero and AT&T join up for Street Charge in NYC

The design of the Street Charge units is also perfect for striking up a conversation with others while your phone is getting juice. Neil Giacobbi of AT&T was quoted about that social aspect on The Verge this morning, saying "What's [the charger scene] going to be like at 4:30 in the morning in Union Square? I have no idea, but we're going to find out."

AT&T hasn't said if it will sponsor Street Charge units in other metropolitan areas, but those who are interested in the solar charging stations can get a quote on how much it will cost to deploy one or more in their city. You can also check out this Serbian park charger, flagged by a Verge commenter as an early example of the genre.

Goal Zero and AT&T join up for Street Charge in NYC originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV iOS 7 Beta Adds iTunes Radio and Conference Room Display Mode

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Last week, Apple released iOS 7 Beta 1 for iPhone to developers. At the same time, it released a new beta for the Apple TV as well.


Users of the Apple TV beta have discovered at least two new features inside. AppleInsider notes that Apple built an iTunes Radio client for the Apple TV -- something that Eddy Cue mentioned during the WWDC Keynote and that Apple has promoted to potential iTunes Radio advertisers -- with in-line video advertisements.

Apple has also added a 'Conference Room Mode' for use in business and academic settings that displays simple instructions for connecting to a Wi-Fi network and sending data from both a Mac or iOS device.

Conferenceroommode
The final version of the Apple TV Beta software should be released alongside iOS 7 in the fall.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Shazam App Updated with Music Discovery, New-Look Tab Bar and More
• Jony Ive Gets Title Change, Now Senior Vice President of Design
• Eddy Cue Offers Tidbits On Jobs' Involvement with iBooks
• 'XCOM: Enemy Unknown' Coming to iOS This Thursday
• Skype Rolls Out Free Video Messaging to Skype for Mac and iOS
• Instagram to Get Video Capabilities Next Week?
• Potential First Image of MFi Gaming Controller Surfaces
• AT&T to Send Emergency Alerts to U.S. iPhone 4S/5 Owners [Update: iPhone 4 Users Also Included]
    


Pagico Review

by on Jun 18, 2013 (Comments Off) Comments

Check the Dashboard to see what deadlines are coming up.

Compared to more basic to-do apps that focus on simplicity by limiting your options, Pagico goes in the other direction. But don’t let that put you off, because this is its greatest strength. You can dump nearly anything into it: ideas, files, contacts, PDFs, images, notes, to-dos, whatever, and organize anything in your life and work.

The inbox collects everything, and you can file items into the database individually or organized into defined projects. Keyword tagging makes it easy to create Smart Collections—isolating any tasks tagged “errand” in any of your projects, for example. If you’re not a stickler for filing, the search field finds anything in seconds, no matter where it’s stored in Pagico’s database.

The Dashboard presents a neat graph of your appointments and due dates, and Pagico’s Contacts feature lets you link tasks, notes, emails, and files to contacts, for a souped-up address book. But both of these features would benefit from integration with Apple’s Calendars and Contacts apps. Keeping track of two databases, especially with your contacts, can be frustrating. Luckily, adding contacts to Pagico in the first place is a simple matter of drag and drop.

Despite Pagico’s complexity and flexibility—this is professional software, and it shows—it didn’t take us too long to get used to the interface and really start organizing our life. We found a few small annoyances, like not being able to select all the text in a comment with the Command-A shortcut, for example, but nothing major.

And unfortunately, syncing costs extra. Syncing with an iOS device requires the Pagico Plus 2 app ($14.99, universal), which includes one year of Personal Workspace, aka 100MB of cloud storage and sync. Subsequent years are $15 annually. Personal Workspace is sized for individuals, families, or small teams—up to four computers and iOS devices can use one account. For larger groups, Pagico offers Team Workspaces with a 6-month free trial and flexible billing options. The syncing worked great, but we wish the cost was built in to the price of the software, as with Things and OmniFocus, although those two really aren’t built for teams.

The bottom line. Pagico makes keeping track of complex projects a simpler task, so you can focus on the work.

Review Synopsis

Product: 

Pagico 6.2

Company: 

Pagico Software

Contact: 

www.pagico.com

Price: 

$50

Requirements: 

Intel Mac, OS X 10.5 or later

Positives: 

Keeps track of everything related to a project. Flexible workflows.

Negatives: 

No automatic save. No sync with Apple’s Contacts app. Not for casual use: this is professional software and the options and complexity reflex that.

Score: 
4 Great