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MacBlogz Is With CoCo!

Aviv — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:40:13 +0000

MacBlogz stands behind Conan O’Brien. Show your support for the movement and artist Mike Mitchell by purchasing an original I’m With CoCo t-shirt or print. Read more about the I’m With CoCo movement here and here.

iPhone OS Running On A Multi-touch Monitor. Probably Fake, But Still Amazing! (Video)

Aviv — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:18:46 +0000

Apparently some folks over at DreamField.se either decided to get real creative with some After Effecting, or they’re literally doing Apple’s work for them.

This might totally be fake, and done with running a matte mask through After Effects, but it’s still incredibly impressive. I can think of a ton of useful real-world applications for something like this. via Crunchgear.

January 24th 2009, Macintosh’s 25th Anniversary, A Few Ideas

Christina — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:21:36 +0000

January 24th 2009 marks the 25th anniversary for the Macintosh. While we don’t expect Apple to release anything special for the occasion, it’s still fun to speculate on what may come.

Architosh amusingly lists off three products they’d like to see released. First is an all aluminum updated version of the original Macintosh — “would be a “limited edition” run modern Mac redone that had a full blown emulator of all the classic software available on the original Mac,” then a Mac Pro Ultra — “It would be the fastest computer in the world and hold that title for more than a year,” and new Mac touch — “The Mac touch would be Apple’s answer to the rapid rise in the popularity of Netbooks.”

The three ideas are kind of nifty, although I’m not sure what “It would be the fastest computer in the world and hold that title for more than a year,” means. It’s important to remember that a 25th anniversary product wouldn’t necessarily be a widely sold product. It would most likely be a limited edition, or short run product. The 20th anniversary Macintosh, which actually celebrated Apple Computer’s 20th anniversary, not the Macintosh itself, sold for nearly $7,500 and shipped in March 1997. Far too expensive for most to even consider, let alone purchase. Especially with the economy tanking.

So what could Apple do to commemorate the Macintosh’s 25th anniversary? Here are a few ideas:

• Special Run Macbook Air — The Macbook Air is pretty expensive nowadays. So, those purchasing the special edition Air would not be affected by sticker shock. Apple could release an anodized black aluminum Macbook Air with some out of this world specs. Seeing as how the final price wouldn’t necessarily be a hindrance for Apple, they could go nuts with this thing.

• Promotional Sale — Apple’s not known for its blowout sales, so this is definitely a stretch. The 25th anniversary of the Macintosh is a pretty big deal, so dropping some prices could help those potential customers that may be on the fence. Shareholders would welcome the promotion, and all of the marketing would be free. Apple could simply change their website’s homepage and let the internet find out on its own.

• Special Run Mac Pro — Expanding on the Mac Pro Ultra idea, Apple could release a commemorative Mac Pro. This could again be priced as high as they like, it wouldn’t be released with the intention of moving mass units. Apple could incorporate some new aluminum manufacturing methods, maybe make it lighter, and thinner. Maybe the Apple logo on the side could be see through, or glow. Throw in some Blu-ray, HDMI, e-SATA, SSD hard drives and give us top of the line graphics cards as well. For those interested in this machine, price would most likely not be a concern.

• iMac: 25th Anniversary Edition — Apple could draw on inspiration from the original Twentieth Anniversary Mac (video), and unveil a limited edition all-in-one. They partnered with Bose for the speakers on the 20th anniversary mac, so maybe they could do that again (only this time minus the buzz issues). Again, price wouldn’t be an issue, so throw in Blu-ray, HDMI, and all the good stuff.

Apple might not do anything at all come January 24th. Perhaps all we’ll get is a new graphic on Apple.com’s homepage. Either way, it’s a special day, not just for Apple users, but for the industry as a whole.

Caught in the Wild: Super-Mini Edition iPhone

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:12:45 +0000

It’s finally here! The official Global Limited Initial Publication Super-Mini Edition iPhone. Feel free to breathe a sigh of relief as the much anticipated, widely rumored iPhone mini has made its global debut. For a mere 568 yuan, or approximately $82, you can be the proud owner of this piece of technological history.

Make sure to catch the “Global Limited Initial Publication Super-Mini Edition iPhone” imprint on the back of the device. The size though, when compared to a standard credit card would definitely catch on with consumers.

Keeping Cupertino on their toes with this dazzling new User Interface. Look at that sexy pixelation! Those horizontal and vertical puke colored bars are gorgeous! And the colorless white icons! Does it get any better?

They’ve even thought of the ladies too! A pink version is available as well.

On a serious note, an Apple iPhone nano has been rumored for some time now. If Apple were to unveil a similar device (size, weight, lower-price), I would imagine it would be a hit with consumers.

Rummage Sale Score: Macintosh Performa 550

Aviv — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:21:51 +0000

After noticing that a school here in Portland (Oregon) was having a fund raiser for charity, I stopped by to see if I could pick up anything nice, and make a little contribution. I ended up leaving with a 14 year old Macintosh Performa 550. And I must say, she’s a beauty.

As I walked into the gymnasium, I immediately saw a table filled with old computer equipment. Clearly they were trying to get rid of the stuff so they wouldn’t have to deal with the waste, and non-recyclable materials. As I walked over to the table I noticed this horribly beautiful yellowish tone shining through the black plastic. As I walked closer I could see the colorful Apple logo and thought to myself. “Wow, I can’t believe I just stumbled upon this.” — Moments after I started checking out what kind of shape it was in, a friendly woman at the school looked at me and said, “You should’ve come earlier, we had an old Macintosh laptop that we just got rid of.” I asked who bought it and she said a mom for her son, so some of the sting was gone.

The computer is 14 years old, and in pretty good shape externally. There’s a few dings and some permanent marker from the school’s management. But, overall it’s in good shape.

I talked to the “IT” guy who was helping clear out old electronics and he said that the computer was working last week. But it blew a fuse, so roughly $12 should get it up and running. I asked him if he had any idea where I can get this “fuse” but I don’t think he heard me.

Just to refresh your memory, the sales pitch on these things was: “The Apple Macintosh Performa 550 features a 33 MHz 68030 processor, 5 MB of RAM, and a 160 MB hard drive in a relatively-compact all-in-one case with a 14″ color display.” I’m thinking after I fix that blown fuse, l’ll do some heavy duty video editing with it. Unless of course I make it into a flower-pot.

In essence, the Macintosh Performa 550 isn’t really an incredibly unique “older” mac. The education version was the LC 550, so I’m sure there’s a lot of these floating around elementary school storage units. But, the entire experience of randomly walking into the school’s rummage sale and stumbling across this old beauty made it entirely worth it. They gave me the machine for free, and I left a donation for the charity on my out.

Video: iPhone Clone So Close, Yet So Far

Aviv — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:00:29 +0000

China’s iOrange has unveiled an incredibly slick “looking” device. We wish we could say the same about the “Wang TouchCool orange F4’s” name.

Since Apple has first launched the iPhone, we’ve seen a slew of clones hit the shelves. Most of the time, they aren’t good for anything more than a chuckle. But us be darned if the photos (and video) below doesn’t demand a second take.

The phone is on sale in China for the equivalent price of $200. It uses a 3.2″ screen, and has expandable memory up to 8GB (though which format is unconfirmed). It supports MP3, MP4, AMR files and “more.” Video playback is also supported, although all menus are in Chinese. Additionally, the clone shows an attempt at a touch interface, and a gyroscope (accelerometer) will tilt the screen 90 degrees when tilting the phone horizontally. Swiping through photos with one finger “similar” to the iPhone is also there.

The video below is a run through of the Wang TouchCool orange F4’s interface.

[Engadget via Electronista]

Video: Macbook Mini Spotted: OOPS, We Mean Modded

Aviv — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:14:55 +0000

Apparently German hacker Florian couldn’t wait for Apple’s upcoming notebook transition to get a new Mac. Instead he took it upon himself to put together a rather “desirable” Macbook Mini, and we wish we could play with it.

Florian used a dremel, and an extremely steady hand to fashion together the housing and exterior elements of the notebook. The inside however, “is a little less tidy, with tape and aluminum foil holding things in place and bouncing back a little extra light,” Gadget Lab explains.

Florian even made a commercial spoof taking on the Macbook Air

Thanks to reader HuffyLover for the tip

[Gizmodo via Wired Gadget Lab]

Featured Ode: Macbook Pro Woes

Aviv — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:47:52 +0000

Macbook Pro Woes

Oh, Macbook Pro.
How I’ll miss you so.
The end is near I know,
And then you’ll have to go.

You served me for 3 years,
Sometimes brought me to tears,
the photoshop beach balls,
I have in my nightmares.

My Final Cut has stalled,
I think I’ve hit a wall,
I’d kill for SSD,
Macbook Pro Woe is Me.

They say that soon you’ll get,
an overhaul I bet.

“Give me that keyboard! Make me thin!”
I here you screaming as they grin,
“Why just him?” you wonder loud, getting hot, nearly implode.

“He’s just Air, so thin, no meat!” “And soon i’ll have him beat !”

Oh Macbook Pro I hope you’re right,
Because I can’t take this fight.
I want the Air but not like this, to cheat on you is not my wish.
You’re getting old, I’m getting scared, that soon you just won’t compare.

The reasoning when Steve will say,
they wanted to keep you this way,
Until this one magical day,
when all of us will gasp and pray…

Steve, won’t you drop this bomb,
This has gone on for way too long,
This hatch closure’s just all wrong, the keyboard’s old, needs to be gone.

Just tell us what we need, you claim to know better than we.
Please release a Macbook Pro, and cure my oh so nerdy woes.

Disclaimer: We know this is extreme nerdism at its best. Apple user whining about products again… big deal…But, it was just too good. We had to post it.

WWSJD License Plate; New Church of Steve Going Strong

Aviv — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:28:10 +0000

What Would Steve Jobs Do? A question we ask ourselves daily around here.

This amazing license plate paying tribute to our mighty overlord, was found deep inside a Microsoft parking lot. Well, not really, but that would be amazing if it was!

Check out some other funny comments on this flickr thread, or have a look at some other funny Mac plates at TUAW.