The new Apple Store in Covent Garden in London.
Why, Apple, why?
There are times that I wonder if those that design software actually ever use it? I usually lay this charge against Microsoft, but last night Apple in their wisdom really annoyed me.
I have a very poor internet connection and as a result if I download any big files I generally try and do it overnight, partly as these downloads take so long and mainly that if I am downloading files, it sucks up my bandwidth making the internet unusable for anything else.
So last night I set iTunes on my iMac to download a HD episode of Doctor Who and a couple of very large iPad Apps. About 2-3GB of data.
I went to bed, came down this morning to find a message from iTunes asking me if I wanted to download the latest version. Well I do have this setup in preferences, so that iTunes checks for updates.
So what’s the problem?
Well due to this unanswered dialogue (I was asleep in bed) iTunes had stopped downloading my downloads. It was waiting for me to say yes or no to downloading the new version of iTunes!
As a result I had only downloaded one of my downloads, all the rest were waiting…
Why can’t iTunes continue to download the files in the background, why does it have to wait until I answer the dialogue box?
In my mind this is poor design. If I decide that I do want to update iTunes, I can always stop the downloads, in fact I would probably want to finish them first before updating. So iTunes should really keep downloading even if it is asking me if I want to update.
So the end result is that I have to turn off “checking for updates” so this doesn’t happen again.
Oh, new Mac mini
Oh well pleased to see Apple have released a new Mac mini. Not only is there a new form factor there is also faster graphics and key feature for me is the HDMI port.
I will now be able to connect the Mac mini to my HDTV. I should then be able to play HD content from iTunes. Of course at the moment in the UK this only means HD TV Shows. HD Films are only available to rent at the moment on the Apple TV or the iPad. I do wonder if that will change now with this new Mac mini?
It is now a lot more expensive than it was before so that is one downside.
Key question I need to ask is, does the superior functionality of the Mac mini justify the increased cost over an Apple TV?
Should I wait for the rumoured new Apple TV which is rumoured to cost less than a $100?
So going to wait at this time.
WWDC Keynote
Today is Steve Jobs’ Keynote at WWDC.
Traditionally we get to hear about new products and new software.
As might be expected the web is rife with rumours about what we will hear about. I’ll let you Google them to find what they are.
Will probably follow the keynote via Macrumors.
Advertisement – Apple MacBook Pro
Advertisement
So Apple have some nice new laptops. Nice.
Apple rumored to be readying Mac mini with HDMI
Engadget reports that Apple may be ready to launch a new Mac mini with HDMI.
A Mac mini with HDMI. Makes sense, right? Well, it hasn’t to Apple so far, but it looks like it just might be ready to change its tune. That’s according to AppleInsider, at least, which has it from “two people familiar with the matter” that prototypes of a Mac mini with an HDMI port have been seen making the rounds in the usual inner circles.
Back in March 2008 (two years ago) there were rumours that Apple were going to kill the Mac mini. Back then I said:
I do like the Mac mini, it works well as a little Mac for testing and trying things out as well as introducing people to the Mac. I also have used it in the past as a server for various web services and for limited use it works really well – probably would not be too happy if it was a production server.
I did try it as a TV computer, in other words connected to my TV, but I never really used it, in the main as it was an old G4 PPC model and was rather slow for recording and capturing video from an EyeTV USB device. The newer Intel models have the advantage of remote control and faster processors and graphics better suited to video.
I am looking to get a new TV when the Freeview HD models become more widely available. At the time I did consider getting an Apple TV over putting a Mac mini under the TV; as the Apple TV did have HDMI and as well as buying HD TV shows from the UK iTunes Store, you could rent HD movies for use ONLY on the Apple TV. If there is a new Mac mini with HDMI and you can rent HD movies on the new Mac mini then I may get one over an Apple TV.
Really, all that from a job advert!
You have to love the rumour sites, have a read of this article from Macrumors.
Computerworld points to an Apple job listing posted last week which suggests that Apple is looking to expand the iPhone OS beyond the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad to additional platforms.
It suggests….
Let’s all speculate the future production of Apple products based on the job description of someone who will probably design those future products…
I love the rumour sites!
iPad?
iPad?
iFake more likely.
TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone
Oh I don’t know sometimes you wonder if companies realise that you might actually want to buy something… you know pay out money for goods!
Having got an iPhone 3GS and purchased the TomTom Application from the iTunes Store I was looking at ways in which I could mount the iPhone in the car.
The obvious choice appeared to be the TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone.
The TomTom app on your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 3G puts award-winning technology at your fingertips, like IQ Routes which gives you the smartest, most efficient route any time of day. That’s just the beginning. Combine it with the TomTom Car Kit to experience enhanced GPS performance for the ultimate in-car navigation.
- TomTom Car Kit features
- Secure docking
- Enhanced GPS performance
- Clear voice instructions
- Easy charging
- Hands-free calling
- Your music on the move
Now I know that I could buy a £15 generic phone holder from Tesco, however the extra features did seem to make the £99 seem like quite good value for money. Enhanced GPS performance is always welcome, I remember having lots of problems with GPS reception with an Acer PDA running Co-Pilot. Hands-free calling would be useful and the FM transmitter was something I had been considering buying for sometime. As it says
The Car Kit dock is compatible with all iPhone models…
This meant that I could use my main iPod in the car when I wasn’t using the iPhone, and listen to podcasts and music through the radio.
Seemed like a good idea, so where could I buy it from.
I initially checked the Apple Store and was disappointed to see that though it was going to be released on the 5th November, it was going to take 4-6 weeks for shipping, which in Apple speak means seven or eight weeks! So I checked Amazon and was pleased to see that they could ship within 24 hours of release.
Yay!
I placed my order on the 26th October
I waited.
Amazon sent me an e-mail on the 6th November, which said that they now couldn’t deliver on time and also couldn’t give me a revised shipping date.
On the 9th November I got another e-mail from Amazon, cancelling my order…
Hmmm.
Well that didn’t work out did it.
So with a little reluctance I went back to the Apple Store and though it was still saying 4-6 weeks shipping, I placed my order with them on the 13th November. The confirmation e-mail gave me a delivery date of the 28th December! Just over six weeks.
You can imagine my surprise (and a little delight) when on the 20th November, just one week later, I got an e-mail from Apple saying that my order had shipped.
So not 4-6 weeks, under two!
Once I have it, I will let you know how I get on.
Tech Stuff goes mobile
Having upgraded the blog back end you can now view the blog on your iPhone with a built-in mobile theme.
It’s a great theme which works for individual entries too.
Simply go to tech.jamesclay.net on your iPhone or any other mobile device.
So how was this done?
Well with the WPtouch plugin that if you host your own WordPress server can be easily installed.
WPtouch is an entire theme package for your WordPress website. Modeled after Apple’s app store design specs, WPtouch makes your WordPress website load lightning fast on touch mobile devices, show your content beautifully, all while not interfering with your regular theme.
If you have a WordPress.com site this is now built in.