Apple have updated the AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule, which are now offering simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band networking “for optimal performance, range and compatibility.” The new models also offer the ability to set up a secondary Internet-only Wi-Fi network to allow family and friends to access the Internet without giving them the password to the primary network or allowing them access to networked drives and other peripherals. Finally, Time Capsule offers MobileMe members the ability to access files on their device’s hard drive over the Internet from anywhere.
Need more bandwidth…
My 2Mb ADSL is just not sufficient for my needs, it just ain’t fast enough!
Basically I seem to be able to do one thing and one thing only. As soon as I try to do more than one thing everything grinds to a halt.
For example I was uploading a 20MB video file and at the same time watching Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer and both slow down… Same happens when downloading video from the iTunes Store or other bandwidth intensive activities.
Alas I can’t upgrade my bandwidth as I am too far from the exchange.
It is worse during peak times when everyone else if using their internet.
No real solution, so I will just have to whinge and moan.
New Mac mini (possibly)
Nearly a year ago I mentioned rumours about a possible new Mac mini.
Then I said.
So it is looking like that we may well see a new faster, better Mac mini.
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 interested to see where Apple goes with a new model and I may just have to get one.
This week we have seen pictures and video surface on the rumour sites, however similar things were said a year ago.
Yes I would like to get a new one to be a media server under my TV, but will we see a new one. We are going to just have to wait and see.
New Kindle
Amazon have released a new Kindle
It has many new features and is smaller and thinner.
Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns
Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you
Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise
One day we might get one in the UK, one day….
iWork ‘09
Apple have released a new version of iWork with new versions of Keynote, Pages and Numbers.
Keynote has always been my favourite application in iWork and there are some new features which look interesting. Doesn’t seem to be a huge number of new features though, main ones which will make me upgrade are the integration with the iPhone (or iPod touch) and the web show functionality.
Haven’t got a copy yet, but will get the family edition so I can install it onto all the Macs in the house and the possible future MacBook I am thinking about getting.
I may also get iLife ’09, in the main as it usually integrates better with the newer version of iWork.
Hmmm Parallels 4.0
In a previous post I did say I was downloading Parallels 4.0 so that I could install Windows 7. The download only includes the software and you pay for a licence key to use it. I have Parallels 3.0 and therefore will be getting the upgrade version.
It’s weird though, from the Parallels store, the upgrade is $49.99 which is nearly £50 by the time you convert to pound sterling, add VAT (even at just 15%). Must be because the pound is so weak against the US dollar at the moment.
It’s weird because Amazon are selling the boxed upgrade for just £32
So for just over £15 less I can get the boxed set and real media, or pay more for a download. Doesn’t make sense to me.
I can wait for a few days, as it is only Windows 7 we’re talking about!
Installed Windows 7, but not all is well…
Having downloaded the Windows 7 beta I installed it in a virtual machine (VM) using Parallels 3.0 running on my Mac.
Though the install worked fine, the installation of the Parallels Tools failed (either automatically or manually).
According to Downloadsquad it will work if you are running Parallels 4.0, build 3810.
So guess what I am downloading now?
Dragging images into Keynote 08
One of the nice features of Keynote is the ability to drag a series of images in from Finder and for Keynote to add them as individual slides.
If you are dragging lots of images into Keynote, unless Finder is in column view, Keynote will “mess” with the order.
If you forget and Finder is in list view and you drag the images into Keynote, changing to column view doesn’t appear to fix it and your images will still be in the wrong order. As well as changing from list view to column view, change from the image folder to a different folder and then back to the column view. Now when you drag the images into Keynote, they will be in the correct order.
Don’t know if this dragging issue is still the case in Keynote 09 as I haven’t yet purchased a copy, but will check once I do.
PSP Games for Christmas
I was lucky enough to get two games for my Sony PSP
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command marks the first time that the brutal, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe will be playable on the PSP. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command features fast, action-packed combat through turn-based strategy and an engaging, authentic single-player storyline. Gamers play as the elite Space Marines of the Ultramarines chapter and strive to combat the encroaching evil of the ruthless and daemonic influenced Chaos Space Marines through 13 cinematically-tied missions. With a robust multiplayer mode featuring 9 unique missions, gamers will team up and go head-to-head with other gamers worldwide as either the Imperium of Man or Chaos Space Marines, ensuring hours of unique replayability. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will also fully utilize all the portable functionality of the PSP and Nintendo DS, including the dual-screen and stylus, bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life on handheld.
For those looking for an action game you would be better off looking elsewhere. I am enjoying the game and find it tactically stimulating.Gripshift is a different game altogether, a driving puzzle game which I am also enjoying. Basically there are various tracks which you drive over.
GripShift is the first video game for the PSP portable entertainment system to combine high-flying stunt driving and unique puzzle-solving action in an all-out, pedal-to-the-metal driving experience.
Players race as one of six unique characters in supped-up vehicles as they stunt their way through insane twisting levels while collecting power-ups, avoiding traps, beating the clock and challenging friends.Featuring enhanced aerial physics with an intuitive control system, players perform awesome aerial jumps for massive hang time in puzzle-like driving challenges with multiple routes, short-cuts, loops, jumps and power ups. Compete in single player race mode against the CPU, or enjoy multiplayer action with your friends in head-to-head wireless multiplayer. Create and design custom levels to share with your friends or play in one of eight bonus games for outrageous fun.It’s an original break-thru combination of stunt driving, platform action and puzzle solving, designed exclusively for the PSP system.
BBC iPlayer on your PS3
Amid all the news about BBC iPlayer on the Mac and Linux, you may not realise that it is possible to watch BBC iPlayer on a range of devices, including the Playstation 3 (PS3).
You need to be running the latest firmware, I upgraded mine to version 2.53.