Big Updates for Mini Mac

04Jan09

 

Most people who are interested in technology and in particular Apple, will be aware that Macworld Expo starts tomorrow. There have been many rumors around the various tech news websites but no one knows for sure what we’ll see on Tuesday when Phil Schiller reveals the next steps, and puts many of the rumors to rest. 

One rumor that many think will become a reality on Tuesday however, is a new updated Mac Mini. The Mini has gone the longest without any updates of the Apple Mac lineup, and so one is most certainly due. There were fears of the Mac Mini being discontinued late last year, when it seemed Apple were slowing their production and stock levels down. Although now this could be related to an updated product taking its place. 

The Mac Mini has always been an entry level mac. Allowing users to keep their current screen, and other peripherals, adding only the small box to their setup. The current Mac Mini is not very powerful, and so heavy photo/movie editing was fairly difficult. 

Now it seems, with advanced technology becoming more available, there’s nothing stopping Apple from boosting the power and speed of this device, including the likes of solid Nvidia graphics chips, similar to the chips found in the MacBook ranges. There are also a lot of rumors about the new Mac Mini having support for dual-screens, meaning the Mac Mini could be used in work environments, instead of personal laptops or huge powerful Mac Pro’s. 

There’re all still rumors, but this seems almost too obvious not to appear on Tuesday. The top Apple-related blogs will be following the event, so be sure to follow along for the latest up-to-date information from Macworld 2009.

 

Places to follow:
TUAW & their live Twitter feed.
Apple Insider (Good live feeds from the keynote)
Engadget

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CrazyFish Gives CrazyDesigns

22Dec08

A very good friend of mine, Al Turner has taken his creative talents online, to eBay specifically. CrazyFish Designs is a small T-Shirt company from the heart of Staffordshire. The T-Shirt designs mainly focus on Al’s two main obsessions: music (drumming) and cars. The designs are simple, but still professionally finished giving an excellent end result.

The T-Shirts are quite cheap and can be posted around the UK [maybe overseas if you ask nicely]. A great idea if you’re struggling for gifts; if you’re still looking and know someone who may like CrazyFish Designs, head over to their eBay Store!

They only recently moved to eBay, which offers a simple solution as a market place that, despite thousands of other online buying opportunities, is still a very popular website for buying and selling goods across the world. 

More and more designs are being added over time, and they surely have potential and as their seller rating (100%) already suggests, are providing quality goods to happy customers.

Why wait? Visit the shop, and fill the empty space in your wardrobe!

 

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Tags: Al Turner, CrazyFish, Designs, eBay, Ed Parry

New Mighty Mouse on the Horizon?

21Dec08

After catching up on the usual Mac news, there was a little rumor emerging. A new Mighty Mouse could soon be here!

Several patents have been filed by Apple suggesting a glass trackpad added to the Mighty Mouse. This would offer multi-touch to the mouse, and get rid of the small ball that gathered dust like steel to a magnet.  

MacBlogz have some great possible designs for the new mouse, giving a slimmer profile from the current and using Apple’s new found love: Aluminum!

I’ve been holding off purchasing a Mighty Mouse for two reasons. The first being the current trackball for scrolling. I’ve heard many stories of it ceasing up after only a few months, and with no access inside being very difficult to clean. The other was the price. Surely the technology within could not justify £48. Possibly the new mouse (maybe released in January) will be more expensive, but the new technology would balance this out. Or maybe the price will drop a little (wishful thinking with Apple).

I look forward to seeing what will happen in January, with the current hype of this being the last MacWorld for Apple, and Steve Jobs not fronting the keynote. Amidst this, I’m sure Apple have some  interesting products to show, hopefully a few answers to our questions. If this new Mighty Mouse does emerge, I’ll be sure to buy.
Although the aluminum might look too nice, next to my off-white MacBook.

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Tags: Apple, Ed Parry, Mighty, Mouse, Revamp

This Week in History

15Dec08

Many blogs have their own way of ensuring regular content, and a common feature that readers become used to. Glenn Wolsey had Desktop Friday, Alan Costello has Friday Lyrics and now I’m joining the bandwagon with This Week in History.

If the name didn’t stare you in the face, the explanation should. I take a look back at what happened within the seven days that make up the current week [starting on Monday]. Simple. I aim to keep a technology (where possible) related theme, but other topics will be included in the hope the idea is interesting and continually readable. 

So without any more introduction, here is the week beginning [Monday] 15th December.

1974 – 15th Dec The british government introduced a new speed limit that became effective as of midnight. Motorway limits stayed constant, but dual carriage-ways dropped to 60MPH, and all other roads became 50MPH. Why did they do this? The government believed it would lower fuel use; to save fuel. 34 years later, I don’t think their plan was all that successful. 

1955 – 16th Dec The Queen Elizabeth II officially opened a new terminal [named The Queen's Building] at the London Airport, 9 years after the airport itself was opened. 

1968 – 17th Dec A life in prison, for Mary Bell – an eleven year old girl who was found guilty of killing two young boys of ages three and four.

1950 – 18th Dec Fear strikes the British population, as the Radio Times only just makes its Christmas deadlines, in time for people to plan their holiday season viewing.

1997 – 19th Dec The current Conservative party leader [at the time], William Hague married in Westminster to his fiancé, Ffion Jenkins.

Interesting? It can be interesting to learn what happens every day. What will be recorded for today? Will you remember it, will anyone?

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Tags: 15th, December, Ed Parry, History, Week

My Top 5 Gadgets of 2008

13Dec08

This year [2008] has been a great year for gadgetry, with the much awaited iPhone 3G, MacBook range, Apple LED Displays, Wii Fit, Amazon Kindle and Google Android to name but a few. As the year begins its decent to December 31st, I’ve chosen my five favourite gadgets that were made known within the last 12 months. They may not be the forefront of design or innovation, but they’re some serious technology and for myself, are the best gadgets of 2008. Enjoy!

1. Apple iPhone 3G
Almost a clichéd response, you’re probably thinking another uneducated teenager still drooling over the iPhone, amazed by its design, usability and general awesomeness. As close as I am to agreeing with you, its still unavoidable as a brilliant piece of engineering. Evidently based on the original iPhone, with cosmetic, network [3G] and software updates. The seemingly obvious faults [copy & paste, flash] with the device are still yet to be solved. But what the iPhone does, it does very well. The addition of the App Store opened a new realm of options for users and also software developers; both eager to dive in to the possibilities. 

The iPhone 3G proved popular with everyone. It was a massive hit in America, and the UK soon followed suit. For its first-class Apple design, usability and functionality there was no where but first for Apple’s breakthrough mobile device [take two]; the iPhone 3G.

2. Nintendo Wii Fit & Balance Board
The Nintendo Wii Fit & Balance Board package is looking to be this years Christmas ‘Toy of the year’, with many retail stores not having the stock required to keep up with the public demand. Its strength is in fitness, which added a whole new level of gaming, and opened the concept to a much wider audience. All ages can have a play with Wii Fit and most probably enjoy it. It’s quite doubtful that you’re uncle would enjoy a multiplayer thrashing on COD4, however. 

New games are being developed constantly adding more and more gameplay to the balance board, with snowboarding being perfectly suited to the board. The bundled software; Wii Fit has many enjoyable elements to it and can even prove useful if you’re trying to watch your figure; something that will be very popular in the few weeks after the Christmas holiday.

3. Apple MacBook Pro 
The best Apple laptop just got better with the latest MacBook Pro. Made from a single slab of aluminum, its shell is incredibly strong and avoids many moving parts that were present in previous shell designs. Although change is everywhere with the MacBook Pro, its not just the cosmetics. Nvidia have been called upon to provide new graphics chips [although having current hiccups] for the laptop ranges, offering more vibrant colour and faster graphic speed for the inner photographer within us all. To compliment the new chips, the screen is the expected 15″ in size, uses LED backlight and is protected and showcased in glass. Keeping uniformed, glass is also used on the new trackpad. Giving a tactile response where ever you click, and a smooth glide across for responsive on-screen control. 
The MacBook Pro has always been a top laptop. The option of choice for many designers, photographers, developers who need power and portability. Now though, the best just got better.  

4. Google Android (T-Mobile G1)
Google seem to be planning world domination at their head quarters. They’ve dominated the search with Google, severely weakened opponents with GMail and making RSS Readers unable to sleep with Reader. Now though, they have another target in sight. The mobile phone of course, and they’ve started with their first attempt of an operating system, Google Android. I have yet had a chance to explore the operating system, but people who have are very excited by its possibilities. 
Unlike the iPhone OS, Android is open to change. Developers have access to the SDK and are able to write applications and personalize the operating system; something end users enjoy the option of. 
Google Android is still in very early days. But more companies are beginning to see the potential, and are deciding to use Android in their next mobile handsets. 2008 saw the birth of Google Android, but 2009 will surely see it flourish.  

5. FlipMino HD
Fifth place was a close call between the FlipMino HD video camera, and the Amazon Kindle. But for myself, the FlipMino HD just took the lead. Photography has always been a keen interest of mine. I snap away at anything, but rarely catch images worth showcasing. A feature of my camera’s that I use quite often is the video capture. The only downside is the quality. FlipMino HD is the latest in a line of small, sleek camcorders, that is able to shoot in high definition. Small enough to fit in your pocket without notice (just over half an inch thick), the Flip Mino is always available to capture what ever you’re seeing. The camera is incredibly simple to use; there’s no hundreds of menu options to perfect the settings, you simple turn on and press record. A built in USB and software means connectivity is simple and uploading to YouTube or MySpace is easy. 
For its simplicity, high quality footage capture and sleek design, FlipMino HD deserves its place in the top 5 gadgets of 2008.

 

What would make your selection? Would the Kindle have taken fifth place for you?

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Tags: 2008, Android, Apple, Ed Parry, Flip Mino, Gadgets, Google, iPhone 3G, MacBook, Top, Wii Fit