Apple release new toys

Apple have released a whole load of exciting product updates at its annual September event.

Apple TV – The Apple TV has had a major make over and now comes in a very small, sexy package. Apple has realised streaming media to your TV is the way to go, you can stream media from your computer or from other sources such as YouTube and Netflix (only to US subscribers though). You can control the Apple TV via your iPhone or iPod Touch with the ability to stream media from your iDevices coming soon.

iPod Touch - Has received the somewhat expected but appreciated features of FaceTime video calling, a camera on the front and another on the back, high resolution retina display and HD Video Recording. To help with gaming it has a three-axis gyroscope for greater movement precision.

iPod Nano - Has been given a redesign, it now features a small and square multi-touch interface. It also has a built-in FM radio.

iPod Shuffle - now resembles an earlier generation shuffle as the clickwheel has made a comeback. It also features a VoiceOver button so your iPod Shuffle can tell you what song or playlist is playing.

iTunes 10 – Now has iTunes Ping for following artists and friends, TV Show rentals, AirPlay for playing music wirelessly and improved syncing with Apples iDevices.

Apple introduce new goodies

Apple has given its Mac Pro line a significant refresh today. Processors have been upgraded, Intel’s “Westmere” is available in two 2.4GHz Quad-Core, or two 2.66GHz 6-Core configurations. The video card in the Mac Pro now comes with 1GB of GDDR5 memory with 2 Mini DisplayPort outputs and one dual-link DVI output.

Check out the Mac Pro here

The new video card will allow you to use two of Apple’s new 27″ LED Cinema Displays on your Mac Pro. The new Cinema Display is very similar to the existing 24″ LED Cinema Display. It does have upgraded speakers and a longer video cable though. It is expected that the 27″ display with replace existing Apple’s 24″ and much older 30″ displays.

Check out the 27″ LED Cinema Display here

The iMac has also been given a refresh, Intel’s dual-core i3 and i5 processors are put to good use with quad-core i5 or i7 available on the higher end iMac. The high end iMac also gets the option of a solid state drive as either a primary or secondary drive.

Check out the updated iMac here

Apple also introduced the Magic TrackPad, a wireless trackpad that resembles a small Wacom but allows you to use multitouch gestures like you can on Apple’s mobile devices. You can pinch, scroll, swipe and rotate on the Magic TrackPad in the same way you can with your Apple laptop. The Magic TrackPad is being marketed as a companion to the mouse, it looks like it will be a while before the mouse gets relegated to history.

Check out the Magic TrackPad here

Keynote for the iPad

We have been working on the translation of Keynote presentations from your Mac over to the iPad version. The iPad version is very powerful – but does have a cut down feature set compared to the Mac version. With the iPad coming soon (or for those who already have them!) the use of Keynote is an interesting one, especially when you have the iPad to VGA cable allowing you to connect the iPad to projectors!

So, in order to get your presentations ready, take a look at these Apple support pages here and here. And there are a few third party tips sitting here.

Presentations from the Mac are synced over to the iPad using iTunes and then Keynote for the iPad will import the presentation. On that import, it will check your presentation and alert you to any issues which you can then resolve.

Happy presenting!

Prepare for the iOS 4 update for your iPhone.

To prepare yourself for the new iOS 4, backup your iPhone 3G or 3GS with iTunes 9.2. This version of iTunes is iOS 4 compatible and allows the backup of the folders which iOS 4 has.

To recap on the new features for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, check out Apple’s iOS 4 site.

iPhone 3G owners need to be aware that some new iOS 4 features are not available on the iPhone 3G hardware.

Mac Mini gets an Aluminum Unibody make-over

Apple has given the Mac Mini a make-over. The new Mac Mini features an Aluminium Unibody design with much improved performance.

It looks like the Mac Mini will make an even better media centre than before as it now includes HDMI output to connect to your HDTV, a SD card slot to view and transfer photos from your digital camera, 4 USB ports and 1 Firewire 800 port for connecting external drives. It also includes a Mini DisplayPort, ethernet, wireless and bluetooth so you can use it as a computer should you want to.

For more information click here.

iPhone 4 and iOS 4 announced at WWDC

Steve Jobs introduced the next generation iPhone today. iPhone 4 features a front facing camera, 5 mega-pixel rear camera with LED flash, higher resolution screen, improved battery life and many other features. It is expected to be available in New Zealand and Australia in July.

Check out the iPhone 4 features here.

At the same time the mobile operating system that runs on Apple’s portable devices has been updated and renamed to iOS 4. This update will be available for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch from June 21st, however some features wont work on the older hardware.

Check out the iOS 4 features here.

WWDC Keynote – 7th June

Get ready, Apple’s Steve Jobs takes the stage once again to show us what the company has been up to. This year it looks like the iPhone and iPad will be the highlight – but the Mac faithful are holding out for something “Mac” in the keynote.

If you are interested in finding out more, check out this site.

Or check back here on the morning of 8th June (US 7th June) for details of the Apple announcements.

Which iPad?

The iPad pre-order for New Zealand will probably start soon – so before you dive in and get the first one that comes to mind, lets have a look at what the options are (and mean).

First thing to know about the iPad. Without internet of some kind, it is just a big note taker and games machine. It comes into its own with internet. A lot of people in the US ended up buying twice because they thought the wifi only model would be fine.

So, there are two models – the wifi-only and the wifi+3G model. Both come in 16, 32 or 64GB storage versions – so you have 6 models to choose from!

If you have wifi everywhere you go – then the iPad wifi is all you will need. It is then just a matter of choosing the storage you think you need and you are done! Remember that iPad apps are bigger than the iPhone versions in most cases. We think the 32GB version represents the best value/feature balance.

If you think you may venture away from your wifi occasionally – then the iPad wifi+3G would be for you. First, lets dispell a few myths.

• The microSIM is just a cut down SIM and can be easily fabricated. However, both Telecom and Vodafone will have the microSIM on hand soon.
• You don’t need another contract for the iPad. Both telcos have a simple data prepay SIM available – and if your data use is small, you can use a 2degrees prepay SIM. It is only 2.5G – but it is fine for email and the occasional Google search!
• The iPad auto switches between wifi and 3G data – it is just like the iPhone and is seamless.

The iPad cannot be tethered to the iPhone and use the iPhone data contract without hacking. It is best to stay away from hacking your iPhone and take a look at the prepay data options.

If you are the ultimate geek – then the iPad 64GB wifi+3G probably has you shaking at the knees. All your music, games, email, movies, books, browsing and more in one slab of glass. Why not??

Once the iPad is officially released into New Zealand we will have more information about the iPad data plans.

Speed up Bluetooth reconnections

If you have a Mac which is sporting a Bluetooth Mouse or Keyboard, you can speed up the reconnection speed of the device in System Preferences->Bluetooth.

Open the Bluetooth Panel and highlight your Mouse (or Keyboard). From the small Sprocket-like menu, choose “Show More info” and then reselect the menu again and you will see “Add to Favorites”. You can do this for both your Keyboard and Mouse.

Flash CS5 development for iPhone off

Following on from the Adobe CS5 presentations by Digital Arena – we learned today that Adobe Flash CS5′s packager for iPhone will not be developed further by Adobe. They have turned their focus (and asked Flash developers also) toward the Android OS.

So while we were not sure during the launch presentations – here is the final word.

If you want to develop ideas for the iPhone, get in touch with a local iPhone development company – or learn Xcode yourself!