Scuba Snacks » apple

Chax

Scuba Steve — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:00:33 +0000

For those of you that operate many different accounts on iChat for the Mac, hate that to see them, you have to have a window open for each of them. I got tired of so many windows with 4 accounts, I was sure that there had to be aw ay to combine them all into one windows. Then I found a great plugin called Chax. “Chax is a collection of minor modifications and additions that make using Apple’s iChat more enjoyable.” The list of features (from the website), highlighted with some of my favorites.

Features
-Unified contact list shows all contacts from all accounts in one window
-Growl notifications for new messages and users changing status
-Automatically resize the contact list to fit the number of visible users
-Powerful, searchable log viewer that can also browse images and URLs from past conversations
-Activity log that displays your contacts’ status changes
-Auto-accept file transfers, AV chats, and screen sharing requests
-Always on top option for contact list, message windows and AV chats
-Set font of names, status messages, and group separators
-Option to immediately display new messages, skipping the notification window
-Show status changes directly in the message window
-Additional unread message notifications in the Dock
-Automatically hide chat windows and contact lists when iChat is inactive
-Toggle text status visibility of users
-Properly use ICQ accounts without sending text formatting in messages

I would recommend this application to anyone who uses more then 1 account in iChat. Makes things so much easier! Want to connect with me on iChat? Drop a message in the comments section below!

Apple iPhone 4 Press Conference

Scuba Steve — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:10:05 +0000

Today, Apple held a press conference about the recent problems users have been experiencing with their iPhone 4 cell reception. Apple released that they would do 1 of 2 things:

-Allow for a full refund of the iPhone 4 and any restocking fees and cancelation fees of service would be refunded.

-They would give any iPhone 4 user a free bumper that has been reported to help with the signal issues.

Now, I really think this is a great choice for Apple to make. It allows for iPhone users who want to return the phone, to get their money, and those that want to get their bumpers can for free. I am very glad that Apple didn’t announce a recall. Any phone can have signal loss if held in the right spot, and with only .55% of users (roughly 17000) saying they have signal loss, I don’t think that deserves a recall. 55%, well, that’s a different story.

One quote from Steve Jobs really intreagued me though, and it helped with the recent rumors of a CDMA iPhone with Verizon. I took this from the Wall Street Journal.

Why in the world would Verizon be testing, when the current iPhone does not support CDMA technology, which Verizon uses?! This is a huge hint that Verizon WILL be carrying the iPhone in the near future, maybe January 1?

What did you thin of Apple’s press conference today? Leave your thoughts below, I would love to hear them!

Guess for Next Weeks Apple Event

Scuba Steve — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:15:10 +0000

As we all know Apple’s big event is next week (January 27th 2010), so below I am listing my thoughts on what we will see released / announced.

-Announcement of iSlate (Apple Tablet)
-Macbook Pro with Quad Core Processor
-iWork / iLife ’10
-iTunes with cloud support and online listening of own library
-iPhone / iPod Touch 4.0 software
–Multi tasking is one feature I hope to see
-MacPro with 6Core Processor
-24″ iMac with Touch Screen

What are your thoughts for the event? Let me know in the comments!

ScubaSteve

Snow Leopard 10.6

Scuba Steve — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:58:29 +0000

Well today, Apple released that Snow Leopard, (10.6), will be delivered on August 28th, 2009. Be sure to get your preorders in today! If you have not heard about Snow Leopard, come out from under your rock and check out some of the new features included.

Next-generation technologies

-New core technologies in Snow Leopard unleash the power of today’s advanced hardware and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.
-64-bit support, the next big step for the Mac. All key system applications are now 64-bit so they can take advantage of all the memory in your Mac.
-Grand Central Dispatch, a revolutionary new way for software to get the most from multicore processors.
-OpenCL, a new technology that unleashes the power of graphics processors to accelerate application performance.
Learn more about the new technologies

QuickTime X

-As the next generation of media players, it’s built on new core technologies and advances modern media and Internet standards.
-Watch your videos in a clean, uncluttered interface with the new QuickTime Player.
-Record audio or video using the built-in iSight camera and microphone in your Mac.
-Trim your media to the perfect length.
-Easily publish your media to MobileMe or YouTube.
Learn more about QuickTime X

Out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange

-Mac OS X Snow Leopard delivers built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, something even Windows PCs don’t have.
-Use your Mac at home and at work and have all your messages, meetings, and contacts in one place.
-Easily set it up using the Autodiscovery feature in Exchange.
-Use Mail, iCal, and Address Book to access your work email, calendars, and the Global Address List alongside your personal accounts.
-Take advantage of powerful Mac OS X features such as Spotlight, Quick Look, data detectors, and more.

Use the links below to learn more, or make your pre-order!
Pre-Order
More Information

Be sure to follow me on Twitter too! @srmorris2

ScubaSteve

Macworld 2009

Scuba Steve — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:13:15 +0000

Well MacWorld 2009 is coming up here soon and that means new announcements from Apple! There are a lot of things that we would love to see there and things that just don’t need to surface! Here are a few ideas of what I think will makes its way from Apple.
MacMini: Redesign. They stopped shipping to retailers in October so its a good chance for a new design of the Mini.
Cinema Displays: The 30″ is long over due for a upgrade. The new looks and LED backlighting is needed
MacPro: Just some hardware updates for the MacPro would be nice. Its been a LONG time sense an update for that.
HomeServer?: I read an article that talked about a supercharged TimeCapsule for housing media and linkable to MobileMe.

What do you guys think will be released at MacWorld 2009? Also will it actually be the last one for Apple attend? Leave your comments!

~Scuba