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Latest Gear Live Videos
Google Desktop for Mac Impressions
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Google, Software,
Google just launched the beta version of Google Desktop for Mac, and we have spent a bit of time getting aquatinted with the new Spotlight competitor. We have put together a full Google Desktop for Mac gallery walkthrough if you just want the visuals, but for those who want our full impressions, read on.
Installing Google Desktop for Mac took a bit more than the standard drag-and-drop affair that most Mac programs boast. Obviously, this is because Google Desktop does a lot of it’s work in the background, under the hood. The good thing, though, is that while you wait, you are able to set various preferences for how Google Desktop will operate on your machine.
Click to continue reading Google Desktop for Mac Impressions
Gallery: Google Desktop for Mac Impressions
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Belkin’s In-Desk Dock for iPod Saves Desk Space
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Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Apple, Misc. Tech, Mods / Hacks, Portable Audio / Video,
We’re endlessly fascinated by the growing—and often wacky—universe of iPod-related products. From iPod cases that reflect to a belt buckle that houses your Nano, to a bed that’s really a giant iPod dock, the possibilities seem endless. Now, from Belkin comes the In-Desk Dock, designed to fits in those 3” wide circular holes in your desk often used for wiring (or, Belkin suggests you can make your own hole using 3-inch hole saw, a move guaranteed to land you in HR if you try this at work). Once installed, the In-Desk Dock allows you to easily charge and play your iPod once synced to your computer, and also includes a stereo-output jack for speakers or headphones—all while saving precious desk space. A 5G iPod is shown in the photo, however we do not know if it holds other kinds of iPods. Coming soon for $40 USD.
Read More | Belkin
Gallery: Belkin’s In-Desk Dock for iPod Saves Desk Space
Unboxing Apple TV: Gallery
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment,
Our bad! When we put up our Apple TV Unboxing Gallery, maybe you would have appreciated it if we actually let you know it was there. So, here we are to redeem ourselves, with what we think is a not-too-shabby look at the Apple TV unboxing experience. If you are curious about what comes in the box (not much, really) as well as what is lacking (video cables?), you may find our gallery of some use to yourself. Once again Apple has done a fantastic job of making a device possibly feel more special than it is simply by the way they packaged it—although, with their failure to pack in any sort of video cable, be it digital or analog, they managed to also make you feel like something is missing at the same time. See for yourself in our Apple TV unboxing gallery.
Read More | Apple TV Unboxing Gallery via Unboxing
Gallery: Unboxing Apple TV: Gallery
iTunes to Sell EMI Music Unprotected
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Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
In a very brave move, EMI yesterday decided to sell its music on iTunes without copy protection. The over 150,000 tunes can be then played on many musical devices and/or burned to CD. Beginning this May, the tracks, from such artists as Coldplay and Nora Jones, will be available for $1.29, as opposed to the $.99 price for regular iTunes. Purchase an entire downloaded album for the same price as a standard one.
After the Napster hullabaloo, most songs sold online now contain copy protection software. Apple’s Steve Jobs is hoping that other record labels will follow this lead and is counting on 2.5 million total tunes by the end of this year.
Read More | USA Today
Gallery: iTunes to Sell EMI Music Unprotected
Apple and Sony Team up to Bring Classic TV Shows to iTunes
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Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Apple, Portable Audio / Video,
Doesn’t it seem like iTunes gets more and more interesting and diversified as each day goes by? Now comes word that Sony and Apple have cut a deal to bring episodes of 70’s TV classics “Charlie’s Angels”, “Starsky and Hutch” and (geek alert!) the original animated “Spiderman” to iTunes, for only $1.99 each. While we won’t hold our breath for episodes of “Pink Lady and Jeff”, we do hope this trend takes off, as we’re really hankering for a “Mod Squad” fix right about now.
Read More | Cnet
Gallery: Apple and Sony Team up to Bring Classic TV Shows to iTunes
A More Vista-Friendly Version of iTunes
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Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Apple, Microsoft, Music, Software,
When Microsoft
unleashed havoc released it’s new Vista operating system, one of the many complaints from users was its incompatibility with Apple’s iTunes, at worst causing iPods to crash. Apple and Microsoft worked together to update iTunes and they’ve delivered. The newest version (7.1.1) is available now, and most of the problems with Vista have been resolved. However, this writer, a fed-up and frustrated
Vista user, is not taking any chances, and will wait until the next version of iTunes is released before diving in.
Read More | Apple
Gallery: A More Vista-Friendly Version of iTunes
Apple TV is Finally Available
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Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech, Movies, Music,
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It’s not exactly
mid-March, but it’s close enough. Apple has finally started shipping its Apple TV from its iStore. With a 40 GB hard drive that will store up to 50 hours of video, 25,000 photos, and 9,000 tunes, it has a hi-def 720p output. Standard features include HDMI, component video, analog, and optical audio ports and it is compatible with both PC and Mac.
The iStore now carries over 400 movies, 350 TV shows, 4 million songs, 100,000 podcasts, 5,000 music videos, and 20,000 audio books. Even with all that accessible media, at a price of $299.00 we think we will just wait for the early reviews before we place our orders.
Read More | Apple
Gallery: Apple TV is Finally Available
The iLuv i182 Records Audio and Video Directly to Your iPod
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Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, Apple, Movies, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
There are lots of things to love about the iLuv i182, such as its cute-as-a-button name and sleek black design. What does it do? It’s a dock for your iPod or PSP that connects to a source via an S-Video port, and records audio or video straight to your iPod or PSP’s hard drive. No more converting! But what if you left your PSP at your brother-in-law’s? The iLuv comes with an attachable SD and MemoryStick card reader so you can still record audio/video for later use. The iLuv can even be set to stop recording at a specified time. This way, you can record the gripping season finale of “Shooting Sizemore”—while you’re out retrieving your PSP from said brother-in-law. The iLuv records at 640x480 pixel resolution for iPods and 720x480 for the PSP and other video devices. The iLuv will be available this month for $229 USD.
Read More | iLuv
Gallery: The iLuv i182 Records Audio and Video Directly to Your iPod
The Birth of The iRack
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Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech, Videos,
MADtv has done it again. If you were busy watching the last rerun of SNL with Drew Barrymore, then you missed Michael MacDonald’s clever impersonation of Steve Jobs and his latest creation, the iRack. More amusing (if that is possible) than their last outing, this skit takes a clever stab at American politics. Even funnier than this clip was the outtake shown over the closing credits that cracked up both the audience and the cast. We don’t want to spoil the great iEnding, so iEnjoy the performance now and try to catch that bit when the iEpisode repeats.
Read More | MADtv
Gallery: The Birth of The iRack
SNL: Complete First Season Available in iTunes
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Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Internet,
If you are a fan of Chevy Chase’s Land Shark, Gilda Radner’s Rosanne Rosanna-Dana, or want to relive the joys of owning a Bassomatic, then you will be pleased to know that “SNL: The Complete First Season” is now available at the iStore. All 24 episodes from 1975 have been included in their original 90 minute format. There is also access to monologues, musical performances and comedy bits out of sequence. The eight-DVD boxed set came out in December and is priced at $49.99 to $69.99, depending on where you shop. The download will set you back $44.99. It’s always something, my little Rosanne Rosanna-Dana.
Read More | Apple