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Ask Andru: Will OS X Mavericks be compatible with my Mac?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple announced OS X Mavericks a few days ago during the WWDC 2013 keynote, and we've been getting a bunch of questions about which Macs will work with the new operating system, like this one from Anette:
Q: OS X Mavericks looks cool, despite the silly name. However, it seems that when new software is introduced, a bunch of hardware is left out of the mix. Apple didn't make it clear which Macs will be able to run Mavericks. Do you know? Here's hoping my 2010 MacBook Air isn't left out in the cold!
A: Thankfully, it appears that Mavericks will be pretty forgiving, and won't need super-new hardware in order to run. In fact, it will run on some Macs that are as much as 6-years old. Here's the list:
- iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
- MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
- Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
- Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
- Xserve (Early 2009)
As you can see, anyone who has bought a Mac within the past four years is covered and will be able to run OS X Mavericks. Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook aluminum buyers as far back as 2008 are also good. In fact, some MacBook Pro and iMac buyers from back in 2007 can even get in on the Mavericks action. We'd say that this is a pretty large blanket of Mac users that will be able to enjoy the next generation of OS X.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks is set to launch later this fall, and will be available exclusively on the Mac App Store. No pricing has been announced just yet, but if history is any indication, it will cost between $19.99 and $29.99.
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OS X Mavericks includes offline dictation with live feedback
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
While looking through the various settings in OS X Mavericks, we uncovered a feature that went unannounced during the WWDC 2013 keynote. Apple will feature Enhanced Dictation in OS X 10.9 Mavericks, allowing users to use the feature when offline, and also providing the ability to get live feedback, so you can see what OS X is interpreting before it takes action, rather than having to fix it after the fact. Enabling Enhanced Dictation will require a 785 MB download, and the feature isn't yet enabled in the currently-available Developer Preview.
We'll report back with any other interesting Mavericks features we stumble across as we make our way through the next version of OS X.
OS X 10.9 Mavericks Developer Preview now live
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
After a rough start following the WWDC 2013 keynote which saw Apple's servers melt under the pressure of thousands of devs all trying to grab iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks, we can now confirm that it is safe for developers to head to the Dev Portal to grab a copy of OS X 10.9, with speedy download speeds to boot.
Apple releases iTunes 11.0.4, offers better syncing and bug fixes
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Music, Software,
Hot on the heels of releasing OS X 10.8.4 Mountain Lion, Apple has gone ahead and released additional maintenance updates to iTunes. Update includes bug fixes for improved syncing and eliminated a sign-in bug some users were experiencing.
The syncing fix remedied an issue that some users were experiencing when switching between wireless and wired syncing. The new version is available in the Mac App Store's update section. Direct link for iTunes update for Windows PC and also for OS X.
Read More 
| iTunes
Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,
Microsoft has prepared a video first-look at Windows 8.1, the upcoming update to its major desktop operating system, due out later this year. Using a Surface Pro to demo the software, Jensen Harris of the Windows User Experience team walks us through some of the improvements, including the new cloud-powered lockscreen, new Start screen tile sizes, app sorting, Start screen arranging, new personalization options, motion accents for wallpapers, and more. Two pretty big items not touched upon are the return of the Start button, and that Outlook 2013 is coming to Windows RT 8.1. Check out the full video after the break to see what awaits you in Windows 8.1, the preview of which will be available on June 26.
Click to continue reading Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]
Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple has just released OS X 10.8.4 for it's desktop and notebook computer lines. The latest update to Mountain Lion is mostly focused on stability and security, fixing things like Microsoft Exchange calendaring, corporate Wi-Fi issues, and the like. Safari 6.0.5 is also included in this release. Fire up the Mac App Store to grab it. Full changelog after the break.
Click to continue reading Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements
Transporter 2.0 improves user experience, brings iOS, Android apps
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Software, Storage,
We're big fans of Connected Data's Transporter device, which basically gives you locally stored and protected cloud storage without having to upload your files to third-party services like Dropbox or Copy, with no subscription fee. Now, on the heels of the Connected Data & Drobo merger agreement, comes the announcement of Transporter 2.0, a big software update for the NAS. Version 2.0 of the Transporter software brings a host of welcome improvements like:
- Improved integration with the OS X Finder and Windows Explorer
- Custom right-click options and drag-and-drop functionality
- Share direct links to files and folders
- Choose how folders are synced (locally or remotely)
- Increased firewall support
Additionally, new Transporter iOS and Android apps will allow remote access and management of files stored on the device. Transporter v2.0 will be a free software upgrade for all existing customers. For new customers, Transporter starts at $199 without a hard drive, $299 for 1TB, and $399 for 2TB.
Tweetbot for Mac 1.3 brings media timeline, cover images, more
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
Tweetbot for Mac has been updated to version 1.3, which mostly carries over a lot of the recent features introduced in Tweetbot for iOS. This includes things like media view, and support for the Twitter cover images on profile pages. Here's the full list:
- New media timeline. Type command f and switch to the media view (next to the search box).
- New look for Tweet detail including retweet and favorite counts.
- Profile Cover Image support.
- Double clicking titlebar above a profile view will scroll profile back to top. Double clicking again will scroll their timeline/mentions/faves to the top.
- Fixed issues with unread items obscuring notification/error messages and attached post windows.
- Fixed issue where you text was still editable after you’d sent a tweet.
- Various other bug fixes.
You can download Tweetbot for Mac now.
Apple releases iTunes 11.0.3 with redesigned MiniPlayer, optimizations
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Music, PC / Laptop, Software,
Apple's iTunes multimedia application has been updated to version 11.0.3, the highlight of which is a redesigned and improved MiniPlayer that now includes rich album artwork and a progress bar. Songs view also brings album artwork into the fold, and now multi-disc albums appear as a single album rather than taking up multiple entries in your library. Here's the rundown list of what's included in the update.
This version of iTunes comes with several new features and improvements, including:
- New MiniPlayer. MiniPlayer now includes a beautiful new view that showcases your album artwork In addition, a progress bar is now built right into MiniPlayer.
- Improved Songs View. You can now enjoy your album artwork while in Songs view.
- Multi-Disc Albums. Albums with multiple discs now appear as a single album.
This update also provides performance improvements when searching and sorting large iTunes libraries.
Read More | Apple
Google Glass XE5 update brings Google+ integration, refinements
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Google, Software,
Google has pushed out a new update for Google Glass Explorers, the early testers and purchasers of the ambitious wearable tech. Most notable in the XE5 update is the addition of Google+ functionality in Glass, specifically allowing you to comment on, and +1 entries on Google's social network. You can also receive incoming Google Hangout invitations. Here's a full rundown of the changes:
- Change to sync policy: require power + WiFi for background uploads
- Crash reporting
- Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
- Incoming Hangout notifications
- Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
- Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
- International number dialing + SMS
- Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
- New On-Head Detection calibration flow
- Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
- More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
- New recipient-list mosaic
As you can see, Google is steadily improving the Glass experience, even as it's just in the beta Explorer stage. With a year-or-so before it hits mass market, the company has a lot of time to refine the technology to get it ready for the meanstream. They'll need to, in order to quiet the jokes.
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