Mac users can video chat with iPhone 4 and iPod Touch -- as well as with other Macs-- by using FaceTime. Bringing this to our attention David Passell writes, "The ZDNet report on Lion included the following gem:
'Finally, Apple added Mac support for FaceTime, which you’ll remember is the company’s Wi-Fi-only videochat application.
'That means Mac users can videochat with iPhone 4 and iPod touch users, as well as other Macs. The program automatically uses Address Book contacts, but oddly operates distinctly from the OS X’s own iChat program.
'The application is downloadable now for Snow Leopard users or higher.'
David explains the outcome, "I downloaded it (link above) and it appeared as Face Time.dmg (14.1mb). I installed it, but there were no hints on how to use it. All I was able to see was a feed from my device to convert Analog video to computer viewable (sorry about the sloppy terminology)."
However, this just in: ZDNet article warns, "FaceTime for Mac beta exposes iTunes account information."
Today's Apple Event News
In Cupertino this morning a crowd heard and saw the very latest. FoxNews reports, "With a new version of the Macintosh operating system called Lion, a super slim new MacBook Air, and updates to the iLife application suite, Apple CEO Steve Jobs hit the stage with a flourish at an October 20 press event."
ComputerWorld tells us, "MacBook Air will not have a hard drive, but is going with flash memory. It will be 80% smaller, two times faster, and more reliable -- and like an iPad will turn on instantly." The price drops under $1,000.
Take a look at these ten large photos of the 11-inch MacBook Air from ArsTechnica. And don't hold your breath for Lion, it's due out in Summer 2011.
See streaming video of the event. Read about the iLife '11, a major upgrade to iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.
Adding to our information this Saturday (10-23) Jim Hamm sends us the link to SmallDog newsletter 694 with articles on the 11" MacBook Air, Lion 10.7, iMovie '11, the Mac App Store, iPhoto '11, and GarageBand '11.
Fantastic Address Book Tips
Five fantastic Address Book tips are forwarded to us by Art Gorski who found this Macworld article. Take a look and see what will make you more efficient.
Inside Steve's Brain
Jim Hamm sends us the latest from Cult of Mac, an "informative article . . . about Steve Jobs and Apple. It is chapter eight from Mr. Kahney’s book: 'Inside Steve’s Brain, Expanded Edition.' In this chapter Kahney comments on the hows and why-fors of Job’s penchant for wanting to control all aspects of Apple’s products through vertical integration. An interesting, if somewhat lengthy, read."
Turn Your Computer into Your Personal Radio Station
"You can turn your computer into your personal radio station," begins Harry Morel. What a novel idea! He goes on, "An FM transmitter plugs into your computer’s audio-output port that makes listening to internet radio practical. You can listen on any FM radio. You do not have to listen to your computer’s speakers.
"The C. Crane Company sells a small FM transmitter for $70. It has an 80 foot broadcast radius. Put the FM transmitter in the center of your house by using an audio extension cord. Don’t plug short extension cords together.
"I saw a digital FM transmitter for ~$200 that will broadcast to your neighborhood, therefore, no extension cord needed.
"You can listen to the radio while walking from room to room. C. Crane Company sells a hands-free digital headset radio called Peltor Work Tunes. It also blocks out background noise. They also sell pillow speakers that rest under your pillow."
Leave MacBook Pro at Home, Take iPad on Vacation
A writer recounts his vacation to Bryce and Zion, leaving MacBook Pro at home, and taking his iPad with his iPhone. Jim Hamm passes this article along to us, with the notation, "One interesting observation he makes—and which I hadn’t thought about—is the WiFi login at one lodge was Flash-based, and the iPad (or iPhone) doesn’t support Flash. He couldn’t login to WiFi. Wouldn’t that be frustrating? Sitting there surrounded by WiFi and couldn’t access it!
"But, overall, the iPad worked fine, and he would do it again for a vacation trip, but not on a working trip. The new iOS release for the iPad (in November, I think) may help some of the issues he covers, but not the Flash issue."
A History of the Macintosh
David Passell forwards this info on a "different history of the Macintosh." He describes the 54-minute film and explains the complications of viewing of it with two different computers."The independent production, MacHeads, gives a different history of the Macintosh. It was made in 2008 shortly after the introduction of the iPhone. It contains the good, the bad, and the ugly about Mac and some of the characters involved. The end somewhat laments the decline of the camaraderie of User Groups and the de-emphasis on computer in favor of corporate Apple. Perhaps this is why a recent (ZDnet) announcement on Apple's direction mentions 'back to the Mac.' (There is a disclaimer at the end that Apple, Inc. is in no way connected with or sponsored the movie.) "Every 15 minutes or so the movie will be suddenly interrupted by a 15 second Allstate Commercial. This is typical of FREE streaming movie/network rerun sites I have become familiar with. "Since I have gotten a really fast internet connection (10Mb), movies and network reruns don't stutter on my MINI (2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM). However, be warned. All of the commercials for various high speed services neglect to tell you that the fastest service in the world will not do you any good on a lesser computer. "For example, I attempted to watch it on my iMAC (400 MHz PowerPC G3, 512 MB SDRAM). It was like watching a slide show with sound narration. I also had to force quit the browser (Safari 4.1.1) to get rid of it. Somebody who knows more than I do may know how to download/save the movie and watch it later, since I watched a DVD somewhat smoothly (until it encountered an 'error'). "Anyway, watch MacHeads and see what you think). Here is the link; if it doesn't open, paste it into your browser."
Places to Buy iPads
"For those with lots of spare $$$, here is the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT," exclaims David Passell. Apple and Verizon announce the iPad is coming to Verizon. Catch some of the details here.
Now Jim Hamm jumps in with a discovery of his own. Sam's Club is going to sell iPads.
Apple Hot Mail announces AT&T stores will begin selling them on October 28. Already selling the iPad: BestBuy, Target, Walmart. And, you can purchase refurbished iPads from the Apple Store.
Moving iPhotos to External Drive
You can free up some space on your hard drive by moving your iPhoto Library to an external hard drive. Jim Hamm refers us to this article from "Basics4Mac."
Save on Phone Calls
The eagle eye of David Passell found this info on how to turn an iPod Touch into an iPhone in the New York Times. Columnist David Pogue describes Line2, a $1 iPhone app, and how to make calls indoors and in other corners of the world where AT&T signal doesn't reach, send unlimited texting, and save $30 or $40 a month off your AT&T bill. Since the article's posting on September 30 Mr. Pogue has replied to 245 questions and comments from readers.
A Collector's Dream
With a big smile on his face, Art Gorski declares, "For those who don't have enough junk in their closets!" And he sends us this link from eBay. Look at the Mac stuff. It's some collector's dream!
WiFi Hotspots in Prescott
This list of WiFi hotspots in Prescott comes to us from David Passell. Double click on the screen shot to enlarge it.
Allen Laudenslager adds to this list Rooster's Cafe, across from Think4Ink on Montezuma. He says, "Free WiFi, great coffee, good food and outdoor seating if you prefer. Besides, all the people are just nice folks."
Setting Up a New Mac
Setting up a new Mac for someone? Jim Hamm has found some good info: "Here’s what David Allison did for his son’s new Mac before he went off to school. These tips could be useful for anyone setting up a new Mac. Of course, this is just David’s opinion on the apps he likes. You may have other favorites as well.
http://www.davidalison.com/2010/09/setting-up-new-mac-for-college-student.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+DavidAlisonsBlog+(David+Alison's+Blog)
or, Open in new window
or, Click Here
Jim goes on to explain, "You’ll note I provided three links to the same website. The first one is too long, for my liking, so I normally shorten a long link using TinyUrl (http://tinyurl.com/). That’s the second URL above. But, I thought I’d try another method of shortening a long URL, just for the heck of it. You can do it right in Mail. Open up a new message. Then, copy the long URL address into the Clipboard. In Mail do a Cmd + K. Paste the long URL into the dialog box. Then click OK. The long URL will appear in the new message. Click after the first letter (h) in the URL and type something like "Click Here”. Then delete all other letters in the long URL, including the first “h”. You’ll then see the third short URL as shown above.
"Yes, this is a bit of extra work, but it goes quickly once you do it a few times. And, it looks a bit fancy with that extra touch to make your email look nice. Admittedly, not a 'biggie.' but fun to do."
Tips, Quick and Easy
The First Apple
"I found this on the web and thought our members might like to see what they would have used if they bought the first Apple," De Previous Prez Allen Laudenslager tells us. WOW!
(Double click on the illustration to enlarge it.)
(Double click on the illustration to enlarge it.)
iSigning for iPad
A nifty feature for readers, both adults and kids, on the iPad is shown in World magazine, 9-25-10 issue, describing the iPad's multimedia capabilities for books which can incorporate both animation and sound. The New York Times tells about a book recently released which includes sign language, making it useful for deaf children, and also for students of sign language.
Flash Security Update
The new Flash security update comes to our attention from Jim Hamm. Adobe recommends the upgrade to version 10.1.85.3 and calls it "critical." They state that they expect to provide updates for Adobe Reader 9.3.4 for Mac during the week of October 4. Jim notes that you can check the version you're using by clicking this link.
Free Phone Calls with Google
"Free!" This just in from our world-traveler, Jim Hamm. "Here's an interesting article on a new feature Google is offering: free long distance phone calls in the U.S., and inexpensive phone calls overseas. I just tried it by calling, on my Mac, my two sisters in Ohio and it works great. The voice quality, both ways, was fine. All one needs is a Gmail account. When you're logged in to your account you'll see a new heading in the lower left corner called 'Call phone.' Click this and an on-screen keyboard pops up and you use the cursor to call a number. At this time it will show the call coming from a number in California, not your home phone number. Perhaps in the future Gmail may be able to show the call coming from your home phone number."
How Do You Use Your Mac?
Do you blog? Do research? Take iTunes classes? Write to family and friends? Write to be published? If you have experiences to share, questions to ask, or tips and tricks to pass along send it to Elaine at this PMUG newsblog. (If you do write you might enjoy the friendly group I teach: Writers’ Networking group of Prescott Valley, meeting the 4th Thursday of each month, upstairs in the community room of Stepping Stones, 3343 N. Windsong, PV. More info? 775-2706)
Photography and the iPad
"Here’s a neat article in Digital Photography School that talks about using an iPad to improve your photography skills," John Carter informs us. "I don’t have an iPad or an iPod Touch. I’m not sure if I’ll ever own an iPad, but I’m getting pretty darn close to dipping into my savings for a 4th Generation 32GB iPod Touch. My Classic 80GB iPod is proving too cumbersome to use."