New Accessory for the iPad

        "I just found this article on the Fastcompany magazine website about the new Toccata keyboard accessory for the iPad," announces Allen Laudenslager.  He continues,  "The article reports that it connects via bluetooth when you press any key, has a battery life around 45 hours and recharges from the iPad USB connection. It has a integral screen stand with several angles to suit most users and the author reports good key 'feel.'
        "The key are a softer plastic since the whole thing doubles as a case for the iPad and the face of the iPad rests on the keys with the case closed. The only drawback the author reported is that since it's not a full sized keyboard, the apostrophe key is not in the 'right' place, and he ends up hitting the Enter key by mistake. Well, life is trade offs; a new Macbook Air starts at $999 while the iPad Tocatta keyboard priced out at $670.
        "If you already have an iPad, a new keyboard and you're up and running for just 70 bucks."

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Report on New iLife

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"Got my copy of iLife and installed everything without issue," begins Art Gorski.  He goes on, "I'm mostly interested in iPhoto right now, and there are horror story reports on-line of problems with the upgrade, so I installed it first on my MacBook. That went fine, so I went ahead and installed all the iLife apps on my Mini. Still fine.  I recommend you have a good backup of your iPhoto Library before you upgrade.  If needed, I can do a presentation on the new features in iPhoto in the spring."

How to Print Help Screens

Here's a how-to from David Passell:  "I may be describing what everybody already knows, but often you will get these multiple-link Help screens from Apple applications. To get a printout of a Help screen, click the down arrow next to the wheel and you get a drop down menu:

"You can click on Print and you will get a printout of the help screen. In addition to this, if you find the screen will print too many pages, simply click on 'Make Text Smaller.' Your screen text will be smaller, and the printout will use up fewer pages. All Help screens provide this capability. Help screens from many other applications also appear to use this scheme."

FaceTime for Video Chat

        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.

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."

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Leave MacBook Pro at Home, Take iPad on Vacation

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        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.

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.

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."