Apple unveiled several new products today, some of which have been rumored for quite some time. This was a significant update for Apple especially considering that they didn't hold a special event to announce these products. The timing is suspicious considering Microsoft is due to launch their new Windows 7 operating system in just two days time.
The biggest change was that the MacBook line has adopted the unibody look that the MacBook Pro uses. The model looks very similar to the Pro line but is in the traditional white color. The laptop can be outfitted with an LED-backlit display, new glass multi-touch track pad, and a built-in battery with 7 hours run time. Only one SKU is available that will have a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM (up to 8GB), an NVIDIA 9400M GPU, 250GB hard drive and the standard SuperDrive.
The Mac Mini also got a couple of updates including a new server option. The base model can be equipped with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB of Ram and a 160GB HDD for $599.99. The second configuration can be outfitted with 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4 GB of ram, and a 320 GB HDD all for $799.99. Both units will still ship with the same GeForce 9400M GPU and 8x SuperDrive
Also more interestingly with the Mac Mini is a new server option that ships with two 500 GB HDD's, no optical drive, a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a GeForce 9400M. The Mini will ship with Snow Leopard server with unlimited clients; retails for $999.99
Apple also updated the iMac line as well; Apple now offers a 21.5 inch model as well as a 27 inch model, both are 16:9 displays and in all aluminum casing. The widescreen panels are LED backlit and have a 178 degree viewing angle. The 21.5-inch iMac has a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, while the 27-incher comes in at 2,560 x 1,440 all on IPS panels. Pricing starts at $1,199 with multiple configuration options which you can find here.
Finally, Apple is introducing a new mouse dubbed "Magic Mouse" that will replace the Mighty Mouse. The Bluetooth device will feature one button and a multi-touch surface that will allow for gestures like the track pads. The device does not have a scroll wheel either but the battery does last four months.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Google to potentially launch new music service very soon
Google's a big player in the realm of the Internet; it runs the biggest search engine on the planet, as well as being an email provider and even a developer of a mobile operating system. Now, the company is rumored to be launching a music service, perhaps very soon.
The hints have come from TechCrunch, who, according to information from their sources, believe that the new service will be named Google Audio. It will be partnered with the usual line-up of major record labels, and will obviously be intended to go head to head with the current big players in the industry, such as Amazon and Apple's iTunes. TechCrunch is also quick to point out that the service will differ greatly from the one that Google previously offered in China, which allowed free searching and downloading of music (though it was only available in China, of course).
The service will be available "at least in the U.S.," but it's apparently unclear whether it'll be a streaming-based service or if it will allow downloads of songs. We'll be sure to follow information as it comes in, as this'll be fairly major news for those who regularly buy songs.
The hints have come from TechCrunch, who, according to information from their sources, believe that the new service will be named Google Audio. It will be partnered with the usual line-up of major record labels, and will obviously be intended to go head to head with the current big players in the industry, such as Amazon and Apple's iTunes. TechCrunch is also quick to point out that the service will differ greatly from the one that Google previously offered in China, which allowed free searching and downloading of music (though it was only available in China, of course).
The service will be available "at least in the U.S.," but it's apparently unclear whether it'll be a streaming-based service or if it will allow downloads of songs. We'll be sure to follow information as it comes in, as this'll be fairly major news for those who regularly buy songs.
Google takes its advertising campaign overseas
Google is taking its currently US-only "Gone Google" advertising campaign overseas to countries including Britain, France, Canada, Japan, Australia and Singapore, as the company seeks to lure businesses away from traditional software to their cloud-based services.
Through the "Gone Google" campaign, the company tells the stories of corporate customers who have switched to Google Apps, meaning that they "no longer have to deal with the hassles of managing e-mail servers or rolling out software updates."
It represents a rare move by Google into the world of mass-market advertising; demonstrating the level of competition in the market to provide businesses with email and office software. With Microsoft and IBM dominating the enterprise email market, Google is hoping companies will be convinced by the lower maintenance costs of using their cloud-based services.
However, questions have been raised over the reliability of such services for business users due to recent high-profile outages, including a few outages of Gmail this year alone.
More than 2 million businesses and 20 million active users now use the California-based company's online office software. The figure includes both large businesses that pay $50 a year per user, as well as small companies which can get the software for free.
Through the "Gone Google" campaign, the company tells the stories of corporate customers who have switched to Google Apps, meaning that they "no longer have to deal with the hassles of managing e-mail servers or rolling out software updates."
It represents a rare move by Google into the world of mass-market advertising; demonstrating the level of competition in the market to provide businesses with email and office software. With Microsoft and IBM dominating the enterprise email market, Google is hoping companies will be convinced by the lower maintenance costs of using their cloud-based services.
However, questions have been raised over the reliability of such services for business users due to recent high-profile outages, including a few outages of Gmail this year alone.
More than 2 million businesses and 20 million active users now use the California-based company's online office software. The figure includes both large businesses that pay $50 a year per user, as well as small companies which can get the software for free.
Windows 7 copies shipping early for some
Windows 7 pre-orders are arriving early for many in the UK.
Neowin reader dancedar let us know his copy arrived yesterday morning by a postman reliably delivering parcels instead of striking. According to a Microsoft spokesperson "Microsoft is aware of the planned postal strike and has taken action to minimise impact on those customers who pre-ordered their copies of Windows 7. As a result, some customers may receive their copy of Windows 7 a day or two early."
According to The Register, both PC World and Currys in the UK have begun shipping copies early. Royal Mail are currently planning strike action on Thursday in the UK which would cripple the ability for people to receive their Windows 7 copies on the day. Many retailers have opted for other means of delivery including DHL and UPS.
Neowin reader dancedar let us know his copy arrived yesterday morning by a postman reliably delivering parcels instead of striking. According to a Microsoft spokesperson "Microsoft is aware of the planned postal strike and has taken action to minimise impact on those customers who pre-ordered their copies of Windows 7. As a result, some customers may receive their copy of Windows 7 a day or two early."
According to The Register, both PC World and Currys in the UK have begun shipping copies early. Royal Mail are currently planning strike action on Thursday in the UK which would cripple the ability for people to receive their Windows 7 copies on the day. Many retailers have opted for other means of delivery including DHL and UPS.
Now Track India Speed Post And Money-Orders via SMS
Few months ago Indian Railways started offering railway inquiry and PNR status updates via SMS, now India Post has also jumped onto the tech-bandwagon offering Speed Post and eMoneyOrder status tracking from mobile phones using SMS.
To track the current status of your speed-post or eMoneyOrder all you need to do is to use the following short-codes and send them to 55352.
For Speed Post:
SP[space]Speed Post Tracking Number
OR
EMS[space]Speed Post Tracking Number
For eMO:
MO[space]eMO PNR No
OR
EMO[space]eMO PNR No
The service is not case-sensitive so no messing with capitalization on your mobile, applicable SMS rates will be charged by your mobile service provider for sending text-messages.
To track the current status of your speed-post or eMoneyOrder all you need to do is to use the following short-codes and send them to 55352.
For Speed Post:
SP[space]Speed Post Tracking Number
OR
EMS[space]Speed Post Tracking Number
For eMO:
MO[space]eMO PNR No
OR
EMO[space]eMO PNR No
The service is not case-sensitive so no messing with capitalization on your mobile, applicable SMS rates will be charged by your mobile service provider for sending text-messages.
BlackBerry watch to be released
CrackBerry.com reports the rumours regarding a Bluetooth BlackBerry Watch accessory have finally come to fruition.
Named the inPulse, the watch is not being made by RIM, and instead by a company specializing in BlackBerry accessories. According to CrackBerry an official annoucement is just around the corner.
Crackberry reports the watch features an OLED screen making the screen bright and easily readable. The OLED display also increases battery life over the more traditional LCD displays used in other mobile devices. The watch is designed to show notifications, incoming calls, and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry.
The inPulse clearly was designed for a specific demographic in mind, a user on the go. It is not designed to replace the BlackBerry entirely. Instead, it can be used for occasions where the BlackBerry is tucked away - driving, meetings, or perhaps wherever else it is not appropriate to use your phone. Instead of having to stop and check their BlackBerry, one can quickly glance over at the inPulse and decide whether the call or message is important enough to pick up.
Crackberry also suggests that eventually API's may become available, enough to where app developers can ultlize the watch to display notifications from third party apps.
Image credit: Crackberry.com
Named the inPulse, the watch is not being made by RIM, and instead by a company specializing in BlackBerry accessories. According to CrackBerry an official annoucement is just around the corner.
Crackberry reports the watch features an OLED screen making the screen bright and easily readable. The OLED display also increases battery life over the more traditional LCD displays used in other mobile devices. The watch is designed to show notifications, incoming calls, and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry.
The inPulse clearly was designed for a specific demographic in mind, a user on the go. It is not designed to replace the BlackBerry entirely. Instead, it can be used for occasions where the BlackBerry is tucked away - driving, meetings, or perhaps wherever else it is not appropriate to use your phone. Instead of having to stop and check their BlackBerry, one can quickly glance over at the inPulse and decide whether the call or message is important enough to pick up.
Crackberry also suggests that eventually API's may become available, enough to where app developers can ultlize the watch to display notifications from third party apps.
Image credit: Crackberry.com
DoubleTwist supports both Windows and MAC platforms letting users choose and sync pictures, videos, music or iTunes playlists with hundreds of devices like Apple iPhone, iPod, Palm Pre, Android phones, BlackBerry, Sony PSP, Archos 605, Sony Ericsson Walkman & Cybershot phones, Nokia N & E Series phones, Windows Mobile 5.0/6.0 platform devices, LG's Viewty and Shine, Motorola (V9 and V3xx)/most Razr phones, Amazon Kindle, Nintendo DSi, most digital cameras and flash-memory-based camcorders.
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