The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.tuaw.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)http://www.tuaw.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Macworld 2009: Axiotron Modbook Prohttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/tuaw-macworld-video-axiotron-modbook-pro/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/tuaw-macworld-video-axiotron-modbook-pro/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/tuaw-macworld-video-axiotron-modbook-pro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Simply stated, it's the fastest tablet computer on the planet, and it's a Mac.

Axiotron surprised everyone in 2007 by demoing a tablet Mac, the Modbook, made by transferring the inner workings of a stock Apple MacBook to a new chassis with a touch / pen interface. At Macworld Expo 2008, the Modbook actually shipped. Now Axiotron has raised the bar for all tablet devices by announcing the Modbook Pro, a new model made with the 15.4" MacBook Pro electronics.

I talked with Axiotron's CEO and Chief Engineer Andreas Haas this afternoon. Andreas was with Apple's Newton group and said that he always wanted to get back to a pen-based device. The new device is impressively fast and powerful, and Andreas was willing to show us the insides of the new box. Enjoy the video after the break.

Continue reading Macworld 2009: Axiotron Modbook Pro

Macworld 2009: Axiotron Modbook Pro originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Macworld 2009: Axiotron Modbook Pro originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>axiotronmacworld09modbook proModbookProvideoSteven SandeThu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:00 ESTMacworld 2009: Interview with David Poguehttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/macworld-2009-interview-with-david-pogue/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/macworld-2009-interview-with-david-pogue/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/macworld-2009-interview-with-david-pogue/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hot on the heels of the Macworld Live show Wednesday morning, we caught up with New York Times columnist David Pogue to talk about what's hot (and not) at the show this year, his thoughts on the "Philnote" and the future of Macworld, the iPhone's phenomenal success in 2008 and his undying love (ahem) for the Blackberry Storm.

Click through to check it out.

Continue reading Macworld 2009: Interview with David Pogue

Macworld 2009: Interview with David Pogue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Macworld 2009: Interview with David Pogue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>david pogueDavidPogueiphonemacworld09new york timesNewYorkTimesNik FletcherThu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 ESTTUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touchhttp://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/06/tuaw-macworld-video-marketcircle-announces-daylite-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/06/tuaw-macworld-video-marketcircle-announces-daylite-touch/http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/06/tuaw-macworld-video-marketcircle-announces-daylite-touch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For businesspeople who want to take their work with them everywhere, Marketcircle has just created a new way to keep updated on projects, contacts, calendars, and more through the iPhone -- Daylite Touch.

We interviewed Marketcircle CEO Alykhan Jetha this morning at Macworld Expo 2009, where he gave us a demo of the many features built into Daylite Touch. The app, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2009, will be licensed with another announced product -- Daylite Server -- and will be free of charge to Daylite users. Jetha also noted that Daylite Touch will require the upcoming Daylite 3.9.

Daylite Touch syncs with Daylite Server via Wi-Fi, 3G, and EDGE connections, and doesn't overwhelm the user with too much information on one little screen. This is one of the more complex iPhone apps I've seen since the iPhone arrived on the scene, and a lot of time and effort was obviously directed at the user interface.

Click Read More to see our interview.

Continue reading TUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch

TUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)TUAW Macworld Video: Marketcircle announces Daylite Touch originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeAppStoredayliteiphonemacworld09marketcirclemwsfsoftwareSteven SandeTue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 ESTSo you just got a camcorder -- now what?http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/so-you-just-got-a-camcorder-now-what/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/so-you-just-got-a-camcorder-now-what/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/25/so-you-just-got-a-camcorder-now-what/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

All day on December 25, TUAW presents "Now What?" We've got first steps and recommendations for all the gifts you (hopefully!) found under the tree today. Happy holidays!

Did Santa leave you a camcorder for Christmas? If he did, you probably did what most people do -- ripped open the package, slapped a battery pack on it, and started recording the fun. Hopefully you're reading this post before you've succumbed to that temptation, so you can avoid issues later on. Here are some hints to make your future as a filmmaker as trouble-free as possible.

1) Read The Manual. Most people tend to toss out the manual with the wrapping paper, but for something as complex as a camcorder it's a good idea to keep and read the manual. Sure, with a point and shoot camcorder like a Flip Mino you can get away with giving the camcorder a quick charge and then going to town recording the kids bouncing off the walls in a sugar-induced frenzy. But if you were really good and Santa got you a high-end HD camcorder with a powerful zoom lens, image stabilization, and other cool features, you'd better learn how to use them.

Continue reading So you just got a camcorder -- now what?

So you just got a camcorder -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)So you just got a camcorder -- now what? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>camcorderFeaturesflip minoFlipMinohow-tovideoSteven SandeThu, 25 Dec 2008 16:30:00 ESTBBC iPlayer finally available for Mac, Linuxhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/18/bbc-iplayer-finally-available-for-mac-linux/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/18/bbc-iplayer-finally-available-for-mac-linux/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/18/bbc-iplayer-finally-available-for-mac-linux/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In October 2007, the BBC said that the iPlayer would be available for Macs and Linux by the end of the 2007. Two weeks shy of the end of 2008, the BBC finally delivers. Maybe their developers accidentally took a trip in the TARDIS.

Using Adobe AIR technology, the BBC has developed a version of the iPlayer that is compatible with OS X and Linux. The press release states that the player has entered beta as of today and a final release is scheduled for February 2009.

The beta testing of the Mac-compatible iPlayer is being conducted through the BBC iPlayer Labs. The application download itself can be found here.

The beta version of the BBC iPlayer Desktop requires OS 10.4 and above. The site does not indicate if the download is a universal binary. The BBC iPlayer is only available for UK citizens.

Thanks to all those who submitted the tip!

BBC iPlayer finally available for Mac, Linux originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)BBC iPlayer finally available for Mac, Linux originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bbciplayervideoMegan LaveyThu, 18 Dec 2008 18:00:00 ESTGift guide for amateur video producershttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/17/gift-guide-for-amateur-video-producers/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/17/gift-guide-for-amateur-video-producers/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/17/gift-guide-for-amateur-video-producers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We all have a friend of family member obsessed with posting videos on YouTube. Their cats, dogs, babies and whatever else are all fodder for two minutes of teh funny. This holiday season, help them improve their craft and produce the next big viral hit with these gift suggestions.

Software
Quality editing software is not cheap. So it's surprising, actually, that Final Cut Express 4 is reasonably priced ($199US) for the amount of power it packs. I recommend this over cheaper options like iMovie for two reasons. First, it's an extremely capable application that isn't missing much from its much pricer big brother. An amateur video producer won't quickly grow bored of its capabilities. Second, and more important, if the person you are giving this to has any ambitions of becoming a professional, familiarity with the Final Cut way of doing things will be a huge advantage in the marketplace.

We are all too aware that the iPhone, in its unjailbroken state, doesn't record video. That doesn't mean it can't be used as a tool in video production. Slate is a simple application that replaces the iconic clapping chalk slate used for years throughout Hollywood. Reviewers in the App Store have some legit complaints about it, but it's still a fun application with a bunch of potential.

Hardware
Let's face it. You're not going to drop almost $5,000US on this badboy. (Note to wife: want!) But how about under $150US for a camera that captures 60 minutes of video, at decent quality, requiring no tapes or memory cards, and fits in your front pocket? Enter the Flip Video family of cameras.

These little machines aren't going to do it for professionals, but for amateurs looking to record precious family moments or spontaneous news events, it'll do the trick nicely. And it's called a Flip for a reason -- it has a USB connector integrated into its design. It flips out and, with a little bit of adjusting (a dozen or so business cards tucked under one side of a MacBook) it connects easily to just about any computer.

Flip Video last month announced a high-def version of the camera called the MinoHD. It sells for about $229US. There's also a competing Kodak camera, the Zi6, that has a fanbase of its own.

One of the best presents you can give an aspiring video producer -- besides a gig at LucasFilm -- is more hard drive space. Digital video consumes sick amounts of storage. Luckily, hard drives in the terabyte range are coming into the realm of affordability. A quick poke around Amazon.com shows a few options for under $150US. Some of these may not cut it for actual production work, as speed is of the essence, but for nearline storage, they'll do the trick quite nicely.

Stocking Stuffers
Last-minute shoppers rejoice. There are many cheap, easy-to-order products out there with which you can fill your aspiring video producer's stocking.
  • Mini tripod -- Shaky video is distracting when it's not intentional. A tiny, tabletop tripod is very handy for any videographer to have in his bag of tricks; newer Flip Video cameras have a tripod mount built in.
  • Personal telepromter -- I saw this demoed last year at a conference and I was blown away. It works great with any Mac laptop with a built-in iSight camera, it's cheap, and it's very cool.
  • Snowball -- No, not the frozen kind. The Blue Snowball mic is one of my favorite pieces of post-production kit. It's great for laying down voiceovers, and works equally well for recording audio for video podcasts. It's a USB mic, so it's not going to hook up to a camcorder, but for studio work it gets the job done in style.

Gift guide for amateur video producers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Gift guide for amateur video producers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>camerafinal cutfinal cut expressFinalCutFinalCutExpressflipgift guideGiftGuideholidashminoproductionvideoDan FelliniWed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 ESTMusic video shot entirely on an iPhonehttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/09/music-video-shot-entirely-on-an-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/09/music-video-shot-entirely-on-an-iphone/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/09/music-video-shot-entirely-on-an-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Behold, what is claimed to be the world's first music video shot entirely on an iPhone.

This gem comes to us from GOSHone, A self-described "mad scientist with computers, gadgets, and musical equipment and stuff," G1 used his jailbroken iPhone and a copy of Cycorder to produce what I can only describe as a little slice of wonderful. I can't verify with any certainty that this is, in fact, the "world's first," but I'm going to go with it.

GOSHone says that, while making the video was fun and relatively pain-free, he did struggle with the lack of a preview screen, and "tried to rely on the shiny black back and the chrome Apple logo for reflection." That's a simple, clever trick I hadn't thought of, mostly because I always have a case on my iPhone.

Have a look at his video, then download his free album. It's good stuff.

Thanks to Valerie for sending this in.

Music video shot entirely on an iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Music video shot entirely on an iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>iphonemusic videoMusicVideoDan FelliniTue, 09 Dec 2008 16:30:00 ESTBoxee releases new alpha, adds Netflix supporthttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/boxee-releases-new-alpha-adds-netflix-support/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/boxee-releases-new-alpha-adds-netflix-support/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/boxee-releases-new-alpha-adds-netflix-support/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's a pretty awesome day to be a Netflix fan. Not only is the Watch Instantly service officially available for OS X, it's also now working via boxee, my favorite media center application!

Boxee pushed out an impromptu update last week for Apple TV owners, specifically to address issues with the 2.3 firmware update. Today's update is targeted at all boxee versions and adds a host of new features, including the big dog: Netflix support for US customers. Note: Netflix support is currently only in the Mac version of boxee. The boxee team is working hard to bring it to the Apple TV, but they need to work around some of the hardware limitations. They'll be posting updates on the boxee blog on their progress.

Here's the rundown:
  • Netflix support for Mac users
  • Improved Hulu performance and a new Hulu interface, including access to your personal Hulu queues
  • Access to TheWB.com (US only unless you use a proxy)
  • The Boston Globe's Big Picture blog - amazing photos from around the world
  • MTVMusic - songs/artists in your collection are now linked with music videos
  • New YouTube interface, improved performance and .h264 support
  • Custom interfaces and improved playback for CNN, Flickr and Picasa
All in all, this is a pretty stellar update. When I talked to the team from boxee last week, they made it clear that Neflix was the #1 priority. That they got Netflx running in boxee in under two weeks is nothing short of amazing. Yes, I do wish that support would be extended to Apple TV users, but I can be patient.

If you haven't tried boxee, you can go to http://boxee.tv/tuaw and get an invite. You'll need an Intel Mac running OS X 10.4 or OS X 10.5 or an Apple TV. Boxee is also available for Ubuntu 7.10 and 8.04, though I'm unsure if the team was able to implement Netflix support for Ubuntu yet.

Give it a shot and tell us what you think in the comments!

Boxee releases new alpha, adds Netflix support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Boxee releases new alpha, adds Netflix support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>apple tvAppleTvatvboxeeHTPChulumedia centerMediaCenternetflixxbmcChristina WarrenThu, 04 Dec 2008 11:01:00 ESTNetflix Streaming officially comes to the Machttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/netflix-streaming-officially-comes-to-the-mac/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/netflix-streaming-officially-comes-to-the-mac/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/04/netflix-streaming-officially-comes-to-the-mac/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Update: As the commenters have noted -- this service is currently only available for US customers. I truly apologize for my US-centric slant.

Last month, Netflix finally started to roll out its Watch Instantly service to Mac users. You needed to opt-in to use the feature, but it was available for those who wanted to access it. Today, Watch Instantly is available for Mac users without having to opt-in -- as long as you meet the minimum system requirements (Intel Mac running OS X 10.4.8 or higher, and at least one GB of RAM).

Watch Instantly is a great way to catch up on a movie, TV show or documentary without having to wait for the movie to come in the mail. You don't get the extra features or super surround sound, but it's fast, the quality is good and it is free to use. If you have a Netflix Unlimited plan, you can watch as many movies a month as you want. If you have a limited plan, the number of films you can stream is also limited.

You can access Watch Instantly from the tab on the main Netflix page and browse through the selection of movies and TV shows. You still need to install the Microsoft Silverlight plugin, if you don't already have it installed. Watch Instantly works in Firefox 2 or higher and Safari 3 and up.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Netflix Streaming officially comes to the Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Netflix Streaming officially comes to the Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>macmoviesnetflixrentalssilverlightvideowatch instantlyWatchInstantlyChristina WarrenThu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 ESTHandBrake 0.9.3 adds Universal Inputhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/24/handbrake-0-9-3-adds-universal-input/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/24/handbrake-0-9-3-adds-universal-input/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/24/handbrake-0-9-3-adds-universal-input/#commentsFiled under: ,

The well known, open-source DVD ripping and video transcoding application HandBrake has been updated to version 0.9.3. Among the changes, perhaps the most exciting is universal input -- now you can use HandBrake to convert any kind of video file it recognizes, not just DVDs. This is particularly exciting given the recent demise of the much loved VisualHub (although the open-source reworking of VisualHub via the TranscoderRedux project is underway). In fact, the new HandBrake incorporates some of the same ffmpeg libraries that did the heavy lifting in VisualHub.

Among the many changes are an updated interface as well as improvements to both audio handling and video quality. Interestingly, the HandBrake developers have removed its internal DVD decryption which means you'll need to have the free VLC on your machine to utilize HandBrake's classic DVD ripping functionality (though as long as you have VLC they promise it will work as before).

HandBrake 0.9.3 is a free download from HandBrake.

Thanks Will!

HandBrake 0.9.3 adds Universal Input originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)HandBrake 0.9.3 adds Universal Input originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>handbrakevideovisualhubMat LuMon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 ESTMacBook Pro users getting bitten by HDCPhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/19/macbook-pro-users-getting-bitten-by-hdcp/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/19/macbook-pro-users-getting-bitten-by-hdcp/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/19/macbook-pro-users-getting-bitten-by-hdcp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yesterday, our buddy David Chartier at Ars and Sam Oliver at AppleInsider both publicized an issue that's been burning up the support boards for a while now: iTunes video rentals and purchases in HD are flagged for HDCP control, and in cooperation with the new Mini DisplayPort connector on the MacBook and MacBook Pro unibody models, those movies and TV shows are refusing to play back on non-compliant external displays.

In this case, 'compliant' means HDMI or recent-vintage DVI, but even monitors or TVs that support HDCP may not properly negotiate with the DisplayPort connector to give iTunes and QuickTime the all-clear signal (if so, quitting and relaunching iTunes once the display is hooked up may clear the playback hold). Equally annoying: HDCP is only supposed to apply to 'high-value' digital streams, meaning standard-def purchases and rentals on the iTunes store should be out of scope... but some reports indicate that both the HD and SD instances are flagged, blocking playback on anything but the laptop's internal display or a straight-thru HDMI connection. Argh!

While Apple TV users with unconventional output setups have been dealing with this aggravation since the beginning of the year, MacBook and MBP owners have largely steered clear, even as the HD content on iTunes became available for playback on the laptops. Now that the hardware and software have come into sync on the unibody models, Apple's compliance with HDCP -- a necessary but appalling condition of the content companies that deliver the HD movies and TV shows -- is beginning to close out the 'analog hole' and cause real aggravation for laptop owners with legitimate use cases. Talk about a bag of hurt.

MacBook Pro users getting bitten by HDCP originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)MacBook Pro users getting bitten by HDCP originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>agitadisplayportdrmhdcpitunesMichael RoseWed, 19 Nov 2008 17:07:00 ESTOptoma's palm-sized video projector looks greathttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/optomas-palm-sized-video-projector-looks-great/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/optomas-palm-sized-video-projector-looks-great/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/optomas-palm-sized-video-projector-looks-great/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Optoma's tiny Pico projector has caught our attention. This small device (50mm x 103mm x 15mm) weighs four ounces and features up to 2 hours of battery life, an LED lamp with a lifespan of 20,000 hours and mini USB connectivity.

The manufacturers claim that images can be viewed at 60" (measured diagonal from corner to corner) from a maximum distance of 2.6 meters. The AV Input combines stereo audio and composite video via a 1 x 2.5mm 4 pole jack socket.

In the video above, it's connected to an iPod Classic and the image looks pretty good. Of course, our experience is only as good as the quality of the clip, but it definitley looks like a fun device. Videos, images and even slide presentations could be run off of your iPod and pocket projector, eliminating the need to bring a laptop, adaptor and full-sized projector to your meeting.

The proof is in the pudding, and we'd like to get our hands on one of these. Optoma says they'll start selling sometime next year with a price point around $400US.

Optoma's palm-sized video projector looks great originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Optoma's palm-sized video projector looks great originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ipodoptomapicovideoDave CaoloFri, 14 Nov 2008 10:00:00 ESTInsomnia Film Festival postponed due to server problemshttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/insomnia-film-festival-postponed-due-to-server-problems/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/insomnia-film-festival-postponed-due-to-server-problems/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/14/insomnia-film-festival-postponed-due-to-server-problems/#commentsFiled under: ,

A few weeks ago, we told you about this year's Insomnia Film Festival -- a contest for high school and college students to create a 3-minute film in only 24 hours. However, eager contestants were greeted with some unfortunate news yesterday when they loaded the Apple Insomnia website.

Apple notes that "due to unexpected challenges" the film festival will be postponed until after the holidays. Many TUAW readers let us know they were unable to register, so server errors could be to blame for this postponement.

If you have already registered, Apple will contact you shortly with the new, rescheduled date. If you haven't registered for the film festival, and would still like to, you can do so on the Apple website.

Thanks to Michael, David, and others for their tips!

Insomnia Film Festival postponed due to server problems originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Insomnia Film Festival postponed due to server problems originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ApplebreakingnewscompetitioncontestFestivalFilmInsomniaInsomnia Film FestivalInsomniaFilmFestivalCory BohonFri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 ESTi. TV and Netflix buddy up for mobile queue managementhttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/13/i-tv-and-netflix-buddy-up-for-mobile-queue-management/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/13/i-tv-and-netflix-buddy-up-for-mobile-queue-management/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/13/i-tv-and-netflix-buddy-up-for-mobile-queue-management/#commentsFiled under: , ,

iPhone media guides may be a dime a dozen (or, in the specific case of What's On TV, $0.99), but the free i.TV listings and lookup tool is starting to follow through on some of the promises for future feature development we heard when it was launched.

The new version, on the App Store now, includes third-party partnership integration with Netflix. You can manage your DVD rental queue and your instant-viewing list (if you have a supported target -- Mac streaming is "still in the works" but as we know you can sneak your way in), search the Netflix catalog, or check for DVD availability from any TV schedule listing or movie details screen.

Other new features include the addition of Wikipedia links from most movie, show and actor listings; new TV channel listings, along with an option to only show new/unaired episodes; and location-based searching for movie theaters.

i.TV says that the Netflix integration is the first of several third-party ties for the app, with more announcements coming through the end of 2008 and into 2009. Can't wait!

i. TV and Netflix buddy up for mobile queue management originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)i. TV and Netflix buddy up for mobile queue management originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>app storeAppStorei.tviphonelistingsmoviesnetflixtelevisionMichael RoseThu, 13 Nov 2008 13:51:00 ESTWWDC 08 session videos availablehttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/01/wwdc-08-session-videos-available/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/01/wwdc-08-session-videos-available/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/01/wwdc-08-session-videos-available/#commentsFiled under: , ,

WWDC VideosIn case you missed WWDC 08 because of a project deadline, the impending birth of your first child, or you just couldn't make it, Apple Developer Connection now has the conference sessions available on video.

The videos aren't cheap -- each track (iPhone, Mac, or IT) costs $499, or you can get all of the sessions for the entire conference for "just" $999. The latter collection of geek video features 146 presentations from the conference, perfect for those mid-winter coding marathons.

Apple is getting rid of physical media, so you purchase the videos, activate them, and then log into ADC through iTunes to download the videos and presentation slides. You need to be either a free ADC member or registered iPhone developer to activate the videos.

If you did attend WWDC 08, you are entitled to access the videos for free and should have received an email from Apple with instructions. If you've lost that email or never received it, contact ADC for details.

WWDC 08 session videos available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)WWDC 08 session videos available originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>apple developer connectionAppleDeveloperConnectiondevelopervideowwdc 2008Wwdc2008Steven SandeSat, 01 Nov 2008 18:00:00 ESTApple opens registration for 2008 Insomnia Film Festival http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/apple-opens-registration-for-2008-insomnia-film-festival/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/apple-opens-registration-for-2008-insomnia-film-festival/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/apple-opens-registration-for-2008-insomnia-film-festival/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you are a high school or college student, then you can now register a team for Apple's 2008 Insomnia Film Festival. The idea behind the festival is simple. Apple will post a list of elements you can use in your film, you pick three of them, and then take 24 hours to make a 3 minute movie.

If you are the lucky grand prize winner, your team will receive: 5 MacBook Pro notebook computers, 5 Final Cut Studio 2 box sets, 5 copies of Shake, 5 Logic Studio box sets, and 5 One to One personal training cards. That sure is a nice set up!

If you want to get in on the action, check out Apple's Insomnia Film Festival website, and register your team today! All the fun will start on November 15th at 9:00 a.m. EST. And if you like the Insomnia logo, Apple has posted wallpaper for both Mac and iPhone/iPod touch on the site.

Apple opens registration for 2008 Insomnia Film Festival originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Apple opens registration for 2008 Insomnia Film Festival originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Applecollegehigh schoolHighSchoolinsomnia film festivalInsomniaFilmFestivalstudentsvideoCory BohonWed, 29 Oct 2008 20:30:00 ESTDoes Morgan have a Zune? One guess.http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/does-morgan-have-a-zune-one-guess/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/does-morgan-have-a-zune-one-guess/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/29/does-morgan-have-a-zune-one-guess/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Any fan of NBC's geek-centric espionage comedy Chuck knows that there's a healthy helping of Apple tech all over the show, going back to the very first episode. Despite the heavy product placement volume, relatively few Apple fanboy lines make it into the scripts; after all, these folks work at Best BuyMore, which probably sells a lot of HP and Dell gear.

This week, however, a not-so-subtle dig at Microsoft's music player
found its way into the episode's closing scenes. Chuck's sidekick Morgan -- not the coolest cat in the junkyard -- jokes that he has a Zune, and then goes off to get his iPod to help Chuck save the world. Nice work if you can get it. The segment is viewable to US residents via this Hulu link.

If you notice other ficitional characters praising Apple and dissing the competition, be sure to let us know via our tips page or Twitter replies. You can also grab screenshots of your favorite Apple gear product placement moments and tag them for our appleontv Flickr pool.

Thanks Mike

[hat tip to When Will Apple for multiple versions of the video clip]

Does Morgan have a Zune? One guess. originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Does Morgan have a Zune? One guess. originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chuckipodnbczuneMichael RoseWed, 29 Oct 2008 11:00:00 ESTPerian 1.1.2 released, fixes updatinghttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/21/perian-1-1-2-released-fixes-updating/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/21/perian-1-1-2-released-fixes-updating/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/21/perian-1-1-2-released-fixes-updating/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Last night, Perian was updated to version 1.1.2. If you need to extend the capabilities of QuickTime, the free Perian plugin allows QuickTime to play back all kinds of popular video formats (.AVI, .MKV, .FLV and more). It's a handy utility for anyone who watches a lot of video on their Mac.

Here's a list of the bug fixes/improvements in 1.1.2:
  • Fixed update checker never running - this version requires a manual install
  • Enabled frame-dropping on AppleTV
  • Fixed some frames being lost in AVCHD/.mp4 with newer versions of QuickTime
  • Fixed another ffmpeg crash on G3s
You can download the update to Perian from the project's website. You can also see the version history list on their support website.


Thanks for the tip, Chris!

Perian 1.1.2 released, fixes updating originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Perian 1.1.2 released, fixes updating originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Apple TVAppleTvAVIFLVMKVmoviesPerianpluginprojectQuick TimeQuickTimesoftwareupdateutilityCory BohonTue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:00 ESTRipIt yanks your DVDs right off the dischttp://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/16/ripit-yanks-your-dvds-right-off-the-disc/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/16/ripit-yanks-your-dvds-right-off-the-disc/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/16/ripit-yanks-your-dvds-right-off-the-disc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

HandBrake handles most of my DVD-ripping responsibilities just fine, but RipIt came to our attention recently, and as a simple one-touch way to get a movie off of a DVD and on to your hard drive (in order to, say, watch it on a laptop without lugging the disc itself along), it looks pretty simple. In fact, it's about as cake as these things get: load up the app, throw a disc in your drive, and press Rip -- a few minutes later (a 7.9gb rip took about 30 minutes for me), you've got a DVDPlayerMedia file on your hard drive to watch at your leisure.

It's $18.99, which is pricey, especially (again) compared to HandBrake, which is conveniently open source, and provides tons more ways to rip things. But if you do a lot of movie ripping and want to have one single button rather than worrying about formats or encoding, that $19 might be well spent.

RipIt yanks your DVDs right off the disc originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)RipIt yanks your DVDs right off the disc originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cakedvddvdplayermediaencodinghandbrakejurassic-parklife-finds-a-wayripitMike SchrammThu, 16 Oct 2008 07:00:00 ESTWin a license for video catalog tool Frameline 47http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/14/win-a-license-for-video-catalog-tool-frameline-47/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/14/win-a-license-for-video-catalog-tool-frameline-47/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/14/win-a-license-for-video-catalog-tool-frameline-47/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you're like me, your professional or personal efforts toward video organization nirvana have been less than fruitful over the years. With video files spread across multiple formats and multiple storage locations, keeping everything readily available and tagged for reuse is a giant pain. On the consumer level I've tried iDive, iView Multimedia (now Microsoft Expression Media), even plain old iPhoto, and I'm checking out FootTrack; moving up the ladder, there are high-end choices like Cumulus/Mediadex and Final Cut Server. Finding that midrange, prosumer & network-enabled video cataloging tool, with options for MPEG-7 metadata, dynamic clip creation and embedded Spotlight comments in files -- well, I'm still looking, but Frameline 47's new version 3 seems to come pretty close to what I want.

Frameline 47 is a $139 app that works both for an individual and as a networked tool, with Bonjour sharing and the ability to do the aforementioned Spotlight embeds, so your tags, comments and metadata travel with the files instead of with a master catalog; the full Workgroup edition is due at Macworld Expo, with additional capabilities for shared data. All your video files, on all your attached drives, in any QuickTime-readable format (plus WMV and more with Flip4Mac and Perian) can be scanned and thumbnailed into Frameline's search browser; once there, you can add annotations, identify clips for reuse, export your edited files, create webpage galleries, or pass along edit lists to Final Cut. There's a lot in Frameline to explore; probably more than I'll use for my personal projects, but if you have to wrangle a large collection of clips for your editorial work it's definitely worth a look.

You can download a 14-day trial from Frameline's site... but we've got a special offer for TUAW readers courtesy of Frameline: 10 licenses to give away, free of charge. Read on for details on how to enter and win.

P.S. Extra credit if you suss out why the app includes the number '47' in its name.

Continue reading Win a license for video catalog tool Frameline 47

Win a license for video catalog tool Frameline 47 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)Win a license for video catalog tool Frameline 47 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>catalogcontestframelinegiveawaymetadatampegmpeg-7videoMichael RoseTue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST