Apple has a hit on its hands and that’s always a good thing. With the release of Mac OS X Leopard this past Friday, over two million loyal Mac users flocked to stores or their computers to purchase a copy. AppleInsider notes that it took Apple six weeks to sell two millions copies of Mac OS X Tiger back in ‘05.
Says Sir Jobs on the surge of sales:
“Early indications are that Leopard will be a huge hit with customers,” said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. “Leopard’s innovative features are getting great reviews and making more people than ever think about switching to the Mac.”
Let’s say no one bought a copy for $40 at the UPenn computer store or used any kinds of discounts. In fact, let’s just say that two million people shelled out $129 for the single-user license version. That’s $258 million Apple has made back so far. Impressive? To say the least.
Apple sells 2 million copies of Mac OS X Leopard in first weekend [AppleInsider]
Leopard hasn’t been out a week and already the Microsoft fanboys are starting to bash away. Take for instance, an article I found called “Why Leopard Isn’t Better Than Vista” written for eWeek and posted on Neowin. Now if the domain names aren’t biased enough, think about what this guy is saying. Vista is better than Leopard. That’s like saying your 1988 Hyundai is better than my 2004 Jaguar because you have AC and I have climate control.
The article starts off with the following sentence:
Apple’s newest operating system is at best an evolution from predecessor Tiger.
It then launches into a rant regarding Cisco VPN, Apple Mail and a truckload of utter nonsense. The only valid point I’ll give this man is that Safari is seriously boinked and needs to be fixed immediately. If you Mac fans want to scream at your monitor, click ahead. If you Windows users want to have a good read and maybe get a little excited, well, click ahead.
Why Leopard Isn’t Better than Vista [Microsoft Watch]
Wait a sec…is that an iPhone or a Newton?? Ah, I see. It’s still an iPhone, just fitted with a crafty mod made by Mark Hoekstra. How’d he get the colorful Apple logo from the 1980s on his phone? He pried the plastic apple from an old Apple keyboard, cut out the plastic that held the apple, fitted it to the iPhone, painted it black and attached it.
And yes, you can still use it as your home button. How cool is that?
Paint it black: the iPhone [Geek Technique]
I’ve been using Apple’s new OS, Mac OS X Leopard since the 25th and I really am in love with it. Aside from the rendering issues surrounding Safari and Shiira (Flash animations won’t load) and problems with Stacks customization, I really don’t have much else to complain about. As I was stumbling around Apple’s website today, I came across a new function in Leopard that I have yet to read on the blog-circuit:
Look Deeper.
From the Finder or the menu bar, Spotlight in Leopard lets you search for more specific sets of things. Use Boolean logic to narrow search results by entering AND, OR, or NOT in a search request. Search for exact phrases using quotation marks, or search for items by dates or ranges using > and < symbols. And now you can even use Spotlight to perform simple calculations. Just enter numbers and operators, then hit Return. Very handy.
You can use boolean logic in Spotlight now? That’s awesome stuff if you know how to use it right. For instance, say I’m looking for files pertaining to chicks and Ayn Rand. Just throw in an AND operator between your two strings and you’re good to go. You could also do something along the lines of “crunch OR gear” and find pictures of dudes with solid abs and the iPhone.
Apple: Finder
Rob over at Demonbaby is pissed. At the music industry, at the takedown of OiNK – everything is driving this guy mad. Hence why he took to his blog and decided to really let the public know the state of today’s music industry. Rob used to work for the big labels from the late 1990s into the 2000s and knows a thing or two about how they work and what they loathe. In the end, as you probably expected, it’s all about profit and money.
Most of us are like Rob in ways. We loathe the RIAA and the big labels that nearly force us to pirate due to exorbitant prices on the music they both sell. The newspapers adapted to the age of the Internet, so why can’t the labels? Ultimately, Rob suggests boycotting the RIAA by purchasing non-RIAA music, pirating, writing to labels and even contacting your congressman. The post is one of the longest reads around on the issue, but is by all means necessary. I highly recommend taking a 20-30 minutes out of your day and reading it. It’ll change the way you view and hear your music.
When Pigs Fly: The Death of Oink, the Birth of Dissent, and a Brief History of Record Industry Suicide [Demonbaby]
With Microsoft recently purchasing a 1.6-percent stake in Facebook for a whopping $240 million, many are questioning if Facebook is truly worth $15 billion. While many pundits are calling $15 billion crazy, the BBC takes a look at why Facebook could actually be worth the big bucks.
For instance, did you know that over 200,000 new users join Facebook each day? Talk about astronomical growth! Other reasons include the fact that Facebook is the quintessential Web 2.0 application and how Facebook messaging is the “new e-mail”. The list goes further, but I won’t spoil the fun for you. Sail on over to the BBC link below for the full monty.
15 reasons Facebook may be worth $15bn [BBC]
Comcast employees are on lockdown with the recent storm of controversy regarding accusations that the ISP is throttling Bit Torrent traffic. Those in Comcast’s support department is finding out that if you let customers know their traffic is being modified, you will lose your job. Customer support reps are supposed to stick to a script and if asked about “the situation”, lie through their teeth to customers. Shame on you, Comcast.
Also, if you work for Comcast, don’t talk to us or anyone else. Speaking to the media will also result in termination of your job. Want the juicy goods? Hit the jump for an e-mail from an IP support manager:
Read More
Good news for our readers across the pond today. Skype and mobile provider 3 have partnered on a handset that will allow you to make free Skype calls using your account. Bearing a striking resemblance to NETGEAR’s SPH-101 Skype WiFi phone, the phone will cost 49.99 pounds (about $102) on a pay-as-you-go plan and goes on sale Friday, November 2nd. Get this though: if you’re already a 3 customer, you can score a Skype phone for absolutely free.
Of course, you’ll be able to use the phone as a normal cellphone as well. You can text, make regular calls, etc. all without hassle. A dedicated Skype button makes it easy to make VoIP calls to your friends. It’s topped off with a 2-megapixel camera and a microSD slot. Sounds like a great phone for the price of free. Countries like Italy, Australia, Denmark, and others can expect to see the phone by the end of the year. No word on a US launch yet.
Skype and 3 launch mobile phone [Reuters]
Anyone who can round up 8 nerds to dress up like characters from a recently released video game is a master of manipulation. Anyone who can get them to huddle together for a picture, is a demigod.
Team Fortress 2 Group Halloween Costumes
If the failure rate of the Xbox 360 doesn’t start improving soon, even Best Buy of all places will stop offering a replacement plan for the console. Normally, these plans are designed to increase profits for the retailer by offering an extended warranty to the customer for more money. However, as GameStop has quickly realized, this becomes more of a pain in the ass for a store when a console fails as often as Peter playing Time Crisis III.
GameStop is issuing an alert to all its stores, effective immediately. No longer will employees be permitted to sell PRPs (Product Replacement Plans) to customers for the 360. Own a PS3 or Wii? Don’t worry, you’re still covered. Probably because your console doesn’t overheat every ten minutes.
GameStop Ceases to Offer Xbox 360 Replacement Plan [DailyTech]
Is it really a surprise that a big Japanese electronics manufacturer like Panasonic decided to make an in-dash Blu-ray player for automobiles? Didn’t think so. This unit was shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan this week and as expected, it can do Blu-ray playback with HD output ala HDMI. You can add surround sound to the mix too if you want to really bling out your Lexus/Mercedes/Aston.
No other details are available, but boy this is some sweet Blu-ray goodness.
Panasonic showcases in-dash Blu-ray head unit [Engadget]
This Halloween, take some time in between the Reeses and the Snickers to honor old-school gaming. May I suggest popping in a Mega Man 3 cartridge for the NES to honor this beautiful pumpkin? Keep in mind though, just because you have a Mega Man pumpkin, doesn’t mean you’ll make it past Gemini Man.
And Now, A Megaman Pumpkin [Kotaku]
Welcome to the Unreasonable Stance, a weekly column starting right here, where our ever-popular Vince takes an unpopular opinion and defends it to the death. This week, why Linux isn’t ready for desktops. Enjoy! – Ed.
Linux is great. Really, it is. I used to use it all the time as a teenager when I got into programming. But now that I’ve matured (a little) and fallen into the world of Apple, I can see that Linux on a desktop PC is not a reality.
You see, Linux is not easy to use for the average PC user. Before you call me names and what not, consider for a second my roommate. My roommate is in his early 20s and sets up PCs and networks in schools around NYC. He has to know a decent amount of shit for his job and thus, I consider him computer literate. But if I gave him a copy of Gentoo or Crazy Beaver Muff 6.08 Ubuntu, he wouldn’t be able to install it completely. Here’s why. Read More
Yesterday, RIM and Facebook joined forces to announce a new dedicated Blackberry application that would bring Facebook functionality to the business world of handheld devices. The new application is available to download by all, but will also be included on T-Mobile RIM devices. As expected, you’ll be able to take photos and upload them to your Facebook profile, add and remove friends and all the other good stuff.
The application is a free download and is available from RIM’s website.
Press Release
I just came across these beauties on ThinkGeek and boy am I ticked off. Looks like ThinkGeek is completely sold out of the World of Warcraft action figure set. For $49.99, you get an Orc Shaman, a Blood Elf, a Dwarf Warrior and an Undead Warlock. Each figurine is around 7-inches tall (minus the Dwarf) and is incredibly detailed, much like a Games Workshop piece.
The first shipment of these figures will be shipped in a few days, so look for a re-stock very soon hopefully. If you really want the geeky details on each figurine, hit the jump below.
Product Page [ThinkGeek]
Read More
Those crafty bastards from the Netherlands are back again with cool DIY gadgets. This time, a gentleman named Thijs Eerens has turned an old, parked car into a joystick for playing video games. He calls his invention Park To Play and it allows any car to be transformed into a joystick so that you can play titles like Tetris by turning the steering wheel and flashing the headlights.
Not sure if I’d call this a practical use of a motor vehicle, but it’s certainly one of a kind!
Play Tetris with a car [MAKE]
Woot is having another one of its Woot Offs. You know the drill: keep buying until sold out, repeat. Right now it looks like you can score a SanDisk Sansa 4GB MP3 player for $60 + $5 shipping.
Woot!
Nintendo of Japan knows that if the ability to watch TV on a portable console is possible, it must happen. Thus, it should come as no surprise that a 1seg TV Tuner is coming to the Nintendo DS Lite November 8th. It’ll cost 41€ or about $58 and allows the use to watch digital television on the top display, while controlling the channels, volume, etc. via the touch-screen.
A New 1Seg TV Tuner for the Nintendo DS [Akihabara News]
If you’ve recently purchased an HDTV and still don’t have a hi-def movie player, you’re really missing out. Lucky for you, Wal-Mart is supposedly selling the Toshiba A2 HD DVD player for a stunning $198, making it the cheapest standalone hi-def player on the market. The A2 is no throwaway chinese knock-off player either. This is the real deal as far as HD DVD goes.
Wal-Mart stores are supposed to only get 18 units per store come November 3rd, so if you want one, make sure you check your local Wal-Mart frequently until these Toshibas pop up.
Wal-Mart now selling Toshiba’s A2 HD DVD player for $198? [Engadget]
It’s October 24th, meaning you hip teenagers can go pick up your Sidekick LX from your local T-Mobile store. But instead of shelling out hundreds of bucks and renewing your contract for another two-years, why not win a free Sidekick LX? What’s that? I have your attention? Good stuff.
All you need to do is head over to T-Mobile’s official Sidekick Wiki and sign up for a profile there. Upload a photo and post a comment answering a question and you’re good to go. Considering how lazy people can be regarding contests, I’d recommend hopping all over this fast.
Official Sidekick Wiki Site
OMG! So Apple, like, totally made a blunderama today on its website ya’ll. If you surf over to the Apple Store and check out the product page for the iPod Touch sleeve. You’ll see for $29.95, you get a product that fits 80GB and 160GB iPod Touch models.
Now, although a typo, this could be the real thing. Basically, it means Apple has confirmed the next models of the iPod Touch. Let the rumors begin to swirl like cappuccino in a frozen drink machine.
Apple Blunder; Advertisement Reads 80GB / 160GB iPod Touch [Gizmodo]
Sony today released an update to its CyberShot line of cameras in the form of the T2. Unlike an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick though, the CyberShot DSC-T2 features the sliding lens cover that’s made Sony point-and-shoots so popular, as well as an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor with Carl Zeiss optics, 3x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD. What really makes the DSC-T2 worth the buck is definitely the built-in 4GB of storage, meaning you don’t need to drag a stupid CF or SD card around with you.
You’ll also be able to hook the T2 up to your HDTV to display photos. Groovy. Expect the colors of the rainbow to sell for $350 in December.
SONY DSC-T2, the New Compact Digital Camera from Sony with 4GB internal Storage [Akihabara News]
Surely you’ve heard Nielsen at one time or another. The data mining company will start selling its information to Google very soon in a move that will help the search-giant target ads better. Some are arguing that Google is buying the data to tailor its upcoming YouTube ads better. That’s definitely a possibility.
But Google is also aiming to target fans of television. It’s looking to get the data it needs to target markets and haul in more users. Nielsen is pleased about the deal, saying “The relationship with Google…is a prime example of the ways Nielsen is embracing new technologies, platforms and relationships worldwide to serve clients more completely,”
Google to buy Nielsen data [Yahoo! News]
Trolltech has done a lot in the past year for the world of developers. With its amazing Qtopia Greenphone, developers were able to have a completely open mobile phone that allowed for application testing with multiple input devices. Trolltech has now announced that all Greephones and their SDKs have been sold and there are no longer plans to manufacture more.
From Trolltech’s PR department:
Tomorrow we are announcing that Trolltech has sold out of Greenphones
and will not order more. The mission of the Greenphone initiative was to
stimulate open development on mobile phones and to serve as an industry
catalyst. The impact and feedback has exceeded our expectations and are
excited to see the many new innovations that will continue to come.
All Qtopia efforts are now being focused on the Neo platform, which will no doubt help further our mobile industry. It’s still a shame to see the Greenphone go though. It was truly one of the most innovative development platforms available.
Looks like Woot is selling the brown 30GB Zune for $79.99 + $5 shipping. If an $85 price tag isn’t a big enough incentive for someone to buy a Zune, then I don’t know what is. Maybe free Paul Oakenfold tickets with every purchase?
