Remember those Microsoft ads from a little over a year ago, the ones with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates trying on shoes? Of course you do; it’s all the Internet talked about for days. I present to you this shocking photo: Seinfeld using a Mac!

Yup, that scene is from this week’s episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. And while it may be worth a chuckle in the abstract, people ought to know that Jerry always had a Mac sitting on his desk in the Seinfeld TV show. What was out of order was him promoting Microsoft. Well, I’m sure the giant sacks of money helped, but the original sin was Jerry going from Mac to PC, and not this latest switch.

via TUAW

It’s been some time since I’ve written about Plex, the Mac-specific fork of XBMC that, well, is fantastic. It seems Snow Leopard somewhat borked the application, but the latest release is all fixed up. Have a peach.

So the latest version, 0.8.3, fixes an issue that plagued the Apple remote control. Apparently the driver was such that it didn’t totally disable the OS X hooks. Like, you hit play on the remote from within Plex and then iTunes would start playing. That’s a giant pain, yes. But it’s fixed so there.

There was also some sort of issue with non-5.1 audio sounding like garbage. Fixed, too.

Hello exactly!

via Lifehacker

You can almost hear Steve Jobs flipping out right now. Psystar, notable for its efforts to sell generic PCs with Mac OS X pre-loaded, has just released something called Rebel EFI. It’s software that allows you to install Mac OS X on generic PCs without having to Hackintosh said PC. (Hackintoshing isn’t for the weak of heart!)

How does it work? I have no idea, but Matt (or someone, it’s chaos here today) is buying it right now and should have something up in a bit. (I don’t have any PCs here, I’m afraid.)

Nearest I can tell, you download and burn the ISO, it performs some sort of voodoo, then you insert the Mac OS X DVD and install like normal.

So if you’re even remotely interested in this I’d say to download it right now because Apple’s lawyers will be all over this within a matter of seconds. You can count on that.

Update: Psystar’s site is down but here are the installation instructions if you managed to grab the trial version in time. Anyone get it to work yet?

1. Download the Rebel EFI file, available here.
2. Burn the file to a CD.
3. Insert the Rebel EFI disc into your CD drive.
4. Start or restart your computer.
5. As computer boots up select, Boot Options or Boot Menu Key
**Boot Options or Boot Menu Key differ by motherboard manufacturer.
6. Select CD ROM
7. After CD loads press enter to run the CD
8. When prompted, Eject the CD and it will ask for the Snow Leopard DVD
9. Insert the Snow Leopard DVD
10. Select Main Language
11. Click Continue, if you want to continue with the installation of Snow Leopard.
12. Click Agree, if you agree.
13. Select the disk that you want to install Snow Leopard on.
a. If no disk shows, Click on Utilities on the tool bar, then select Disk Utilities.
b. On the left you should see your hard drive.
c. If not, a disk is not connected or cannot be read by your computer.
d. After selecting your hard drive click on Partition.
e. Under Volume Scheme, click current and select 1 partition.
f. Under Volume Information, name your hard drive.
g. Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
h. At the bottom of the window Click on the Options Button.
i. Select the GUID Partition Table
j. Click OK
k. Click Apply
l. Click Partition
m. Quit Disk Utilities
14. Select the disk that you want to install Snow Leopard on.
15. Click Install.
16. When Installation completes. restart the computer
17. As the computer starts up, insert the Rebel EFI CD
18. As computer boots up select Boot Options or Boot Menu Key
**Boot Options or Boot Menu Key differ by motherboard manufacturer.
19. Select CD ROM
20. Once CD loads you will see both the Hard Disk and the Rebel EFI CD
21. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Hard Drive
22. Press Enter to boot Hard drive.
23. Launch the Rebel EFI application from the CD.
24. Follow the on-screen authentication procedure.
25. Click Continue
26. Select your Keyboard
27. Click Continue
28. Select, Do not transfer my information now.
29. Click Continue
30. If, you have and Apple ID enter it now
31. If not, Click Continue
32. Enter your Registration Information
33. Click Continue
34. Create your Account Information
35. Click Continue
36. Select Time Zone
37. Click Continue
38. Click Done

You probably know by now that at least some of us here at pretty high on the Zune HD—look at the lengths I went to get it up and running!—but I recognize that not every Mac owner is going to jump through hoops just to be able to use the device. But maybe, just maybe, Microsoft is finally ready to do what so many people have asked it to do: make a Mac version of the Zune software, thereby enabling all the Mac owners out there to use the portable media player a little more easily.

The deal is that Microsoft is “evaluating a lot of options in terms of platforms.” So it told ZDNet at some sort of open house it hosted yesterday. (I was gonna go, but I stayed home and watched Dream 11. I’m not joking.) In plain English that means, yeah, Microsoft is looking to make it so that you can the Zune HD without having to be tethered to Windows.

And if that happens, you can kiss the iPod’s hegemony over.

What’s the top of the line iPod these days, the iPod touch? Yeah, it’s a neat device, I guess, but I think it’s safe to say that most people gravitate that-a-way because of all those damn Apps. That is to say, people aren’t necessarily flocking toward the iPod touch because it’s the better portable media player, just that it so happens to have FitBuilder or City Transit on there.

I remember, back when the iPod was still newish (2003/04), people would defend the iPod’s high price as saying, “Yeah, maybe it’s more expensive than Random MP3 Player, but its user interface is so good. That’s what I’m paying for.” And, if you were a Mac user, you also had the iTunes Music Store.

Today? I dare you to compare the iPod touch’s user interface to the Zune HD’s. It’s just night and day better. I often just flip through my Zune HD while at my desk because 1) it’s fun to do so, given the amazing UI and 2) I’m a huge dork.

Both players have music stores, yes, but if the future of the Internet is all about social this, social that, then the Zune HD’s store wins again. I can see what songs my dumb friends have been playing right from the device, preview said songs, and, if I have a Zune HD music subscription (I don’t because, well, I really have no use for it). The days of “squirting” music are long gone. (And really: who the hell thought “squirting” was a good word to use? I can almost hear Steve Jobs’ laughter.)

I don’t know, I just think that, given a fair shot, a heck of a lot of people would pick up a Zune HD. If you’re an iPhone user, well then that’s a totally different story.

Then again, both Apple and Microsoft could go bankrupt tomorrow, making all of this moot.

Since it is a leaked beta, and not an official release, so it’s probably going to have some issues. I’d suggest holding off on installing it unless you’re supremely confident in your ability to restore a backup, since such an early beta could cause all kinds of issues, but at least this means that an official version can’t be far behind.

So if you are feeling brave, you can get the beta from here. But since the rumor is that the real release will be sometime this month, it might be worth it to wait.

[via IntoMobile]

Are you ready for Windows 7? Remember, you need go out and get a really nice computer with a nice monitor and lots of hard drive space – basically you’re going to have to get a Mac. Don’t worry, though. It’s easy to switch.

Parallels is essentially a virtual machine that can run almost any version of Windows. The $100 software and hardware solution lets you drag everything from your old Windows PC to your Mac and then run almost all your apps natively under OS X. Viola!

It takes about an hour to move 40GB of data and the product includes a book and training software to teach you how to use your shiny new purchase.

The announcement details a number of enhancements to the game, but the most important piece is that it now works on Linux and Mac. Yes! I’ve always appreciated id’s cross-platform support in most of their games. I hope they keep it up.

Don’t expect any more posts from me today. :)

Hat tip Pocket Lint.

Years ago, I read an article in 2600 describing a system that would track down your stolen laptop. Presumably it was all open source software, I can’t remember. GadgetTrak, which is a company that can track down your stolen gadgets, including Mac/PC, iPhone, BlackBerry, and WinMo phone, has a fun success story that’ll kill a few minutes.

An iMac was stolen in Brooklyn. Then the GadgetTrak software kicked in, taking a photo of the presumed thief and using Wi-Fi to pinpoint, to with a few meters. The police were then contacted, and paid a visit to the suspect’s place of business. There they found the stolen iMac, as well as two other stolen laptops.

Seems to be a pretty convincing proof of concept. Not that I’m going to buy MacTrak anytime soon, mind you.

Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey is being developed by Ludia and features 12 “magical worlds” and a multiplayer mode. I have no idea how it works, but this is how Ubisoft describes it.

In the multiplayer mode, gameplay is enhanced through a variety of power-up features where players unleash different special effects to gain an advantage over opponents or enhance their own search capabilities.

Umm. OK. Said power-ups include:

• Wacky Paint: Splatter colorful paint onto your opponent’s screen to obscure the view.
• Thunder Clap: Cast thunder onto your opponent and make the screen shake.
• Frosty: Freeze the search window by encasing it in ice.
• Sparkly: Keep your eyes on the twinkle and glitter effects to detect items.
• And many more!

So, the FreeAgent Go Drive ditches the FireWire port in favor of a USB 2.0 interface. A 250GB drive will cost you $100, a 320GB for $120 and $150 for a 500GB drive.

The Go Pro sports a FireWire 800 or 400 connections. The 250GB goes for $130 while the 320GB and 500GB retail for $150 and $190, respectively.

The 2TB FreeAgent Desk is the same as before but with extra storage. It will retail for $340.

What I thought was the best part of this announcement is the Go Dock+. The old FreeAgent Dock for FreeAgent drives has been updated with three USB ports turning it into a USB hub. It’s kind of cool if you have a FreeAgent drive and retails for $40.

Seagate FreeAgent

Seeing as though Snow Leopard is only $29, this just-announced $9.95 update program doesn’t have quite the same impact that it might otherwise have. Still! The deal is that if you buy a Mac on or after June 8, Apple will send you a Snow Leopard DVD when the operating system comes out this fall.

More info will be posted tomorrow, obviously.

Meanwhile, here’s that famous video showing the intro videos from earlier Mac OS X releases:

USA!

via TUAWAWAW

Well done to Sophos, an anti-virus company (to simplify things a bit). Apparently there’s a new round of malware floating around out there that can infect your Mac. Observe!

The nasty in question, OSX/Tored-Fam, is a worm. It will burn your house down if given the chance.

So now you have a few choices, Mac users: you can steer clear of Flash-based porn sites, avoiding this whole nonsense altogether; you can buy whatver Sophos is selling; or you can smarten up and not click on OK every time something says, “Oh, hey you need to download this or we’re steal your puppy.”

No one will steal your puppy.

Panic, the maker of shockingly good Mac software, is having itself a nice little sale that you may want to take advantage of. From now until 11:59 PM PDT on May 29 (so, a little over a day) you can buy Transmist, Coda, Candy Bar and Unison for 50 percent off.

So, you’d be paying $14.50 for Transmit, $49.50 for Coda, $14.50 for Candy Bar, and $12 for Unison.

I used Transmist a lot in the days of Xbox1, when I would transfer files between my iMac and Xbox1—it was good.

And Unison, as I’ve said in the past, is a fine Usenet newsreader. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth—it doesn’t show the total download speed in the dock icon, for example—but it’s still pretty great. Hopefully Panic will invest some of this new money into updating its slew of applications, because, really, the ones I’ve used are pretty terrific.

Here’s a random software recommendation for your Friday afternoon enjoyment. It’s Vox, it’s for Mac OS X, and it’s a lightweight audio player. No, it’s not going to replace iTunes on your system—there’s no library feature, for one thing—but it’ll play some of the more obscure formats out there.

Right now (and for a few months now, going back to when it was called Tool Player), I use Vox to play those high-resolution FLAC files that I, uh, find on the Internet, as well as Ogg Vorbis files that have been popping up on a certain Sirius XM-related Usenet group of late.

Yes, you could use VLC to play these same files, but I have never been a fan of VLC (Or maybe it’s just that VLC for Mac is sorta icky?); I’m more an mplayer man when it comes to indie-cool multimedia players. Then, of course, I use Plex when I’m watching movies on the big screen.

I don’t know, I like it, and maybe you will too. Or not! Totally your call. But if you’ve ever searched for “how to play flac on mac os x” then Vox will do the job just fine.

This is probably the easiest review I’ve ever had to write. It’s about the Clickfree Traveler, an automated backup solution that works with both Windows and Mac; it’s the size of a credit card, as the video here tries to show! (Presumably Linux folk have all written, in raw machine code, their own backup applications.) Literally, you plug it into the USB port of your computer, a small window pops up with a countdown timer, and then it automatically backs up your home directory—/users/ndeleon/ in my case. Provided there’s enough space on the Traveler for your data, it’s all over in a matter of seconds. It’s pretty darn painless.

And what if you don’t have enough space on the Traveler? Well, a little window pops up that says there’s not enough free space on the device. Fair enough, soldier, just go into the options tab of said window and tell it which directory you want it to backup. Maybe you don’t want the entire home directory backed up, or you only want all MP3s (Music) and PDFs (Office Docs) backed up. Then you’d select those categories and off you go. It’s all right there in plain English. Pretty painless, I must say.

Let’s see… limitations… well, it only backups your data when you tell it to. That is, there’s no scheduled backups or anything, no “backup files at midnight every night” kind of thing.

The Traveler is also designed for frequent travelers or businessmen—people whose 401(k) has evaporated in recent months—so you may need more than the 16GB the Traveler provides if you plan on using it for your never-goes-anywhere desktop or whatever. In that case, you might want to spring for the bigger versions: either 32GB or 64GB.

Also, Mac-wise, it requires an Intel-based machine and Leopard, so those of you clinging to Tiger or earlier, or to a PPC-based Mac, are out of luck.

I don’t know, the Traveler did exactly what Clickfree’s snazzy back-of-the-box wording said it would. Plug her in, and a few seconds later your data is backed up. There’s no software to install, and it’ll fit right there in your wallet.

Consider me pleasantly surprised. (You have no idea how I enjoy writing, “Well, this item was a pain-in-the-ass to use.) For $79 (for the 16GB model), not too shabby.

Again with the Plex. I know, I know. But! Today’s news is legitimately interesting: Netflix is now fully functional within Plex, the best damn Mac media player out there.

Yup, provided you have a Netflix account, you can stream to your heart’s content using Plex. Fair warning: you’ll need to install Silverlight, so if that’s an issue…

I don’t doubt that people who know what Plex is don’t already have an Xbox 360, that streams the same content and is hooked up to a 40 plus-inch TV, so it’s usefulness is somewhat suspect. But neat, certainly, and demonstrative of the new Plex plugin system.