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Last year Apple stunned, excuse the pun, the Mac world and announced it would no longer attend Macworld Expo or any other trade show event effective after Macworld 2009. Many reasons circulated why Apple would make such an incredible decision with most boiling down to expense. Apple didn’t need trade shows, trade shows needed Apple was the governing thought. While that may be true — Macworld 2010 attendance and vendor participation will reveal that answer — there really is more to the reason for Apple’s ignoring the industry standards of dog and pony shows. Three words: Steve Jobs ego.
It’s no new news to make reference to the iCEOs audacity as folklore is strong when concerning Jobs character. Apple does like to put spin on things no matter what the announcement and when it told the world that it was removing itself from the trade show circuit due to cost and the desire not to be forced for product release dates, it sounded “about right” on the surface. However, one has to scratch their head and wonder why not even a year after that announcement, Apple declared to the world, in a building on the same block Macworld is held, the iPad. Okay, so it must have been the cost thingy, right? Well, maybe, but for a company with tens of billions — ya, billions — of dollars in cash, this argument doesn’t seem that valid, either.
Digging deeper into the iPad launch, one finds many interesting facts. First, the gathering was by invite only. A typical Apple strategy. Second, only well known organizations received these invites. Third, the hands-on demonstration was limited, for example CNET was only allowed to have three of its members take a look at the device to prevent “inner cross-over”. Lastly, the public was visibly forced out and prevented from entry. In the end, Steve Jobs ran the show from start to finish down to who was allowed to sit in the halls of his majesty. Plain and simple, Steve is a control freak and he couldn’t command what IDG did with Macworld Expo. So, he pulled Apple out of it.
There are many examples of Steve’s ego getting in the way of catching a bit closer to Apple-related “stuff” such as when he pulled the less than flattering biography iCon from Apple Stores world wide. The stories are extensive how Apple would fail during Jobs’ day-to-day absence during his liver ordeal of 2008/2009. Since Jobs micro-managed everything, down to what color ties his lieutenants could wear (just kidding on the last one…I think) no one thought Apple had a chance without Jobs running the ship. Really, it does not take much to run the case for Apple leaving Macworld because Jobs doesn’t like how he can’t run the show.
I’m on record for loving Apple and its products and I admit many of the reasons I came back to Apple in 2001 was because of the many great things Jobs brought to Apple. Yet, I am also very vocal about what a pompous jerk Steve Jobs is, as well. From suing blogs due to printing leaked information and talking about how they are “breaking the law”, and yet he forgets about all those free long distance calls he made in the 70s using Woz’s Blue Box as well as “ripping off” Xerox PARCs mouse and GUI for the original Mac, to naming his company similar to the then worlds most popular record label and then telling companies with iPod-like names today to “change your name, it’s simple enough;” it’s tough to accept Jobs as the genius the world wants to paint him.
As long as Jobs has a strong product on stage with him, he’ll continue to ride his high horse with little worry of being jousted off of it. Yes, Jobs can give the pseudo finger to IDG and then show the world the iPad weeks before the revised Apple-less Macworld Expo but remember this, Steve, not all empires last for ever. Rome fell and so well you. How you want to be remembered in history depends how you treat those in the present.
The American Museum of Natural History announced today that DINOSAURS: American Museum of Natural History Collections, the first science and education photo mosaic application for iPhone and iPod Touch, is currently available for download on iTunes. Free and easy to use, DINOSAURS lets paleontologists of all ages explore the world’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils with a tap of the screen.
Combining scientific research with over 800 stunning images from the Museum’s vast archives, this pioneering interactive mosaic provides dinosaur enthusiasts an entirely new way to discover the Museum’s premier paleontology collection—and to become experts in the process. Packed with information about six of the Museum’s most popular dinosaur fossils, including the famed Tyrannosaurus rex and the Barosaurus, DINOSAURS digs deep to bring amateur paleontologists the science behind selected fossils, stories about their discoveries, and profiles of the fossil-hunters who uncovered them. The images are enhanced with social networking functionality, enabling users to share favorite images with friends, post comments, and view comments left by others.
A veritable pocket field guide, DINOSAURS: American Museum of Natural History Collections can also be used while exploring the Museum’s famous halls to learn more about the fascinating fossils on display. DINOSAURS will be updated with new “stories” with in-depth information about additional dinosaur species, including such favorites as the Triceratops.
DINOSAURS is the first in a series of applications that will be published by The American Museum of Natural History in collaboration with 33Delivered, which provides digital stewardship and development services for institutions and companies, to highlight the Museum’s storied collections and bring its world-class holdings to a global audience.
For a demo of DINOSAURS: American Museum of Natural History Collections, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=407CU1491oE
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to explore and interpret human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-reaching program of scientific research, education, and exhibitions. The Museum accomplishes this ambitious goal through its extensive facilities and resources. The institution houses 45 permanent exhibition halls, state-of-the-art research laboratories, one of the largest natural history libraries in the Western Hemisphere, and a permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and cultural artifacts. With a scientific staff of more than 200, the Museum supports research divisions in Anthropology, Paleontology, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology, and the Physical Sciences. In 2006, with the launch of the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the Museum, it became the first American museum with the authority to grant the Ph.D. degree. The Museum shares its treasures and discoveries with approximately four million on-site visitors from around the world each year. AMNH-produced exhibitions and Space Shows can currently be seen in venues on five continents, reaching an audience of millions. In addition, the Museum’s website, amnh.org, extends its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more beyond the Museum’s walls.
MacPractice Interface for iPad is a new version MacPractice Interface for iPhone 2.0 redesigned to take advantage of the iPad’s larger screen. A physician, dentist, chiropractor or optometrist may connect via Wi-Fi or 3G to access their schedule and patient records in MacPractice. Patient photos, alerts, prescription history and appointment history are all available. The patient’s address is linked to Google Maps. Reminders on the iPad create MacPractice Reminders in the office for staff and providers to request an appointment, communicate instructions, or as a way to make a clinical note in MacPractice EMR. A doctor may monitor what is happening in the office from the hospital or golf course by viewing up-to-date daily management reports.
Doctors who perform hospital rounds or see patients at a remote location can now add new patients and post procedures and diagnoses into MacPractice in their office from their iPad or iPhone (requires the MacPractice HL7 Interface).
MacPractice Kiosk for iPad (iPad App) and MacPractice Web Interface for iPad will provide the ability for patients and staff to complete and sign MacPractice EMR forms including patient registration, HIPAA release, medical history, etc. on an iPad.
Chairside Dental Chart for iPad (iPad App) will interface with MacPractice DDS to record preexisting conditions, restorative and periodontal treatment and treatment plans.
MacPractice is developing an iPad EMR/EHR App to integrate with MacPractice MD, MacPractice DC, MacPractice DDS and MacPractice 20/20. No details are available.
In February, MacPractice will preview MacPractice Interface for iPhone at MacWorld in Booth #748, at HIMSS in Booth #3151 and at Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting in Booth #2723. Physicians, dentists, chiropractors and eye doctors are encouraged to view QuickTime demo movies of MacPractice after registering at MacPractice.com.
MacPractice, Inc. is a client-centric practice management and clinical software development firm, comprised of highly experienced and caring individuals, dedicated to the development and support of best-of-class Macintosh software, hardware and associated services for physicians, dentists, chiropractors, and eye doctors.
Many have stated they don’t like the iPhone for it’s lack of a keyboard and tactile feedback. Well, this may be the answer to that complaint. Read the press release below.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to improve typing speed and reduce text errors on the iPhone while keeping the touch screen’s look, function and size? 4iThumbs [http://www.4ithumbs.com] has an answer.
Launched today for the 2009 holiday season, 4iThumbs is a clear, tactile typing aid for the iPhone’s touch screen that facilitates faster and more accurate typing, enables blind typing, reduces glare and is the strongest screen protector on the market. The clear screen has tactile ridges that guide thumbs for accurate input to ease the transition from other smartphones to the iPhone, making the device more accessible for those who need tactile feedback when typing. The attachment enhances the iPhone user experience without disrupting the sleek design and can remain on the screen at all times without impeding screen or app functions. However, it can also be removed and inserted seamlessly on the rear of the device. 4iThumbs is available for purchase at http://www.4iThumbs.com.
4iThumbs is the invention of the 4iThumbs team led by Jerry Rosengarten, a serial entrepreneur, investor and owner of Stand, home of the famed “Toasted Marshmallow Shake” and New York Magazine’s pick for the best NYC burger in July 2009. A diehard Apple fan who has owned every model of the Mac computer since its introduction in 1984, Rosengarten has always been an early adopter and purchased his first iPhone on the day of release. He appreciated the groundbreaking design and functionality but noted the iPhone’s most acknowledged drawback—lack of a physical keyboard. Independent studies have shown iPhone users make more text entry errors than users of hard key phones, even after a month of use.* Rosengarten created 4iThumbs to address this problem and in company tests, 4iThumbs was found to reduce the number of text entry errors, improve typing speed, and enable blind typing. The attachment also effectively taught new users how to type on the iPhone when transitioning from other smartphones like the Blackberry.
“4iThumbs is an iPhone typing aid that helps users increase typing speed and accuracy. Whether you choose to keep the attachment or use it like training wheels, the beauty of this product is that it maintains the sleek look of the device while enhancing usability and offers a bridge for those who want an iPhone but avoid it because they need tactile feedback to type quickly,” said Rosengarten.
Made in America, 4iThumbs is priced at $14.95 for the portrait version, $16.95 for the landscape version and $19.95 for both. It is available for online purchase at http://www.4iThumbs.com.For more information, please visit http://www.4iThumbs.com or contact info@4iThumbs.com.
“With the increasing adoption of flat-panel display TVs, consumers expect larger screen sizes with advanced performance at a good value,” said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. “The addition of the 65-inch class E77 series LCD TV and introduction of a new screen size class at 60 inches enables more consumers to bring home large-screen TVs.”
The LC-65E77UM and LC-60E77UN employ Sharp’s Advanced Super View (ASV) Superlucent Panel for a dramatically bright and crisp picture with reduced haze and reflectivity. They also feature Sharp’s Fine Motion Enhanced technology for 120Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a fast pixel response time of 4ms, providing the ultimate medium for high-definition viewing of fast-action imagery.
The ASV Superlucent panel applies an ultra-smooth finish that minimizes haze while intensifying panel brightness and contrast. The ASV Superlucent panel with Spectral Contrast Engine XD provides high contrast, enabling deep blacks and vibrant colors, and a special dejudder feature results in the smooth reproduction of film content.
Two components of the Spectral Contrast Engine, Optical Picture Control (OPC), which automatically adjusts luminance to room brightness and lighting conditions, and Brightness Preservation picture processing, also make these models very energy-efficient. In fact, all models in the E77 series exceed the EPA’s Energy Star criteria. An advanced Power Savings mode is easily accessed through a dedicated remote control button.
The large-screen E77 series provides a stunning picture and a new design sure to complement any décor. The black cabinet blends elegantly into a soft champagne gold hue that accents the bottom of the frame, befitting both modern and traditional design schemes. These AQUOS models also come equipped with a full array of connectivity options, including four HDMI™ and two component video inputs, all of which are 1080p compatible, accepting signals from Blu-ray Disc™ players and advanced gaming devices. A dedicated PC input and RS-232 port for custom installations add to the feature set.
The complete E Series includes models in 65- (64 33/64” Diagonal), 60- (60-1/32” diagonal), 52- (52-1/32” diagonal), 46- (45-63/64” diagonal) and 40-inch (40” diagonal) screen class sizes (LC-65E77UM, LC-60E77UN, LC-52E77UN, LC-46E77UN and LC-40E77UN respectively), as well as the 40-inch class LC-40E67UN (40” diagonal).
Pricing and availability
The LC-65E77UM is available now for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $4,499.99
The LC-60E77UN is available now for a MSRP of $3,499.99
Today’s availability of Palm® Pre™ Plus and Palm Pixi™ Plus will bring the Palm webOS™ experience to the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network. The reach and reliability of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network will provide customers with a 3G advantage when they use Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus to:
· Download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking portals to streaming radio
· Browse the Web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more at faster speeds
· Stream must-see video
· Share e-mails with friends, family and coworkers that include picture and video attachments
· Download and play vivid, rousing games
· Quickly download and play music favorites from top 40 to classical
· Work on the go with rapid file sharing
Palm Pre Plus is $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and Palm Pixi Plus is $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, each with a new two-year customer agreement. Buy a Palm Pre Plus or a Palm Pixi Plus and get a Palm Pixi Plus free after a mail-in rebate through Feb. 14.
Learn more about the features of the new Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus at http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/01/pr2010-01-07c.html and http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/01/pr2010-01-21.html.
About Verizon Wireless’ 3G Network
The WiFi Body Scale will record your weight, lean & fat mass, and even calculate your body mass index (BMI). No worries if you are in a dash out the door for work as Withings even comes with a free iPhone app that will show you history easily and quickly with a tap of an icon. If you are using one of many health sites, such as daily burn, fit orbit, RunKeeper, Calories 2, Aujourhui.com, or Google health, Withings can even enter the information into one of these services seamlessly for free.
“We strive to bring innovation, design and technology to everyday objects through a wireless connection to the internet and we feel the WiFi Body Scale truly delivers on all fronts,” said Cedric Hutchings, Withings General Manager. “We are excited to bring the scale to the American public and establish ourselves in the marketplace as makers of wirelessly connected products that make everyday life better.”
Now, I’ve used other smart-scales and BMI has always been a pain to calculate. It requires user supplied variables and without a keyboard on the scale, it’s not very fun setting up. Further, most just offer percentages. The WiFi Body Scale uses bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to figure out your actual body fat and then displays that number in pounds or kilograms. So you’ll know exactly how many pounds of fat you have. Sweet! Well, it might actually be painful to see. 
At $160, you can purchase the scale directly from Withings or from Amazon. While a bit pricey, I must say, I’ve haven’t been so excited about a product in some time as I am about the WiFi Body Scale. The scale brings many technologies together that strives to help you reach your goal and maintain a healthy lifestyle…in a fun way. That excites me.
Kudos to Verizon for this program effective retroactive to the first earthquake date of January 12th. Here’s the press release for details.
Starting immediately, Verizon Wireless customers with contracts or monthly bills in the United States can make calls to reconnect with friends, family, businesses and emergency services in Haiti free of long distance charges. In addition, Verizon Wireless customers with contracts or monthly bills currently in Haiti will not be charged any fees when making phone calls back to the United States. Charges for these voice calls are waived retroactive to last week’s earthquake on Jan. 12 until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010.
Verizon also will waive all long-distance usage charges on calls made to Haiti from any Verizon residential landline (for more information, visit www.verizon.com/news).
Dan Mead, chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless, said, “Communicating and connecting families is essential to what our business stands for, and who we are. During this major relief effort as communication systems are starting to come back on line, we understand the importance of being in touch with the people who matter most.”
equinux today released VPN Tracker 6.1 – a new update to its market-leading IPsec-based VPN client for Mac OS X. VPN Tracker 6.1 supports the SonicWALL TZ 100 and TZ 200, the latest additions of the TZSeries UTM appliances that are aimed at small to mid-sized businesses. VPN Tracker now includes Mode Config support for additional VPN gateways and has greater interoperability with a range of other devices, thereby making it simpler to configure and administrate Macs in a virtual private network.
“SonicWall and VPN Tracker have worked hand in hand since VPN Tracker’s inception,” says equinux CEO Till Schadde. “We are proud to announce that VPN Tracker now supports the high quality entry-level VPN gateways of the SonicWALL TZ Series. This is yet another milestone in the great partnership with SonicWALL.”
“We are pleased to present Mac users with our new TZ Series UTM appliances in combination with VPN Tracker, as together they provide a robust solution for a successful VPN installation,” said Dave Parry, Director of Engineering at SonicWALL.
Easier Configuration and Improved Interoperability
VPN Tracker 6.1 simplifies configuration via Mode Config for D-Link devices and includes new configuration guides for the D-Link DFL-800 and DFL-200 VPN firewall solutions. It also contains device profiles and configuration guides for all Fireware XTM based WatchGuard VPN gateways, including for the first time, the Firebox X Edge e-Series. To simplify setup for those using an AVM FRITZ!Box, an updated configuration assistant is now available from the VPN Tracker website.
VPN Tracker 6 has been optimized for businesses, consultants and mobile Mac users. With the fully customizable Secure Desktop, users can easily perform routine tasks, including accessing file servers, checking emails, and using any application, file or script, without having to worry about connecting and disconnecting VPN connections. In addition to its IPsec-based VPN connections, VPN Tracker 6 also provides access to any existing Mac OS X PPTP or L2TP VPN connections from within the same user interface. VPN Tracker 6 supports the new Internet protocol IPv6 and 64-bit mode in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. VPN connections are now more secure than ever with the addition of the latest security standards – including the SHA-2 family of hash algorithms, Diffie-Hellman (DH) groups 14-18 (up to 8192 bit), and the integration of Snow Leopard’s new Mac OS X Service Management framework.
VPN Tracker 6 has been optimized for businesses, consultants and mobile Mac users. With the fully customizable Secure Desktop, users can easily perform routine tasks, including accessing file servers, checking emails and using any application, file or script, without having to worry about connecting and disconnecting VPN connections. In addition to its IPsec-based VPN connections, VPN Tracker 6 also provides access to any existing Mac OS X PPTP or L2TP VPN connections from within the same user interface. VPN Tracker 6 supports the new Internet protocol IPv6 and 64-bit mode in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. VPN connections are now more secure than ever with the addition of the latest security standards – including the SHA-2 family of hash algorithms, Diffie-Hellman (DH) groups 14-18 (up to 8192 bit), and the integration of Snow Leopard’s new Mac OS X Service Management framework.
Pricing and Availability
VPN Tracker 6.1 licenses are currently available from €79 (incl. VAT) / $99 USD. Existing VPN Tracker customers can upgrade to the latest version 6.1 for a discounted price by visiting http://my.equinux.com.
A VPN Tracker Business Pack is also available to suit professional needs. This package includes 1 VPN Tracker Professional license in addition to 5 Player licenses and offers savings of 20% in comparison with the purchase of single licenses at the regular price.
“3D brings a whole new dimension to the gaming experience,” said Jon Grodem, Optoma’s director of product and marketing. “Designed for flawless performance with today’s top HD consoles and Gaming PCs, the GT360 and GT720 energize games with stunning speed, high contrast and vivid colors.”
Both the GT360 and the GT720 share many features that optimally serve the needs of gamers as well as sports enthusiasts and movie buffs.
Both employ a short-throw lens to create large images in smaller rooms and 2500 lumens to deliver a 3000:1 contrast ratio for startlingly crisp, larger-than-life images. Each projector utilizes a powerful 10-Watt stereo speaker system to deliver in-the-action sound without external speakers.
Optimally designed for Nintendo’s WiiTM console, the GT360 delivers a native 800 x 600 pixels (SVGA) resolution. It is PC and MAC compatible, supports computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels (HD), and can also accept common global video inputs and video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM).
The GT720 offers a native widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels) resolution, and is designed to maximize the widescreen attributes of major gaming consoles such as WiiTM, XboxTM and Sony PlayStation®. It also is PC and MAC compatible, supports computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels (HD), and accepts common global video inputs and video formats up to 1080p (HDTV, EDTV, SDTV, NTSC, PAL, SECAM).
Accessories for both projectors include a remote and a special backpack. Both projectors are compact and lightweight at only 7 lbs., allowing gamers to take the gaming and video experience with them.
“The GT360 and GT720 provide cinema-sized fun with a whopping 300” maximum screen size,” said Grodem. “Designed to run with minimal shut-down time needed, the GT360 and GT720 are the ultimate gaming projectors providing gamers with non-stop action.”