In all of Apple's hype of releasing a Mac which finally puts Front Row onto a TV, they seem to have forgotten one thing: the component video connection! If Apple plans to have Mac Minis connected to TVs, and more specifically HDTVs, then the component video output is crucial, as this is the connection many HDTVs have. The newer (and more expensive) TVs have HDMI and some have DVI, but if you don't have either of these, then you're stuck with S-Video! I did a little research and looked into a DVI to Component converter and found that it doesn't exist. A workaround is to convert the DVI from the Mac Mini to VGA (included in the Mac Mini box) and then the VGA to Component using this adapter. But at a price of $80, it would have been cheaper and simpler if Apple had some supported form of component video outputs, even if just through an external adapter, like they did for S-Video.
I’ve been waiting, somewhat impatiently, for the Intel version of the Mac mini, which arrived today. Macworld’s Jason Snell has already shared his thoughts. I had been waiting for two reasons. One, I wanted a dedicated media center (well, not totally dedicated, I thought maybe it could also do all my Bittorrent heavy lifting). I was hoping for DVR functionality, which didn’t come. My aging EyeTV USB (original) can augment it and make up for that. Two, I wanted to get my hands on a Macintel. I wanted to see if I could be swayed by Rosetta.
I was disappointed by the new, slightly higher price points, but considering I would have wanted to add Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, I don’t see the new pricing as a huge issue. My problem now is deciding which model to get. We’re not talking about an incremental price difference between the low and high end models. It’s a gulf of difference between a single core 1.5 GHz Core Solo and a dual core 1.67 GHz Core Duo. Not only is the base processor speed greater, but there’s a second core. That puts me at an $800 price-point, which is more than I really wanted to spend (at one point, I was considering a $380 refurbished low end Mac mini).
Can I really restrain myself when I gain that much for a couple hundred more (don’t forget the dual layer Superdrive)? Is that high end Mac mini looking real good to any of you right now?
You know that great little shell script that a Mac wizard taught you in some obscure forum? You know how much you hate going to the Terminal to run it? Suffer no longer. You can turn it into a double clickable application with Platypus.
As an added bonus, the latest version (3.3) is capable of outputting Universal Binaries so you can use it full speed on that brand new Intel Mac mini.
BBEdit is one of those pieces of software that can be an almost religious experience. It’s not just because it’s a terrific example of Mac software (it just works). It’s not just because criticism can illicit an over the top response from one of its fans. It’s also because it’s one of those pieces of software that you just can’t live without. You may be able to tell I’m a fan.
That’s why I was shocked that it took so long for a site dedicated to BBEdit to arrive. BBEdit Gems’ tag line is “All BBEdit, all the time.” I think that sounds like a great idea.
You know those little playlists (and folders) Apple likes to brag about called Smart Playlists (and Smart Folders)? Well, to be honest with you, I never really use them. I just never saw the need. But the guys over at SmartPlaylists.com have all sorts of great ideas for making intelligent playlists. For example, there's an idea to make a playlist called “Needs Rating” where you can tell iTunes to put all the songs with no rating into one playlist. Then you can go through, listen to those songs, and then rate them as you go! Check out the site, it rocks!
All of the products confirmed earlier here on MacUser are now available for purchasing or your viewing pleasure are on Apple.com. I can also add some more information about the products. The Mac Mini now has analog/optical input and output ports for connecting to a home theater system. The iPod Hi-Fi is a big white box with a Universal iPod mount on top that supports the iPod adapters made by Apple and has a big, black speaker on the front. The iPod Leather Case is also confirmed, with three models for the 30GB iPod, the 60GB iPod, and the iPod Nano. All of the products are available for purchasing today, so buy them while they're still hot!
The special Apple event is scheduled to start in just a few minutes, at 10AM Pacific. The excitement in the Town Hall in Cupertino is palpable. So I hear, anyway. I'm all the way on the other side of the country, so I really have no idea what's going on.
Fortunately, our colleagues over at MacCentral eat this stuff as part of their complete breakfast. Rest assured, as soon as there's something to report, it'll be up there, so stay tuned. Our very own Cyrus Farivar will be podcasting from the event, so keep your eyes peeled for that later in the day.
We may not know what Steve has up his sleeve for today's Apple event, but there is sure money on what Mr. Jobs's attire will be. Up until now, you've been able to get Steve in paper doll form and Lego minifig form, but for the ultimate Steve fan that final frontier has remained elusive.
No more! Now, for the low low price of $458 (plus tax and shipping) you too can dress like His Steveness. Steve's Outfit provides links for purchasing only the finest black turtlenecks, blue jeans, and sneakers. Perfect for Halloween, or wearing to your local Apple store and trying to score a discount.
[via Engadget]
We humans just love to ask "What if...?" Heck, Marvel comics made an entire franchise based on those two little words. A video over at YouTube poses the ultimate form of this question, the one that"s been on everyone"s mind: what if Microsoft had designed the iPod...packaging? The result may be predictable, but that's because it's spot on.
As Apple fans, our techno-lust extends even to the box in which our beloved equipment is enclosed (witness the ever-popular fetish for unboxing pictures). I think I still have the box for my PowerBook G3 in the basement, and the laptop bit the dust a couple of years ago.
How much empty Apple packaging do you have lying around?
[via Infinite Loop]
It’s that time again boys and… based upon the the Frappr map, boys. With the impending Apple event, it’s time for all of you to put on your magician’s caps and become the master prognosticators that deep down you know you are.
Will it be an Airport Express with Video (perhaps using 802.11n)? A real video iPod? A media Intel Mac mini? (I want one!) Movies over iTMS? Who wants to brag tomorrow? Lay it down and put your reputation on the line.
