A series of ads on the pages of Australian tech site PC Authority have possibly signaled an upcoming update to Apple's pro desktops and notebooks. Ads for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Pro show all three systems starting at higher prices than they do today.....

Most expect Apple to launch a Core i7 MacBook Pro in the near future as well as to use low-voltage Core i5 or i7 chips in the MacBook Air. Intel just yesterday launched the six-core Xeon 5600 and is very likely to introduce a variant of this into the Mac Pro.

Could this be another example of online advertising presaging the onset of a hardware upgrade from Cupertino? Apple's ads on Australian tech pub PC Authority have been spotted displaying some rather peculiar price tags for its flagship mobile and desktop computers....

The major thing to take away here is that the long-awaited upgrades might finally be arriving. We're putting our piggy banks on alert, just in case.

After roughly two years of declines, growth in worldwide market for desktop PC sales is poised to rebound into the black during the 2010 calendar year, thanks largely to Apple's latest iMac offerings, according to a published report.

In a research note issued Wednesday by Caris & Company, analyst Robert Cihra said growth in the overall PC market for 2010 is trending upwards of 15 to 20%, fueled by greater than 90% growth in combined sales of netbooks and notebooks.... "But believe it or not, we estimate Apple's iMac accounting for a full 1/4 of ALL desktop market growth in calendar year 2010."

I had been a Apple computer user for the past 5 years and immensely enjoyed the hardware and the software. But, all good things come at a price. Apple's price for a polished user experience has lately turned out to be user freedom. The inability to take out and use the content stored in apple's walled garden is stultifying... Apple has broken faith with those who promoted its use and is now treading on freedom to innovate as a monopolising behemoth (especially with iPhone and now the iPad products).

All said, in the end, there is only one thing to do for me. Stick with Freedom and give up Apple. So, as of yesterday night, I have migrated all music from iTunes to Ubuntu (Rhythmbox player).... All photos on Flickr (and F-Spot on Ubuntu)..... Dropbox on Ubuntu to manage synched files (music and documents are synched to a Dropbox account, sensitive docs encrypted with Truecrypt and stored inside a bravely named "Steal.me" drive file.)

I am actively looking for a iPod replacement that works well with Ubuntu.

Among the most popular accessories for the iPhone, iPod, and MacBook lines are films and coverings designed to protect the screen from scratches; some products also fight glare and offer privacy protection. However, several vendors-who wish to remain anonymous to avoid conflict with Apple-have told Macworld that Apple will no longer sell such products, or any other products that adhere to Apple devices, in either the online Apple Store or Apple retail stores.

Shocking: A recent survey of enterprise IT managers that administer both PCs and Macs finds that Macs have a better TOC (total cost of ownership) than Windows boxes, and require less user training and help.

When you go to strip apart an Apple laptop, you have to remove the keyboard.

Now once you remove the keyboard from my old Pismo, you have access to the processor, AirPort Card, RAM, and hard drive.

Not so with the 12" PowerBook G4.....

Mozilla has dropped support for version 1.0 of its four-year-old internet app suite, SeaMonkey.

The open source browser maker pushed out a second iteration of SeaMonkey last autumn, so 1.0's demise was all but inevitable.

The distinctive nature of Apple CEO Steve Jobs has always made him a ripe target for satire. Over the years, he's been lampooned blatantly on sketch shows Saturday Night Live and MADtv as well as more subtly on shows like 30 Rock and Chuck. Now cable channel Epix is taking Jobs-inspired entertainment to a whole new level: the sitcom.

The New York Times reports that Epix and Media Rights Capital have teamed up to produce the half-hour show, billed as a satire about "a fictional Silicon Valley CEO whose ego is a study in power and greed.".....

If you're a big fan of Apple's Magic Mouse but not such a big fan of the hand and wrist pain that many people experience after extended use, you'll want to check out this cheap hack.

The Magic Mouse, Fixed is a $10 silicon add-on for the Magic Mouse, designed by a user named Will who was tired of sore hands after using the otherwise pleasant to use mouse......

Applelinks iPhone And iPad News Reader - Thursday, March 18, 2010
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 10:07 AM
•iPhone •iPhone News •Comments •Tell-a-Friend

Does the iPhone OS Need Multitasking?
Do More From Your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Jesus Christ Is the King of the App Store
Want an iPhone And A Netbook At Work? Here's Why You Should Have Them
Canada's Conservative Government Opposes Proposed "iPod Levy"
Oddmakers Predict Number of Days it Will Take for iPad Sales to Surpass One Million
Windows Phone 7 Series Won't Have Copy And Paste
iPad 'Mute' Button Magically Turns Into 'Screen Rotation Lock'
GetJar Reveals That Mobile Apps Will Outsell CDs by 2012
Creating Apps Just for Cars
Handmark Expands Mobile Publishing Solution to Support Branded Apps on iPad
The Tech Night Owl: About an iPhone Case: A Personal Story



___

Does the iPhone OS Need Multitasking?

PC World's Tony Bradley notes that as the one-year anniversary of the iPhone 3GS launch, one of the most-wanted, and most-speculated about features for the next-generation iPhone OS is true multitasking capability among apps, and that multitasking, or lack thereof, has been one of the most prominant complaints about the iPhone as a serious business smartphone.

Bradley observes that the iPhone OS is already capable of some limited multitasking, and cautions that adding true multitasking facility will introduce several negative issues, but agrees that basing the iPad on the iPhone OS changes the equation as regards multitasking entirely.

For the full commentary visit here:
http://bit.ly/9PHNTT






Do More From Your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch

A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:

Easily access your documents while on the go by using iWork.com's redesigned Sign In and Shared Documents pages for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The new interface is optimized for scrolling with your fingertips, and makes it easy to find your documents faster. You can see a high resolution view of your document right on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch and even download it to edit with Keynote, Pages, or Numbers on your iPad.

Visit http://www.iwork.com using Safari on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to access and view your shared documents.

You can check it out at:
http://bit.ly/btN2YD






Jesus Christ Is the King of the App Store

Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz says:

We know that ebooks represent the most numerous application type in the Apple Store, even topping videogames....

The Holy Bible has more than a thousand applications at the App Store. We counted up to 1,001.... Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular, with 48 copies,.... Dracula has 34.... But the Bible beats all of them down by a wide margin......

To read more, click here.
http://gizmodo.com/5493795/jesus-christ-is-the-king-of-the-app-store






Want an iPhone And A Netbook At Work? Here's Why You Should Have Them

It's about time we were allowed to choose the hardware we use at work for ourselves, says silicon.com editor Steve Ranger, declaring that when it comes to office-issue technology, everybody knows exactly what they've got, when they got it - and how much they hate it. Which, in most cases, is quite a lot, noting that mobile phones and laptops aren't like desks and office chairs, whatever your corporate procurement people might think, and that that the vast difference between the type of technology workers appreciate and those that they actually end up using is perfectly illustrated by a piece of research published last week in which it was found that even though European business chiefs thought Apple had the best brand for smartphones, they ended up with a BlackBerry, and while they thought Apple was the best laptop maker, their IT department delivered them a Dell.....

Why not give workers the money you'd be spending on hardware and support, and let them get on with it says Ranger. It's an option more companies are looking at.....

For the full commentary visit here:
http://bit.ly/bxH2Ho






Canada's Conservative Government Opposes Proposed "iPod Levy"

The Canadian Press reports that Conservatives are Canada's new iPod freedom fighters, with the governing party's cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament mounting a "vigorous" defence against the opposition socialist New Democratic Party's push to have a levy applied to all new MP3 players, hard drives and laptops, proceeds of which would theoretically be distributed among Canadian music artists the same way as Canada's current 29-cent levy on blank CDs and cassettes is. Reportedly, since the levy was first imposed in 2000, $180 million has been distributed.

However, it's doubtful that New Democrat MP Charlie Angus' private member's bill, which is supported by the also lefty Bloc Quebecois party, will get anywhere, since it's arguably a tax measure and legislation regarding financial changes must be supported by the government, although the opposition leading Liberal Party in Canada's minority, and at least one Conservative, have agreed to continue discussion of the issue in committee.

However, the Conservative government's Heritage Minister James Moore is quoted commenting yesterday that "This is a very serious hit to consumers that could impact them, and if the NDP are as committed to raising taxes this week as they always have been, then this is a real threat," adding that a new levy is just not on as far as the government is concerned, and that "it's not in the interest of the music industry to make it more expensive to buy the devices on which they're listening to Canadian content,"

Canadian musicbiz and recording artists have lobbied stridently for revision of Canada's Copyright Act, and the CP reports that a spokesman for the Canadian Private Copying Collective lobby expressed disappointment that the Conservatives aren't perceiving this "iPod levy" initiative as an issue as of property rights of businesspeople.

Responding to pressure from U.S. regulators as well as domestic vested interests, the government has indicated it will address making changes to Canada's Copyright Act, but movement on the file has been slow in coming.

For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/94J0U2







Oddmakers Predict Number of Days it Will Take for iPad Sales to Surpass One Million

YouWager.com's Sweta Shah notes that:

With weekend presale numbers for the Apple iPad coming in lower than expected, many are wondering if the company's much hyped tablet will live up to expectations.

As such, oddmakers at YouWager.com, a leading sportsbook with top management and line-makers collecting over 150 years of experience, is allowing consumers to place their bids on how long they think it will take for sales to reach 1,000,000 units. According to odds, your best shot at making back some of the iPad's $499 sticker price is to hope that the experts are proven wrong.

For more information, visit:
http://YouWager.com






Windows Phone 7 Series Won't Have Copy And Paste

Engadget's Chris Ziegler says:

Ready for another long, drawn-out copy and paste controversy to overtake your every waking moment for a year or two? Good: Microsoft just mentioned in a Q&A session here at MIX10 in no uncertain terms that clipboard operations won't be supported on Windows Phone 7 Series... so that's that. Kind of ironic considering that the WinMo of old has been enjoying the functionality since time immemorial, isn't it?....

For the full report visit here:
http://bit.ly/9fZsck






iPad 'Mute' Button Magically Turns Into 'Screen Rotation Lock'

9To5Mac's Seth Weintraub notes another new fun fact:

The iPad can also play Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

You can check it out at:
http://www.9to5mac.com/mute-button-turns-into-screen-lock-60972450692






GetJar Reveals That Mobile Apps Will Outsell CDs by 2012

The global mobile apps economy is set to be worth $17.5billion by 2012, according to an independent report commissioned by GetJar, the world's second largest app store. Mobile app downloads across all types of handset are also expected to increase from over 7 billion downloads in 2009 to almost 50 billion in 2012 – a year on year growth rate of 92%.

This would mean that the value of apps sold would be greater than the value of CDs sold in 2012 ($13.83bn)1.

To understand the potential of the "global mobile apps economy," GetJar commissioned independent consulting firm Chetan Sharma Consulting to lift the lid on the rapidly expanding global apps market. The aim of the project was to analyse the potential and real value of the mobile apps market worldwide, using first hand data.

It is clear that by 2012, off-deck paid-for apps will be the biggest revenue generator, accounting for almost 50 per cent of all apps revenue. By comparison, in 2009, on-deck apps available from mobile operators accounted for over 60% of all apps revenue, but this will fall significantly to just under 23% by 2012.

<p><CENTER><img src="http://www.applelinks.com/images/uploads/charles/glomoapps.jpg" border="0" alt="image" name="image" width="631" height="392" /></CENTER>

The study outlines opportunities for both high end smart phones (such as BlackBerry and Android powered handsets) and feature phones2 (such as the Samsung Instinct/Jet and Nokia X6). In 2009, 90% of handsets in use worldwide were so-called feature phones, while smart phones and data cards accounted for the remaining 10% of the market. In some regions such as North America, uptake of smart phones was much higher (over 20%) than other regions (3% in Middle East/Africa). The line between powerful feature phones and smart phones is blurring as consumers demand powerful yet cost effective devices – effectively expanding the apps revenue opportunity across a much broader range of handsets.

Apps economies are evolving differently worldwide, suggesting a need for greater focus on developing different apps business models – as opposed to a "one size fits all" approach. For instance, the average app selling price (ASP) in North America was $1.09, significantly higher compared to ASPs in developing markets such as South America ($0.20) and Asia ($0.10). At the same time, post 2012, app downloads in developing regions such as Asia may eventually exceed those in Western regions although monetisation of these downloads will require different business models (advertising, virtual currency) than those seen in developed markets.

The revenue opportunities in Europe are set to soar from $1.5billion in 2009 to $8.5billion in 2012, while in North America the figure will rise from around $2.1billion to around $6.7billion in 2012. Currently apps are most popular in Asia, with the region accounting for 37% of global downloads in 2009. However, while Asia had the highest number of downloads, users in North America spent the most money on apps, accounting for over 50% of revenue.

Other findings from the research include:

• Advertising based revenue models have become increasingly popular. In 2009, advertising contributed almost 12% of the overall apps revenue. However, this share is expected to more than double to over 28% by 2012 – given the high proportion of prepay users in developing markets.

• The battle of the app stores is well underway - in 2009 the number of app stores leapt from eight to 38 – an increase of 375%. The number of app stores is expected to further increase in 2010.

• The price of mobile applications can vary from $0.99 to $999, however the average selling price in 2009 was approximately $1.9. This is predicted to decrease by 29% over the next three years, although advertising revenue derived from apps is likely to stay relatively flat.

Ilja Laurs, CEO and founder, GetJar comments: "With the consumer appetite for mobile apps rocketing, the opportunities for developers are huge. This report signifies a battle for survival of the fittest among app stores worldwide – with app revenue and growth opportunities growing significantly. There is no way that this many app stores will survive in the long term and while the value of the global app economy is set to be astoundingly high by 2012, we think only a few app stores will share this revenue."

Chetan Sharma, President, Chetan Sharma Consulting, comments: "The app ecosystem is adjusting across multiple dimensions and thus expanding the revenue opportunities. The growth in the quality of mobile advertising is also opening up new revenue streams for developers. As the number of active data subscribers grows, we will continue to see the proliferation of apps in many directions on different device types."

The goal of the research study was to quantify the global mobile apps market by taking a truly holistic view from specific data in the market. To build an effective framework for analysis, Chetan Sharma Consulting built a grounds-up model that took into account how the overall apps consumption is evolving across all dimensions – on-deck (offered on carrier deck), offdeck (outside the carrier deck or offering though they still might play a role like in billing or marketing), smartphones, featurephones, paid, free, advertising based, and virtual goods based.

The model focused on apps consumption by five major regions: North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Middle East and Africa.

For more information, visit:
http://www.getjar.com and follow GetJar on Twitter @getjar

1 According to world music trade body IFPI April 2009. For more information, click here.

2 GetJar's definition of a smartphone is a phone that runs on a native operating system. Phones such as the Samsung Jet or Instinct are becoming a significant revenue opportunity, even though they are primarily considered to be feature phones with smart phone capabilities.






Creating Apps Just for Cars

Technology Review's Erika Jonietz reports that Ford and the University of Michigan are developing social networking apps to be used with Ford's Sync and MyFord Touch systems, and has opened the Sync programming interfaces to mobile app developers.

Jonietz notes that in January, Ford, Pandora, Stitcher, and Orangatame debuted Sync-enabled software that allows drivers to use the car's voice-recognition and speech-synthesis systems to interact with Internet-based streaming radio and Twitter apps running on the driver's phone, but that now Ford is looking to do much more than simply create in-car versions of existing smart phone applications, and is collaborating with the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Microsoft to develop a new computer science and engineering course called "Cloud Computing in the Commute."

For the full report visit here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/24824/?ref=rss






Handmark Expands Mobile Publishing Solution to Support Branded Apps on iPad

[Press Release]

Handmark, an emerging media company, specializing in mobile application solutions for publishers and media brands, today announced its support of the new Apple iPad, set to launch on April 3.

"We look forward to supporting quality, innovative mobile experiences for iPad customers, leveraging our development expertise and relationships with major newspapers, magazines and other content providers."

The company plans to bring a variety of apps it powers for media partners to the iPad, in addition to its own, branded mobile apps. Handmark currently supports mobile applications for a variety of the most trusted brands around the world including Zagat, New York Daily News, Forbes, Oxford University Press, Goal.com and others.

"Even with enhanced mobile browsing capabilities and larger screens, mobile applications will remain an integral part of the user experience across all smartphones, e-readers or other mobile tablet devices," said Paul Reddick, Handmark CEO. "We look forward to supporting quality, innovative mobile experiences for iPad customers, leveraging our development expertise and relationships with major newspapers, magazines and other content providers."

The iPad adds to the broad portfolio of mobile platforms Handmark supports, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS, Kindle and others.

Handmark delivers the industry's only full-service mobile application solution for media companies and content publishers. The company supports development across all the major mobile platforms, as well as strategic distribution, monetization and on-going innovation.

To learn more about Handmark or to see a full list of brands the company supports, visit:
http://www.handmarkmobileapps.com






The Tech Night Owl: About an iPhone Case: A Personal Story

Let me state from the outset that I've never owned an iPhone that arrived in defective condition or developed a defect after heavy use. Unless heavily abused, I expect them to last a fairly long time, other than, of course, the battery. But since most of you probably swap your mobile phones every couple of years anyway, maybe longevity isn't a deciding factor.

Here's the URL for today's commentary:
http://www.technightowl.com/2010/03/about-an-iphone-case-a-personal-story/

Notes: You can also access our new RSS feed, available at:
http://www.technightowl.com/rss

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Survey of IT Administrators Finds That Macs Have Lower Management Costs than PCs
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:11 AM
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In response to an annual survey concluded in January 2010 by the Enterprise Desktop Alliance, 66% of 322 IT administrators from large organizations with both Macs and PCs stated that their organization expects to increase the number of Macs in their sites. The respondents cited "user preference," "[increased] productivity," and "ease of technical support" as leading reasons for choosing Macs.

29% of the respondents cited lower total cost of ownership as one of the key reasons their organization buys Macs. Overall 45% cited lower total cost of ownership, ease of technical support, or both, as a significant factor in their Mac purchases.

The full survey inquired about buying plans, IT management and administration issues, and the cost of managing the systems. Related to the cost of managing Macs, the survey asked the respondents to estimate the relative cost of a number of factors including: software license fees, time troubleshooting, user training, help desk calls, system configuration, and supporting infrastructure (servers, network, and printers).

Administrators in organizations that have both Mac and PC platforms have the experience todetermine whether managing Macs is less expensive, said T. Reid Lewis, CEO of Group Logic, and president of the Enterprise Desktop Alliance. The members of the Enterprise Desktop Alliance provide products and services that make deployment and management of Macs easier to do.

The respondents were given the option to select from a range of cost differences. Not only did the administrators across the board say that Macs were less expensive, in all but one category the majority of administrators who said Macs cost less said they were more than 20% less expensive to manage than PCs. Of those who asserted that PCs cost less, the majority always asserted that PCs were between 0 and 20% less expensive to manage than Macs.

"As a greater percentage of enterprise applications become OS-neutral, the cost to support a more diverse hardware and OS mix will decrease, making Macs a more viable choice for a greater number of users who continue to demand them," according to Michael Silver, vice president and research director at Gartner in the their report, "Gartner Predicts 2010: PC End-User Issues." "Providers that sell enterprise-class Mac solutions and Mac services may see an increase in demand."

Issues that matter to Administrators:

The survey also explored the major issues for IT administrators in sites that had Macs. 81% said that parity in integration and management between Macs and PCs is important to their organization. In looking more closely at the issues of importance to the organizations, security and file sharing among systems emerged as the leading concerns.

Among the issues that ranked as "very" or "extremely" important to the 322 respondents were:

• File Sharing between Operating Systems
79%

• Security
79%

• Client management (inventory, patches, compliance)
72%

• Active Directory integration
66%

• Cross-platform help desk and knowledge base support
60%

"Despite the uncertain economic conditions, Apple can expect the Mac to continue to find acceptance in large organizations," said T. Reid Lewis, president of the Enterprise Desktop Alliance, and CEO of Group Logic. "More and more solutions are available to help these enterprises address their integration and management issues."

Who supports the Mac

According to the respondents, 60% of the organizations have a unified support organization whose members support both Macs and PCs. About 14% of the organizations provide official support only for the PCs while the Macs are self-managed.

Conducted from December 15, 2009, until January 15, 2010, the survey had four objectives: to measure plans regarding Mac purchases in large organizations, to assess the importance of Windows-Mac integration, to identify key IT management and administrative priorities related to the integration of the Mac, and to begin to assess relative cost of management for Macs and PCs. Over 500 individuals responded to the survey. Because of our emphasis on enterprise and large-scale installations such as universities and government agencies, we included the 322 respondents whose sites had 50 or more servers or over 100 Macs. Details regarding the survey questions and responses can be found in a survey report published at the Enterprise Desktop Alliance website:
http://www.enterprisedesktopalliance.com/resource_center.html

The Enterprise Desktop Alliance (EDA) is a collaboration among enterprise class software companies to deliver solutions that streamline the deployment, integration and management of the Mac in sophisticated Windows-centric IT environments. By leveraging the suite of capabilities that EDA solutions offer, an enterprise can use the same hardware and software infrastructures to easily integrate Macs and achieve the same level of control, security, policy compliance, and services that they currently have with their Windows platforms.

For more information, visit:
http://www.enterprisedesktopalliance.com

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Laptop And Netbook Cases by Mobile Edge Now Checkpoint Friendly
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:09 AM
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Mobile Edge brings the enhanced travel convenience of Checkpoint Friendly carrying cases to the rapidly growing market of Netbook users. With products like these new Netbook ScanFast cases, Mobile Edge continues to develop innovative new carrying case products to make life easier for portable computer users.

Mobile Edge, maker of stylish laptop computer carrying cases and accessories, has expanded their ScanFast!" Checkpoint Friendly Collection with full-featured Netbook carrying cases, the first TSA Compliant Netbook Case Collection on the market. Netbook computer owners are looking for a more substantial case for their smaller computers, something more than a simple sleeve. As a result of this demand, Mobile Edge created the Edge Netbook Briefcase, Messenger Bag and Backpack - all designed to be Checkpoint Friendly.

Adding to their existing ScanFast!" Collection of TSA compliant Laptop Cases, Mobile Edge now offers the largest line of Checkpoint Friendly Cases in the industry. Whether you have an 8.9 Netbook or a 17.3 wide screen laptop, Mobile Edge has a solution for you.

Designed specifically for sleek ultra portable Netbooks, each Edge Netbook Case has an adjustable computer protection compartment that will adjust for 8.9 to 11.6 Netbooks with a power supply or up to 13.3 Notebooks.

Recent industry studies report that unit sales of Netbook computers more than doubled during 2009 and are expected to exceed 39 million units this year. A result of the lower price points and increased functionality, the Netbook format is now a well established segment of the portable PC market.

"We are delighted to bring the enhanced travel convenience of Checkpoint Friendly carrying cases to the rapidly growing market of Netbook users," says G. David Cartwright, President & CEO, Mobile Edge. "With products like these new Netbook ScanFast cases, Mobile Edge continues to develop innovative new carrying case products to make life easier for portable computer users."

The Edge ScanFast!" Netbook Case Collection consists of three product styles; the traditional Edge Briefcase - MEUEBC, the on-the-go Messenger Bag - MEUEMB and the versatile Edge Backpack - MEUEBP. The Edge ScanFast Netbook Cases are now shipping at a suggested retail price of $49.99. A new ScanFast Netbook Briefcase for women will be released this summer.

Mobile Edge continues to expand the laptop carrying case category by offering new, innovative and smart designs that fuse fashion trends with form and function, creating a brand that makes a positive statement about today's mobile computing lifestyle.

Mobile Edge is committed to the highest quality standards in every case that it produces, from women's briefcases, portfolios and totes, to men s messenger bags, backpacks, Netbook cases and their new ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Collection. Recently acquired Sumo is a lifestyle brand with San Francisco roots focused on fashion forward products that break the mold and offer alternatives to the boring and mundane.

Both Mobile Edge and Sumo offer the strongest product warranty in the industry. Available online at:

Mobile Edge
http://www.mobileedge.com/scanfast-checkpoint-friendly-laptop-cases

and

Sumo Cases
http://www.sumolifestyle.com/
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PayPal Launches New Send Money 2.0 App for iPhone
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:08 AM
•iPhone •iPhone Software •iPod •iPod Software •Comments •Tell-a-Friend
PayPal has unveiled a new Send Money application for iPhone. Version 2.0 of the PayPal Send Money app gives PayPal and iPhone customers around the world secure mobile access to their money and convenient features for everyday life, including Bump money transfers, Split Check and Collect Money.

“Competitive Landscape: Mobile Devices, Worldwide, 4Q09 and 2009.”
With “bump” users can put two iPhones together, and funds are quickly transferred between their PayPal accounts. The Split Check feature lets users conveniently divide and quickly reimburse each other for the cost of a meal, including tip and tax, for up to 20 people. Collect Money allows users to request money from multiple people for a joint gift, team dues, concert tickets, and more. Users can send gifts of money on the spot for birthdays, anniversaries or any moment of impulsive generosity.

The new Send Money app comes at a time when smartphone sales have surpassed 172.4 million units in 2009*, and consumers worldwide are expected to spend $119 billion** by 2015 through their mobile phones. PayPal mobile transactions have increased nearly six-fold, from $25 million in 2008 to $141 million in 2009.

“Today, you leave the house with three critical things: your phone, your wallet and your keys,” says Osama Bedier, PayPal’s vice president of platform and emerging technology. “PayPal Send Money lets consumers access their wallets through their phones. Because with PayPal, the wallet lives in the cloud – the mobile phone is just one device customers can use to access it.”

With the new PayPal Send Money app, users can set reminders for recurring payments, donate money to their favorite causes, and manage their PayPal accounts — all from the iPhone. For international transactions, it also features a global currency calculator and 15 languages. PayPal Send Money requires a PIN or password for every transaction to help prevent unauthorized use.

The application is now available to download for free at the Apple iTunes store online or the Apple App Store from any iPhone or iPod Touch.

For more information, visit:
http://www.PayPal.com/mobile

* According to a Gartner Inc. study published in February 2010 titled “Competitive Landscape: Mobile Devices, Worldwide, 4Q09 and 2009."

** According to a study published by ABI Research study in February 2010 titled “Mobile Commerce” •iPhone •iPhone Software •iPod •iPod Software •Comments •Tell-a-Friend


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Convert any Website to PDF Free, Fast and Friendly Online
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:07 AM
•Software Updates •Software News •Internet •Comments •Tell-a-Friend
Bloggers, website publishers and all Internet users can now enjoy free service of Web2PDF Converter, as web content is much more convenient to share, print, archive and read offline when converted to PDF format. The resultant PDF files can be also read with PDF-supporting e-book readers. Web2PDF Converter is a perfect variant for those who do not have PDF creating software, but can be used by anyone due to the speed and easiness of use. No fee is charged, no installation is required.

It should be noted that Web2PDF Converter also supports conversion via e-mail, which is highly appreciated by users not having free access to the Internet, except for their electronic mail. Here the procedure is not any more difficult: the URL is sent to , and the reply with an attached PDF is sent back at once!

Besides, the Convert to PDF button can be added to any site or blog for the visitors to save it as PDF in one click. The JavaScript code is provided here:
http://www.web2pdfconvert.com/pdf-button.aspx

Features:
• Easy and quick conversion of web pages to PDF.
• No software installation.
• Direct conversion from most popular browsers (add-ons for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari).
• Convert to PDF button code for any site or blog. Conversion via e-mail.

You can check it out at:
http://www.web2pdfconvert.com
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NewerTech Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo to HDMI Adapter
Posted by Charles W. Moore on 03/18 at 02:06 AM
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Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech http://www.newertech.com ) announces the NewerTech Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo to HDMI Adapter, a $49.99 MSRP one cable adapter solution for outputting both high definition video up to 1080p and 2-channel stereo audio from the latest Mini DisplayPort equipped Macintosh computers through HDMI interface equipped High Definition Televisions.

Eight Different Adapters For Every Video Display Need
With the introduction of the new Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo to HDMI Adapter, NewerTech now offers Mac users eight different display adapters for connecting to a variety of display options: HD monitors/TVs, advanced digital monitors like the 20" or 23" Apple Cinema Display, standard analog VGA monitors, or multiple displays for an extended desktop:

* NEW...Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo To HDMI Adapter $49.99
* Mini DisplayPort To HDMI Adapter (no audio) $24.99
* Mini DisplayPort To DVI Adapter $24.99
* Mini DisplayPort To VGA Adapter $29.99
* Mini DVI To HDMI Adapter $17.99
* Mini DVI To DVI Adapter $14.99
* Mini DVI To VGA Adapter $14.99
* USB Video Display Adapter $95.99

The NewerTech Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo to HDMI Adapter is available immediately for $49.99 MSRP from NewerTech's exclusive distributor, Other World Computing (OWC), as well as through the retail channel. For more details on this or any of the other NewerTech display adapters, as well as reseller inquiries, visit:
http://www.newertech.com/products/videoacc.php

One Adapter Solution Provides Both Audio and Video
While the Mini DisplayPort offers superior video resolution output through a single interface on a Mac, it has a major shortcoming in that it doesn't natively output audio. The NewerTech Mini DisplayPort/USB Stereo to HDMI Adapter overcomes that limitation by cost effectively combining a Mac's video signal via the Mini DisplayPort and audio signal via USB port into a single HDMI output cable. With this single cable, bus powered (no AC power supply needed) adapter, Mac desktop and notebook users can now connect their Mac to a projector; extend their display onto a second monitor; or view movies, network broadcasts, and play games and other media on a big screen HDTV.

"This dual signal adapter embodies NewerTech's slogan by making the latest Macs 'better than new' by giving them a single cable solution when connecting to HDTVs," said Grant Dahlke, Brand Manager, NewerTech. "And by expanding our line of Mini DisplayPort and Mini DVI adapters, we now can enable a wider range of Mac notebook and desktop users the ability to expand their display options."
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iWrap Accepting Pre-orders for Invisible iPad Covers
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:05 AM
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iWrap announced today the availability of preorder for their unique invisible, scratch-proof cover for Apple's iPad.

"The excitement about the iPad comes in large part from its beautiful and unique design. iWrap is the perfect companion--it's completely invisible but also completely protective," said Tim Chaves, iWrap's Product Manager.

iWrap is the perfect companion to iPad - it's completely invisible and completely protective.

While other cover products made from clear film exist, iWrap claims to be the best. "We use unique film that offers more clarity and more durability. Some of these films tend to yellow or peel over time--iWrap's film uses advanced UV inhibiting technology as well as a stronger adhesive that solves those problems," says Chaves.

In addition, iWrap's full-body wraps are designed to offer the most complete coverage possible. iWrap is known for its ability to create covers that mold smoothly around devices' most susceptible areas--curves and corners. "We have a very dedicated design team that works hard to ensure that our covers are completely protective while still being simple to apply," Chaves explained.

A full-body iWrap for iPad costs $29.95, and ships free anywhere in the United States.

All iWrap products are covered by a lifetime guarantee, and iWrap will replace any iWrap that scratches or peels, free of charge.

iWrap covers are also available for iPhone and all iPod models as well as other cell phones and gaming devices. All iWrap products may be purchased at the company's website.

Full Body Wrap:
$19.95

Screen Only:
$12.95

Back Only:
$14.95

For more information, visit:
http://www.getiwrap.com/
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PixelMags: 100+ Magazine Apps for iPad
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:04 AM
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PixelMags has100+ apps ready for Apple’s iPad. PixelMags publications are releasing to top paid book app spots all over the world. 30% of readers are making

Since PixelMags launched in December, 60+ titles for iPhone and iPod Touch have been sold in 77 countries through the iTunes App Store. New magazine titles are releasing every day. As the launch date of iPad nears, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch.

“Disney CEO Bob Iger and Wired Magazine Editor-In-Chief Chris Anderson have called the iPad a ‘game-changer’. We couldn’t agree more. When iPad launches, we will have more magazine titles optimized for iPad than any other vendor,” said Ryan Marquis, Founder & COO, PixelMags.

PixelMags has100+ apps ready for Apple’s iPad. PixelMags publications are releasing to top paid book app spots all over the world. 30% of readers are making subscriptions their top In App purchase. The release of the iPad is sure to increase this digital publishing phenomenon.

Ryan Marquis describes the PixelMags platform as “a realistic digital magazine reproduction, with user-friendly bookmarking and search options, virtual libraries, headline alerts, In App purchasing, social network sharing, and endless interactive contents.”

This is the product for which millions of mobile device users were waiting. Bringing this platform to the iPad is the next step. PixelMags will be the leader in iPad App publishing with Apps that will transfer between iPhone and iPad. The iPad will unlock special capabilities within the App to optimize the reader’s experience.

As an authorized Apple developer for the iPhone and iPad, PixelMags’ goal is to provide the most realistic digital reading experience available. For more than a decade, the founders of PixelMags have worked in digital marketing and technology fields, gaining valuable knowledge, skills, and a true understanding of the digital world and what it can offer.

The founders of PixelMags have focused their decades of experience and knowledge to create the most modern, user-friendly, cost-effective, and realistic digital publishing technology. The standard PixelMags platform can be customized further to suit target markets and business models, adding RSS and Twitter feeds into the App, or adding interactive advertising, and countless other possibilities.

For more information on PixelMags, visit:
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Beer Universe Announces Launch of iPhone App
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:02 AM
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Beer Universe, Inc. ( http://www.beer-universe.com ), a leading online community / e-commerce website that revolutionizes the online experiences for beer enthusiasts, has announced the official launch of the Beer Universe iPhone / iPod Touch app, creating a unique mobile solution for beer lovers on the go.

Through the launch of this first-of-its-kind app, Beer Universe is able to bring its proprietary beer recommendation system to users when they most need it – at the store or their favorite bar / restaurant. The Beer Universe app not only provides users with a huge database of beer profiles for users to explore, rate, and review, but truly outpaces other similar applications by offering tailored recommendations and predictions based on each user’s individual preferences. The app’s beer list also syncs with the Beer Universe website (http://www.beer-universe.com), keeping it up to date with the website’s ever-growing database of beers.

The Beer Universe app fills a major void in the marketplace and provides an invaluable service for beer lovers.

Commenting on the launch, Co-Founder and President Heath Gray said, “At a time when the craft beer world is steadily expanding, and our number of choices as a consumer are growing exponentially, the Beer Universe app fills a major void in the marketplace and provides an invaluable service for beer lovers. The feedback we’ve received so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited about the service we’ve been able to offer to all types of beer fans.”

Features of the App Include:
* Database of over 3,000 beers
* Ability to review / rate beers and share opinions with others
* Power to keep track of favorite beers with easy to use Favorite Beers list
* Beer recommendations based on reviews / ratings
* Predictions for how high users will rate beers based on personal preferences
* Regular synchronization with the Beer Universe website, keeping it up to date with new ratings and beer profiles


The application is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch from Apple's App Store at:
http://www.itunes.com/appstore/

For more information, visit:
http://www.beer-universe.com

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Ministry Made Easy: SendingWord Consolidates Communications, Social Media Applications for Churches
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:02 AM
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A new online communications tool, SendingWord.com, disperses religious content to individual church congregations via e-mail, text message, digital phone call, Facebook and Twitter. One Web site consolidates a church's contemporary ministry efforts to assimilate the Word into members' daily routines.

News ImageStudies show that few religious followers turn to the physical Bible--an essential component of Christianity--daily. The recent surge of digital technology development removes barriers, enabling streamlined and convenient access to relevant content: a logical platform for daily religious integration. SendingWord can help growing congregations connect and engage via the anywhere/anytime access of the Internet and mobile devices.

But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” --Romans 10:18
A church administrator simply sets up subscriptions (e.g., scripture readings, weekly liturgy distribution, event updates, volunteer requests, weather/cancellation alerts, prayer chains, etc.) and enters content online. Congregation members visit the church’s SendingWord.com home page to sign up for one or more subscriptions to be automatically received via their chosen communication method(s).

Church administrators are gladly abandoning physical mass mailings in favor of a centralized outreach program online. Extending beyond any physical location, today's digital media channels offer endless possibilities for churches to engage new and current members and for worshippers to keep in touch with their faith and community. Churches have evolved to serve the new generation of followers; the congregation continues to be served by the Word.

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MacUpdate Debuts Spring Software Bundle - 10 top apps, 88% off
Posted by Staff on 03/18 at 02:01 AM
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MacUpdate has launched its Spring 2010 software bundle featuring Parallels Desktop 5 and nine other top Mac applications worth $400 for just $49.99. Included in the limited time bundle are:

Parallels Desktop 5 ($79.99) - Fresh off its release in December, Parallels Desktop 5 is the best way to run Windows, Linux, and more alongside Mac OS X. Version 5 sports a number of new features, the most notable of which is improvements in performance that make Parallels Desktop the undisputed speed champ in Mac virtualization.

Bee Docs Timeline 3D ($65) - Runner-up for Best Mac OS X Application at the 2008 Apple Design Awards, Timeline 3D makes it easy to create stunning timeline charts. Full motion 3D Timelines can be sent to Apple's iPod, iPhone, AppleTV, or Keynote presentation software.

Spell Catcher ($39.95) - A powerful writing tool preferred by educators, students, writers, and bloggers. It's the all-in-one writing solution for those who need standardized custom dictionaries and much more.

Hydra ($79.95) - With Hydra you can compose amazing high dynamic range photographs with ease. Combine multiple exposures of the same scene to create a single photo that leverages the best elements from each. In addition to a standalone app, Hydra includes plug-ins for Apple Aperture and Adobe Lightroom.

Back-In-Time ($29) - Transcend Time Machine restoration possibilities with Back-In-Time, which offers easy access to all the data backed up by Time Machine. If you like the idea of Time Machine but are put off by its interface, Back-In-Time is the missing link.

ForeverSave ($14.95) - Never lose your work again with ForeverSave, an ingenious new tool that automatically saves revisions of your documents so neither an application crash nor power outage will cost you hard work.

Hyperspaces ($12.95) - Take Mac OS X's Spaces feature to the next level with Hyperspaces, a utility that lets you customize each Space and adds a number of Hot Keys for maximizing your productivity.

Web Snapper ($15) - Capture entire Web pages with a single click, perfect for Web designers or anyone looking for an effortless way to Web pages with other people.

MacDVDRipper Pro ($9.95) - Copy DVDs to your Mac for convenient viewing without the actual disc with MacDVDRipper Pro, one of the easiest and most effective tools of its kind.

MacScan ($29.99) - Secure your Mac and protect your privacy with MacScan, a utility for identifying and removing malware, spyware, Internet tracking cookies, and more.

"We're especially thrilled with the line-up of apps we've put together for this bundle," said Nate Houle, general manager of MacUpdate Promo. "These are some of the most sought after apps on MacUpdate, and this bundle puts them all within reach of every Mac user."

The MacUpdate Spring 2010 Bundle is available for $49.99 exclusively from MacUpdate Promo through March 31, 2010.

MacUpdate:
http://www.macupdate.com/

MacUpdate Promo Spring 2010 Bundle:
http://www.mupromo.com/?ref=7962

Screencast:
http://bit.ly/cywz43
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