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        <title>ZDNet Blogs</title>
        <link>http://blogs.zdnet.com</link>
        <description>ZDNet Blogs Focus: Macworld</description>
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<title>Mac developers betting hard on Leopard</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1213</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:18:56 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>David Morgenstern</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1213</guid>
<description><![CDATA[One of the nascent trends at the recent Macworld Expo was the arrival of Leopard-only applications. Despite the ballyhooed success of the Leopard rollout, selling your software to a subset of the market is an unusual move, especially so for small developers. Like a Hollywood studio, Apple in October waved the flag over the first weekend results of its release of Mac OS X 10.5, Leopard. In a release, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that "Leopard   s innovative features are getting great reviews and making more people than ever think about switching to the Mac.    During his Expo keynote, Jobs said the rapid move towards Leopard by the installed base was continuing. He said the update was both a critical success as well ... ]]>
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<title>Time Capsule = cash grab?</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1209</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:00:16 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jason D. O'Grady</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1209</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Time Capsule is one of Apple's  featured new product announcements at last week's Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Time Capsule is basically an Airport Extreme WiFi base station (US$179) with either a 500GB (US$299) or 1TB (US$499) hard drive built-in. Time Capsule will begin shipping in February and is being pitched as the ultimate companion to Leopard's Time Machine backup software: Automatic backup Time Capsule is a revolutionary backup device that works wirelessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard. It automatically backs up everything, so you no longer have to worry about losing your digital life. My problem with Time Capsule is that it's being billed as the ultimate Time Machine backup appliance when that was the original intent of ... ]]>
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<title>MacBook Air: thinnest but not lightest (Updated 2x)</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1203</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:16:13 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jason D. O'Grady</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1203</guid>
<description><![CDATA[When Steve Jobs introduced the world to the new MacBook Air here on Tuesday he accurately referred to it as "the world's thinnest notebook." While that statement is true, it comes with a small caveat   it's the world's thinnest currently shipping notebook. In his keynote address Jobs showed the graphic above comparing the MBA to the previously thinnest notebook, the Sony Vaio 505 TZ91. The TZ91 (pictured below) is the 10th anniversary edition of the original Vaio 505 and is actually 1.17 inches thin with the normal (six hour) battery and 0.88 inches thin with the light weight (three hour) battery. Update: According to a PC World review the Sony Vaio 505 Extreme (pictured below) was not thinner than the Macbook Air.  ... ]]>
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<title>Dragon speech recognition comes to the Mac</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1201</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:56:33 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>David Morgenstern</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1201</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The big brand in text-to-speech technology will be native on the Macintosh this quarter, according to MacSpeech, the company that landed the licensing deal. It's yet another hurdle overcome for switchers to the Mac. The announcement was made here at the Macworld Expo earlier in the week. MacSpeech, the longtime maker of iListen and other speech recognition products on the Mac side, will license the Dragon NaturallySpeaking engine from Nuance Communications. MacSpeech previously licensed the FreeSpeech engine from Philips. On the show floor, the company demonstrated the technology in MacSpeech Dictate, its forthcoming product with the Dragon engine. It is due in February, the company said. Creating a user profile will be easy in Dictate, taking only 5 minutes training, according to Chuck ... ]]>
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<title>What is the demographic for the MacBook Air?</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1200</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:54:05 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jason D. O'Grady</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1200</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I just had an interesting IM exchange with someone who asked me: What is the demographic for the MacBook Air? My response: Rich executives, basically I don't consider myself a rich executive by any stretch, but I'm buying one. But then again, it's kinda my job :) That being said, who is the demographic for the MBA? I guess that I could have included: Early adopters Showoffs, braggarts, "first on their block" types Trustafarians Trendy people People who need a second machine People that travel at least 5 days per week, less than 4 hours away Obviously, all of the above would be appended with "having $1800 of disposable income." You can get a lot of computer for US$1800 from the Apple Store: MacBook 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB SATA HDD, SuperDrive, 3-year AppleCare, Firewire, ... ]]>
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<title>Mouse inventor sighted at Macworld Expo</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1198</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:13:21 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>David Morgenstern</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1198</guid>
<description><![CDATA[One of the legends of Silicon Valley and a hero to many early Macintosh users is the inventor and techno-philosopher Douglas Engelbart. He invented the computer mouse back in 1967 and this year, attended the Macworld Expo. (In case you're wondering, that's him on the left.) The original SRI mouse patent called it an"X-Y position indicator for a display system." According to the Wikipedia article, his engineering group "also called it a 'bug,' but this term was not widely adopted."  Certainly, mice are cuter than bugs and besides, that term had already been attributed to "Amazing" Grace Hopper for another purpose. Of course, the buzz this week over input was all about the expansion of multi-touch implemented in the MacBook Air. ... ]]>
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<title>Why does the MacBook Air make so many so dumb?</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1196</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:40:51 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>David Morgenstern</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1196</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Believe it, Apple's new ultralight notebook is perfect technology. It's an elite product, something that seems to drive populist Mac fans crazy. But this notebook will be Apple's next step in a strategy to infiltrate the enterprise. Smart people at parties and on the show floor here at the Macworld Expo keep complaining about the MacBook Air. They are outraged. "It's just not right," they say. The battery is all wrong. Or it's incomprehensible that any Mac notebook would lack Gigabit Ethernet (or any Ethernet for that matter) or FireWire. Or that there's no RAM upgrade slot. This machine is so beautiful, but it's unusable! How can this be happening to us? Sadly, all of these complaints are dumb. There's nothing at all wrong ... ]]>
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<title>iTunes movie rentals vs. Netflix: It's Apples (Jobs variety) and oranges</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7616</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:16:40 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Larry Dignan</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7616</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Apple makes a big plunge into the movie rental business and almost instinctively folks dust off the "Netflix is screwed" line.  However, you may want to hold off on that Netflix obituary (again). Now it's entirely possible that Apple's movie rental service (gallery, blog focus, video) will be a hit for the iPod carrying masses. And I'm sure I'll rent a movie when I travel. But Apple's movie rental service doesn't spell the demise of Netflix for a bevy of reasons. Here are a few: Apple's movie rental service is confined to the PC and the iPod/iPhone unless consumers buy Apple TV, a device that promises to be better the second time around but still is another box in an already ... ]]>
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<title>Mac Air and the cost of flash</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/storage/?p=278</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:07:22 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Robin Harris</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/storage/?p=278</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Apple offers a flash drive on their new MacBook Air. And it ain't cheap. Should road warriors bite? $999 Replacing the standard 80 GB hard drive with the 64 GB flash drive costs $999. 64 GB is plenty for business use and way-too-small for personal use - as is the 80 GB. But this isn't a desktop replacement. The Air is a road warrior's status symbol. 2 odd things in the announcement Apple didn't make a specific claim for improved battery life with the flash drive, like X minutes more. They spec'd the Air at 5 hours battery life with either drive. Nor did they offer any specific performance claims for the flash, which surprises me. The stock 4200 RPM 1.8" drive is about as ... ]]>
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<title>Time Capsule works with PCs too</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=509</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:01:03 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Ed Burnette</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=509</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Steve Jobs announced a device called the "Time Capsule" at Macworld 2008 Tuesday, but several important facts were lost in the frenzy. At first glance it looks like yet another external hard drive that happens to operate wirelessly and can automatically back up your Mac. Well, yeah, it can do that, but take a look at the back:        According to the Apple web site, the Time Capsule features:     802.11 a/b/g/n base station compatible with Macs, PCs, and any other Wifi devices.   Gigabit WAN port to connect to a DSL or cable modem.   Three gigabit LAN ports for connecting to computers or network devices.   Wireless printing hub. Plug a printer into the included USB port and share it throughout your home network (PC or Mac).   Expandable storage ... ]]>
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<title>New MacBook Air recalls inappropriate relationships</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=224</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:27:41 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tom Foremski</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=224</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I missed going to MacWorld but I couldn't miss the MacBook Air announcement. And it stirred memories of prior inappropriate relationships with my ex'es. It also reminded me of the 1980s and early 1990s when it was OK to talk about technology as being "sexy." That term was quickly chased out by the personal politics movement of those times, but I can't help but wish for its return. Because as much as I don't want to be attracted to the MacBook Air, as in prior relationships that I knew where not right for me, I can't help but be seduced by it, flaws and all. And I know I'll wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it. Tell me you ... ]]>
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<title>MacWorld? Give me a break...</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=223</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:06:17 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tom Foremski</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Foremski/?p=223</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I'd rather take a nap. And sleep in. Which is what I did... With hundreds of journalists/bloggers plus Apple's PR machinery why bother showing up? I can read/hear/see about it later. I'd rather not add to the white noise of the fanboy appreciation choirs, imho. ]]>
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<title>New iPhone update will confuse and upset many Gmail users</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=887</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:39:46 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Garett Rogers</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=887</guid>
<description><![CDATA[For people using POP access in their iPhone, the new update for the device will automatically convert your email to IMAP without you knowing.  Why does that matter?  Well, if you are in the habit of deleting messages from your iPhone after you've read them, those messages will now be sent to your trash in Gmail too. It's unfortunate that most users will be updated and probably never know what just hit them, but for those who are in the know, it's actually a pretty good feature.  You can think of IMAP as simply a different interface for your actual Gmail account -- anything you do here will be done right in Gmail too.  That means that ... ]]>
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<title>MacBook Air cuts the wires (and ports)</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1193</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:14:17 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jason D. O'Grady</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1193</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In its quest to become the world's thinnest notebook, MacBook Air had to give up a few things along the way (in addition to a battery door). The MBA is Apple's first notebook in a long time to drop Ethernet and Firewire ports and the optical drive. While there's a solution for accessing optical discs (a US$99 USB SuperDrive and Apple's super-neat cross platform "borrowing" software) and for getting Ethernet (Apple offers a US$29 USB-to-Ethernet adapter) there's no solution (that I can tell) for Firewire. [poll=88] ]]>
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<title>The Steve Jobs Apple Revival Show</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7605</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:31:26 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Dan Farber</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7605</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It's been a busy day for the Apple tribe. Steve Jobs announced the thinnest notebook in the universe (I'm not sure that's what the universe needs, but he is at least pushing lowly competition to innovate more) and updates for the iTunes, iPhone, iTouch, AppleTV and Time Capsule wireless backup (check out our full coverage). The blogosphere was all Apple, all day. It wasn't a grand slam (how do you top the iPhone?), but it will keep the Apple fan base happy until next time. The flurry of announcements and Jobs' public presentation also brought the blogosphere to its knees. Many of the sites covering the keynote, as well as Twitter, we slowed down or timed out. The highlight of the presentation ... ]]>
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<title>More on the MacBook Air battery</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1192</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:11:56 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jason D. O'Grady</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1192</guid>
<description><![CDATA[One of the highlights of Macworld Expo 2008 for me is the MacBook Air. It's the machine that I've been asking for for about 10 years. After taking a look at it on the show floor, one thing that stands out is the fixed (i.e. non removable) battery. Could anything be worse for a traveler? Didn't Apple learn anything from the negative reaction to the iPhone's fixed battery? Woe is me. My MacBook dream suddenly had all the Air let out of it.  When I asked an Apple staffer about the fixed battery in the MacBook Air (which I affectionately refer to as the "MBA") he had a positive spin. He told me that you can have it replaced for US$129.99 ... ]]>
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<title>Putting the Touch on iPod users</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=129</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:07:14 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Josh Taylor</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=129</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I would have thought that after the iPhone price cut fiasco, Apple would have gotten a bit savvier on the customer-friendly front, but given the company's decision to charge $20 for the iPod Touch software update, I guess not so much. In case you missed it (and with my colleague Jason O'Grady live-blogging from the keynote, you really had no excuse to), Steve Jobs announced today at Macworld that from now on, all new iPod touches will ship with five new applications - mail, stocks, notes, weather, and maps - the same apps that are included on iPhones. But, if you already own an iPod Touch, those apps that come free on all new devices will set you back $20. Now look, ... ]]>
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<title>iPod touch - Update time!</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1161</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:59:54 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Adrian Kingsley-Hughes</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1161</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I've decided to throw $19.95 at Apple and see what the January Software Update has to offer. This is a pretty big update for the iPod touch because not only did I have to apply the January Software Update (which is what brings in the new features) but I also had to upgrade iTunes and update the firmware from version 1.1.2 to the latest 1.1.3. Check out the upgrade image gallery here. I'm pleased to report that all the upgrades went well.  Getting your hands on the January Software Update is easy - once you upgrade iTunes to 7.6 it's clear and in your face.  This is twenty bucks that Apple wants you to spend. OK, the update's installed and working.  ... ]]>
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<title>What's up with the MacBook Air single USB port and where is the flash card reader?</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=797</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:22:52 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Matthew Miller</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=797</guid>
<description><![CDATA[You have all probably seen the news about the new MacBook Air announced this morning by Steve Jobs and now that the glitz and glamour of the keynote is wearing off people are diving into the details. One major issue, IMHO, that Adrian Kingsley-Hughes pointed out in his first thoughts was the lack of a removable battery. It isn't such a big deal with iPods or the iPhone that lasts all day for the most part, but to not have a removable battery on a notebook computer is an interesting strategy. I do have to admit though that I only have a single battery for my MacBook Pro, but then again I primarily use it at my house as my ... ]]>
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<title>Macworld Expo: Jobs vs. Gates</title>
<link>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1188</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:52:27 -0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>David Morgenstern</dc:creator>
<guid>http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1188</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Apple CEO Steve Jobs strides across the stage of the Macworld Expo keynote on Tuesday and the computer industry pauses for an hour and holds its collective breath. Again, Apple delivered the goods, in hardware innovation, in services and in partnerships. What a contrast to last week's pathetic performance of Microsoft     the industry leader, right?     at the CES show in Las Vegas. "I always root against corporations, because that's the way I am, but not this one. Not this one, it's not the same," said composer songwriter Randy Newman between songs at the Macworld Expo keynote. He was talking about Apple, of course, and the crowd ate it up. Newman added that it was hard to follow an act like ... ]]>
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