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Apple TV 3.0.1 Update, Users Urged to Update

Cory Bohon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:25:38 -0600

Apple issued an important update for Apple TV users today that fixes a bug that could cause content to disappear.

Users were informed via e-mail that if they downloaded the 3.0 update that they should subsequently update to the new 3.0.1 update.

According to the e-mail and a support note, "There is an issue with Apple TV software version 3.0 that can possibly cause your content to disappear after a period of time. All customers running Apple TV software version 3.0 should immediately restart their Apple TV and then upgrade to Apple TV software version 3.0.1."

You can download this update by selecting Settings > General > Software Update from the Apple TV menu.

Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot

David W. Martin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:53:48 -0600

If you're like most people, you probably spend a great deal of time away from your home Wi-Fi network. Free open Wi-Fi networks can be few and far between these days so if you have an iPod touch, a MacBook, or even an iPhone this can be inconvenient to say the least. There are solutions available to help (like the MiFi 2200) but if you already have a USB 3G modem or a phone that supports tethering, there's no reason to pay twice for data access.

The Cradlepoint PHS300 personal Wi-Fi hotspot can take your existing 3G device and create a personal WiFi hotspot to connect other devices to the Internet.   The CradlePoint is a compact, rechargable-battery powered Wi-Fi router.   The device works with practically any USB modem or tethered cell phone. We tested our PHS300 with a Sprint Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB 3G dongle. We plugged it in and the CradlePoint automatically recognized our device and created a WiFi hotspot. No additional software is required to use or access the CradlePoint, which is administered via a web interface like a standard router.

Security can be as simple as a password or more advanced using WEP/WPA/WPA2 security. The replaceable Li-ion battery can pump out a Wi-Fi signal for a little more than three hours. It can also run off AC power, with or without a battery connected. A case ($15), extra batteries ($25), and car power adapter($25) are available as optional accessories.

The form-factor was a bit cumbersome, with the USB modem hanging out of the side, but certainly not a deal-breaker. And we definitely like the ability to change cellular providers or 3G devices without having to buy a new Wi-Fi device. Cradlepoint frequently updates the firmware, so it works with a growing number of 3G modems and cell phones. We're still waiting for AT&T's mythical tethering plan to materialize, so no word yet on iPhone compatibility.

Secrets of Professional Podcasting

Joe Rybicki — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:06 -0600

Make your talking time shine.

So you've started a podcast, have you? And now that you've got a few episodes under your belt, you're starting to see your audience grow. Now it's time to get a little more serious about your craft. And we're here to help, with four tips to bring you closer to podcasting stardom.

Difficulty Level: Easy

What You Need:

> GarageBand '09 (included with iLife, free with new Macs or $79, www.apple.com)

> A microphone (see Step 1)

> A topic about which to ramble

1. The Right Gear Makes a Difference

Planning to record using your MacBook’s internal mic or your gaming headset? Please don’t. You don’t need a top-of-the-line microphone, but quality does make a difference. If a solo podcast is all the recording you ever expect to do, you can get the most consistent results from a decent headset mic. But avoid anything designed for gaming, as these tend to have mediocre recording quality even if the headphones sound great. Instead, plan to spend between $50 and $100 on a mic designed specifically for recording. We love the one on our U2 headset from CAD Audio ($49, www.cadaudio.com).

The USB-based U2 headset from CAD Audio is a decent, affordable option for podcasting.

If you’re not going to be the only one chattering away, or you expect to record anything besides podcasts, plan to spend at least $25 to $50 on a decent unidirectional mic, like the $49 Audix F50 (www.audixusa.com). But don’t forget you’ll also want a stand and some sort of windscreen to prevent against vicious pops.

2. Warm Up the Crowd

Want to wrap your podcast in a truly professional package? Then get yourself some theme music! You don’t need to compose a theme song from scratch--though if you have such talents, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. But for non-composers, Apple has thoughtfully included a whole suite of jingles with GarageBand.

Set your theme music to fade out and in slowly to avoid jarring silences.

Open the Loop Browser by clicking the eye in the bottom-left, then select the Podcast Sounds tab at the bottom. The Jingles menu gives you an extremely broad range of different styles to tinker with. Select one that’s 30 seconds or more, and give it about 10 seconds of play before the speaking starts. Click the gray down-arrow in the Track control panel to show the Track Volume automation curve. GarageBand will handle the “ducking” (i.e., lowering the jingle when the speaking starts), but you’ll still need to slowly fade the music out over the next 10 seconds or so. Then do the same thing in reverse at the end of your show. You’ll be amazed what a polished feel you can get from such a simple addition.

3. Don't Talk to Yourself

Bringing in guests can really spice up your podcast. And it’s becoming more and more common for podcasters to wrangle far-flung guests via phone or Internet-voice (VoIP) services like Skype: The host adjusts the levels of each participant before the session, and then records the output of the VoIP application with Audio Hijack Pro or WireTap Studio. While that can do the job, the sound quality is often subpar, and it becomes much more difficult to edit the podcast, since all the guests are on a single track.

Sync up remote recordings by having your guests all count together.

You can take a giant leap forward in quality and post-production flexibility by using a technique known as a “two-ender.” The concept is simple: You use a VoIP app to converse with your guests naturally, but each guest records his or her own voice locally and sends you the file, which you can then simply drag into GarageBand. Even if they don’t have quality recording gear like yours, it’ll sound worlds better than recording any kind of phone call. Just don’t forget to set a sync point in your recording: Having all participants simply count to 3 simultaneously will allow you to quickly match up the timing of the separate recordings.

4. Clean It Up

Finally, nothing screams “amateur hour” like wildly variable volume, forcing the listener to constantly scramble for the volume control. This is one of the most common transgressions against professionalism you’re likely to hear. But luckily, it’s also one of the easiest to fix.

For the sake of volume knobs everywhere, please compress your tracks.

Once you’ve recorded or imported all your vocal tracks--but before doing your final mixdown--go into each track and add a new effect by selecting one of the dropdown menus that currently says “None.” Scroll down to Audio Unit effects and choose AUDynamicsProcessor. This will make the loud parts a little quieter and the quiet parts a little louder. Unless you have guests moving dramatically closer or farther away from their microphones (which is why we recommend headsets), this should even out everyone’s volume, making your show considerably more listenable and your audience considerably happier. And that’s what it’s all about, right?

STM Evolution

Ray Aguilera — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:56:35 -0600

Yes, messenger bags are stylish. But after several years of schlepping our MacBooks and their accoutrement around in one, we were ready for something easier to carry. Backpacks--and laptop versions in particular--certainly aren’t known for being particularly fashion-forward, but we are pleased with Evolution’s sporty good looks, as well as its full complement of pockets.

STM sells the Evolution in two sizes, built to fit 13- or 15-inch MacBooks. The outdoorsy styling strikes us as somewhere between one of those ubiquitous hydration backpacks and a trail-running shoe. It’s not necessarily our favorite look, but we have to give STM credit for breaking out of the plain-black-computer-bag mold that reminds us of conventioneers and/or The Man. There are a couple of extra straps on the bag for both compression and stabilization across your chest, but we found them to be more aesthetic than useful or necessary, and they tended to snag on things as we hauled the Evolution around.

Evolution offers some heavy-duty protection for your trusty sidekick(s).

The bag’s main compartment is divided into two sections: a padded sleeve-like cubby for your laptop and a larger section for books, file folders, and the like. There’s also a large-ish rear compartment subdivided into different-sized pockets for power adapters, business cards, pens, and other small items. On the outside are two mesh pockets meant to hold water bottles, newspapers, or umbrellas. And speaking of umbrellas, the Evolution features a rain shell that stows away in a hidden zipper compartment in the bag’s base. While it doesn’t really rain enough where we live for that to be necessary, residents of wetter climes (cough, cough, Seattle) will certainly appreciate it.

The shoulder straps are fairly well padded, and there’s a waist strap that can be stowed away, although the bag’s modest size only allows for a certain amount of extra gear anyway, making the strap somewhat superfluous. That said, the bag’s construction is durable, and it doesn’t scream “Hey! There’s a laptop in here!” which is useful for avoiding muggings on the street. There’s plenty of padding, both in the laptop section and on the panel that rests against your back, but the trade-off is that the bag itself doesn’t compress much when it’s empty.

A Great Game...If You're About to Reformat Your Hard Drive

J Keirn-Swanson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:40:14 -0600

The rules of the game are simple, as simple as the game's title Lose/Lose. Here's how creator Zach Gage describes the game: "Each alien in the game is created based on a random file on the players computer. If the player kills the alien, the file it is based on is deleted. If the players ship is destroyed, the application itself is deleted."

Posing as questioning our assumptions about our behavior when we "are given a weapon an [sic] awarded for using it, that doing so is right, " Gage's game also seeks to get users/viewers to think about what it means when we begin to prize our virtual possessions, our data, as much as if not more than actual physical possessions. Part meditation on virtual data, part philosophical tweaking on shooter game mentality, the game is considered plenty dangerous by many.

lose/lose from zach gage on Vimeo.

Even the creator reacts that way: "I'm surprised anyone has played it," Gage said. "I'm shocked."

While the game clearly spells out in multiple steps prior to installation and prior to playing what the game will do to your files and your hard drive, apparently there are people who are curious or dumb enough to install the game and play. Enough concern has been generated that the game has attracted the notice of Symantec, Sophos and Intego, who dub the game malware, each of them calling it a Trojan.

According to Kevin Haley, Symantec Security's director of product management, "We are concerned that somebody could take this and modify it in some way where users aren't aware of the consequences." While we admit that that is technically possible, at that point the file in question isn't Gage's, nor can we see how the security firms came about their classification of Trojan.

Now, having said all that, any takers? Who's up for a quick round? Anyone? Anyone?

Rumor: AT&T Getting an 8GB iPhone 3GS?

Christine Chan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:24:23 -0600

While there have been rumors that an 8GB iPhone 3GS could be headed to Canada's Rogers network, as reported by BGR, there are now rumors that AT&T is planning to replace the $99 8GB iPhone 3G with the faster iPhone 3GS.

According to BGR's sources, AT&T customers will be able to purchase an iPhone with a faster processor, more RAM, and a better camera for the same price just in time for the holidays. This would unarguably be a great sales boost for Apple.

Also, the source claims that this could also be AT&T's way of combating the Droid madness from Verizon.

We'll see soon if this is the real deal.

iPhone Tethering on OS 3.1.2

Cory Bohon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:58:30 -0600

Many iPhone users were dismayed when Apple released an update that killed the tethering hack for iPhone OS 3.1. Never fear, there's a new way to enable that good ol' tethering once again.

MobileCrunch has posted a series of steps that can help you get tethering on your iPhone 3G/3GS back in no time at all. It does require you to jailbreak and unlock your device (not for the feint of heart), but their post does a great job explaining exactly what to do.

Here's the basic steps:

1. Download blackra1n (Mac or Win) and jailbreak your device

2. Unlock your device with the blacksn0w application that's included on your device after the jailbreak

3. Install the custom carrier settings (IPCC) file from Mobile Safari

4. Enable tethering in the settings

MobileCrunch has the full tutorial with screenshots.

via LifeHacker

Shaun Inman Fever

Ray Aguilera — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:09:33 -0600

The biggest challenge of the Web is finding information you want. For a while, bookmarks sufficed, giving users an easy way to quickly return to their favorite sites. As bookmark lists grew, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) became the preferred tool of Internet power-users. An RSS reader makes it easy to track a large number of sites, but eventually, you’re subscribed to so many feeds that finding the good stuff becomes a challenge. Enter Fever, a Web-based RSS reader that tries to solve this info overload by sorting your news by importance.

Fever is Web-based--but it’s strictly BYOS (bring your own server). If you’re comfortable setting up blogging software like Movable Type or WordPress, installing Fever is a snap. Unfortunately, there’s no trial period or live demo, so you can’t really try before you buy.

Fever's Hot List is a great feature, but it can quickly get overrun by one or two high-traffic topics.

Fever’s killer feature is the Hot List, where stories are ranked by importance, rather than listed in chronological order. You’re asked to separate your feeds into Sparks or Kindling. Sparks are the sites that you read frequently. Kindling are sites that are less important, such as blogs that repost lots of links on your favorite topics. The Kindling concept encourages large numbers of subscriptions, which can improve your Hot List, without cluttering up your main view. Stories that get a lot of mentions across all your feeds rise quickly on the Hot List--a clever way of helping you find the most important news stories, and it works quite well with larger numbers of feeds.

Our biggest problem with Fever is the lack of granularity. We subscribe to tons of tech-related RSS feeds, but we’re also interested in other topics. But since the tech feeds outnumber the others, our Hot List is mostly tech news. You can use Fever as a traditional feed reader, grouping feeds into folders, but the Hot List feature does not apply to specific folders. Another solution could be setting up multiple profiles geared to different interests, each with its own Hot List, but Fever is strictly a single-user affair.