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Written by Chris Tangora
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Thursday, 10 April 2008 |
 Marco shouted over to me about a semi-new liquid cooling system. It isn't new, but it is continuing to gain momentum in both the DIY and corporate sectors. Asetek has a low cost liquid cooling (LCLC) that has been used by HP for a while now, and they have consumer level liquid systems as well.
One of the advantages of the Mac platform going Intel is that we can start to use these products that are designed for the Intel chips. Currentlly the LCLC is only available on the OEM, but they have enough consumer level products to warrant a peek. My favorite is the vapochill Micro. Such a cute little thing.
More about the LCLC
See Asetek's consumer brand liquid cooling systems.
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Monday, 07 April 2008 |
 Looks like Apple's iPhone may be able to do something that the Mac platform hasn't, break into the video game market. All those rumors about video game consoles might actually have some truth in the iPhone (iPod Touch also). Follow the link to see hermitworks using two iPhones to play Quake III on the iPhone.
The movement is controlled by tilting the iPhone (accelrometers), and firing is done by tapping on the screen. It looks like it has decent frame rates (hard to say on low quality video) and it's networked. This could turn into the ultimate time waster during the meetings you don't want to go to. Just don't yell out, "sh*t you got me" while your boss is talking.
Think it is just coincidence? Take a look at this patent application from apple for marketing "subsequent game episodes". Now tell me that Steve Jobs isn't thinking about gaming seriously. If you add in the GPS like abilities of the iPhone, it could turn into something even bigger.
Wonder if you can keep track of how many frags your iPhone has?
Demo using accelerometers for moving and tapping to blast.
Apple patent application for marketing games.
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Multiple Displays via USB |
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Monday, 31 March 2008 |
 Need a simple way to have multiple monitors hooked up to your Mac Mini or MacBook Air? Often times multiple monitors have been available for the MacPro by installing multiple video cards, but now you can do it using just USB! DisplayLink allows you to setup multiple monitors using an USB hub to push the signal.
While the drivers are still in beta, they are available. One draw back is that they do not supported an accellerated graphics (no 2D or 3D accelleration). But if you just want to have a few extra monitors quckly hooked up to view text files or monitor simple windows, take a look. This is defenitely one step closer to make my Mac a "Command Central" I've always wanted.
DisplayLink Beta
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All that's missing is the logo. |
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
 Do you want an iPhone, but can't afford it yet? Are you holding out until the iPhone has the one feature it doesn't have now? Look no further than China to fill you needs. Chinese manufacturers have jumped on the iPhone bandwagon, and some have done some pretty good reproductions. These phones look identical to the iPhone, except for that Apple logo and the OS that drives it.
You can pick up an imitation iPhone from $100 to $300. No word on which networks they will run on yet, but you have quite a few options to pick from. From the Hiphone with a replaceable battery, or the COOL999 with built-in office applications, or the A380 with a fingerprint security system.
They may look like the iPhone, but they aren't the iPhone.
Plethora of iPhone immitations
via PC World
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
 Wondershare has released DVD Copy for Mac v1.1.16. DVD Copy for Mac allows you to strip out common DVD protections such as Content Scramble System (CSS), Region Control (RC) and Region Control Enhancement (RCE). These are the basic DVD protections keeping you back from making copies of your DVD. Naturally the only reason why you would need to have a copy of your DVD is so you don't damage the original.
The benefit of DVD Copy for Mac is it's price and it's functionality. At only $29 ($49 for their DVD Ripper Suite) DVD Copy for Mac allows you to make a physical copy of the stripped DVD or allows you to save the stripped file to your hard drive. If you are building a Mac Media Center, this may be a good investment for you.
DVD Copy for Mac
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The PC is the keyboard, really. |
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
 Saw this last night on Gadget Spy, you have to take a look. It's a real computer, built into the keyboard. It packs up to 4GB of RAM with the Intel 3100 GMA pushing the DVI output, along with an optical drive on the side. Standard is a 7 in 1 card reader, and you can even get a removable HDD or credit card scanner. It weighs about 7.4 lbs and cost under $700. This may be the first official challenge to the Mac Mini as far as innovation in mini computers goes.
The down side? Working in one order or another of tech support positions for over 6 years I have seen my fair share of "oops, I spilled the coffee on the keyboard" maneuvers. Imagine if each time it cost you over $700!!!
With that issue aside, this seems very, very cool. However, the price does not include an operating system or wireless abilities (both available when customizing your keyboard/computer). Hopefully with the new Atom chip more systems like this will be available. Their website even shows some pictures of the inside.
ZPG-GX31 page on Cybernetman website.
- from Gadget Spy -
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CrossOver Windows Apps to the Mac |
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Written by Chris Tangora
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Tuesday, 25 March 2008 |
 Take a look at this app from Code Weavers called CrossOver Games. Built on the WINE platform, it allows you to play Windows games on your Mac, no Microsoft OS needed! YES, YES, YES, YES! This is what I'm talking about. Apple, are you listening? It's only $39.95 and you can download a free demo to try. It doesn't work on all games, but they have a compatibility center for you to check out what works and what doesn't. They also offer a product "CrossOver Mac" that is made to do the same thing for more Windows applications (but cost a little more).
You have a trade-off here. While the games should run at native speeds, not all do, and not all games play. However, the fact that it will run "natively" is pretty sweet, and even sweeter is that you don't pay Microsoft a dime. I'm a little concerned about possibilities of viruses jumping over from Windows to Mac a little bit easier, but you have to take your chance somewhere. This is defenitely something to check out if you are a gamer. There is no word yet on how it runs on different Mac form factors. Naturally it will run better on a MacPro than it will on a MacMini, but you have to expect that.
- Code Weavers' CrossOver Games via MacWorld -
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Hideo's Mac Style Notebook |
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While we all know Hideo Takano for his awesome mods, here's one that you can do yourself and show off at the next meeting you go to. Hideo took his basic notebook (the kind that holds paper, not RAM) and modded it to be a mac style notebook.
