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  • Colonel
    Parallels has released a new build of it's virtualization software for Mac OS X, Build 3120. The new build includes many long awaited features such as USB 2.0 support and improved graphics performance. The Parallels forum gives us a good idea of what the new update contains.

    USB 2.0 support - “Plug and play” popular USB devices like external hard drives, printers, scanners and USB 2.0 web cameras, and use them at full native speed.
    NOTE! Current Build 3120 doesn’t support iSight and some other web cameras
    Full-feature virtual CD/DVD drive - Burn CDs and DVDs directly in virtual machines, and play any copy-protected CD or DVD just like you would on a real PC
    Coherence - The groundbreaking feature that lets you run Windows applications without seeing Windows just got better! Learn more about Coherence >>
    Better Boot Camp support - Using your Boot Camp partition in Parallels Desktop is now easier than ever. RC’s Boot Camp support includes:
    Full support for FAT32 and NTFS partitions
    Easy offline configuration. Simply tell Parallels Desktop that you want to create a virtual machine from a Boot Camp Partition and click start. No complicated set up required!
    No need to re-activate Windows each time you switch between Boot Camp and Parallels. Activate Windows only once inside Parallels and work in both environments
     
    IMPORTANT! It is not possible to suspend a Virtual Machine that is connected to Boot Camp as it could result in an unstable system.
     
    VERY IMPORTANT! Beta1 (build 3036) users must boot natively into Boot Camp and uninstall Parallels Tools for Boot Camp prior to running it in RC (build 3120).
    Transporter RC bundled - migrate your real Windows PC, or existing VMware or Virtual PC VMs to Parallels virtual machines! Learn more about Transporter RC >>
     
    IMPORTANT! Beta1 users MUST upgrade their Transporter package on their Windows source machine before using Transporter in RC. Failing to do so may result in a system crash and loss of data
    NEW! Added keyboard remapping configuration
    New Look and Feel - completely redesigned windows and easier to follow dialogues to make Desktop for Mac more user-friendly than ever
    True “Drag and Drop” functionality - a long awaited feature that lets you seamlessly drag and drop files and folders from Windows to Mac OS X and vice versa. Parallels Desktop now shares the entire Mac file structure between OS X and Windows - no more worrying about which copy of the file is the most recently updated!
    Read/Write Boot Camp partition - use your Apple Boot Camp Partition as a virtual HDD for Parallels Desktop for Mac
    Virtual Machine Catalogue - now all of your virtual machines are available through a centralized VM catalogue which appears on each Parallels Desktop for Mac instance
    One-click Virtual Machine Aliases - automatically create a desktop shortcut for your virtual machine with the OS Installation Assistant, by dragging-and-dropping from title bar, or by pressing Command-Option keys combination. Clicking on Alias automatically starts the Virtual Machine
    Resizable Main Window - resize the Parallels Desktop for Mac main window as you do with any other Mac application
    Auto-Adjusting Screen Resolution - Windows auto-adjusts its screen resolution to the actual main window size
    Improved graphic performance - up to 50% faster!
    Connect/disconnect USB devices schema improved - no more annoying “wait 5-10 seconds” message on USB device connecting to Parallels Desktop for Mac!
    Up to 5 Virtual NICs - now each Virtual Machine can have up to five virtual network interfaces
    Enhanced Shared Networking Mode - run Cisco VPN and many other complex networking applications in conjunction with Connection Sharing Mode
    Lots of various fixes
    You can download the build from Parallel's download page. 
    Please make sure to tell us what you think.
  • Swad
    New to the revamped AirPort Extreme is a cool new disk sharing feature called, surprisingly enough, "AirPort Disk." The word on the street (or, more accurately, Apple's website) is that it makes sharing an external hard drive as easy as (Apple?) pie.


    New to AirPort Extreme, AirPort Disk turns almost any external USB hard drive into a shared drive. Simply connect the drive to the USB port on the back of your AirPort Extreme and — voila — all the documents, videos, photos, and other files on the drive instantly become available to anyone on the secure network, Mac and PC alike. It’s perfect for backups, collaborative projects, and more.
     
    A simple-to-use AirPort Disk Utility gives you more setup options. You could set the disk to become available whenever you connect to the network. You could set up password-protected accounts for everybody on the network, or allow read-only access to certain files and folders. The choice is yours. What a handy concept. As more computer users move their computers onto home networks, user-friendly features such as this will be a welcomed blessing. As someone who has spent hours cursing Microsoft for a poorly implemented sharing system in XP, I can appreciate the plug-and-play simplicity of AirPort Disk. It even works with Apple TV.
     
    I'm not sure if Apple is the first company to implement such a feature, but I'm certainly glad they did.
  • REVENGE
    Aside from Microsoft's entertainment and devices division president Robbie Bach's comments on how the iPhone will face "significant hurdles" in the market, it seems that the iPhone has already run into legal trouble before its official release.
     
    As it turns out, the "iPhone" moniker had already been registered by a group named Infogear over a decade ago in 1996. Infogear was acquired in 2000 by the now merged Cisco-Linksys group, which had just recently released their i[nternet]Phone back in December. On Tuesday, Cisco representatives disclosed that they've had many discussions with Apple over the naming issue recently, and that "it is our belief that Apple intends to agree to the final document. We expect to receive a signed agreement today (Tuesday)."
     
    Well, Tuesday came and gone with no word from Apple, but things took a turn for the worst yesterday when the Associated Press reported that Cisco has in fact filed a lawsuit against Apple for trademark infringement. In the end, it seems that the negotiations between the two companies failed, and it looks like Cisco has the advantage as they've possessed ownership of the "iPhone" name for over 5 years now.
     
    In addition to the bitter legal battle over naming the device that's about to ensue, Apple has also yet to receive FCC approval of its new device. The device must receive approval before it can be sold to anyone. It seems that Apple really must get ready to jump a few hurdles before it can enter the market.
  • Swad

    CrossOver Mac 6.0 released

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    ~Neo dropped by in Reader News to remind us that, amidst all the iPhone/Apple TV hubbub at Macworld, CodeWeavers released the final version of CrossOver Mac 6.0. CodeWeavers states that the app...


    ...allows you to install many popular Windows applications and games on Mac OS X. CrossOver includes an easy to use, single click interface, which makes installing Windows software simple and fast. Once installed, your application integrates seamlessly in OS X. Just click and run your application directly from the OS X Finder. Clicking a Windows file or document — including email attachments — will launch the appropriate Windows program, allowing you to work on the files. Best of all, you do it all easily and affordably, without needing a Microsoft operating system license. The application is available from the CodeWeavers website for $55 or free for a 60 day trial period.
     
    It's great to see such competition in the Mac virtualization market, pitting Vmware vs. Parallels and Parallels' Converge vs. CrossOver, each one trying to outdo and improve upon their competitor's feature set. Capitalism is a beautiful thing, ain't it?
  • sHARD>>
    Want to know what a hub-bub the iPhone caused? Well everyone forgot about the sleeper hit of the expo, Axiotron's ModBook tablet. Sure, it doesn't have state-of-the-art technology on board, but people have been clamoring for a tablet Mac for ages.
     
    So what's it like? Expensive for one. It starts at the low, low price of $2,200, getting you a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo, 512MB of RAM, a 60GB 5200 RPM hard drive, a combo drive, and all the features of a low-end MacBook. Of course, what's more important here are the tablet features. The ModBook packs a Wacom digitizer featuring 256 pressure levels below it's strengthened glass cover. It's compatable with Apple's Inkwell technology, offering the full set of tablet features. Along with the writing system comes a new LCD, offering improved contrast and wider viewing angles. Interestingly Axiotron also chose to pack a GPS module into the unit, enabling location tracking. It's all packaged in an attractive case, featuring the aluminum stylings of the MacBook Pro. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Axiotron was able to pack a keyboard into this thing, limiting it's potential as a convertable laptop.
     
    What's the catch? We've heard previous reports that the Mod in ModBook meant you'd have to do the work yourself, but interestingly the website makes no mention of this fact. The best information we got was from a product spec sheet: "Mod-kit for MacBooks: Convert your standard MacBook into a tablet computer". Sounds bleak.
     
    Our verdict? A fun toy, but the lack of keyboard and joy of a do-it-yourself project is going to stop all but the hardcore Mac user, if the price hasn't already.
     
    Pre-order or view the brochure [PDF]
  • sHARD>>

    802.11n Comes to Intel Macs

    By sHARD>>, in OSx86,

    Remember all those rumors of 802.11n WiFi in Intel Macs? Well, it's coming soon to all Core 2 Duo units. InsanelyMac user neckarb's sharp eyes found a small note on the new Airport Extreme's product page:
     

     
    What's that mean? It seems that all newer iMacs, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and Mac Pros will be able to get in on the 802.11n goodness, for free.
     
    Product pages still note "Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11g)", so it seems the upgrade is not yet in the wild.
  • sHARD>>

    Macworld 2007: Roundup

    By sHARD>>, in OSx86,

    Here's what we've learned:
     
    iTV
    The iTV has now dropped its codename and is officially known as AppleTV. It sports a 40GB hard drive, 720p HD output, 802.11b/g/n wireless, connects to the iTunes store, can stream content from up to 5 computers, and sync content with another computer. It costs $299, can be preordered today, and will ship in February.
     
    Price: $299
    Shipping: February
    Buy it now: Apple store
    Product page: Apple TV
     
    iPhone & iPod
    Next up is the famed iPhone. This was coyly introduced as an iPod, iPhone, and "Internet Communicator"... all in one! Big widescreen, fully touch sensitive, multitouch, gestures, runs a version of OS X. It docks and syncs with iTunes, and can play movies, music, podcasts, TV shows, photos, contacts, and e-mail. It has a 3.5" high res screen, with 160 pixels per inch and is 11/16" thick, though it is a bit taller and wider than a standard cell phone. The screen is very impressive, though the interface looks vaguely Zune-like, in it's focus on a colorful wallpaper. It houses 4GB or 8GB of onboard flash memory. A nice 2 Megapixel camera is housed on the back of it, a standard iPod connector at the bottom, and an ambient light sensor to adjust brightness. The built-in speaker appears to function with music, not just the phone system. It also houses an acceleromoter to automatically turn on the display, and orientation detection to adjust the screen to portrait or landscape.
     
    It appears that Cingular is the only carrier to have the iPhone, and as it is GSM, it also takes SIM cards. It also takes advantage of the faster EDGE network, giving mobile broadband. Connectivity also includes WiFi and Bluetooth, allowing it to connect to home networks and pair with other devices. The onstage demos showed the device flying, looking very much like a full-scale laptop with its Core animation support. Yes, that means it supports Coverflow. Overall the interface is designed with the typical Apple ethos - everything is simple and attractive.
     
    "Visual" voicemail which let's you select which voicemails you wish to listen to, quick buttons to conference call, mute, speakerphone, etc. Along with standard SMS features (iChat style), the phone also supports e-mail, enhanced with a new form of predictive input. A minimalist version of Safari is used for web browsing, using the power of the WebKit engine for everything from Google Maps to Widgets (both demoed). Yes, it even has tabs. In order to offer cheaper and more reliable internet access, it automatically switches between the EDGE and WiFi connections. Free e-mail with Yahoo! uses a system similar to that on Blackberries (push IMAP). Back to Google Maps for a second - finally, a phone which uses the GPS features... it knows where you are.
     
    The interface is, in general, very OS X like. With the added joys of multitouch, photos can be resized with two fingers, web pages can zoom in and out, and more. And don't forget multi-tasking. Browse the web while making a call, shoot off some e-mails. Music auto-pauses when a call comes in much like the older iTunes software for phones. With all these features, battery life sits at a respectable 5 hours talk time, 16 with audio only.
     
    Price: 4GB: $499 (with 2 year contract)
    8GB: $599 (with 2 year contract)
    Shipping: US: June
    Europe: Quarter 4
    Asia: 2008
    Product page: iPhone
     
    Google & Yahoo
    What the heck? I remarked to fellow InsanelyMac user other that it would be fairly amusing if Google bought Apple... moments before Eric Schmidt walks on stage and they start talking about doing a "merge without merging". What's that translate to? It seems it's a "strong partnership". But then again, they've also announced heavy Yahoo integration with the iPhone.
     
    Apple Computer
    Is no more. Now it's just Apple, Inc.
     
    Airport Extreme
    Here's a little gem that managed to escape the keynote: the AirPort Extreme Base Station has launched and can be found at the Apple Store. It sports 802.11a/b/g/n, 3 LAN ports, a USB port for a printer or hard drive, and a new design resembling the Mac mini or Apple TV.
     
    Price: $179
    Shipping: February
    Buy it now: Apple store
     
    Pictures and Video
    Need a peek at the units? Check out MacRumors, Engadget, or Gizmodo.
    The 2007 Keynote can be found at Apple's 2007 Keynote Address page.
     
    Commentary
    Wow, so the iPhone is really here. It's... amazing, though a bit pricey. But with those features, it's hard to complain.
  • Swad
    MacWorld 2007 is here! That time of year when we check our bank account one last time, just in case there are some extra funds for that latest iLust OMGIMUSTHAVE piece of consumerism.
     
    Here at InsanelyMac, with much of our staff being the poor college students we are, being unable to attend this pilgrimage to MacHaven, we've established a tradition of doing the next best thing - posting live news and comments, and giving you a chance to give us your own play-by-play.
     
    So, check back here throughout the keynote for the latest news from around the web... and let us know what you think!
  • Alex Oughton
    It's that time of year again, and with the rumor mill spinning as fast as ever, SetteB.IT have posted an interesting set of behind-the-scenes photos from the setup for this year's Macworld.
     
    InsanelyMac as always will be steering clear of some of the more 'dubious' rumors doing the rounds this year, but look forward to a complete roundup of all of the facts after this year's keynote from Steve Jobs.
     
    Until then, let's all just salivate over this photo set...
  • kevin_4e
    If you find your e-mail inbox out of control, take control with Gmail+Growl. Gmail+Growl is a free universal notifier, keeping you up-to-date with each and every message you receive by using Growl notifications... Although you may have the QuickTime component, Perian, a better codec pack has now taken its place. The “Codec Pack for All the New Mac Users” may even help out some of the more experienced Mac OS X users with “the native intel builds for AC3 audio/XviD Video, DivX, and WMV” all included... Uh-Oh, looks like Steve Jobs may be in some trouble of his own. In 2001, Steve Jobs was supposedly “handed 7.5 million stock options without the required authorization.” More can be read at MSNBC’s story along with a few videos... The new year brought in a few new products from Apple, but not quite yet. At least we know hope Amazon’s iWork and iLife ads are soon to come... With the latest Parallels build just being released, look what Microsoft’s Internet Explorer can do to you...
     
    If you haven't managed to check out Shreedhan’s new blog, make sure to do so. Appleication is loaded with plenty of news and apps that should keep you busy... With MacWorld just around the corner, Steve Jobs will be presenting his own keynote Tuesday, January 9. While there won't be a live video feed, MacRumors promises to keep us well informed with “up-to-the second” news at their Live Event Coverage page (We'll also be culling news from all the sources along with a chance for you to comment live here on the forum)... And finally, all I can say about this video is that I hope you take better care of your Mac than
    ...
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