insight

Apr 27 2009

Watch your USB for Free

When Apple had the insight to replace its proprietary ADB connectors with USB, the Mac community rejoiced – and rightly so. USB has brought a slew of 3rd party peripherals to the platform. USB has also brought some interesting new quirks. Fortunately there is a great piece of freeware that will put your hot-swappable world in order.

USB Monitor is a simple utility that identifies USB devices as they are plugged, unplugged or otherwise activated. This utility provides a great way to monitor your devices without having to launch your Apple System Profiler.

The install the application you move it to your hard drive and double click its icon. After that the system extra works in the background, waiting for some USB action.

USB Monitor can be downloaded here and is free.

Brian

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Mar 13 2007

Mac OS X 10.4.9 updates posted. Harbinger of an early Leopard release?

Today Apple posted a barrage of Mac OS X updates bringing the operating system and server software up to version 10.4.9. Launch Software Update to get the download that was tailor made for your particular Tiger set-up. Here are the links for future reference (also check them out for all that has been updated, changed, added and protected against as the list is too long to publish here):

Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Update (PPC)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (PPC)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update (Intel)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update (Intel)
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update (PPC)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Update (Universal)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Combo Update (Universal)
Mac OS X Server 10.4.9 Combo Update (PPC)
I have no sources on the inside at Apple, I have no crystal ball or special insight on when Apple plans to release Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard.” But I do doubt reports that the next generation of Mac OS X is going to be released in late April. Is this 10.4.9 update the harbinger of 10.5? Well, yes if only that 10.5 comes immediately after 10.4.9, but how long you’ll have to wait for the OS-odometer to click over to 10.5 is still not clear.

I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong before and I welcome the opportunity to be wrong again. But beside the comments of a few developers I’ve talked to who say that the builds of Leopard that they have been using are unstable and “bugs-o-plenty,” I also recall that previous major Mac OS X release dates were announced well in advance of the actual drop date. Apple seems to really like to ramp up anticipation for its big releases. Apple Stores hold big events to launch the OSs, closing midday to reopen and celebrate the new “X” later that evening. Apple probably also enjoys grabbing the money for the new operating system releases in the form of preorders in advance of the actual release date. It’s good for news, it’s good for business and it’s good theater.

Maybe Apple will announce a release date in late April, but I’m guessing they won’t be releasing Leopard that early.

Agree? Disagree? The discussion is here.
Note:

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Apr 13 2005

iPods In the White House

The contents of U.S. President George W. Bush’s iPod were recently leaked by a White House aide. Many people speculate that someone’s musical tastes provide an insight to their personality. So what’s the verdict on W based on the Presidential iPod playlists?

It’s official, the President jams like the rest of us.
Originally given to him as a birthday gift from his twin daughters last July, George W. and his iPod have become inseparable and reportedly he won’t exercise without it. It’s not clear if the iPod makes a good “spotter” during weightlifting or not.

The playlists on the Presidential iPod include mostly country music. However several rock tunes make an appearance including Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, and the Knack. The New York Times reports the iPod contains only about 250 songs, but it has a capacity for 10,000+.

bush ipod iPods In the White HouseApparently Bush’s iPod isn’t alone in the White House. Vice President Dick Cheney was spotted on the set of NBC’s news program Meet the Press with a blue iPod Mini.

While the music on the President’s iPod has been made public, the Vice President has managed to keep the contents of his iPod a closely guarded secret.

It kind of makes you curious. What would Dick Cheney listen to on his iPod? A blogger named Ryan Boudinot speculates that the following playlists might be on Cheney’s iPod:

  • Classified Light
  • Classified Driving Music
  • Classified Smooth Jazz
  • Ashcroft, Seals and Croft
  • Rock and Roll, Probably
  • Prehomosexual Elton John
  • Now That’s What I Call Music! (Vols. 1-10)
  • Republican Party Music

So the next time you hear that President Bush is doing something imperative for the safety of the world, picture him and Dick Cheney singing “My Sharona” or hosting an iPod DJ Party.
Note:

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