Section: Software + Apps , Home and Personal , Video , Mac + Computers , Peripherals Boxee, aiming to make the internet the fourth method of distribution in today’s world, has announced they will be launching a payment system as part of their business model. According to their post, their goal is to “equip the content providers that we’ve spoken with over the past year, both big and small, with a way to monetize their content above and beyond the advertising-only model.” With one click of the Boxee remote that comes with all of their set top boxes , users will have access to videos and shows that weren’t on Boxee before at a reasonable and affordable price. Don’t worry, though, Boxee promises to create “the best experience possible for users” while enabling content owners to make some money in the process. Boxee plans to have the system out this summer, probably along with their set top box.While they got their start by hacking the Apple TV, Boxee has grown to be a great media company that offers a beautiful interface for accessing all of our favorite, free content on the web through your TV. Put simply, they are what the Apple TV should have been. I look forward to seeing what this business model entails in more detail later this year. Via [ Boxee Blog ] Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell . | Comment on this Article »

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Boxee announces Boxee payments

Section: iPhone , iPhone , Mac + Computers , Peripherals , Keyboards Blogger Phil Gyford recently decided he’d stop wondering which text input device is best for him and put them to the test. So, he gathered up six gadgets with different types of input and from different generations. To undergo his test, he decided upon a 221 word passage that he would type on each device and time the amount of time it took him to complete the passage. As you can see from the chart below, the results, while interesting, aren’t really surprising. It makes sense that the keyboard would be the quickest, yet I’m also not surprised the iPhone, with its superior predictive text, is right behind it. He also offers some fascinating analysis of each input method based upon how many corrections he found himself making while entering the passage. Obviously, the more mistakes you make, the longer it takes. Therefore, the better the device is as finding these mistakes itself, such as with the iPhone, the more painless it’s going to be to use. For those interested, the passage he typed was: I have enough faith in my fellow creatures in Great Britain to believe that when they have got over the delirium of the television, when they realize that their new homes that they have been put into are mortgaged to the hilt, when they realize that the moneylender has been elevated to the highest position in the land, when they realize that the refinements for which they should look are not there, that it is a vulgar society of which no decent person could be proud, when they realize all those things, when the years go by and they see the challenge of modern society not being met by the Tories who can consolidate their political powers only on the basis of national mediocrity, who are unable to exploit the resources of their scientists because they are prevented by the greed of their capitalism from doing so, when they realize that the flower of our youth goes abroad today because they are not being given opportunities of using their skill and their knowledge properly at home, when they realize that all the tides of history are flowing in our direction, that we are not beaten, that we represent the future: then, when we say it and mean it, then we shall lead our people to where they deserve to be led! Be sure to head over to Mr.

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Text input speed test: Pen vs. keyboard vs. Newton vs. Graffiti vs. Treo vs. iPhone

Section: Software + Apps , Miscellaneous , Third-Party , iPod + iTunes , iPod touch , iPhone , iPhone , iPhone SDK & Apps , Mac + Computers , Software Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for January 22, 2010: Macintosh iFunia has released iFunia AVCHD Converter for Mac , a new application designed to help Mac users convert AVCHD video into any video format. The program lets users work with most AVCHD video files recorded by Panasonic, JVC, Canon, Sony and more AVCHD camcorders. It enables converting AVCHD M2TS, MTS, MOD, TOD video to all popular video formats, including HD. RAGE Software has announced the immediate availability of their Step by Step iWeb SEO Instructional Video Tutorial . The iWeb SEO Video provides easy to follow steps to getting your iWeb site listed in search engines, attracting more search engine visitors and exposing your website to your target market. Combined with the free iWeb SEO Tool software, iWeb users can finally achieve the same, or better, search engine rankings that other websites have enjoyed for years. Agile Web Solutions has announced 1Password 3.0.4 , an update to its award-winning password and identity manager for the Mac. 1Password is a highly secure database to keep track of web site logins, secure notes, identities, credit cards, bank accounts, and software registration information. This deceptively minor update adds over 60 new features, changes, and fixes, and is available free to registered users. 1Password 3 is compatible with Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. Mien Software has released MediaEdit 3.1.8 for the Mac, a consumer-level video editing tool which supports standard painting tools and multiple layers. Designed specifically for moviemakers, amateur photographers and new creative artists, MediaEdit 3 can edit virtually all QuickTime compatible formats. This update improves stability and support for Snow Leopard

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Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – January 22, 2010

Section: Software + Apps , Miscellaneous , Third-Party , iPod + iTunes , iPod touch , iPhone , iPhone , iPhone SDK & Apps , Mac + Computers , Software Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for January 22, 2010: Macintosh iFunia has released iFunia AVCHD Converter for Mac , a new application designed to help Mac users convert AVCHD video into any video format. The program lets users work with most AVCHD video files recorded by Panasonic, JVC, Canon, Sony and more AVCHD camcorders. It enables converting AVCHD M2TS, MTS, MOD, TOD video to all popular video formats, including HD. RAGE Software has announced the immediate availability of their Step by Step iWeb SEO Instructional Video Tutorial . The iWeb SEO Video provides easy to follow steps to getting your iWeb site listed in search engines, attracting more search engine visitors and exposing your website to your target market. Combined with the free iWeb SEO Tool software, iWeb users can finally achieve the same, or better, search engine rankings that other websites have enjoyed for years. Agile Web Solutions has announced 1Password 3.0.4 , an update to its award-winning password and identity manager for the Mac. 1Password is a highly secure database to keep track of web site logins, secure notes, identities, credit cards, bank accounts, and software registration information. This deceptively minor update adds over 60 new features, changes, and fixes, and is available free to registered users. 1Password 3 is compatible with Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. Mien Software has released MediaEdit 3.1.8 for the Mac, a consumer-level video editing tool which supports standard painting tools and multiple layers. Designed specifically for moviemakers, amateur photographers and new creative artists, MediaEdit 3 can edit virtually all QuickTime compatible formats. This update improves stability and support for Snow Leopard. Built completely from the ground up with the latest video editing technologies.

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Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – January 22, 2010

Section: Mac + Computers , Features , Interviews Scott Steinberg, a technology expert and publisher of Digital Trends , always has interesting things to say about all things technology. Appearing on networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and CNN—as well as covering news from the The New York Times and other outlets—Scott certainly has plenty of experience in this field. So, we decided we’d ask him his thoughts on what’s going to happen closer to the end of this month with the Apple tablet. Between pricing strategies and features, Scott provided some very interesting insight into what Apple may be thinking at this point in time. How do you think Apple will market the tablet that is expected to be announced on the 27th? Will it be geared towards artists, the general population, something else? A: If current Apple products are any guideline, it will almost certainly be marketed as a multimedia-friendly device designed to fit the everyday user’s lifestyle that provides painless access to online/streaming content; allows for robust email and Web browsing; and offers the ability to read eBooks/magazines/newspapers and play high-quality music, videos, photos and games. Considering the smashing success Apple has had in recent years courting the average guy or gal on the street with the iPhone, MacBook and other similar products, well… Let’s just say it wouldn’t be farfetched to suspect that that the company will also adopt a mainstream stance when marketing this new gadget.

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Appletell exclusive: Tech expert Scott Steinberg’s take on the Apple tablet

Section: iPod + iTunes , iPod Accessories , Headphones , iPhone , iPhone Accessories , iPhone , Mac + Computers , Peripherals , Reviews Provides: High end over the ear sound Developer: Monster Cable Minimum Requirements: (high quality) audio source 1/8 or 1/4 inch Price: $349 Availability: Now When Monster first announced the Beats by Dre line of headphones, most of the world said “What? Why is Monster making headphones?” And it might have been a valid question at the time, as many consumers tend to view Monster as an “overpriced” cable company. But I can assure you, they are much more than a high end cable manufacturer; they clearly know what they are doing with audio and headphones. And with the Beats line, they’ve created an amazing product that is not only an example of how good consumer audio can be, but continues to influence fashion and popular culture. The Beats Studios technically aren’t DJ style headphones; they’re simply large, over-the-ear headphones.  Essentially, the ear cups don’t spin around to allow you to listen to audio from one side, so you shouldn’t call them DJ style.  That’s fine, because they weren’t intended to be.  But they do everything else you’d expect them to, and some things you definitely wouldn’t.  They fold up for portability and storage, and they come with a very nice black case.  Though, on top of your head might be a better choice of transportation, as you won’t ever want to take them off, and you’ll likely become more fashionable as a result. Feature-wise, the Beats Studios are fully loaded.  Obviously, great headphones begin with great audio, but let’s talk features first.  The Beats Studio come in two colors, black and white.  The plastic these are made out of is scratch resistant.  So, while you’ll obviously be gentle with these, you are safe from minor scuffs.  The foam on the ear cups and on the top for head cushion is very comfortable. The Studio headphones come with two adapters: one for an airplane, and one to convert from the headphones’ 1/8 inch to a 1/4 inch connector.  Continuing inside the box, you’ll find a cleaning cloth and two cables to connect your headphones to your audio sources: one regular red cable and a black one with iSoniTalk (iDevice controls).  Both of these are nice, thicker-than-your-average-cord cords.  And since this is Monster we’re talking about, these are top of the line cables.  The quality here even shows in small details such as the button choice for the iSoniTalk cable.  This is by far the most satisfying button I’ve used for controlling iPod playback via headphones.  I know that sounds silly, but the button itself is larger than most, has a nice soft plastic texture, and depresses perfectly.  If you’ve used Apple’s playback controls on iPhone headphones, you know it’s less than optimal.  The button is small, doesn’t always feel like it’s being depressed (especially in cold weather) and degrades towards unusability much faster than it should.  If only it had the Volume Up and Down controls on the cord.  Of course, since the cord is detachable, they could still make this.  Monster…please do. Update:   The upcoming Beats by Dr. Dre Spin headphones will come with ControlTalk, which does feature volume controls.  Awesome

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Appletell reviews the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones from Monster

Section: Software + Apps , Miscellaneous , Third-Party , iPod + iTunes , iPod touch , iPhone , iPhone , iPhone SDK & Apps , Mac + Computers , Software Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for January 21, 2010: Macintosh Ortelius 1.0.5 , the vector-based map illustration tool for Mac OS X, was released today for download. Ortelius is loaded with hundreds of map styles and symbols, dozens of royalty-free vector map templates, and special cartography tools that help you streamline the creation of custom map graphics, plans, and scaled drawings. Ortelius 1.0.5 is a free update for existing users and is available as a free download for evaluation. Conceited Software has announced Linkinus 2.1.2 , an advanced chat app for Mac OS X. Linkinus 2 provides a rich, social IRC experience, featuring embedded media, short URL expansion, message starring, combined chats, emoticons, and much more. Assign colors to chat participants, grouping consecutive messages into a unique block, customizing emoticons, smart scrolling, putting the spotlight on specific channel users, jumping to highlights and being alerted of relevant content automatically. Xeric Design has announced EarthDesk 5.2 , an update to its award-winning, real-time dynamic desktop map.

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Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – January 21, 2010

Section: Rumors , Mac + Computers Some people aren’t too bothered for next week’s Apple event. Some are obsessively reading each and every rumor, unable to sleep in anticipation of what might emerge from the keynote. Others, however, put their opinions onto paper. Or rather, Photoshop. Take a look at these concept drawings suggested to us by Cosmo Scharf. There are a couple of interesting ideas included in them. I particularly like the menu on the left-hand side, which I imagine would scroll up and down, or possibly serve as a dock.

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Apple tablet: one fan’s concept drawings

Section: Software + Apps , Miscellaneous , Third-Party , iPod + iTunes , iPod touch , iPhone , iPhone , iPhone SDK & Apps , Mac + Computers , Software Macintosh and iPhone/iPod updates and announcements for January 20, 2010: Macintosh hField Technologies has just launched a new generation of software for its world-renowned Wi-Fire for Macintosh. Now, Mac users who love the Wi-Fire’s long range and high performance get the comfortable look and feel they’re used to with Apple’s AirPort. Green & Slimy Software has released Thoughts , a new note taking application for Mac OS X. With Thoughts users can organize their notes using the familiar page, notebook and shelve metaphors. In addition, Thoughts provides advanced text formatting, including adding images, creating tables and exporting to common Word processor formats. Additionally, Thoughts allows exporting to common file formats, such as Microsoft Word, PDF and OpenOffice. Mac Bundle Box has announced its seventh promotion. Mac Bundle Box will be donating 10% of its revenue to the Haiti Earthquake relief effort to help the more than 3 million people that have been injured or killed in the recent earthquake. The bundle consists of 6 premier Mac applications from a wide variety of categories. The aim of this Mac Bundle Box promotion is to raise money for the Haiti relief for two weeks whilst still being able to support independent Mac software development. Pubblog has announced the release of FileMyFiles , a new file organizing utility for Mac OS X. With one click, FileMyFiles will clean up your Desktop.

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Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup – January 20, 2010

Section: Mac + Computers , Peripherals If you have Apple gear, then it’s quite likely that you won’t buy just any accessory. No, it has to both look good and do something useful. Quirky’s newest product, the Space Bar, is both sleek and useful. And just to top it off, it’s priced reasonably, too. The Space Bar is simple product. It’s a shelf with a built in USB hub.  But simplicity is not so easily executed, but Quirky sure makes it seem like it is.  The Spacebar is a very well designed aluminum shelf with six USB ports that are easily accessible on the front.  The shelf is meant to give you a space on your desk to tuck away your keyboard after a long day of typing.  It will cover your Apple longboard quite nicely.  I just talked with Quirky, and was told that the Space Bar actually does come with an AC adapter, so you won’t have to worry about your USB ports not having enough power. Want one? I know I do. You can grab one now at Quirky’s site for $42.  If you decide to wait, it’s going to go up to $48, which is still a decent price. Product [ The Space Bar ] Full Story » | Written by Jake Gaecke for Appletell . | Comment on this Article »

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Quirky releases Space Bar, a sleek aluminum shelf with USB hub