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I finally had the opportunity to sit down and have a discussion with long time MacCast listener and fellow podcaster Colm, from The Colmination. To kick off the discusssion we tried out iLife ’06 and it’s new iChat recording features, we do the Colmination Top 5 Mac-style and talk about our histories with Apple and the Mac. Listen to the AAC here and be sure to checkout the Colmination, which I describe as a “hanging with the guys” lifestyle podcast. Each episode the Colm has a buddy or two over and they talk about life, sports, video games and music. If your lucky Colm’s lovely girlfriend Alissa will also make an appearance and share a gross medical story.

Recently I had the opportunity to do an interview with a couple of teen podcasters. Brandon and Erik are the hosts of the Mr. Mac Geek Podcast and they are probably some of the most articulate and well prepared teen podcasters I have encountered. For my episode we got together and discussed all the recent announcements at MacWorld 2006. There were some slight audio glitches due to Skype, but overall I think it is an episode many would enjoy. Check it out over on http://www.mrmacgeek.com.

Listener Andre pointed out a really cool feature of the new MacBook Pro that many, including myself, had missed. If you carefully read the “Pure Digital Signal” section of the MacBook Pro Graphics page on Apples site you’ll see this:

…you get three options for using your display: dual-display mode, video mirroring, and lid-closed mode.

So apparently the MacBook can be run with the lid shut. This is a BIG change from the PowerBook. With the PowerBooks you can use software like Sleepless, but doing so could cause excess heat and damage your Mac, so it is NOT recommended. I’m sure addition of lid closed operation will be a welcome feature for many new MacBook owners.

OOPS: Looks like I made a mistake on this one. From the comments on this post it looks like PowerBook have been able to run with the lid closed for a while now. The trick is they need to be connected to an external display. I was confused becasue this topic came up on the MacCast in the past, but in that case the listener wanted to run with the lid closed and still have the PowerBook a connected to the network, but with no external monitor attached. He wanted it available for server operation.

Listen to today’s show here!
MC20060112.mp3 [43.0mb 01:33:50 64kbps]

A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 114. Macworld. Apple retail sales figures, iPod FM Tuner remote control, new iPod “Jazz” ad with Wynton Marsalis. New Widgets in OS 10.4.4 update.

iLife ’06:
iPhoto: Support for 250,000 Photos. Improved performance. Photocasting (RSS). Full screen editing. Cards, Calendars and improved books. Integration with new iWeb.

iTunes: New TV content from NBC, Saturday Night Live (SNL). New “Mini Store”. Is the Mini Store a privacy concern?

iMovie HD: Really cool themes. Real time effects and titles. Audio effects. Multiple project support. iPod video export, Podcasting and iWeb integration.

iDVD: Magic iDVD wizard. Support for Widescreen DVDs. Autofill dropzones. Improved DVD map view. Support for 3rd party DVD burners.

Garageband: Podcast recording studio. Enhanced podcasts. Auto “ducking”. Hundreds of royalty free elements. Vocal enhancements and noise filters. iChat recording. Video track for adding iMovie scores. Integration with iWeb for publishing.

iWeb: A brand new app. Really nice templates and iLife media integration. Blog and Podcast pages with RSS support. Photo galleries and slides shows using AJAX. Works with .Mac for easy publishing and HTML export.

iWork ’06:
Pages 2 and Keynote 3: New themes. HD Themes. 3D Charts, Tables with Calculations. Freeform shapes curves and masks. Address Book mail merge. Reviewer comments.

New Intel iMac: Same models 17″ and 20″, same prices. Intel Core Duo processors, and 2.0GHz Core Duo, ATI Radeon X1600 PCI Express graphics. Built-in iSight, Frontrow and remote. 2-3 times faster than the current iMac G5. Extended desktop support. Developers eligible to get a free Intel iMac.

New Intel MacBook Pro: Love the machine, hate the name. 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo or 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo. 4-5 times faster than the PowerBook G4. 15.4″ screen that is 67% brighter than G4 display. ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics. Built-in iSight. IR sensor and remote for FrontRow. 4x single layer instead of 8x dual layer SuperDrive??! One FireWire 400 port, Two USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard/34 slot (new PCMCIA spec). Thinner than the 17″ PowerBook. The power cable is held in place magnetically. MagSafe. Ships in February. No battery life specs?

New Apple Intel TV Ad. Technology may make Intel Mac Dual booting a challenge. Quicktime 7.0.4 released, pulled and re-released. Quicktime on OS 10.3.9 messes up the Macromedia Player 8. Apple Stock closes at an “Intel” Price, $80.86. Levis announces iPod jeans. Google Earth now available for Mac OS X. Apple starts using “Vingle” trademark. Tip: Word complete/lookup in Apple Mail. Review of Logitech USB Microphone. Do Widgets slow down your Mac? In additional to educational discounts, Apple also offers Governmental discounts. 15″ PowerBook update may improve your battery life. Listener feedback on Aperture VS. Adobe Lightroom

New music, Every Little Thing by Valley Lodge

We are fugitives of the law. Idiocy is our only option.

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MC20060110.mp3 [28.3mb 01:01:43 64kbps]

A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 113. The MacWorld predictions and additional MacWorld info. Adobes Aperture competitor, Lightroom. Widgets on your iPod? Next generation Lego Mindstorms, Lego Mindstorms NXT. Apple laptops don’t fair well in “reliability” study. Sandvox, a new web development app from Karelia, iPod Film Festival. Microsoft OS X… oh, I mean Vista. Follow-up: Mac equivalent to Norton GoBack. Follow-up: iMovie HD transitions with “popping” audio. Free Soundseeing Tours of San Francisco. Getting “status” in Apple Mail. Podcasting + Books = PodioBooks.

New music, Country Song by Icepaw.

Promos from the Mac Announcements Podcast and Engagement Headengagementhead.blogspot.com.

You have no idea what you have unleashed.

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MC20060105.mp3 [19.8mb 00:43:08 64kbps]

A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 112. MacCast at CES in Las Vegas. Skype me if you are in town (themaccast). My road kit and the Samson C01U Condenser Mic. Apple updates Airport routers and Bluetooth. Pete Townshend reminds us to turn down our iPods. Disney/ABC expand their iTunes line-up. iTunes dropped from new ROKR phone. Finally help with uninstalling Mac Apps. AppZapper is here. MacCast One Minute Tip #10 – The Dock. Huge Microsoft security flaw wreaking havoc, why do they put up with it? Retail iPod scams put the Grinch on Mac-mas. What it means for Ives to be a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Audio Issues around iMovie HD transitions. iPod Nano case warning. Software to “Restore” your Mac drive on reboot, MacShield Enhanced Edition. Your invited to the “Party for the People” at MacWorld Expo.

The I Love My Mac Song by Daphne Kalfon

Promos from Typical Mac User Podcast and MiniViewSF Podcast

I’m not deprived; I’m delinquent. There’s a difference, you know.

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Hey gang. Yes, the MacCast.com site was down today for a few hours. Seems I am getting too popular and the hosting provider suspended my account. They say the sent a warning email, but I never got it. Oh well. Needless to say, we are back up (although, my wallet is a quite a bit lighter). Sorry for the inconvenience.

Listen to today’s show here!
MC20060101.mp3 [18.2mb 00:39:38 64kbps]

iPod Battery Settlement moves forward, finally! The new Intel Logo and “Leap Ahead” slogan. New lawsuit alleges OS X updates damaged Powerbooks. Sony “rootkit” settlement includes iTunes options. Apple VP of design, Jonathan Ive inducted into the Order of the British Empire. Has Apple outsourced the next PowerMac motherboard to Intel? Apples redesigned support site. Follow-up on Bluetooth keyboards and startup keys. Follow-up on spellchecking in Firefox. The easy way to convert DVDs to iPod format, Handbrake Lite. New Mac? Try Apples Migration Assistant. Clearing up my comments on Mac PC file sharing. A couple new resources for the new Mac user or recent “switcher”. The Typical Mac User podcast and MacMentor.org.

New music, I Cannot Be With You by South Oval

I hate common sense, it’s so common.

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MC20051229.mp3 [0.4mb 00:00:59 64kbps]

Hey geeks. I just wanted to let you know things have been a bit crazy for me with the Holidays and I am now a bit behind in my show prep. I just got through a few hundred emails and I am working hard to prep and produce the next show. Please hang in there a bit longer I appreciate it. I should have a new MacCast out in the next couple days and after that be back on the normal schedule.

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Listen to today’s show here!
MC20051222.mp3 [25.2mb 00:55:00 64kbps]

A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 110. 1GB iPod Shuffles sold out until January. Apples marketing group was considering a 1GB iPod Nano. Will the first laptop with an Intel Yonah be an Apple? Stick a fork in it, Internet Explorer for Mac is officially done. Next Manhattan Apple Store near Empire State Building. Apple and ABC add Commander in Chief to iTunes. Apple working with others on specs for next generation display connector. Security flaw in iTunes and Quicktime detailed. Will Apple expand consumer offerings in 2006? MacCast One Minute Tip #009 – Application Integration. Insurance followp up, be careful because claims can cost you your coverage. Has Apple increased .Mac bandwidth? Tip on getting past the iTunes seven CD burn limit. Be sure to keep a USB keyboard around if you are using Bluetooth. How to convert audio formats in iTunes 6. A special Christmas Keynote from the Catholic Insider. FYI. iTunes podcasts, if your not listening it stops updating. How to find stuff and tips for using the MacCast.com web site. Sounds for Sights Christmas giveaway.

New music, I’m Drinking Up Christmas by Plan Nine Print.

Promo for the GMail Podcast

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!

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