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July 8th through 15th Archives

Monday, July 15th 2002 17:34 CDT

MWNY Coverage Plans

Provided that we aren't denied media passes because we have discussed news that could be considered "rumors" in the past, we will be covering Macworld New York live, beginning with anything important before the keynote to the end of the show on Friday. Pending on AirPort access at the show, keynote coverage should be live, or close to it. If you have any requests for us to check out something specific at the show, please email us over the next day or so. Additionally, if you'd like clarification on something announced at the keynote, send those requests in as well.

Griffin Announces "Perfect Laptop Stand"

Griffin sent the following press release:

Nashville, TN ­ July 12, 2002. Griffin Technology, Inc. today introduces itıs newest must-have Mac accessory, the iCurve. The iCurve is a beautiful clear laptop stand designed specifically for Appleıs PowerBook and iBook portable computers. While iCurve could be mistaken for a modern art sculpture, its main purpose is to place a PowerBook or iBook in an ergonomically correct position when using the laptop as a permanent desktop computer. It achieves this goal in several key ways:

When positioned on iCurve, an Apple PowerBook screen is raised to a height of 16 inches. This is the recommended height for computer screens as specified by the TCO 95 ergonomic standards. It greatly reduces neck strain caused by looking down at your laptop screen for extended periods of time.

The iCurve elevates an iBook 4 inches above the desk surface - freeing up significant space for a full size keyboard and mouse. Although you can type directly on a laptop while it rests on iCurve, the addition of a full size keyboard and mouse makes for the most comfortable and healthy desktop experience. This also allows your laptop screen to be positioned the recommended distance - an arms length away.

Keyspan Debuts New RF Presentation Remote

Following up on the success of its Infrared "Digital Media Remote," Keyspan has announced its radio frequency-based "presentation remote":

Richmond, CA---July 15, 2002--- Keyspan, America's #1 USB connectivity products vendor, is now shipping its new Presentation Remote, the perfect tool for Microsoft PowerPointİ. The remote has an MSRP of $79 and is available now at leading retailers including CompUSA, and from direct marketers such as MicroWarehouse and CDW. 

The Presentation Remote features a 900 Mhz radio frequency (RF) signal with a range of up to 40 feet, even through walls and other obstacles. It is the first remote control to provide RF reliability, mouse control and a laser pointer at a price under $100.

Keyspan's new remote allows presenters to focus on their audience rather than the keyboard. It is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh versions of PowerPoint and with all brands of projectors. One of the most attractive features of this remote is that both Windows and Mac OS recognize the Presentation Remote as a keyboard. Hence, there is no software to install, and once the RF receiver is plugged into a USB port you can begin your presentation within seconds.

Hess Party List for MWNY2002 Posted

As per usual, Ilene Hoffman has posted the Hess Macworld Events List on her site here. Some events are open to the public, so if you're headed to the Big Apple for the show, check out the list.

Friday, July 12th 2002 15:47 PDT

LCD Utility PixelTester Updated

For users of PowerBooks, and LCDs in general, dead pixels are a common ailment. To help check the health of your pixels, AlphaOmega Software has PixelTester. Recently updated to version 2.1, this shareware application will display various solid colors and patterns on your screen to increase the visibility of dead pixels. This new version adds support for multiple displays, along with updated documentation and the usual assortment of fixes.

Wednesday, July 10th 2002 16:08 PDT

MCE Ships First 24x Portable FireWire CD-RW

Here's the PR on this impressive news from MCE:

Irvine, CA ­ MCE Technologies, LLC today announced the Lucid-24, a 24x version of their highly popular Lucid Portable FireWire CD-RW Drive. The Lucid-24 CD-RW drive sports the most aggressive industrial design of any FireWire CD-RW on the market today, utilizing a transparent enclosure with aluminum front, and possessing the slimmest dimensions and lightest weight of any FireWire CD-RW drive on the market todayŠ perfectly complementing Appleıs Power Mac and PowerBook G4 lineup. The Lucid-24 CD-RW is powered entirely by the FireWire bus and features JustLink buffer underrun protection. MCE will begin shipments of the Lucid-24 CD-RW drive immediately.

"We are extremely pleased to be first to market with the Lucid-24 24x Portable FireWire CD-RW drive," said Arnie Ramirez, President, MCE Technologies, LLC. "With the small, elegant, and lightweight Lucid-24 we have thrust the portable CD-RW market into the same speed class as desktop CD-RW drives which are heavy, must be shackled to power outlets, and require an exorbitant amount of desktop space. The difference in time required to make a full 650MB CD-R between the Lucid-24 and a 40x desktop CD-RW drive is about a minuteŠ in addition, that time difference diminishes dramatically if there is less than 650MB to write, as is usually the case."

The Lucid-24 24x10x24 Portable FireWire CD-RW Drive writes recordable CDs at up to 24x speed (3600KB/Sec), writes re-writable CDs at up to 10x speed (1500KB/Sec), and reads regular CD-ROMs at up to 24x speed (3600KB/Sec). It does so while weighing less than a pound and measuring 5.5" in width, 6.5" in length, and only 0.8" in height. The Lucid-24 also features JustLink buffer underrun protection to eliminate producing defective CDs due to interruptions in the flow of data to the Lucid drive.

The Lucid-24 CD-RW Drive does not require an AC Adapter as it draws all required power from the FireWire port to which it is connected. The Lucid-24 supports all Power Macs, iMacs, PowerBooks, and iBooks with built-in FireWire ports as well as those with PCI FireWire cards which supply power to the FireWire bus. An AC adapter (available separately) is required when using the Lucid-24 with systems with FireWire ports that do not supply power to the FireWire bus, such as CardBus-based and some PCI-based FireWire ports. The Lucid-24 is compatible with Appleıs Finder Burning and iTunes under Mac OS 9.1 through Mac OS X. The Lucid-24 is also compatible with Windows machines running Windows 98SE or later.

The Lucid-24 24x10x24 Portable FireWire CD-RW Drive is bundled with Toast Lite CD-Recording software, FireWire cable, and userıs guide. The Lucid-24 CD-RW Drive carries an MSRP of $299.00 The optional universal AC Adapter is listed at $14.99

Monday, July 8th 2002 20:10 PDT

Apple Launches New Crystal Clear Promotion

With MacWorld New York just around the corner, Apple has started a new "Crystal Clear" promotion which provides $300 back on any purchase of a 800 MHz PowerMac G4 along with qualifying display, or $400 back on the purchase of a 900 MHz PowerMac G4 with qualifying display. This offer is good with the 17", 22", and 23" Apple LCD displays and is valid at any Apple VAR. To download the coupon, click here.