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TidBits

• Apparently Best Buy is going to begin stocking Macs again. We'll believe it when we see it.
• Microsoft Office is adding Exchange support later this summer.
• Here are some photos of the Apple Retail Store opening in Burlingame, CA this weekend.
• BuyMusic.com is not off to a roaring start.

Friday, July 25th 2003 15:05 CDT

Shaun Jackson Announces Availability of 17" BackOffice

Today's a bit of a press release day as we have announcements from several companies:

The BIG Backoffices just arrived and are ready to ship!! $159.95

Big BackOffice: The all new BIG BackOffice is now in stock and ready to ship! This new larger case will accommodate the new Apple G4 17" as well as other larger laptop computers (15.75"x12"x2" computer compartment). It incorporates the same great features that can be found on our popular BackOffice.

http://www.sjdesign.com/backoffice.html

MacResQ Adds PowerBook G4 SuperDrive Upgrade to Mail-In Service

MRQ sent over this note about an addition to their PowerBook repair service:

Concord, CA -- July 25, 2003 --MacResQ announced today a new PowerBook G4 "SuperDrive" upgrade as part of their PowerBookResQ repair program. The new service offers PowerBook G4 owners an affordable way to upgrade their G4 PowerBook with a DVD/CD burner with PowerBookResQ's famous 24-hour turnaround and nationwide convenience.

Owners of the PowerBook G4/400-1GHz can now easily replace their built-in CD-RW-only or DVD-only drive with a drive that can burn CD's and DVD's that can be played in most consumer CD/DVD players. The slot-loading "SuperDrive" DVD-R/CD-RW is bootable and compatible with Apple's Mac OS X, OS 9, iDVD, iTunes, Disc Burner, and Apple DVD Player, as well as other third party applications. The drive reads at 24x, writes CD-R at 16x, writes CD-RW at 8x, and writes DVD-R/RW at 1x. A 1-year warranty applies.

The price for this "SuperDrive" upgrade is only $399.00, and includes pick-up at the customer's location, overnight delivery to the PowerBookResQ service center, expert installation within 24 hours, and return overnight shipping to the customer.

PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ also offer fast, convenient, and affordable Mac repairs for just $99.00, which includes 3-way overnight shipping, the initial diagnostic service, and our unique PowerBox, which the customer may keep for future use. For even faster service, same-day pickup is available in most areas of the country.

For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ offer discounted rates on products and services. Computer dealers can send overflow service work or seamlessly outsource their entire Mac repair operation. Volume discounts are available for schools, corporations and government agencies.

MacMice Releases iPerch Stand for PowerBooks

And another new product:

Today, MacMice announces the release of its iPerch Plus fan-cooled acrylic Powerbook desk stand.

The iPerch Plus is a 5.5-inch tall clear acrylic desk stand that holds any model Apple G4 Powerbook at a 15-degree angle, for improved screen viewability when in desktop usage. The product includes an advanced Powerbook cooling system, based around a uniquely engineered clear 80mm acrylic ball-bearing fan, coupled with proper air ducting between the product and the Powerbook.

The iPerch Plus creates an average Powerbook surface temperature reduction of between 15 and 30-degrees Fahrenheit. The product creates only 20dB of sound at 2-feet distance, making it the quietest fan-powered notebook cooling product on the market. This low operating noise level makes the product uniquely suited for use in audio or video production settings, classrooms, meeting areas, or other areas demanding maximum quietness.

The iPerch Plus is available now for US$69.99 at the MacMice Workspace Products Co. web site.

Thursday, July 24th 2003 09:47 CDT

Keyspan Introduces Line of Retractable USB Cell Phone Charging Cables

We think this product is pretty neat:

Richmond, California--- July 23, 2003--- Keyspan, America's #1 brand of USB connectivity products*, is now shipping retractable charging cables for most popular cell phones. The cables allow a cell phone to be charged from the USB port of a PC or Macintosh and are designed for use with Nokia, Motorola, Ericcson, Siemens, Sony, Samsung, LG Mobile, Sanyo, and Kyocera cell phones. Keyspan has also released AC and DC adapters that allow cell phones to be charged from a power outlet in a building, car or boat.

"Almost every laptop user carries a cell phone when traveling," noted Mike Ridenhour, president of Keyspan. "Charging the cell phone from the USB port of the laptop makes it possible to leave bulky cell phone chargers at home. Keyspan's ZIP-LINQ retractable cables are easy to carry and convenient to use."

Keyspan's ZIP-LINQ cables are available to resellers via Ingram Micro and to consumers through leading catalogs and online resellers. Pricing for the retractable cell phone charging cables ranges from $21.99 to $29.99.

The cables feature a remarkably compact form factor. The cable spool is about the size of a quarter -- yet the cable extends to 30 inches by pulling on both ends. Simply pull again and the cable retracts back into its small yet durable housing.

The ZIP-LINQ line of cables is a result of Keyspan's partnership with Cables Unlimited, a Concord, California-based manufacturer and distributor of cables. Keyspan and Cables Unlimited are collaborating to market ZIP-LINQ cables in the United States.

About Keyspan Keyspan products provide "Connections for Your Computer." The company's first products provided serial ports for connecting to traditional computer peripherals such as modems, printers and graphics tablets. Over time, Keyspan has expanded its horizons, connecting the PC and Macintosh to other devices found in the home, school and office.

Public WiFi and the New York Times' Flub

Over at Macity.it, the premier Italian Macintosh website, they've posted an article in English that details all the avaliability of public free wireless internet access across America, and specifically in New York City.

More amusingly, they noticed that the New York Times somewhat misidentified the laptop that appears in their article about Intel's Centrino chip. You can check that out at the bottom of the article.