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Is Backup On Apple’s Back Burner or Simply
Abandoned

post from TheAppleBlog on 03 November 2009 11:00:00 AM. © TheAppleBlog

apple_backup

When Leopard was introduced, backing up becoming an automatic and effortless operation. Set it and forget it. Unfortunately, Time Machine backups are not off-site and don’t protect you against an on-site disaster. When I previously covered some online off-site backup solutions, Apple’s backup utility was not one of them.

Apple Backup is still a nifty way to backup critical files to your MobileMe account, or any hard drive you can mount, and I personally use it everyday to backup my most critical files. I have tons of space on my MobileMe account, so I might as well use it. Best of all, it’s a free program with a MobileMe subscription.

However, in the move from .Mac to MobileMe and from Leopard to Snow Leopard, the development of this utility has seemingly stopped. The latest version is 3.1.2 and it was released on October 27, 2007…over two years ago. The branding of the program still states it does backups to your “.Mac” account and doesn’t mention MobileMe. I find it a complete resource hog while running in the background. Obviously it’s not optimized for 64-bit processors. Humorously, it still has Quickpick options in the interface to automatically back up Internet Explorer data. Internet Explorer hasn’t been released for the Mac in over half a decade. If that doesn’t convince you Apple Backup needs updating, then I’m not sure what will.

Apple, it’s time to update Backup, and here’s what I want on the feature list.

First, make it fit into the current Apple product line. Change the references to .Mac and optimize it for Snow Leopard. Additionally, allow me to schedule backups directly from iCal.

Next, give me Quickpicks for programs currently in use by typical Apple users. Remove the backup options for Internet Explorer and add programs such as Firefox and Quickbooks. While you are tweaking the code, make it easy for users to backup their Preferences directory. Sure, it’s not that hard to do it manually, but the average Apple user doesn’t realize how critical preferences are.

If you really want to knock my socks off, include encryption options like you did with the latest iPhones. I hate not having encrypted backups. Speaking of iPhones, how about a Quickpick to allow the automatic off-site backup of our existing iPhone backups?

Apple’s Backup application used to be a great added value for .Mac/MobileMe users and a convenient way for all Mac users to do backups. It has grown very long in the tooth and needs to be made relevant again. Apple, you have your marching orders, so get to work! Readers, don’t forget to add feature request in the comments below.

Read The Full Article:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/11/03/is-backup-on-apples-back-burner-or-simply-aban
doned/

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Is Backup on Apple’s Back Burner or Simply
Abandoned

post from TheAppleBlog on 03 November 2009 11:00:00 AM. © TheAppleBlog

apple_backup

When Leopard was introduced, backing up became an automatic and effortless operation. Set it and forget it. Unfortunately, Time Machine backups are not off-site and don’t protect you against an on-site disaster. When I previously covered some online off-site backup solutions, Apple’s backup utility was not one of them.

Apple Backup is still a nifty way to back up critical files to your MobileMe account, or any hard drive you can mount, and I personally use it every day to back up my most critical files. I have tons of space on my MobileMe account, so I might as well use it. Best of all, it’s a free program with a MobileMe subscription.

However, in the move from .Mac to MobileMe and from Leopard to Snow Leopard, the development of this utility has seemingly stopped. The latest version is 3.1.2, and it was released on Oct. 27, 2007 — over two years ago. The branding of the program still states it does backups to your “.Mac” account and doesn’t mention MobileMe. I find it a complete resource hog while running in the background. Obviously, it’s not optimized for 64-bit processors. Humorously, it still has Quickpick options in the interface to automatically back up Internet Explorer data. Internet Explorer hasn’t been released for the Mac in over half a decade. If that doesn’t convince you Apple Backup needs updating, then I’m not sure what will.

Apple, it’s time to update Backup, and here’s what I want on the feature list.

First, make it fit into the current Apple product line. Change the references to .Mac, and optimize it for Snow Leopard. Additionally, allow me to schedule backups directly from iCal.

Next, give me Quickpicks for programs currently in use by typical Apple users. Remove the backup options for Internet Explorer and add programs such as Firefox and Quickbooks. While you are tweaking the code, make it easy for users to back up their Preferences directory. Sure, it’s not that hard to do it manually, but the average Apple user doesn’t realize how critical preferences are.

Read The Full Article:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/11/03/is-backup-on-apples-back-burner-or-simply-aban
doned/

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EA releases four new games for the iPhone, iPod
touch

post from Macnn | The Macintosh News Network on 03 November 2009 10:45:00 AM. © Macnn | The Macintosh News Network

EA Mobile has released four new iPhone and iPod touch applications on Apple's App Store: NBA Live, E...

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http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=18850340f91caf65c2810fa2606421f5

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EA releases four new games for iPhone, iPod touch

post from Macnn | The Macintosh News Network on 03 November 2009 10:45:00 AM. © Macnn | The Macintosh News Network

EA Mobile has released four new iPhone and iPod touch applications on Apple's App Store: NBA Live, E...

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http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=18850340f91caf65c2810fa2606421f5

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Dora the Explorer interactive learning games
debut for Mac

post from Macnn | The Macintosh News Network on 03 November 2009 10:45:00 AM. © Macnn | The Macintosh News Network

Avanquest Softwareís Nova Development unit in collaboration with Nickelodeon has launched three new ...

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http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=03dcac8b189b5baf82884885d13f76cc

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Karelia Updates Free iMedia Browser to Version
1.2.1 for 10.6 Support

post from prMac on 03 November 2009 10:36:00 AM. © prMac

Karelia Software today released Karelia iMedia Browser 1.2.1, a free utility that adds the familiar "media browser" experience to just about any Mac application. The new 1.2.1 version provides full compatibility for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, adds Brazilian Portuguese and Russian Localizations, and fixes several other issues. A stand-alone utility, the Karelia iMedia Browser lets users quickly and easily browse and drag photos, music, movies, and bookmarks into most applications.

Read The Full Article:
http://prmac.com/release-id-8392.htm

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Windows 7 sends PC sales up 40% in first week

post from Macnn | The Macintosh News Network on 03 November 2009 10:35:00 AM. © Macnn | The Macintosh News Network

The launch of Windows 7 has triggered at least a temporary spike in PC sales, Morgan Stanley analyst...

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http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=9832ee63454ffbe97f11ba8f2c911333

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Orange UK Unlimited Plan for iPhone Seems to
Prohibit Almost Everything

post from TheAppleBlog on 03 November 2009 10:31:00 AM. © TheAppleBlog

The BBC noticed something a little off when they investigated the new pricing structure and terms of use for the the iPhone deals Orange is about to begin offering on November 10. First, it turns out that far from sparking a price war, Orange has basically adopted the same deal that O2 currently offers, with some minor changes meant to sway customers its way.

Secondly, and this is the real kicker, Orange’s “unlimited” apparently means up to a maximum of 750MB per month, if you look at the fine print. When asked to clarify, Orange stated that the cap was for its 3G network, and that another 750MB cap existed for use at the hotspots of its Wi-Fi partner BT Openzone. Finally, another clause in the Orange Terms and Conditions states that data is…

Not to be used for other activities (eg using your handset as a modem, non-Orange internet based streaming services, voice or video over the internet, instant messaging, peer to peer file sharing, non-Orange internet based video). Should such use be detected notice may be given and Network protection controls applied to all services which Orange does not believe constitutes mobile browsing.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty certain I do almost all of those things on my iPhone over my carrier’s data connection on at least a daily basis. If true, this clause could block the use of programs like Beejive IM, Facebook, Spotify, and the BBC iPlayer.

By contrast, O2, when asked to clarify its fair use limits, said this:

We reserve the right… to contact customers about their usage if we believe it adversely affects the service of our other customers, eg if a customer uses their SIM in another device for which it is not intended.

So what advantage is left to Orange, then? Basically only network coverage and quality. This just goes to show that the iPhone is a cruel mistress no matter which carrier she appears on, and that the end of exclusivity might have less positive ramifications for customers than previously expected.

Data is the key to the iPhone’s success, as it is positioned as one of the few devices on the market that users increasingly use for internet access first, and phone functionality second. This presents a dilemma for wireless operators, since keeping up with demand can tax network quality and dependability considerably. AT&T in the U.S. is constantly under fire for its 3G network stability, for example.

Orange later said it would be reviewing the cap following the large volume of negative emails it received regarding it’s use of the word “unlimited.” Hopefully the company will also look at those ridiculous restrictions regarding data usage, since the real appeal of the iPhone for most users is the ability to do precisely those things which that clause specifically prohibits.

Read The Full Article:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/11/03/orange-uk-unlimited-plan-for-iphone-seems-to-p
rohibit-almost-everything/

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PitStop Pro 09 Competitive Upgrade from
FlightCheck Pro or Designer

XChange UK are pleased to announce a new exclusive PitStop Pro 09 Competitive Upgrade from FlightCheck Pro or FlightCheck Designer. This competitive upgrade gives existing users of FlightCheck Professional or FlightCheck Designer the opportunity to upgrade to the power of PitStop Pro 09 and save. PDF has become the standard for delivering press-ready files and PitStop Professional allows users to make minor edits to a PDF job at any stage.

Read The Full Article:
http://prmac.com/release-id-8391.htm

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Orange UK takes flak over iPhone data policies

Orange UK is already being criticized for its data policies in regards to the iPhone, the BBC report...

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.macnn.com/click.phdo?i=d95e94c488eaba766af2bf162ccc44ed