Thursday December 15, 2005
- Bad news for Apple resellers - Lionel - 10:44:27
we do not know if the current situation is specific to France or also affects Europe or other countries, but following a break in the supply chain from Apple France, Apple resellers will not be receiving additional iPod shipments to cover end-of-the-year sales.
It seems that this shortage does not apply to the French AppleStore, neither to the French largest consumers electronics reseller, the FNAC.
[update] Patrice has sent us a report from the US regarding iPod selling rate:
Here in the USA, most of the AppleStore have created a special iPod Express area with 5 representatives, with portable credit card terminal, directly selling all iPod models. To get to them you have to queue...
AppleStores are packed from 10a.m. to 9p.m.
[translation by Eric]
- USB modem for iMac and PMG5 - Lionel - 10:33:30
Apple has removed the integrated modem in the last iMac and Powermac models.
Apple might have saved money by removing this cheap component, but it creates problem for end-users who can not get access to ADSL-type internet connection to send or receive email.
Apple is now proposing on the Apple store an external USB modem for 55 Euros.
Philippe has sent us a photo.
It is really small and works perfectly (nothing special since the integrated modem was also internally connected via USB0
It works for all Macs running 10.4.3. Be careful, it must be connected directly to the Mac USB port or via a powered-USB hub; the power delivered by the keyboard USB port is not high enough to use it.
[translation by Eric]
- Encrypt your email address - Lionel - 07:45:46
Everyone knows that it is a bad idea to have your email address on a web page. Robots will scan the site, and then add them to their spam databases.
A small widget, ladyMailEncode "permits the instant encryption of your email address before you add it to your web pages. With it encrypted, your address is safe from indexing by the spam engines"
To download:
http://www.ladybug.fr/ladymailencode/ [site is in French]
[translation by jwa]
- A Playful use for the Mac mini - Lionel - 07:40:11
The compact size of the Mac mini gives some people some very amusing ideas (thanks Lorelei).
At the following address, http://home.digital.udk-berlin.de/~fredericeyl/moving_canvas/parasite_large.mov, you can see how the Mac mini was used to brighten a subway journey.
My machine was installed in a briefcase with a projector and a battery.
It was then stuck on the side of a train.
And during the trip, the projection took place. Although the idea is amusing and could inspire the RATP (the Paris transport authority), do not try this yourself! You could get in big trouble.
[translation by jwa]
- iPod mini 8 GB - bad_duck - 00:31:38
Many people regret the discontinuation of the iPod mini since the release on September 7th of the iPod nano did not result in a increase in storage space. A Californian gave new life to his iPod mini by replacing the original 4Gb hard disk with a 8Gb compact flash hard drive for cameras from Seagate.
This is also a good time to replace the battery with one that has double the capacity.
iPod mini 8 GB Upgrade
[translation by jwa]
