Monday February 27, 2006

- The Mac in Agriculture Show[Upd.] - Lionel - 17:06:40

Some will say it's pretty normal to find apples in an Agriculture exhibition [Salon de l'agriculture, an annual event, those days in Paris].
One of our readers even found a Mac.

I was in the Salon de l'Agriculture this morning and I was amazed to come face to face with 2 30" Apple screens, a huge quantity of Macs and an Aperture box!!!
It was Yann Arthus-Bertrand studio, who pictures the contest animals in the Salon. He actually does that every year [he's a very famous photographer, author of the best-seller "La Terre vue du ciel", "Earth from the skies"].

It's nice to see those products were adopted by such a famous photographer.

[Upd] Thx to Crosster for sending us this pic.



[translation by Kalomir]

- Fake iPod, going on - Lionel - 17:01:46

Here are some more information showing how the successful iPod incited copies.

Here's Roycod talking.

Back from Andorra, I was amazed by the number of fake iPods for sale, they really are in every shop! ! !
And they're sold near to real iPods, have the same look (for those who don't know the brand well, as more accustomed Apple fans will notice small differences) while they're basically common MP3 readers ranging from 512Mb to 1Gb... something has to be done, two younglings I saw there believed they'd make a good deal buying a low cost iPod (the reseller said nothing when he heard they thought it was a real iPod), they were almost ready to buy it...
So if you go to Andorra, really do pay attention, and prefer the Apple Store which is undoubtedly more worth it...

Here's also a picture made by Marc. It's an ad for the French supermarket, Leclerc.


The look is very close to the iPod mini for a product which is much more of a USB key.

More annoying, fake nano iPods, almost identical copies are now sold on such sites as Price Minister


There's no word for that save counterfeiting.

[translation by Kalomir]

- Filemaker lost in front of Avosmac - Lionel - 16:54:04

The appeal jurisdictop, just confirmed the French magazine Avosmac was innocent, as they were sued by Filemaker Inc., an emanation from Apple.
The article that provoked the law action explained how a demo version of Filemaker Pro available for Mac OS 9 might become permanent.

Once again, David won :)

[translation by Kalomir]

- How to sell PC? Use a Mac! - Lionel - 16:50:14

Thanks to Greg for his photo and comments.

A photo of a Pc notebook as it was presented in the computer corner au "Auchan" supermarket ("the French Wall mark): in other words, how to sell PC? Try to sell them as Macs!?
No it is not a hacked version of OSX x86 running on a notebook PC, but a modified desktop background in WinXP.

So, funny or a subject for a legal action? In any case, it proves that there is a real interest for OSX...


[translation by Eric]

- Add an external antenna to your Airport Express station - Lionel - 16:38:03

It is theoretically impossible to add an external antenna to a AE station in order to increase the range of your wireless network.
However, it is possible if you drill a hole through the case at the right position.
If you fill comfortable with this mod and want to try it, then all required information can be found here:
http://bounav.free.fr/mods/ae_external_antenna/

PS: do not forget to send us your report about "short-life" APX stations (as indicated in our previous news: how to submit and the original news)

[translation by Eric]

- Google releases 3 widgets for OS X - Lionel - 16:17:23

Google has released 3 widgets for OS X:
- Blogger: quick and easy blog posting
- Gmail: Your Gmail inbox at a glance
- Search History: Remember the page from last week? Now you will
More about them: http://www.google.com/macwidgets/
Google is really to get its roots in all possible area...

[translation by Eric]

- iMac and AirFrance - Lionel - 16:13:57

We have already mentioned that Air France and Apple have an agreement to install iMacs in Air France business lounges worldwide.

Jean-Louis sent us those photos from Air France Hong-Kong business lounge, where old PC have been replaced by iMacs.



It seems that the iMacs are all working properly, as it was not the case in other airports.


[translation by Eric]

- Mac mini on sales! - Lionel - 14:12:22

To confirm the hypothesis of a new Mac mini model to be released in a short time, Apple European distributors are currently proposing Mac mini bundles: keyboard and mouse almost for free.
In addition this offer will end immediately as soon as stocks are being emptied. So we can also expect that the future Mac mini will be shipped with a keyboard and a mouse.


[translation by Eric]

- MacBook Pro : in end-user's hands. - Lionel - 14:03:50

Most of our readers expecting their MB Pro to arrive have now received it.
Many comments are now being made in our forum (in French on macbidouille.com), one of them summarize quite well the difference between a MB Pro and a PBG4 (thanks to ZaraA):

I am writing this email from a MBP. The computer is perfect both on the esthetic and manufacturing point of view. Much better than the last PBG4 1.67GHz that I have been using. The new display is fantastic, brighter with better "white" definition.
Regarding battery half-life, it is rather difficult to judge, it currently indicates 3h24' in standard mode...
I am currently transferring utilities and games for testing this machines, but I think I am already in love with it...
The MB Pro is much better than my PB12" regarding Wifi detection and reception with my Airport network.
Regarding the keyboard, it is also different, the touch is similar to silk; really surprising!
Another point, the internal HD, the noise is also different, louder and less noticeable than before.
Did already someone mention how thin this MB Pro is? it is amazing...

At least the wifi abilities of the MB Pro has been improved and this is a real good point.


[translation by Eric]

- iPod video : the birth of a fake - Lionel - 13:47:22

Many readers have been "abused" by a photo claiming to be the prototype of the future iPod video.


But it was a real fake, a nice one but a fake. The author has published online a video demonstrating how he has built it. The video can bee watched on YouTube.
Congratulations for this nice piece of work, even though it is a fake.


[translation by Eric]