The power supply shipping with MacBook Pro models has been quite a bit larger than Apple’s “normal” white power supply. Apple has now released a redesigned model for MacBook Pro models that is in the smaller form factor. Now you can fit your power supply in your briefcase again :-)
It’s becoming easier and easier to add powerful new functionality to your Apple TV. A great example is the ability to play DVDs by using nitoTV. nitoTV is basically an mplayer package for the AppleTV with basic DVD menu support. Here’s what you will need to play DVDs on your AppleTV:
1) Since the AppleTV has no optical disk drive, you will need to “rip” your DVD to an ISO file, and copy it to your Apple TV. This is a much faster process than re-encoding the DVD, and can take as little time as 20 minutes. You’ll need to google for software and instructions on this process for your particular computer OS. It should be easy to find. [example 1] [example 2]
2) Install the “ATVLoader” application on your AppleTV. This is THE tool to have on your AppleTV, as it allows you to easily download and install many great features with ease from your sofa: Installing the ATVLoader
3) Use the new Awkward TV menu to check “AFP Service Enabled”
4) Use the new Awkward TV menu to select “Download Plugins”. Choose “nitoTV” and just follow the instructions to install (it’s about two button clicks).
5) Connect to your Apple TV via AFP (apple-k from the Finder). You’ll want to mount the volume called “frontrow” with login: frontrow and password: frontrow. Now just copy your DVD .iso file to the “Movies” folder. (if you are on windows, you’ll need to use WinSCP instead)
6) Use the new “nitoTV” menu to selece “Files”. Choose your movie ISO, and you should be able to begin playing your movie.
I’ve found the quality of the video is extremely good on the AppleTV. It acts like a high-end upsampling DVD player. The DVD menu feature is very limited at this time, but it will get you into movie playback. The author is updating nitoTV regularly.
By the way, the Apple TV is still available refurbished (with full warranty) for $250. Just go to the Apple Store, click “Refurbished Mac” in the lower left corner, and scroll to the very bottom of the list.
As digital TV replaces analog TV on February 17, 2009, a major slice of wireless bandwidth will be opened up. The FCC now must make a choice on how this bandwidth will be used. This is the largest spectrum re-allocation we are likely to see in our lifetimes.
The FCC is on the verge of turning over this spectrum to the same giant phone and cable companies that control high-speed Internet access for 96 percent of American home users.
This public “spectrum” could revolutionize the Internet in America. Its wireless signal passes through concrete buildings and over mountains; it can connect tens of million of Americans that are now being bypassed by Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.
Don’t let the FCC turn over these airwaves to the same price-gouging network giants that control wired access. We need a new alternative to DSL and cable. The FCC must use this wireless opportunity to connect more Americans to an open, neutral and accessible Internet.
Help us end their stranglehold and demand a better Internet for everyone:
Apple released updated MacBook Pros today. Here is a quick hitlist of the updates:
Models:
15″ 2.2GHz, 1440×900, 2GB, 120GB, 8600M GT 128MB-$1,999.00
15″ 2.4GHz, 1440×900, 2GB, 160GB, 8600M GT 256MB-$2,499.00
17″ 2.4GHz, 1680×1050, 2GB, 160GB, 8600M GT 256MB-$2,799.00
High performance electric sports vehicles are really taking off! The Lithium Lightning is a working prototype that was developed by Richard Hatfield, a Burlingame solar panel importer. He worked with Electric Motorsport to develop this machine. It is powered by Lithium batteries and achieves an average 80 mile range. His idea is to charge the bike from solar panels, thus creating carbon neutral transportation. They are working on a production model that would run around $15,000, which is what this prototype cost to develop. Electric Motorsport also offers less expensive electric bikes that are available now. If you go to their site, check out the “Parts” page. It makes me want to start building stuff. Check out these articles for a video of Lithium Lightning in action:
Cool! Now there’s no need to void your warranty to have a decent sized hard drive in your AppleTV. $100 extra for 4x the space seems reasonable.
Of course, you can buy a 160GB hard drive and upgrade your existing Apple TV…if you are willing to void your warranty. This upgrade won’t cost you much more than $100.
160GB Hard Drives at newegg.com
Personally I just hacked a 400GB 3.5″ drive onto mine, and have it hanging off the side. Of course, it looks horrible, so maybe I’ll go back to NFS :-)
Google Maps just released a new feature that lets you actually look around the street. Seems to only be working in major cities for now.
This is a LOT of fun. Go find some cool pictures and leave the Google link in the comments!
