lifestyle tech The Pink Mac

Diary of a Mac Chick 09/14/09

A ‘lil music in my pocket

To be honest I don’t care for the new iPod Nano. I know it just received a video camera and FM radio built in now, but I could really care less. What good is video capability if you can’t take still pictures? Unless you’re talking about a device devoted to video capture, but that would mean higher video resolution and greater storage capacity, and if you are looking for that the Nano is certainly not the device for you. Okay, so what is the still picture-less video camera in the Nano good for then? Well, not much honestly. The quality is comparable to that of a video recorder you would find in a cell phone, and not even the iPhone for that matter as video testing has proven that the iPhone 3GS has better video quality than the Nano 5g. So, basically you most likely already have a device in your pocket with a similar low resolution video recorder that also multitasks as a phone and, depending on your cell phone, a gaming system, web browser and even music player.
So why the iPod Nano 5g? I can’t really answer that question, I guess only you can if you are interested in the new device. Personally, I prefer a simpler Nano like the 3g which to me is the perfect miniature iPod- truly tiny but also packed with useful components. All a Nano is really good for is (1) music, (2) video, and (3) games, due to it’s minimal storage capacity. Think about it, adding recorded video is just another way to eat up space on your device- space that you probably would prefer to use for capabilities the iPod Nano is actually good at like playing small but high resolution video movies and tv shows.

To me the addition of a video camera is pointless on a device that has no real use for it. At least if Apple had put the video recorder on the iPod touch you could perhaps upload video to YouTube or email said videos without having to upload the footage to a computer first, and then you would have a real vested interest in using up precious space on your iPod to make short, low resolution videos. The Nano has no wifi internet connection and therefore you are forced to download the video to your computer before you are able to share it, and again I am drawn to the comparison of a cell phone video camera, where at least you can do something with the video you have taken immediately, rather then once you sync to your iTunes. So, that is my opinion! Take it or leave it but I am not a fan of the iPod Nano 5g. What about you?

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Weekly Tech Roundup 09/13/09.

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The Pink MacBerry: Wallpaper.

I thought I would share with you the link to the wallpaper I have on my Blackberry Tour, aka, the Pink MacBerry. I actually found a great site that provides wallpapers for a few different devices like iPods and PSPs. GelaSkins, the popular manufacturer of gel skins for gadgets provides a stock of wallpapers that match their skins free to the public. I think this is a great idea because after living with Graffiti Skyline for the last month, I might just go ahead and buy the skin to match. The Tour isn’t actually one of the Blackberry devices they list, however, the screen in the same size as the Blackberry Curve 8900, which is listed. Whichever model of iPod or Blackberry you have, I am sure you will find something you like! Here are just a few wallpapers that I like. Enjoy!

lifestyle tech The Pink Mac

Apple to 8gb iPod Touch, "You Shall Get Nothing and Like it!"

After Apple’s Rock and Roll live event on Wednesday September 9th, I think many of us are feeling underwhelmed. Although the video camera added to the iPod Nano is pretty cool, and the refresh to the casings of the Nano and Shuffles are pretty, the other upgrades just fell short. “Wow! Another version of iTunes!” To that I say, meh! Faster iPod Touches! So what! And after calling the 8gb iPod Touch the cheapest way to experience the App Store, all they get is a little cheaper. Is that anyway to thank the little guy? I think no. With all these casing refreshes you think the iPod Touch could have at least got something. I mean, the poor 8gb model doesn’t even get a faster processor. I personally would have liked to see them incorporate the new colorful polished aluminum finish to the iPod Touch line. It couldn’t hurt for them to get a little color.

Well, as much as we all appreciate a price break, I think we all expected more from Apple when it came to the itouch, mainly a video camera, but then again if it had that, it would be an iPhone and we all know how much Apple prefers not to confuse the functions of their products.
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Skin Styler Apple Logo Cover.

A few weeks ago I ordered a pair of pink Apple Logo covers from Skin Styler. They are basically just tinted stickers that change the color of your Apple logo to glowing pink in my case. I really wanted these for a while, after seeing the hot pink apple logo on Carrie Bradshaw’s Macbook Pro in her book cover photo shoot from Sex and the City (LOL @ the reference, I know)! However, I must say the pink color was not all too pink, so I am a bit disappointed. They come in a few standard colors and then they have an option for personalization as well, which is cool! Perhaps I should try ordering a personal hot pink color and see how that works out for me!
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Labor Day Workscape.

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Looks like a Mac Netbook.

I suppose it is pretty much set in stone that Apple will not be releasing a netbook anytime soon, but we don’t have to worry because I have found the next best thing… sort of! Nokia has announced a netbook, so full of Apple styling, I would actually expect to see a glowing piece of fruit on the lid. A sleek casing of aluminum and black, a bright screen, long battery life and an array of ports for the maximum user experience makes this netbook seem more like a hackbook, except of course for the announced operating system, Windows 7. Of course, the price tag could throw you. It is priced at about $820 dollars, adding to the illusion that this is an Apple product and not a PC, but for a loyal Mac fangirl on the hunt for an ultra-portable machine, this might just be the time to test the water.

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The Pink MacBerry has Arrived!

This Weekly Tech Roundup, I talk about the arrival of my Snow Leopard upgrade, the Nokia Booklet Netbook that looks like a Mac and the leaked arrival of BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac! Now that my Blackberry Tour can sync with my Mac, I have officially dubbed it The Pink MacBerry! More reviews of the software will follow, but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up to it’s existence. You can download the Desktop Manager for Mac via the links on this Macworld post! If for some reason the links to the software are removed, I do have the .dmg file for any of my subscribers who missed out on it. I will keep it until the official release of the Mac version by RIM. Contact me via email if you need it!
XoXo
The Pink Mac
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Macbook Pro Broadband Speed Test.

A viewer asked me to share the download speeds I get on the new 13″ Macbook Pro, so I went over to Speedtest.net and recorded the results. I hope everyone finds this useful! Remember, however, that the results that I got on my Macbook Pro might not be the results you get. Although you may have the same computer as me, your internet connection and broadband strength may vary by internet provider and by your location, so you cannot use my results as a benchmark for your own results. Enjoy!
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Weekly Tech Roundup 08/31/09.

I felt bad that I didn’t make a video version of my Weekly Tech Roundup as I usually do, but since I am sick I thought it would be better to just stay away from the camera. However, I didn’t really want to leave my loyal readers and viewers hanging for another week, especially when I did have a few things I wanted to talk about.
Snow Leopard

Okay, so every Mac geek knows Snow Leopard came out this week- I know I already mentioned it! BUT did you know that you can get Snow Leopard for just $9.95? Yep, you can, as long as you purchased a new Mac after June 8th like me! As part of Apple’s “Up-to-Date” plan, you can upgrade your operating system from Leopard to Snow Leopard for just ten bucks with free shipping! Not a bad deal. I have already ordered my copy and will of course be making a video on my progress in the upgrade but until I do that I wanted to give you guys one piece of advice before installing your new Snow Leopard OS X 10.6. BACK UP YOUR MAC BEFORE YOU UPGRADE! Yes, this might seem simple enough, and you might think “heck, I don’t need to do this,” but you do! Please make sure to back up with Time Machine or whatever method you use, just in case things go south with your install. It is just the smart choice, so please don’t assume everything will be okay. After all, we only back up our data for “just in case” scenarios!
Incase Hard Shell for 13″ Macbook Pro

As one of my lovely YouTube viewers pointed out to me the other day, Incase has FINALLY disclosed images of their new hard shell case for the 13″ Macbook Pro, and it was a major disappointment for me. Looks like they went the Speck route and cut a big chunk out of the right side of the case, leaving the DVD and Kensington slots wide open and naked! Suffice to say, I will not be upgrading my Incase Hard Shell– I prefer my much better covered hacked 13″ hard shell to their new model.
I hope everyone enjoyed this written version of my Weekly Tech Roundup! Don’t worry, I will be back and making video’s once I kick this cold. Thanks for sticking with me and please make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel, MissTrenchcoat, for up to date video’s! Also, feel free to message me on my AIM Screen Name, ThePinkMacBlog and chat with me if you catch me on!