The Faster Mac OS X 10.6.8 is Probably the Last Update!

Mac OS X 10.6.8 is probably the last update of Snow Leopard. Apple has done things rather well. In addition to the support of TRIM on most Apple SSD, performs well in terms of raw performance. As always, Macs Only! Conducted a battery of tests with a Mac Pro with an ATI Radeon HD 5870 and a MacBook Pro with an Nvidia 320M on 10.6.7 and 10.6.8. In the vast majority of tests, Mac OS X 10.6.8 is faster than its predecessor. While in most cases, the difference is relatively minor (about a few points), it is sometimes quite important.

The Mac Pro is able to display 211 frames per second with Halo, against "only" 154 in 10.6.7. On the MacBook Pro, there is also a gain of 41% in one of the Xbench tests dedicated to graphics performance of the user interface. On the latter test, it is to be taken lightly as Macs Only! Note that a test to test significant differences.


Anyway, it seems that the new drivers included in 10.6.8 they have made little effect. Mac OS X 10.6.8 is on the whole faster than 10.6.5, which was previously the reference. Note finally that the activation of TRIM has had a positive impact in terms of performance. For some, the Mac starts up faster since the update.

Samsung would like to get webOS

On several occasions, HP announced that it was inclined to offer licenses to webOS phone manufacturers and other material business or the public. So recently, his boss, Leo Apotheker, had a call from the foot HTC, it seems that American society is also in talks with Samsung. In any case, what has been said three people at Bloomberg. The Korean company would seem to suggest he phones equipped webOS. If such an agreement materializes, the Korean company would to its catalog of devices on four different platforms: Windows Phone, Android, Bada and webOS.

For Samsung, this would be a way to become less dependent on Google. Asian society is not consistent with the strategy of the Internet giant that is to do everything possible so that manufacturers cannot customize the operating system. This would also be a way to revive the market shelves where it has been very successful so far very limited. From this point of view, the discourse of HP is diametrically opposed to that of Google. The computer manufacturer wants to offer its OS if and only if the licensees are providing to the building webOS and do not just sell "stupid" stamped material webOS.

If HP talking to many players of this possibility, it does not seem particularly eager to implement it is to market both devices with an operating system, and offer it to other companies is a something extremely complicated. To popularize the Macintosh, Apple has adopted this strategy in the 90s with the success that we know ...

Was MacBook Stopped?

Recently, it has often been a matter of renewal of the range MacBook Air. But the ultra-portable Apple is not the only model to be rare in the store shelves, the Mac mini and MacBook are no longer in stock in several stores in the United States. The break is far from complete, the Apple Store shows a shipping time of 24 hours for both models. While it is rumored for months that the Mac mini could in turn pass Thunderbolt and Sandy Bridge architecture, the projects on his Apple laptop white are much more obscure.

Apple might be tempted to give this machine to make room for the MacBook Air; the price could drop to the passage of the $ 100 entry level. An $ 899, the ultraportable Apple would probably forget its few flaws, including its storage space reduced. The white MacBook is somehow in the same position as the Mac minis there are three or four years. Apple should probably question the follow-up to this model. One thing is certain; it is no longer the priority.

If the theory of abandonment is credible, it is not the only one. The Cupertino company may very well propose a revision to the minimum with a slightly more powerful processor, more RAM or a bigger hard drive so ... Finally, note that the July 19 return more often regarding the launch of Mac OS X Lion and the new MacBook Air.

Sony uses its technology in an original way for its new ultraportable

Sony introduced a new notebook that uses Light Peak in an original way. The VAIO Z uses the standard Intel to connect the computer to an additional module that contains three USB ports, an Ethernet port, one VGA and one HDMI. This module also incorporates a Blue-Ray or DVD, but also an additional graphics chip (Radeon HD 6650M), which is more powerful than integrated into the computer itself (an Intel chip).

The idea is simple; the computer itself is very small, without compromising on the number of ports or the power when needed. The VAIO Z is a PC with 13.1-inch high resolution (1600 x 900 pixels), it weighs only 1.18 kg for a thickness of 16.6 mm. By comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Air weigh 1.32 kg and measuring its thickest point 17 mm. Inside, the VAIO Z may contain a Core i7 2.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in RAID 0 (two drives running in parallel) and a battery that offers seven hours of battery life. Good idea further, we can add a battery that does not take the form of an unsightly bulge on the back, but a layer of the computer.

The module itself uses the same technology as the Thunderbolt promoted by Apple, but Sony does not use the name or the connector of the company at the apple. Instead, the Japanese manufacturer has its own proprietary connector which apparently takes the form of a USB port since it can be used and when the module is not connected. The VAIO Z due out in July, but you can already pre-order on the website of Sony. The model with a Core i7 8 GB RAM 256 GB SSD, the additional module with DVD burner and battery and additional costs € 2814.

Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.IV

FCP X assigns each file a unique identifier and can find it automatically, thus avoiding errors (FCP X to a SQL database each file with its ID). Harrington raises an objection: if the file in question was changed, it can again be lost. It seems that FCP X is able to track changes and therefore never lose a file, with this flexible by base. FCP X indeed completely reverses the management of the media: it is no longer a structure to mimic folders / files, but to add meaning to management. So now Apple is resting on a system of keywords; applied to the media, they can organize them into smart collections. The files are thus more structural units, but the semantic units: Drag a media applied to it in a folder that keyword.

Rich Harrington claims to have fewer opportunities to customize the view. Its technical director, he, loves, "it's like to have Google search for my project, it's faster and you can sort the media that any arrangement of keywords and phrases.”On this point, it seems we will have to make new habits. Automatic backup ... almost X Final Cut Pro automatically saves the changes on the fly. If several editors applaud the Auto-Save, others see a number of problems; it is impossible to create "branches" of backups is to say different versions of the state assembly, for adapt to the wishes of the client. On this point, the precise operation of FCP in OS X Leo X must be specified; Versions should create a timeline of all the different versions of a project. We could cite many problematic features, but some cited here show the magnitude of the task.

The core problem is the ability of Apple to communicate, assist and reassure customers. X with FCP, the Cupertino Company makes choices clear; for many, FCP 7 will remain for a long time a weapon of choice. Apple seems ready to add functions to FCP X from user feedback: the heart of FCP X allows the application to be updated quickly in small steps. Thus, multicam editing and XML support will be incorporated through minor updates. X FCP seems to contain the seeds of many promises. The question is whether Apple will manage to hold them fast enough to convince.

Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.III

Randy explains why FCP Ubillos X is unable to directly import FCP projects 7 while imports iMovie projects, "projects FCP 7 do not contain enough information to be properly" translated "into projects FCP X (the connections between clips in FCP 7 are not included in the timeline, but the head of the editor)”. Keep in mind that mutual fund X is a complete rewrite of Final Cut Pro, new software rather than the successor of FCP 7.

To throw away something that worked perfectly and was popular to replace it with something more modern, forward looking, but incomplete spend a year or two to complete and restore functions that were there before; it the "sequence Apple" singled out by an editor, the same sequence as in the overhaul of iMovie, conducted by the same Randy Ubillos. The only difference is crucial for some, is that FCP 7 is no longer available for sale, while Apple had left to download iMovie HD for many months. It is indeed regrettable lack of communication, lack of support from the Cupertino, but Apple is back on his argument: FCP 7 is still there; editors have the time to move on after X FCP familiar with him. Learn new reflexes Luckily Apple seems ready to communicate better, or at least indicate some bridges.

Moving the assembly of project files at the heart of the application causes some problems; it is less easy to exchange projects between assemblers, for example in a studio. Pogue, who repeats the instructions of the Heads Final Cut product, points to the possibility of sharing the project file; if the second editor has all the media, it will reconnect the references of the project file in its media. Harrington explains, however, that this solution is a bit wobbly, and not as "robust" as the media manager in FCP 7. One solution is to duplicate it exposes the project (project alone project with all the references, with only the project files used), then move it. At the other end, we can consolidate the media to ensure that nothing has been lost, and nothing prevents merging events, for example to make a project on a fixed station changes that were made mobility. Aperture has a function dedicated to the reconciliation multiple editors point the finger at his duties, or import from iPhoto's organizational logic as a way forward for FCP X. Of "robustness", it is also about the new function for reconnection; If a file was moved, it can be "lost" by the software. 7 in FCP, you could point to this file manually (FCP 7 remembered the path of the file).

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Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.II

This is actually the ability to fund X to communicate with other software that is singled out here: Final Cut Pro, with its support of XML, had it opened a strength, to suit different workflow. In fact, X still supports the FCP XML interchange; Apple has confirmed it will soon publish the new specifications. Although increasingly popular, the RED cameras are no longer managed by FCP X. RED and Apple is partners and yet have repeatedly promoted from one another. RED works with Apple to create a plug-in that will import original RED format, which does not address the fact that X does not fund nor other raw formats.

Pogue says that you can always save it as QuickTime, which is far from a solution that format loses much raw information. The only temporary solution that seems acceptable, pending the plug-in, is to use the RED software to convert raw files into ProRes files, which is close to the workflow already adopted by some users of the RED cameras (c is a proxy used only format for editing, where it is more suitable than the raw formats). Another problem is the lack of support for some cards video output of the most popular, particularly in view of mounting a dedicated screen with better color reproduction. Apple Black Magic said working with the support of their cards, while AJ has already beta drivers. As recalled by Rich Harrington, this does not solve the case of other manufacturers, but it is a first step.

Apple does not work against support for the AJA and Black magic cards to work on tape. The Cupertino Company believes strongly in giving up the tape and the transition to a 100% digital workflow; it applies the same strategy as for the abandonment of the floppy, but Rich Harrington explained that the situation is far from the same. The tape is important, although it is indeed on the decline. In an e-transcribed in a conversation on the Apple forums, Randy Ubillos, product designer iMovie and Final Cut, says that Final Cut Pro X 1.0 "is the beginning of the road, not the end." He means by this that many features will be added to as such, but that fund X is a new way; this is how to interpret the abandonment of the cassette.

"We never imagined that somebody changed editing software in the middle of a project," said he: the career of Final Cut Pro 7 is far from over. Apple insists on this point; it is with Final Cut Pro X of decisions (the abandonment of the cassette, the dissolution of the concept of track, etc.), But stay tuned for the add on other items. Final Cut Pro 7 is currently more mature and stable, but editors can already form the new practices introduced by FCP X. But beware; FCP and FCP X 7 live poorly, it is better to install them on two different partitions.

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Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.I

X Final Cut Pro (FCP X) unleashed passion in the small world of video, Apple, who had consulted many professionals in the development of FCP X, decided to step into the breach and to send the team to Final Cut questions from professionals. It did so through David Pogue, technology reporter for the New York Times, who compiled the various criticisms made by professionals. As Pogue explains, this is for Apple to distinguish features really missing the functions that have simply changed places or operation, and also indicate what functions are available or come back through plug-ins. Rich Harrington, a specialist among other things Final Cut, said these responses and offers lighting for someone familiar with the software.

From scratch with FCP X, Apple took the risk of alienating some of its customers: the X is silent on certain features of version 7. Some of these functions will return in future updates; some are available through plug-ins. As explained Harrington, 7 FCP can edit up to 128 simultaneous angles, although in practice only a handful was useful for editing multicam events such as concerts, entertainment programs, etc.. FCP X does not have this feature.


Apple looks forward to add to X FCP multicam editing, through updated considered "top priority". Pogue explains that in the meantime, place the different angles on parallel tracks and use the synchronization feature to calibrate based on their audio content can be a substitute - which makes him smile Harrington. X FCP manages the audio so very different from its predecessor: the notion of audio tracks becoming very blurred to the point of almost disappearing. An editor and complained of not being able to easily export audio on different tracks to Protools, which completely breaks the habits of production.

Others complain that they can export to EDL (text file with a list of audio events and video as a reference for mounting), AAF or OMF (both file systems to exchange software). In the case of EDL, the answer is clear: Apple oriented approach 100% digital; it is considered to be obsolete. For audio or AAF or OMF, she headed ProExport Automatic Duck, software $ 495 or $ 195 for update: Apple has also confirmed she was leaving it up to third-party developers to support these files, just as it abandoned their management cassettes.

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Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.IV

Material on which Amazon released a very comfortable margin of 48%: for a little over three years, the bookseller hybrid business model to be closer to that of Apple. The next step, which should confirm this transition, the tablet will Kindle, announced by the rumor and, as it confirmed by Jeff Bezos. While Apple's closed ecosystem with software and services, Amazon goes in the opposite direction and will close with hardware ... Android. Amazon has not cluttered with the creation of an OS in a few months, it has privatized virtually a third OS to be able to offer almost a clean version.

Amazon was a partner in the first hour of Google: the couple face + iTunes iPhone, the firm of Mountain View has used Amazon as a content provider for Android Smartphones. Amazon MP3 application, installed on all or most Smartphones Android and not far from impossible to remove, serves as equivalent of the iTunes Store.

Amazon obviously has its own applications on Android, but the company goes further in recent months, it operates its own application store for Android. The Amazon AppStore, it is called, is a true rival to the Android Market: it has a mechanism of editorial control, offers a free daily application fee, and even allows testing applications directly into the browser through an Android emulator!

Amazon has enough weight to have managed to bend the AT & T, which ultimately allowed the installation of third-party shopping for Android users can download the Amazon AppStore. Google is certainly a well-known brand in the United States and elsewhere, but Amazon is less familiar and has the advantage of being established for a long time. Kindle said the company's presence in the material, while the family is eclipsed by Nexus brand Droid operator Verizon. At the selection on the eve of the holiday season, Amazon could buy up the ante with a shelf under a Kindle Android in which it is deeply integrated.

A tablet may be the best competitor of the iPad, but also, paradoxically, its greatest ally against the other tablets Android - found the game at three music stores. Amazon certainly seems to be the worst enemy of Apple...

Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.III

With icloud, Apple may, however, go far beyond the Cloud Drive. Amazon is focusing effect on media content, where Apple offers various services in addition to "productivity" (email, calendars, contacts, files synchronization, etc). Amazon then simply create a digital record, while Apple was able to convince record labels and management companies of copyright to allow the download multiple purchases or duplication of an iTunes library.

Apple takes the advantage because she thought the solution in the cloud as an extension of its equipment, as part of a full circle closed ecosystem. Amazon also has a closed ecosystem: the Kindle (designed by Lab126 ... in Cupertino). It is difficult to measure the success of Kindle and its associated download platform, Amazon do not provide sales figures, but it is undeniable.

Kindle and iPod are similar: they have succeeded where others have failed with a formula not necessarily new, but distinctive hardware and an integrated software platform available at the right time (technological convergence and preparing the public for the idea). The iPod had a hard drive, the wheel and then iTunes FairPlay DRM, the Kindle screen eIink had its modern, its persistent and 3G as well as its free Kindle Store and a closed file format. In many ways, it has demonstrated the viability of the eBook.

Apple today hunting on the lands of the Amazon with iPad and iBookstore, as do other manufacturers, but from Amazon in this market is 90% (although it is in rapid decline and to fall to 70-75% by the end of the year). In the same way as iTunes, Safari or icloud is available on Windows, you can access the Kindle platform on many devices. Amazon has understood before others, and just as Apple, the central content at low prices and high volume ("set an aggressive price and go for volume" said Steve Jobs): the logical step after that 'we bought books on the Kindle Store, readable only through the application Kindle, is to buy a Kindle.

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Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.II

Amazon's strategy could not be further from that of Apple, who swears by the gross margin, but the two companies come together on several issues, starting with the extreme loyalty of their customers. Better roads Amazon and Apple seem to be closer to the point of cross soon: as Apple has expanded the distribution and service (iTunes Store, App Store, icloud), Amazon’s has ventured into the field equipment (Kindle, a tablet soon). Soon, the two companies may well be in direct competition: each will have a complete ecosystem of distributing content to custom equipment designed and equipped with built-in software.

Amazon launched its music store in late 2007, more than four years after the opening of the iTunes Store. The lack of DRM, the highest quality and lower prices than iTunes Store helped catch up: Amazon has quickly become a viable number two, at least in the United States. The size of the catalogs of the two shops is now similar (14 to 16 million according to the counts): Amazon is characterized by regular lower prices, and generally a more flexible fee schedule, while Apple is known to afford some exclusives (the Beatles to name a few).

Jeff Bezos's company managed to consolidate its position as she was only 4% of purchases of digital music in the United States in early 2008, it now accounts for 11.6% of the market. This growth is currently not at the expense of iTunes, solid leader slight increase, reaching 70% market share. In a sense, Amazon helps strengthen Apple, eliminating weaker competitors such as Rhapsody, but Amazon is growing quickly: Apple may need to be wary.

Amazon's business practices are in fact just as formidable as in the early days. For the promotion of Amazon MP3 and its natural extension, the Cloud player, Jeff Bezos has not hesitated to sacrifice millions of dollars to provide music for song bread and gain new customers. Obviously the transaction cost as much as a traditional advertising campaign, with a different conversion rate.

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Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.I

It is frequently contrasted with Apple to Microsoft, Apple and more recently in Google. Amazon is to forget: in many ways, the firm of Jeff Bezos is perhaps the most formidable competitor to Apple, the electronic book to digital music, sales of applications for sale of equipment.

Amazon-smile, The fictionalized story of Apple based much of its current image: the return of the prodigal son has helped to revive the phoenix from the ashes, to replay the scene of the Macintosh iPod, iPhone and iPad and iTunes in the background. Less well known is the story of Amazon, so it is no less exciting.

Founded in 1994 and launched in 1995, Amazon.com is designed as the "largest bookseller in the world" free from physical constraints, the site was ambitious to sell more books than all its competitors combined. Its founder, Jeff Bezos, quickly launched an ambitious acquisition policy, increasing the acquisition of electronic bookstores (Bookpages, future Telebook and Amazon UK, Amazon DE future, in 1998, Audible in 2000) and many and varied many Internet services (IMDb, Wise in 1998, Alexa in 1999, several management systems in 1999 and 2000).

Amazon's business model has long been atypical in the first version scribbled by Jeff Bezos, it was not about generating profits, but simply to attract capital (the company goes public in 1997) and grow fast enough to reach many markets. The competitive advantage allows it to keep prices low. The genius of Bezos was to take calculated risks: to provide the delivery is a dead loss, but can attracting customers and hope to sell enough to generate a high margin on volume. This set of communicating vessels is the trademark of Amazon.

After years of losses as investors impatient and have to find all the patches available to present the results at their best, the activity becomes profitable Amazon bookstore in mid-2000 before all the activities going on green end of 2001. The demonstration is striking: 80% of sales are made by regular customers, who then spend about € 30 a month on Amazon.

Consolidation accounting rules, limiting or omitting certain practices disguising costs, Amazon is in the red board? Bezos offers delivery and conceded large reductions: sales explode and losses are reduced by half. Amazon MP3 should be promoted and its companion Cloud Drive? Jeff Bezos's company made loss of $ 2.6 million in selling off the last album in fashion; But earned nearly half a million users.

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FoneSync brings Mac OS X and Android together

The German publisher nova media offers new Mac OS software to synchronize a mobile device Android with his Mac. As doubleTwist before him FoneSync looks like the iTunes Android Smartphone and tablets, at least in terms of synchronization. His presentation is so very close to the Apple software and FoneSync can also sync media (music, videos and photos), but also its data as the address book or calendar.

Mimicry of iTunes goes a long way, there are exactly the same form used for space and can synchronize virtually the same elements, and play lists for music events in iPhoto.

Counterpart of this tight integration, FoneSync does not work with all Smartphone Android, far from it. Currently, the application is only compatible with two Nexus Google phones from Samsung, Sony and Motorola. HTC expected to follow those, but if you are not listed, you cannot use the software. The publisher does not specify whether the tablets Honeycomb are compatible with its software.

Each version costs € 9.99 and if FoneSync is a Mac application, it actually buys the corresponding Android application before installing the utility on Mac by connecting the USB terminal. The operation is complex and involves paying the software again if you change brand of phone. DoubleTwist in turn is free and works with many Android devices...