Friday, June 10, 2011

250 new features of Mac OS X Lion Part.II





FileVault 2
This is the major update to the document encryption solution for Mac OS X. With Leo, it is now capable of encrypting the entire drive and it also works with external drives (USB and FireWire). FileVault XTS-2 uses AES 128 to encrypt (a solution very secure), access to encrypted data is immediately after entering the password.

Finder
The Finder has a new default view to display all files sorted by category, a new option that was also around the Finder. The search box displays suggestions and intelligently filters the results, like in Mail. It can merge files, create a folder from a group of files or keep multiple files when drag and drop a file that already exists in the destination folder.


iCal
New interface for Apple's calendar application, we have already mentioned on MacGeneration.

iChat
Even if Apple puts more emphasis on FaceTime now, the messaging client iChat is not abandoned historic Lion in the contrary. It now includes Messenger; it offers a unified contact list and a unified status for all registered accounts. We can now perform a search in the iChat buddy list and can be extended by plug-ins.

Launchpad
LaunchPad Application Manager to iOS works just like in IOS or almost. We may set records for applications, delete them directly from the LaunchPad ... Only applications on the Mac App Store are entitled to all functions.


Mac App Store
Integrated with Leo, he also has three new features compared to that which was added to Snow Leopard. First of all purchases in-app that will finally allow developers to offer trial versions that can be clamped to unlock the application. Other new updates faster where only changes from the previous version will be recovered and finally instant notifications identical to those of iOS directly to inform users of an application.

Mail
Mail Mail LionBeaucoup novelties have already been mentioned on MacGeneration. This new version offers a completely new interface with a very practical view conversations and new research more quickly and efficiently. Among the new quieter; note the archiving of emails with one click or support Exchange 2010 notifications and holidays.

Mission Control
Replacing Exposé and Spaces, Mission Control offers control over applications with extensive use of multitouch gestures. The changes concern statement, but also and especially the new Spaces: everything is done from Mission Control and the dock. Confusing at first, this mode is much simpler and more intuitive.

Space Lion
New quieter Mac OS X Leo, you can now associate different wallpaper per virtual desktop.

Multitouch
They have been widely reported on MacGeneration. Remember they are even more present than in Snow Leopard and they make the trackpad Magic even more useful.
(Cont.)

250 new features of Mac OS X Lion Part.I





Following the opening keynote of WWDC 2011, Apple has posted on its website a long list of 250 new features for the next update of its system. Some innovations were already known thanks to the Developer Preview of the system, some others were not yet known. A Quick overview of all the new features here.


Accessibility
VoiceOver has 23 votes in many languages and we can even download new high-quality voice in the ad hoc panel preference. Leo also supports Braille, you can zoom in on an image only (the rest of the screen remains unchanged), the cursor is defined more and Apple has added a new mode drag and drop where you select the original item and point of destination and the system does the rest.

Accessibility lion voice
Airdrop
To simplify the sharing of documents, airdrop integrates seamlessly Finder Lion. The feature requires no configuration, just click on the icon to see immediately compatible computers on their network and send a file or folder. The transfers are secure (encryption in TLS), a firewall is automatically created and you keep control of operations (confirmation that you accept the file, possible cancellation of the transfer).

Overview
Overview of the many innovations have already been outlined MacGeneration.

AppleScript
The scripting language is not abandon Apple with Leo. The AppleScript editor contains some innovations, such as templates to quickly create a script linked to a rule by example. You can create applets Cocoa (AppleScript Studio to replace what?), Create scripts which focus on an application ...



Auto Save
Auto SaveCette function automatically saves the documents, everything is done transparently and automatically, even if you can duplicate a file or a block from the menu that will appear in the final version in the filename.

Automator

Automator can now change a process to move from one process to service a plug-in printing for example. The application manages versions and Auto Save, new Automator actions appear in Lion, in particular to manage RTF files.


Address Book
Besides a new interface, Address Book Lion improves its synchronization with Yahoo, it offers access to photos in iPhoto to complete the address book, it allows FaceTime to initiate a call or add birthdays without year.



Mac OS X LionDistribution
Mac OS X Lion abandons the physical medium. The next version of Apple's system will only be sold on the Mac App Store for € 23.99. We can install on any Mac with an account authorized iTunes Store.

FaceTime
The video chat application is built into Apple's Mac OS X Lion. Little new from what we already knew, except the addition of an expected full screen.
(Cont.)

Testing the iMac 27 "2.7 GHz Quad Core i5 Part.IV




Other option is the storage media. For 150 € you will grow to 2 TB of hard drive (150 €) or we may prefer only SSD storage with 256 GB (500 €). It is however very little in terms of storage for a high rate, especially if one collects photos and video. The more affluent will have the option to combine a hard disk with a SSD, which will host the system and applications (marriage of storage capacity and speed of execution) but must pay dearly again. Has 600 € to 1 TB + 256 GB SSD or 700 € for 2 TB + 256 GB SSD. These two combinations also currently lead delivery times higher, 4 to 6 weeks.

Finally, the choice is given (without influence on the final price) for a wired keyboard (with numeric keypad) or wireless (without keypad), a wired mouse or touches the Magic Mouse and Bluetooth or the touchpad and wireless Trackpad Magic. If we want both the Magic Mouse and Trackpad Magic, count an additional 69 €.


€ 200 separates this iMac model just below the screen with 21.5 ". On the essential characteristics, they are identical. To work with an iMac 27" (Core i7 Quad) since 2009 it is difficult to find complain about this diagonal screen. Some may find the unnecessary or cumbersome. It is true that this declination iMac does not accommodate a small office and there must be a minimum of recoil. In summary, if your budget allows and that the 27 "does not scare you, no hesitation in having this machine is a small bomb. Otherwise, the 21.5" reconcile more affordable prices (1149 and 1449 €) to possibly inflate the memory or hard drive) with quite satisfactory performance.

Testing the iMac 27 "2.7 GHz Quad Core i5 Part.III




Another point to note with this hard drive and more generally with this iMac, it works quietly. In a quieter environment, we launched a Flash playback 1080p on YouTube, iMovie and encoding a copy of a large folder of files, everything went without one is a particular annoyance came from fans or Disc. While an iMac 27 "Core i7 of 2009 will be much more remarkable for its breakdown.

This iMac also differs from its predecessors by adding a light sensor next to the webcam. It automatically alters the brightness of the screen. She is still alive; some coping with this very well, others will find it too strong to its maximum setting. So there is a new option to automatically adjust in System Preferences.


Another development is the presence of the connection to Thunderbolt. Except that Apple has not provided a connector on the iMac as 21.5 "but two. Sign it considers this series of iMac as suitable for certain professional uses where the Thunderbolt will make his debut, including video. But in the meantime, the two acquisitions have nothing to put in their mouths. We must remember that the use of this iMac as a screen of another Mac (target mode) is possible that using a Mac Thunderbolt too.

Like the 21.5 "color rendering of the webcam seemed more neutral, while newer machines like the last MacBook Pro 15" which in very good conditions of light, the image drew significantly on the magenta. Another detail, the design of the iMac has not changed, housing for SD cards is very near the slot SuperDrive, beware of evil manipulations' ...


At the time of ordering, the customer some options. Like go to 8 GB memory (16 GB max). If one spends most of his time on the Internet, the 4 GB may be enough. It is recommended that in contrast to climb to higher level when working with many applications open. We can happily adjust its configuration in a second time. Of the four memory slots, two are vacant, so we can add strips later, and look for any tariffs more competitive than the Apple Store (200 €). The installation itself of these bars is relatively easy. As long as you have the right screwdriver, simply remove the small grid in the screen and drag strips in their new homes. It's a matter of ten minutes.
(Cont.)

Testing the iMac 27 "2.7 GHz Quad Core i5 Part.II




If one compares the first i5 Quad 2.7 GHz 2.5 GHz to previously tested on the iMac 21.5 ", the gains in performance, predictable, are confirmed in almost all applications. There is no exception with Aperture to export the same time. Elsewhere, the differences are sometimes marked. But with Blender (3D), iPhoto, XLD (audio encoding) or Starcraft at native resolution of the screen, the differences are smaller, if not minimal.

- Handbrake: 17 min 22 sec (2.7 GHz) against 19 min 01 s (2.5 GHz)
- Photoshop CS5 test (DHT): 2 min 45 sec instead of 3 min 04 s
- GarageBand: 1 min 32 sec 1 min 41 s cons
- IMovie: 8 min 59 sec instead of 9 min 15 sec
- Finder: 1 min 28 sec instead of 1 min 34 sec
- Stracraft: 65 fps in 1280x800 cons 50 fps

The finding is more vindictive to the very first iMac 27 "Quad. A high-end model features a 2.8 GHz Core i7 released in fall 2009. Our" small "i5 the distance in all cases Figure (some tests fail, we added some applications since then). Faced with the Mac Pro entry level, a Xeon 2.8 GHz Quad, same thing, this iMac is held upright, into the processor and testing Cinebench OpenGL.

- GarageBand: 1 min 32 sec 2 min 14 sec cons for Core i7 Quad 2009
- IMovie: 8 min 59 sec 9 min 27 s cons
- Photoshop CS5 test (DHT): 2 min 45 sec instead of 3 min 04 s
- Photoshop CS5 test (RAT): 42 s instead of 58 s
- Photoshop CS4 test (DHT): 3 min 55 sec instead of 5 min 19 sec
- Photoshop CS4 test (RAT): 45 seconds instead of 1 min 09 s
- QuickTime X: 42 s instead of 58 s

The hard drive is a Western Digital (WD1001FALS-403AA0) to 1 TB 7200 rpm. QuickBench test with large files to an average of 124 MB / s read / write. It's better than the 500GB model fitted to the 21.5 "which is turned around 112 MB / s. All this confirms, if need be, the idea that this family of iMac is perfectly complete semi-professional tasks like 3D, DTP or video or music. In the latter two areas, however, specialists rather demanding swear by the Mac Pro. But for the general public, the iMac 27 "have all the comforts.

(Cont.)