Mac

Psystar Lawyers Hinting at Antitrust Defense Against Apple

If you thought Mac cloners Psystar were going to go on the Apple chopping block without a whole lot of fuss…think again. The case is about to get a lot more interesting now that their defense team seems prepared to play the antitrust card in court. As Colby Springer, one of the lawyers on Psystar’s team noted:

“This case has been mischaracterized. There are a lot more complicated issues than just copyright or trademark. There are more complex issues [than those] in respect to the end-user licensing agreement. And antitrust issues come into play, too…”

When pressed further about the situation in the interview, Springer added: “But take a look at the website of the lead attorney representing Apple,” he said. “Apple knows where this is going.”

I seriously doubt that an antitrust defense will get Psystar off the hook in the end, but it seems to be their best legal option by far. In fact, they probably prepared for this from the beginning. At any rate, it will certainly open up some interesting debates in the coming months. [Computer World via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Popularity: 8% [?]

Freedom frees you (and your Mac) from the horror of the internet

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably at least a little bit addicted to your internet connection. The first thing I do when I wake up is check my email and RSS feeds, and it’s also the last thing I do before going to sleep. But that addiction can sometimes be a problem.

Staying on-task these days is not easy, particularly if you work at an internet-connected computer. The possible distractions are virtually limitless. So what is a geek to do? One option is to simply pull the plug. The network plug, that is.

But of course, these days almost all computers have wireless capabilities, so turning off your internet connection isn’t quite as simply as just pulling the plug. If you’re on a Mac, you can use Freedom.

Freedom will turn off all of your Mac’s wireless and ethernet networking for a set amount of time. So if you need to put your head down for an hour and get some work done, you can set Freedom to an hour, and know that you won’t be tempted by any distractions.

If you absolutely need to get back online before the chosen duration is up, the only way to do so is to reboot your computer.

This is one of those apps that will be a life saver for some people, and seem totally ridiculous to others. Which are you? [ibiblio]

Popularity: 8% [?]

Mac vs. PC — Which Is for You?

Mac or PC – it’s the perennial debate for anyone looking to buy a new computer (or win an argument). Passionate and valid points exist in both camps, but it ultimately boils down to your personal tastes, needs, and budget. We played around with all shapes and sizes of Macs (Mini, iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro) and PCs (Gateway One desktop, Gateway M-Series laptops, Lenovo x300 laptop, Acer Ferrari 1100, Sony TP Series, and Dell XPS M2010) to figure out which type of computer was best on a variety of fronts. Much to our surprise, not all of our findings turned out as we expected….
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Popularity: 11% [?]

Logitech Makes Wireless DiNovo Edge Keyboard for Macs Too

Logitech’s diNovo edge keyboard, originally billed as “the most advanced keyboard in the world” has only been available in Windows versions, but today Logitech are releasing a version for Macs. Just like the original it’s got multimedia keys, “PerfectStroke” keys and a touchpad-like touchdisc, but this time it’s also got Mac-specific keys for launching apps like Mail and Safari. Plus it’s got a power button, so you can switch off your Mac by remote. It connects through Bluetooth, comes with a charger base/stand and will cost you a jot under $160. Press release below.
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Popularity: 7% [?]

Subtle hint from MS Office website: Get a Mac

Going back to school? You’ll need books, Microsoft Office… and a MacBook Pro, PowerBook G4, if the picture on Microsoft’s Office back-to-school site is to be believed. Both the landing and inside pages of the site prominently feature the machines running what appears to be Office 2007 for Windows (which, of course, they can do with ease and grace). Still a bit surprising that the site doesn’t feature a laptop from one of Microsoft’s more traditional hardware partners.

This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen Macs appear as Windows workstations via Microsoft’s sites or events — this Norwegian TV demo of Vista raised eyebrows for the distinctively iMacian nature of the demo machine. Perhaps the message from PC Magazine about the hardware that suits Vista best is getting through.

Update: As noted in the comments, the lack of an iSight clearly pegs this hardware as a G4, not a MacBook Pro — so it can’t run Office 2007 at all. Shame on me for missing it, but it’s even funnier now. Thanks Perrin! Written by Michael Rose

Popularity: 4% [?]