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The Importance Of AppleCare→

The Importance Of AppleCare

Others will tell you they’ve owned several Macs, without AppleCare. This is the same lot who never purchases “extended warranties,” which they consider “scams.” To them I say that AppleCare is an exception, especially since Macs are increasingly difficult or impossible to get into. Still others will say that Apple ought to include 3 years’ worth of protection with every Mac they sell. Perhaps, but the world as it exists is often disappointing compared to the world as we wish it existed.

And Stephen Hackett’s reply, who worked as Lead Mac Genius at Memphis’ Apple Store:

I know all of this, and I buy AppleCare for my computers. Why? Because stuff breaks. And when Apple stuff breaks, it can be expensive. Unlike a PC that might use a separate board for everything, Apple’s all-in-one logic board approach makes for expensive out-of-warranty repairs.

Computers break. Like it or not, buying AppleCare would be a wise move.

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The Most Awesome Screensavers for Mac→

The Most Awesome Screensavers for Mac

While the hype about screensavers has certainly died down, mostly due to iOS coolness, people still use them. I agree, they’re wasteful, but still nice to look at. Yesterday, internet superstar Steve Streza asked his followers for screensaver recommendations. I tuned in to his mentions, and then did some digging around on the interwebs, and here’s a few that will definitely keep your screen occupied.

The Polar Clock one is a thing of beauty. Check out Steve’s bundle here.

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AnandTech’s Epic MacBook Air Review→

AnandTech’s Epic MacBook Air Review

While both models are extremely light, the 11-inch MacBook Air is portable perfection. It’s the closest thing to an iPad with a keyboard (short of an iPad with an actual keyboard). I’m afraid that’s where the comparison ends. Despite what Apple would have you feel, the new MacBook Air is no more an iPad than its predecessor.

If you need to read another review about the new Airs, make sure it’s this one. Insightful and unbiased. [tip: print the page as .PDF and read it on your iPad]

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AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley→

AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley

AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley is the most advanced, thorough, and in-depth documentation for the creation of AppleScript Objective-C applications. Utilizing a hands-on approach, the book guides you step-by-step through the process of integrating the power of Cocoa into your AppleScript applets and applications, demonstrating each concept and technique in fully editable and annotated example projects.

Recommended. [via DF]

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How To Setup A Home Surveillance System Using FaceTime→

How To Setup A Home Surveillance System Using FaceTime

Run this script on your Mac when you leave the house, you can call your Apple ID from your iPhone 4 phone number. The script will auto answer the FaceTime call, allowing you to check in on things. When you hang up, FaceTime will quit, and the script will continue to listen for incoming calls. When you get home, stop the script and FaceTime will no longer auto-answer your calls.

Clever.

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Justin Williams’ Mac App Store Blueprint→

Justin Williams’ Mac App Store Blueprint

Assuming both applications are accepted, both Today and Check Off will be in the App Store on day 1 as the exclusive distribution channel. At that point in time, I will shut down the existing Second Gear store and channel any sales traffic from my Web site to the Mac App Store.

Risky? Yeah. Insane? Maybe.

As with anything involving Apple’s App Store platforms, pricing is an issue. At this point, I’m not planning to adjust my prices for the Mac App Store. I think this will be the trend for existing software moving to the App Store, because giving up a 30% cut to Apple for the privilege is enough of a sacrifice. Tacking on a price cut as well? I can’t see many full-time developers agreeing to that.

If you’ve selling a $40 piece of software on your own distribution platform for years, moving it to a new platform doesn’t make it any less worth of $40.

A 30% cut seems to be perfectly fine for many developers as long as Apple provides the tools and the system to ensure that the only requirement for a dev is that of doing what he likes most: developing. Notable independent Mac developers such as the Omni Group, Realmac, Pixelmator and, now, Secondgear have already committed to Mac App Store development. I can see where this trend is going. We’ll check again in a couple of months.

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Joshua Topolsky On The New MacBook Air→

Joshua Topolsky On The New MacBook Air

Make no mistake about it, the new MacBook Airs are very good laptops. What they lack in speed and power, they make up for in build quality and big time battery life. Add to that gorgeous displays, solid state storage, and the unquestionably stable OS X, and the concoction makes for a nearly irresistible offering… provided you’ve got the cash. When it comes to the 11.6-incher, it’s hard to see it as our main laptop (emphasis on our): it’s a great companion for bed, the TV, and short trips, but it’s not quite enough to take the place of our MacBook Pro. The 13-inch, on the other hand, may have just enough juice to become a lot of people’s one and only; it was consistently surprising to us during our testing.

After a quick demo at my local reseller and all the reviews that are coming out, I’m firmly convinced my next portable Mac will be an Air.

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RIP, MacBook Pro→

RIP, MacBook Pro

MG Siegler:

And regardless of if storage capabilities hold it back or not, I have no doubt that the Air does point to the future of the MacBook lineup. They’re soon all going to lose their optical drives, gain flash storage drives, and work for hours on end. In fact, the only machine I can think of that I might enjoy more than this one is one that lasts even longer. To get that, I’d accept a model that’s slightly larger (15-inches), slightly heavier (maybe 3.3 pounds), but had 10 hours of battery life. That’s the future MacBook Pro right there.

Is it just me, or purchasing a regular MacBook doesn’t make much sense anymore?

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Apple’s Jobs Is Victor In War Of Words→

Apple’s Jobs Is Victor In War Of Words

It’s refreshing to see a CEO stand up and be so confident in his company and products that he is willing to speak out. In fact, I wish more CEOs had that much confidence in what they are making.

Jobs is winning the war of words with competitors because consumers are buying Apple’s products. Jobs is bringing innovative products to the market and everyone else is following his lead.

For many CEOs used to their business lingo, it’s hard to understand Jobs’ direct style.

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