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BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac releasing October 2

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 30th 2009 @ 7:24AM

A tiny little beta leak earlier this month let BlackBerry-toting Mac fans knew that something good was coming in the near future, and now we know it's very near indeed (though a bit later than expected). On October 2 RIM will release BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac, specifically at 1:00pm EST. That means instead of wrapping up your busy work-week being productive you can instead spend the afternoon fighting long download queues and playing around getting this app configured -- for purely work-related purposes of course, like syncing with iCal, Address Book, and automatically backing up contacts. Just don't tell your boss you'll also be able to sync your iTunes collection to your handset, including album art, something that should make Pre-owning Bob down the hall a little jealous. Again, the fun starts Friday afternoon at 1:00 EST. Clear your calendars accordingly.

Read - RIM Launches BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac Users
Read - Download here come Friday

BlackBerry Desktop Manager beta for Mac leaks out

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 4th 2009 @ 10:27AM

Let's be honest: BlackBerry users with Macs have led a pretty rough life. You've historically been afterthoughts in RIM's eyes, offered table scraps of first-party software that you usually end up having to combine with third-party stuff to do what you need to do -- and let's not even talk about firmware upgrades. Fortunately, RIM's finally decided to go all-in for Mac, bringing a proper Desktop Manager suite to the platform this month -- but we're not exactly the patient types around here, and we know many of you aren't either, so you might want to go ahead and grab the copy that's leaked recently. It's not a gold release, but with impatience usually comes early adoption and with early adoption usually comes painful bugs, so it's nothing you shouldn't already be used to.

Snow Leopard takes a bite out of support for legacy Palm OS devices

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 25th 2009 @ 4:32PM

Still rocking that Palm Zire with your new Intel-based Mac? Then you might just want to reconsider that upgrade to Snow Leopard, as Apple has apparently decided to ditch its support for legacy Palm OS devices in the latest incarnation of iSync. That, as you may be aware, had previously acted as a conduit for Palm's aging but still available Palm Desktop software, and let folks easily sync up their contacts and other data from their Centro, Treo, Zire, Tungsten, or even a venerable old PalmPilot. Of course, that doesn't quite rise to the same level of controversy as the whole Pre / iTunes situation, especially considering that Palm itself has mostly moved on from said devices, and there are still some third-party sync solutions available for folks that want to keep the Palm OS dream alive.

RIM officially intros BlackBerry Curve 8520, promises "out of the box" Mac compatibility

by Darren Murph posted Jul 27th 2009 @ 6:05AM

Sadly enough, this is pretty much par for the course with RIM. We talk about a BlackBerry for months on end, and after everyone grows acquainted with its features via less-than-official sources, the company finally confesses. At any rate, the long-awaited BlackBerry Curve 8520 (which may or may not go by Gemini on T-Mobile) has finally found a dedicated landing page on its maker's website, and while the list of specifications aren't a surprise, there is one thing that caught our eye. Alongside the 2 megapixel camera, video recording mode, WiFi radio, 1,150mAh battery (which is good for 4.5 hours of talk time or 17 days in standby), a fairly robust multimedia player and a 320 x 240 resolution display, RIM also promises "out of the box Mac compatibility." Specifically, we're told that users will be able to "sync contacts, calendars and notes" by using BlackBerry Desktop Software on Apple computers. Of course, when clicking for more information, we're simply ported over to a page informing us that the Mac-specific version of the aforesaid platform won't arrive until September. So, is the 8520 special, or is that August 5th ship date around 30 days off?

Update: RIM just confirmed the T-Mobile USA release date: it's August 5th for $48.88 (from Walmart, anyway) on a two-year agreement. Guess we'll see just how legitimate that Mac claim is here soon, huh?

[Thanks, Marcus]

Gallery: RIM officially intros BlackBerry Curve 8520

Continue reading RIM officially intros BlackBerry Curve 8520, promises "out of the box" Mac compatibility

BlackBerry Desktop Manager coming to Mac in September

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 20th 2009 @ 2:07PM

Mac users, rejoice -- well, the BlackBerry users in the lot of you, anyway. RIM's been infamous over the years for all but ignoring Mac support for its devices, throwing out the occasional bone like Media Sync, but they're now going big with a full-fledged Desktop Manager supporting Mac OS 10.5.5 and above when it launches... sometime. The big sticking point right now is that RIM isn't talking about an availability date, all we know is that it'll happen some time in September -- but when that date comes, you'll have a suite that's able to sync iTunes, add and remove apps, perform firmware updates, create backups and restore from them, and manage multiple BlackBerrys at the same time. Nokia, maybe you guys want to take note here?

Missing Sync beta available for Pre

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 24th 2009 @ 4:08AM

Palm would have us all believe that the "cloud," a dash of EV-DO, and a smidge of WiFi are all you need to get your webOS-based device synced to the rest of your world, but back in the real world, we all know that's not necessarily the case. MarkSpace -- well-entrenched in the world of getting BlackBerrys, Windows Mobile phones, and everything in between to play nice with Macs -- has released a beta version of The Missing Sync for Pre, letting you sync your music, bookmarks, ringtones, files, pictures, and just about everything else using its Proximity Sync tech which automatically hooks into your machine when it's in WiFi range. It's free for the time being while it's in testing, but don't use it unless you're willing to shell out should you get hooked -- the final retail version will run $39.95 when it's available.

[Via PC World]

iPhone OS 3.0's parental controls to assuage some app submission woes?

by Ross Miller posted May 4th 2009 @ 8:51PM

Here's something that should help Trent reach a level of moderate contentment. Although we already knew that Apple was expanding its parental controls with iPhone OS 3.0 into the realm of TV shows, movies and App Store apps, a report today about the rejection of Makayama's Newspaper(s) app provides a good example at the ramifications of such alterations. According to iLounge, it was rejected due to a picture of a topless woman under the section for UK-based tabloid The Sun. The accompanying letter suggested a resubmission once 3.0 (and subsequently the parental controls) go public, which we take to mean that the questionable content will suddenly be okay for the App Store once it's behind the appropriate age gate. We won't know for sure until everything falls into place, but sounds like this is one part of the submission approval process that'll soon end up much less frustrating for developers.

[Via 9 to 5 Mac]

Apple patents adaptive volume controls based on environment, not quality of your music

by Ross Miller posted Jan 22nd 2009 @ 9:07PM

Ever walk through a crowd with your headphones on, only to find your music drowned out by the uproar? A recent Apple patent proposes dynamic volume adjustment based on your local surroundings. According to the filing, a sound sensor would be used to detect ambient noise and adapt accordingly. It says user volume controls are accounted for, so passing by a construction site likely won't cause your jams to be pumped up to an ear-shattering 11. Although it sounds more likely than some of the company's other patents, don't get your hopes up for seeing this any time soon. Hit up the read link for more details.

[Via Electronista]

BlackBerry Storm OTA update now available on Verizon

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 @ 5:53PM

We're certain it has been a painstaking weekend for you Storm-owning Mac users, but the long-awaited OTA download for the first firmware update is finally available. For those somewhat confused, the update we covered on Friday was exclusively available via the Windows-only RIM Desktop Manager application; now, Storm owners can suck down v4.7.0.75 without a liaison. Early reports are pretty positive, with jkOnTheRun noting that the troublesome lag that came bundled with the handset was now all but history. The 14MB download (plus installation) is said to take around 20 to 30 minutes, so fire yours up and let us know how things turn out.

OLO dreams up iPhone-powered netbook, CELIO shouts "don't do it!"

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2008 @ 8:14AM

You were looking for a laugh to start your Columbus Day / Canadian Thanksgiving Day / etc. off, weren't you? Consider yourself lucky. OLO Computer is reportedly thinking of bringing to market a netbook-styled device that would actually enable (require?) users to plop their iPhone / iPhone 3G into the palm rest; from there, the handset would act as the brains of the operation and double as a trackpad. At the present time, there are no real specifications to speak of -- just a zany teaser page and lots of speculation. We shouldn't have to remind you what an epic failure the whole "cellphone companion" sector has been, as one look at Palm's axed Foleo and the deeply discounted Celio REDFLY should be explanation enough. Hey, we're not trying to discourage you from giving this a go, OLO, but we'd probably have a backup plan ready to roll in case Apple itself drops a netbook on the world in the next 48 hours.

[Via Liliputing]

Read - Official teaser page
Read - Netbook-style clamshell for iPhone is coming

Mark/Space offers up Missing Sync for Symbian

by Darren Murph posted Jul 30th 2008 @ 7:46PM

Just over a month after surfacing in Preview form, Mark/Space has loosed the finalized version of The Missing Sync for Symbian on the world. Yes, Mac lovers, this means you can now get your beloved computer to play nice with your Sony Ericsson, Motorola or Nokia-based S60 / UIQ handset. There's even a swank Proximity Syncing feature that enables your mobile and Mac to exchange hellos (and sync, obviously) whenever they are within Bluetooth (around 30-feet) range. The download is available now for $39.95, while packs with more licenses are available for $169.79 and up. Who's game to give it a go and confess whether or not it was worth the coin?

[Via TUAW]

Ivyskin's Xylo T2 case engulfs your iPhone, doesn't inhibit touchscreen use

by Darren Murph posted Apr 10th 2008 @ 3:46PM

This one's been available for a tick, but ivyskin's brilliant new iPhone case is just too marvelous to ignore. The Xylo Touch-Thru (T2) claims to be the first case to put a hard shell atop the iPhone's touch panel which can remain in place as you check your email, respond to a SMS or dial up the local pizza joint. By utilizing Surface Xylo Wave technology, ultrasonic waves are able to permeate through to the display without interference, allowing users to simultaneously keep their precious panel protected 'round the clock while not inhibiting their ability to touch and feel. Not a bad investment for $34.99, eh?

Apple updates .Mac

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 7th 2007 @ 12:32PM

Apple unveiled an update to its .Mac package of subscription online apps today. Most notably, .Mac now integrates with the just-announced iPhoto '08, offering synchronization between iPhoto and a web-based online gallery viewable "in any browser you like" (we should certainly hope so!). Oh, and it integrates with the iPhone, too, via a new "Send to Web Gallery" feature on the phone that -- you guessed it -- will upload pics snapped with the handset straight to your online gallery. The synchronization is two-way, meaning that other folks can upload pics straight to your gallery and they'll sync with the iPhone as well. Videos don't get left out of the equation, either; Web Galleries and the iPhone will both support 'em. Think you'll need more capacity to handle video, though? No worries -- the service now includes 10GB of storage with 100GB of monthly transfer (2.5GB / 25GB for family pack sub-accounts), which'll be available "within a week" according to Apple, with optional upgrades of 10GB and 20GB on deck. Price stays the same: $99.95 per year.

New Parallels Desktop beta supports iPhone

by Darren Murph posted Aug 3rd 2007 @ 9:36AM

Trust us, the irony of someone needing to sync an Apple device through Windows that's running on a Mac is glaringly obvious, but hey, some folks just can't escape Outlook no matter how hard they try. Nevertheless, the new Parallels Desktop beta (which is available now) does add iPhone support in Windows XP and Vista along with a newly fortified Image Tool / Explorer and coherence windows that now work with Expose. Of course, you should recognize that this stuff is indeed still in beta, but if you're the daring (or overly trusting) type, feel free to hit the read link and get your download on.

[Via AppleInsider]

The Missing Sync now plays nice with WM6

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 2nd 2007 @ 10:34AM

The Missing Sync, the near-ubiquitous peace pipe that lets Windows Mobile devices play nice (and by "play nice" we mean "sync") with Macs, has just been upped to version 4. That in itself isn't huge news -- the new version offers up support for videos, call logs, and text messages -- but what is huge news is that the product now features Windows Mobile 6 support. That's great news for the ever-growing contingent of folks rocking Wings, upgraded Dashes and Treo 750s (and hopefully Blackjacks in the not-too-distant future) who dare to span the Microsoft-Apple divide.

[Via TUAW]