AppleNewsTree.com

Section: Apple, Apple News, Retail & Apple Store

According to AppleInsider, Apple and Best Buy have plans to expand their Mac Program well beyond 600 stores (they currently have about 500), but could face some difficulties due to real estate issues. Apple asks that their large kiosks are in a central location that is easily visible, and they are currently in most of the larger stores which have about 35,000 to 50,000 square feet of room. However, due to the size of their kiosks, which contain large LCD displays and computers, the smaller Best Buy stores are having trouble finding room for Apple.

Hopefully, they will be able to figure this out soon because Best Buy is increasingly helping Mac sales. Research analysts believe Best Buy is not only “...presenting the Apple image, but is actually pushing healthy volumes of Macs out of its in-store boutiques.” They go on to add that this shows in the near 51% Mac increase this past year. Best Buy currently runs about 1,150 stores worldwide, so further expansion of this program could be of great help to Apple.

Via [AppleInsider]

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Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iPhone + Communications, iPhone, iPhone SDK & Apps

Maverick Software has announced its line of iPhone and iPod Touch games that will be available through Apple’s App Store. All these games are built from the ground up and are fully native to the iPod Touch and iPhone. With four new games, this company really wants to make an impact in the App Store. Here they are:

• Comet Cowboy - This is an original, $4.99 game that consists of an outer space mining expedition. Users have to use their finger to draw a lasso around comets and try to gather as many of them as they can within the time limit to advance.  It also contains a high score list, so you can compete with all of your friends.
• Yulan Mahjong Solitaire - This version of solitaire contains eight different board layouts and full support for panning, zooming, etc.  If you get stuck, you can use the built in hint feature, reshuffle your tiles, or sort through the infinite undos. This game is also $4.99
• Snowglobe - Coming in at $.99, this is simply a snowglobe application. You can adjust the size, speed, and numbers of the snow flakes, and then simply shake your device to move them around. You can even use a picture from your photo library to put in the inside.
• Blip Solitaire - Free at the launch of the App Store, this game simply asks users to move their paddle around and keep the ball bouncing for as long as possible.

Do any of these games sound interesting to you?  If so, they will all be available at the launch of the App Store for you to grab a hold of and touch. Could it possibly take any longer for July 11th to come around?

Product [Maverick Software]

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Section: Software + Apps, Home and Personal, iPod + iTunes, iPod Family, Mac + Computers, Software

Berbie Software’s Trailrunner application has been updated to version 1.7, and now supports the Nike+ SportBand as well as nikeplus.com. This means runners can now display their Nike running data in Trailrunner and analyze their performance with Trailrunner’s built in tools. Another major update to this version is improved GPS support for optimized course merging and a better overall workout history chart.  For those of you with heart rate monitors, you will also see improved support.

Trailrunner “...is route planning software for all kinds of long distance sports, like running, biking, hiking, inline-skating, skiing and more...” and comes with a ton of features. With this app, you can easily calculate a route of any distance, then have the directions exported to your iPod. Once your run is done, Trailrunner offers many features to help you analyze your performance. You can manage your goals, add personal notes, and publish your results with .Mac. If running is your thing, be sure to check Trailrunner out.

Product [Trailrunner]

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Section: Apple, iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iPhone + Communications, iPhone

According to some recent patents published by Apple, they want you to be able to control your touch devices not only with your finger but with your fingernails and gestures as well. Many of these patents credit either John Elias or Wayne Westerman, both of whom founded FingerWorks, a company that Apple got ahold of in 2005. For example, one patent describes a technology that could decipher between different body parts by analyzing the pixel values of the area touched.

Another patent further describes a new method of touch technology. The user could not only use the skin on his finger to activate a menu, but could flip his finger over to use his fingernail to apply pressure and bring up a different menu. And finally, Apple seems to realize that all of these different touching techniques may become too confusing. A third patent allows for hand gestures to control devices, and it could work by following the color trail left behind by the hand. Although this idea isn’t new, I’m sure Apple could execute it in an innovative way.

These are all very interesting ideas, but we must remember they are just patents. Apple tends to get patents that are never put into context. I suppose we will just have to wait and see if our iTablet ever does come out.

Via [AppleInsider]

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Section: Mac + Computers, Laptops, MacBook Air

Marware doesn’t just give the iPhone 3G some love with their cases, they also share it with the iPhone’s thin sister, the MacBook Air. This time around they have two new cases for you to decide between. The first is called the Sportfolio Deluxe and is available for $79.99. The strap on this case is easily adjustable and it comes with plenty of room for your accessories. It is made with black neoprene on the outside and a plush liner on the inside, giving your laptop ultimate protection.

The second case is simply called the Sportfolio, and comes in at $49.99. This style is made with a more rugged neoprene outer covering and contains less space on the inside for accessories and business necessities. It contains a plastic insert for impact protection, and a large handle for easy carrying. Like the Sportfolio Deluxe, it also contains an easily adjustable strap. It has dual zippers for easy access, also.

Although these cases are very similar, they each offer a few unique features for you to choose from. Either way, I would pick one and make sure that (newly less) expensive MacBook Air of yours is fully protected.

Product Page [Sportfolio Deluxe, Sportfolio]

Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Apple

Haven’t caught all of the Appletell news this week?  Here’s your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!

• Seven problems with the iPhone 3G
  “The new iPhone 3G hasn’t even been released yet, but seven problems with the new iPhone have already been pointed out by many, all of which have been based on demos and published specs of what the iPhone 3G…” MORE »
• 10,000+ Canadians petition for lower iPhone 3G rates from Rogers
  “ The iPhone is finally making its way to Canada on July 11, 2008 and Canadians aren’t as happy about it as they should be due to voice and data rates from one of the only two carriers that will be…” MORE »
• Apple to Intel: No iPhone for you.
  “Apple has given Intel the cold shoulder and has decided to not use their chips in the next generation iPhone 3G. Although Intel is working hard to produce smaller versions of their popular and powerful x86 chips, Apple “...chose not to take that road map…” MORE »
• Telstra announces the iPhone 3G prices for Australia
  “So, while Canadian iPhone fans are petitioning for lower iPhone 3G rates from Rogers, our friends from the land down under will most probably be happier with the pricing rates of the iPhone 3G when it hits the Australian market on…” MORE »
• Turn your old iPhone into a WiFi iPod
  “If you still don’t know what you’re going to do with your old iPhone once you upgrade to the iPhone 3G, AT&T is suggesting something which might actually appeal to you and the rest of the old iPhone users. AT&T will allow…” MORE »
• Blizzard confirms Diablo III; Will be released for Mac and PC
  “Fans of the Diablo series have finally gotten their wish; Diablo III is under development. Blizzard confirmed this at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational yesterday in Paris, France.  According to Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard has wanted to…” MORE »
• More details on today’s Mac OS X 10.5.4 update
  “ As we reported earlier, Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.4 today, an update which fixes several issues with iCal, AirPort, Safari, and Spaces & Exposé. We’ve now got some additional details.  …” MORE »
• Gaming veteran leaves EA to develop for the iPhone
  “Neil Young, who has worked at Electronic Arts for 11 years, has officially left his position at EA and is moving on to create an iPhone publishing company he calls Ngmoco. If you ask me, this is a smart move for Neil,…” MORE »
• Does the Santa Rosa MacBook Pro contain a fatal flaw?
  “A group of over 60 owners believes it does. A recent blog details the trouble, which seems to be a persistent blank screen problem.  After a reboot, or on wake from sleep, the machine refuses…” MORE »
• What would you say if I said you could overclock your Mac?
  “ Although finding an overclocking application for Windows is as easy as finding a car in a parking lot, the same thing couldn’t be said for Mac OS X… until now. ZDNet has solved this problem by…” MORE »

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