Archive for July, 2010

Second Cup Misleading Wifi Access

July 30th, 2010

Second cup is known to have free wifi. There are signs all over their stores advertising “Free Wifi”. It is not true though. While their wifi wasn’t always free it is…sorta now.

But wait there’s a catch! The free wifi is 2 hours a day, WITH an order. There is nothing on the login that says you need to order something, or that wifi is only free to customers.

Second cup will kick you out – without question – and without warning if you do not order something. That’s why its misleading.

In the future I will not visit any second cup store, location, or franchise. This is to protect me from unfair business practices.

Youtube Videos Now Can Be 15 Mins Long (50% Longer)

July 29th, 2010

YouTube now allows 15 minute video uploads. The 5 minute limit increase is only 50% so it’s not spectacular. In 2005  the limit was introduced due to copyrighted videos.

The limit however will not stop people from uploading shows. Some shows are on YouTube in “parts” or 3 10 minute sections. Now they will be just 2 sections.

The limit is no drastic change, so surprisingly it’s not well reported.

Youtube was planning to make the change, but caught up on new features that have been slowly adding to YouTube.

Apple Releases Safari 5.0.1 With Extensions

July 28th, 2010

Extensions are finally part of Safari! Firefox and chrome, and even IE8 have had extensions for a while now. Now Safari is now part of the group.

Safari 5.0.1 for Mac and PC brings extension support.

You can see the extensions gallery at extensions.apple.com,

As expected it’s limited, but you can get twitter, facebook ad remover, and the like.

So update safari and enjoy icon smile Apple Releases Safari 5.0.1 With Extensions .

Apple Updates iMac, Introduces “Magic Trackpad”, and Battery Charger

July 27th, 2010

It was rumored this week that Apple was going to update its desktop line due to heavy shortages of the mac pro. While the mac pro received a minor update, it’s the iMac that got the overhaul.

The new configurations (Canadian Priced) are;

21.5-inch: 3.06 ghz

3.06GHz Intel Core i3

21.5-inch: 3.2ghz

3.2GHz Intel Core i3

27-inch: 3.2ghz

3.2GHz Intel Core i3

27-inch: 2.8ghz

2.8GHz Intel Core i5

1920-by-1080 resolution 1920-by-1080 resolution 2560-by-1440 resolution 2560-by-1440 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory 4GB (two 2GB) memory 4GB (two 2GB) memory 4GB (two 2GB) memory
500GB hard drive1 1TB hard drive1 1TB hard drive1 1TB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive 8x double-layer SuperDrive 8x double-layer SuperDrive 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB ATI Radeon HD 5750 with 1GB
Ships: Within 24hrs Ships: Within 24hrs Ships: Within 24hrs Ships: Within 24hrs
Free Shipping Free Shipping Free Shipping Free Shipping
$1,299.00 $1,599.00 $1,799.00 $2,099.00

So it’s more expensive then your usual desktop but it is worth it. iMacs are more environmentally friendly, look better, you get quality support, and they are quiet.

The new iMac’s are faster, and have much faster ATI graphics. You can buy a core i7 on the top model for $220.

Learn more about the iMac here.

Buy a iMac online here.

The magic trackpad is “the largest and most elegant touch pad ever”.

 Apple Updates iMac, Introduces Magic Trackpad, and Battery Charger

The magic trackpad.

Think of the magic trackpad as a large macbook pro trackpad. You can do all the finger scrolling that you can do on the mac pro.

Learn more about the magic trackpad here.

Apple cares about the environment. To prove it Apple has released their very own rechargeable battery station with 6 double AA batterys. That way you can go wireless without the trash. Apple says it uses much less power than regular chargers, and cuts the power off when the batterys are full. It charges 2 batterys at once.

Learn more about Apples Green battery charger here.

Dell Removes Ubuntu From UK Computers

July 26th, 2010

Dell has removed the Ubuntu option for its computers in the UK. Softpedia reports that is is due to demand. Or really the lack of such a demand.

Dell has removed Ubuntu from its machines in the UK because it says that Windows is much more preferred (by sales) then Ubuntu. So much so Dell sees no reasons to keep it for sale.

Windows 7 sells 7 copies per second…so its no surprised that Ubuntu has been outsold. It’s just unfortunate that Dell hasn’t marketed Ubuntu to be a good option like AMD on its systems in the past.

Dell says that its “still committed” to Ubuntu.

Firefox Tab Candy – A New Way To Look At Tabs

July 23rd, 2010

Browser tabs where a godsend when they where first designed, now its seen all over, but they can be improved. With more than 12 tabs you run out of “space” and have to scroll the tabs.

This is where Firefox Tab Candy comes in. It’s a new (alpha – as in may never be implemented) way to look at tabs. It’s kinda like expose for your browser tabs.

Watch the video below for the demonstration.

iPhone Case Program With App In Full Swing

July 23rd, 2010

Apple today has started the free iPhone case program for iPhone 4/3gs/3g users experiencing signal issues via gripping their phone.

“For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for this program, you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010.”

It’s as simple as download the case app, login, and select your case.

Note: It’s only for users experiencing reception issues via holding the phone, and not general reception issues because of AT&T.

Note 2: If you have bought a case before you can apply for a refund, including shipping charges.

Read more at Apples website.

Edmonton Southgate Powered By Modern LRT and Directory Assistance

July 22nd, 2010

Recently Southgate in Edmonton went through an expansion. The mall has been 1 million square feet for months now. Southgate now has speedy LRT service, bus service, and a 21 century directory assistance helper.

4527660300 c63031a9b8 Edmonton Southgate Powered By Modern LRT and Directory Assistance

Southgate seen at the LRT station. Image Credit: Mastermag on Flickr

Unfortunately I can’t find a photo for the directory assistance terminal. I can however say that it is a touch screen, and its a bit like sitepal in the sense an avatar welcomes you, and shows you where to walk to get to your store. For first time users it maybe a bit creepy, but it’s very useful (especially if you are trying to find the new Apple store located there!).

Southgate also has a huge above ground parking lot comparable to West Edmonton Mall. The Quality of Southgate mall also rivals WEM in the sense that expensive materials are used everywhere.

If you haven’t I recommended that you check out the LRT that goes to and from southgate (which is new), and the expanded mall.

You can also check out Southgate’s website for more information.

iTunes 9.2.1 Squashes 4 Bugs

July 21st, 2010

iTunes 9.2.1. for windows and mac is now out!

Changes include:

  • Fixes minor dragging and dropping issues
  • Fixes performance issue with a first time sync
  • Fixes an issue with a iOS4 upgrades with encrypted backup
  • Performance and stability fixes

Update is 65 mb in size.

Apple Q3 Earnings The Best Yet

July 20th, 2010

Up up and away for Apple its seems. Today Apple posted its Q3 earnings, and well they where amazing.

Apple in Q3 made 15.7 billion over the last 3 months…thats the most ever for Apple.

Apple says each store made $9 million each due to high iPad and iPhone 4 sales.

24 new stores are opening up this year.

Apple is still unable to meet demand.

Over 40% of fortune 500 company’s, and 50% of fortune 100 companies are ready to deploy or are testing deployment of the iPad.

Keep it up Apple!

Read more from Arstechnica’s live coverage of the event.

Canadian Tech Blogger is Stephen Fry proof thanks to caching by WP Super Cache