Filed under: Internet Tools, iWork, Software Update

iWork.com, Apple's service for sharing documents from iWork '09 to the Internet, which our own Dave Caolo posted about it's shortcomings just last week, received an update a few days ago along with iWork '09. It added a few new features and improvments to the service, which is still in beta.

They include:

• Automatic email notification. Now the iWork.com beta lets you stay up to date whenever viewers add new comments or notes to your posted documents. You can choose to be notified immediately, hourly, or daily.

• Enhanced security. Automatic 128-bit SSL encryption now safeguards communication between you and your viewers via iWork.com. You can also password-protect documents you share on iWork.com-so even if someone has a link to your document, they won't be able to view it without the password you supply.

• Refined user interface. The redesigned Shared Documents page includes thumbnail previews so you can more easily identify your shared iWork files. You can also organize your shared documents by date, name, size, or comments received. And you can now access all your shared documents by signing in at www.iwork.com.

You should be able to use these new improvements once you've updated to the latest version of iWork '09, if you haven't already done so.

Also, Apple has set up a new iWork.com news page, where you can get updates on iWork and the iWork.com service.

Hopefully, these improvements will further advance the iWork.com service.

TUAWiWork.com receives an update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've already seen plenty of leaked info about HP's upcoming Core i7-based dv8, but nothing beats an official specs page on a company's own server for proof, does it? Looks like this 18.4-inch monster will pack a 1.6GHz Core i7 processor (we're guessing that's the baseline speed, as Intel's Turbo tech will boost the max speed of a single core far higher), 4GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT230 graphics, and a LightScribe Blu-ray burner. Oh, and it'll weigh nearly nine pounds -- but that's a small price to pay, right?

[Thanks, Alexi]

Continue reading HP dv8 specs page goes live, confirms Core i7 processor

Filed under: Laptops

HP dv8 specs page goes live, confirms Core i7 processor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've long suspected that the Storm 2 would be bowing in the next couple months, within earshot of the original Storm's one-year anniversary -- and new evidence suggests that even if we can't get an actual device in October, we'll at least be able to make clicking sounds with our mouths as we amble around a non-functional display unit (you laugh, but it's our idea of a good Saturday night). Boy Genius Report has been slipped a Best Buy inventory screen -- a familiar sight in the phone scooping world -- that reports an in-stock date for Storm 2 dummies of October 25. Those dummy units can end up arriving before or after the actual phones, and considering that we've seen other evidence pointing to an October launch, this could be the real deal. Tao envy might be a problem by the time this hits, but we're sure there'll be a few folks willing to give RIM a mulligan on its touchscreen dealings.

[Via PhoneArena]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

BlackBerry Storm 2 dummies coming to Best Buy around October 25? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household

Chumby Guts kit lets you build your own Chumby device originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lately we’ve been conducting a lot of invite giveaways for private trackers with obscure, rare, classic movies such as Cinematik, Gormogon and THC. In most such giveaways, the limited number of invites available to us is usually not sufficient to fulfill the huge demand there is for trackers specializing in this niche. So how about a similar site that is open for signup? I Love Classics (ILC) is one such classic movie tracker that has free open registration. This heavily underrated, often...

International musician and man-about-town Richie Hawtin has a track record of collaborating with Native Instruments on its DJ products, frequently putting stuff through its paces well before it's made available to the public at large -- and once again, the dude's been caught using some unknown gear at a show in Berlin. Seems like pretty much everyone and their mother has made a controller compatible with the company's Traktor line of software at this point save for Native Instruments itself, and that's where this new hotness comes into play -- check out the video after the break starting around 19 seconds, where you can clearly make out a couple NI-branded boxes allegedly designed to control two decks at a time (so a grand total of two, like Hawtin has here, would be enough to control a four-deck Traktor setup). We've heard rumors from inside the company that it'll be available for around $200, which would be extremely competitive for a pro-level box that's specifically matched to Traktor's capabilities. Even if you don't have the slightest urge to get on the decks at any point in your life, the lights sure are pretty, aren't they?

[Via Engadget German and De:Bug]

Continue reading Native Instruments working on a $200-ish Traktor controller, blinkenlights guaranteed

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Native Instruments working on a $200-ish Traktor controller, blinkenlights guaranteed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software

Let's face it, data sync is the real Big Bag of Hurt in our brave, digital world. But since I started using BusySync over a year ago, much of my calendar sync issues have dissolved away. BusyCal, the successor to BusySync, was recently released and it is just as amazing as BusySync at keeping your iCal and Google Calendar data in sync. In fact, it is much, much better than BusySync because it is an iCal replacement.

The idea is simple: you want to have 2-way sync between your iCal stuff, your Google calendar stuff and any local Macs. Simple, yes, but so complicated very few do it right. There's MobileMe if you stick with Apple's solution, and Google Sync if you are a devout Gmail user, but there's still the issue of 2-way sync when it comes to subscribing to calendars. And let's not forget that MobileMe data has to go to Apple's servers when you could sync between computers locally, right?

BusySync fixed all of this for me. Local Macs used Bonjour to connect and sync, and my Google calendars appeared in iCal with seamless 2-way sync. Calendar data is a tricky thing, and the last thing you want to happen is to have all your appointments and reminders vaporize in an instant. However, I can report that BusyCal doesn't nuke anything. Like 1Password, you can always go back to Apple's default tools.

Enter BusyCal as a full application. Why replace iCal? I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. BusyCal is iCal evolved, providing a better experience in several key ways. First, one feature I have longed for in iCal is a list view, a simple top-down view of every appointment within one or more calendars. This makes is much easier to make decisions about nuking an entire calendar at once, and is very handy if you have too many calendars or no time to go month by month, scanning for the right color or words. Second, there's a lot more UI finish to BusyCal, with easy-to-access panes for adjusting event info. Even Snow Leopard's iCal, which reduced the number of clicks it took to edit an event, doesn't allow you to edit events this easily. For you UIX geeks: a frickin' non-modal floating window OR an embedded entry window. What a concept!

Adding to the ease there are some nifty extras, such as seeing your to-do's grouped logically or moon phases and the week's weather in your calendar. Of course, these options are all configurable, as is the Google sync option. More than nifty are features like rich text, adding images and stickies to events, a more advanced alarm window, and offline editing. BusyCal has, in less than 24 hours, become a mission-critical application for my Mac, both at home and at work. If you are a BusySync user, you can upgrade for $10, or buy new for $40 (per computer). It is well worth the price if you deal with lots of calendars.

Be sure to check out our previous coverage here and here. I would also be remiss in pointing out Spanning Sync, which also syncs Address Book with your Google contacts, but works a bit differently.

TUAWBusyCal is out and just as awesome as BusySync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Taser International's six-shot Shockwave demonstration

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Taser International's six-shot Shockwave demonstration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When it comes to automatic subtitle downloaders, SubDownloader is probably the most widely used. However the Windows version of SubDownloader now comes only as a 30 day shareware which is a big turn off. You could of course crack it but why bother when there are other free alternatives around? Sublight is one such software that is also capable of automatically downloading subtitles for movies and TV shows you watch. The app uses several popular subtitle sites to search and retrieve content. You...

So, a little situation for you. You leave your ThinkPad in the third row of waiting seats at Jackson Hole Airport, already distraught that you're departing Winter Wonderland and heading back to reality. A kindhearted Wyomian happens upon it, and clearly recognizes that he / she should figure out a way to return it. If you're signed up for the gratis Lost & Found service (which does require a subscription to Absolute Computrace), the finder will spot a 1-800 number on the outside of the ThinkPad or on the display as it's powered on. From there, he / she simply dials the aforementioned number, waits for the free pre-paid box to arrive, ships it off to Lenovo (to protect your address, naturally) and basks in the satisfaction of knowing that Lenovo will handle the shipping to you. Sound good? Great -- it's now available on all ThinkPads enabled with Absolute Software's Computrace. Phew!

Continue reading Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad

Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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