Apple in our everyday life

Brosur Apple Macintosh 1984

2012-01-23T02:46:00.000-08:00

Pada saat peluncuran Macintosh pertama di tahun 1984, Apple melakukan segala usaha untuk memperoleh perhatian semua lapisan orang dari pengguna komputer hingga ibu rumah tangga yang ogah pegang komputer. Salah satu usaha yang sangat gencar adalah pemasaran. Seperti brosur ini, membantu memperkenalkan semua orang pada Macintosh, komputer konsumer pertama dengan mouse dan graphical interface.

Dengan bertajuk "If you can point, you can use a Macintosh" brosur ini menggambarkan betapa mudahnya menggunakan komputer ini.

Dibandingkan dengan IBM PC dng DOS saat itu, tampilan Macintosh lebih intuitif & mudah dioperasikan. Pada brosur diperlihatkan bagaimana saat itu mengetik dengan WordStar di DOS & MacWrite di Macintosh. Apa yang diketik adalah apa yang diprint. What you see is what you get.

Bukan dengan ^Btag seperti ini^B.

Di brosur juga dijabarkan sekilas teknologi yang digunakan dengan bahasa sederhana & mudah dipahami awam. Seperti bagian penggunaan disket 3½ inch di Macintosh yang saat itu belum populer dibandingkan disket 5¼ inch "they are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket."

Kemudian juga digunakannya polyphonic sound generator yang bisa generate suara manusia dengan kualitas tinggi atau musik. Untuk awam, feature ini membukakan gagasan baru berkomputer: mereka bisa belajar bahasa asing atau membuat musik sederhana di rumah.

Selain geek dan tech nerd, siapa yang mengenal Bill Gates saat itu? Microsoft masih belum besar, tapi Steve Jobs merasa perlu menaruh dia dalam brosur ini sebagai gambaran bahwa Macintosh didukung developer-developer muda berbakat. Quote Bill Gated di brosur ini:

To create a new standard takes something that's not just a little bit different. It takes something that's really new, and captures people's imaginations. Macintosh meets that standard.

Brosur ini merupakan salah satu amunisi penting dalam launching Macintosh. Copy & layout dirancang sedemikian rupa, terlihat ramah & hangat. Para engineer yang membidani Macintosh pun disertakan, memperlihatkan bahwa Macintosh bukan sekedar komputer, tapi juga maha karya para engineer-nya.

"The engineers were finally finished, they introduced us to a personal computer so personable it can practically shake hands."

Retro Tech Collection

2011-12-29T03:11:00.001-08:00

Retro Tech, a set on Flickr.

Doodling Everywhere

2011-12-27T00:49:00.000-08:00

What they love about MessagePad is they can draw with a stylus.
"I love painting with this pen than finger," she said.
Seems that we still need stylus, eh?

Playing With Newton MessagePad

2011-12-25T02:50:00.000-08:00

What can you do with an old MessagePad? Painting! With NewtPaint software, 1-bit painting is fun, just like the old days of MacPaint or DrHalo. Our gallery here.

Newton dan Network

2011-12-20T04:09:00.000-08:00

Setelah berhasil jajal serial-to-USB connection, sekarang mencoba koneksi LAN via AppleTalk, LocalTalk atau EtherTalk. Dan siapa tahu bisa mencoba berinternet.

Berhubung di pasar loak cuma nemu W-LAN card, ya sudah coba dulu dengan wireless network. Saat dicolok ke PCMCIA card, cuma punya LinkSys yang powernya menyala. Sayang responnya negatif: card tidak dikenal!

Browsing sana sini, dapat informasi buruk: Ethernet tidak disupport oleh MessagePad 130 dengan Newton OS 2.0 & Newton Internet Enabler 1.1. Ethernet hanya bisa digunakan di MessagePad 2000, 2100 & eMate 300 dengan Newton OS 2.1 & Newton Internet Enabler 2.0.

If you are looking for a way to get Ethernet connectivity for your Original MessagePad (OMP), MessagePad 100, MessagePad 110, MessagePad 120 or MessagePad 130, you are out of luck. Ethernet connectivity requires version 2.0 of the Newton Internet Enabler which, unfortunately, is only available for Newton OS 2.1

(dari PDA-Soft.de)

Tapi dari website ini, sepertinya ada satu wireless networking card yang dikenal oleh MessagePad 120 (tipe sebelum 130) tanpa driver, yaitu DaynaCOMM Roamer. Dan sudah pasti barang begini sangat amat langka.

I purchased the Roamer (a PC card wireless networking device) and a DaynaCOMM Network Access Point from e-bay a couple of months ago, but just today tried to getthem working. I have no trouble using a 2.0 MP120 with them, and seem toba able to access my home Apple Talk network wirelessly.

Menginstall driver Ethernet card juga tidak membantu. Padahal card LinkSys yang dibeli tercantum dalam daftar yg disupport oleh driver ini.

Bagaimana dengan LocalTalk? (updating...)

Newton di Jaman iOS

2011-12-20T02:26:00.000-08:00

Pertanyaan saat menggenggam Newton MessagePad 130, seberapa jauh teknologi 1995 ini beradaptasi dengan jaman teknologi iOS & Lion?

Komunikasi

Newton MessagePad 130 ini menyediakan infrared, port serial DIN 8 & PCMCIA slot sebagai alternatif pertukaran data dengan device lain.

Mana yang paling mungkin dilakukan? Infrared? Untuk sementara diabaikan karena urusan protokol IrDA atau IrTalk lebih njelimet urusannya di teknologi jaman sekarang. Lagipula Lion sudah cerai dengan teknologi OS Classic (tidak bisa menjalankan software Classic kecuali menggunakan emulator seperti SheepShaver.)

Yang paling gampang sepertinya adalah serial. Karena protokol serial masih dipakai hingga kini & converter serial to USB bukan barang langka. Kebetulan Newton ini disertai kabel converter dari DIN 8 ke serial PC biasa (DB9 atau RS-232). Jadi tinggal colok Bafo converter DB9 ke USB untuk ke MacBook. Software Mac yg digunakan adalah Newton Connection for MacOS X (bukan dengan software official dari Apple karena sudah tidak bisa jalan di Lion. Lion hates classic, remember?)

Cara serial to USB ini berhasil. Dengan software NCX bisa sync, backup, restore, install software untuk Newton bahkan screen capture.

Berikutnya LAN. Jalan-jalan ke pasar loak, nemu beberapa PCMCIA card tua seharga Rp 12000-15000. Iseng coba di rumah, colok ke Newton. 1-2 card tidak ada tanda-tanda kehidupan, mungkin memang sudah mati. Kecuali satu yang dari LinkSys, ada respon! Sayangnya responnya negatif "Newton doesn't recognize this card!"
Saatnya berburu driver di internet! Lanjut lebih detail.

Software-software Newton

Ternyata masih tersedia banyak software-software pendukung untuk Newton tua ini. Satu tempat yang tepat adalah United Network of Newton Archives. Perlu diketahui, beberapa software di tempat ini sebagian besar adalah Classic software, artinya ngga bisa dibaca di Lion kecuali menggunakan emulator SheepShaver. Jadi, menyiapkan 'environment' Classic di Lion adalah keharusan jika mau ngoprek Newton.

Berinternet?

Masih buntu. Karena Newton OS 2.0 di MessagePad 130 ini hanya bisa menggunakan hardware tertentu untuk bisa berinternet dan hanya terbatas menggunakan dial-up & PPP protocol. Hardware yang dibutuhkan adalah Apple Newton Modem atau PCMCIA modem dng X-jack connector (colok dengan kabel telpon biasa).
Bagaimana dengan LAN atau ethernet? Atau wifi? Lanjut lebih detail.

Berdaya guna atau hanya pajangan?

4 batere ukuran AA masih ada 1/4 dari sejak barang dikirim penjual di Amerika sana tgl 29 November 2011 - total sudah hampir 1 bulan belum ganti batere! Dengan batere yang awet seperti ini, layak buat mencatat, menulis draft, corat coret di PDA ini tanpa kepikiran batere bakal habis. Dokumen & data yang dibuat bisa di-sync ke Mac atau diteruskan ke iDevices lain.

Atau buat eBook reader (dibutuhkan software converter) dengan layar yang cukup besar. Dibandingkan layar iPhone, Newton MessagePad 130 berlayar 320x240 monokrom cukup enak buat baca text berminggu-minggu tanpa ganti batere XD

Oh, bahkan bisa buat lihat-lihat photo, asal diconvert jadi file 1bit hitam putih seperti gambar iPhone 4 di MessagePad atas. Video juga bisa. Tentu saja video 1bit hitam putih juga. Retro ngga tanggung-tanggung!

Spec lengkap Newton MessagePad 130 bisa dilihat di sini.

Finally! Newton MessagePad!

2011-12-15T05:36:00.000-08:00

Been dreaming to get an Apple Newton MessagePad for years! From 1993!
Got it from eBay for less than $60. Floppy disks, cables, manuals, adaptors but no box.

I know it's a big late for playing with Newton. And it's a bit tough to get the supports in this iPad era. But still, it's fun! It's like having an old 1965 BMW R60 motorcycle.

I. Am. So. Excited!

Old Apple Brochures

2011-12-14T02:26:00.000-08:00

Got these old brochures from eBay for US$6. Someday, it may worth thousand. But no, I will not selling them.

Got Our Wacom Inkling!

2011-12-06T02:28:00.000-08:00

Finally, after days of shipping time & hours of Kuwait custom administration, we got our hand Wacom Inkling! Our complete doodles & sketches review here!

This is the first Wacom Inkling in Kuwait! #gapenting

WIRED 1997: 101 Ways To Save Apple

2011-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

I was reading my old June 1997 WIRED issue on Apple condition lately. Some interesting points from the 101 ways how to save Apple.

1. (point 7) Don't disappear from the retail chains. Rent space in a computer store, flood it with Apple products (especially software), staff it with Apple salespeople, and display everything like you're a living, breathing company and not a remote, dusty concept.

Apple Store. Done.

2. (point 10) Get a great image campaign. Let's get some branding (or rebranding) going on. Reproduce the "1984" spot with a 1997 accent.

Think Different.

3. (point 25) Portables, portables, portables. Pick the best-of-breed Wintel in each of the portable categories and then better it. Wintel has a fantastic range.

iPhone, iPod touch, iPad.

4. (point 31) Build a PDA that less than $250 that actually does: cellular email, channel TV, internet phone.

iPod touch?

5. (point 34) Port the OS to the Intel platform.

Done in 2005.

6. (point 44) Continue your research on voice recognition.

Siri?

7. (point 49) Bring back Andy Hertzfeld.

Google has him.

8. (point 65) Roll out he Mac Plus again as a hip retro machine.

iMac. Done. But it's not a retro machine.

9. (point 70) Simplify your PC product line.

Mobile & desktop. Consumer & Pro. Done.

10. (point 92) With each new Mac, include a CD-ROM that explains the Apple family tree & future plans.

No need. Steve's keynotes explain everything.

11. (point 101) Don't worry. You'll survive. It's Netscape we should really worry about.

Netscape? How about Safari?

Read more in WIRED here.

The Apple band

2011-10-18T04:41:00.001-07:00

The Apple band. Before they lost their vocalist.

Now the high resolution digital file (3500 x 3700 pixel 72dpi) is available for download with ~~US$7.5~~ US$5
Buy Now

Breaking News on Oct 5 2011

2011-10-12T03:42:00.000-07:00

Compiled from ABC News, Erin Burnett OutFront - CNN, Piers Morgan Tonight - CNN, CNET Loaded, Nightly News - NBC, The Kudlow Report - CNBC, The Rachel Maddow - MSNBC, Today.com - MSNBC, BBC Breakfast - BBC, Click - BBC.

Steve Jobs As Cover Story

2011-10-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

Been collecting magazines with Steve Jobs as cover story. Here are some of them. I have to digging more in the garage back in Jakarta for another issues.

Fortune - January 2000

BusinessWeek - February 2004

Fortune - February 2005

iCreate - April 2005

Fortune - February 2008

Fortune - November 2008

Fortune - November 2009

TIME - April 2010

Fast Company - July 2010

WIRED UK - July 2011

Newsweek - September 2011

Sorry, Tim. You guys were awesome that day.

2011-10-06T04:02:00.000-07:00

Hours before Apple event, I was mocking on Twitter about the event & Tim Cook.

Cook "I.. I cannot do it."
Jobs "Listen. Look at my eyes. You. Can. Do. The. Keynote."
Cook "I don't know.."
(link)

Minutes before on stage, Tim Cook got message from the whole family "We support you. Our pray with you!"
(link)

"What do you expect on Apple's event tomorrow?"
"Smooth keynote from Tim Cook."
(link)

Apple event without Steve Jobs. Need more popcorn or sans-popcorn?
(link)

Cook on phone "Cannot sleep.."
Jobs "Relax. Just count those iOS apps jumping over the fence."
Cook "Too many"
Jobs "Right. webOS apps then"
(link)

Cook "Sorry.. I can't.."
Jobs "Dammit, Tim! Fine! I'll be on stage!"
(link)

But then..

Yet somehow, I sense chaos behind this Apple event.
(link)

I didn't know exactly about what.
I've been watching Apple keynotes for years and by reading the live blog & pictures, I sense something is not quite right.

Today, Steve Jobs passed away. Now I know it was not chaos back then. It was tension in that Apple Event. They knew that Steve Jobs, their dearest mentor, guru, father, friend was near to death. Yet they managed to continue the keynote without any significant glitch. Smooth.

I feel bad. Then I read Robert Scoble's in his Google+.

Dear Tim Cook.

I gave you a tough time today. I thought you didn't come up to some imaginary bar I held in my head. I didn't get why you didn't come out with bigger news. I didn't get why everyone in my network was telling me about the big things that were planned that didn't come out.

Now we know.

Today I feel guilty because I gave you a tough time about your first press conference. Now that I know what was going on behind the scenes I owe you an apology. I'm sorry, I owe you and your team one.

My heart is with you during this tough time.

So my apology to Tim Cook & team. You guys were awesome that day. It was the best farewell for Steve Jobs. And thanks for the iPhone 4S. The iPhone For Steve.

The First Time I Met Apple Macintosh

2011-10-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

April 14, 1986 was the first time I met Apple Macintosh & fell in love the day after.

iRIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

1955 - 2011

"When Walt Disney died, the inspiration light was dimming that day. Then gone."

Now I can feel you, dad.

And Apple, you are just entering a new era. Brace yourself.

Trying The Final Cut Pro X Trial

2011-10-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Been using Avid, Final Cut & iMovie for years, my personal opinion about FCPX: it's a better & advanced iMovie. Handy for quick instant regular project like TV promotion, without sacrifying idea & quality. Even my 4GB RAM Mac mini can handle it so far. But still, Final Cut Pro X is for better (and newer) machine. Older machine better stay with Final Cut Pro 7.

The footages recorded on iPhone 4 with fish-eyed lens. Get the 30 days free trial here: http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/trial/

Testing the iOS 5 beta 1

2011-06-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

iPhone 4
Good news:

• "Connect to iTunes" still exist at the first setup. Even the MobileMe still exist in this pre-iCloud era.

• 'iPod' is gone. Now changed to Music app & Videos app.

• Green bubble chat: SMS. Blue bubble chat: iMessage.

• Yay! Free rotation editing in Photos.app.

• After created an iCloud account in the iPhone, it appears in Notes.app. And also in Contacts: All iCloud.

~~PhotoSync.app for iPhone crashes. The developer are working on a fix~~ ~~already~~. New update of PhotoSync 1.2 now working.

• Double click the home button for the camera icon in the lock screen.

• You can tweet your photo from Photos app without Twitter app installed. Though there's no sending-progress indicator so you won't know if it sent or failed.

• Notification Center doesn't interupt Nike+ GPS in indoor mode.

Bad news:

• iMessage cannot send video file. :-/

• Unprecission keypad. Tap "T" but typed "R" or "Y" instead.

• Video library is not accessible for other app, incl. Tumblr. (pic)

• Twitter, iMovie etc can access the video library but cannot process the file. (pic) If you want to share video, you can upload it from Photos.app > Share > Email. I can upload video file via email to twitvid. http://www.twitvid.com/CWZMP

• Ergonomically, using volume button as camera button is not convenient. The other fingers keep blocking the lens.

• BlogPress fails to upload blog.

• iBooks is buggy.

• Photo Stream synced after more than 10 minutes. And not all the photos are streamed.

• Problem with email sharing from Photos.app. Takes forever to send for a 200kb photo.

iPad

• There's no Weather & Stock in Notifications setting.

• Home Sharing's podcast tab is missing in Videos.app. But I can watch video podcast shared from Home Sharing in Music.app, not in Videos.app.

• The Notification Center UI is too tiny for iPad. Waiting for the 'HD' interface.

Overall: there's no turning back to iOS 4! :)

(..updating)

Zain Is Now iPhone Official Carrier

2011-06-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Now there are 2 carriers for iPhone in Kuwait: Viva & Zain. Somehow Zain's package is much cheaper & affordable. Not to mention the unlimited internet (fair usage policy) for all packages. Compare to Viva that only offer 1 package for unlimited internet.

iPhone 4 Resmi Hadir di Kuwait

2011-04-26T02:58:00.000-07:00

Akhirnya, ada juga operator lokal Kuwait yg mem-bundle paket resmi untuk iPhone. Kali ini adalah Viva dengan iPhone 4. Dengan paket yang relatif 'murah' untuk ukuran Kuwait, Viva menawarkan 3 jenis paket dengan kontrak 1 tahun.

Launchingnya pun kebetulan bersamaan dengan XL di Jakarta hari ini dengan paket lebih 'murah' dibanding Viva Kuwait :D

Buat perbandingan sekilas plan 3/premium iPhone 4 16GB:

Viva Kuwait: Rp 2100000 dengan bulanan Rp 780000, gratis telepon 1000 menit, data unlimited, SMS 300.
XL Jakarta (belum termasuk pajak): Rp 999000 dengan bulanan Rp 599000, gratis telepon 600 menit, data 4GB, SMS 600.

Paling tidak, paket Viva ini masih lebih murah dibanding paket tidak resmi dari operator lain, Zain, di bulan Desember 2010 menawarkan promo iPhone 4 seharga Rp 4790000 :D

(crossposting dari sini)

Quick Review: Red Giant Movie Looks

2011-04-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Process

There are 2 free categories with 8 effects in it: Quick & Essential. And 3 paid categories: Popular, Black & White and Blockbusters. Each $0.99.

Pick an effect to tweak the video look. There are only 2 simple slider: strength & brightness. Also an option for half & full resolution rendering.

A confirmation message before rendering with estimation time rendering. Sweet.

While it's rendering, there are some useful tips & information box to read for killing time.

When the iPhone receives an incoming call, the app suspends the rendering process. Then we can resume the process later. Awesome!
Problem is, this Suspend & Resume feature also occurs when we're inside the app & receive notification alert from other apps. Which is a bit annoying, since I have to resume manually everytime the notification appears.
"Stop mention me on Twitter, dude! I'm rendering!"

The Results

The effects are great. I usually get this kind of color on AfterEffects or Final Cut Pro. Now I can do 'Magic Bullet Looks' thingy on my iPhone.

Click to enlarge.

Though there are some compressed blocky artefacts especially in the dark areas, this app definitely leads us to next mobile video era: mobile color-grading.
Before: Nexvio CinemaFX. Now: Red Giant Movie Looks. Next: Boris Continuum?

Useful links:
- iPhoneography
- Red Giant

Red Giant Invades iOS

2011-04-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

Anyone who works with video post production service are familiar with Red Giant software. Their Magic Bullet Looks plug-in is amazing. Been using it on my FCP & AFX.

Anyway.
Now Red Giant releases apps for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad. They just released 3 apps:

- Movie Looks: color grading app for video.

- Plastic Bullet: photography app with radical/extreme effects.

- Noir: photography app with dramatic black & white effects.

Haven't purchase the Movie Looks but there are some important points that I tweeted last night:
- Red Giant Movie Looks for iOS is available for $2.99.
- Suspend & resume to interrupt the render when take a phone call & return to where we left off. Nexvio CinemaFX's missing feature.
- The color are beautiful. Usually I can get this kind of color with Magic Bulllet Looks in FCP or AFX, but now on iPhone.

- Movie Looks does not yet support portrait movies.

- Movie Looks does not yet support more thant 120 seconds video.
- Though the color is great, you can see the 'damaged' artefacts on the jelly fish body.

Red Giant is here, time for proper color grading on iDevice?

note: none of these pictures & videos are mine

Video Review: Toca Tea Party

2011-04-01T02:23:00.001-07:00

Kids are playing with Toca Tea Party. Suddenly the house becoming a picnic area!

Shot with Canon EOS 5D Mark II (lens 50mm ƒ1.4) & iPhone 4.
Edited on Final Cut Pro.
Music arranged on GarageBand for iPad.

Responds from Toca Tea Party Teams

2011-04-01T02:10:00.000-07:00

Got these awesome responds after we post our video review our video review about Toca Tea Party app.

@pinot your amazing video really lifted everyone's mood here at Toca Boca! So it's me who's bowing to you ;) (link)

Absolutely amazing video! RT @pinot: Picnic with Toca Tea Party app for iPad [video] http://bit.ly/gqzXpn cc @tocaboca (link)

@bjornjeffery @pinot @tocaboca Fantastic! (link)

Helt otroligt - det är en alltså en fan-video! RT @pinot: Picnic with Toca Tea Party app for iPad [video] http://bit.ly/gqzXpn cc @tocaboca (link)

Amazing to see that we make children smile :) RT @pinot: Picnic with Toca Tea Party app for iPad [video] http://t.co/WJb6TB (link)

Almost made this Play Designer cry :) @pinot: Picnic with Toca Tea Party app for iPad [video] http://t.co/3nEpPE8 cc @tocaboca (link)

@pinot We're all very happy in the office right now because of your video! (link)

@pinot Love your video! I'm proud to be part of @tocaboca :) Can we snailmail some presents to you? (link)

So sweet! Definitely Toca Boca team develop their app with their heart.

Vimeo Goes Mobile With iPhone 4

2011-03-30T04:08:00.000-07:00

Akhirnya Vimeo merelease aplikasi resminya di AppStore untuk iPhone 3G, iPhone 4 & iPod Touch 4. Cukup lama para Vimean (panggilan untuk pengguna Vimeo) yang menggunakan iDevice menunggu Vimeo untuk sepenuhnya mendukung HTML5 sebagai alternatif selain Flash supaya bisa ditonton di Mobile Safari. Dan kini justru hadir native apps-nya untuk iPhone. Mari bersorak: yay!

Awalnya saya tidak menduga aplikasi Vimeo ini bakal dilengkapi feature editing. Sebelum kita upload ke Vimeo ternyata terdapat fasilitas untuk mengedit footage. Saya jabarkan secara garis besar mengenai fungsi penyuntingan videonya:

Nilai tambah:

Gratis!
Interface clean & simple. Mengingatkan pada interface dari Ableton Live.
Terdapat fungsi timeline zooming, membuat timeline bisa muat dalam satu layar iPhone. Pinch out untuk zoom in melihat timeline lebih detail.
Title memiliki track sendiri. Mempermudah kita untuk membuat beberapa subtitle dalam satu clip.
Audio adjustment.

Track tersendiri untuk TITLES. Bandingkan dengan iMovie yang TITLES-nya bergantung pada clip video.

Nilai kurang.

Hanya menyediakan 6 lagu & tidak bisa akses koleksi lagu dari iTunes Library

Tersedia efek video yang ala kadarnya

Tidak bisa akses iTunes Library. Aplikasi ini hanya menyediakan 6 lagu dalam audio librarynya.
Saving ke Camera Roll tidak ada pilihan kualitas rendering selain 720p.
Buggy & sluggish mulai dirasakan saat timeline melewati durasi 30 detik. Di iPhone 4 beberapa kali crash & last progress dari project tidak ter-save.
Tidak memiliki template graphic.

Saran saya, jika ingin menyunting video, gunakan iMovie for iPhone/iPad, render & upload ke Vimeo di dalam iMovie. Atau paling tidak tunggu hingga fitur penyuntingan ini lebih stabil.

Lepas dari fitur penyuntingan videonya, Vimeo app ini sangat bermanfaat buat pengguna Vimeo. Semua fungsi di website hampir semuanya terdapat dalam aplikasi ini. Preview, share, tags, comments kini bisa dilakukan secara mobile di iPhone.

View video, share, tags, comments etc di dalam iPhone

Share options.

My video library! Tanpa harus menjadi pengguna VimeoPlus.

Sebagai Vimean ber-iDevice, all-in-one app ini wajib adanya. And it's FREE!

Mencoba Vimeo app. Diedit & diupload dari app setelah crash 2 kali :D

Another Suprise from Viva & Digits

2011-03-29T02:33:00.000-07:00

After 1 KD iPod Touch promo in February, now Viva & Digits has another offer: iPhone 4 16GB for only 1 KD. With 1 year contract 55KD/month package.

Just go to Digits Marina Mall/Al Kout Mall to Apply.

Mac in Kuwait flea market

2011-03-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

Today, we are doing junk-hunting in Friday market - a large flea market in Kuwait (used to open only at Friday (after Friday praying) & Saturday). My mission: looking for any Apple junks. Hopefully any Newtons.

Whoa, there are original bondi blue iMacs from 1998! Price: 30 Kuwait Dinar ($100) & 25 KD without keyboard. They say it's fully working & has latest OS 9 installed. Cool! Good product knowledge, you guys!

Next, I move to the other corner & I sense something. Something about Apple too. Yes! There's an old Macintosh PowerBook 170! The first generation of Apple PowerBook!

"How much is this?" I ask.
"Give me your best price." the seller replies.
"Umm.. 2 KD ($6)?"
"No. Too little. I give you 7 KD ($25)."
"No. That's too much. It has battery, has no power adapter & I think it's dead."
"Ok, 5 KD ($18)."
I show him my wallet with only 2 KD inside "Look, I only have 2 KD. Here, take it."
Then he grabs the money & gives me that historical PowerBook 170. Yay!

The condition? Though there's no battery & power adapter, physically looks relatively good. There are no cracks. Screen looks good, no LCD crack. Trackball feels smooth. Screws are there.

Too bad I can't find Newton though. Next time, Friday market. Next time!

At home, kids are playing with this 20 years old PowerBook

Related story:
- Mac junkyard

Which Store Has iPad 2 in Stock?

2011-03-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

Blink.com.kw has iPad 2 ~~in stock~~. [UPDATE: Now out of stock]

Macble.com is out of stock. Though I got unconfirmed information, they do have iPad 2 in limited stock.

Alghanim? Pre-order & wait for 2 weeks.

UPDATE:
iCity claims they have iPad 2 in stock.

UPDATE 2:
Electrozan now has iPad 2 with limited quantity for trade in program.

UPDATE 3:
March 22nd today, blink.com.kw has new status for the iPad 2: Out Of Stock.

UPDATE 4:

March 24th today, iCity still has iPad 2 (in limited quantity) & posting this new picture in their Twitter.

The Falling Price of The Original iPad in Kuwait

2011-03-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

Week ago Blink.com.kw was offering special prices for the original iPad (149KD for the 16GB WIFI).

Now, Sheeel.com has another special good deal: 119KD ($429) for 16GB WIFI plus bonuses.

It's cheaper than the US price back in 2010 when we bought ours. But only in a limited time & limited quantity.

More info in Mark's blog.

DIY iPhone 4 Skin

2011-03-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Got the idea from MacRumors forum. And all we need is a clear backside iPhone 4 case like the one from Griffin.

Download the template here. Modify in Photoshop. Print. Cut. And we have Leica camera skin!

Best of all, now we have unlimited skins for our iPhone 4.

Finally, 2010 Price for Original iPad

2011-03-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Special offer from blink.com.kw

Finally, we can get a $499 (+ tax) price for original iPad. A one year too late? Maybe.
But keep in mind that Kuwait has no official business with Cupertino (nor Apple Middle East - AFAIK), so this last year official price is still considered as a good bargain in Kuwait.

I got the 16GB wifi model back in the US last year for $530 ($499 + tax). So now Kuwait can get the same price, 1 year later. Price-wise, shall I wait another one year for iPad 2? :D

Artefact From The Past: MacAddict June 2002

2011-03-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

9 years ago, when Palm was at war with Pocket PC, Apple didn't have any PDA devices. Instead, they built an MP3 player called iPod.
After the death of the Newton, people were hoping for another Apple PDA. iPod was their hope. According to this MacAddict cover edition, people want iPod with camera, video, music & PDAs features.

9 year later, PDA is already dead. And the iPad 2 is born, better than PDA, the iPDA.

iMovie on Original iPad

2011-03-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

When I heard that Apple finally release iMovie for iPad I was so freakin excited.
Then officially they ditch the compatibility for the original iPad. I was like... "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" (doing Anakin's scream for Padme - btw our iPad name is iPadme Amidala.)

So why does Apple ditch the original iPad from iMovie's love?

Jason Snell (Macworld):

I was able to install my sample copy on an original iPad and it seemed to work fine, though as projects got more complex it got a little sluggish. This may be one of those cases where Apple decided that if the product didn't worth smoothly and flawlessly on the original iPad, it wasn't worth supporting at all. (article link)

Sluggish? Really?
Trying to download the iMovie app to the original iPad, this is what I got:

Front facing camera? Really?

iTunes & AppStores are refusing to install the iMovie to my original iPad. This is pure evil!
Then I got this trick. The iMovie finally installed in my original iPad.

After import some footages from iPhone 4, then I begin to edit a short video.
Is it sluggish? Is it good?
It. Is. Beautiful!

iPhone 4 > Camera Connection Kit > iMovie on original iPad

It's only 30 seconds project but at least everything works relatively fine. Not snappy quicky perfect but everything is there. The audio waveforms are there. The scrubbing footages are there. The smooth transitions are there.
And best of all - been doing finger-editing on iMovie for iPhone for months - now I'm doing finger-editing on 10 inch screen!
It. Is. Beautiful!

iMovie isn't built for a long duration/complex/multi layered video editing project. It's only for fun, family video, video-blogging, online video. I think the original iPad is sufficient enough for that kind of task.

So again, why do you ditch original iPad from iMovie's love, Apple?

iPad 2 in Alghanim X-Cite

2011-03-12T02:09:00.001-08:00

After we got iPad 2 launch day report from friends in San Fransisco & New York, we're going to Avenues mall for X-Cite's iPad 2 launch event.
At 14:00 they were preparing for tonight event. No crowds no lines. Only some Alghanim crews with iPad 2 t-shirt.

At 15:00 we're going home & I was just to sleepy to going back to Avenues mall at 22:00.

Later, I got these X-Cite's photos from the event at 22:30 (original photos by X-Cite Alghanim here).

Photo by X-Cite Alghanim

Photo by X-Cite Alghanim

Yay! Finally the iPad 2 has landed in Kuwait.

More story in Mark's blog.

iOS 4.3 Multitasking Gesture in My iPad

2011-03-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Here's how. ~~Note: You need to register your iPad UDID to Apple developer program.~~

UPDATE:
Another way to activate the Multitasking Gesture here (Gizmodo).

iPad 2 Day!

2011-03-11T10:29:00.001-08:00

New York by Boy Avianto

West Village, 14th Street - New York.

San Fransisco by @galihwismoyo

Location Market Street, San Fransisco.

Click photos for original link.

iMovie New Update 1.2

2011-03-10T14:40:00.001-08:00

Testing the iMovie 1.2 on iPhone 4.

iPad 2 is Coming to Kuwait This Saturday

2011-03-10T03:34:00.000-08:00

Al Ghanim, the biggest local electronic store in Kuwait is posting this teaser on their Facebook page. They have iPad 2 at Saturday night or a day after official launch in US Apple store at March 11. Price? Remain unknown.

"Booking starts from Saturday night 10:30pm."

Sounds they are expecting some long lines for the iPad 2. We'll see!

UPDATE:
First batch: You'll get the iPad 2 after one or two weeks after booking it at Saturday.

UPDATE 2:
Price:
16GB-WiFi Black/White KD199 (US$ 715)
32GB-WiFi Black/White KD249 (US$ 895)
64GB-WiFi Black/White KD289 (US$ 1038)

No further info with 3G models.
Currently, Smart Cover is not available.

Unofficial iPad 2 Price in Kuwait & Indonesia

2011-03-09T01:22:00.000-08:00

Can't wait for the iPad 2? Here are 2 unofficial price info in Kuwait & Indonesia.

macble.com - an unofficial Apple online store in Kuwait

Mailing-list group in Indonesia (photo by @wolwol)

Which one is cheaper? Kuwait! USD 826 (Rp 7200000) for iPad 2 32gb wifi.

UPDATE:
XCite Alghanim iPad 2 price:

16GB-WiFi Black/White KD199 (Rp 6275000)
32GB-WiFi Black/White KD249 (Rp 7851000)
64GB-WiFi Black/White KD289 (Rp 9112000)
16GB-WiFi 3G Black/White KD259 (Rp 8166500)
32GB-WiFi 3G Black/White KD309 (Rp 9743095)
64GB-WiFi 3G Black/White KD349 (Rp 11005000)

note: 1 Kuwait Dinar = US$ 3.5 = Rp 31500

3 Days Before iPad 2 Arrival

2011-03-07T20:24:00.001-08:00

Photo by: @galihwismoyo

Location:

Apple Flagship Store in San Fransisco, California

http://gowal.la/c/3Gztw

Apple Without Jony Ive

2011-03-07T04:58:00.000-08:00

Without Jony Ive, the Apple design will return to the late 80s design? The Snow White design? (Photoshop-ed image)

Video Review: $29 Tele Lens for iPhone 4

2011-03-07T03:48:00.000-08:00

Is The iPhone 4 Ready For Video Post Processing?

2011-03-07T01:32:00.000-08:00

It depends.

If you're doing it for fun, video-blogging, you may force the iPhone 4 to do video post-processing.

If you're doing it for pro, record on the iPhone 4 then edit it on desktop (yes you can put 'semi' word before 'pro' ^_^)

2 reasons.

1. It's a phone.
Its main function is a communication device. Rendering a video can take forever on this device & some apps are not natively multiprocessing. Anticipate a phone call while rendering. A phone call means interrupted rendering process. Not to mention the battery life. Don't try to render your edited video while far from electricity outlet. "Sorry I can't get your call, my phone is still rendering & the battery is low."

Takes 30 mins to render this 45 seconds video. 30 mins without receiving any phone call :D

And since it's a phone, you have to get used to edit in a small multitouch screen with your finger. iMovie for iPhone is great, but keep in mind that from desktop to tiny multitouch screen is another learning curve: finger editing.

2. Quality matters.

Color-correction is a critical process in video post processing. Without proper compression method, the video file will be 'damaged' due to inappropriate lossy data compression algorithm.
For instance, CinemaFX for video is the coolest color-grading app for iPhone 4. Problem is, by default it compresses the video from the Camera Roll, means that you'll get a video with blocky compressed quality - not the original.

Don't expect some Sorenson, DV-Pal or any professional video compression codecs for iOS anytime soon.

Try watch the video in HD to see the comparison.

iMovie for iPhone on the other hand, is using H.264 compression, which is good enough for final video. But not good enough to do multiple post-procs.

Is it ready for video post-processing?

"Hello? I'm shooting a video right now with my iPhone. Can I call you back?"

San Fransisco is welcoming iPad 2

2011-03-06T23:40:00.001-08:00

Photo by @galihwismoyo
. Other photo in his Instagram.

Oleh-oleh Dari Yerba Buena Center

2011-03-01T00:14:00.000-08:00

Tampak depan gedung YBCA San Fransisco beberes untuk iPad 2 launching tgl 2 Maret nanti.

UPDATE:
Di depan pintu masuk YBCA ada beberapa bendera warna warni berkibar. Masih ada hubungannya dengan 'colorful dots' di event Apple? Connecting the dots? Seperti yang selalu diucapkan Steve Jobs "Creativity is about connecting the dots"?
*spekulasi mode on*

Oleh-oleh dari @galihwismoyo (from Instagram)

iPod Touch 64Gb for 1 KD

2011-02-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Ada promosi paket dari Viva: iPod Touch 64Gb seharga 1 KD (Rp 30 ribu perak saja) dengan paket internet 18 KD 2 tahun. Sikaaattt!!!

Video Review: Teddy's Night

2011-01-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

Another iPad interactive book for children with beautiful illustration from Auryn Inc: Teddy's Night ($3.99).

Video Review: Teddy's Day

2010-12-20T05:40:00.000-08:00

A children interactive book app for iPad from Auryn Inc: Teddy's Day

Vlogging with Canon 5D Mark II & iPad

2010-10-29T03:22:00.000-07:00

iPad can be an ultimate vlogging tool. Though it has no camera, we can import videos from any device via iPad Camera Connection Kit, means you can get any video file from some devices including Canon 5D Mark II.

And it means, you can vlogging with DSLR quality videos. Not to mention the lens variations for the video. Problem is, the iPad can only read 640x480 video files from 5D Mark II. (you can import 1080p HD video but iPad Photos.app can't read them).

Importing
First thing first, you'll need Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit ($29). It comes with 2 connectors: SD card reader connector & USB connector. Since 5D Mark II comes with CF card, you'll need card reader & connect it to the USB connector. Or, connect the 5D Mark II directly to the USB connector.

The Photos.app will automatically launch & shows Camera page with the thumbnails from the camera. Select the 640x480 videos to import to 'All Imported' album.

Editing
Currently, there's only one video editing app for iPad: ReelDirector ($4.99).
Once the video files imported in the Photos.app library, we can access them in the ReelDirector.app & start to edit. For me, iPad 10 inch screen is decent enough to edit quick instant video.

Uploading
Finish editing, render & ready to upload. In ReelDirector you have 3 compression options. I'd prefer to use the 'High Quality Option' though it has bigger file size. Well, video from DSLR deserve that quality, right? Though, you'll need a 3G or better internet connection for that.

Enjoy the DSLR quality vlogging.

ps: with this process, I think I can call it a mobile-vlogging? Bulky mobile-vlogging? :D

Testing: iMovie 11 movie trailer feature

2010-10-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

Macintosh Color Classic is ALIVE!

2010-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Setelah didiamkan terhubung dengan listrik selama satu malam, akhirnya pas sahur iseng tekan tombol power, eh kok ada suara krak krik krak krik & bunyi fan. Diikuti bunyi 'DING'! HORE! Macintosh Color Classic yang tadinya bisa tidak ada reaksi akhirnya bangun dari mati suri selama 10 tahun lebih!

Ada yang mau pakai Photoshop 3.0? ^_^

Kembalinya Si Anak Hilang

2010-08-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

10 tahun lebih, dia terpisah dengan tuannya. Dibawa pergi oleh seorang sahabat.
Hingga akhirnya pada tanggal 16 Agustus, ditemukan dalam keadaan berdebu & dirubung sarang laba-laba. Tak ada nadi kehidupan. Matanya menatap jendela seperti menunggu tuannya datang menjemput.

Kubawa pulang.
Kubersihkan.
Kumandikan.
Dan alhamdulillah, kamu masih menyala!
Terdengar nada hidup & gemericik putaran harddisk.

Beberapa hari kunikmati kebersamaan kita. Bermain & bercengkerama.

Namun sayang, maaf jika ku harus tinggalkan mu lagi. Aku harus pergi jauh & aku takkan mungkin membawamu pergi.
Tapi paling tidak, kamu sudah di rumah. Sudah ada yang merawatmu. Nanti kita jumpa lagi saat aku pulang.

Selamat tinggal & sampai jumpa, Color Classic ku.

Yay! Got PowerBook Duo 230

2010-08-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

Someday my friend, I will resurrect you. Be patient.

iPad Camera Connection Kit

2010-07-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Some points about this kit:
- iPad automatically opens Photos.app when the kit plugged (with SD card in it) in to the iPad.
- Before import, we can see the small thumbnails of photo & video, but we cannot zoom it (pinch out) for bigger preview.
- Not all video format can be imported directly to the Photos.app. In our test, we can import recorded video with Photo JPEG codec (from Nikon Coolpix P1) but not H.264 codec (from Canon EOS 500D).

- We can plug our Canon EOS 500D via USB & the Photos.app reads images in the memory card.
- We can plug USB Flash disk to the kit & the Photos.app detects images inside DCIM folder.
- We can plug USB card reader to the kit & the Photos.app detects images from any kind of memory cards.
- We can plug the iPhone via USB & the Photos.app reads images from iPhone Camera Roll.
- We can plug self-powered portable hard drives (note: flash drives & portable hard drives may not work as it relies for the USB adapter for power)

More review about iPad Camera Connection Kit
http://www.dslrphoto.com/dslr/apple-ipad-camera-connection-kit-review-roundup,15716.html

iMovie for iPhone 4: Something is missing

2010-07-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

iMovie for iPhone 4 is the ultimate weapon for vlogging. It's a powerful editing app in a tiny mobile device. But something essential is missing: Cut tool for clip splitting. Yes we can trimming the clip but it's a bit annoying to drag the trim 'handles' on the whole clip, especially when that one clip has multiple scenes & we want to remove the unnecessary scene.

IDEA: double tap the clip to reveals the trim 'handles' & cut 'handle'

Wish Apple will add this tool in the future update for iPhone 4 iMovie.

A Moment with Finger Video Editing on iPhone 4

2010-07-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Seorang teman di sini memesan unlocked iPhone 4 dari UK. Setibanya di Kuwait, kami diberi kesempatan untuk mencicipi iPhone generasi ke-empat ini. Sekedar ingin tahu bagaimana rasanya melakukan kegiatan video, dari pengambilan gambar hingga editing.

Untuk pengambilan gambar, tap-to-focus sangat membantu untuk mendapatkan kesan shallow focus. Tidak ada yang istimewa selain itu.

Focused, unfocused

Namun begitu mencoba iMovie.app, sebuah pengalaman baru menyunting video dalam sebuah layar kecil. Tepatnya: menyunting video dengan jari telunjuk. UI & navigasi di dalamnya sangat touchable & bersahabat. Amazing, saya bisa scrubbing video dengan jari saya di dalam sebuah 'mesin editing' sekecil ini. This is true finger scrubbing for video editing. Finger editing!

Video di bawah diedit langsung di iMovie.app & di-export sebagai HD 720p (half-HD).

iPhone 4 has landed

2010-06-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

iPhone 4 & photo are courtesy of @aperdana

When The Kids Met The iPad

2010-04-21T03:39:00.000-07:00

"Young children think with their fingers. If they see something, they jab at it."

"iPad evaporated the abstract link between a child’s hand and the more abstract screen images, so no game controller or mouse is needed."

I read these article and tried to hand our kids the iPad. Yup, Warren Buckleitner was right. Our kids enjoyed the iPad within seconds. No hints, no instructions. iPad is the child's best friend :)

Hardware: Canon EOS 500D with 50mm ƒ1.4, MacMini
Software: FinalCut Pro with Magic Bullets Looks
Music: After School Snacks by Freeplay Music (World Chill Volume 13)

Quick Comparison: iPhone 2G/3G Video Recorder

2009-12-30T03:26:00.000-08:00

While Apple is no longer giving total support on 2G & 3G iPhone, some developers actually still give supports by providing new capabilities in this 1-2 year old product: video recording. Only in a matter of days, there are already 5 to 6 video recording applications for iPhone 2G/3G in the AppStore, including Qik VideoCamera that released today.

But how about the ability & quality of these apps when handling video recording task in the old device? Here's a quick comparison from 4 apps I consider the best plus 1 from Cydia (jailbroken iPhone).

Qik VideoCamera ($0.99) (link iTunes & website)
iVidCam (free & $0.99) (link iTunes & website)
iVideoCamera ($0.99) (link iTunes & website)
ShowTime ($0.99) (link iTunes & website)
VideoRecorder3 ($19.95) (link website)

Summary:

Qik Video Camera
Pro: Better frame rate, save to Camera Roll, H.264 compression
Cons: Portrait recording only

iVidCam
Pro: Biggest frame size, 10x digital zoom, free version is available
Cons: Only upload to YouTube

iVideoCamera
Pro: Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, email & save to Camera Roll
Cons: Smallest frame size, limited recording time

ShowTime
Pro: 5x digital zoom, share via email
Cons: Portrait recording only

VideoRecorder3
Pro: Upload to YouTube & email, best frame rate, MPEG4 compression
Cons: Expensive, only for jailbroken iPhone

Go get one, give your old iPhone another chance to reveal its true ability.

Quick review between iVidCam & Cydia VideoRecorder3

2009-12-24T03:42:00.000-08:00

Seems Apple loosening it's grip for video feature on iPhone 2G/3G. Now new video recording apps for iPhone 2G/3G are available on AppStore. But are they good? Are they worth the price? Do we still need iPhone 3GS?
I pick 1 app from the AppStore called iVidCam & my favorite VideoRecorder3 app from Cydia (for jailbroken iPhone) for a quick review.

iVidCam ($0.99) (link)

Low light environment

Outdoor

Pro:
- Good quality video
- Encodes to MP4 for smaller size of file. Handy for EDGE network
- Sharing to YouTube
- Portrait & landscape recording 427 x 320
- No recording time limit

Cons:
- Low frame rate: 3 fps
- No option to save to Camera Roll
- No option to share via email

Note:
- Failed sending the file to Twitvid.com via email (using Cydia File2Mail app) due to Motion JPEG codec of the MP4 file

Cydia VideoRecorder3 (link)

Low light environment

Outdoor

Pro:
- High frame rate: up to 15 fps
- Encodes to MP4 for smaller size of file. Handy for EDGE network
- Sharing to YouTube
- Sharing via email (upload to Twitvid.com is possible)
- Portrait & landscape recording 384 x 288
- No recording time limit

Cons:
- Bad quality video - video becomes reddish
- No option to save to Camera Roll
- Only for jailbroken iPhone

Summary:
- Apple only allows 3 - 7 fps for the frame rate in their developer kit. Since Cydia developer not bound by Apple restrictions, they can push for higher fps. Cydia VideoRecorder3 is the winner
- Low fps helps capturing more lights and hence better video quality. iVidCam is the winner

So do we still need iPhone 3GS?

AfterTweets: Twitter in Disguise

2009-12-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

We are all know that there's an application called SpreadTweet, so we can tweeting in disguise, as if we're working on a spreadsheet project.

But, for motion graphic designer like me, it's a bit odd to have a spreadsheet on our Mac monitor. The boss will get suspicious and ask me "What the hell you're doing with spreadsheet??"

So what if there's a script for AfterEffects that enables me to keep tweeting inside the application itself, disguised in a fake timeline window.

Right. This is a regular AfterEffects application. But look at the left side of timeline window & click this image below to see the detail.

(click to enlarge)

Yes! It's a Twitter in disguise. The Twitter timeline disguised as layers in regular AfterEffects. Every tweet have options like Reply, ReTweet etc. And each tabs contain our followers tweet.

I'm no script programmer, but wouldn't it sweet if we have this kind of script, AfterTweets script ^_^

iTunes : Download Movie Trailers with non-US iTunes account

2009-05-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

We are all know that we cannot access music, movie, TV series - not even for free podcasts - via Indonesian iTunes Store. Only AppStore.

But at least we can access Movie Trailer page in Indonesian iTunes Store. You cannot access that page directly in the iTunes (the iTunes only gives you AppStore in its store).

Here's the trick. Go to http://www.apple.com/trailers
Click the link "Trailers in iTunes". It'll launch the iTunes and Movie Trailers page. There you can select any movie and download the trailers.

Just don't try to click any link in "iTunes STORE" box, it'll give you a warning box saying "The item you've requested is not currently available bla bla bla"

D'oh!

iPhone Camera.app vs Photos.app

2009-05-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

I prefer Camera.app instead of crappy useless Photos.app in the iPhone.

Why?

Okay. It happens to me. I'm on the iPhone, in the middle of taking photo and want to upload it instantly via mail. No problem. Open Camera.app. Take photo. Close and open Photos.app. Choose the photo. Email it.

You can email photos without quiting Photos.app & Camera.app

But suddenly something else is happening and I need to take new photo. I can't! Because it's in the middle of emailing progress. I have to wait till it finish and jump to Camera.app. By the time it's emailed, the moment has gone.

Left, Camera.app with camera icon. Right, Phones.app without

With Camera.app, you can take photo, email it and turn on the camera right in the middle of uploading progress. Just click the Camera icon on the top right screen. In Photos.app, this icon is missing.

So is there anyway to delete this Photos.app in my iPhone?

$500 logo vs free logos & stickers

2009-04-05T03:28:00.000-07:00

Steve Ballmer, "The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment - same piece of hardware - paying $500 more to get a logo on it?" (link)

$500 more to get a logo?

I think he was right this time. Without to pay an extra $500 for a logo, PC user already got lotsa logos & stickers for FREE!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Although those logos & stikers are free - and definitely FUGLY - I'd stick with "$500 logo", sir

Bring The Blue Progress Bar Back Alive in Safari 4 Beta

2009-02-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

We need a blue progress in address bar, not another endless spinning wheel.

Launch Terminal and type these commands :

defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4IncludeToolbarRedesign -bool NO

defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4LoadProgressStyle -bool NO

Restart Safari.

Source :
- http://pastie.textmate.org/398861
- Daring Fireball

Using the iDisk file sharing feature in iPhone

2009-02-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

Till now, there are no single app for using the long-promised iDisk file sharing feature in the iPhone. Even from Apple itself. But since I got this trick, there is a hope to use this feature.

First.
Fire up the Notes.app.

Type :
http://public.me.com/yourname/filename?disposition=download

Insert your iDisk username in [yourname] and the filename [filename]

Example
public.me.com/pinot/apple.png?disposition=download

Second.
Click the 'MAIL' icon to launch Mail.app.

That's it. You're ready to send the URL of the shared file.

Everytime you need to share the iDisk file, just repeat the step and change the filename.

This trick has some major hassles though :
- You have to remember the file name that you want to share. You can download the free version MobileFiles.app to view to iDisk folders on the go.
- There is no copy paste. Your brain is your clipboard. So, keep the file name simple and easy to remember.
- You can only share files from your iDisk Public folder *bummer*

Related stories :
- Direct Link from Public Folder in iDisk
- Delayed iDisk "Share File" Feature?
- Where's the iDisk "Share File" Feature?

iPhone & Citizen Journalism

2009-02-05T01:43:00.000-08:00

13 Mei 1998.
Perjalanan pulang kantor, menyaksikan suasana rusuh. Di mana-mana asap dan api. Bakar sana bakar sini. Ada hasrat merekam peristiwa tersebut dan membuat live report, sekedar membantu menambah informasi yang didapat teman-teman di redaksi saat itu. Di mobil saya hanya ada laptop tua PowerBook 165c tanpa sambungan internet, handphone tanpa kemampuan fax & data dan video8 handycam tanpa interface digital (FireWire? What FireWire?). Apa daya? Saya hanya manyun memandangi peristiwa yang menorehkan luka dalam sejarah negeri ini. Terekam dalam otak, tapi tidak bisa berbagi kepada seluruh dunia.

2006 ke atas. Era-nya citizen journalism. Setiap orang bisa merekam peristiwa penting dan tersiar ke seluruh dunia, bahkan LIVE UPDATE. Thanks to the internet and media sharing sites. YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, Qik to name a few. Any kind of device that can connet to the internet, can share medias straight to worldwide. Instantly. Dan device di tangan saya : iPhone.

Saya bukan reporter atau jurnalis profesional. Saya hanya warga biasa, mempersiapkan diri dalam status siaga, yang jika menjumpai sebuah peristiwa, tidak hanya menjadi penonton tapi juga berbagi cerita. Saatnya mengoptimalkan iPhone saya.

Citizen Journalist's Tools
Hal yang perlu dilakukan adalah sign-up ke beberapa website seperti di bawah ini :

- Flickr : Photos sharing site
- YouTube : Videos sharing site
- Facebook : Social networking site
- Qik : Video streaming site
- Twitter : Social networking & micro-bloggin site
- Blogger/Wordpress : Blogging site

Serta situs yang mengkhususkan untuk citizen journalism seperti :
- NowPublic
- Fox
- CBS

Selanjutnya, saya install beberapa aplikasi-aplikasi seperti ini :

- Mobile Fotos
- Qik
- Twittelator
- Tumblrette
- Facebook
- BlogPress
- Pixelpipe
- ShoZu

Beberapa saya jabarkan secara detail.

Mobile Fotos (US$ 2.99)
Aplikasi yang dulunya bernama MobileFlickr ini bertugas mengirim foto dari iPhone langsung ke account Flickr. Flickr sendiri merupakan situs photo sharing terbesar dan menjadi kiblat foto-foto citizen journalist (foto-foto banjir Jakarta di bulan Februari 2007 - jaman belum ada iPhone - yang kami dokumentasikan, dipinjam oleh beberapa situs berita seperti NowPublic.com)

Qik (free - jailbroken iPhone get from Cydia)
Live video report kini tidak hanya dimonopoli stasiun TV, tapi sekarang siapa pun bisa melakukan live video report dengan bantuan aplikasi Qik ini - mengirimkan streaming video langsung dari iPhone ke internet (melalui situs www.qik.com).
Selain Qik, terdapat juga Flixwagon.

Twittelator Pro (US$ 4.99)
Merupakan salah satu aplikasi Twitter paling powerful di iPhone. Twitter sendiri adalah sarana sosial online yang kini sedang jadi pembicaraan hangat seputar fungsinya sebagai citizen journalism tool. Walau layanan Twitter sendiri sudah ada dari sejak 2006, namun perannya sebagai alat jurnalistik merebak saat penyerangan teroris di Mumbai, India beberapa waktu lalu.

Hal lain yang perlu dipersiapkan adalah unlimited internet connection (EDGE/3G/HSDPA). Dengan begitu, apa pun yang terjadi, saya bisa publish on the spot. Tidak seperti saat hujan es April 2008 lalu, harus pulang dahulu untuk konek ke internet. Maunya 'breaking news', tapi baru publish 2 - 3 jam setelahnya ^_^

Oke. Saatnya stand by.
Semoga begitu ada peristiwa penting, batere iPhone ngga lagi drop ^_^

References :
http://www.uslaw.com/library/Copyright_Law/iPhone_Enable_Citizen_Journalism.php?item=165093
http://www.appleiphoneapps.com/2009/01/iphone-is-changing-journalism/
http://www.cyberjournalist.net/tag/iphone/
http://www.10000words.net/2008/07/how-iphone-will-revolutionize.html
http://newassignment.net/blog/tom_cheredar/dec2008/07/knoxnews_makes_c

Direct Link from Public folder in iDisk

2009-01-25T04:04:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy!

Feature "Share File" yang tak kunjung tiba

Sekian lama Apple ingkar janji dengan feature "Share File" dari iDisk, akhirnya ada yang menemukan cara untuk direct-link file yang ada di Public folder iDisk.

Baca di blog ini, trick-nya pun ditemukan secara tidak sengaja. Hanya dengan mencantumkan URL seperti ini :
http://public.me.com/username/filename?disposition=download

Contoh :
public.me.com/pinot/apple.png?disposition=download

Now I can share my gigantic files via email!

Related stories :
- Delayed iDisk "Share File" Feature?
- Where's the iDisk "Share File" Feature?

Original post :
- Direct linking to files in the Public folder of a MobileMe iDisk

Steve Jobs Pernah ke Bali?

2008-09-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

From September 9 Apple Special Event "Let's Rock" keynote video.

OK.
Let's assume this is Steve Job's new iPod nano.
Let's assume this is his photos library.

Berarti dia pernah ke Bali dhuoonkk??

From AppStore : I Am Rich (and Stupid)

2008-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Ada software baru release berjudul : I Am Rich.
Harganya? US$ 999.99 (software AppStore termahal setelah MyAccountsToGo US$ 499)
Gunanya? Pamer jadi orang kaya.

Ini quote dari AppStore :

The red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this. It's a work of art with no hidden function at all.

Able to afford this stupidity?? A work of art??? Mengatas namakan seni dan melecehkannya :P

Gue ngga ngerti kegunaan (yang masuk akal) dari software ini. Lihat screenshot-nya sendiri tidak menunjukkan sebuah program yang advance - senilai harganya. Dengan jumlah segitu, gue mending beli software grafis dari Adobe sekalian.

Asli ngga habis pikir :P

UPDATE :
- TUAW's Robert Palmer wrote this stupid app. I have the same concern with him, I wish that I will not accidentally press the "BUY APP" button and drain my credit card for nothing. Apple, do something for this stupidity, please. It's just make the AppStore looks stupid as this app.

Review : Preschool App for iPhone/iPod Touch

2008-08-05T04:13:00.000-07:00

Kami, sebagai gadgetarian dan orang tua dari 2 toddler, sudah sepantasnya memperkenalkan gadget dengan cara yang baik dan benar. Saat iPhone mulai dibanjiri software-software official dari Apple, langsung ngubek cari software untuk toddler. Dari sekian banyak -- seperti yang diulas di MacWorld -- kami membeli sebuah software education berjudul "Preschool Adventure" seharga US$ 0.9 (Rp 10.000-an).

Software ini pada dasarnya tidak berbeda jauh dengan educational software lainnya, dilengkapi dengan gambar & suara. Silakan tengok video demonya.

Isi dari software ini terdiri dari 4 halaman : warna, bentuk, tubuh dan suara.

Pada halaman warna, anak-anak diajak untuk mengenal warna dengan menyentuh 7 warna yang setiap disentuh akan berubah bentuk menjadi hewan-hewan laut, lengkap dengan suara dalam bahasa Inggris.

Halaman bentuk, terdapat 5 bentuk dengan 5 warna berbeda : segitiga, oval, kotak, persegi panjang & lingkaran. Seperti halaman sebelumnya, setiap item akan berubah sesuai bentuknya, juga dengan suara.

Halaman tubuh, anak-anak diperintahkan untuk membentuk sebuah tubuh kera, dengan cara menyentuh setiap bagian tubuh yang tersebar : mata, kaki, hidung dan lainnya. Setiap bagian tubuh yang disentuh akan mengeluarkan suara dan bergabung dengan bagian tubuh lainnya. Hingga akhirnya tubuh terbentuk sempurna, terdengar suara tepuk tangan dan suara kera *UUIKK UIIKK UUUKK UUKKK*

Halaman suara, terlihat suasana peternakan dengan hewan-hewan ternak di dalamnya. Masing-masing hewan akan bersuara jika disentuh.

Arwen dan Leia seneng banget dengan software ini. Ngga bosen-bosennya pinjem iPhone gue. Katanya, "Mo liat monkey! Mo liat horse!" Huehehehehehe.. hitung-hitung memperkenalkan bahasa Inggris di kepala mereka.

Preschool Adventure
US$ 0.99
http://www.3dal.com

More info about this software in iTunes AppStore :
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=286526367&mt=8

Notes :
Bagaimana pun, penggunaan barang elektronik oleh balita seperti ini harus selalu diawasi dan dibatasi karena berbagai alasan perkembangan kesehatan (radiasi selular), kejiwaan (addiction) dan teknis (iPhone dibanting atau diilerin :D )

Quick Demo : 2 Dugem Apps

2008-08-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

When you're in the middle of party & clubbing with your friend, what will you do with your iPhone ? Calling & messaging your other friend? Hey! You're in the middle of a party! You're suppose to be blending in the atmosphere. Either you are the active center - be a DJ or dancing queen/king - of the party galaxy or just joining the mass enjoying the hype.

iPhone sebenarnya bisa dimanfaatkan sebaga alat bantu clubbing, ngga semata hanya sebagai communication device. Thanks to AppStore, kini banyak ditemui aplikasi dugem di iPhone. Diantaranya BeatMaker & MyLite.

BeatMaker (US$ 19,99)
Intua
http://www.intua.net/products.html

Pada dasarnya, aplikasi ini adalah live music sequencer. Dengan 11 kits sampler & 16 soundbank kita bisa create musik ajeb-ajeb. Colok iPhone ke amplifier and you're ready to go, be the DJ and be a central of the party universe.

Sequencer

Effect

Trigger Pads

Load file

Save file

Jika familiar dengan software sequencer desktop, akan sangat mudah saat menjalankan BeatMaker.

MyLite (free)
doapp, inc
http://www.doapps.com/products/mylite

Saat musik bener-bener lagi asik rasanya pengen jojing dengan tangan di atas memegang lampu senter, korek api dinyalakan atau apa saja yang menyala di dalam kegelapan (namanya party pasti gelap). Aplikasi ini membuat iPhone berfungsi sebagai 'penerang pesta', memancarkan cahaya warna warni strobo atau bahkan jadi 'cigarette lighter' seperti layaknya nonton konser tanpa takut tangan terbakar :)

Banyak lagi aplikasi lain, yang membuat iPhone lebih dari sekedar alat bantu komunikasi. Dan kini di tengah party, iPhone bisa jadi alat bantu dugem. huakakak

AppStore : Update Not Update

2008-07-25T04:11:00.000-07:00

Hari ini, ngecek AppStore di iPhone, terdapat 2 update untuk aplikasi yang ada di iPhone gue : NetNewsWire dan SplashMoney. Langsung klik update di masing-masing aplikasi dan loading.

Lucunya, di iTunes ngga ada kabar apa-apa tentang update 2 aplikasi ini. Hanya ada satu keterangan kecil di Application sidebar di iTunes : 1 update available.

Saat diklik, muncul layar ini di iTunes Store.

Penasaran, iPhone gue sync dengan iTunes. Dengan harapan aplikasi NetNewsWire dan SplashMoney yang sudah terupdate di iPhone akan otomatis sync dengan versi lama di iTunes. Setelah tekan tombol sync, iTunes baru ngeh bahwa aplikasi yang ada di iPhone tidak ada di iTunes Library.

Jadi, 2 aplikasi yang terupdate di iPhone, dianggap aplikasi baru dan iTunes melakukan "transferring purchasing" walau aplikasi lama masih ngejogrok di iTunes Library.

Setelah proses lengkap, aplikasi baru me-replace aplikasi lama. *phew* Kirain di iTunes bakal nongol 2 aplikasi dengan versi berbeda :P

Perilaku "update ngga update" iTunes ini bukan sekali ini saja. Walau tertera keterangan "updates available", setiap diklik bolak balik disangkal "No updates available. Check again later". Yho wis, akhirnya lebih sreg update aplikasi di AppStore iPhone saja.

More info :
http://forums.macworld.com/thread/103584?start=0&tstart=0

Bongkar Gembok iPhone 2.0

2008-07-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Pew pew pwning!

Catatan :
1 - Menggunakan instruksi dari hackthatphone.com
2 - iPhone 1.1.4 yang sebelumnya diunlock memakai Pwnage Tool 1.0, bisa langsung restore dengan file customized ipsw dari Pwnage Tool 2.0
3 - Installer.app belum tersedia untuk jailbroken iPhone 2.0 (info). Sebagai alternatif, Pwnage Tool 2.0 menggunakan Cydia.app, yang hingga saat ini belum banyak tersedia aplikasi-aplikasi di sourcesnya. Jika masih membutuhkan aplikasi-aplikasi dari sources Installer.app, TUNDA dulu untuk upgrade ke iPhone 2.0. Tunggu sampai Nullriver/RipDev meng-update Installer.app untuk jalan di iPhone 2.0 atau tunggu para developer migrasi ke Cydia.app.
4 - Sync dan push MobileMe lancar dan smooth

Sumber :
- iPhone-dev team
- Instruksi

Breaking News : Firmware 2.0 Terbuka Gemboknya!

2008-07-20T00:17:00.000-07:00

Silakan unduh di blog iPhone-Dev team.
Tutorialnya bisa ngecek di :
http://www.hackthatphone.com/20/pwnagetool_2_1st_gen_iphone.html

Stay tuned for the review.
*langsung ngoprek*

Let's Emulate Your Game

2008-07-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

iPhone memang diramalkan menjadi new game platform, bahkan sudah dianggap berada ditengah-tengah Nintendo DS dan PSP. YEAH!!!! Hanya saja, jenis game favorit gue -- RPG, RTS, turn-based strategy -- belum nongol di AppStore.
Sambil nunggu, gue mencoba pasang emulator console-game di iPhone sambil review mana yang paling play-able dan enjoy-able.

Pertama gue pasang psx4all
(PlayStation emulator - installer.app repo : http://zodttd.com/repo/)

image courtesy of appleiphoneschool.com

It sucks. Sluggish. Unresponsive. Big ROM files (ROM Armored Core bisa 2 gb :P)
Kebayang dong Grand Turismo yang menyedot performance graphic tiba-tiba harus perform di iPhone?
Desktop game console di dalam mobile device? Lupakaannnn!!!

Kemudian jajal NES
(Nintendo Entertainment System emulator - http://www.zdziarski.com/projects/nesapp/)

image courtesy of appleiphoneschool.com

Ya ya ya. It runs smoothly. Hanya saja, rasanya kok kayak main game jaman IBM PC XT jaman dulu di iPhone. Gamenya culun-culun. Yha namanya juga NES. Ya sudah lupakan.

Terakhir jajal GameBoy Advance
(GameBoy Advance emulator - installer.app repo : http://zodttd.com/repo/)

Landscape view gpSPHONE - GameBoy Advance Emulator

This is it. Gue rasa ini yang paling ideal. Mobile console diemulate di mobile device. Graphicnya bagus, performance game-nya juga baik. Sangat responsif dan lancar. Jenis game-nya juga sangat banyak.

Cukup install softwarenya dari Installer.app (repo : http://zodttd.com/repo/) dan copy ROM game-nya di private/var/root/bin/Library/ROMs/GBA/ via SSH. ROM-nya bisa diambil dari cartridge GameBoy atau minta bantuan Google untuk mendapatkan ROM game.

Install genre-genre favorit seperti Advance War. Dan tentu saja install beberapa game buat Arwen :D
Akibatnya, batere iPhone gue sering habis karena dipake buat main.. wakakakakakak

More info :
- PSX Emulator
- NES Emulator
- GameBoy Advance Emulator

Review : Old Contour Design ShuttleXpress

2008-07-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Sudah lama gue ngincer barang ini, USB ShuttleXpress buatan ContourDesign -- berfungsi sebagai multimedia controller dan alat bantu editing video di komputer. Produk buatan tahun 2003 ini ngga berhasil ditemui di Jakarta (kurang niat kalee nyarinyaaa), akhirnya ketemu di Kuwait sini dengan harga cukup mahal. Sempat ragu mau ambil, karena khawatir dengan kompatibilitas terhadap OS X Leopard dan software-software modern lainnya.

Saat bertandang ke website Contour Design, sempat terkesiap dengan system requirement-nya. MacOS terendah yang disebutkan adalah versi 8.6, tertinggi OS 10.1 (yak.. point satu alias Puma, bukan Jaguar, Panther ato Tiger). Takutnya MacBook gue kecanggihan dengan device ini.

Ternyata tersedia driver untuk MacOS X nya. Mentok-mentok Tiger. Setelah install, langsung jajal FinalCut Pro. Uhuiy.. lancar jaya!

Tersedia setting untuk software-software seperti iMovie, iTunes, FinalCut Pro, ProTools, Aperture, Photoshop bahkan Microsoft Excel dan Microsoft Word :D

Hanya saja, perlu diperhatikan beberapa setting konfigurasi default-nya bisa bentrok dengan shortcut bawaan MacOS. Terutama setting FinalCut Pro yang bentrok dengan feature Expose MacOS. Gak masalah, tinggal ganti mana yang ngalah.

Sayangnya, feature Jog Shuttle pada window A/V Control (command-K) QuickTime Player 7.x tidak diakomodir oleh ShuttleXpress ini. Sebenarnya gue bisa bikin setting sendiri dengan membuat keyboard shortcut assignment, tapi QuickTime Player tidak menyediakan shortcut untuk feature Jog Shuttle. Kalo bisa, keren tuh, bisa scrubbing audio video di QuickTime pakai device ini.

Kesimpulan :
Multimedia controller ini cukup membantu dalam pekerjaan editing video seperti layaknya profesional editor. Driver-nya juga tidak ada masalah, cukup kompatibel digunakan di dunia Leopard dan mesin MacIntel, terutama software-software anyar. Dan gue, bisa lebih nyaman ngedit video keluarga dengan bergaya 'profesional' :D

Website :
http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/shuttlexpress.htm

An Apology from Apple

2008-07-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

"We want to apologize to our loyal customers....
.. giving all current subscribers an automatic 30-day extension"

Nice. Very nice indeed. Thank you, Apple.

But.. rrr..
naahh.. nevermind.
I'll wait for the improvement in the next 30 day then.
Patiently.

Shopping at AppStore

2008-07-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

Dalam rangka 'mempensiunkan' Palm gue, beberapa software Palm sudah mendapatkan penggantinya di iPhone/iPod Touch. Salah satunya adalah Splash Money.

Jika sebelumnya gue dapatkan software tersebut dengan cara 'haram', maka kali ini gue harus dapatkan dengan cara halal. Pertimbangannya : it's a great software for me, murah (US$ 9.99) dan sekedar memberi support kepada developer software AppStore. Pertimbangan lainnya adalah bahwa gue yakin software ini punya umur yang panjang seperti update version in the next future. Beli software sama dengan beli investasi. Nggak seperti beberapa software Palm yang gue beli, berhenti ngga ada kabar dan support (contoh : HandyFinance) *geram*

Puchasing SplashMoney was a snap. Bisa dilakukan di desktop (iTunes Store) atau AppStore di iPod Touch/iPhone. Setelah purchased dan downloaded, aplikasi nongol di Application tab saat iPod Touch/iPhone tersambung ke Mac. After that, sync and it's there, nongol di iPod Touch/iPhone siap digunakan. Best of all, gue bisa install aplikasi yang gue purchase ke multiple device. Jadi kalau nanti punya iPhone 3G (AAMMIINNNNN!! :D ), gue ngga perlu beli lagi untuk software yang sama.

Setelah belanja, gue dikirimin receipt dari iTunes Store via email. Info belanja ini juga bisa dilihat di Account page di iTunes Store. Yang menarik, untuk support service diurus oleh www.apple.com/uk. Apakah ini karena account dari Indonesia dibawah administrasi Apple UK? Sementara account .Mac (sekarang MobileMe) gue berada dalam naungan Apple Singapura. Mungkin karena Singapura bekas jajahan UK? huekekekekek.. kalleeeeee ajjaaa...

Related stories :
- Exodus : Palm to iPhone
- Update with 2.0 firmware
- iPhone : Newton reborn

Delayed iDisk "Share File" Feature?

2008-07-15T02:45:00.001-07:00

Found this in :
http://www.apple.com/mobileme/features/idisk.html

PHEW!!!!

Related story :
- Where's the iDisk "Share File" Feature?

Speculation Behind MobileMe Billing Info Mess

2008-07-15T02:11:00.000-07:00

Billing info page di website MobileMe

Billing info di iTunes Store

Karena Apple masih bungkam dengan masalah update billing info di MobileMe, banyak lahir spekulasi dan dugaan tentang hal ini, terutama di Apple Discussion Forum.

Masalah pada kartu kredit VISA. Beberapa orang berhasil update billing info dengan MasterCard dan AMEX.
Masalah data field untuk Title "Mr" & "Mrs". Di account iTunes Store, tersedia field title ini, tapi di MobileMe tidak ada. Beberapa orang berhasil update setelah mencantumkan "Mr" atau "Mrs" di field "First Name on Card" account MobileMe. Read more about this in here.
Kalau ini spekulasi gue. Masih ada hubungannya dengan data field, tapi kali ini field "States/Province". Berhubung saat membuat account .Mac beberapa tahun lalu, gue mencantumkan DKI Jakarta. Di MobileMe, DKI Jakarta dan sebagian propinsi tidak tercantum dalam list. Dan di iTunes Store, field ini diabaikan.

Dan sampai saat ini, gue masih belum berhasil update dan validasi kartu kredit. Still couple weeks to go to the renewal due date of my subscription. Sabarrr.. sabaaarr...

UPDATE : some people already renew their subscription without doing anything, eventhough they cannot validate their billing info and the "There's a problem with the credit card of this account" status still hanging in their mobileMe account. Read more.

Exodus : Palm to iPhone

2008-07-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Been attracted by Newton for years. Been using PalmOS for almost 8 years. And now, iPhone is here, with thousand promising applications. I think, the next era of Apple PDA is coming. And it's not just PDA, but Smartphone.

Should I abandon my Palm Clie PEG UX50 -- keep it in the drawer and sell it at eBay 20 years later, it may worth selling at million -- and grab the iPhone totally, for good?

In my Palm, I always using three main applications for years :
- ThoughtManager : thought & idea records
- DayNotez : personal journal
- SplashMoney : financial records

If I jump to the iPhone, I have to migrate these apps and the datas from the Palm. At least one apps available for iPhone : SplashMoney. It's in the AppStore and the desktop apps will be coming soon -- sync with Mac and iPhone/iPod Touch. So I don't have to migrate one by one for the finance data. Just sync my Palm, Mac, iPhone and it's there.

But the other two apps -- the developers have not updated their software since 2 - 3 years ago :P -- currently has no sign of coming at the AppStore in the future. It seems that I have to convert the datas for the iPhone apps *sigh*

In the mean time, maybe it's better for me to wait. And give my Palm another chance to live.. a bit longer :)

Update iPod Touch with 2.0 firmware

2008-07-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Daripada bete melulu sama MobileMe, akhirnya gue sempetin buat jajal firmware iPhone 2.0 terbaru di iPod Touch. Proses update/upgrade-nya sendiri tidak lama, sekitar 30 jam. Semua unofficial software dari sources Installer.app amblas semua. Tapi data lainnya (seperti Notes, Setting, Mail, Bookmarks) terselamatkan saat backup di iTunes.

AppStore-nya cukup 'berbahaya'. Membeli software jadi gampang banget! Kebetulan Indonesia sudah masuk dalam country list iTunes Stores (hanya AppStore. Sementara Music dan Movie ngga nongol krn masalah piracy), jadi kartu kredit bawaan dari kampung bisa dipakai buat belanja. Bahaya!!!

.Mac Homepage is Still Alive (but not Editable)

2008-07-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Menurut Apple support, homepage lawas dari .Mac masih bisa diakses. Bener, beberapa diantaranya bisa diakses, tapi ada juga tidak. Di halaman iDisk me.com, terlihat homepage yang dibuat dalam folder dianggap "Page not Found". Homepage lainnya masih hidup tapi sudah tidak bisa diedit. Salah satunya adalah homepage retro "My iDisk Public Folder" :D

Update : Billing Info is Back

2008-07-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Billing Info tab di Account Setting - Mobile Me nongol lagi. Still cannot update the data though. It keeps saying "Validation Error" :P

Status "There is a problem with the credit card of this account" masih terpampang di Summary tab.

Where's the iDisk "Share File" Feature?

2008-07-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

Kayaknya, semua orang sedang diuji coba kesabarannya pada MobileMe. Gue sendiri, masih berusaha sabar ketika menemukan banyak masalah saat menggunakan MobileMe. Namun saat menemukan sebuah kejanggalan baru, gue jadi makin senewen. Kejanggalan tersebut adalah raib-nya feature "Share File" pada halaman iDisk MobileMe.

Saat mereka release video MobileMe guided tour bulan lalu, feature "Share File" menjadi hal yang paling dinanti. Gue bisa kirim email dengan file gede tanpa harus mencantumkannya dalam attachment, tapi hanya mencantumkan URL tempat file yang dimaksud, sehingga penerima email bisa download sendiri nantinya. Fungsinya kurang lebih seperti RapidShare atau YouSendIt.

Feature "Share File" terpampang di video MobileMe Guided Tour

And now it's gone! What's wrong????

More about this :
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1594346&tstart=0

Related stories about MobileMe.

Hari-hari Meletihkan di Infinite Loop

2008-07-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

Beberapa hari ini adalah hari-hari yang meletihkan di kantor Apple sana. Dalam waktu tidak berjauhan, terdapat 3 penghelatan besar yang menguras tenaga dan pikiran : launching AppStore, launching MobileMe dan menjual iPhone 3G di beberapa negara.

Hype yang sebegitu besar dari orang-orang diseluruh dunia berbanding dengan masalah-masalah yang dihadapi Apple, seperti yang ditulis di TUAW's "Apple's Bad Days". Hype yang sangat besar kini berubah menjadi samudera luas berisikan gelombang amarah karena berbagai masalah seperti sulitnya proses aktivasi iPhone 3G, firmware 2.0 yang corrupt dan ....
... MobileMe, molor dari jadwal dan bolak balik online offline.

Coba saja baca forum diskusi ini. Sebuah mimpi buruk bagi para PR Apple. Sebuah contoh : proses validasi kartu kredit tidak bisa dilakukan di dalam website me.com. Akibatnya, orang-orang yang harus melakukan renewal account mereka di saat-saat sekarang berubah panik. Takut account mereka hangus dan kehilangan username@mac.com.

Gue -- juga harus melakukan renewal tanggal 4 Agustus nanti -- pun juga gagal terus setiap melakukan validasi kartu kredit. Dan seperti orang-orang lain, sejak berganti menjadi me.com account gue dibilang "There is a problem with the credit card of this account"

Kolom "Billing Info" yang biasanya nongkrong di bawah "Account Info" hari ini raib

Dan hari ini, kepanikan orang makin menjadi-jadi. Karena kolom Billing Info -- yang biasanya terdapat di menu Account Setting -- raib tidak terdapat di menu. Artinya, semua orang tidak bisa melakukan validasi pembayaran untuk account me.com. *gubrak!*

Yah sudahlah. Gue berusaha tetap sabar. Dan yang penting menjaga agar hype ini ngga berubah jadi emosi negatif. Semoga, kanjeng pati Steve Jobs dan kawulanya bisa dengan segera beres-beres di ujung dunia sana.

Update : Me.com is finally On

2008-07-11T02:54:00.002-07:00

Sluurrpp...
Akhirnya bisa nyicip MobileMe setelah barusan ON jam 12:55 PM waktu Kuwait (GMT +3).

Disambut video "Getting Started with MobileMe"

Contact list, what you see (in iPhone, AddressBook.app) is what you get (in me.com)

New webgallery. It's sleek and fast!

Hopefully, abis ini ngga bolak balik ngumpet lagi :P

MobileMe Premature Labor

2008-07-11T00:16:00.000-07:00

Sampai hari ini, website MobileMe masih malu-malu untuk nongol secara penuh. Kadang ada kadang -- atau lebih sering -- tiada. Walau begitu layanan yang lain seperti email, idisk, sync tetap berjalan normal. Username @me.com sudah bisa digunakan seminggu lalu. MobileMe OSX Updater sudah bisa didownload dan meng-update mail.app dan System Preferences. Publish iWeb juga lancar (hanya saja publishnya masih ke .Mac ;D )

iDisk pun kini bisa diakses via desktop dengan icon yang sudah diganti.

Yang menarik -- walau www.mac.com masih offline -- homepage.mac.com dan web.mac.com masih eksis di pojokan sana. Bahkan retro "My iDisk" page pun masih terpampang dengan manisnya.

Dari sisi kosmetik, beberapa aplikasi masih ditemui kata .Mac. Seperti terlihat di Mail.app preferences pada tab "General". It says "Use .Mac to synchronize Accounts, Rules, Notes" plus with button ".Mac" aside.

Namun di MobileMe System Preferences Pane (pada tab "Sync") kalimat "Synchronize with .Mac" sudah diganti dengan "Synchronize with MobileMe". Hanya saja, programmernya lupa menggeser button pop-up disebelahnya :D

Lot's of work to do, eh Apple?

MobileMe is on!

2008-07-10T05:51:00.001-07:00

Typing me.com at the URL, leads to the MobileMe login window (GMT +3 3:50 PM). After login, it returns to the apple.com/mobileme page. Retry in couple minutes later, me.com is back to apple.com/mobileme :)

But my website is back! With the same URL address -> web.mac.com/pinot
Yeap! DotMac is still there, alive.

UPDATE (23:20 GMT +3)

Sempat bisa login dan masuk ke dalam page iDISK. Begitu klik MAIL, balik lagi deh ke apple.com/mobileme. Munggah medun, metu mlebu, main petak umpet niyee... :P

MobileMe OSX Update

2008-07-10T02:40:00.000-07:00

Iseng jajal software update untuk MobileMe OS X (walau belum officially tersedia di apple.com softwarenya bisa didownload di sini). Installernya -- ngga jalan di Tiger (OSX 10.4) -- langsung update System Preferences & Mail.app.

Setelah terinstall, icon MobileMe nongol menggantikan icon .Mac di System Preferences.

Tapi ngga bisa sign-in, walau pakai username@me.com sekalipun. Mungkin baru berfungsi penuh setelah malam ini.

More info here.

Retro Look of .Mac

2008-07-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Ini adalah contoh bahwa .Mac tidak termaintain dengan baik dan tidak sejalan dengan gaya Apple yang agresif dalam urusan look dan design. Tampilan salah satu website homepage .Mac (Public Folder "My iDisk") dari tahun 2002 hingga kini masih menggunakan look translucent ala iMac original. Dan font-nya... masih dengan Apple Garamond. 6 tahun dibiarkan berdebu begitu saja.

Selamat Jalan .Mac

2008-07-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Hari ini -- sesuai rencana Apple -- sudah tidak bisa akses website .Mac. 'Pemadaman' sementara ini berlangsung dari jam 8 malam hingga jam 12 malam. Hopefully, setelahnya semua sudah ganti MobileME.

Farewell .Mac.

UPDATE : iDisk masih bisa diakses dari Finder dengan jumlah kapasitas masih 10 gigabyte.

UPDATE : Akses webmail.mac.com sudah ngga bisa. Tapi masih bisa cek email di mail.app. Dan server web.mac.com juga ngga bisa dibuka. PinoDita.com down untuk sementara!

username@me.com is Online?

2008-06-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

Menurut TUAW.com dan MacRumors email address me.com sudah online. Beberapa orang berhasil mengirim ke username@me.com dan beberapa juga sudah berhasil menggunakannya.

Pas gue coba, dibilang "User unknown". Hueheheheheh. Gue sih ngga ngarep email me.com nya. Cuma sudah agak gak sabar mau nyicip full functionality-nya.

.Mac website is unavailable!

2008-06-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

Jam 3 sore waktu Kuwait hari ini, akses ke .Mac website dibilang unavailable. MobileMe is on the way? Atau regular maintenance?
But it says "We are working hard to restore the normal service". Working hard? Kayaknya bukan regular maintenance.

Tapi gue masih bisa akses email via Mail.app.

UPDATE : sudah available kembali. Ngga ada yang berubah kecuali image ".Mac" sudah berubah menjadi MobileME :P

Wired Cover Story : Apple

2008-06-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Saat edisi WIRED edisi April 2008 ini terbit, gue panik jumpalitan ngga karuan. Masalahnya majalah ini ngga tersedia di toko-toko majalah dan buku di Kuwait. Langsung SMS teman dan kerabat memohon untuk minta dibelikan di Jakarta. Ngga perlu dikirim ke Kuwait. Gue ngga butuh untuk (segera) baca artikelnya -- artikelnya bisa dibaca secara online -- yang penting edisi itu harus punya. Titik! Gue harus collect edisi itu! Titik (lagi)! Maklum, gue emang koleksi semua media cetak yang membahas Apple sebagai cover story. Dan kebetulan WIRED adalah wajib hukumnya bagi gue untuk dibaca.

Edisi 1997

Dan kebetulan lagi, gue punya WIRED edisi tahun 1997 yang mengulas tentang keterpurukan Apple. 11 tahun lalu, majalah ini menempatkan Apple sebagai cover story, membahas langkah-langkah penyelamatan agar Apple bisa tetap survive. Dari sekian langkah yang diusulkan banyak yang meleset seperti mengusulkan Apple agar menggunakan operating system Windows NT. Namun ada juga yang tepat sesuai usulan (atau tepatnya : ramalan) seperti Apple harus memiliki logo baru, pindah ke prosesor Intel dan membangun PDA-phone.

More to read in WIRED.com.

Sementara edisi April 2008 yang bertajuk ""How Apple Got Everything Right By Doing Everything Wrong" ini lebih mengedepankan gaya Apple dalam melakukan bisnisnya. Serta tentu saja mengupas gaya kepemimpinan Steve Jobs yang tidak sejalan dengan paradigma dan teori manajemen modern yang dianut perusahaan-perusahaan di negara maju. Guy Kawasaki --- mantan marketing Apple -- pun memaklumi ironi ini dengan mengatakan, "Steve Jobs proves that it's OK to be an ass hole"

More to read in WIRED.com.

Selalu menarik jika membaca ulasan-ulasan tentang Apple di media cetak. Apalagi jika jarak waktu publikasi ulasannya berbeda jauh seperti WIRED ini. Itulah sebabnya, gue hobi mengumpulkan artikel-artikel ini. Karena, it's the part of the history. Apple history.

Thanks to bos Rafael (digi2go.net) dan Eman yang memberi jalan bagi gue untuk memiliki WIRED edisi April ini.

Thank you, Apple for keeping @mac.com

2008-06-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

MobileME baru saja diannounce oleh Steve Jobs kemarin saat WWDC 2008. It's a great news, terutama buat gue yang sudah 8 tahun bergantung dengan service .mac ini.

Hanya saja, saat rumor MobileME ini berhembus beberapa minggu sebelum WWDC 2008 sempat ada kekhawatiran akan hilangnya username@mac.com dan diganti dengan username@me.com. Ada 2 alasan gue khawatir.

Pertama. Seperti beberapa pengguna .mac lainnya, gue merasa username@mac.com adalah pride & status symbol. It's silly but it is - as silly as "me" username :P
Seperti komen yang gue reply dari tuaw.com :

It's a status symbol. It's association with Apple, and all things Apple. I don't want it to be @me.com.

...that I was associated with Apple. And when I tell people my email address some people go, "oh Apple has an email program!"

As a Mac fan myself, I agree with them.

Kedua. Lebih dari itu. Email address gue pinot@mac.com adalah 'corporate identity'. It's simple. Gampang diinget. Jika berhubungan dengan klien email address ini punya karakter tersendiri. Dan sudah kadung jadi identitas yang gue bina selama bertahun-tahun. Jika harus dirubah, mulai lagi dari awal untuk korespondensi. Cappeee ddeehhh...

Fortunately, Apple tetap mempertahankan domain username@mac.com dan memberi pilihan kepada pengguna .mac untuk merubahnya jika mau ke username@me.com. Phew!

Now, I cannot wait to upgrade to mobileME!

Btw.. logo mobileMe sendiri kok keliatan ngasal, ya? Kesannya ngga well-designed banget. Baca deh di tuaw.com tentang hal ini :P

They Want Steve Wozniak To Come In Dubai

2008-03-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

EmiratesMac, Apple User Group di Timur Tengah berencana mengundang Steve Wozniak ke Dubai dalam waktu dekat ini. Dalam rangka memperteguh gagasan tersebut, para anggota user group diharapkan memberikan sumbangsihnya dalam bentuk video testimonial, agar Steve Wozniak rela hadir diundang ke Dubai.

Si empunya user group meminta gue untuk menyumbangkan video testimonial tentang Apple sebagai perwakilan dari Kuwait (huehehehehe... harusnya perwakilan dari Indonesia). Yha sudah, ta' bikinin video clip instant yang berisi kompilasi foto-foto gue dan keluarga yang berhubungan dengan barang-barang Apple.

Sounds amazing. Kalau jadi beneran mesti siapin spidol dan MacBook putih gue untuk ditanda tangani sang legenda... Kalo jadddiiiii :D

10 MBA per 2 days

2008-03-18T01:53:00.000-07:00

Iseng tanya ke Digits (d/h Mac & More - Apple Store di Marina) tentang MacBook Air. Mereka awalnya tidak berani stock banyak-banyak. Namun, setelah daftar pre-order list sudah lebih dari 30 orang, mereka baru ambil dari Dubai. Dengan dipanteng harga sekitar KD 650 (Rp 22 juta), 10 MacBook Air nan tipis ini laris manis dalam waktu 2 hari saja. Status sekarang barang masih kosong, namun akan didrop lagi 20 - 30 MBA setelah melihat demand yang tinggi.

Fashion fever? Bisa jadi. Bagi masyarakat (gaul) Kuwait, rasanya kalo sudah nyetir Porsche, pakai asesori Louis Vuitton, kurang full-pamer kalo belum nenteng MacBook Air :D

iPhone Madness Session 2 : Here We Go Again

2008-03-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Sudah bisa ditebak. Gue dan Eman kembali menjadi teknisi buka gembok iPhone di kantor setelah kotak pandora 1.1.2 berhasil dibuka gemboknya Januari lalu. Dengan metode yang makin beragam dan makin (sangat) mudah, kami bisa melakukannya dengan nyambi kerja.

iPhone Madness Session 2 dimulai kembali. Dan seperti yang sudah-sudah, populasi iPhone kembali bertambah subur. Ayo ayo siapa mau dibukain gemboknya -- mau buat experiment nih! Sekalian ancang-ancang meng-antisipasi iPhone firmware 2.0 Juni nanti.

Related stories :
- iPhone Madness session 2 (firmware 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4)
- iPhone Madness session 1 (firmware 1.0.2, 1.1.1)
- Gila iPhone