iPod Hash Defeated

For those who don’t know, the new iPods all would not work initially with Linux.  The reason is the iPod checks for a hash that is written by iTunes to the iPod.  If the hash isn’t there, even id the files and the iTunes DB on the iPod are in the correct format, the iPod will show no music on it.  Well, the inventive hackers have found a way:

“iPod Classic Will Be Supported – Amarok Blog
correct” solution is for folks to stop using Apple products. The iPod might have its own version of DAAP’s iTunes 7 which has a checksum more difficult (apparently) to crack. But for the time being, things are fine.”

Some say that the solution to avoid this is to not buy iPods, however I have yet to find a mp3 player that does not have a horrible interface.  The interfaces sometime let you do too much where the iPod only let’s you do what you need when your using the player.  The only thing I wish iPod’s would do is let me delete a file from the iPod.  Other then that, I am happy with it.  The other thing is integration.  As I listen to music and podcasts on it, it keeps track and when I plug in to iTunes, it will  update the play counts.  Also, iTunes has smart play lists.  I can create a playlist that changes on a daily basis and it will automatically change things.  I have a play list that has only unheard podcasts in it. I also have one I use each holiday season that looks to see if the song has been played in the last year and once I play everything once, it goes away and I don’t hear the song again until I change the date on the playlist.  There’s so many ways why I like the iPod.  Sure it doesn’t play oggs, but I frankly don’t care.  Until someone makes a MP3 Player that is as good with the interface and integration as the iPod, Apple will continue to rule the market.

If the Linux zealots figure that out, then they too can do what Apple has done.  To be a success, here’s what’s needed:

1.  Same or better interface as a iPod.
2. Total integration.  When something is played on the iPod, it should also update the counts when it is synced back up to the desktop.
3. iTMS support isn’t possible.  How about doing what Amarok has done and integrate Magnatune?
4. Support MP3, WAV, Unprotected AAC and possibly Unprotected WMA(but that may not be possible).  OGG support is ok too as well as FLAC.  For video, support non protected iPod video and Xvid.  Also, H.264 should be supported as well.  Sure, add Theora in there too.

If open source can’t do this, then Apple will continue to rule the space.  Don’t bitch about Apple, start trying to be BETTER then them!  Think different for once!  (wait, isn’t that what Apple has done??)

What WAS AT&T Thinkin?

This is iPhone related, but it’s NOT Apple’s fault.  AT&T has detailed paper billing and when I mean detailed, it’s DETAILED!  You have unlimited data…..WHY are you detailing every time you access the network?  Unlimited SMS, why are you doing that?  Unlimited nights and weekends….why are you printing every call?  Well, AT&T does and it resulted in a 300+ page bill for social butterfly, Justine.  Read and watch it here!

Apple Silently Starting to DROP PowerPC Platforms

This week Steve Job’s announced the new iMacs, iLife ‘08 and iWork ‘08.  Well, the one thing that I don’t seem to remember seeing until people who still have a dual G5 1.8GHz iMac or a G4 Powerbook ran out, bought it and then discovered it’s hard coded to only run on the G5 1.9 Ghz and of course the Intel based Macs.

This, I feel, is a bit too early to do it.  Also, even though there is a big push to go “HD” there are MANY of us who have yet to take the jump.  With that said, I feel there’s still a large need to edit standard definition video.  High Definition is nice looking and all, but some things like family events don’t necessarily need to be filmed in HD.  Also, a 1.0 GHz or higher CPU CAN edit video and play video very well.  I should know…I do it.  Granted, I don’t do HD, but I still do some standard def every once in a while.

What this all boils down to is a artificial limitation.   Apple has put a artificial limitation on the software because they seem to be ready to leave the G4 and G5 owners in the dust.  Even those who bought their G4 Powerbook a month before the Intel MacBook’s came out.  The G4 itself is still a very capable processor and my Powerbook is still pretty speedy.

Yes, rendering is a bitch on my G4, but it works.  It’s slow, but it works fine.  I just start the render before bed and it’s usually done by the morning.

I am sure glad Linux does not put these limitations in…AT ALL.  Don’t believe me?  Try it.  Get a Ubuntu CD and install it on a 800 MHz machine.  Yep….it works.  Might be a bit slow, but it works.  The FOSS community DOES NOT put artificial limitations in their software.  They let US make the decision if we want a unresponsive machine.

Gee, thanks Steve.  Thanks for thinking I am a moron.

New iMac

New iMac

Originally uploaded by iFreek

Metal mac…..NICE. I have to say the new iMac is very nice looking….at least it isn’t white. I saw on the web someone say that this looks “70’s” retro. Uh, I lived in the 70’s….it should have wood grain on it to be 70’s retro.

New Apple keyboard?

New Apple keyboard?

Originally uploaded by milesdowsett

I like it! It’s nice and purdy as my Pal Linc would say!

It’s ALIVE! It’s ALIVE!

YES!  I was able to bring the iPod back alive.  All of my stuff synced over and I was able to listen to a podcast on it.  Now, Apple….friggin fix the firmware!  A device should not loose it’s marbles like this.

MRI Today and a Resusitated iPod…crossing fingers

Hey everyone.  My MRI is in a few hours.  I am already into my fasting stage.  I am not allowed anything but water.  Oh well.  To top it all, I was watching a moive on my iPod and everything was working fine.  I did drift off to sleep and the iPod sort of lost it’s marbles.  I fiddled with it for a while and managed to get it in disk mode AND get it mounted on my Mac.  I restored to factory settings and it’s now syncing all of my stuff back over.  I know Patrick Davila from the tech show doesn’t like Apple anything and Dann’s not too keen on them anymore either, I love my iPods.  I have a first gen 1 Gig Shuffle and a 5th G (not the 5.5) Video iPod and this is the one that was acting kooky.  I hope that this restore fixes it.  I do not want to go without a iPod ever.  I’d even sell my Nokia 770 as I love the whole interaction that iTunes and the iPod has.  It works for me, and ultimately, this is why I got them.  I got to start saving up for a new one.  Thankfully it’s alot cheaper then when I got either iPod.

My Opinion on Apple’s Jobsnote….

Now that Apple’s released em, I am going to post my inital Opinion on each:

Apple iPhone

Sleek Design.  Very nice looking.  I totally disagree with not including a keypad or a stylus.  All of that pressing on the screen is going to leave greasy goobers all over that beautiful screen.  PLUS they could have put Inkwell on it and had a Newton reborn.  Anyway, the two finger navigation is kind of intresting and we all saw the Demo from TED.  That’s almost exactly what this is.  Anyway, the network choice is lousy.  Cingular sucks.  They’d have been better off going with Verizon or Sprint.  Only EDGE and WiFi??  Not even HSDPA.  If they’d have gone the CDMA route, they’d have EVDO in the handset and then it would be great.  Why do you need  broadband?  Because with 8 gig max, you ain’t going to have a whole lot of Video on it so that means streaming.

Airport Extreme

Nice update.  Easy to see why they skipped it.  Even though 802.11N isn’t final just yet, it’s going to be soon and you’ll need this to stream highdef to your Apple TV.

Apple TV

A good idea, but I think they’d have been better off with just building it on top of the Mac Mini.  The price would have been higher, but then you’d have a bigger hard disk.  40 gig ain’t a whole lot anymore.  I’ll probably get one once I get a HDTV.  If I can hook it up to my regular old school TV then I’d go for it now.

In another blog, they mentioned this was the greatest keynote ever.  While it had some nice products,they are not THAT revolutionary.  No 8 core MacPro’s??  Maybe they are coming out later this week….

Apple Releases Apple TV and iPhone (in June)

Apple Inc (now Renamed) has brought out the new Apple TV which is a set top box that allows you to view anything in iTunes on your TV.  Movies, Photos and more on your TV.  Includes a 40 GB hard disk, HDMI and more.  Check out Apple TV.

Either I missed it in the Keynote, or they didn’t think it was a big deal, but Apple also brought out a new Airport Extreme Access Point that supports the new 802.22N draft.  Check out Airport Extreme.

Also, in 6 months on Cingular Apple’s iPhone will be released.  Available at the Apple Store or Cingular stores, the iPhone is a iPod smushed together with a smart phone and it runs Mac OS X.  Check out the iPhone.

Of these, I am more itnrested in the Apple TV box.   All of my stuff, music and video will fit on this but one thing….does it support old school TV’s like mine?  Might be a few more months until I get a HDTV.

All in all some intresting things.  One thing that surprised me a little was that they did not announce new 8 Core MacPros now that the Quad Core part is out from Intel.  We’ll see.  They will happen.

Oh and Apple, if you want a review, just send me one ‘mkay??