Am I the last to notice this or is it a new feature of Gmail? I’m talking about the little badge at the bottom right corner of Safari’s window that shows the name of the sender of the next email in a reply in a threaded conversation. This isn’t earth shattering but kind of cool and I never noticed it until today. Check it out for yourself. I’m running Safari 4 but I doubt it’s restricted to the beta version.

And yes, it’s been a slow news day.

Joseph Henry

Tags:new, gmail

Isaiah Carew of YourHead today announced the official 1.0 release of Stacks. Stacks is an amazing RapidWeaver plug-in that allows simple drag-and-drop web page creation.

“We're very proud to announce that we've completed our beta testing and we've released Stacks 1.0. Over the past two months we've had help from thousands of beta testers and have fixed more bugs than we care to admit. The result of all that hard work by the dedicated testers is the most powerful tool for RapidWeaver layout ever.”

Stacks come with a number of ready made Stacks objects: Text, Columns, Image, Left Float Image (text wraps around the image), Right Float Image (text wraps around image), HTML and Stack (think rows). Third party developers are also building Stacks Objects to add even more functionality. Theme design outfit Elixir Graphics has released a free Twitter stack that imports a Twitter feed into your web page.

The best thing about Stacks is that you can “nest” objects within other objects. For example, lets say you want a two column layout on the top of your page and in the right hand column you want to easily place a Twitter feed:



Check out the Stacks page over at YourHead for more info. Isaiah has created some excellent screen casts showing how to use Stacks and highlighting its feature set. You can also download the demo before you buy.

Stacks is $19.95 and requires Leopard 10.5, RapidWeaver 4.2.1 or later and will work on both Intel and PowerPC Macintosh computers.

Tags:plug-ins, new, announcement

Yesterday RapidWeaver Plugs, makers of the wonderful Styled Text+ plug-in for RapidWeaver, released a new, incredibly useful plug-in: Partitions. Partitions allows RapidWeaver’s to slice and dice a page into sections making organizing content a breeze. The real power with Partitions comes when using it on a project with Loghound’s amazing PlusKit plug-in. With Pluskit in the project, you can import any other page style into a partition.

Each partition can be styled separately from the others and there are also alignment controls, border, margin and back ground color settings. See the page inspector images below:




Partition sells for $16.00 USD which is an amazing price for an amazing plug-in. Read more about Partitions here in the Partitions announcement thread at the RapidWeaver support forums. You can also get more information and download a demo at RapidWeaver Plugs.

Tags:plug-ins, new

Realmac Software released it's new screen snapping utility, LittleSnapper 1.0 on Thursday. LittleSnapper is a screen snapping utility that incorporates an cataloging and organizing mechanism reminiscent of iPhoto. It solves a problem encountered by anyone who takes a lot of screen shots: keeping screen snaps findable and organized. If you use OS X's built in screen snapping feature (⌘+⇧+4) you'll soon end up with tons of screen snaps named "Picture 1.png", "Picture 2.png" etc., scattered about your desktop and hard drive. Even if you're diligent about keeping your screen snaps named and organized you still have to physically go through the motions of dragging and dropping them into your organizational system. LittleSnapper solves this problem by automatically importing screen shots into it's library.

Once in the library you can name, rate, describe and tag the screen snap for easy searching and finding later. You can further organize your library into folders, Collections and Smart Collections. Folders can contain anything you like: more folders, Collections or Smart Collections. Collections can only contain screen snaps and Smart Collections contain screen snaps based on rules you set when creating the collection. If you've ever used iPhoto or similar cataloging software you'll be comfortable with LittleSnapper's features and modes of operation.

So far, what I described above could be achieved with Skitch, SnapzPro, OS X's built in screen shot taking feature or any other screen capture program and your own organizational folder scheme (folders for libraries and collections) and although it wouldn't be automated, it is certainly doable. What sets LittleSnapper apart from these apps, however, is that the whole process is mostly automated. After taking the screen snap, LittleSnapper imports it and you just drag and drop it to the appropriate Library and collection. If you set up Smart Collections LittleSnapper can do this for you as well.

Another killer LittleSnapper feature is it's ability to take screen shots of full web pages. No longer do you have to take multiple screen snaps of really long webpages only to have to stitch them back together in an image editing app. Just navigate in Safari, Firefox, Camino, Omniweb or other supported browser to the page you want and tell LittleSnapper to snap the page. This type of functionality won't be of use to everyone but it's a boon to web developers and designers.

Of course, LittleSnapper comes with all the "normal" annotation tools you'd expect: Square, Circle, Text, Lines and Arrows. It also comes with a really slick Blur tool that allows you to obscure parts of your snap, like a username that was taken as part of the snap for example, or you can emphasize parts of your snap by blurring everything else. Slick!

All Capture commands are readily accessible in LittleSnapper's menu bar control: Snap Web Address From Safari, Open Current Website In LittleSnapper, Snap Full Screen, Snap Area, Snap Window. You can also open LittleSnapper's Preferences from the menu bar as well as quit the program.

By now you're probably thinking that LittleSnapper just might be the best thing since sliced bread and we'd probably agree but it gets even better. LittleSnapper allows you to take screen shots of individual elements on a page. Just load the webpage into LittleSnapper and then using it's DOM Element snapping feature move your cursor around and different page elements will highlight. When you find the one that you want, click it and then click Snap. You now have a screen snap of just that element. The real beauty of the webpage and element snapping features is that LittleSnapper also saves the associated HTML for you to look at later!

The last and possibly most important feature (ok they're all important but this is the one that'll allow us to move away from Skitch) is Realmac's QuickSnapper screen snap sharing service. Like Skitch, the QuickSnapper service is free and comes integrated with LittleSnapper: you just have to create an account which you can do right from within the app. With QuickSnapper you have the ability to upload snaps directly from the Share button in the LittleSnapper toolbar. Once shared, others can view and comment on your snap. QuickSnapper also automatically generates code for inserting into forum posts, code for an HTML link and the URL to the full image. Best of all QuickSnapper will generate a tiny URL for using with Twitter! You can also search other users images and import them into your own library with a click of a button.

LittleSnapper isn't perfect yet and is missing a few key features. We here at AYAAW need to be able to tale snaps of application menus as well as menu bar menus. As of version 1.0 there is no way to do this and we had to dust off Skitch to take the snap of LittleSnapper's menu bar menu. SnapzPro can take snaps of menus via a hot key combo and Skitch's timed snap allows for this as well. It would also be nice to be able to name, rate and tag snaps as they're imported. As it is now, you take the snap, LittleSnapper imports it and you then enter this info in the Inspector. This isn't a huge issue but if naming, rating and tagging the image were part of the importing workflow, it would just be a lot quicker process. Also, as the world's worst speller's we need LittleSnapper to be able to tap into OS X's spelling and grammar checker for Text annotating. No doubt Realmac is already busy on the next version of LittleSnapper and maybe these features will make it into a future release. Keep your fingers crossed.

LittleSnapper is an incredible tool for those of us who have to take and organize screen shots on a daily basis. Even for the casual snapper, LittleSnapper is a compelling application. Realmac Software has priced LittleSnapper at $39 which is a steal if you ask us. Check it out and download the demo over at Realmac's LittleSnapper website.

Tags:announcement, new, screensnap

Unless you've been living under a rock the past few weeks you know that Apple was planning to refresh its laptop line and today they did just that. All new MacBook 13" configurations feature new case designs (unibody aluminum "brick"), glossy glass displays, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor and a new multi-touch glass trackpad/mouse.

New MacBook Pro's come with the new unibody case design, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor. glossy displays and the new multi-touch glass trackpad/mouse. They also come with an extra graphics processor, the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, which can be turned on by the user to increase performance.

Apple also updated the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro 17", mostly just with better specs.

Apple also stated that they'll continue to sell an updated version of the white MacBook, that includes an 8X Superdrive, for $999.

New MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air specs:

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch aluminum MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
160GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme® 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad; and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 2.4 GHz aluminum MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,599 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
Build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, a 250GB 5400 rpm, 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive, a 128GB solid state drive, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare® Protection Plan.

The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch aluminum MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:

15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 256MB GDDR3 video memory;
250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire® 800 port;
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 2.53 GHz aluminum MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 glossy display;
2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3 video memory;
320GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire 800 port;
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
Build-to-order options for the MacBook Pro include a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the ability to upgrade to 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 250GB 7200 rpm, 320GB 5400 rpm or a 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB solid state drive, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit high resolution 1280 x 800 glossy display;
1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
120GB serial ATA hard drive running at 4200 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
built-in iSight video camera;
one USB 2.0 port;
one headphone port;
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 1.86 GHz MacBook Air, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
128GB solid state drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
built-in iSight video camera;
one USB 2.0 port;
one headphone port;
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
Build-to-order options and accessories for the MacBook Air include the MacBook Air SuperDrive, Apple USB Ethernet Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter, Apple Remote and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The 2.5GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), includes:

17-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1920 x 1200 glossy display;
2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB shared L2 cache;
800 MHz front-side bus;
4GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM;
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 512MB with GDDR3 video memory;
320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
DVI output port for video output (VGA adapter included);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
three USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port;
ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
85 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
Build-to-order options for the 17-inch MacBook Pro include a 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 320GB 7200 rpm hard drive, a 128GB solid state drive, anti-glare display, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Tags:new, announcement

MacRummors is reporting that Engadget and Gizmodo are posting images of an October 14th. "Notebook Event". The invitation simply states "The spotlight turns to notebooks". Is this just a refresh of existing models or might Apple unveil the long rumored "Brick" Macbooks/Macbook Pro's? We're betting on both.

Hey! Why'd they get invites and not us? Er, because they're Engadget and Gizmodo and we're AYAAW, you big dummy! Oh well, someday...

Tags:macbook, macbookpro, rumor, new

Kevin Rose was spot on with his predictions as Apple announced immediate availability of new Nanos and iTunes 8.

The new Nano is as Rose described and actually looks like a pretty decent upgrade. The screen is larger and they come in a lot more colors. The new iPod is also sporting an enhanced user interface and includes an accelerometer (like the iPhone and iPod Touch) that detects tilt. Shake the new Nano and your music gets shuffled. The 8GB model will set you back $149 and is available today at the Apple store. The 16GB model will list at $199 and should be available next week.

The iPod Touch also saw a refresh today and according to Jobs and Apple is "the funnest iPod ever". It sports external volume controls, Nike support, a built in speaker and the same curved back as the iPhone 3G. Battery life for the new touch is said to be 36 hours for music, 6 hours for video. The new Touch will set you back $229 for the 8GB model, $299 for the 16GB and $399 for the 32GB model.

iTunes (press release, download) is also pretty much as Rose described and includes the new grid view for browsing your music collection. You can view the grid by album, artist, genres or composer. iTunes 8 also includes the rumored "Genius" playlist. If you want to watch your TV shows in HD iTunes 8 has you covered there as well. HD TV shows will cost $2.99. The download weighs in at 55.9 MB's and requires Quicktime 7.5.5 which is available via Software Update.

Jobs also announced iPhone Firmware 2.1 but alas it won't be available until Friday sometime. Apple says the new firmware will significantly increase battery life, address dropped calls, make backups faster (Yeah!) and supposedly fix app crashes. Other bug fixes are included as well.

Lastly, Apple announced new in-ear headphones that sport a remote in the cord as well as a mic. The new earbuds list for $79 and are supposed to offer superior sound.

So there you have it kiddies. iTunes has uploaded my music info to Apple and I now have a Genius pane opened on the right side of iTunes. I'll post back with thoughts on this latter.

Joe Henry

Tags:announcement, new, accessories