If you’re troubleshooting some of the more difficult problems that you can have on a Mac, a good place to look are the System & Kernel Logs contained within Console app. But you can access the same OS X logs from the Terminal too.
Increasing the size of the Mac mouse and trackpad pointer is an important ability for those with visual impairments, but it’s also a great way to make a Mac more friendly for newcomers to computers in general, like kids and grandparents.
This tutorial will detail how to increase the size of the cursor on a Mac. Adjusting the cursor size is slightly different in newer versions of MacOS compared to older versions of Mac OS X, and we will cover how to make those changes in both.
Apple’s next generation iPhone, presumably iPhone 5, will start shipping in September of this year, according to Reuters. No other information was provided, only that the new iPhone will begin production in July for a release some time in September.
Here is the tweet that Reuters sent out:
FLASH: Apple suppliers to start production of next-gen iPhone in July, Aug; begin shipping in Sept – sources
Yesterday, rumors surfaced that iPhone 5 will have the same design as iPhone 4, but feature A5 processors and an 8mp camera. That report also specified a Fall 2011 release for the device.
A couple videos (shown below) have surfaced from Vietnam that show off what appears to be a prototype iPhone 4 using a fancy Expose-like multitasking feature in an unreleased build of iOS. Here’s what’s worth noting from the videos:
Hopefully what we’re seeing is a glance into the future of iOS and iPhone. The Expose multitasking feature looks like an improvement over the existing multitasking functionality. Although the video shows this as a version of iOS 4, we all know Expose doesn’t actually exist in current iOS versions, so maybe we will see something like it in iOS 5. In terms of hardware, it would be great to have the choice of a 64GB iPhone (maybe that will be the White iPhone 4’s selling point?), especially since rumors suggest we’ll have to wait until Fall to see the iPhone 5.
Check out the videos below:
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Portal 2 for Mac is out, the game is a unique puzzle-shooter blend that is unlike nearly any other game on the market. The game includes single player and a new multiplayer cooperative mode that requires two players to work together in unique ways.
Valve describes Portal 2 as follows:
Portal 2 draws from the award-winning formula of innovative gameplay, story, and music that earned the original Portal over 70 industry accolades and created a cult following.
The single-player portion of Portal 2 introduces a cast of dynamic new characters, a host of fresh puzzle elements, and a much larger set of devious test chambers. Players will explore never-before-seen areas of the Aperture Science Labs and be reunited with GLaDOS, the occasionally murderous computer companion who guided them through the original game.
Portal 2 costs $49.99 and can be downloaded through Steam, Valves digital distribution client. If you don’t mind waiting a few days for free shipping, Amazon has Portal 2 for $44.99
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The better your computer, the better the game will run. Here are the minimum specs:
System requirements are great and all, but if you’re like me you want to see just how well Portal 2 runs on a Mac. Check out the video below which shows a MacBook Pro 15″ Core i7 running the game in Mac OS X 10.6.7 on highest settings, it looks amazing and sustains 60 FPS:
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Redsn0w 0.9.6rc14 has been released, it includes a fix for the iPhone 4 untether problem from the past redsn0w version. This new version can be run directly over iPhone 4 with rc13 and it will untether that jailbreak.
Compatibility: Redsn0w 0.9.6rc14 provides an untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.2 on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM, iPod touch 3rd & 4th gen, and iPad 1. If you use ultrasn0w unlock, stay away from redsn0w for now.
As usual, Mac and Windows versions are out (download links have been updated to the newest version):
If you require assistance, follow our guide to jailbreak iPhone iOS 4.3.2 using redsn0w, it’s geared towards the iPhone but the directions are the same for other iOS 4.3.2 compatible hardware.
If you encounter issues upgrading to iOS 4.3.2 using sauriks’ server, you can follow instructions from the Error 3194 fix for iTunes to remove gs.apple.com from your hosts file.
This version of redsn0w is not compatible with iPad 2 or iPhone 4 CDMA, if you use either device wait for another jailbreak solution.
Customizing the Mac Finder window toolbars can be a good way to gain quicker access to features you use often, and to help navigate around the file system of OS X , but what if you overdo it and the toolbar becomes cluttered with way too many buttons and doo-dads, resulting in a toolbar that looks more like a nightmare from MS Office circa Windows 95 with every toolbar enabled? Great mental picture, huh? Ok, if you end up in that situation and you want to strip out some of the toolbar clutter, it’s not sweat.
Users can quickly remove Mac OS X Finder window toolbar icons with a simple drag and drop removal trick.
All you need to do is start by holding down the Command key and then clicking on the icon you want to remove, continue to hold the click and drag the icon out of the toolbar, where you can release the click. When you’re dragging the item out, you’ll see little tiny boxes draw in the toolbar window, this demonstrates that the icons can be moved around, or, in this case, out.
The toolbar icon will disappear in a puff of smoke, just like dragging icons out of the Dock or menubar.
If you’re wondering why my Finder windows don’t have a sidebar, you can remove it with a keyboard shortcut.
Alright iPhone jailbreakers, iOS 4.3.2 now has an untethered jailbreak available thanks to the latest version of Redsn0w. Before we get started, remember that anyone who relies on a carrier unlock like ultrasn0w should not use redsn0w and should not update to 4.3.2 yet. Also, be sure to backup your iPhone beforehand just in case. Jailbreaks are easy to undo but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
And yes, this guide is geared towards the iPhone but it will work the same on any compatible 4.3.2 device, including the iPod touch.
This guide assumes you have already updated to 4.3.2, if you haven’t, go ahead and do so.
After your iPhone reboots, you will be jailbroken in iOS 4.3.2, but you can verify this by looking for the Cydia icon. As mentioned earlier, the jailbreak is untethered so you do not have to worry about rebooting the iPhone at anytime.
If it’s ever necessary, unjailbreaking is very easy but you will lose your jailbroken apps and customizations. It’s always a good idea to undo jailbreaks before taking your iPhone into Apple for warranty service.
The first untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.2 has been released as Redsn0w 0.9.6rc13. This jailbreak eliminates the need for the prior tethered redsn0w hack, and works on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM, iPod touch 3rd & 4th gen, and iPad 1. Those who rely on the ultrasn0w carrier unlock should avoid redsn0w as usual.
Mac and Windows versions are available:
Update: The Dev Team made a minor adjustment versioned as Redsn0w 0.9.6rc13b temporarily making it a tethered jailbreak for iPhone 4 while they resolve a bug. Other iOS devices are not affected by this change and remain untethered.
Update 2: Redsn0w 0.9.6rc14 fixes the iPhone 4 untether problem, it can be ran directly over rc13 and it will untether that jailbreak. It is recommended for iPhone 4 users.
You can follow our tutorial to jailbreak iPhone iOS 4.3.2 with redsn0w if you’d like a walkthrough.
If you’re having problems updating to iOS 4.3.2 using Cydia and sauriks’ server, you may have recently used the Error 3194 fix for iTunes, which means you just need to remove gs.apple.com from your hosts file.
Note: this version of redsn0w will not jailbreak iPad 2 or iPhone 4 CDMA.
The iPhone 5 will feature the same design as the iPhone 4, but include an A5 CPU, improved antenna design, and include a higher resolution 8 megapixel camera, according to a research analyst with contacts in Apple’s supply chain. The analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, also claims Apple will be ramping up production of the iPhone 5 in August for either a September or October 2011 release, suggesting the iPhone 5 will lag behind the date of WWDC 2011 by several months.
The analysts notes appeared on AppleInsider, which goes on to mention that a fall release of an iPhone 5 could push back an update to the iPod touch lineup, possibly due to component shortages.
Ming-Chi Kuo has a fairly accurate history of predictions regarding Apple products and releases. AppleInsider notes that Kuo accurately predicted that iPad 2 would have the same screen resolution as the first gen iPad, and that iPad 2 would include the same camera as the iPod touch. Additionally, MacRumors reminds us that Kuo was right about the redesigned MacBook Air that made an appearance last year.
It’s unclear if this report has any relation to rumors of a smaller and cheaper iPhone, which made the rounds earlier in the year from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Forbes.
TinyUmbrella 4.3.2 has been released, the latest version allows you to save your existing iOS 4.3.1 and iOS 4.3.2 SHSH blobs from iOS 4.3.2 or iOS 4.2.7 for CDMA devices.
SHSH blobs are important to save for jailbreaking and iPhone unlocking because having them stored allows you to revert to previous firmware versions.
Versions are available for both Mac OS X and Windows
If you’re not interested in carrier unlocks and jailbreaking, TinyUmbrella has little use to you.
The White iPhone 4 has appeared for sale on UK cell provider Three’s website, with a delivery date of Wednesday, April 20. While the release date isn’t surprising considering the white iPhone is supposed to be available by the end of April, what is surprising is the 16GB model is nowhere to be found, suggesting the phone may only come in 32GB sizes.
Update: Scratch the 32GB only thing, we eventually found a 16GB model on Three UK’s site, their site search is just awful (a search for iPhone turns up several Nokia phones, for example). Screenshot at the bottom of the post.
I’m still wondering if anyone cares about a white iPhone when there is continuous talk about a iPhone 5, due out sometime in the next 6 months, that would probably come in white and black too. Has anyone really held out for over a year waiting to upgrade to an iPhone 4 just so they can get a white model? I find that unlikely, although maybe the white iPhone will get a sales boost if it can glow like the white iPad 2.
Anyway, if you’re in the UK and have been dying for the unicorn phone, try to place an order on Three’s website since you can add the phone to a shopping cart. There’s always a chance Three has made a mistake on the availability and shipping date, as MacGasm points out it could just be a PR blunder.
If you’re coming to Mac OS X from elsewhere in the unix & x11 world, you might be used to the focus of Terminal windows following your mouse cursor. With a little command line magic, we can enable this hidden feature in the Mac OS X Terminal.app too.
The white iPad 2 just got even cooler; if you shine a light on the edge of the iPad 2, the white frame lights up in a snazzy glow.
The image above was pulled from a YouTube video which is circulating around Twitter that shows off the effect. In the video, an iPhone 4’s camera flash is used to light up the frame, but obviously any other light source would work as well. LED case idea anyone?
Watch the video of the glow in action:
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Is that Magsafe cable cord getting in your way when using your Mac laptop? Try attaching the cord to the side of your Mac’s display by using the cables clip as shown in the pictures. This works with newer MacBook Pro’s, unibody MacBooks, and new MacBook Air too, it clips directly onto the side of any MacBook display and you can keep the cable out of the way from interfering with anything else.
Update: Redsn0w 0.9.6rc13 is an untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.2, you should use that instead.
If you run iOS 4.3.2 and you’re anxious to jailbreak, you can do so using existing versions of Redsn0w. However, be aware that using Redsn0w 0.9.6rc12 to jailbreak iOS 4.3.2 is currently a tethered jailbreak, meaning you will need to boot the iOS device connected to a computer (learn more about tethered vs untethered jailbreaks).
This guide should work on all devices that redsn0w currently works on, including iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM, iPod Touch 4G, iPod touch 3G, iPad, and Apple TV 2. Each device will be tethered though, so if you don’t mind that, proceed.
Important: Remember, this is a tethered jailbreak. Backup your iOS hardware before proceeding. If you rely on ultrasn0w unlock, do not use this jailbreak.
Before getting started, you’ll need three things:
Once your iOS hardware is updated to iOS 4.3.2, you can proceed to jailbreak:
Your iOS device will reboot into a jailbroken iOS 4.3.2. Because this is a tethered jailbreak, anytime you reboot the hardware you’ll need to perform a tethered boot through redsn0w by launching the app and selecting “Just boot tethered right now” and clicking ‘next.’
Boot tethers are not complicated, just annoying. Personally, I would advise to wait for an untethered jailbreak, which should be available in the near future. iOS 4.3.2 is mostly bug fixes and security updates, so you aren’t missing out on anything exciting by delaying the update. We’ll keep you posted when a new untethered jailbreak comes available.
If you’ve bought a MacBook Air recently, you may have a faster SSD than a model that was purchased just a few months ago. The difference in read and write speed is noticeable, the above chart shows the ‘old’ Toshiba TS128C drive atop a ‘new’ SM128C drive, which Anandtech assumes is produced by Samsung, saying:
There is no absolute confirmation yet that Samsung manufactures the SM128C, but all indicators point that way. Regardless of manufacturer, the SM128C appears noticeably faster in sequential read/write performance. What we can’t confirm is how the two models differ in more intense testing
You can check what model SSD you have by going to System Profiler > Hardware > Serial-ATA, from here you will see APPLE SSD TS###C with the ### representing the capacity of the drive. I have a MacBook Air that was purchased in February and it has a Toshiba model TS064C SSD in it, so if there was an SSD change it must have happened very recently, which is substantiated by several commenters on 9to5Mac who say their Air’s bought in March have the new drive.
Anandtech also mentions they haven’t been able to test TRIM support on the new drives, and it’s not clear if TRIM is enabled on these new MacBook Air’s in the same fashion that TRIM is enabled on new MacBook Pro‘s.
Mac OS X Lion supports TRIM natively, but if you don’t want to wait until Lion, TRIM can also be enabled in Mac OS X 10.6 with a hack.
Note: This feature is currently only in Lion Dev Previews, but it will likely come to a Safari update for existing versions of Mac OS X in the near future.
Safari 5.1 in Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 2 has added a new feature that blocks cookie tracking used by online marketers. Cookie tracking may sound more nefarious than it is, because the general goal of tracking your web activity is to serve the most relevant ads to you. This is why when you look for a product online and check out that products web site, suddenly advertisements for that product are appearing elsewhere on the web afterwards.
Personally, I’d rather have ads that are geared towards me and things I’m interested in than some of the generic and annoying advertising out there. Show me ads for Apple products, not ads for generic Windows virus and Registry scan crapware, and this is the kind of ad targeting cookie tracking enables. I’ll elaborate more on this later, but nonetheless, I think the more control you have over your browsing activities the better, so I’m happy to see the do-not-track option appear in upcoming versions of Safari.
Enough rambling, here’s how to enable this feature in the current Dev Preview:
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