I want one of these!...New iBooks feature PowerPC G4 processors, with the 12-inch display model starting at just $1,099 (US) and the 14-inch display model starting at just $1,299 (US). The new iBook line offers advanced connectivity with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth, and all models include 256MB of Double Data Rate memory and slot-load Combo drives for burning CDs and watching DVDs. [Oct 22] [Apple Hot News]
Yahoo! News recently began offering RSS feeds based on a keyword or keywords, making it easy to follow the news about both specific topics like "Apple iTunes" or more general topics like "biotechnology". You can slice and dice the news any way you like. Anil Dash calls this "an obvious and clever feature" -- which it is -- and also wonders why no one has done it before. It's times... [kottke.org]
Good Computerworld piece explains why giving away WiFi is good for business:
Panera Bread Co., based in Richmond Heights, Mo., has also embraced free Wi-Fi as a marketing tool and plans to offer the service in 130 of its 600 bakery cafes by year's end, eventually extending the service chainwide. Ron Shaich, the company's chairman and CEO, says he views free Wi-Fi as an amenity that has already started to attract and retain customers at what he calls a "minimal cost."
In fact, Shaich considers free Wi-Fi to be such an essential marketing tool that he dismisses any discussion of ROI. "What is the ROI on a bathroom?" asked Shaich, pointing out that the day of pay restrooms in restaurants has long since passed.
"This is a big week for Apple. Last week the company unveiled the Windows version of its popular, free iTunes music-downloading software - and tomorrow, it will release Mac OS X version 10.3 ( or Panther), the next edition of Apple's three-year-old operating system." [remainder]
Neat. Maybe I'll end up using my Mac more often when this comes out. [evhead]
I had a great time in Boston last week. The conference was very worthwhile and I got to see a little bit of the city, though I wish I could have seen many more historical sites. I went to Faneuil Hall and followed the Freedom Trail and saw Paul Revere's house. I also walked along the African Heritage Trail and saw some of the sights located along that trail. Some of my favorites included walking through Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, and roaming through Beacon Hill. That is one nice neighborhood! The weather was perfect--70 and sunny nearly everyday. Good weather for walking around. Unfortunately, I had to spend most of the day inside.
Well, I 've been in Boston for the past three days for a conference. I'm at the hotel, waiting for the shuttle to pick me up and take me to the airport. I love it when the hotel has wi-fi! The weather here has been gorgeous the entire time--70 and sunny. Too bad I'm going home to 59 degrees and light rain.
Giles Turnbull wrote a fun piece for O'Reilly showcasing the Docks of some OS X users. This is my Dock (well, as of last week...the one on my new Powerbook looks a bit different now). What does yours look like? Post a screenshot to your site and paste a link (and description if you'd like) to it in the comments.... [kottke.org]
I can't wait to buy this new album!
The household is currently enjoying Speakerboxxx and loving The Love Below. Especially "The Way You Move". Fortunately, both albums come together and are as good as everyone asserts. More funk, southern beats, and general depravity seem to be the highlights so far, with the only weak points being the former album's occassional dependency on some hip hop cliches.
[anil]I hate it when I forget to check the solenoid fuse in my car when it dies in the middle of a busy street.