Leopard 10.5.6 Focus On MobileMe

AppleInsider is reporting that the latest Leopard build seems to be geared toward improving MobileMe syncing with portables under various circumstances. The build also includes the usual laundry list of bug fixes. As of today we've not heard of any timetable for the release of the next Leopard update. We'll keep you posted.

Snow Leopard and Cocoa

If you're at all interested in Cocoa, Snow Leopard, 64-bit apps, Carbon and that type of goobly-gook, AppleInsider is once again running some nice articles that even the tech-jargon deprived, yours truly, can sort of understand. It's good stuff actually and well worth the read.

One thing I didn't know (ok there are a lot of things I don't know) is that the iPhone is fully Cocoaized. Actually, I'd never thought of it's OS as being Carbon, Cocoa, Vista, whatever. It just is unless it's acting up and then it's a &#$%@!

Apple to sweeten Snow Leopard with more Cocoa (AppleInsider)
Road to Mac OS X Snow Leopard: 64-bit to the Kernel (AppleInsider)

AppleInsider is one of my favorite rumor sites and they also do a bang up job explaining the more technical stuff. Now go do your homework, er... reading for the evening. There will be a quiz tomorrow.

Joseph Henry

Mail Factory from BeLight on sale at MacZot

We here at AYAAW love BeLight software. In fact, it is our opinion that BeLight is one of the premier Mac development houses in operation today. BeLight software titles are powerful and immenently useful. Check out our Art Text 2 review for a more in-depth look at one of BeLight's best apps. Ok, enough blathering and just get to the point!

Today, MacZot is featuring BeLight's Mail Factory and it's on sale through midnight for $19.95. That's half off for an extremely cool app that makes printing envelops, labels and postcards a breeze. Not only that but with Mail Factory this mundane task is actually kind of fun. With Mail Factory you can print just one envelope or set up a list for batch printing; paste included mail related clipart onto the envelope; choose to print to any of about a bazillion different labels (Avery, DYMO, Xerox and many other label manufacturers that I've never heard of); the list goes on.

If you do any amount of mailing (for your home based business, club, etc.) you really need to download and try out the demo. Like every other BeLight title Mail Factory is a fantastic app.

As of this posting, you only have just over 7 hours to snag this deal, so what are you waiting for? Get over there and do it.

Review: Art Text 2

If you find yourself needing to create beautiful, professional looking graphics check out our comprehensive, brand-spanking new review of Art Text 2 in AYAAW's review section. We highlight Art Text 2's new features as well as it's strengths and weaknesses. Read more about this powerful and fantastic app after the jump.

64-bits: Why You Should Care

AppleInsider is running a very interesting series of articles on Snow Leopard (Apple's next version of OS X) and 64-bit computing. The series is a good read and although a bit technical, it's written in a fashion that even us non-technical types can sort of understand what's going on. The gist of the article posted today is that with 64-bit Snow Leopard apps should run significantly faster. I'm all for faster. You can never be too fast can you? ;)

I wasn't all that excited about the upcoming Snow Leopard because Apple has stated that there will be no new and interesting features and that they're just focusing on improving Leopard. I'm now a little more excited and I bet Apple will include some new features and technologies despite what they've already stated.

So, bring on the SnoCat!

Joe Henry

Apple "Surges" In Customer Satisfaction

In a new report authored by ASCI and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business (report opens as a pdf once you click on the link in the right hand column of the page), Apple is surging ahead of all competitors in customer satisfaction. The report states:

The personal computer industry suffers a second consecutive drop in satisfaction, falling 1% to 74 and losing all gains made since 2005. Apple defies the industry by moving in the opposite direction and posting its largest gain ever to 85, a new all-time high for the industry. The 8% leap puts 10 points between Apple and its nearest rival, one of the largest gaps between first and second in any industry measured by ACSI. As Apple’s satisfaction improves, so too have its sales, market share, net income, and stock price. “It’s hard not to be impressed with Apple,” said Prof. Fornell. “This is product extension at its best where the new products, iPod and iPhone, are helping bring new customers to existing computer products. The fact that Apple is not dependent on the Windows Vista operating system hasn’t hurt either.” The industry aggregate decline is largely for Windows-based machines –Hewlett-Packard (73), Gateway (72), and Compaq (70) each sink 4%. The exception is Dell – up 1% to 75.

This shouldn't be news to anyone but with Windows users switching in droves it is worth taking note. I do love the last par there about how the industry aggregate decline is due to Windows. That makes me smile.

:) :)

Joe Henry

BannerZest Standard $29 at MacZot

BannerZest, the easiest way to create Flash banners for your website, is on sale for two days at software discount site MacZot. It's regularly $49 so this is a great deal. I use BannerZest Pro regularly for creating fantastic and professional looking banners that I use on my websites. Its drop-dead simple to use and really does create stunning banners.

The standard version, which is the one on sale at MacZot, doesn't come with all the bells and whistles but does come with all the major ones. Aquafadas, the development company that makes BannerZest has kindly put up a comparison page that shows the differences between the standard and the pro version. The biggest difference between the two is that you get "Pro" themes with the pro version (no really?). A notable second feature included in the pro version is the ability to create clickable links from the images used in the banner. There are other differences but those were the two biggys for me. If you have the need or the desire to include beautiful Flash banners in your websites you owe it to yourself to check BannerZest out. Especially if you're like me and a total dolt when it comes to Flash.

Hurry, though, this deal only lasts through Sunday night at midnight. Did I mention it's only $29?

Joe Henry
EDIT: FYI the BannerZest Standard license does not allow banner creation for commercial purposes. The Pro license does but not the Standard. Just wanted to make that clear for anyone taking advantage of this MacZot deal. It's still a great price for a slick piece of software. Who knows, if you asked Aquafadas nicely they might even allow you to upgrade to the Pro version from the MacZot Standard version.