artifacts

OS X 10.7.3 update causing CUI interface artifacts

Yesterday Apple released OS X 10.7.3, but after updating their systems a few people have noticed some errors.

These include not being able to get networks connected, and some difficulties in connecting to displays, such as intermittent black screens or warnings stating that the connection is not supported.

Most of these errors seem fairly sparsely reported so far, but one that is a bit more widespread is applications crashing followed by graphical artifacts in response to user input in various windows.

More specifically, numerous applications crash, and when OS X displays the crash reporter window containing user input … Read more

Start your day with a nice toasted iPhone

Nothing says morning like yummy stuff popping out of a toaster, especially if it's an iPhone screaming at you to wake up.

This concept gadget from Michael Kritzer, a designer at Simple Artifact in Miami, is both a recharging dock and an alarm clock.

The Day Maker can hold two iPhones and has a clock on the front. First you set the alarm on the phone, then push it into the unit, which charges it. The phone will pop out when the alarm sounds, and can be shoved back into the toaster for a snooze.

Unfortunately, the Day Maker is still just a concept, but Kritzer is featuring it on his Habitco partnering and development site. He also plans to list it on Kickstarter.

Kritzer has a number of other offbeat ideas on his site, including a stick that glows when rubbed, and a minimalist urinal bucket.

(Via Yanko Design) … Read more

Apple's 10.6.5 update fixes MacBook Air video issues

Apple has released a knowledgebase document pertaining to the latest OS X 10.6.5 update, which mentions that the incompatibilities in OS X 10.6.4 that resulted in corrupt graphics and display flickering in the new MacBook Air systems have been corrected. The issue was first noticed in both the 11-inch and 13-inch 2010 model MacBook Air systems earlier this month.

Apple should be updating new systems with the latest OS update, so new purchases (especially those purchased online) should come with the latest OS X version and therefore not need patching; however, do be sure to run … Read more

Leave it to a cheap fan to take down a fancy computer

A year ago when I first noticed a green dot had appeared on my PowerMac G5's display I was a bit disappointed, but not fully surprised because LCD pixels are known to die, go dim, or get stuck in a specific color. Not thinking much of it I dismissed it as a common issue and continued to use my computer; however, these dots were going to soon become a larger problem for me.… Read more

Sony responds to PSP 3000 screen issues

This post was updated Monday at 12:06 p.m. PDT to include SCEA's official statement on the issue.

The PSP 3000 is equipped with an updated screen, which--according to Sony--reduces glare, offers better color reproduction, and reduces pixel ghosting. Now that the models are hitting retail, however, some users are complaining that the supposed improvements are actually a step backward, introducing artifacts in the form of visible scanlines and jaggies on the screen.

When queried on the issue, Sony's Japanese headquarters (SCEI) is said to have replied, "Since this phenomenon is caused by hardware characteristics, there … Read more

MotionDSP promises better photos and video

I'm among the legions who fume when the investigator on the TV show zooms in endlessly on a photo to uncover some minute detail that in reality couldn't have been photographed by any camera. Worst is when the investigator clicks some "increase resolution" button to smooth a bunch of blocky pixels into a richly detailed image.

Although that Hollywood hokum is an information-theory impossibility with a single image, some limits are lifted when you have multiple shots of the same scene. And a start-up called MotionDSP is working on commercializing that technology to improve photo and … Read more