Crave

(Credit: Macally)

In the ever-saturated market of iPod speaker docks, distinguishing oneself from the crowd is important for the bottom line. Macally attempts this with its new FlexTune stereo speakers by including dual iPod connections: one in the standard position in the bottom of the central docking area, and one sticking out of the right wall of the cradle. This second option allows for an iPhone or iPod Touch to be docked sideways for wide-screen video viewing. It's actually a great idea for sharing since the FlexTune outputs sound to the speakers and the iPhone and Touch already offer large-enough screens for two users to watch comfortably at the same time, if they sit back a bit from the setup. Provided the unit is plugged into wall power (adapter included), the FlexTune will charge the player while it's docked, though it offers a battery option (4 AAs required) for use on-the-go as well. You may also use the Shuffle or non-iPod MP3 players via the auxiliary line-input. Considering the low price point ($69.99), I wouldn't expect much in terms of sound quality, but the FlexTune seems to be more of a video speaker anyway, so it could be a compelling buy.

(Credit: Macally)

With Macworld in full swing, throngs of people are flooding the streets of San Francisco to check out the latest offerings from Apple and all the other vendors exhibiting their wares at the expo. But some Mac-related stuff is only indirectly related to what's happening on the showroom floor or how thin the new MacBook Air is.

One thing I've noticed as a Mac software editor is how, when Apple has its biggest show of the year, the majority of Mac software developers figure it is the best time to release an update for their apps. I've rounded up my Top 5 popular programs that have updated in the last few days so we can all take advantage of this flood of major updates for top Mac software. A few of these will be old favorites, but all are worthy downloads if you're looking to try something new on your Mac.

As more movies become available, iTunes movie rentals are sure to make waves in the industry.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

I obviously could have chosen any number of new updates from Apple, but the biggest of the week is probably iTunes. With the announcement of the addition of Movie rentals and added features for Apple TV, the latest version of iTunes is a must-have for all Mac users. I already wrote about the latest update for iTunes in my last post, but after talking with some of my Mac-using friends, we wonder what the real impact will be on other movie outlets. Let me know in the comments how you feel about iTunes movie rentals and whether you think Apple can compete with Netflix or Blockbuster.

Professional layout and illustration tools are easily accessible and affordable with this app.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Freeverse software has always been a favorite publisher of mine for creative and funny games and made-for-Mac apps. Though Adobe's Illustrator CS3 is probably the king of the vector graphics and layout apps, the price tag of $599 is prohibitive to most casual users. Freeverse's Lineform is a slimmed-down, affordable vector graphics and illustration program with expert typesetting, gradients, free-flowing text, and much more. At only $79, this app is definitely worth checking out for illustration projects.

Create complex motion paths across a photograph with varying zoom levels for a dramatic effect.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

If you're wondering what to do with all your great holiday photos, check out Photo to Movie. Updated this week, this little app lets you take a digital photo and turn it into a dramatic presentation by using intuitive zoom and pan features. You'll be surprised with what you can create using a digital photo and your favorite MP3 as background music. Even better, it's compatible with iDVD, iMovie, and Final Cut. Photo to Movie is great for custom screensavers, too.

Create channels to browse all the videos from a particular feed.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Included in my Best Mac software of 2007 post, Miro received an update this week making the streaming video app even better. Set up like an RSS feed reader, Miro lets you subscribe to video podcasts and search popular sites like YouTube for all the video content you could ever want. This weeks big update adds better torrent support so videos get to you even more quickly. It also doesn't hurt that this great app is free.

The addition of ATSUI for text rendering greatly improves handling of all types of characters.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

I've often touted the importance of a good text editor, and this weeks update for TextWrangler was one of my first Macworld downloads. From Bare Bones Software, the makers of BBEdit, this free, slimmed-down text editor has a documents drawer and navigation bar, which make it easier to switch between multiple documents while conserving screen real estate. Even though it was made with markup coders and programmers in mind, TextWrangler is great for anyone who needs a place to take notes and manipulate text quickly.

Did you download a useful program update this week that is not on this list? Let me know in the comments!

(Credit: ezGear)

Um...I'm pretty sure this thing is as long as I am tall. Wow. The press release for the ezGear XL90 Sound Bar doesn't include any information on the unit's measurements (nor does the product page, for that matter), but comparing it to the iPod that's docked into it in the picture, I think it's safe to say that this speaker is at least nine iPods wide. OK, so that's only about 22 inches--shorter than me, to be sure--but it's still really long compared to any other iPod speaker dock that I've seen, and I've seen a lot. Moving beyond the eye-catching design, the XL90 appears to offer a lot in terms of sound. Its length is made up of six speakers--four midrange speakers and two tweeters--and a 35-watt amplifier. The package also includes a separate vented subwoofer and a remote. The speaker works with any iPod or any MP3 player, thanks to the auxiliary line input, and it also includes an AM/FM radio for those times when only terrestrial music will do. ezGear has yet to set pricing on the XL90, but it expects to have the unit on sale by March.

(Credit: manilamac.com)

In the "why didn't I think of that" category, an enterprising couple of media types (Web designer Jona Bechtolt and freelance science writer Claire L. Evans) were so knocked out by the Steve Jobs Macworld keynote that they decided to create and market a laptop case for the new MacBook Air--based on the simple manila office envelope Jobs pulled his new laptop out of on stage.

The AirMail is little more than a simple Web site and a prototype photo right now, but the designers promise to start shipping the handmade bags in about two weeks--when the MacBook Air itself is set to hit store shelves.

According to the AirMail Web site, the case is "handmade out of durable upholstery-grade vinyl, and lined with fuzzy, soft fleece." How protective can even a padded manila envelope be? The promotional material warns, "[The] AirMail laptop cases are lined with thick fleece, will protect your laptop from any cosmetic damage and smudges, and keep it safe from bumps in daily use. It is not suitable, however, for any extreme use."

The AirMail case is available for preorder right now for $29.95 plus $6 shipping, with an estimated ship date of January 29.

(Credit: DLO)

(Credit: DLO)

Among the cooler products coming out of Macworld 2008 is DLO's iBoom Jukebox, an iPod-ready speaker dock expected to ship this spring. Style-wise, this unit certainly lives up to its name: It's shaped like a mini jukebox. It's a fun design, though the iBoom isn't all about form over function. Hidden beneath the grille wrapped over the speaker's arch, you get two 1-inch tweeters and two 3-inch woofers. The unit also includes a super sweet-looking RF remote that can be used from up to 100 feet away (even through walls) and features its own screen for navigating the iPod's menus. The Jukebox also offers its own built-in controls via an illuminated touch strip lining the top edge of the speaker. The unit, which will cost about $200, works with any docking iPod and will charge the player while it's docked.

(Credit: XtremeMac)

Not content with the generally good marks it received for its first-gen Luna iPod clock radio, XtremeMac is back with the Luna X2. Boasting two separately programmable iPod alarms and a slew of customizable options such as volume control and play duration, the X2 can tailor to almost any specific wake-up preference. Also included in the package is an eight preset AM/FM tuner, remote, an adjustable brightness LCD display, and an auxiliary port for connecting other audio devices. The X2 is compatible with all of the new iPods including every previous model with a dock connector. The Luna X2 will retail for $120 and will be available at retailers nationwide in the coming weeks.

DLO HomeDock HD: The HDMI output upscales iPod videos to (sorta kinda) HD resolution

(Credit: DLO)

The iPod accessories are hitting hot and heavy at Macworld. DLO has used the occasion to take the wraps off its HomeDock HD. As you might guess from the name, the latest iteration of DLO's HomeDock Deluxe now offers upscaled HD video output (720p or 1080i) from an HDMI port built into the dock. (For those that still haven't made the leap to HDTV, it'll still connect to standard televisions via the composite or S-Video jacks.) In addition to playing back iPod-based videos on the big screen, the HomeDock HD also provides TV-based navigation to all of the music and photos on the iPod as well, and the RF remote should work anywhere within 100 feet, regardless of line-of-sight issues.

Sounds cool enough--especially now that iTunes is now renting movies and offering better video quality--but just remember to keep those HD expectations in check. As Gizmodo points out, it comes with the same caveat that's long applied to an upconverting DVD player: it's pretty much superfluous unless it's better than the scaler built into your TV. Look for the DLO HomeDock HD to hit in the spring for $250. It'll be going head-to-head with the very similar Creative Xdock HD ($400, includes streaming audio to a second room), not to mention the revamped Apple TV ($230).

One thing that struck me during Steve Jobs' keynote yesterday was this odd moment when Jobs was trying to rationalize many of the reasons MacBook Air owners would be happy not having an optical drive in their laptop. He was going down a list of things we need optical media for and replacing them one by one with various Apple creations. Apple's perceived solution for not having a drive would be to buy all your media through iTunes and play it on your iPod, delegate the task of reading discs to another computer in your house, or simplify things with a new and proprietary $99 external drive. Sounds simple, right?

It's commonly been referred to as the "Steve Jobs reality distortion field" and there hasn't really been a clearer example of it since Apple launched the "simpler" version of its one-button mouse that actually had five. In this case, it's the importance of optical media and the role it still plays in our lives. While I applaud Jobs and Apple trying to get rid of what's admittedly become a weak and cumbersome format, I'm a little disappointed that Apple hasn't decided to offer a real solution to the problem they're creating for novice computer users and road warriors who want to avoid optical media altogether--at least not yet.

(Credit: Apple.com)

What I'm getting at is that Apple's in the perfect position to start offering digital software downloads to the masses, and tie it into a software system that millions of people are comfortable with giving their credit card information to on a daily basis. I'm speaking of course, about iTunes.

Apple's got all the pieces in place to start offering people computer software the same way Valve's been doing with video games with its hugely successful Steam service for the last six years. I love Steam for many reasons, but primarily for its built-in updating tools and easy-to-navigate digital storefront that make it easy to buy software with one click and not have to worry about it again. If I could get the same performance from an app that's admittedly become a little bloated but already has a decent updating system, I'd be happy as a pig in mud.

Two things stick out in my mind as being good signs such a service is in the works via iTunes:

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(Credit: Apple Inc.)

I've had a love/hate relationship with Apple TV since its release. Despite yesterday's price cut, the addition of the movie rental service, and computer-free content acquisition for things like Podcasts and music tracks, to me it's still not a necessary living-room entertainment device. The big deal-killer for me is still the closed system, which, for a modern-day streaming device, continues to act as if certain file formats don't exist, despite the competition's (including Microsoft) beginning to accept them with open arms.

However, the one thing that does interest me and gets me actually wanting one in my living room is the inclusion of highly specialized Web-based services. The most notable addition to come yesterday? Another big Silicon Valley service: Flickr.

So now we've got four Web-based services doing their thing on the Apple TV, including YouTube, which Apple added to the device in late June, Mac picture galleries, and movie trailers from Apple's popular QuickTime site. All of these got me thinking: what other Web-enabled services would go well with the Apple TV? Short of an Apple TV SDK that would let developers build in some new functionality to the device, surely there's room for more. I've put together a list of five services I'd like to see make their way onto the Apple TV that I think would actually work, given the relatively limited remote control and a lack of a keyboard.

1. RSS reader
While an RSS reader might be a borderline Web browser (which will likely never make its way anywhere close to the Apple TV), its use for some easy reading makes a lot of sense. As we've seen with Google's Wii-optimized version of its Reader product, living room RSS can be as easy as pie with a four-way directional pad and two control buttons, which the Apple TV remote just happens to have.

2. Weather
Weather on your TV is immensely helpful, and given the inclusion of the weather widget as standard on the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and on OS X since version 10.4, it would make sense to put a larger, more extensive version of the weather app on the Apple TV for folks who want to give the forecast a quick check without turning on their computer or navigating the crummy menus of their set-top cable box.

3. Stocks
Yet another widget that would be nice to have as a larger, more informative widget for wide-screen TVs. Since most ticker symbols can be looked up with three or four letters, a keyboard would be unnecessary to input your favorite companies. Along with weather, this one seems like a no-brainer.

(Credit: Joost )

4. Joost
Joost may be a software service, but the Apple TV has plenty of horsepower to drive it. It'll likely never happen, but given the amount of quality content that's on there, it would make a nice addition to the lineup of podcasts both audio and video that Apple's making available with the latest software update.

5. Internet radio (Shoutcast, Pandora, Last.fm, etc.)
Like Joost (above), Internet radio would make an excellent streaming extension to some of the downloadable content found via iTunes. Heck, it's already a part of the software iteration of iTunes--how hard would it be to stick those streams in there?

Got any of your own? Leave them in the comments.