Dennis Cadorniga

I started my morning by plugging in my Verizon Wireless USB720 EVDO modem into my Cradlepoint WiFi/EVDO router.  Booted up my MacBook Pro, plugged in my first gen iPhone and checked for updates.   There it was.  2.0.  I selected Download Only to make sure that step was verified.  I downloaded the 213mb file in 27 minutes, averaging 45KB/sec and reaching 96 KB/sec.  

Once the download finished, I took the plunge and started my upgrade.  The main process of the upgrade finished in about 20 minutes which included backing up the iPhone data, verifying the backup, restoring the new firmware, verifying the firmware, and then restoring my data back to the iPhone.  Then the time came to reboot the phone.

The iPhone reconnected back to iTunes and now came the activation process.  This is were it all went down hill.  Apple was having issues with the iTunes Store activation process.  Apparently, too many people trying to do the same thing.  So then, I had to wait and see when the iTunes Store would be back up to finish the activation.

iTunes store back online, activation processed immediately, now I am done.  Upgraded and working well!  All my content is back.  Pretty smooth I would say.

written by Dennis \\ tags: 2.0 Firmware, activation, Apple, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iTunes

Apple released an upgrade to iTunes in preparation for the launch of the iPhone 3G set to be available tomorrow morning at 8:00am.  The new version of iTunes (v7.7) now sports the AppStore where you can download and purchase applications for the iPhone.  

Moreover, at any moment, the updated firmware for first generation iPhones is set to be released (v2.0).  Apple also today launched the new .Mac service renamed MobileMe.  To visit any of these mentioned technologies, follow the hyperlinks.

written by Dennis \\ tags: Apple, AppStore, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iTunes, MobileMe

I have used this program for a while now.  Its a wonderful way to stay on top of all your applications for their updates.  It scans your installed applications and then goes out and compares it to the most current version of that application.  If an update is needed, it will report it to you along with a link to download the latest update.  Much easier than doing it yourself with each application installed.  You can download this free application from the AppFresh site at Metaquark.  For now its free but may change in the future once full development is completed.

written by Dennis \\ tags: AppFresh, Metaquark, Software

At today’s WWDC 2008 in San Francisco, Apple made it official. They announced the new iPhone 3G which will be available July 11th. It is now thinner, lighter, faster, and less expensive. It now has 3G for faster online access, GPS, much improved audio quality, version 2.0 of the operating system allowing 3rd party applications, half the price, and now available in black and white. For more details, check out the Apple iPhone 3G site.

written by Dennis \\ tags: 3G, Apple, iPhone

Here are some blogs and live streams of where to monitor Apple’s WWDC 2008 announcements:

Ustream.TV feed with Cali Lewis
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/on-location-with-cali

Ustream.TV feed with iPhone Alley
http://www.iphonealley.com/news/wwdc-2008-keynote-live-audio-stream

Engadget’s Blog
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/steve-jobs-keynote-live-from-wwdc-2008/

written by Dennis \\ tags: Announcements, Apple, WWDC, WWDC 2008

Spent the day at CBS Studio Center lot for this month’s Mac Day LA.  The highlight event for me was Scott Bourne‘s presentation about his photographic workflow using Apple’s Aperture.  We also had a viewing of his phenomenal avian photography and images of wolves for his soon to be released photography book.

written by Dennis \\ tags: Aperture, CBS Studio Center, Mac Day LA, Scott Bourne, Wolves

If you ever wanted to read your favorite RSS feeds or be able to browse the Internet with your AppleTV, I found the solution for you.  On top of these great features, you can also watch many more video formats.  What is it? Its aTV from Apple Core, LLC and the price has been reduced to just $59.95.  Here are some details:

aTV Flash is a USB flash drive that inserts into the AppleTV and will upgrade it to do all kinds of new things. The software installs automatically, and no modification or coding is required. Also, it will NOT void your warranty.

Key Features:
- Play most video formats (DivX, Xvid, AVI, WMV, RMVB + more)
- Play DVD files WITHOUT converting them
- Sync, organize and watch non-iTunes video files
- Browse the web with a Safari based web browser
- Rent & watch Hi-Def movies from Jaman.com
- Stream media from UPnP(v1) media servers
- View local weather forecasts
- View RSS Feeds
- Enable SSH access
- All original Apple TV features remain intact
- And much, much more…

Supported Codecs:

written by Dennis \\ tags: Apple, Apple Core, AppleTV, ATV

Cadco Systems Inc is proud to announce that they are now a reseller and partner with Data Robotics Inc, the manufacturer of the highly popular Drobo external storage solution.  The Drobo is the world’s first storage robot that is a fully automated data storage that ensures our data is always protected.  Your disk capacity is unlimited and requires no special knowledge or expertise.  

Drobo is an easy-to-use desktop storage array that plugs into your Mac, PC or Linux system via hi-speed USB 2.0. Drobo enables users to reliably store up to 16TB of data, using any combination of 3.5” SATA I or II drives – within four drive bays. Drobo provides the data redundancy features normally associated with RAID such as mirroring and data striping, without the complexities of RAID. Drobo, will create one large pool of protected expandable storage, enabling you to avoid managing multiple external drives.

Drobo guards everything on it
Even when a drive fails or data becomes corrupted, you’re protected. There are many advanced data redundancy and integrity checks built into Drobo.

Drobo makes storage a breeze
If you can read a traffic light, you’re a certified Drobo expert. Drobo uses simple LED lights to inform you about free capacity and drive status.

Drobo offers unlimited capacity upgrades
Use ANY drive you want, regardless of SIZE. Need to add capacity? Pop in a new hard drive or pop out an existing one and replace it with a bigger one. Drobo has an insatiable appetite for adding storage capacity. It can even extend to 16TB as hard disk sizes increase.

Drobo does not require drivers or software
Use Drobo right out of the box – with zero configuration. You’ll never have to worry about using a management console either. Drobo has the familiar benefits of RAID, without the complexity.

DroboShare it on your network
Connect your Drobo to a DroboShare and share your data over Gigabit Ethernet (GigE). With DroboShare, everybody on your network can benefit from the storage capabilities of Drobo.

Drobo is Windows, OS X, & Linux Friendly
We don’t care if you’re a Mac, PC, or Linux*. We’re proud to support NTFS, HFS+, EXT3, and FAT32 file systems. If you connect your Drobo to a DroboShare, you can share with all three operating systems or other devices like media centers, regardless of the file system you’ve chosen for Drobo. *Linux support now in beta.

written by Dennis \\ tags: Cadco, Cadco Systems, Data Robotics, Drobo, Partner

The updated all-in-one iMac introduced today offers the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. The ultimate all-in-one desktop computer includes faster processors with 6MB L2 cache, a faster 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire line, and 2GB of memory standard in most models. And the 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options. Available immediately, the new iMac starts at just $1,199.

written by Dennis \\ tags: Apple, iMac

As usual, the rumor mill is hard at work with the release of the second-gen iPhone in July.  According to Engadget’s source:

• The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
• It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
• The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal — the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
• Because it’s got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn’t have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
• The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
• The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
• The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
• No solid word on battery life or storage capacity.

written by Dennis \\ tags: 3G, Apple, GPS, iPhone