Broken

It would appear that Tiger (the new Mac operating system) doesn't work with my Roku Soundbridge, meaning that at the moment I am without streaming music.

Roku support assure me that they're aware of the problem and are working with Apple to create a solution. Should only be a matter of days. It's just one of those little bugs that need ironing out when you've got new software. Ho hum.

So, for the time being I've had to resort to using CDs! How very last century...

Big Mac

So you may remember (after all, it was only a few days ago) that I ordered one of the new G5 iMacs, and therefore needed to sell my three-month old Mac Mini. Fortunately for my bank balance, that proved to be a very easy task as several colleagues were more than keen to stump up the asking price. Also - because the iMac has a built-in screen, I also found a buyer for my existing 17" TFT screen.

Best thing of all, Apple - despite quoting a five day build time and three day delivery time - managed to get the iMac to me by Friday, meaning that I had the weekend to play with it!

I started off by backing everything up (I did a complete clone of my Mac Mini) to the external hard drive, and then I reinstalled Panther (OSX 10.3) on the Mac Mini so that it was back to factory settings, ready for its new owner. Once that was done, I boxed it all up, complete with all the original manuals and disks etc. Then I disassembled my TFT monitor and boxed that up (good thing I keep all the boxes!) and put that to one side. By the time I'd done all that, it was past midnight and the iMac was still in its box!

Not wanting to rush the "new gadget installation process" I waited until earlier today to get it all set up. Fortunately this was an incredibly easy process. One cable for mains power, and we were up and running. The install process found my bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and then seamlessly connected to my wireless network. After booting up, I copied by user file across to the iMac from the external drive and the job was done. Simple!

Moving on up

Apple released their new G5 iMac models today, and they're incredibly impressive. They've obviously been listening to what the punters want, because they've addressed every single one of the issues that people had with the original models. I, for one, cannot find them lacking in any way.

Apple have increased the processor to a 2GHz G5, upped the RAM to 512 MB, added a 16 speed DVD burner, put a 160GB hard disk in, installed Airport wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0 as standard, and to top it all off, it comes with the new operating system, Tiger, installed. And if all that wasn't enough to convince you - and here comes the killer blow - they've priced it at £999 including VAT.

Needless to say, I've ordered one. Anyone want to buy a Mac Mini?

Just do as you're told!

So there I was, merrily surfing the web, when my Mac Mini popped up a little box which told me that my bluetooth mouse was running out of batteries, and that I should replace them immediately. Obviously, I chose to ignore this warning. Surely there would be enough juice in the batteries for another couple of days? The computer was just being alarmist.

Ten minutes later, another message appeared. "Your mouse batteries are critically low. Your mouse may fail at any time". So clearly, this time, I leapt out of my chair and replaced the batteries, right? Nope. I ignored it. Again.

Then the batteries failed.

I begrudgingly went and got two new batteries and installed them in the mouse. Did it work? Of course not. So - without any mouse and using just keyboard shortcuts to navigate - I went to the system preferences to see if there was a "reconnect mouse" option or something. I managed (after a bit of faffing) to get to the mouse preferences, but unfortunately there was no immediately obvious solution. Then I had a brainwave. I'd switch off bluetooth, start it up again, and then that would probably make the mouse work. Clever eh?

I tabbed to the button that said "Switch off bluetooth" and hit the space bar. A box popped up. "If you switch off bluetooth, you will no longer be able to control your computer. Are you sure you wish to continue?"

In my panic, I pressed enter. "Bluetooth is now switched off".

AAAAAGH!

Anyway, here I am, 45 minutes and a USB mouse later, and everything seems to be working again now. Next time my Mac tells me to do something, I'll do it. It's clearly cleverer than me.

I want that one... and that one...

Gentlemen, start your engines... it looks like Xbox 2 is here. Or rather, Xbox 360 as it now seems to be called. Various sites around the web have images that are allegedly the "real deal" - the final design that Microsoft will be unveiling at E3 in May. And if they're accurate, then it's a distinct improvement on the current Xbox.

For a start, it's silver and shiny, rather than matt black, so they're on to a winner straight away as far as I'm concerned. Then there are the system specs - apparently, the Xbox 360 contains three (yes, three!) IBM PowerPC processing chips, which are essentially the same ones that Apple use in their G5 machines, so there is some SERIOUS power in there. The controllers are wireless as standard, as is wi-fi networking. The hard-drive will be an add-on, but seems to me to be almost essential. And word on the street says that it'll be in the shops in time for Christmas. Have a look at the Definitive Xbox 360 FAQ over at ign.com for more details and images.

Before then, however, is the Playstation Portable (PSP). The European launch date has now been confirmed as 1st September 2005, with a price of £179. Which is a bit pricey for sure, but it won't stop me buying one on launch day!

No turning back...

A friend of mine told me yesterday that he had sold his entire CD collection on eBay, as he now has them all stored on his computer as MP3 files, and therefore no longer needs the original discs.

Crikey.

I can't see myself being in that position any time soon. I think I'm too worried that technology will change to the extent that it could make my digital music files obsolete. Over the last two years, I've already ripped my CD collection twice - once as WMA files, and then (after getting my Mac) as AAC. Who is to say that next year, another (better) format won't turn up, making my AAC files out of date? If I don't have the original CDs, how will I take advantage of this new technology?

This is the same quandry which has - up until now at least - prevented me from purchasing any music from the iTunes Music Store. I have no doubt that it's an excellent innovation, and it's very convenient, but not actually possessing a physical item is slightly disconcerting for me. I appreciate that I should (as a hardcore gadget freak) be advocating the completely digital approach, but I can't do it. Not yet anyway. Follow my friend's example at your peril...

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

Looks like 29th April is the launch date for Tiger then...

Which leads me to ask myself whether I should go for the upgrade straight away (and start playing with all the lovely new features immediately) or whether to hang fire for a few weeks so some other hapless users can iron out all the undiscovered bugs!

Going, going, gone

I've been flogging stuff on eBay again. The M-Audio Fast Track that I bought a couple of months ago to use with my Mac Mini has gone, mainly because it didn't perform particularly well, and because I just don't have the time to sit around making computer music. Also, I've flogged my old Creative Labs Muvo NX MP3 player because all my music is now encoded as AAC files, which it doesn't support. If I need a little solid-state player for whatever reason, I'll get myself an iPod Shuffle instead.

One of my New Year Resolutions was not to buy any gadgets on impulse and then have to flog them on eBay, so it looks like I've failed on that one. However, some of the others are going quite well. I've bought an Apple Mac, I've been skiing and I'm half way through my Special Constabulary training. I've packed in going to the gym though - I just don't have the time any more.

Familiar?

I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...
I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...
I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...

Down a mountain with two bits of wood strapped to your feet...

I've just got back from my skiing holiday in Les Gets. It was amazingly good fun (once you get over the initial fear of falling over) and the scenery was genuinely breathtaking. We're already planning to go again in 2006!

I'll put some photos up when I get a chance.

Roll on May...

It might take a while to download it, but it's definitely worth watching the new trailer for Star Wars: Episode 3...

I hate to admit it, but I'm excited...

Automotive Jiggery-Pokery

So it's all very well having a lovely 4th-gen iPod, but what if you never have an opportunity to listen to it? I hardly ever use public transport or walk anywhere (activities that are, traditionally, the preserve of the iPod owner) so I was beginning to think my purchase was a little rash...

I really wanted to be able to listen to it in the car, but there was a significant obstacle. There is no - standard at least - way of connecting an iPod to my car stereo. I had already experimented with using an FM transmitter a few months ago when I had my Creative Zen NX, but the quality was shocking, so that wasn't going to be an option.

Another possibility was to buy a whole new car stereo - Alpine have just brought out a head unit which has integrated iPod compatibility. There's a bit that stows away in the glove box which connects to the iPod itself, and then the head unit controls the Pod's functions. Excellent, except that it costs £275. A bit steep, even for me.

So I finally plumped for the option that required a bit of DIY, but was a good compromise of cost and functionality. I got myself one of these units that plugs into the CD-changer port on the back of the standard radio. I extracted the radio, connected up the new box of tricks, hid it away down the back of the centre console, and then routed a standard stereo RCA to 3.5mm jack cable through to the base of the dashboard. This way, I can pop the Pod in the cup holder, plug the cable into the headphone socket, and enjoy all my tunes in the car.

Job done. Lovely.

Pod

Just got myself a 20GB fourth-gen iPod.

Mmmm. Pretty shiny thing.

Hubba Hubba

An event this afternoon made me realise that I have truly embraced the Mac ownership experience. I realised that I had run out of USB ports on the back of the Mac Mini, so I went an unearthed a USB2.0 hub that I had previously used with my old PC. I hooked it up, and arranged it nicely on the desk, and it was then that I realised something was gravely wrong...

The hub was made of black plastic. Everything else on the desk (even the lamp and phone) was shiny and silver. IT DIDN'T MATCH!

So the hub has been relegated to a position underneath the desk where it is less aesthetically offensive. Still works just the same, but doesn't upset the gadget feng shui.

Here endeth the lesson.

Coming back to the fold...

Well here's a turn up for the books - I've been so preoccupied with my new gadgets, I've had no time to write about them!

Following on from the Mac Mini, I got myself a nice shiny silver LaCie external 250GB hard drive to back everything up on, and then - in order to use GarageBand, I got an M-Audio Fast Track, which is basically a breakout box which plugs into the Mac via USB and allows you to connect instruments and microphones so that you can record in real time.

It's been gadget overload (if there can be such a thing) over the past couple of weeks. I love it!

Out of the box

I finally got round to unpacking the Mac Mini earlier this evening (I've been giddy as a kipper about it all day, as I'm sure you can imagine). Having to wait over 24 hours before I could set it up has been killing me, but I didn't want to have to rush it. It's all about savouring the experience when you get a new gadget. Even taking it out of the packaging has to be done properly. Then you make sure everything is neat and tidy, and you work out where you going to put it all.

Then, finally, you can start hooking it all up.

Fortunately, it all worked seamlessly. I've been spending some time getting the software installed (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, iLife etc etc) and then it took me a while to get it syncing properly with my Pocket PC and phone over Bluetooth, but it's all sorted now. And it's lovely. I like it.

Early arrival

Much to my surprise, the Mac Mini has just been delivered! I was expecting it tomorrow, so this is a very pleasant surprise! The downside is that I won't have time to set it up this evening, so I'm going to have to be exceptionally strong-willed and leave it in its box until tomorrow.

I have taken it out of the packaging, just for a quick look. It's very pretty. And incredibly small!

It's on its way...

I had an email on Saturday from Apple saying that my Mac Mini had been dispatched. They're quoting a "2-3 working day" delivery time, so all being well it should be delivered to work on Wednesday.

In the meantime, I have ordered a new 17" TFT monitor for Mrs Lacey so that she can finally be rid of the monster CRT screen that currently resides on her desk. In addition, she's going to get my Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse, which I currently use with my PC (because the Mac is coming with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse) so she'll be all set up with some nice new gadgets of her own.

I can feel a big "strip down and rebuild" of our desks coming on. The arrival of new gadgets is a perfect time for a spring-clean. I'll remove everything from both our desks, unwire all the components, dust and polish, and then refit everything. As I'm sure you're aware, cables get tangled up even if you never touch them, so it's always good to get everything back in some semblance of order. It's the only time I ever actively set out to do housework!

Firefox Rox

It's what I've been saying for months: Firefox is the business when it comes to web browsing, and it would seem that millions of others agree with me.

Even Wired News says so. So it must be true. Do yourself a favour. Switch. If you can't quite stretch to a new Apple Mac, at least change your browser. Trust me. It'll make your life better. And you can't say fairer than that.

k700i

Got myself a Sony Ericsson k700i mobile phone today, and it's really rather nice. I only have one gripe with it though (and it would appear that I'm not the only one) - Orange have installed their own "version" of the operating system on it, which replaces the standard Sony Ericsson one. For example, the right hand soft key on my old T610 brought up a menu that let you activate silent mode, switch bluetooth on and off, lock the phone etc etc. But on this new k700i, this button's functionality has been removed, and instead it activates the camera when you press it. This might seem like a good idea, but there's already a button on the side of the phone to switch the camera on! They've also installed their own "orange-themed" icons on the phone's main menu.

I've scoured the web, but try as I might I can't find a way to change it back again. Ah well, I guess I'll just have to put up with it. The phone itself is splendid, and there are a lot of good features on it. I'm looking forward to pairing it up with my new Mac Mini and exploring all the bluetooth features. I'll keep you posted.