Apple news blog

I was looking for a weird (don’t ask why) background for my desktop, and I thought of the pattern for Dashboard’s widget bar (a Mac Pro-like perforated metal strip). How could I make this into a uniform desktop pattern? The answer lies in /System » Library » Dock.app » (Control-click and pick Show Package Contents from the pop-up menu) » Contents » Resources.

First, I located perf.png in that folder, and dragged it to my desktop. Then, I opened that copy in Preview. I cropped this to 10×10 pixels, starting from the top hole with a one-pixel left margin, and ending below the hole to right (see example at right).

(On certain computers, for some reason, there is a different bottom to the hole. Leave a margin of one pixel if the hole is 3×4, and no margin if it is 3×5.) Save the file as a PNG, and then set it as your desktop pictur…

Do you like to know which files and folders get created or modified when you install a new application? I can suggest two different solutions: Either use a tool to track all file system changes, or use a tool that searches the disk by creation/modification dates.

[robg adds: This hint includes information about using a free program, Find Any File, as one way to track file system changes. The author of this hint (Thomas Tempelmann) is the author of that application. However, because there's good information here in the hint, and because the app itself is free and seems to work well, I felt it was worth sharing. Read on for the discussion...]
Logging tools

First the “pro” method: Use a file system logging tool to trace all file operations during a period of time. The problem with these tools, though, is that you might see much more information than you want. Sorting out what’s relevant may need some expe…

The Wall Street Journal reports on eTextbook publisher CourseSmart, which is looking ahead to the release of Apple’s much-rumored tablet and is using this week’s CES conference in Las Vegas to show off its thoughts on how its content could be offered…

PhatWare Corporation today announces PhatNotes 1.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. PhatNotes is the first notes organizer to offer natural handwriting recognition input in addition to keyboard entry as well as full synchronization with PhatNotes Desktop software. Version 1.1 offers the ability to transfer multiple notes between separate databases via clipboard. It also includes an improved search in the List View, and numerous improvements in the PhatNotes text editor.

Snarb.tk today released Everplay 1.0, the first sharp version of the successor to their popular iTunes controller Cover Stream. A light-weight, stand-alone media player, Everplay merges your iTunes music library with Last FM web and radio services. It lets you browse, search and play your iTunes playlists in one simple, carefully designed and easy-to-navigate Cover Flow window, listen to personalized radio and take full part of the social music community.

Apple today announced that users have now downloaded over three billion iPhone and iPod touch applications from the company’s App Store since its July 2008 launch.

“Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months…

AppZapper today announced AppZapper 2.0, “the uninstaller Apple forgot” for Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Mac users can quickly remove unwanted applications with a familiar drag and drop interface. Version 2.0 has increased ease of use and added long-term value with the new Hit List and My Apps features. My Apps turns applications you’ve purchased into an easily accessible trading-card style collection. Browse all installed applications using the handy new Hit List feature.

Portland based TimeStream Software announces a new Application Store for the iPod Classic, iPod Video and iPod nano. Now, what the App Store is to the iPhone, Notescasts is to the iPod legacy devices. Notescasts is a digital download store which allows anyone to develop and post their own Notescasts or download a Notescast to their iPod from a growing selection of free and inexpensive titles.

Portland based TimeStream Software today releases the new Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Notescast, turning iPod Classics and nanos into eReaders. Now, for the first time ever, iPod users can read 12 classic tales of mystery on their iPod legacy device wherever they go and whenever they want. This new Notescast is the perfect story for introducing people to the idea that their iPod is a powerful new eReader.

Cramzy today is proud to announce Ananga Ranga 1.0, their new kamasutra app for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Originally created each position in Ananga Ranga was represented by beautiful and detailed 3D models. Ananga Ranga represents 50 of the best sex positions, each of them tested and rated by a member of Cramzy’s core team. For each posture one can see 3 angles of the position, informative description and rating. The rating can be easily changed when one tries the posture him or herself.