Christopher Mackay's Blog

The folks at PictureCode have released a 64-bit version of their outstanding Noise Ninja plug-in for Aperture 3. They didn’t waste any time getting this into users’ hands.

Even better, when I hadn’t seen any mention of a forth-coming upgrade on PictureCode’s web site after Aperture 3 let me know it would have to run Noise Ninja under 32-bit mode, I emailed them to ask about their plans.

Not only did Bill Smith, their senior programmer, get right back to me, letting me know a release was imminent — he attached a beta version of the plug-in.

How cool is that?

Nov 17, 2009 update: It seems that the 3.1.1 OS update from Apple has resolved this issue (I stopped trying after 3.0 broke it and 3.1 didn’t fix it). Thanks to Jessica at MINI Moncton for getting this issue escalated all the way back to Germany and letting me know!

Just a heads-up to anyone out there using a similar set up to mine:

• 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman
• Y-adapter 30-pin plug (to USB and AUX-IN)
• 1st generation iPod touch
• iPod OS 3.0

This combination doesn’t work. So far, I’ve been unsuccessful in downgrading my iPod to OS 2.2.1 (haven’t tried the DFU mode that some have suggested — see the Apple thread linked below). The result is that the iPod has a really hard time connecting to the Mini (it has routinely taken 10 minutes to connect), and then disconnects the first time it changes tracks (either by skipping to the next track or by letting the first track play to the end).

I’ve been in touch with Mini about this. My local dealer didn’t know about the problem, and the support people at Mini said they’re pretty much at Apple’s mercy on issues like this (which is about what I expected; Apple’s legendary secrecy extends to third-parties supporting their products).

Hopefully there will be an update from Apple and/or Mini that addresses this issue.

• USB Information from Mini.com (PDF)
• Mini/iPod touch Apple Support thread
• NorthAmericanMotoring.com — a short thread

Also, for what it’s worth, Mini told me that while the iPod touch isn’t supported under OS 3.0, the iPhone 3G is. The iPhone 3GS isn’t, though, so guess who upgraded their iPhone 3G to a 3GS this weekend…

Ah, technology…

Report: Apple Dominates the Mobile Web – ReadWriteWeb

Apple now dominates the mobile web in the U.S. with a 48% market share

I’m not sure why this surprised me. I think the key is that they point out how Apple has made devices that people want to surf on. I certainly would never have bothered with my previous Motorola pos. It was barely possible to make a phone call with that thing…

Okay, am I the only one? Whenever I decide to install a bunch of updated apps, iTunes always comes back with

Some of the applications in your iTunes library were not installed on the iPhone blah blah blah because one or more errors occurred.

Then it gives me the full list of apps, usually a dozen or more, and a link to a KnowledgeBase article: Troubleshooting applications purchased from the App Store.

Despite the good suggestions in that article, it seems the only one that ever works for me is deleting the apps from the iPhone, re-”purchasing” them (which does not involve paying for them again) and reinstalling them. Which is a pain in the ass, frankly.

I’ve mentioned this to a few people, and they keep coming back asking for the link. Here it is (may require free login):

Experts Revive Debate Over Cellphones and Cancer, by Tara Parker-Pope, June 3, 2008:

What do brain surgeons know about cellphone safety that the rest of us don’t?

Last week, three prominent neurosurgeons told the CNN interviewer Larry King that they did not hold cellphones next to their ears. “I think the safe practice,” said Dr. Keith Black, a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, “is to use an earpiece so you keep the microwave antenna away from your brain.”

Worth a read.

Scott Rockfeld, group products manager for the mobile communications business at Microsoft, in an interview in Computerworld:

And despite the iPhone 3G’s strong opening-weekend sales, Rockfeld noted that technology research firm IDC predicted that Windows Mobile will continue to outsell the iPhone 2 to 1 in the consumer market by 2012 and in the business space by 9 to 1.

‘So you can see the hype versus the reality,’ he said.”

Where by ‘reality’ he means ‘wild-ass guess’.