The Mac Space Blog

I’m an iPhone user. I got the thing so I could be more productive. I have the tools to do that now and I’m slowly but surely working toward utilizing my time better. I have many golf apps for the iPhone, some of which I’ve covered or will cover here. The newest iPhone golf application is the PGATOUR.com app.

I loaded the PGA Tour iPhone application tonight. For being released within the last day or so, the app is very robust and nicely done.

Within the app you can access leaderboards, player profiles, videos (though I had a window pop up saying the video format wasn’t supported) and lots of other neat PGA Tour nuggets.  It is nice to be able to check Tiger Woods’ putting stats while in line at the grocery store.

Oh, the app is sponsored by Nike Golf, who has ads all over in there. I guess you have to pay the bills somehow.

For just being released the PGA Tour app is pretty awesome.

Address Book

• Improves reliability of Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications.

• Improves the reliability of AirPort connections, including improvements when roaming in large wireless networks with an Intel-based Mac.

• Improves reliability of synchronizing files on a portable home directory.
• Fixes an issue in Mac OS X 10.5.4 and 10.5.5 in which managed users may not see printers that use the Generic PPD.
• Client computers that use UUID-based ByHost preferences now respect managed Screen Saver settings.

• Addresses an issue that could cause an encryption alert to appear in the chat window.
• Setting your iChat status to “invisible” via AppleScript no longer logs you out of iChat.
• Resolves an issue in which pasting text from a Microsoft Office document could insert an image rather than text.

• Includes general improvements to gaming performance.
  
• Includes graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, Aperture, and iTunes.
• Includes fixes for possible graphics distortion issues with certain ATI graphics cards.
  

• Includes overall performance and reliability fixes.
• Improves Connection Doctor accuracy.
• Fixes an issue that could cause messages identified as junk to remain in the inbox.
• Fixes an issue that could cause Mail to append a character to the file extension of an attachment.
• Addresses an issue that could prevent Mail from quitting.
• Improves reliability when printing PDF attachments.

• Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the web at me.com.

• Improves Apple File Service performance, especially when using a home directory hosted on an AFP server. Important: If you are using Mac OS X 10.5.6 (client) to connect to a Mac OS X Server 10.4-based server, it is strongly recommended that you update the server to Mac OS X Server version 10.4.11.
• Improves the performance and reliability of TCP connections.
• Improves reliability and performance for AT&T 3G cards.
• Updates the ssh Terminal command for compatibility with more ssh servers.

• Improves printing for the Adobe CS3 application suite.
• Improves printing for USB-based Brother and Canon printers.

• Addresses an issue in which a parentally-controlled account could be unable to access the iTunes Store.
• Includes general fixes for time limits.
• Resolves an issue that prevented adding allowed websites from Safari via drag and drop.

• Fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found.
• Improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule.

• Improves compatibility with web proxy servers.
  
  

• Includes Mac OS X security improvements. See this website for more information.
• Addresses inaccuracies with Calculator when the Mac OS X language is set to German or Swiss German.
• Improves the performance and reliability of Chess.
• Improves DVD Player performance and reliability.
• Performance improvements for iCal are included.
• Fixes an issue when running the New iCal Events Automator action as an applet.
• Adds a Trackpad System Preference pane for portable Macs.
• Improves compatibility with smart cards such as the U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card.
• Updates time zone data and Daylight Saving Time rules for several countries.

MARWARE Sidewinder

The MARWARE Sidewinder is a cool transparent protective case for the 3rd generation iPod Nano. The polycarbonate case provides an exoskeleton-like layer to protect the nano from scratches, drops and impacts. The case also comes with protective film for the screen and the control wheel.

Features

The name Sidewinder name comes from the retractable arm which is for storing the headphone cabling.  When not in use the cable is wrapped around the Sidewinder.  When listening the Sidewinder arm slides into the back of the case.

Speaking of the case’s back, there’s an interchangeable clip system called “Multidapt” which allows the unit to be mounted on your belt, in your car, on your bike or many other locations.

The Sidewinder is a $25 insurance policy on a nano which could cost several hundred bucks.

In Action

I’m very happy with the Sidewinder.  It provides storage for the phone cables which no other case does.  My nano is extremely small and I like it to stay that way.  The Sidewinder doesn’t bulk up the unit so it stays small even though it is protected.

The Multidapt system is very convenient and allows me to mount my nano in many places.  I mount it on my belt, my car dashboard and my golf bag when I’m on the driving range practicing.

Conclusion

The MARWARE iPod Nano Sidewinder case is a great way to protect the unit without making it too big and eliminating the size factor.  The convenient cable storage keeps your phones handy with the iPod and tucks away when not needed.

More images

For more images of the MARWARE Sidewinder and other MARWARE products, click here to go to The Mac Space MARWARE gallery.

It is a colorful day in iPod land with the announcement of the new iPod Nanos.  Looks like some major upgrades to not only their color and shape, but the operating system too.