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Beyond slapping on Metro, what makes Windows 8 so spectacular? So far there's is little there that's actually of interest to people who use a desktop or notebook PC without touch screen.

Well Metro isn't slapped but is replacing the old UI which is still a much radical change compared to what Apple has said so far (I am sure there are some under the hood changes which may not be glossy enough for PR). There are a bunch of performance and non-metro UI update in Win8 that I am sure you are aware of.

Messages actually replaced iChat but using it together with Facebook chat is a bit awkward. Not a fan of the interface at all... :/

Never mind, figured out you don't have to have the old iChat style buddies window visible to add contacts.

Frankly, I don't know why Apple is even bothering with building its own IM network :/ just open up to everyone use XMPP (i.e. update iChat). Connect to facebook, twitter, gtalk etc.

If they keep the price point of the last 2 OS updates, I'll be sold. I really don't mind spending $35 for a handful of new features.

Sucks for the Growl developers that OS X will now include notifications :(. I think Apple shouldn't do this to developers, but it isn't just them, Microsoft does the same thing. Your software becomes obsolete once it is a standard OS feature. Both an honor and a shame.

Is this the first time Apple has released info on upcoming OS X release without much fanfare? :/ Not to mention a public "beta/preview". I think both might be a first for Apple.

(not to mention the curious timing :p)

Messages actually replaced iChat but using it together with Facebook chat is a bit awkward. Not a fan of the interface at all... :/

Never mind, figured out you don't have to have the old iChat style buddies window visible to add contacts.

There?s a LOT of annoyances in Messages, but it?s a step forward.

- It doesn?t link my iMessage account to the one on my cellphone. For a moment, I was thinking "if both are related to iCloud, they can be synchronized", but it?s not what?s happening there. My cellphone is linked to my phone number and Messages is linked to my iCloud. So I will appear like a new user to everyone if I use Message.

- Also, since there is no name in the conversation but only bubbles, when copying discussions, the names won?t appear when you paste them. You have to add them manually.

- The app in fullscreen doesn?t take all the width of the screen, and you cannot adjust it like Safari. It reminds me of FaceTime, which had this awkward user interface.

- FaceTime remains installed. Messages should have it integrated completely.

- If they?re serious about Facebook integration, it shouldn?t be a Jabber account anymore. They really need to dumb this down, because most people won?t know they can search for all the settings on the Facebook website to know what to type in the Jabber fields.

- Not possible to filter on only people who have iMessage (I didn?t find out how).

I thought that straight away :p

Yeah, kinda makes me sad for having given them a dollar when I could have stayed perfectly with the old version. The animation for new popups in Mountain Lion is not subtle enough though, it will be extremely annoying over time. And I also preferred the Smoke theme in Growl than this non-subtle gray popup window. Oh well, I may keep Growl for a while in the end :)

Is this the first time Apple has released info on upcoming OS X release without much fanfare? :/ Not to mention a public "beta/preview". I think both might be a first for Apple. (not to mention the curious timing :p)

It's only the second time they've publicly released a beta. OS X originally had one back in 2000 but you had to buy it.

As for the lack of fanfare, there doesn't seem to be anything to get excited about so far.

Actually scratch that first bit. Mountain Lion isn't a public beta. It's only accessible to developers.

  • Like 1
I think Apple shouldn't do this to developers, but it isn't just them, Microsoft does the same thing.

Using your logic Apple should have never added Dashboard, FaceTime, Dictionary, DVD Player, Font Book, iCal, iTunes, Mail, Preview, Photo Booth, Safari, Stickies, TextEdit, Time Machine and iCloud to the OS. All of those had existing third-party solutions before they were introduced.

- The app in fullscreen doesn?t take all the width of the screen, and you cannot adjust it like Safari. It reminds me of FaceTime, which had this awkward user interface.

- FaceTime remains installed. Messages should have it integrated completely.

FaceTime and Messages are separate apps on the desktop as well, so I guess that's why. Why would you want this app to take the entire width of the screen?

  • Like 2

FaceTime and Messages are separate apps on the desktop as well, so I guess that's why.

You mean on iOS. Yeah, I get what you mean. but since I can video-chat in Messages and video-chat in FaceTime? I don?t know. Having a unified app would really make it better.

Why would you want this app to take the entire width of the screen?

I will go for a rhetorical question : why would I not ? I have paid for a 27-inch screen because I want apps to be big like that. Apps like these that won?t scale up to full-screen completely are only a few. It could have my list of friends to fill the blank linen space for example, instead of appearing as a popup menu.

You mean on iOS. Yeah, I get what you mean. but since I can video-chat in Messages and video-chat in FaceTime? I don?t know. Having a unified app would really make it better.

Yeah on iOS, sorry. I think it wouldn't. From the old iChat perspective yes it would be better. But IM is basically dying out. From a unified working with iOS it really isn't. My main problem with these services is that every company is reinventing the wheel on their own.

I will go for a rhetorical question : why would I not ? I have paid for a 27-inch screen because I want apps to be big like that. Apps like these that won?t scale up to full-screen completely are only a few. It could have my list of friends to fill the blank linen space for example, instead of appearing as a popup menu.

That would just add a third row. It wouldn't fill up the space offered by an 27-inch iMac either.

There?s a LOT of annoyances in Messages, but it?s a step forward.

- It doesn?t link my iMessage account to the one on my cellphone. For a moment, I was thinking "if both are related to iCloud, they can be synchronized", but it?s not what?s happening there. My cellphone is linked to my phone number and Messages is linked to my iCloud. So I will appear like a new user to everyone if I use Message.

I'm not sure I exactly follow what your problem is so forgive me if my solution is not what you were looking for.

I think your problem is that your phone is sending your phone number as your "Caller ID" when sending an iMessage and your Mac can't receive and send messages from your phone number (I wish it could). On your iPhone, goto Settings->Messages->Receive At->Caller ID and select your email address. That way when you send an iMessage to someone they will receive it from your email address and when they reply they will be replying to your email address (iCloud ID or whatever). This will keep the messages in-sync between your iPhone and your Mac (and ipad/ipod...).

Using your logic Apple should have never added Dashboard, FaceTime, Dictionary, DVD Player, Font Book, iCal, iTunes, Mail, Preview, Photo Booth, Safari, Stickies, TextEdit, Time Machine and iCloud to the OS. All of those had existing third-party solutions before they were introduced.

Logic had nothing to do with my post, it was purely an emotional response as a fellow developer.

Probably will have to downgrade my (future) Ivy Bridge'd MBP to 10.6.8, unless there is a way to completely turn off all of these 10.7+ additions (and it seems to be getting worse as they release later versions)

Guess you won't be buying a new Mac then because there's no way in hell you'll be able to run OS X Snow Leopard on it. Beyond Mission Control you can pretty much revert everything back to pre-OS X Lion to begin with.

Logic had nothing to do with my post, it was purely an emotional response as a fellow developer.

I'm glad you're saying that yourself.

Truth of the matter is, if you have a good idea for improving an OS and provide a solution you would do yourself a big favor by patenting the crap out of that idea.

Truth of the matter is, Growl didn't invent notifications. Not even the way of delivering them. So there's nothing to patent really.

Apple did buy unique ideas in the past. Remember Cover Flow?

Truth of the matter is, Growl didn't invent notifications. Not even the way of delivering them. So there's nothing to patent really.

Apple did buy unique ideas in the past. Remember Cover Flow?

Well, Growl was the first notification client that I had ever come across that provided a unified approach to notifications that other developers could tap into via an API. Not sure if that existed before Growl. It might of. You seem hell bent on arguing with people so I'll humor you.

I think your problem is that your phone is sending your phone number as your "Caller ID" when sending an iMessage and your Mac can't receive and send messages from your phone number (I wish it could). On your iPhone, goto Settings->Messages->Receive At->Caller ID and select your email address. That way when you send an iMessage to someone they will receive it from your email address and when they reply they will be replying to your email address (iCloud ID or whatever). This will keep the messages in-sync between your iPhone and your Mac (and ipad/ipod...).

Thanks, by reading it, it looks like it?s a solution to what I want. I will try that.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
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    • DWARF mini review: the world's smallest smart telescope for night and day sky captures by Steven Parker DWARFLAB reached out to me asking if I was interested in checking out the DWARF mini, which is a portable astronomy telescope designed for amateur astronomers. Why do I say it's for amateurs? Well, for starters, it's not what you'd call "high end"; it's more of a professional-grade starting point for amateurs serious about capturing what's up there in our night and day skies. A typical amateur astronomer is most likely thousands of dollars deep into the hobby, and I will make no claims that this DWARF mini (at a fraction of the cost) could replace it all, okay? Well, if you read on, it will be clearer what I am trying to convey. Disclosure: DWARFLAB provided a free sample without any editorial input or review pre-approval. I have always been interested in looking up and observing the night sky. I see satellites crossing the sky above my garden most nights, and I am always looking at the moon. Yeah, I have a 200MP camera on my phone, but at 200X zoom, AI takes over and makes the pretty moon pictures that I snap, the DWARF mini does not, you get an actual true picture of what you can barely see with the naked eye. Before we start, let's share the highlights of the DWARF mini in bite-sized format: Pocket-Sized & Ultra-Lightweight Weighing just 1.85 lbs (840g), the DWARF mini easily fits into a backpack or large pocket. Its all-in-one, compact design makes it the ultimate grab-and-go digital telescope for hiking, camping, or traveling to dark-sky locations. Intuitive App Control & Built-in Sky Atlas Go from unboxing to your first shot in just 3 minutes! The DWARFLAB App provides a seamless experience with an interactive star map. Simply select your target and start exploring without the steep learning curve of traditional setups. Auto GOTO & 360° Pivot Freedom Enjoy pinpoint automated tracking with full 360° rotation. Powered by a high-sensitivity Sony IMX662 sensor (1/2.8-inch, 2.9μm pixels), it captures amazing, low-noise astro details, bringing faint nebulas and star clusters to life with stunning clarity. Pro-Level EQ Mode & Long Exposure Unlock advanced deep-space imaging with Equatorial (EQ) Mode. Supporting impressive single-frame exposures up to 90 seconds and featuring built-in light pollution filters, it easily cuts through city glow to reveal intricate celestial structures. Smart Cloud Processing & All-Ages Fun Effortlessly enhance your raw data with integrated cloud processing for professional-grade results. Perfect for beginners, kids, and adults, this telescope makes exploring and sharing the wonders of the universe an exciting, family-friendly adventure. The packaging is a pretty minimal affair with the outer box opening like a flap to reveal the plastic mould of the DWARF mini sitting in it. Below, the Sun filter, charging cable, cleaning cloth, and documentation can be found. DWARFLAB also provided a Mini Hydraulic Tripod ($89.99), and I highly recommend getting it if you plan on purchasing the DWARF mini, as it fully supports the motorized tracking feature of the telescope; plus, at 840g, the weight of the telescope, you will need a tripod that supports more than the weight of a smartphone anyway. What's in the box DWARF Mini Smart Telescope × 1 Sun Filter x 1 Type-C to Type-C Cord x 1 Cleaning Cloth x 1 User Guide With that out of the way, here are the full specs: DWARF mini Dimensions (DWH): 60.70 mm x 100.38 × 183.61 (2.39" x 3.95" x 7.23") Weight: 840g (1.85lbs) Aperture diameter: 30 mm (telephoto), 3.4 mm (wide angle) Image Sensor: SONY IMX662 1/2.8" (Telephoto) OmniVision OS02K10 1/2.8" (Wide-angle) Focal length: 150 mm (telephoto), 6.7 mm (wide-angle) Equivalent focal length: 1016 mm (telephoto), 45 mm (wide-angle) Shutter Speed: Tele - 1/10000-90s, Wide - 1/10000-30s Maximum exposure time: 90s (telephoto & wide-angle), Both in EQ mode Rotation range: Lens: 225°, Base: 360° Effective Pixels: 2.07M Maximum Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Telephoto & Wide-angle) Built-in filters: Astro, Dark, Duo-Band (Telephoto), Astro (Wide-angle) Output: JPG, FITS, TIFF, MP4 Shooting Mode: Photos, Videos, Astronomy, Burst Shooting, Time-lapse Photography Storage: 64 GB Battery: Built-in 7000 mAh, supports external USB charging Charging Port: Type-C NPU: 1 TOPS Features: WiFi, NFC NFC One-Touch Connection Astronomy Post-Processing/Appointment Shooting/Astronomy Mosaic Wi-Fi Transmission Range: 15m (open environment) Color: Black Compatibility: iOS & Android smartphones/tablets Warranty: 2-years (24-months) MSRP: $399 Design Charge port On/off button Lens On the DWARF mini itself, it is a pretty minimal affair. On one side, there is a Type-C USB port to charge the non-removable 7000 mAh battery, and on the other side, a large button to power on or off the telescope. The button is flanked by an LED that is green when connected via the DWARFLAB app, or lights up red when being powered off. Below the button, there are four LEDs that indicate battery power. The DWARF mini does not have any sharp edges as all sides are rounded off; it has a good heft to it, but the weight of it feels quite balanced in the hand, so it isn't top or bottom-heavy. On the front there is the DWARFLAB logo which is quite small and there are no other markings on it. The tripod offers full 360° rotation of the motorized base, which allows for tracking for the time-lapse mode, but also for the 90-second captures of nearer objects in the sky, such as the Sun or the moon. Usage To get started, simply power on the DWARF mini and open the DWARFLAB app, tap on Connect, and it will scan for the DWARF mini over the Wi-Fi network. The device supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth for discovery, so connection issues were minimal in my experience with it. As previously noted in the specs, the DWARF mini will stay connected with a phone or tablet up to 15 meters in an open environment, such as a backyard. Lighting status Powering on: The green circular light will rotate and breathe in turn Powering off: The red circular light is gradually extinguished Connecting: Green light strip rotating Connected: Green light strip solid/always on 4 lights 1= 0-25%, 2= 25-50%, 3= 50-75%, 4= 75-100% battery power To view the full lighting status, such as tracking mode and connection failure, you can check the user guide on the official DWARFLAB page. DWARFLAB app Above, you can see the steps undertaken to connect the DWARFLAB app to my Galaxy S26 Ultra. Weirdly, I got an alert that a firmware update failed to get uploaded to the DWARF mini the first time, but upon retrying, it worked. Then place the DWARF mini outside, make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to it, and then head back inside, because you can manage it from the comfort of your home. Simply enter the Atlas tab in the app and search for what you want to capture, and then tap on the camera icon; the DWARF mini will then attempt to track the object and give you a live view right on your connected device. Results I've had the DWARF mini since April, but even though my garden is south-facing, I had a lot of trouble trying to capture a good image of the moon. In the end, it was possible after I took it with me on a trip to my parents in Southend, UK, at the end of May. Here is a capture of the moon, resulting from 20 stacked images over a 90-second exposure. What you are seeing here is not AI-assisted. A good example of what I mean is the latest flagships with their 200MP cameras claiming to capture things like closeups of the moon, and while they are not as good as the above example on the DWARF mini, the resulting image on smartphones is actually AI-assisted above 30X zoom. Here is an example of a similar shot at the moon at 200X zoom using an HONOR Magic8 Pro. The difference is clear. Next, here we have a shot of the daytime moon. Here is a shot of Arcturus, the red giant star, which is the fourth brightest in the night sky. As previously mentioned, it could be a bit clearer, but clouds passing in front of it muddied the shot a bit. The Sun The DWARF mini also ships with a sun filter, meaning you can take great shots of the sun as well. Tracking Sun Resulting (stacked) shot Live zoom The pictures themselves are limited to Full HD, and some of the examples actually came out in HD (1280x720), but this is because the standard telescopic result is in 720p while "Wide" is in 1080p. Above you can see how in the app the Sun is tracked, the resulting capture, and Live zoom. I have only scratched the surface of what is possible with this telescope; I found several examples online of shots of the Milky Way, among others, such as nebulae and galaxies. All of this requires patience and knowledge, although if you know what you are looking for, simply enter it in the Atlas tab in the DWARFLAB app, tap the camera icon, and the telescope will attempt to track it. Conclusion The good The DWARF mini definitely places itself in a price point that makes astrology accessible to anyone looking to get started in the hobby. Say you want to have a closer look at the moon, simply enter it in the Atlas, and the Live view also lets you zoom in and snap pictures. The bad Some issues I came across while operating the DWARF mini were that it sometimes failed to connect unless I held my smartphone right next to it, and finding and tracking sometimes took several attempts to get it calibrated. I discovered that it helped if I sort of positioned and pointed the telescope in the general area it was supposed to detect, but this obviously wouldn't work with objects you can't see with the naked eye; more testing is required for that. Another bit of advice is to ensure that the lens is clean. While making the examples of live zooming on the sun, I discovered that the telescope lens and sun filter were not completely clean, and only after cleaning with a microfiber cloth was I able to get a decent shot of the sun. Where to buy and a coupon Okay, $399 is not cheap for a side hobby, but nor is a $1,500 smartphone flagship that you'll most likely have for a couple of years. This is a one-time entrance into astrology, and it won't become obsolete in one year like a smartphone. It's a thumbs up from me. The DWARF mini is available to buy right now in the U.S. and U.K. at the links below. DWARF mini for $399 on the official site DWARF mini for $399 on Amazon U.S. Use the NEOWIN5OFF coupon code for an additional 5% off at checkout (expires June 21) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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    • The name, you mean? If so, it's actually the objects common name. There's another one called NGC 7293 which is also known as Helix Nebula (because we're looking at a helix structure top down) but other times also known as the Eye of God. You'll understand when you see it
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