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TidBITS#1182/11-Jul-2013

The Apple ebook price fixing verdict is in, and it’s bad news for Apple. Judge Denise Cote has found Apple guilty of violating antitrust laws, and TidBITS publisher Adam Engst has a comprehensive explanation of the whole saga. As John Gruber of Daring Fireball said, “If you read only one take on yesterday’s ebook price-fixing lawsuit judgment, make it Adam Engst’s.” In more cheerful news, Dropbox is celebrating a new data-syncing API for developers, but can it compete with iCloud? We asked a couple of leading developers in the Apple ecosystem. Are you a fan of LaunchBar, but don’t think you’re making the most of it? Well, good news. Kirk McElhearn’s “Take Control of LaunchBar” is here, with tasty tidbits that even most seasoned users aren’t aware of. Apple blogger and LaunchBar fan Shawn Blanc said, “If you use LaunchBar, you’re going to want this book. I’ve been reading through it over the past few days and have learned several new things that I’m putting to good use already.” In additional Take Control news, we’ve published Chapter 4 of Jeff Carlson’s in-progress “Take Control of Your Digital Photos” for TidBITS members — check it out for a set of best practices for importing photos to reduce organizational work later on. We wrap up the issue with the latest installment of FunBITS about Desert Bus, which gives you the thrill of a summer road trip from the comfort of your couch, all for a great cause. Notable software releases this week include ReadKit 2.2, Instacast 1.0.2, AirPort Utility 6.3.1 for Mac, Cloud Mate 1.5.6, DEVONthink and DEVONnote 2.6, and PDFpen and PDFpenPro 6.0.4.

Adam Engst 6 comments

“Take Control of LaunchBar” Reveals Powerful LaunchBar Features

If you’re not a LaunchBar user, our latest ebook, Kirk McElhearn’s “Take Control of LaunchBar,” will teach you how to do almost anything on your Mac via the keyboard. And if you are already a LaunchBar aficionado, chances are that you’re experiencing only a fraction of LaunchBar’s goodness, and reading “Take Control of LaunchBar” can open a world of new LaunchBar possibilities up to you.

Adam Engst 140 comments

Explaining the Apple Ebook Price Fixing Suit

After reading through the full 160-page opinion from U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in ruling against Apple in the ebook price fixing suit, Adam Engst attempts to answer the many questions raised by those who haven’t taken the time to absorb all of what Cote said.

TidBITS Staff No comments

ExtraBITS for 15 July 2013

After an Independence Day lull, our ExtraBITS are back in force. Adam Engst appeared on Your Mac Life and The Tech Night Owl last week to discuss the Apple ebook price fixing verdict. In more amusing legal news, a Tennessee lawyer is blaming Apple’s lack of Internet filters for his porn addiction. However, Apple could do a better job of filtering pirated apps from the App Store, which is an increasing problem for developers. Speaking of the App Store, Dave Addey has analyzed which apps Apple features, and has found some interesting global trends. But maybe you should take a break from those apps — it turns out that mobile devices can make you both timid and fat. Finally, PCWorld is ending its 30-year print run to concentrate on its Web publication.