Google features heavily in TidBITS this week, thanks to Adam’s look at the release of offline access support for Gmail and Doug McLean’s article about the inclusion in Google Earth of ultra-high resolution versions of 14 masterpieces from the Prado Museum in Madrid. That’s right, you can fly around a painting and zoom in far enough to see cracks in the paint. But don’t let Google Earth distract you for too long – Doug anchors this issue with a far more practical article about programs you can use to get your work done while minimizing distractions. Adam also notes that Coinstar machines will turn loose coins into iTunes credit, and Joe Kissell relates how he managed to get one of his current email addresses mentioned in a song recorded 10 years ago. Notable software releases this week include PersonalBrain 5.0.2, Typinator 3.4, iPhone 2.2.1 Software Update, Apple’s iLife Media Browser Update, iDVD 7.0.3, HoudahSpot 2.4, and SpamSieve 2.7.3.
Turn loose change into songs and apps from the iTunes Store via a Coinstar machine.
Spain's Prado Museum is home to a world-class collection of art, and now Google Earth's Prado Museum is offering 14 of its masterpieces on loan, to you!
If you need to create mathematical equations, check out this week's DealBITS drawing for a chance to win a copy of the MathMagic Personal Edition equation editor.
Been avoiding Google's Gmail because of the requirement that you be online at all times when using it? That's no longer necessary, thanks to offline access provided by the just-released Google Gears support for Gmail.
During a bout of insomnia, Joe Kissell cleverly slid his MobileMe email address into a song recorded ten years ago.
Ever find yourself distracted by your own Mac, with windows from your Web browser or sounds generated by incoming mail preventing you from getting down to your real work? Doug McLean set out to find some programs that can help you focus on what's important.
Notable software releases this week include PersonalBrain 5.0.2, Typinator 3.4, iPhone 2.2.1 Software Update, Apple's iLife Media Browser Update, iDVD 7.0.3, HoudahSpot 2.4, and SpamSieve 2.7.3.
Read on for a collection of links to the most interesting articles found or written by the TidBITS staff elsewhere on the Web this week.
Readers are busy trying out the new iLife '09 and configuring hard drives, based on this week's TidBITS Talk discussions. Also touched upon are opinions of Apple's best and worst Macs and related products, connecting devices using HDMI and DVI cables, online security following news of infected illegal downloads, and more.