The Modern Materialist

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• Apple Keynote LiveBlog

  You know what time it is, Materialistas? It's Apple Time! Time for Steve Jobs' World-Wide Developer Conference Keynote, that is. Though I'm not in San Fran for the announcment, I will be updating this very post in a semi-live-blog, as the announcements of amazing, god-like devices roll out. So bookmark this page, and keep refreshin', because the updating should begin shortly (say, around 1pm EST). Oh, and for clarities sake, I'll be posting the most recent updates at the bottom, so scroll down for the latest info. Read More... Posted Jun 09 2008, 12:00 PM by Alex Zalben with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Apple, computers, iPhone, iPod, Macs, live-blog

• First Picture of iPhone 2

  For those of you who live under a rock, you probably don’t know that Monday is Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference. More specifically, Monday is the day that Steve Jobs will announce the new iPhone, which is guaranteed to cure world hunger. Well, Australia’s MacTalk has the first official picture of the iPhone 2, and I’ve reposted it below: Read More... Posted Jun 06 2008, 01:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, Apple, iPhone, tech

• Hands On: The New iMac

  Very, very rarely do I buy myself a nice big present, but coincidence at fate brought me to this point, and so I embraced it. Some background: I’ve had the same laptop since 2004 or so, which replaced the same version of laptop, which I had previously lost in the back of a cab (long, awful story). It was/is a PowerBook G4, and I’ve loved it for as long as I’ve known it. So much so, that it’s in my bio blurb, over to your right. More on this sad tale, and hands on pictures with the new iMac, after the jump...  Read More... Posted May 02 2008, 11:00 AM by Alex Zalben with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: gadgets, Apple, tech, hands on

• Geek Out: New iMacs

  Yesterday I was walking down the street, and there was an Apple G3 desktop sitting in the trash with the note, “Works! No hard drive,” on it. I almost took it home, which shows how much I love Apple stuff, cause I really don’t need a slow computer with no hard drive, plug, or software. Or, you know, a monitor. But I could definitely use one of these: Read More... Posted Apr 28 2008, 09:30 AM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, Apple, computers, tech, Geek Out

• Apple Announces iPhone Car

  Tuesdays have traditionally seen Apple Store updatings, and this Tuesday is no different. Usually, there's a bump in MacBook drive size, or a new color of iPod Nano. This Tuesday? It’s a big one… New iPhones, made so you can actually use them in your car. Yes, let it sink in. We've got your first look at it, and a few more deets, after the jump...    Read More... Posted Apr 01 2008, 11:00 AM by Alex Zalben with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: gadgets, Apple, tech, phones, April Fool's Day

• Apple Sound System

  First, a disclaimer: I do not own an iPhone, nor do I really care to have one anytime soon. Frankly, I spend way too much time online as it is, I hate phones and generally go a couple of days without even using the one I already have, and I only use my iPod when I exercise, which is as infrequently as I can get away with and still be in relatively decent shape. Also, if I had an extra $400 to spend, I'd rather get some cute dresses and shoes. And maybe a pair of earrings. And a manicure. That said, I'd never turn down a free iPhone, and as long as I had a free iPhone, I'd totally be all about this awesome iPhone audio system, which automatically pauses the music when the phone rings, not that I really care about hearing the phone ring, since I'll probably just ignore the call anyway, but it's a cool feature just the same. I mean, if you're into that kind of stuff. [$199.95, Apple] via Productdose  Posted Mar 04 2008, 05:30 PM by Wendy Atterberry with | with no comments Filed under: Apple, tech

• Tuesday Apple Store Update: New Shuffles and Laptops

  [Apple Store, Prices Below] If it’s Tuesday, it must be time for an Apple Store update. Since the beginning of the year, every week we’ve been getting trickles of new products with little or no fanfare*. This Tuesday is no different, with at least three new-ish products gracing the virtual shelves. Check out all the new hotness after the jump...  Read More... Posted Feb 26 2008, 10:30 AM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: gadgets, Apple, tech

• iPod Nano: The Largening

  All you need to make to watch larger video on your iPod Nano is re-code the video so it plays upside down, copy it to your Nano, take an old slide viewer, cut it up, insert speakers, and you're ready to go. Or, you know, don't buy an iPod Nano: Posted Feb 21 2008, 09:30 AM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: Videos, Apple, iPod

• At Least Your Guitar CASE Can Play Music

  I believe this product might have been made by a company who has no idea who plays guitars, and who listens to iPods, and that those people sometimes hate each other. In fact, I would put the ven diagram of those two subsections far remote from the people who would actually use the Gator Lightweight Electric Guitar/iPod Case. Here, you know what? I made you guys a diagram: More details after the jump...   Read More... Posted Feb 20 2008, 03:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: Apple, iPod, Music, Amazon

• Product Porn: New iPhone Ad

  To make this ad work properly, say in your snottiest, most sarcastic voice, "What's so great about having the internet in your pocket, anyway?" Add an empty, hollow laugh, then press play: To be honest, iPhone ads are kind of like the Playboy of Product Porn at this point, aren't they? Meaning, you'll look at 'em if they're there, remember when they used to get you all hot and bothered, and then move on to something far dirtier. Posted Feb 20 2008, 12:00 PM by Alex Zalben with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Videos, Apple, Product Porn

• Apple Update: iPod Shuffle Price Drop

  If it’s Tuesday, that must mean there’s an update to the Apple Store*. This Tuesday’s price drop/product add is a particularly good one for those of you holding out on picking up an iPod Shuffle… The price has dropped to $49. This is for the 1GB version, of course, not the 2GB version. That’s right, a 2GB version of everybody’s favorite matchbook sized mp3 player is hitting stores soon, giving further credence to the rumored Big Apple Announcement™ next week. When the 2GB model hits, it’ll cost $69, which is still less than the 1GB version was as of yesterday. So what’s up, Apple fans? Is this the sort of price drop/storage bump that will make you pick up the little randomized music player that could? [$49, Apple] *Okay, not entirely accurate, but OFTEN accurate. Posted Feb 19 2008, 12:30 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: Apple, iPod

• Great Moments In Product-story: 1984

  There's been a lot of talk, with Apple's domination of the mp3 player market, that the House That Jobs Built is now the very thing it said it wasn't, back in 1984. I'm going to go out on a limb and say, "that's ridiculous," with a side of "if Big Brother gives us awesome shiny toys, then sign me up for the faceless technocracy." That debate aside, the 1984 commercial is a classic bit of marketing. Though Apple's approx. 6% share of the PC market over the past eighteen years may speak to how effectively they've taken down Big Brother, the impact of the advertisment is still very real, and very strong. I wonder whatever happened to the director? If you've got a suggestion for a great video you want us to post, let us know! Posted Feb 14 2008, 12:00 PM by Alex Zalben with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Videos, Apple

• Great Moments In Product-story: The Great iPhone Robbery

  Continuing our look back at the great moments in product video history of yester-year (literally; most of these are from last year), remember that time the iPhone came out? And a Fox News reporter was interviewing an analyst who had the iPhone in advance of it's launch? And some guy tried to grab the iPhone? But instead he grabbed the news reporter's microphone? Good times: If you've got a suggestion for a great video you want us to post, let us know! Posted Feb 12 2008, 12:00 PM by Alex Zalben with | with no comments Filed under: Videos, Apple