MacOS Boxee Crashes When iPhone Remote Connects

Posted by eric on January 1, 2012 No comments | 218 views

There are several new reports on the Boxee Forums that the new Mac OS version of Boxee 1.5.0.23267 crashes when the iPhone Boxee Remote App tries to connect to it.

Boxee is no-cost Home Theater PC (HTPC) software that is easy to use and quick to setup. It allows users that have their Mac, Windows or Linux PCs connected to an HDTV to easily navigate music, movies, tv shows and other media using a powerful and intuitive interface with large on-screen controls similar to that of a cable box or other familiar set top box.

Aside from a few tweaks to their simple keyboard interface I highly recommend this solution. And when the iPhone Remote issue is fixed, it’s a dream to use your iPhone to navigate the media on your computer without a mouse or keyboard.

Boxee can be found here: www.boxee.tv

If you have a Boxee box of your own, post your experiences, comments and opinions here. Let us know what you think!

Trouble with Midnight iPhone 4S Pre-orders

Posted by eric on October 7, 2011 No comments | 171 views

Early early early birds waiting patiently for the 12am start of iPhone 4S pre-orders were faced with a rather frustrating pre-order process using Apple’s web site or the iOS “Apple Store” app. First, the “Come Back Soon” message, which is customary just before the midnight timeline, stuck around quite a bit past midnight. About 45 minutes past. Then rumors on various Mac blogger sites started to come in that pre-orders from the Verizon web site were working since BEFORE midnight. Frustrating the rest of us trying to access through AT&T, Apple or Sprint’s web sites.

Next, accounts started coming in consistently that Sprint’s site was taking orders flawlessly, next AT&T’s site, the same, meanwhile Apple’s sites were still locked down. Finally, when Apple’s services became available, the method I chose, mistakenly, was unbelievably inconsistent. Shopping cart erroring, validation forms erroring, checkout processes erroring. Then, after many reloads, and start overs, it seemed as if I was actually able to complete a pre-order, then the final checkout/payment process timed out after a minute of ‘spinning’ with an error.

After that, I was ready to go straight to my carrier, whose site and order process worked perfectly. I was even able to retain my Unlimited Data Plan for the same price. Initially the shopping cart complained about it. It then forced me to exchange the plan for the 4S Unlimited Data Plan, which was just 2 clicks. After that, my checkout, receipt and confirmation email came through smoothly.

I wonder, 2 hours later, after all the clicking and frustration, would it have been worth waiting in line?

If you have had a similar or different experience tell us in the comments below.

Apple.com – Access Denied! (Updated)

Posted by eric on October 4, 2011 1 comment | 433 views

Just minutes after the iPhone 4S announcement, the Apple.com web site is reporting “Access Denied.” However, you can go directly to the store, store.apple.com, however, that has a message to come back soon while they’re updating for the new iPhone.

Meanwhile, the new iPhone 4S has some great new enhancements. A largely expected 8 megapixel camera, with more sophisticated features for low light handling and detail. Video shooting up to 1080p. And, the amazing Siri, voice control. Previously, iPhones could take voice commands for playing music and dialing contacts. With Siri, however, it looks like the sky’s the limit. From asking the time, the weather, directions to a nearby fast food establishment, to dictating emails. Siri, looks like a great new technology.

UPDATE! Since we posted this, Apple has restored the home page of their site. Yay.

 

HP Touchpad for $99!

Posted by eric on August 21, 2011 No comments | 242 views

As recently as last night (Saturday night) I have actually seen those ‘Glee’ commercials for the HP Touchpad. You’d think they could pull these since the product has been discontinued. Then, we see a $99 blowout of the price, but the only confirmed reports I could find for these prices were in Canada. The US, UK and EU hadn’t had these clearance prices yet. (If you have a confirmed $99 purchase in the US please post in the comments!)

After doing some of my own “Googling” in my area, it showed all of the Office Depot locations having this product for $130. So we made an effort to get up early this Sunday morning (9am is early for us on a Sunday) and try to get our own blowout HP Touchpad. Unfortunately, they were sold out. A drive by the nearby Staples confirmed the same thing.

Oh well. Regardless of the phantom $99 Touchpads, we were able to use a demo unit at Office Depot (which they said they weren’t selling because they weren’t “full, normal Touchpads.”) After tapping around, holding it, etc, I can confirm, this thing is slow, bulky and heavier than our iPad 2.

The reason we wanted one is that I am a developer and there’s rumor that Android will be ported to the Touchpad. I figured, for $99, it was worth it.

I guess we have to wait until the next ‘iPad killer’ arrives, or buy one of the many HP Touchpads on eBay for under $250.

 

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