The Inside Mac Radio Show Podcast Feed (RSS 2.0/XML)

Scott Sheppard takes a lighthearted look at what's new and exciting in the world of the Macintosh computer in this one-hour weekly radio show. From the digital hub to the den of the Panther operating system, Scott is always on top of what is happening in the world of Macintosh and has his finger on the pulse of the industry. With a tasty serving of news, reviews, information, and interviews, Inside Mac is all Mac, all the time, and one of the unique tech shows on radio today.

Subscribe to the Insiders Club - Inside Mac Radio
Insiders Club subscribers will be sent an announcement telling you about what's going on this weeks show and about future guests, contests, giveaways, downloadable show archives and special deals for Insiders Club subscribers.

Inside Mac - October 2nd 2004

LIVE 1-3pm Pacific - Call Us At 800-490-0058

Listen / Download the October 2nd, 2004 Show

The Inside Mac Radio Show - October 2nd 2004 Podcast Feed (RSS 2.0/XML)

Danika Cleary - iPod Product Manager - Apple Computer

Apple Introduces the New iPod

Fourth Generation iPod Features Apple's Click Wheel & 12 Hour Battery Life

Apple introduced the new iPod, the fourth generation of the world's number one portable digital music player, featuring Apple's patent pending Click Wheel, which combines the smooth and continuous scrolling of a touch-sensitive wheel with five push buttons for superior one handed navigation. The new iPod also features up to 12 hours battery life and Shuffle Songs, a new command in the main menu which gives users instant access to one of the most exciting new ways to listen to their music library. All iPods work effortlessly with Apple's iTunes, providing music fans with the best digital jukebox on either a Mac or Windows computer and access to the iTunes Music Store, the number one digital music service in the world. The new iPod is available immediately in a 20GB model for $299 and a 40GB model for $399.

"The best digital music player just got better," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "The fourth generation iPod features Apple's amazing Click Wheel for superb one handed control, 12 hour battery life and the new Shuffle Songs command in the main menu--all in an even smaller design that puts up to 10,000 songs in your pocket."

"HP has chosen iPod and iTunes as the best products to integrate in to our digital entertainment strategy," said Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer at HP. "We decided to wait for this amazing new fourth generation iPod, as it will offer our customers an even better experience. HP's version of the new iPod will be available in September."

iPod features Apple's patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads an entire digital music library onto iPod and keeps it up-to-date whenever it is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using FireWire(R) or USB. Users can transfer two songs per second from their Mac or Windows computer and can now conveniently charge iPod with either the included FireWire or USB cable.

Pricing & Availability

The new 20GB and 40GB iPods are available immediately for a suggested retail price of just $299 (US) for the 20GB iPod and $399 (US) for the 40GB iPod through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Both iPods include earbud headphones, 1.2m 30-pin to FireWire cable, a 1.2m 30-pin to USB cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.6 for Mac and Windows computers. The 40GB model also includes an iPod dock.

Optional accessories with the following suggested retail prices include the iPod Dock for $39 (US) and in-ear headphones for $39 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod for $19 (US) and can include two lines of text with up to 27 characters per line.

iPod requires a Mac with a FireWire port and Mac OS(R) X version 10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X v10.2 or later recommended); or a Windows PC with a FireWire or USB port, or a Windows-certified FireWire or USB card and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional.

Apple Introduces iPod mini

Smallest 1,000 Song Music Player Ever Comes in Five Colors

Apple introduced iPod mini, the smallest portable music player ever to hold up to 1,000 CD-quality songs. iPod mini is encased in an ultra-portable, lightweight anodized aluminum body available in five stylish colors--silver, gold, pink, blue or green--and features a patent pending, touch-sensitive Click Wheel for easy, one-handed navigation. iPod mini features the same award-winning user interface as its "big brother" iPods and works effortlessly with Apple's iTunes(R) Music Store, the world's number one digital music service, and the iTunes digital music jukebox software for seamlessly buying, managing and listening to digital music collections.

"iPod has revolutionized the way people listen to music," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPod mini joins the iPod family of best-selling digital music players, offering customers the same 1,000 songs in your pocket as the original iPod in an innovative design that's half the size. We think its going to be pretty popular, especially with younger music lovers."

iPod mini is the perfect combination of ultra-portable design, storage capacity, ease-of-use and audio performance. iPod mini is smaller than most cell phones and weighs only 3.6 ounces. Building on the success of the original touch wheel, iPod mini features an innovative, new Click Wheel that combines the ease and simplicity of a touch wheel with the precision of mechanical buttons for precise, one-handed navigation. iPod mini users can transfer a song per second from their Mac(R) or Windows computer and conveniently charge iPod mini with either the included FireWire or USB 2.0 cable.

iPod mini is the ultimate fashion statement with a choice of five stylish colors--silver, gold, pink, blue or green--the hallmark white headphones and a new belt clip. With a backlit, recessed screen and lightweight, yet durable anodized aluminum, iPod mini is the ultimate portable digital music player. Users can purchase an optional arm band, in-ear headphones or a dock to enhance their iPod mini experience.

iPod mini features Apple's patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads an entire digital music library onto iPod mini and keeps it up-to-date whenever iPod mini is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using FireWire or USB 2.0.

Users can personalize their new iPod mini with a custom laser engraving on the back. iPod mini can be custom engraved with a name or personal message to commemorate special events such as a graduation, birthday or a winning team's season, as well as for identification in case they lose their iPod.

iPod mini for Mac and Windows will be available in the US in February for a suggested retail price of $249 (US), and will be available worldwide in April, in a choice of a silver, gold, pink, blue or green 4GB model with a belt clip. iPod mini will be available through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod minis will include earbud headphones, an Apple iPod mini power adapter, a 1.2m 30-pin to FireWire cable, a 1.2m 30-pin to USB 2.0 cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.2 for Mac and Windows computers.

Optional accessories with the following suggested retail prices include the iPod Dock for $39 (US), in-ear headphones for $39 (US) and arm band for $29 (US). Laser engraving is available for iPod mini for $19 (US) and can include two lines of text with up to 23 characters per line.

iPod mini can be charged with either the FireWire or USB 2.0 cable and gets up to eight hours of battery life. iPod mini requires a Mac with a FireWire port and Mac OS(R) X version 10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X v10.2 or later recommended); or a Windows PC with a FireWire or USB 2.0 port, or a Windows-certified FireWire or USB 2.0 card and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional.

Xander Soren - GarageBand Product Manager - Apple Computer

As the Product Line Manager for consumer audio applications at Apple, Xander Soren is a senior member of the iLife marketing team, responsible for the product definition and worldwide marketing of GarageBand and its supporting products. In a former role, Soren was the original product manager for iTunes, participated in the planning and launch of iPod, and was one of the product designers for GarageBand, Soundtrack and Apple Loops. Soren joined Apple in 2001 after working at Sonic Foundry, where he managed the product marketing of their consumer software line. He received his Bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Apple Introduces Two New Jam Packs

Apple introduced two new Jam Packs for its GarageBand music creation software, giving musicians and aspiring musicians alike all of the loops and software instruments they need to create music in the genre of their choice. Jam Pack 2: Remix Tools makes it easy to produce compelling dance, hip-hop and electronica tracks; and Jam Pack 3: Rhythm Section offers songwriters a complete backing band to help build a professional sounding foundation for their rock, alternative and country music.

"GarageBand and the original Jam Pack made it possible for anyone, regardless of their musical background, to easily create great sounding music on their Mac," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Marketing. "With these two new Jam Packs, musicians and aspiring musicians can delve deeper into their favorite genre. GarageBand just got better."

Jam Pack 2: Remix Tools offers more than 2,000 additional loops, 20 new beat kits (Techno, R&B, House, Trance), new synth and sound effect instruments and classic drum machines from Roland (TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, CR-78), turning the Mac(R) into an easy-to-use, all-in-one dance and urban music production tool. Jam Pack 3: Rhythm Section includes an additional 2,000 loops and over 50 new instruments to make GarageBand an even more powerful music creation tool. New drums (Jazz Brushes, Indie Rock, Warehouse Kit), basses (Motown, Liverpool, Progressive Rock, Unplugged) and guitars (Dobro Slide, Bluegrass Banjo, Bluesy Acoustic, Heavy Metal Electric) are a sample of the professional-quality software instruments that come with Rhythm Section.

"With GarageBand I have an amazing backing band even when I'm writing songs at home," said Ed Robertson, guitarist and vocalist for the Barenaked Ladies. "The instruments and loops in the new Jam Pack 3: Rhythm Section sound incredibly realistic and natural--even acoustic and folk instruments, which are typically difficult to recreate on a computer."

"I've listened to all of the sound modules and libraries out there for dance music and the quality of Remix Tools is the best I've ever heard," said Chris Cox, Grammy nominated dance remix producer for artists Madonna, Britney Spears, Cher, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera. "I can literally use these loops and instruments to cut a record today. It's almost scary to know that everyone will have access to so many great sounds."

GarageBand, part of Apple's award-winning iLife '04 suite of digital lifestyle applications, allows both novice and seasoned musicians to easily play, record and create amazing music using a remarkably simple interface. With GarageBand, recorded performances, digital audio and looping tracks can easily be arranged and edited like building blocks to create a song. Songs made with GarageBand can be imported into iTunes and used within movie or slideshow projects created with iMovie, iPhoto and iDVD.

Apple offers a complete line of integrated music creation tools that addresses the needs of consumers, students, educators, creative pros and professional musicians alike. For consumers, GarageBand turns the Mac into a high-quality musical instrument and complete recording studio. Logic Pro 7 is Apple's professional music creation and audio production software line for musicians and audio engineers. Logic Express 7 is a streamlined version of Logic, providing a basic set of professional tools for students, educators and advanced hobbyists. GarageBand Jam Packs, including the new Remix Tools and Rhythm Section packs, provide additional professional quality loops and instruments for GarageBand, Logic Express 7 and Logic Pro 7 for $99. Projects created with GarageBand can be easily imported into Logic Express 7 and Logic Pro 7, providing an easy upgrade path for music hobbyists who are ready to graduate to a more advanced audio production tool. Additionally, everything learned in Logic Express 7 is directly transferable to Logic Pro 7.

Pricing & Availability The new Jam Packs are available now through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $99 (US) each. Jam Pack 1 is also available for a suggested retail price of $99 (US). GarageBand comes bundled with all new Macs and is available as part of iLife '04, for a suggested retail price of $49 (US) through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

GarageBand and Jam Packs require Mac OS X v10.2.6 or later, QuickTime 6.4 or later, a Macintosh computer with PowerPC 600 MHz or faster G3, G4, or G5 processor, 256MB or more physical RAM and a 1024x768 or larger display. A G4 or G5 processor is required for GarageBand software instruments.

Ben Willmore - Digitalmastery

A senior engineer from NASA once said that this man gave the best technical seminar he ever attended. That same year a computer-phobic who had been struggling with Photoshop for years proclaimed that "He takes the Boogie Man out of Photoshop!" This seems to be Ben Willmore's special gift; he has an uncanny ability to connect with users of every level and mindset; whether it's first-timers taking their first sniff of Photoshop, or razor-sharp nerds and nerdettes who are on the fast track to technical illumination. The common echo that Ben leaves in his wake seems to be "Aha! I finally GET Photoshop!"

To date, Ben has personally taught over 30,000 Photoshop users on three continents. His descriptions of Curves and Channels are thought to be the best in the industry and his breakthrough teaching style of "not-just-how-but-why," has made him the in-house instructor of choice for companies such as Mercedes Benz, Adobe Systems, America Online, the U.S. Airforce, Lexis Nexis and Fisher-Price Toys. His award-winning, best-selling book, Adobe Photoshop Studio Techniques is said to be "Arguably, one of the best Photoshop books ever written." by Photoshop User's publisher, Jim Workman. He is co-author (with Jack Davis) of the just released "How to Wow: Photoshop for Photographers", creator of the best-selling Master Series videos, as well as a co-author of the How to Wow: Photoshop for Photography book.

He continues to be a featured speaker at publishing conferences and events worldwide, including Photoshop World, American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Royal Photographic Society of England. He's a member of the Dream Team for NAPP and writes for numerous digital imaging and photography publications, including a monthly column for Photoshop User magazine. In 2004 he was inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame at PhotoshopWorld. His reputation as the "expert's expert" prompted NAPP's president, Scott Kelby, to say, "When we get stuck, we call Ben!" His home office is perched at 8,000 ft. in the Colorado rockies, where he is often joined by a herd of elk and a lone coyote.

2004 Hands-on Seminars - Photoshop for Photographers

• Oct. 14-15 * San Francisco, CA
• Oct. 21-22 * Boulder, CO
• Oct. 28-29 * Minneapolis, MN

Finally...a Photoshop seminar designed just for photographers! Unlike most Photoshop seminars geared toward the graphic designer, Ben cuts away the fat and goes right to the heart of what is essential to working photographers. Ben has been helping photography professionals achieve a breakthrough understanding of Photoshop for over a decade. But the real advantage in attending Photoshop for Photographers is Ben's signature style of teaching--focusing not just on the "how," but the "why." After two days with Ben, you will gain the absolute understanding you need to make a successful transition from darkroom chemicals to digital processing. Registration is limited to 20 people.

What You Will Learn:

Starting Your Digital Workflow

If you're shooting digital, it's time to overhaul your workflow. Learn the most efficient way possible as Ben shows you how shooting digitally is different than working with film, and how to avoid the most common pitfalls. You'll learn why underexposing is better than overexposing and how to avoid blowing out the detail in highlights or plugging up shadow detail. We'll cover:

• Critical Decision-making: Raw or JPG formats?
• How to think about Histograms
• File Browser efficiency tricks
• Using the Camera Raw plug-in
• Simplifying color management
• Choosing between 8- or 16- bit

The Secrets to Image Quality

Learn the step-by-step process professionals use to get perfect images from every shot. You'll learn how to deal with correcting and preparing photos from digital cameras, desktop scanners and 35 mm slide scanners, and how to make sure your photos have accurate color and idealized contrast. Topics include:

• How to avoid common color correction pitfalls
• How to avoid unknowingly damaging your photos
• Quick fixes for underexposed and overexposed photos
• How to bring back lost or hidden detail
• How to understand and apply tonal Curves

Color & Tonal Manipulation

This session teaches you how to think about digital color and further optimize the color and tonality of your photos. You'll learn:

• The secret to working with Adjustment Layers
• Working with masks for local adjustments
• Going beyond standard saturation bumps
• How to get dead on skin tones
• Digital dodging and burning techniques

Retouching & Collage Secrets

This session is a must attend for anyone who is serious about retouching and collaging photos. You'll learn highly affective techniques for repairing damaged images and enhancing photos from the author of the best-selling book Photoshop CS Studio Techniques. You'll see exactly how it's done including:

• Seamlessly removing spots, specs and dirt
• Fixing damaged or missing objects
• Amazing tips for enhancing eyes, teeth and lips
• How to remove facial blemishes while retaining detail and grain
• How to use Layer Masks to blend images together
• How to create photographic edge effects

Ben's Power Tips

We'll cover some little-known features in Photoshop and learn to radically transform your images in minutes. You'll be amazed at what's lurking beneath the surface and how dramatically some of these under-appreciated features will improve your work:

• How to automate color correction
• Combining two exposures to create an idealized image
• Digital sun block lotion for sunburnt skin
• Sharpening secrets of the pros
• How to colorize grayscale images
• Which file formats to use and why
• How to optimize your digital workflow for your specific needs

The Handbook

When you attend this seminar, you will receive a copy of Ben's sought-after handbook, Photoshop for Photographers. It covers almost all of the seminar content in detail, so you can easily reproduce all the techniques when you get back to your home or office.

Adobe Photoshop CS Studio Techniques

ISBN: 0321213521
Published: FEB 11, 2004
720 pages

If you're ready to go from Photoshop competent to Photoshop enlightened, this is the place to turn. In these pages, revered Photoshop instructor Ben Willmore explains the whys behind the how's so that you can unleash Photoshop CS' full creative potential. In a friendly, easy-going style that's long on information and short on techno-babble, Ben explains the concepts, features, and techniques that promise to make a real difference in the way you use Photoshop CS. Complex concepts like curves and channels are made crystal clear, and features new to Photoshop CS--like the very cool PhotoMerge function for creating panoramic composite images, support for nested layers, and more--are covered in the depth they deserve. After a quick grounding in the tools, palettes, layers, and masks at the program's core, Ben gets into the real-world production techniques that make up the heart of this volume: sharpening scans, correcting and optimizing images, and more.

Sam's Cool Mac Pick's - October 2nd 2004

Xtreme's Xtremity Accessory System (for iPod 4G and iPod mini)

Ultimate versatility case for your iPod and iPod mini.

Use on your hip, around your neck and in the car.. Xtremity does it all!

Xtremity System
MSRP: $29.99
http://www.xtrememac.com
(note: Available through Apple online and Apple Retail Stores - http://www.apple.com)

iSkin's EVO2 and iSkin mini (for 4G iPod, Hp iPod & mini)

One of my personal favorite skins for my iPod.

Some iSkins even glow in the dark.

These iSkins are akin to wearing shoes. Use a different color each day!

iSkins EVO2 support iTrip, Apple's remote, and even has an access door that opens underneath.

EVO2 and iSkin mini comes with a belt clip that can be totally removed as well as a small plastic screen protector to alleviate scratches.

iSkin: it's a fashion statement for one's iPod.

MSRP: $29.95
http://www.iskin.com
(note: Available through Apple online and Apple Retail Stores - http://www.apple.com)

MacMice BT Mouse

What do you get when you cross a two button mouse with a smooth scroll wheel? Simple. Design excellence at an affordable price.

Great style and no software or convoluted pairing necessary. Even comes with two AA batteries.

MacMice BT Mouse
MSRP: $69.95
http://www.macmice.com

Scott Sheppard - Executive Producer / Host

Scott Sheppard is the founder and editor of the popular Macintosh Web Site, http://www.OSXFAQ.com He is also a monthly Contributing Editor to Macworld UK magazine and produces a daily audio broadcast of Mac news and information Inside Mac Radio.

Scott Sheppard previously hosted the Inside Mac Show broadcast by CNET radio.

Scott has been using Apple computers for more than 25 years, as well as spending many years as a Wintel user, giving him the unique perspective of having spent a lot of time on both sides of the computer fence.

Sam Levin - Senior Mac Technologist

Sam Levin Co-Founded the Stanford Mac Users' Group in 1985, and has worked with leading Macintosh developers on business development, licensing, and strategic market development. Sam Directed licensing and business development initiatives for leading companies such as Axio, Virgin Interactive, Broderbund, Chronos, Mattel, Connectix, IBM Multimedia, IXLA, iSkin, Jiiva, Keyspan, Microsoft, MYOB, MacMice, Fathom Pictures, LandWare, Nova Development, Totally Hip Software, Y-E Data and more.

Sam has been using Macs for 20 years, as well as tied into the world of handheld and digital imaging, providing him a special angle on personal computing and consumer electronics.

Ken Ray - UTN Director Of Engineering

Ken Ray has worked both sides of the radio mic for over ten years. He has written and produced comedy bits for an alternative station in Boston, anchored two and half hours of news daily on TechTV Radio, was morning drive personality on an FM country station in the middle of nowhere, was operations director for an AM in Boston, was operations director for an AM in San Francisco, and has logged countless hours in production studios, tearing out everything from down and dirty :30 spots that need to hit the air yesterday to agency spots to long-form infomercials and even longer-form CD projects. Writing news, spots, promos and interstitials also fits somewhere in his repertoire. And he runs a mean radio board for in studio as well as remote broadcasts.

Outside of radio, Ken wrote for the magazine Global Technology Business.

He also makes a darn good bread pudding.

Greg Douglas - UTN Director of Network Operations

Gregory Douglas has fifteen years of experience in the radio, television and computer- related areas. He was the Director of Network Operations for Personal Achievement Radio, which included responsibilities for the production, operation and distribution of the "PAR" format. As the primary individual in charge of the on-air sound for "PAR", Mr. Douglas interacted with the motivational authors, Nightingale-Conant, ABC Radio Networks, PAR O & O's and affiliates and the broadcast talent. He pioneered the transition to digital for the flagship PAR studios. In addition, Mr. Douglas was M.I.S. Manager for Douglas Broadcasting Inc. where he was responsible for the traffic and business computer functions as well as the computer networking of DBI/PAR radio outlets.

Previously, he was the General Manager of DBI's Seattle operation and Station Manager at WBPS-AM in Boston. Also, Mr. Douglas has been involved in almost all areas of broadcasting, including traffic, business, engineering, production and sales.