If you're feeling nostalgic for the "good 'old days" of your youth misspend in front of a Mac Plus or Mac II running System 6, why not start by giving new life to your first mouse?

The old rectangular ADB mouse (frequently available at thrift and second-hand stores, these days) are easily modified to work like Apple's latest, the Mighty Mouse. In fact, its as simple as doing a complete transplant of the latter's inner workings to the former.

Best of all, you'll have a very cool-looking mouse with 'vintage' style and cutting-edge functionality...rather like a putting a fuel injected  V-6 into your '32 Chevy Rumble seat Roadster...

Check out the full article for more details!

I-O Data has provided a device that would revolutionize the way we see and use the Mac.

Okay, that was exaggeration, but this new device really is interesting because it's going to transform the Mac into a real Media Center.

I-O Data has just presented its GV-1394TV/M3 which is a case with an integrated TV tuner that will allow you to record TV broadcasts straight to the Mac. This unit also has a software compatible to iDVD, iMovie 6 and iLife 6. Recording videos in MPEG4/H.264 which you can use for the iPod Video is also easy.

Take a look at the GV-1394TV/M3 (although it's not really an attractive device) I'm sure it'll be an important instrument for the Mac soon.

As I wandered by Apple's website today (as I do most days), I saw a new banner along the bottom proclaiming some involvement between Nike and Apple. I clicked, and I like what I've seen.

Nike will soon be releasing a new line of shoes, called Nike+.  Beyond whatever latest and greatest shoe technology they posses, there's a small pocket beneath the sole.  What goes in the pocket, is available for $29 as the Nike+ iPod Sport Pack.  The Sport Pack gets you a small sensor that fits in the shoe's sole-pocket, and a wireless receiver that plugs into your iPod Nano.  (I'll assume a regular iPod will work too, but is just considered too heavy/bulky.)

So while you run, the sensor relays data to the iPod, which then notifies you of average pace, distances, time, etc via voice over top of your music.  You can set exercise-length playlists, have 'boost' songs for those tough uphill segments of your run, and then download your exercise results to your computer when you're through.  Your results can be tracked over time, and Nike even has a great website setup for comparing results, finding music, and tracking your own progress. 

Previously Apple charged 1.5% of the wholesale price per unit for use of their proprietary iPod dock connector, but as of yesterday (May 10th) the dock connector license is a flat fee of $4 USD.

Apple has refused to comment on the fee. The move is set to favor the manufacturers of high end iPod accessories such as Bose, Jamo, Altec Lansing and Hi Fi manufacturers who are selling iPod connector or docking stations. It's also set to please who late last year were angry with Apple over the move to increase license fees.

The move makes managing the program for Apple easier and also  makes it more affordable for manufacturers to produce accessories compatible with the dock connector.

If you've got an iSight camera for your Mac, you may be interested in trying the open source project, Gawker.  It allows you to create time-lapse movies of whatever the camera is pointed at.  You can even grab 'feeds' from other iSights on your network, using Apple's Bonjour networking.  Combine various feeds to do a multi-view time lapse from two angles, etc.  Seems like a fun thing to try - though I don't know how useful it is.  I'll have to test it out and see.  If you've tried it and have some thoughts, please share!  Course if your iSight is built in - as it is with the new Intel Macs - we probably won't care to see time lapse of you coding or something.  Check out the project website for some example movies - the one of ice melting is pretty cool actually.

Because of Apple's decision to abandon the PCMCIA expansion slot that is pretty much the norm throughout the laptop industry today, the lack of wireless cards has been a little more than vexing for owners of Apple's new computers.

Addressing the need for a selection of wireless cards, IT Wire is reporting that a San Francisco-based company by the name of Novatel Wireless is planning on making available, "The industry's first CDMA 1x EV-DO and WCDMA HSDPA cards in the Expresscard/34 format." Some early samples of the products have been shown and the company is continuing to develop the use of these cards in future notebooks.

Were you one of those people who felt let down by Apple's lack of expressionism in their products? Did you feel lost without your iPod Video not suiting your older silver iPod Mini? Well since about the year 2000 a company based in Winona, MN called ColorwarePC have decided to take it upon them to push the art of professional and clean customization to the max. Their result? A fine range of products mainly involving Apple, which can be coloured to suit your needs and your preferences.

This comes at a cost; for their most popular products, most likely a 60GB iPod Video, customization costs a further $95. However the line doesn't just end at iPod Video and Nano's, no my friends, you can now get your Intel Laboured iMac's and Mac Mini's changed, as well as your iBook and PowerMac. These services once expanded further, including consoles, but they have since ceased this opportunity.

As a product, I think this is a very unique opportunity in that you can own a piece of modern life, safely in the knowledge that no one around you will be able to dazzle you, but instead you can woo the crowds with a special item. Get this too, the company also color codes all your accessories, now that's just amazing! I'm thinking about one of the iPod Video's, but only as soon as I can foot the bill for shipping to the UK, but still, those in the US can get a much cheaper incentive.

Turn your iPod nano into a home stereo with Xitel's HiFi-Link for iPod nano. This new docking station, which is designed specifically for iPod nanos, "replicates the the high-end outputs of audophile grade equipment" for that high quality sound you can enjoy in the comforts of your home. It comes with a remote powerful enough to control your iPod within 50 feet away. Now, if you don't have those powerful surround sound system that you've always wanted, don't fret because you can connect your iPod to your boombox or powered speaker. It's still powerful enough to wake the neighbors up.

"By processing the cleanest possible signal from nano's base connector, HiFi-Link for iPod nano provides exceptionally pure and dynamic audio for a true high-fidelity experience. It features adjustable SRS TruBass signal processing, which significantly enhances the lower frequencies of all music. Using sophisticated psychoacoustics, HiFi-Link for iPod nano adds back the warmth and depth audio compression takes away."

HiFi-Link for iPod nano is priced at $69.95 and will be available in mid-April through CompUSA, through CompUSA, J&R, Frys and theXitel's website.

So you can't wait to get your hands on the touch screen technology for iMacs. If it's easy for you to shell out $2,275 or $2,675, then head on to Troll Touch's Valencia, California facilities to get your new full-touched enabled 17- and 20-inch iMac Core Duos. If you're running low on funds, then have your iMacs converted for only $869 and $1045, for the 17 and 20 inch iMacs, respectively. The prices already include both outbound (to the facility) and return shipping. 

"Troll Touch seamlessly integrates its PSR-1 touch technology on a variety of Macs, including the iMac, eMac, iBook laptops and the Apple Cinema displays. The company's touchscreen technology operates with any non-sharp pointing device, such as a stylus, fingertip or gloved hand."

For almost 2 years Apple was the un-rivaled winner of the 30" display world.  This past January however, Dell took a shot across Apple's bow with the release of their own 30" display, the UltraSharp 3007WFP.  CNET puts them through the test in a side-by-side stand off of features and performance.  (linked below)

Comparing features and performance alone, Apple barely edges out the victory in this match.  However, if you were to weigh the flexibility of the displays (Dell rocks media card reader slots, audio-in, and 4 USB ports to Apple's 2 USB and 2 FireWire) as well as the costs of each, Dell would be a hands-down winner.  The Dell retails for $2200 compared to Apple's at $2500.  (However you can probably find slightly better deals on the Dell with a little effort.)

The LCD panels were unconfirmed as to their origins, but since the 2 companies' 20" displays use the same panel, it's wagered that the same applies to the 30-inchers as well.  I've personally got the Dell 20" display, and it's fantastic, and half the price of the Apple competition.  I think I could find it in my heart to give the UltraSharp 3007WFP a chance as well.  Donation line forms to the right.