wwan update (huh)

if you know what this is, they you should be very happy! apple released an update for intel macs to support the new wireless cards from verizon, cingular and sprint/nextel.

i recently had a discussion with sprint/nextel about these cards. they work off the wireless’ cellular network so anywhere you get a wireless signal, you can get online with your computer and card.

we all know that more and more, wireless is available (airports, hotels etc.), but may require payment of some sort and reliability is always a bit shaky. this card, with a good signal and an upgraded “backbone” (which all of the providers are working on right now), will allow cable-modem speeds through a cellular network.

i know sprint was giving away the cards with the purchase of the service – about $75/month for unlimited use. you can see the benefit to someone who travels frequently to places where they may not be sure there is good or any network connection. sit down on a park bench, coffee shop, taxiway (but not during take off please), check your email and off you go.

for someone who is online a lot, needs to be connected and prefers to work on a laptop and already have a cellular account with one of the above providers, check this update and hardware out.

leopard coming soon?

there is rumblings in the apple rumor world that leopard (mac os 10.5.x) will be appearing sometime next month (end of march). if that is the case, many believe iLife and iWork ’07 will show up at the same time.

jaguar has been a “good friend” and wonderful os for the last year plus. i know it (almost) inside out and of course leopard will require some retaining, but i’m looking forward to the ways apple has taken the good and make it better.

i’ll keep an ear to the ground and you can get when leopard shows up, i will have it on my machine as soon as possible (susie’s machine will be another story).

buying refurbished

i heard just the other day that Target was going to start selling factory refurbished iPods… Apple opened a refurbished products store where you can get great deals on Apple Products (from laptops to iPods).

Some personal experiences. If you are looking for a slightly older or less expensive product (e.g. the 1st generation nano), check the apple site. you will find it for about $30 off. the products have been apple re-certified and have warranties (which is VERY important). If you are a “hard” user of an iPod, recent experience has shown that AppleCare on the iPod is a good investment (about $40 for 2 full years) – which may be hard to swallow on a $60-80 iPod, but well worth the costs on a full-blown video iPod.

I have not seen Targets’ attempt at reselling Apple Products, but if they sell at competitive prices, are apple certified and have a warranty, I would not see an issue going through this channel. One advantage would be the ability to return the product to one of a trillion stores… Take a look and if anyone sees Apple Refurbished at a Target store, let me know.