find

Apple releases Find My iPhone app

Apple has released a new app to help users track lost iPhones on the go. The Find My iPhone app does what the Web application version, found on me.com, did previously, but allows users to log in from another iPhone or iPad to aid in the search on the go.

True to Apple form, the interface is simple, elegant, and easy to use. Users need only log in to the application using their MobileMe user name and password to begin the search for their lost iPhone or iPad. Each device connected to the user's account will show up … Read more

Apple revamps MobileMe e-mail

Apple made some changes to its MobileMe service Friday.

The MobileMe Mail service that was in beta for a little over a month is now available to all members. Mail at me.com now has widescreen and compact views, mail organization rules, single-click archiving, a formatting toolbar, SSL protection, and better junk mail protection. You can also use MobileMe to read mail from your other e-mail addresses now, according to Apple.

The service is only supported in Safari, Firefox, and IE8, and not in Chrome or Opera.

Apple isn't known for its Web services prowess, and still charges $99 … Read more

Find recent items quickly

Fresh is a small, low-cost, file-management utility that essentially offers an amped-up version of the Finder's "Recent Items" lists, along with a quasi-replacement for your Desktop called "The Cooler."

The app's streamlined interface consists of two simple "zones," or panes, which display your "Fresh Files" (basically, anything that's new to your computer or recently changed) and "The Cooler" (a user-defined collection of files that you want to have quick access to). "Fresh Files" is particularly great for tracking downloads and Mail attachments, and the Cooler … Read more

The groundbreaking tech of 'Toy Story 3'

At Pixar Animation Studios, which will release "Toy Story 3," its 11th feature film, on Friday, each new movie is an opportunity both to notch huge box office numbers and to break new ground in the technique of using computers in digital animation.

To veteran Pixar watchers, the latter dynamic should by now be very familiar. With "Finding Nemo," the studio had to figure out how to use its technology to craft believable underwater scenes. With "Monsters Inc.," the challenge was animating the characters' lush fur. In "Cars," it was determining how … Read more

Apple's MobileMe service improves

Apple has updated its MobileMe Web service with several improvements to the Gallery, iDisk, Sync, and Find My iPhone features. Apple has also released the MobileMe Mail beta program as described in this article earlier this week. These improvements to MobileMe are definitely welcomed as many users would like to see Apple step up their game in the Web services area.… Read more

Photographer's friend

Digital photography can be a lot of fun, but editing, organizing, and sharing your images can be a hassle if you don't have the right software. JetPhoto Studio is a sleek tool that lets users manage their photos in an attractive, intuitive environment, turning a sometimes-frustrating chore into a fun and easy activity.

JetPhoto Studio's interface is well-designed and easy to navigate, with its featured arranged in commonsense menus. Users can import photos from their computers or even directly from their cameras, a nice timesaving step. Once photos have been imported into JetPhoto Studio, there's plenty to … Read more

Phone Halo tracks any gadget's whereabouts

PALM DESERT, Calif.--If you've ever lost your keys, phone, or both at the same time, a new company called Phone Halo has a tool for finding them.

Launching at the DemoSpring conference here, Phone Halo is a $60 gadget that turns your BlackBerry or Android phone into a handheld finder. Unlike some more traditional key finder hardware, however, Phone Halo integrates Bluetooth and GPS to create a tethered radius for your gadgets. So, if one of them goes out the door without the other, you get a message about it back on your phone, or through e-mail and even Twitter.

The hardware itself is a black module about the size of a car alarm dongle that packs a speaker, Bluetooth, and GPS antenna and can be attached to your keys, briefcase, or anything else. When your gadget goes missing, you can just open up the Phone Halo app on your phone, then toggle it to beep. The transmitters also can transmit a beep back to your phone, so you can hit a button on the unit to start ringing your handset. This works even if you have it set to silent, the same way Apple's "Find My iPhone" feature does on MobileMe. … Read more

What to do when MobileMe is down

Occasionally Apple will need to perform system maintenance or have to deal with an unexpected service interruption. In these cases, there are some primary functions on MobileMe that will most likely be unavailable, as well as some that should still be operable.… Read more

Apple enhances MobileMe on Mobile Safari

Last week, Apple released a new support document for MobileMe with details on what to expect when you visit me.com using an iPhone or iPod Touch.

On these devices the Web site looks different from the one you see when you visit your PC or Mac and offers:

A direct link to instructions about configuring Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Find My iPhone on your iPhone or iPod Touch. A link that allows you to access Find My iPhone from any iPhone or iPod Touch when yours is lost. Direct links to download the iDisk or Gallery apps from the … Read more