Federico Viticci

10804 posts on MacStories since April 2009

Federico is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of MacStories, where he writes about Apple with a focus on apps, developers, iPad, and iOS productivity. He founded MacStories in April 2009 and has been writing about Apple since. Federico is also the co-host of AppStories, a weekly podcast exploring the world of apps, Unwind, a fun exploration of media and more, and NPC: Next Portable Console, a show about portable gaming and the handheld revolution.
@viticci@macstories.net
@viticci.macstories.net
viticci@macstories.net

HyperMac Ceasing Sale Of MacBook Charging Cables

Starting November 2nd at 00:00 PT, HyperMac won’t be selling charging cables for MacBooks anymore. HyperMac’s external batteries will still be sold, but you won’t be able to charge your MacBook without the cable. The reason behind all this? “Comprehensive licensing negotiations with Apple” is what HyperMac claims, though it’s pretty clear that Apple’s recent lawsuit over Sanho’s use of the MagSafe connector played an important role.

Here’s your last chance to get a full HyperMac external battery set before November 2nd, stock is limited. As Engadget reports, there’s still hope for a legal solution - but if I were you I wouldn’t hold my breath.

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Reminder: Apple Q4 Financial Results Today - 5 PM ET

Later today starting at 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT) Apple will hold the Q4 earnings call during which the company will announce their financial results. An audio-only live streaming will be available at apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq410. As usual, we’ll offer a breakdown of the results and have a post in the homepage with continually updating notes from the earnings call.

Apple is expected to post blockbuster sales in this quarter, even after all the Antennagate issues this summer. Analysts have predicted roughly 6 million iPads sold during Q4 2010, 13 million iPhones and 4 million Macs. We’ll know the whole truth in 10 hours.

Apple is set to offer a preview of the next Mac operating system (allegedly called “Lion”) on Wednesday and Apple’s stock is currently trending at $314.

Fight the Dangers of Distraction On Your Mac→

Fight the Dangers of Distraction On Your Mac

Does this mean we should all cancel our Twitter accounts, stop checking email and throw our iPhones in the trash? No, we just need to exercise some moderation. Consistently spend some time concentrating on doing one thing and ignore distractions. Not only will our brains thank you in the long run, but in the short term, you’ll see performance improve, too. Of course, doing it is easier said than done. Luckily, technology can give us all a little SelfControl.

Good tips. Didn’t know about this app.

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MacStories Giveaway: Win A Copy Of The Incident

The Incident is an insanely awesome game from Big Bucket Software which we’ve covered a few times in the past. Addictive gameplay, pixels all over the place, a great 8-bit soundtrack composed by Cabel Sasser. With the latest 1.2 update, the developers introduced an “endless mode”, bug fixes and the possibility to control the game on your iPad directly from your iPhone.

The Incident is a great game. Here’s your chance to win a copy. Read more

iPad Makes Its Way to the Farthest Reaches of the Earth→

iPad Makes Its Way to the Farthest Reaches of the Earth

Pitcairn Island is currently home to about 60 people and is one of the most remote and inaccessible inhabited locations in the world, with its only regular physical connection to the outside world coming from a cargo and passenger ship that makes a total of eight visits per year to the island. Rare visits from cruise ships also bring occasional visitors to the island.

So color us a bit surprised when Andrew contacted us to let us know that he is now the proud owner of a 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad, the only one on Pitcairn Island. Andrew tells us that he made contact with a woman from New York who had arranged for a visit to Pitcairn Island on a cruise ship traveling from Tahiti to Easter Island and who asked if there was anything she could bring him. As an Apple fan with a 17” PowerBook and Power Mac G5 already in his possession, Andrew requested an iPad. Two months later, the visitor arrived and presented Andrew with his iPad.

Possibly the best iPad story I’ve heard so far. I mean, it’s here.

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FullScreen for Safari Brings Gestures and Fullscreen To Apple’s Browser | Cydia Store

My new favorite tweak for Mobile Safari has just been released in the Cydia Store: FullScreen for Safari, developed by the creator of Firewall IP, is a neat little app available at $1.49 (introductory price) through Big Boss repository that enables you to navigate in fullscreen and use two and three fingers multitouch gestures to surf the web faster with a lot more functionalities. Read more