Mac Edition Radio

Mac Edition Radio produces reviews and news stories about the latest technologies, digital imaging, music, & photography.

Review – FiiO E17 Alpen Portable External Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amp (DAC) for your computer and high-resolution audio files from HD Tracks and Society of Sound.

In Part Three of this multi-part series on external DACs, we look at the FiiO E17 Alpen external Digital to Analog (DAC) Converter. It promises to deliver that missing sound, along with a slew of features no other products at this price point can match. Just how good is this affordable DAC from China that won't stress your budget? Read our review to find out! Need some high-resolution audio files to take advantage of your audiophile-grade gear? We look at some recent titles from Paul Simon and Herbie Hancock from HD Tracks and new releases by Gonwards and Peter Gabriel from B&W's Society of Sound to fill your empty stockings with high-resolution audio!

Harris Fogel, posted 12/3/2012

Review – Virgin Mobile HTC EVO V 4G Cell Phone

Yet another Android falls into prepaid territory. But can the Virgin Mobile EVO V 4G cell phone avoid the pratfalls of its brethren and break free from the usual cheap phone constraints? Can it actually take photos in 3D? Why is there a "V" in the name? Is it time to consider jettisoning your contact? Read our review to find it all out!

Thomas Fogel, posted 10/14/2012

Review - Lantronix® xPrintServer™ – iPad® & iPhone® Printing Made Easy

We've been using Apple's iOS for several years in our house on multiple iPhones and iPads. When AirPrint® was included in iOS 4, I looked forward to printing to my HP printer. But alas, I'd bought my All-in-One a little too early, apparently it was one iteration behind the crop of printers supporting the technology. Also, Apple removed the ability from iOS to print to a shared printer queue on my Mac. I found a capable utility to replace that function -- but it meant my MacBook Pro always needed to be running in order to act as a print server. Otherwise, I couldn't justify replacing my perfectly fine printer simply for the perk of printing from my iPhone & iPad. Enter Lantronix, developers of the xPrintServer...

Ken Kramar, posted 10/30/2012

Review – A Tale of Three External Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) for your computer from High Resolution Technologies – the HRT iStreamer, Music Streamer II, and Head Streamer

In Part One of this multi-part series we asked "Did you buy that dream set of earphones you always wanted? Or that set of headphones that promise fantastic sound?" Have you wondered "Am I getting all the sound I deserve?" In this review we look at three external Digital to Analog (DAC) Converters from High Resolution Technology that promise to deliver that missing sound, the HRT Music Streamer II, the iStreamer, and the HeadStreamer. These are affordable DACs that won't stress your budget, but will they deliver better audio? Read our review to find out!

Harris Fogel, posted 10/7/2012

Review – Thinking about DACs, or How an External Digital to Analog Converter Can Transform Your Mac or PC’s Audio on a Budget!

Let's say you bought a dream set of earphones you'd always wanted, or a spiffy set of headphones that promised fantastic sound. Great - you deserved them! Then, once you plugged them into your computer, phone, or iOS device, you wondered, "Am I getting all the sound I deserve?" If you can't think about better software than iTunes, or better hardware, you aren't getting your money's worth! This time, start with an external Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), some dedicated software such as Decibel or Pure Music, and suddenly a new world beckons! Read on for Part One of this multi-part review.

Harris Fogel, posted 9/23/2012

Mac Edition Radio: Review - IK Multimedia AmpliTube Fender™ for iOS

Sound modeling for guitar has become popular on desktop & laptop computers, it's being built in to amplifier hardware (e.g. Line 6 and Marshall), and is now available on mobile devices. In the 1980's, Tom Scholz's Rockman was an expensive little box, worn on the belt like a Walkman with headphones and a guitar jack that allowed a guitarist to play electrified music anywhere with effects & amplifier modeling. Twenty years later, apps like AmpliTube with an iRig guitar interface adapter affordably place this capability into any iOS user's reach. In this review, we take a listen to how the Fender® sound stacks up on the iPad.

Ken Kramar, with additional reporting by Harris Fogel, posted 9/17/2012

Review - OS X Mountain Lion: An Analysis

OS X Mountain Lion [10.8] is the eighth significant update to Apple's OS X desktop operating system. It was formally announced on February 16, 2012 and became available exclusively from the Mac App Store on July 25, 2012. Read on for our analysis of Apple's ideas on what a desktop operating system should be in 2012.

John Mulhern III, posted 8/26/2012

Review – Phiaton PS 20 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headset & “Moderna Series” MS 400 Headphones

Bluetooth earphones didn't impress us much over the years. Many looked good but didn't sound great, and others were difficult to use. Audio manufacturer Phiaton wasn't happy with the choices, either, and their new Phiaton PS 20 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headset conquers the hurdles by combining style, ease of use, and great sound. We also looked at their MS 400 headphones, designed for travel with style. Read on for our full review!

Harris Fogel & Frank Schramm, posted 6/19/2012

Article – Yikes! Zapped By Apple Thunderbolt Software Update

I got zapped by the recent Apple Thunderbolt Software Update... Here are a few facts and tips to consider when updating your system, which may help you avoid a Kernel Panic and OS reinstall. Before you blindly hit "Ok" when that System Update is offered, read this story of an Apple Update gone wrong!

Ken Kramar, posted 6/14/2012

Review - Remotely accessing your Mac from iOS using Mochasoft VNC, iSSH and LogMeIn

Sometimes you're away from your Mac, either downstairs or down the road. These iOS apps can easily provide remote access to your computer with little effort using your iPhone or iPad. Consider adding Mochasoft VNC, Zingersoft iSSH and LogMeIn to your iOS IT toolbox. This is a practical and reliable trio. Read the full review!

Ken Kramar, Posted 6/12/2012

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