Happy earth hour everyone! Our lights are off - and counting....

Mac viruses a hoax?

I have noticed a rise in reporting about OS X malware and insinuations that Macs are or will be vulnerable to viruses. This reminds me of the rise in local media crime reports that leave the impression that crime is rising while statistics show it has dropped. Look at this article "The Mac Malware Myth" from Roughly Drafted that shines a different light on the topic and carries some good points. The comments are also informative.

I do believe the threat of identity theft posed by malware that tricks a user into loading malicious software is real and potentially could fool anyone. Do you know of a good anti-malware or anti-spyware tool that can ideally be used to sweep a Mac, but does not remain resident like a typical anti-virus tool?

Targus FileShare cable

Targus was very pleased with their USB FileShare cable that lets you move data between Macs or between a PC and a Mac without loading software. It also lets you transfer unlimited data as many times as you want. This seems like a good tool for admins as well as anyone wanting to switch machines (as long as one is a Mac). Targus has a 40% and 20% discounts at their website through Jan 30.

Best in show: coupon

UNIEA wins the best coupon of the show for their locally and sustainably produced organic coupon. These lovingly handcrafted coupon cards are bound to become collectors items. Get your hands on one if you can.

bye apple

The Apple booth in the stages of breakdown. Will this be the last time we see anything of its kind?

Bunny ears

Peachpit's bunny ears must be the top promo pick of the show. I have been asked about 100 times about them and the are one of the picks needed for the Mac|Life Scavenger Hunt.

Help me to find...

It's Friday, the last day of Macworld and there are 3 things to be done.

Stanford Laptop Orchestra (SLOrk) is playing and Andy Ihnatko is speaking, but I can't find out where. Can anyone help?

Of course the third thing is to hit the expo floor and gather goodies! 

Update: It turns out both were in the "Pulse Program" and I missed them (why was it so hard to find?). We spoke to Ge Wang of SLOrk just after their performance and it sounded like fun.  He was playing the iPhone Ocarina with some weird little speakers attached to his wrists. It was great watching as he took a phone call.

Back it up!

Go to Western Digital and pick up a talking head for your desk that reminds you to "back it up" when you squeeze him.  Also some great discounts on the top of their range WD drives.

Dermis is a family-owned business that makes iPhone protective cases (and more) with very cool designs. They are also giving away keyrings, one of which is a rubberised 1Gb flashdrive. www.dermiscases.com

iKleer is once again handing out samples of their excellent screen cleaner (travel pack).

Ampli-phone

And you may ask "how much more green...". Ampli-phone uses pure acoustics to boost the iPhones volume by 10db but the horn is big enough to produce good low frequencies (200 - 35k Hz). Get a better price $20 at Macworld or www.ampli-phone.com. Ask the guys about sustainable manufacturing.
I really like the idea of skipping the need for batteries.

The idea is the same as the Griffin AirCurve (see below), but much larger. We'll have to watch the gadget testers to see which features are best.

AirCurve

Griffin has a super green product (as far as power consumption is concerned). Not solar powered but air (un)powered. The AirCurve is an "external speaker" that boosts your iPhone volume by 10db naturally - no wires and no battery required. Find out about their show discount at the booth. Note this does not work on the iPod Touch as the Touch has no speaker.

Phone app, Media skills and solar power

We are intrigued by Truphone a free download for iPhone and yes, Blackberry (and others). Go to the John Lennon bus to not only learn some multimedia skills, but they also have bags of cool goodies.
We love the Solio and use it to charge iPods, mobile phones, and the like using solar power. They have a 30% show special.

HP innovating this year

Contest for best iPhone photo printing direct at the HP booth. BIG prize for the winner.
All HP products at the show work on Apple.

AstoundStereo

Check this out next to the John Lennon bus. These guys create surround sound with Stereo. 20% off the $20 audio app (similar to SRS). Also T shirts.

Avery saves the day

They let me print business cards (I left mine at home) using the free DesignPro software at booth #744. Also get free iStockphoto images, cards, labels, free dividers with binder order.

Wanna break a harddrive?

Go to the Drivesavers booth #638 for demos every hour. Also, get a Drivesavers button, wear it and win prizes including a Macbook Pro!

Sketchbook on Axiotron

This is a very cool app and the feel on the Modbook was very close to paper.

go goody woz

And the first

Got my moxie bunny ears on (see Peachpit) and now let's see what the Woz will show us at Axiotron.

Tony Bennett plays

The Wave theory of marketing

Following on my sentiment about the value of Macworld to Apple, it occurs to e there is a wave of hype that gets generated by events like Macworld that lasts about a year. This provides enough material for journalists and commentators (as well as the faithful) to keep Apple in the news which in turn drives people to their stores. Take away this "wave generator" and you will see traffic in the stores drop off. Events like Macworld are the seed and the focus of the dialog. Mark my words.