Announced at MacWorld this year by Steve Jobs and Intel CEO Paul Otellini, this new iMac started shipping January 10 -- and PC Magazine Labs just got one in for testing. Expect a review to post at PC Mag Online sometime tomorrow.

From PC Magazine's MacWorld show report: Formerly expected to ship in June, the new iMac will be housed inside a chassis similar to the previous iMac G5, ship with the same 17- and 20-inch displays, and will carry the same $1,299 and $1,699 price tags as the previous iMac G5 model. The new iMacs will use dual-core processors across the board, and Mac OS 10.4.4 (available today) will be run natively on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. Apple brand applications (iLife, iWork, Aperture, etc.) will be released in Intel-native versions as well, priced at $49 for those who are upgrading from the current version of Apple's OS.

 

Joel Santo Domingo, intrepid PC tester, says he expects to find that Apple-sourced apps such as Safari and iLife will run much faster than on the G5... but that older apps, like Photoshop, won't be much improved. So, I responded, the Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. When I said that, I made Joel groan. Sorry about that, Joel; it's late, I'm tired... you know. Carry on! Can't wait to see your review!

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that wireless carriers' coverage maps are over-optimistic. But as I've been testing Cingular's new high-speed HSDPA service I've become unusually annoyed at their useless coverage map (at left), which promises a huge blanket of coverage with no holes.

Naturally, that isn't the case. The network has plenty of holes and weak spots where Cingular hasn't yet upgraded towers or where they're having painful discussions with landlords. This is not abnormal - all networks have lots of holes when they start out, and they fill the holes in with time. There's no shame in the fact that networks don't drop from the sky fully-formed.

So why not tell the truth on your maps, Cingular? T-Mobile does, and that honesty doesn't seem to be hurting their subscriber numbers. In fact, li'l T-Mobile had more net new subscribers than big Cingular did in the most recent reported quarter (3Q 05).

Oh, you want to know what I think of HSDPA? Wait for the review.

A GearLog reader brought to my attention last week that he couldn't find a device with both GPS navigation and XM satellite radio. So, I scoured the Internet for him and found such a device. It's not new, but it sure is pricey.

Pioneer is taking credit for the first company in the industry to design a dual GPS and Satellite Radio Receiver. If you own (or are interested in buying) the Pioneer AVIC-N1 ($2,200.00), AVIC-N2 ($2,200.00), or the AVIC-D1 ($1,800.00) In-Dash DVD Multimedia AV Navigation Receivers, you can pair it with the GEX-P10XMT XM Digital Satellite Data & Audio Receiver ($330.00) to receive both XM NavTraffic and XM Radio.

According to Pioneer's site, the GEX-P10XMT receiver features:

• 18-Station/3-Band Presets
• Channel Number or Channel Category selection modes
• Display Capability of Channel Name, Channel Category, Artist/Feature Name, Song/Program Title, or Composer
• InfoExtras (Sports scores, Stock prices, and more)
• Single-Pole XM Antenna Included
• Dimensions: 5" x 5" x 1-3/8" (127 x 126 x 35mm)

So why get XM Navtraffic? Well, if there's a traffic jam, accident, road closure, construction or the like, the system will suggest an alternate route dynamically. This is helpful and all, but i can't see myself spending that much money! Plus, it may not even work in your area. But, I do have to give XM credit for all of these technologies they are developing. I like XM and stream it for free through www.aolradio.com. On the other hand, I am a Howard fan, but Sirius just doesn't have a variety of players and receivers like XM does. I hope Sirius steps up to the plate soon!! 

For more details, visit PioneerElectronics.com.

As a cross-platform Google Earth addict, I've been chomping at the bit for a Mac OS X compatible version of Google Earth ever since I installed the program on my PCs.  Now, Mac users can view the virtual flyovers that Windows users have been enjoying for free for several months now.  The beta program positivley screams on a Power Mac G5 Quad, but it's also smooth on a PowerBook G4 (using default settings).  It sure is more entertaining than Google Maps.  I'll have to try it out on the new iMac when we get one in.

Point your browser to http://earth.google.com, and enjoy!

I'm very uneasy about the recent release of PDANet for Windows, which lets you use your Palm Treo 700w as a modem for your laptop. Verizon absolutely, specifically forbids this as part of the Treo service plan, and reserves the right to spontaneously charge you insane amounts of money for doing so, with no chance of appeal.

Verizon does offer a "phone-as-modem" plan for the Blackberry 7130e, and told me they will offer one later this year for the Treo 700w. But they don't offer one now.

This isn't a legal gray area, or a demand to use something you own flexibly like with DVD ripping or TV place-shifting. It's more akin to renting an unlimited residential gas line for a small apartment, and then running a medium-sized restaurant off of it. It's cheating and it's wrong. Do you really need to tether an EV-DO device to your PC? Go get a Sprint plan and a PPC-6700.

Actually, I don't know if it counts as a bandwagon yet, but Windows Mobile 5 is certainly picking up some steam. The Palm's 700W last week was big news, but Cingular's embrace of Windows Mobile for its new 2125 Smartphone shows the OS could have some more mainstream appeal. The 2125 isn't a purely Treo-like smartphone, it has a conventional numeric keypad. Still, it will come loaded with advanced features, including a 2.2" LCD, a 1.3MP camera and Bluetooth. A BlackBerry-like push-email feature later this year.