For Those Who Missed It - Apple Opens the OS X Betas

In case you (like ME) missed the news, Apple has opened OS X betas to consumers who join the Beta Seed Program. Previously limited to developers, this programs aims to assist both Apple and power users by providing more testers that can report issues as they are discovered (through a bigger range of testing) and shortening the release cycle for fixes. After joining the program, consumers have the ability to test drive pre-release versions of software and use the new Feedback Assistant to report bugs. While these pre-release versions might have issues that require a full erase-and-restore operation, some of us are willing to take that risk to have advance access to new features.

At this time it is not specifically stated which betas consumers have access to, but it is my educated guess that it will strictly be bug fixes and minor pre-releases. I would not expect to see a developer seed of 10.10 at the same time it is offered to developers after next week’s WWDC.

Join or Login - Apple’s Beta Seed Program

Learn more about the Beta Seed Program

 

 

 

 

 

Pixelmator - 3.2 Released - "Sandstone"

Readers of my blog have heard over and over how Pixelmator is a steal of a deal. Well, the app just got better. With the latest update (Pixelmater on App Store), the repair tool has been rewritten from the ground up. Once again we have access to Photoshop-quality bitmap element removal and background restoration for < $40.

More information about the product and this update, including instructional videos, can be found at the Pixelmator website.

UPDATE: as of 12/14/2014, Pixelmator version 3.3.1 is available - see this blog post from the developers.

PS3 Controller to Mac Setup and Use

If you want to use your PS3 wireless game controller for gameplay on a Mac running OS X 10.9 (or higher), it's never been easier!

Here are the simple steps to connect your dual shock:

1. Open System Preferences

2. Select Bluetooth

3. Plug your USB charging cable into the PS3 controller, then plug the other end into your computer.

You should see the red lights on the controller flashing. Press the PS button in the center of the controller for a few seconds and you should see it connect in the Bluetooth screen on your computer. If it does not connect, or you did not get the flashing lights, it probably means your controller is paired with some other device. If that is the case, disconnect that pairing by either turning off the PS3 or (in the case of another computer) deleting the device where it is showing (such as another Mac's Bluetooth preferences area).

Many popular games ported to Mac OS X, such as the Lego series done by Feral Interactive, support PS3 controllers natively and will recognize and use the controller with the same layout of buttons as the games would on a PS3. Easy to switch platforms, huh?!!?

Remember, if you buy games through the Mac App Store, you can download them for all of your Macs that use the same store account, but since the PS3 controller can only be paired to one Mac at a time, you'll need to quickly delete the pairing before connecting to another Mac. This isn't obvious since the dual shock won't give you any visual alert that the step is needed, you'll just find it impossible to pair the device.

Enjoy! Please share any information about games that work well with this controller as well as any that don't!