Directly access System Preference panes in the Dock

As of OS X 10.5 at least, dragging a preference pane into the right (Documents) side of the Dock will allow direct access to that preference with a single click. Drag any preference pane from /System » Library » PreferencePanes or /Library » PreferencePanes, and drop it into the dock. Click it, and System Preferences will open with that pane active.I use this for a connection utility for a wireless USB modem (that has been implemented as a preference rather than an actual app). So I click the pane, then use the Connect button to activate the 3G modem. This is more logical than opening preferences.This is close to, but not exactly the same, as several previous hints on this topic. I don't know when it became possible, as I only have one Mac and its OS is kept up to date.[robg adds: The preference panes are now basically like mini applications -- you can place them in the sidebar or toolbar, and if double-clicked in the Finder, that pane will open in ...

published on Tuesday, the 30. September 2008, macosxhints

NETGEAR ships green 802.11n routers

NETGEAR on Monday tuned its 802.11n Wi-Fi hardware to capitalize on eco-friendly trends with a new set of routers that make small but significant steps towards reducing power use. The WNR2000 router and its DSL modem-equipped DGN2000 both come with simple but uncommon additions including more efficient EnergyStar-rated power supplies and a dedicated on/off switch to power the routers down without...

published on Monday, the 29. September 2008, macintosh-news-network

Greatly reduce CPU usage with Cricket Wireless modem

If any of you are Cricket wireless modem users, you know there is a huge problem with the software you download from their support site. When I first used it, my Activity Monitor was reading an average of 85% CPU usage on both cores! This is completely unacceptable for any reason, so before I returned the USB modem they provide, I figured out the following little trick. Having done this, my CPU load is now under 2% on my 2.4GHz iMac. The software to control your internet access is not doing anything than setting up a VPN, and they can get away with such poorly written programs because the download installs a modem script. So, once you have the script, why not give that software the slip? Here's what I did: Download and install the software on your Mac. You want to make sure that the modem is going to properly connect to the internet in the first place. Go to System Preferences » Network, and add a VPN. Choose L2PTP over IPSec as the type, and n...

published on Tuesday, the 23. September 2008, macosxhints

iCON 401 modem works worldwide, includes launch2net

Nova Media on Wednesday unveiled the iCON 401, a new wireless USB modem that boasts worldwide coverage, and upload speeds of up to 5.76 Megabits per second. The iCON 401 includes an integrated antenna, built into the swivel clip, but also includes a connector for external antennas as well. Nova Media also includes the launch2net connection software to provide connection settings for almost any wir...

published on Wednesday, the 17. September 2008, macintosh-news-network

Connect to other networks while using a 3G modem

A lot of 3G (or EDGE) external modems (USB or ExpressCard) require special software to build up a connection. My two modems from different providers use GlobeTrotter Connect and E-plus Online Connect (the latter a re-branding by my provider). As I understand it, these applications set up new network interfaces and group them in a new location setting. All existing network interfaces get disabled when a connection is established and the system is switched to this location. This may be obvious, but it took me a while before I tried it out. One can simply re-add other network interface (i.e. Wifi or Ethernet) to these locations, and then be connected to both the internet via the 3G modem, and to local networks at the same time (eg, for streaming to an Airport Express).

published on Wednesday, the 17. September 2008, macosxhints

Daily Apple: iTunes, iPhone, Chrome, & Anniversaries

Get iTunes 7’s Album View back in iTunes 8 - Think the album view from iTunes 7 is gone? Think again. iPhoneModem - If you’re the jailbreaking type and want to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your computer, check this out. This unsupported app will set you back $10. Remote 1.1 Released - Use your iPhone/iPod [...]

published on Tuesday, the 16. September 2008, apple-blog

10.5: Fix connect/disconnect Bluetooth modem issue

By default, OS X 10.5.4 lets you set up a mobile phone to act as a Bluetooth modem, but this does not always work. For instance, it doesn't work with a Nokia E61 on the O2 network in the UK.When you try Connect Bluetooth from the menu bar, you will see Connecting..., immediately followed by Disconnecting ..., and then finally an error saying that it "Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server." This error persists even after taking care to enter the correct username, password, APN, CID, and to change the necessary settings on the phone. Googling on this will also produce a lot advice to install custom modem scripts. This is often misleading, since these scripts were mostly designed to fill gaps in OS X 10.4.*.In fact, the "connecting/disconnecting" problem is because Leopard, by default, requires a new kind of PPP authorization (MS-CHAP[v2]) which not all...

published on Friday, the 12. September 2008, macosxhints

Sprint slips Xohm launch devices, services

Sprint has already slipped details of what its WiMAX-based Xohm wireless service will feature when it launches later this month, a set of hidden pages show. The company'S device list and FAQs show the firm will have just the N810 WiMAX Edition as its stand-alone device and will primarily rely on PC adapters, including a ZyXEL router as well as a Samsung ExpressCard modem and a ZTE USB modem. Not...

published on Monday, the 1. September 2008, macintosh-news-network

Apple looking to allow iPhone tethering?

Apple may be looking to permit tethering iPhones to computers, at least in the United States, rumors suggest. Tethering enables people to treat cellphones as external modems, connecting where Ethernet or Wi-Fi is not an option. While the technology is increasingly popular in Europe and North America, AT&T has expressly forbidden the practice with the iPhone, even though other devices have permis...

published on Friday, the 29. August 2008, macintosh-news-network

Sprint to reduce wireless modem data rates?

In order to stop losing subscribers, wireless phone and data provider Sprint is reportedly considering drastically cutting the rates of its phone-as-modem monthly plans, from $40 to $15 per month. While the move would not make more money for Sprint on an individual customer basis, the added customer base would the company in the long run by encoura...

published on Tuesday, the 12. August 2008, macintosh-news-network