Even though this free app doesn’t really do anything except display exactly what your trackpad is sensing, it’s still spectacular. Even with all my fingers I can’t max this thing out, and inputs seem to be monitored just as precisely as when you’re just using your point finger. I have no idea how you’re supposed to map 10-finger inputs into anything useful, but man, the pointless toy potential here is massive. Update: As is, evidently, the dick joke potential. 11 bravos, to be shared amongst you [Lericsson via Reddit]

Of course, this appears to be confirmation of the obvious, that Apple will be updating their MacBook Pro line to include Core i5/i7 chips following the white MacBook’s Pro-level spec bump last week. (Apple will need to adopt these new chipsets to stay competitive.) Now we just need an answer to the far more important question: When? [Foro Applesana via AppleInsider]

On the other hand, Maybe Ballmer noticed and didn’t care. In the spot he discusses hardware diversity and this sort of proves his point. After all, you can run Windows 7 on a Mac. It’s an amusing gaffe, but beyond that, the clip is interesting because it touches on Windows 7, the image battle between Apple and Microsoft and the issue of CEO pay all inside five minutes. [Crunchgear]

The entry level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which started at $1899 before the price shift, now sells for $1599. Similarly, the 2.4GHz 13-incher now starts at $1999; the 15 inchers sell for $2299 (was $2699), $2699 and $2999 respectively and the 17-inch is $3299. Meanwhile, the Macbook Air has been cut to a starting price of $1999 (from $2399).

Add to that the fact the newly refreshed Macbook’s starting cost is just $1299, and you honestly have to think to yourself that the MacBook lineup has become pretty damned competitive price-wise.

[Apple – Thanks Benji!]

While it’s possible Nicholas is just building up static and shocking himself, he says it happens “everywhere” and that when he used his friend’s MacBook for a week, he went electrotherapy free. It’s rare, but he’s not entirely alone in his account.

The most often suggested solution is to stick to using the three-prong adaptor, plugged into a grounded outlet. That won’t help Nicholas so much, since he says it happens on battery power too. Besides getting Apple to finally replace MacBook or wearing gloves, do you guys have any possible solutions for Nicholas?

The solution to connecting your older Firewire 400 gear is an easy one. You buy a converter. No news here, really, they’ve been out for a while. What is news is that Newertech has announced a cheap converter. We like that it doesn’t have a cable attached. It just modifies your existing Firewire cable. Better than having another length of cable to carry about.

Newertech’s pricing is $US12.99. Locally that translates to $22.90 at MacFixIt.

Shopping around we found that Moshi’s converter, a similar product but with a short length of cable, is going at epowermac for $19.95. Even cheaper.