Last night Apple released version 6.0 of the Apple AirPort Utility for the Mac as well as Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.6.1. The new release does not appear to have gained any new features or fix any bugs. However AirPort Utility 6.0 has been given a facelift. The new user interface (UI) looks just like the iOS version of the utility.

The user is presented with a network diagram of how the network devices (Apple only) are connected together and to the Internet.

Clicking any one of the icons brings up further details about that device.

To edit the setting for an Apple wireless access point (AirPort Express, Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme) click the icon for the device and click edit.

The new interface for editing the devices settings has been simplified. I found it a lot easier to find what I was looking for.

I did have one disappoint, however. Apparently my 802.11b AirPort Express is too old and is no longer supported. Apple does provide a solution but I suspect that my WDS system no longer works. Time for a trip to Creative Computing.

Have you tried the new AirPort Utility and have some tips to share? Have you run into any issues? Please let me know in the comments area below.

However, FaceTime does have two flaws that limits its utility. It works only while the user is connected to Wi-Fi and is available only on Apple devices. It does not work over the 3G cellular network. Most hotels and airports have some sort of Wi-Fi but being tethered to Wi-Fi does limit FaceTime’s usefulness.  This is a problem I’ve encountered with most other video chat applications in the past.  The application was either only available on one type or phone or was limited to being used on a Wi-Fi network.

Tango is free app for iPhone 4 and Android that hopes to address those problems.  Tango is a video chat app that works similarly to FaceTime but allows calls to be made over Wi-Fi or the 3G (or 4G) cellular network.   It does not need a phone with a front facing camera but things work better if you can see the person with whom you are talking. Setup is easy. From within the app, create an account with the Tango service using your phone number.  Tango can also scan your phone book and find which of your contacts already use the service. You can invite your other friends to sign-up as well so you have more people to chat with. Both parties must have the app installed and be registered to use the service. Once registered making a call is simple. Tap the icon for the user you wish to call and Tango initiates the connection. You can use your iPhone 4 speakers or plug-in a set of headphones for more privacy. Once the call is initiated you can tap the video button to enable a video chat.  Tango can use push notifications to alert you to incoming calls while you phone is busy doing other task.

Tango’s video and audio quality is not as good as FaceTime but Tango but is a lot more useful than FaceTime. I can video chat from anywhere with my wife via iPhone 4 or with my buddy on his Droid X.

Cosmetically speaking the Mac App Store will be familiar to anyone who has used iTunes to purchase apps, music or movies. The only difference is the lack of a sidebar.

I browsed through the Top Paid and Featured app sections. Some of the titles will be familiar to those who have bought apps for the iPad.  Apple’s iWork software has been broken into it’s component pieces with each (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) available for $20. I bought Keynote to complement the version I have on my iPad. I also bought the Mac version of Angry Bird; a wildly popular casual game for the iPad and iPhone. Angry Birds entered the Top Paid the list on the first week in the Mac App Store.  I also downloaded an installed the official (and FREE) Twitter client app for Mac. I already had Twitter installed but apparently the Mac App Store app did not detect that.

Installation is quite easy. Just like on the iPad or iPhone I simply clicked the Purchase button (or Free button for free apps). Once I entered my iTunes username and password the icon changed to Installing which indicated that my apps was being downloaded and installed.

Once the installation completed, the icon changed to Installed and I noticed a bouncing Twitter app icon in my dock. I can see how having the app icon placed in the dock can help new users who may not be familiar with the Application folder but more advanced users may be annoyed. There is no way to change this behaviour.

The Mac App store app also keeps track of which apps have been installed and provides updates as they become available.  This is similar to how app updates are handled in iTunes.

Apple is offering the same generous licensing terms for Mac apps as with iOS apps. I can install apps purchase through the Mac App Store on up to five Macs in my home. Of course this is only possible if all of my computers are running Snow Leopard (or Lion when it is released). The Mac App Store app keeps track of the licenses. That means that for $20 I can buy Keynote (all of the iWork suite are available individual in the Mac App Store) and install it on my iMac, and the two MacBooks in my home. For $60 you can buy the entire suite. That’s a 50% discount over the packaged app. The loss of a physical disc does not bother me. I simply backed up my the app to a CD.

I also noticed that Mac App store prices are lower than buying them online or from Best Buy. For example, Pixelmator, a popular Photoshop replacement was just $29.99 when the Mac App Store but $99 online.  The developer has since announced that they intend to move all future app sales to the Mac App Store.  A positive sign.

I think the Mac App Store is a significant benefit to new Mac users (there numbers are growing) but experienced Mac users will find it useful as well. And we know it can only get better.