MacSaber 1.0 Released

26 May 2006 | By Ian in Apple, Development, MacSaber, Made by isnoop

UPDATE: Version 1.1 is now available. It includes keyboard backlight effects.

MacSaber 1.0 Final has been released. This new version includes support for iBooks and PowerBooks equipped with SMS. It also includes a “Check for updates” menu item and debug output if you are having problems (the report button is not yet available).

Compatibility notes:
iBook: SMS only exists on iBooks built after July 26, 2005. These iBooks are either 1.33GHz or 1.42GHz. All 1.42GHz iBooks have SMS. Only 1.33 GHz iBooks with a scrolling trackpad, 512MB RAM (stock), and 40GB HDD (stock) have SMS.

PowerBook: SMS only exists on PowerBooks built after January 31, 2005. These PowerBooks are either 1.5GHz or 1.67GHz. All 1.67GHz PowerBooks have SMS. All 1.5GHz PowerBooks without backlit keyboard have SMS. 1.5GHz PowerBooks with both backlit keyboard and the 8X superdrive have SMS.

Download MacSaber 1.0 here

127 Comments on “MacSaber 1.0 Released”

  1. I found a nice bug:

    MacSaber only works after a reboot of my Powerbook, not after a cold start.

    I have tested it 3 times.

    I hope this helps.

     

  2. [...] Update: Version 1.0 is out, and it now works with iBooks and Powerbooks. [...]

     

  3. I have installed in the Applications Folder. and I am not sure what it is supposed to do. How do I use it ? Did I install it in the right folder?
    Tanker10a

     

  4. Schlex,

    This is a problem with your PowerBook’s firmware. Unfortunately, a reboot is your only remedy at this time. With the release of the MacBook lines, I doubt they’ll revisit this further. However, there is an in-depth discussion about this issue here.

     

  5. [...] For more information on MacSaber, check out iSnoop.net blog or for a direct link for just released MacSaber 1.0, visit MacSaber 1.0 Released @ iSnoop.net blog. Its where all the cool iJedi go. [...]

     

  6. [...] Utterly pointless and endless fun – I know you will want to download it here. How did I ever live without it? [...]

     

  7. i download macSaber, i copy it into the app folder and start it, but nothing happens :(

    i use Powerbook G4 1,67 GHz (PPC)

    What is my mistake

     

  8. I dunno…swinging my brand new $1,100 MacBook around definitely seems like a bad idea to me :-)

     

  9. I just downloaded v 1.0, and nothing happened when i lifted/lowered my PB (12″, 1.5 GHZ), only side-to-side motion worked.

    Great app though!

     

  10. igot an SMS -2 error with the debugger… i use a 17″ PB 1,67 Ghz

     

  11. Brandon,
    That is by design. The Apple motion sensors only detect side to side and front to back motion. It can’t directly detect straight vertical drops.

    To others,
    I can’t really help you unless you provide all of the information in the debug screen.

    If you have an iBook and it doesn’t work, your machine simply isn’t compatible. I may be able to do something with the PowerBooks with the debug info.

     

  12. [...] Turn your Mac Powerbook into a Star Wars Light Saber with MacSaber 1.0. [...]

     

  13. [...] Link: MacSaber 1.0 [...]

     

  14. [...] I got a new MacBook Pro 17″ this week. Good: fast processor, fastest VM ever (via Parallels + Intel virtualization technology), MacSaber, and the smartest scrolling trackpad in the universe. Bad: it gets really hot. [...]

     

  15. *Way* too funny. I get the sound effects with a Tilt, but not with Roll. Still a lot of fun.

     

  16. [...] make lightsaber noises when swung around wildly (MacSaber) [...]

     

  17. Hi there…I thought my husband would love this but it doesn’t seem to be working. I thought we had the 1.5 GHz powerbook with backlit keyboard and 8X superdrive but the lightsaber doesn’t seem to be doing anything. You wrote above that including the debug info might allow you to help get it working. The debug output is:
    SMS Error -2
    PowerBook 5,4
    ID: 3

    Does that mean anything to anyone? Can anyone help me to get this to work?

     

  18. this seems like it will eventually screw up a hard drive. even if the SMS takes the needle of the plate. is this secretly developed my hard drive manufactures? or the apple store genius bar repair service, perhaps?

     

  19. [...] Miguel ya os habló de MacSaber en esta entrada. Recientemente la aplicación se ha actualizado permitiendo que usuarios de iBooks o Powerbooks posteriores al 25 de julio de 2005 puedan gozar del sonido del sable láser al mover sus portátiles debido al efecto en los sensores de movimiento que éstos tienen integrados. [...]

     

  20. This is too funny! I am in a Coffee Shoppe with people staring at me swing my MacBook around like a monkey!

     

  21. No worko. Report:
    REPORT THIS DATA:
    Version: 1.0
    SMS Error: -2
    PowerBook5,7
    ID: 3
    - that is: powerbook 17″ g4 (ppc) 1.67 GHz -

     

  22. MacSaber 1 doesn’t work on my Powerbook 1.67 Ghz with OSX 10.3.9.
    Reboot doesn’t help…
    ?

     

  23. Works like a charm, great fun even if I nearly hit my wife in the head!.
    Macbook 2.0Ghz Black

     

  24. [...] I found and downloaded this awesome app called MacSaber.  To avoid spoiling it i’ll let those of you with powerbooks/macbooks give it a whirl to find out. [...]

     

  25. Sheeza not werking.

    REPORT THIS DATA:
    Version: 1.0
    SMS Error: -2
    PowerBook5,6
    ID: 1

    Consider it reported.

     

  26. [...] voici la page du logiciel: MacSaber 1.0 [...]

     

  27. [...] Apple is already using accelerometers in its MacBook notebooks to park the hard-drive heads in the event of a fall. Hackers are putting these accelerometers to good use in clever and unexpected ways. IAlertU is an antitheft device that turns the MacBook into a flashing, shrieking alarm if it is picked up; MacSaber generates lightsaber sound effects when the laptop is swung through the air; and SmackBook switches between virtual desktops by tapping the side of the notebook. [...]

     

  28. [...] Now that you’ve spent loads of money on your new, fancy, sudden motion sensor equipped Macbook, someone has released a piece of software to get you swinging it about like a madman. Introducing isnoop’s MacSaber. The new Mac laptops have a Sudden Motion Sensor in them, this protects your data if it detects a fall etc, utilising this isnoop’s sotware turns your computer into a Jedi weapon. You swing your laptop around and the motion sensor produces lightsaber sounds. [...]

     

  29. Version : 1.0
    SMS Error: -2
    Ppwerbookk5,7
    ID: 3

    no go :(

     

  30. [...] And btw, if you got bored of working on the three OSes you installed, you could turn into Jedi Knight. All you need to do, is to install MacSaber and to swing around your MacBook. It now works with PowerBooks and iBooks too! [...]

     

  31. REPORT THIS DATA:
    SMS Error: -2
    PowerBook5,6
    ID: 3

    my troops will find you!

     

  32. [...] Las iBook, PowerBooks y las nuevas MacBooks de Apple poseen algo llamado sensor de movimiento repentino, que protege el disco duro de caidas o golpes. El punto es que mis colegas frikis de Star Wars se han aprovechado de esto para desarrollar algo llamado Mac Sabers. ¿Qué que hace? Bueno, vean el video. [...]

     

  33. [...] Another detail I don’t happen to like (and yeah, I know I’m nitpicking) is the plastic frame around the DVD slot. Looks like El Cheapo stuff, and it’s definitely far from being pleasant to the eye. The same goes for the rubber band on the screen hinge. Now that I mention the hinge, then, I have to say I found it quite bit weak: there is basically no way to carry the Macbook with the screen halfway closed, something I used to do a lot with the Powerbook when moving between meeting/conference rooms. Probably the display is just too heavy, but the final result is a swinging screen that tends to either snap your fingers or slam itself wide open, pulling the laptop from your hands. Given how this makes MacSaber nearly unusable, you can clearly see why I just don’t like that: getting my ass kicked on a Jedi battle by 15-inchers is just a shame. [...]

     

  34. [...] I found this neet little gimmick on the net. I sort of managed to get it to work on my powerbook, but it is a little too sensitive. It works because the last few generations of mac laptops have built in motion sensors designed to protect the hard disk incase of a drop or sudden impact of a lacrosse ball. Well, some apple geeks tapped into this motion sensor and decided to use it for a slightly more entertaining means. Someone else decided to use the same technology to make a macsaber. [...]

     

  35. [...] La valeur des capteurs SMS peut être récupérée, laissant la place à des applications plus amusantes. Par exemple, le logiciel MacSaber émet des sons de sabre laser StarWars lorsque le Mac est manipulé. Plus bluffant: il est possible de gérer plusieurs bureaux virtuels et de passer de l’un à l’autre en tapant sur le bord de l’écran comme le montre la vidéo ci-dessous. [...]

     

  36. Great!!!!
    Thanks!!!

    Works in a iBook G4.

    Thanks Again!!!

     

  37. [...] Did you ever want your new MacBook to sound like a lightsaber whenever you swung it violently from side to side?  Okay, probably not.  But now it can. Technorati Tags: [...]

     

  38. Thank you. Do you have any gmail inventation?

     

  39. adffffa

     

  40. [...] MacSaber is a hack that uses the sudden motion sensor in recent Apple laptops to give you the full Jedi Knight experience. Move your Mac from side-to-side or backwards and forwards to duel the foe of your choice. Endless fun at Mac LAN parties. [...]

     

  41. [...] A chi non è mai capitato? La vostra spada laser preferita vi si spezza nel bel mezzo della battaglia interstellare per il dominio dell’universo? (non sto pensando a doppi sensi.. eh!?) Non c’è problema! La soluzione ve la da il Guglie! Ho trovato un programmino eccezionale che vi salverà da questo grave pericolo. Dunque per prima cosa dovete possedere un portatile Apple… non ce l’avete? Allora siete finiti! …per tutti gli altri, il programma si trova qui. I portatili Apple possiedono delle funzionalità hardware per la salvaguardia delle testine dell’hard disk… per dirla in parole povere, ogni qualvolta il portatile si trova in una posizione critica o sta per cadere… un sensore di movimento si accorge del imminente impatto e mette al sicuro le delicate testine del disco fisso al fine di evitare danni ancora maggiori. I valori rilevati da questo sensore possono essere letti tramite dei registri ed utilizzati per le proprie applicazioni… che Nerd che sono! Comunque, in giro si trovano diversi software del genere… ho recuperato una bolla da carpentiere per rassicurarmi che la mia scrivania sia proprio in regola (e ora mi sento meglio), un giochino con delle biglie, SmacBook, un switch screen… dai una pacchetta a destra per switchare a destra e viceversa. Infine quest’ ultimo MacSaber sfrutta il sensore per simulare una spada laser… e a quello che no potuto vedere, alcuni entrano proprio nella parte… in modo inquietante… Non vi consiglio di installare questi software, in quanto io non gli ho ancora provati e non so come vanno, ma se avete un po’ di tempo guardatevi questi video… da non credere! [...]

     

  42. I really want this to work…

    REPORT THIS DATA:
    Version: 1.0
    SMS Error: -2
    PowerBook5,7
    ID: 3

     

  43. [...] � 프로그램� http://isnoop.net/blog/2006/05/26/macsaber-10-released/ �서 구할 수 있으며 지난 5월 26�� 1.0 버전� 릴리즈 �었다. 스타워즈를 좋아하고 맥� 가지고 있는 사람��면 재미로 한번 깔아서 경험해볼만 한듯 하다. [...]

     

  44. [...] Download Macsaber here. [...]

     

  45. hi koke

     

  46. vchao abn

     

  47. koe1111454555

     

  48. I LOVE IT! you are my hero!

     

  49. Invite

     

  50. Invete. Plise !

     

  51. Invete. Plise !
    ng-mail@mail.ru

     

  52. Needs 1 more feature – for when you quit, retract blade sound.

    Also, I wonder if it’s possible to have MacSaber force the HD to sleep (and a note to quit other apps that might be using the HD), to save abnormal, and probably damaging, wear on the HD. I had an old PB I moved around a lot, and carefully, while running, and eventually the HD made nasty noises whenever I moved it.

     

  53. Gmail invite … Thanks!!!
    谢谢���

     

  54. Oh, so much fun. :) Thank you!

     

  55. c’est Dark Vader qui ne va pas etre content !
    it is Dark Vader which will not be content!

     

  56. I LOVE IT!!!!!!

     

  57. [...] Das ist völlig an mir vorbei gegangen. Während ich die immer selben, mit dem Betreff “Hihi” oder “Guter Witz” betitelten eMails in Riesenverteilern geschickt bekomme, passiert die echte Action wie immer auf der anderen Seite des Atlantiks. Gestolpert bin ich darauf, als ich mich über das mittlerweile in Version 1.0 erschienene Utility MacSaber informierte. Von dort stolperte ich auf ein Video, dass die Software im Einsatz zeigt: MacBook Man. Es wird dort auf einen bestimmten Star Wars Kid angespielt, der in diesem bemerkenswerten Video zu sehen ist: [...]

     

  58. Now all that missing is some kind of code… via wifi or bluetooth to have macsabers talk to each other so you can have a real battle. (MacSaber + Sleepless = Safer for the screen)

     

  59. hi how are you Tm cool miloud1110@hotmail.com

     

  60. hello ………im franshe // je suis francer j’aim asv fsdjfhsdfudfydsfiysdfuidyfsidyfsdsdfsdfsdf

     

  61. thanks

     

  62. thanks for invitation

     

  63. NICE………. I’m jupping around and fighting anyone at the office!!

     

  64. Sounds awesome! Too bad I don’t have a mac….
    But all my teachers do!
    Teheheeee

     

  65. shailaja needs gmail account

     

  66. [...] http://isnoop.net/blog/2006/05/26/macsaber-10-released/ (No clicks yet) [...]

     

  67. mình muốn có một Gmail thì phải làm sao???

     

  68. salut ……. une invitation Gmail please
    thanks you

     

  69. ajjagou@hotmail.fr

     

  70. [...] MacSaber [...]

     

  71. [...] Für Spielkinder gibt es den “Mac Saber“, da steckt im Prinzip dieselbe Technik dahinter. Man fuchtelt mit dem PowerBook in der Luft rum und es macht Geräusche wie ein Laserschwert… [...]

     

  72. Hi,

    just installed V1.1…. it is so coooooool…. you are the man (possibly a woman)!

    dude, here is an idea… use the blutooth proximity options to create a saber fight between 2 or more PBs….

    keep me posted if you need a tester! … ;)

     

  73. [...] 11:44 pm Don’t they look neat? This by the way is the most insane program! [...]

     

  74. �给我一个申请啊,我的邮箱是vansnsi@21cn.com,万分感谢�

     

  75. MOVIE & PIC

     

  76. [...] New Powerbooks and MacBook/MacBookPros have a motion sensor that locks your hard drive if it feels like you’re about to drop your laptop. MacSaber takes that data and converts it to lightsaber sound effects. [...]

     

  77. I don’t have either the program fild to open… :(

     

  78. [...] Consequently, one night I found myself in Australia, at 2.00 AM, with no internet connection, and a need to not sleep past noon the following day. Luckily, I had my trusty PowerBook with me, and I figured that, hey, if this thing can be used as a carpenter’s level, a light sabre and, ehm, a computer, surely it can double quadruple as an alarm clock. [...]

     

  79. how do I join?

     

  80. Help! :)

    I have a 15″ 2GHz Macbook Pro. Got MacSaber 1.0 a few weeks ago, and left it in my system. It worked fine. Anyway, I had nothing to do yesterday, so I opened it up– it didn’t work. No matter how much I swung my Macbook Pro around, the roll stayed at 153 and tilt at 64. Force is stuck at 0 0. :( Upgraded to 1.1, but it still doesn’t work. (It does make the standby lightsaber sound, though.)

    I recently upgraded a bunch of stuff– iTunes, Quicktime, FrontRow, and IMovie. Could it be the upgrades? Downloaded an SMS widget, Level Widget, and that doesn’t work either. So, is the problem with my sudden motion sensor?

    I’m freaking out. I want my MacSaber!

     

  81. Hello, you have great site!

     

  82. Hi, great site!

     

  83. Excellent site, added to favorites!!

     

  84. [...] [...]

     

  85. Incomparably superior to Windows equivalents

    One of the best reasons to get a Mac is the exceptionally well-written third party lightsaber software.
    Tags: Mac, SMS, Sudden Motion Sensor, Geekery

     

  86. how can i made a lightsaber? and i want to be blue.
    if in this sait have some one who can help me to write to me on my e-meil

    alex_mmm@abv.bg

     

  87. help me ! send me one invite

     

  88. I can not live without a GMAIL.Give me a hand,please!

     

  89. Give me an invite! Thank you !

     

  90. Give me an invite! Thank you !
    My e-mail is LXJNOKIA_2006@163.com

     

  91. 我需�一个邀请,��英雄帮帮忙好�?
    邮箱地�:LXJNOKIA_2006@163.COM

     

  92. Hello ,everyone ,please give me a invitation. Thank you very much!

     

  93. Hello ,everyone ,please give me a invitation. Thank you very much!

     

  94. [...] Aquí hay uno, se llama MacSaber y convierte tu mac en toda una espada laser al estilo Star Wars, si mueves tu Macbook generas distontos sonidos, emulando los sonidos que emiten las espadas laser. Goza este par de chinos que han hecho una demostración para Esquizopedia y sus lectores (Mi macbook no pensaba jamaquearla de este modo). [...]

     

  95. [...] OK, admittedly this article isn’t much good if you don’t have a MacBook.  But if you do you have to try this.  The program is called MacSaber, and it turns your humble laptop into the devastatingly accurate weapon of the Jedi knights.  How you ask?  Simple. [...]

     

  96. Hi! Definitely nice and neat site you got there.

     

  97. %

     

  98. Hi! every one, it’s my pleasure

     

  99. [...]   [...]

     

  100. df

     

  101. isnoop.net blog » Blog Archive » MacSaber 1.0 Released

     

  102. Gmail invite Thanks!

     

  103. iuji

     

  104. please help me. give mean ianvitation

     

  105. MacSaber is great fun ! I would love to see you interface MacSaber with DarwiinRemote (the Wiimote has motion sensors and force feedback). Imagine the Jedi action with a Wiimote !

     

  106. very best idea make rules time!

     

  107. hii cho tui cai

     

  108. viet anh ne

     

  109. We’ve been talking about it in the office as we all have Macs.. How difficult would it be to get MacSabre on the new iPhone?!!!! That would be very cool!!!

     

  110. I am very happy if you offer me an invite.

    Thank you very much for your help.

    Sincery yours,

    TRAN ANH VU

     

  111. [...] i’m still addicted to the ol’ macbook pro. the thing is awesome. the friend that visited me bought one around the same time i did, and he’s just as infatuated. programs like this along make the macbook a worthy investment……   [...]

     

  112. Hi Ian i was wondering if i could have my email back i’m sure you think its very funny but i do kinda need it you can contact me here. http://Johnnycode@hotmail.com

    Thnx ^_^

     

  113. just give it back and ill leave u alone.

     

  114. checkin in

     

  115. [...] Another idea is called MacSaber, which gives you the full Jedi Knight experience. Move your Mac from side-to-side or backwards and forwards to duel the foe of your choice. [...]

     

  116. [...] MacSaber: Turn your MacBook into a Light Saber! (Free) [...]

     

  117. daite na pivoa

     

  118. Ya know what would be really cool (in my book, anyway) would be to have MacSaber launch when the lid is opened and close when the lid is closed. At least make the sounds. It would be like we’re all Jedis (or Siths if you have a black MacBook) about to do battle each time we opened our Macs.

     

  119. [...] isnoop.net blog » Blog Archive » MacSaber 1.0 Released (tags: macosx macbook widget dashboard movement motion) [...]

     

  120. [...] Ya lleva días rulando por internet varios vídeos sobre la utilidad del sensor de movimiento presentes en algunos portátiles de apple. Uno lo utilizan para convertir su portátil en espada láser de Star Wars, y otros para ir cambiando de pantalla con un simple movimiento de mano sobre el sensor. La utilidades parecen que crecen por días. Para hacer estas cosas, es necesario tener la aplicación adecuada. Una es MacSaber que permite, mediante movimientos de tu portátil (a lo jedy), simular el sonido de una espada láser. Y luego tenemos Smackbook Pro para cambiar de pantalla con un movimiento de mano. [...]

     

  121. [...] Ya lleva días rulando por internet varios vídeos sobre la utilidad del sensor de movimiento presentes en algunos portátiles de apple. Uno lo utilizan para convertir su portátil en espada láser de Star Wars, y otros para ir cambiando de pantalla con un simple movimiento de mano sobre el sensor. La utilidades parecen que crecen por días. Para hacer estas cosas, es necesario tener la aplicación adecuada. Una es MacSaber que permite, mediante movimientos de tu portátil (a lo jedy), simular el sonido de una espada láser. Y luego tenemos Smackbook Pro para cambiar de pantalla con un movimiento de mano. [...]

     

  122. [...] Ein lustiges Gadget für MacBook, iBook und PowerBook Besitzer ist MacSaber. Es macht das Laptop zum Laserschwert. Sobald man es angemacht hat und das Laserschwert gezückt hat kann man das MacBook in alle Richtungen bewegen und hört das Laserschwert. Nutzlos aber lustig. [...]

     

  123. Well I don’t have a Mac Book yet but this software makes the purchase all the more tempting. Hey if I drop it can you sense the sudden intense shock and have it make the sound of the Death Star exploding? (You think they would get mad if I tested this out at the Apple store? After all I think it deserves a proper review.)

     

  124. su pag esta re buena !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     

  125. [...] Jahren (Ende Januar 2005) erwarb ich günstig ein PowerBook G4 der damals auslaufenden Serie ohne Beschleunigungssensor. Sagenhaft günstig für 1050€ netto. Die ganze Zeit lief OS X 10.3 auf dem Gerät. Open Source [...]

     

  126. [...] MacSaberWith the sensor sporting a force level it was only a matter of time before somebody used that sensor magic to come up with something like MacSaber. [...]

     

  127. Unfortunately I don´t have a Mac, so I can´t give a comment about how good works this tool. But so far I can read, I think It would be a good idea to buy a Mac and try it.
    It sounds really cool. Thanks to everybody.

     

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