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Apple releases fixes for AirPort client, optical drive noise issue

Csaba — 09 December 2009 14:47

Apple released several updates Tuesday with solutions to noise problems with MacBook, MacBook Pro, and SuperDrive optical drives and solutions for AirPort client software.

Both the MacBook and MacBook Pro EFI firmware update allows users to use the SuperDrive firmware update to make the noise of the optical disk during startup and waking from sleep.

Products affected include:
iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), iMac (24-inch, Early 2009), iMac (20-inch, Early 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)

The AirPort Client Update is recommended for all Macintosh computers running Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.2. The update contains fixes for the following:

Inability to AirPort on or off in some cases after an upgrade from Mac OS X Leopard

Occasional loss of network connection using Wake-on-Demand

Inability to a computer-to-computer network, or parts of the internet in some MacBook, MacBook Pro and Mac mini computers

All updates can be applied through Software Update or Apple's support page.
[via Apple Insider]

Apple releases QuickTime 7.6.5 for Windows

Csaba — 02 December 2009 07:52

A new Windows-only version of QuickTime is Apple this week issued. Version 7.6.5 is a 30.99MB file available for download. It requires Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista or Windows 7.

The update addresses some minor issues: It solves a problem where applications were not reliable libraries loaded by QuickTime is required at startup, and patches a bug where films embedded in a Web page does not display properly using custom scale attributes.

QuickTime 6 Pro users should know that installing QuickTime 7 or later disable the"pro"functionality in previous versions. Those upgrading from version 6 will have to purchase a QuickTime 7 Pro registration code

[via Apple Insider]

Apple releases Waveburner 1.6.1 update

Csaba — 12 November 2009 08:45

On this week Apple have released Waveburner 1.6.1, this professional application coming with Logic Studio for assembling, mastering and burning audio CDs. You can download from Apple and size is 88MB (requires Mac OSX 10.5.7 or later).

The update has a number of stability issues and provides fixes. With this the new version, mastering notes are properly saved to disk and Waveform display in the Mix Lane renders more consistently. The update is recommended for all Waveburner 1.6 users. Other fixes, according to Apple, include:

More stability. WaveBurner no longer quits unexpectedly if Auto Render is running when a disc is burned.
Changes to settings in AudioUnit plug-ins are now reliably maintained.
It is now possible to enter a 12-digit UPC/EAN code.
WaveBurner no longer sometimes quits unexpectedly if "Revert to saved" is used while a project is rendering.
Changes to automation curves edited during playback are now immediately audible.
The checkbox for the option to Save Rendering Data in the WaveBurner preferences is now accessible.
WaveBurner now reliably adapts the GUI accurately for AudioUnit plug-ins that support resizing.
Automation now reliably remains in sync with audio when projects are bounced or burned.
Exported DDP images now include the UPC/EAN code.

[via Apple Insider]

Rent HD movies on computers with itunes 8.1.1

Limey — 07 April 2009 04:01

The updated version of iTunes is released by Apple on Monday. This new release facilitates rental of HD movie on PC and/or Mac with synchronization upgrades between media and multi-touch devices.

The proprietors of TV wireless set-top-box of Apple company’s is sole hand has a right to use the HD movie rentals before the release of iTunes 8.1.1 which is 66MB download.

Based on the concise note of release, issues are reported with voiceover and coordinating with ipod and iphone touch. Along with this the new release of iTune fixes number of bugs.

A parallel release of iTunes is available for both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of windows XP and vista.

In the meantime, the report about movie catalog of Apple is released by Arstechnica. This is an ongoing project of Apple. Nearly 300 titles appended to iTunes store in most recent week according to the report of tech site. Most of them are added by this weekend.

Most of the latest additions are known to be library titles which cost $2.99 per rental.

Apple pushes developers to deliver 64-bit support with new Snow Leopard beta

Tyler — 02 April 2009 03:22

As expected, Apple on Wednesday evening provided its vast developer community with a new pre-release distribution of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and asked that they focus attention on 64-bit compatibility in their third party kernel extensions.

The seed, true to predictions earlier in the day, is indeed build 10A314, which arrived in tandem with an identically labeled build of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server.

According to people familiar with the matter, Apple is «strongly encouraging» developers to get busy developing and testing 64-bit support in their kernel extensions (typically low level hardware drivers) for the new build.

While relatively few third party developers create kernel-level software, the new operating system won't work in 64-bit if users lack 64-bit versions of the kernel extensions (kexts) they need.

Developers can deliver both 32 and 64-bit kexts that will enable Snow Leopard to automatically boot as a 64-bit kernel on 64-bit hardware, including all Macs that use a Core 2 Duo or Xeon CPU, while also working properly in 32-bit on earlier Macs using Core Solo or Core Duo CPUs.

Microsoft faced similar driver transition issues when it tried to move Windows XP users to Windows Vista, which used a new driver architecture. Windows users have also faced some transition problems in moving from the 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista to the 64-bit versions of those operating systems.

Apple's need to get kernel developers up to speed on 64-bit support is somewhat less problematic because Mac OS X runs on a much smaller subset of hardware than Windows does, and Apple develops or manages most of the kernel-level driver software that most Mac users need to use the new 64-bit kernel.

Users who have specialized hardware and want to run Snow Leopard in 64-bit will need to make sure their vendors supply them with 64-bit versions of those drivers by the time the new operating system ships; it is expected to be released sometime this summer.

Other software faces less urgency in moving to 64-bit, as the Snow Leopard 64-bit kernel has no problem running 32-bit software outside of the kernel; it just can't run 32-bit kernel drivers. Other 64-bit processes similarly can't run 32-bit plugins or extensions, so developers of «pref pane» modules that get installed in System Preferences will need to release 64-bit versions of those items to allow users to run the 64-bit version of System Preferences.

The Cupertino-based Mac maker is also reportedly equipping developers with a new 64-bit transition guide to make the process as smooth as possible.

Other change arriving alongside the new build are an updated version of Xcode and the ability to install Snow Leopard on MacBook Airs wirelessly via Remote Install, those familiar with the matter say.

As was mentioned earlier, it appears Apple will hold any cosmetic changes to Snow Leopard's interface from the public until its annual developers conference in June.

[via Appleinsider]

Apple patent application hints at

homme — 30 March 2009 04:43

Whoa, now here’s a patent that’s actually worth discussing. (The majority of patents are boring, that’s the implication.). Published for the first time this week, a patent filing for the process reveals that Apple wants to provide a more secure method for preventing unauthorized access to a whole device — or private information on that device — than current techniques like passcodes; That is, the device would have a built-in scanner, biometric or otherwise, that would determine if you’re really you, if that makes any sense at all. You touch the iPhone’s screen and it recognizes your fingerprint; hello, world! You place your palm on your MacBook’s palm rest and trackpad and the computer recognizes you; no password needed anymore!

The solution, the company suggests, would be to automatically use a sensor either hidden within the device or else repurposed from its usual role. Devices could recognize a fingerprint or finger vein pattern simply by waiting for the user to touch the display, which would hide the sensors on or behind the screen. A forward-facing camera could alternately look for retinal patterns or even recognize the facial features of owners when they're in the right position for use.

Notebooks could use the trackpad, palmrest and a webcam for a similar purpose. Biometrics could also be context-sensitive and detect the shape of a user's ear before allowing a call to go through, for example.

As an alternative to biometrics, Apple further proposes using other, non-alphanumeric but also less obvious locks: in hardware, owners could get access by providing their voice to a microphone or tilting a device in certain directions.

On touch devices, users could place their fingers in a particular pattern on screen, make gestures or tap out a sequence. A more direct alternative to passcodes could also exist by making users match up shapes and colors through on-screen icons.

How likely it is any of the new inventions will appear isn't known. Even so, it's clear the processes were developed with the iPhone as a reference. Drawings included with the patent mostly show mockups of the handset's interface as it was when the patent was submitted in September of last year.

Of course, like all patents, there’s no guarantee this feature will ever find its way to market; companies file patents just for the hell of it, or just to keep “the other guy” out of their backyard.

Also, heading up the list of inventors is «iPod father» Tony Fadell, who helped develop the original iPhone and left the company just two months after the application first reached the US Patent and Trademark Office, to be replaced by former IBM executive Mark Papermaster.

Anything that improves a computer’s security, and as transparently as possible (in order to get Public to play along) is okay in my book

Five Reasons Apple Should Open The iPhone

Michael — 19 March 2009 04:37

You know, BusinessWeek asked me about Apple potentially open sourcing the iPhone over a year ago. Since then: nothing out of Apple, despite mounting pressure from projects like Android that are vying for Apple’s throne. With Christmas only days away, I’ve only got one thing I want to ask Santa Jobs for, and it ain’t a Red Rider BB Gun.

All I want from Apple is a more open platform. Sure, the odds are slim as long as they remain dominant. That’s why I’m not asking them to completely open source the iPhone. I’m just asking them to crack the door and let the breeze in.

It’s Good for Devvies, Non-devvies, and Apps Alike

Open source is becoming the default way to develop software in many industries. Why? Because a properly-managed, open environment leads to targeted, robust features and helps developers share code in a healthy coop-tition that helps everybody in the iPhone ecosystem.

Developers love working faster, cheaper, and more effectively. More importantly, many folks that aren’t traditional developers are starting to develop apps for platforms like the iPhone. He who satiates that audience wins the war.

Customers Love Choice

Open sourcing the iPhone gives customers a much broader selection of applications. Customers faced with a plethora of attractive applications when they visit the app store will spend money. More money make Apple happy.

Quash choice, on the other hand, and people revolt. No amount of legal wrangling or slick marketing will bend today’s consumers to the will of “rights management.” Doesn’t matter if it’s a 99-cent song in iTunes or the ability to co-develop software in an open environment—boxing people in will be the iPhone’s undoing.

It Will Solidify Apple’s Dominance

Apple’s got a rare opportunity to solidify dominance in a market by killing the competition in the cradle. An open source iPhone dulls some of Android’s luster. Given Google’s similar storefront approach, the open development environment is Android’s key differentiator. Ol’ Steve can level the playing field—he holds sway over a loyal following of diehard developers.

If They Don’t, Someone Else Will

If you haven’t heard of OpeniBoot, check this out. That’s right, Linux on the iPhone. Earth to Apple: if the iPhone had been open sourced, this probably wouldn’t have happened. I’ll say it again. Open source solutions come from lots of places, but the most frequent is a dissatisfied customer base. Don’t like the feature set? Write your own. Don’t like the functionality? Mod the device. Price too high? Wait it out. In the Internet age, consumers are makers.

They’re Gonna Have to Eventually

Regardless of Santa Jobs opinions on open platforms and iPhone dominance, Apple’s on a collision course with Google, and open source would be a big gun in Apple’s arsenal. Don’t think the average customer cares? I’m blogging from Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. Today’s inspiration was a manager at Wahoo’s, Jordan, who asked me as soon as I walked in about options for the two iPhones he bought and modded to work on tMobile’s network.

Tech customers are savvy. You don’t have to be an uber-geek to hack your gear any more. Innovative networks of customers cooperating with companies to build products will be the norm before long. Open source is just a step towards that future. My 12-year old is sharing mod tricks with his classmates over Skype, for cryin’ out loud. Customers want participatory rights—they want to be involved in the goods they consume. Letting them in just ensures that you give the people what they want.

Finally, iPhone 3.0 to get MMS and copy paste?

Michael — 15 March 2009 09:52

Apple have announced a special event on March 17th, where the company will launch the iPhone OS 3.0 Software. As usual, it has triggered a lot of speculation about what might be coming in the new release.

Mac Rumors cited Boy Genius Report that claims to have heard two most-awaited features: MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and tethering:

MMS would finally offer iPhone users the ability to send photos by way of SMS, and tethering would allow you to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your laptop computer. An alleged Steve Jobs email even confirmed that Apple had been working on a thethering solution, so it certainly seems feasible. BoyGeniusReport’s record, however, has been spotty, so we can’t be entirely confident of the report.

Mac Rumors also mentioned:

…a better app-managing SpringBoard (with categories?), a solution to “push” notifications (background tasks?), and, yes… even copy and paste…

Will 3.0 OS be available for the iPhone 3G? I hope so.

Swedes bring MMS to the iPhone

Michael — 15 March 2009 09:42

Swedish company Mobispine has launched iSendMMS, an application that lets iPhone users send MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages, it said on Friday on the company blog.

The application is available via AppStore and costs 49 Swedish kronor (US$5.70). Users will also have to pay the operator MMS tariff for each sent message.

Currently, the application only works in Sweden for users with a SIM card from TeliaSonera, the operator that sells the iPhone. But Mobispine is looking to make it available in other countries, according to Joakim Hilj, corporate vice president of sales at Mobispine.

The company has been in discussions with other operators since November, when the application was ready. Since then it has been working on the long process of getting the application approved by Apple, Hilj said. Receiving Apple's approval will open the door for a launch in other countries, according to Hilj, who isn't ready to say when that will happen.

ISendMMS only supports the sending of MMS messages, but the plan is to also add support for receiving messages, according to Hilj. For that to be possible the Mobispine platform has to be connected with the operator's existing MMS equipment, and it would also makes sense to use the Apple notification API (application programming interface) when released, he said in the company blog.

Mobispine isn't a newcomer in the messaging market. It currently sells software to operators that let users send SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS messages from a PC. Mobispine says it has 25 operators using the platform, including O2 and Vodafone.

Linux, Microsoft and Sun to discuss the future of operating systems, but where's Apple?

homme — 15 March 2009 06:38

San Francisco (CA) — At the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco on April 8-10, 2009, a meeting of the great OS minds will take place. There, sponsored by Intel, will be assembled together the Linux Foundation, Sun Microsystems and Microsoft representatives. For the first time ever, the three-way group will sit down at a single table to debate and discuss the future not only of their respective operating systems, but also the OS industry in general. What will come from such a meeting? I truly believe that only God knows.
The sit-down meeting will be moderated by Jim Zemlim, Executive Director at the Linux Foundation. It will include Microsoft's Sam Ramji, Director of Platform Strategy, and Sun's Vice President of Developer and Community Marketing, Ian Murdock. But where's Apple?

Apple currently holds around 10% of the global OS marketshare, and yet they are notably absent from these talks. Surely the UNIX-based OS X maker has something to contribute? The gathering is by invitation only, so maybe they weren't invited. Or, maybe they were but have chosen not to go — deciding instead to do their own thing (which would not be out of character for Apple).

Also on the agenda is IDC Program Vice President, Systems Software, Al Gillen, who will share new findings on operating system forecasts and who will give a talk about the economic downturn and its impact on the global OS markets.

Edward Screven, Oracle Chief Corporate Architect, will deliver the opening day keynote with the company's business model centered around Linux.

The Host sponsor, Intel, will send Imad Sousou, Director of the Open Source Technology Center, who will speak about Mobile Linux and its Moblin State of the Union keynote and demonstration.

A panel comprised of Jono Bacon (community manager at Ubuntu), James Bottomley (kernel developer at Novell), Joe Brockmeier (community manager at openSUSE), Dan Frye (VP of open systems development at IBM's Systems and Technology Group) and Karsten Wade (of the Fedora Project), will discuss community contributions to the OS movement.

LWN.net's editor-in-chief, Jon Corbet, along with additional panelists (comprised of Greg Kroah-Hartmann, Andrew Morton and Keith Packard of Ted Ts'o), will discuss the Linux kernel and what's coming next.

The event is an invitation-only gathering of the brightest minds in Linux, including core kernel developers, distribution maintainers, ISVs, end users, system vendors and other community organizations. This is the only conference designed to bring together such disparate business models, DRM beliefs, closed and open source initiatives, and free and fee-based models, into a single forum for such a discussion. As the sponsor, it seems that only Intel could go to San Francisco.

The event will be co-located with the CELF Embedded Linux Conference, along with the Linux Storage and Filesystem workshop. For more information on this, see Collaboration-summit.

For more information on the Linux Foundation, Sun Microsystems and Microsoft OS meeting, see the Linux Foundation's press release. This is the third annual summit. See highlights from 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the primary focus was on drivers. In 2008 the drive theme was extended, but it was also about Internet compliance as well as virtualization.

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