Aug 3, 2008 Aug 5, 2008 Monday August 4, 2008
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Ars: Jobs agrees MobileMe not up to Apple's standards
Filed under: Bad Apple, MobileMeHow often does Apple admit a mistake? It's a once-in-a-blue-iMoon occurrence, but now that Ars Technica is reporting the contents of an internal Steve Jobs all-hands email regarding the MobileMe launch challenges we can add one more instance to the tally board. Jobs apparently acknowledges that trying to rush the MobileMe migration while pushing iPhone 3G hardware and iPhone 2.0 software out the door (not to mention the iTunes App Store) may have been too much to bite off at once.The money quote from the letter (yet to be confirmed by TUAW sources) is here:"The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services," Jobs says. "And learn we will. The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year."Ars also notes that MobileMe management will now be centralized under iTunes exec VP Eddy Cue, who will be leading the charge for all Apple internet services across the board. We've all been through the MobileMe ups and downs during the first weeks of the service; it's nice to know (belatedly) that Apple top brass is clued in.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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MobileMe gets new leadership, Jobs admits Apple made a big mistake
Filed under: Misc. GadgetsNot that anyone could really dance around the facts of the matter at this point, but in an email to Apple employees sent today, apparently Steve said, "It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store. We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence." Apple exec Eddie Cue appears to taking the much maligned service under his wing (as well as the App Store, adding to his original gig as VP of iTunes), hopefully making good on the other bit in El Jobso's email where he resets Apple's call to action on .Mac's replacement: "The MobileMe launch clearly demonstrates that we have more to learn about Internet services. And learn we will. The vision of MobileMe is both exciting and ambitious, and we will press on to make it a service we are all proud of by the end of this year." We'll see about that!Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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MobileMe Reorg
The clusterfuck that has been the first month of MobileMe — a botched launch, permanently lost email messages, and syncing features that sometimes don’t sync — has resulted in the inevitable: a reorg. “Reorg” being Apple-speak for “this shit had better change”. In a company-wide email, Steve Jobs today announced that Eddie Cue, whose former title was Vice President of iTunes, has taken on what I believe to be the new title of Vice President of Internet Services, overseeing both the iTunes Store and MobileMe. Jobs: It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store. We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence. ★
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Steve Jobs: MobileMe "not up to Apple's standards"
Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent an internal e-mail to Apple employees this evening acknowledging MobileMe's numerous flaws and admitting that the service could have used more time and testing. Combined with a MobileMe reorganization, Apple is apparently learning some major lessons from this launch. Read More...
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Blog from iPhone to WordPress
The new iPhone app for WordPress allows you to create, tag, and edit entries right from your mobile. You can even include photos, assign multiple categories, and add password protection to a blog entry. Will this get me writing more frequently? Probably, once I work my way out of the vacation poorhouse and get some free time to write again.
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Tap Tap Tap Reveals Opening Week iPhone App Sales
John Casasanta reveals Tap Tap Tap’s opening week App Store sales for Where To and Tipulator ($9,547 and $349, respectively, for a post-Apple take-home cut of $6,928), and has some good words regarding the efficacy of sponsoring the DF RSS feed. ★
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More on the iPhone NDA
A correspondent of Chuq Von Rospach suggests an interesting, and plausible, reason why Apple has not lifted the iPhone SDK NDA: because it prevents people who work at competitors from looking at it. ★
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Apple drops iPhone 2.0.1 software (updated)
Apple this evening posted updated iPhone 2.0.1 software (249MB) via the Update feature in iTunes (iPhone > Summary > Version). Not much information is offered beyond Apple’s ridiculously lame “bug fixes” description but I’m sure that details will start to trickle out soon. Hopefully 2.0.1 addresses some of the many iPhone ills that have been plaguing [...]
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iPhone OS 2.0.1 Available With a Truckload of “Bug Fixes”
This evening Apple made iPhone OS 2.0.1 available via iTunes. Frequently Apple doesn't include a lot of information on what software updates actually fix, but this could be on of the most cryptic of all. This update simply says the update includes “Bug Fixes”…247MB of “bug fixes” to be exact. Now that isn't an additional 247MB of space that will be docked from your storage space, but it is quite a hefty download nonetheless. So far I haven't noticed any issues from the update and if anything interactive feels a bit snappier. Give the download a go and let us know if you notice it fixing any specific issues or if you run in to any new problems with the download.
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Diamond, the rich text editor that thinks different
Filed under: SoftwareDiamond is a free rich text editor with a difference. Lots of differences, actually, which combine to make it quite appealing. Developer Geoffrey Alexander has recently released Diamond 3, which makes this an excellent time for you to download and give it a try. How is Diamond different? Diamond windows look different. Sometimes they're hardly there. They may or may not have title bars. They may or may not hover above a background (flat color, or photographic, it's up to you) that in turn hovers over everything else on your desktop. Text inside Diamond documents flows in columns. Word and character counts float unobtrusively below the windows, as if hanging in space. If you want them to. Aspects of Diamond's differentness are yours to tweak in the prefs, of course, so you can de-weird things if you feel the need. But that takes all the fun out of it. If I'm not making much sense here, I encourage you to take a look at the Diamond gallery or download the app to try it for yourselves. As Geoffrey himself once said: "Diamond isn't for everyone, and may not even be for anyone." But I rather like it, if only because it takes the mundanity of editing text and adds a bit of life that you don't find in other rich text editors.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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‘Why Your Computer Is Running Slow’
One thing I’ve noticed in the hour or so in which I’ve been running iPhone OS 2.0.1 is that the UI, system-wide, is snappier. It feels like the 1.1 OS in this regard. Perhaps this old Spamusement comic from Steven Frank explains what changed with those unspecified “bug fixes”. ★
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iPhone 2.0.1 firmware out for iPhone and iPod touch
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, iTunes, Apple, iPhone Apple has released the 2.0.1 firmware update for the iPhone and iPod touch, and as you can see above, it brings the much-awaited "Bug fixes" feature to bear. We first heard about bug fixes way back at WWDC '07, and since then there's been much speculation on Apple blogs of all kinds as to just what effects a feature like "bug fixes" will have on the market.We're just kidding of course -- "Bug fixes" could mean anything. But the update is surprisingly large (242 mb) so as soon as we get it installed, we'll pick it apart.It looks like the day of reckoning is here -- "bug fixes" is out, and may all the various Gods have mercy on our souls. The 2.0.1 software update for the iPhone and iPod touch is available in iTunes right now.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Permalink|Email this|Comments
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iPhone 2.0.1 now available through iTunes
Filed under: Cellphones Well, finally. iPhone firmware 2.0.1 has just been released by Apple, and we're hoping it solves the myriad problems introduced by 2.0: crashing apps, interminable keyboard delays, choppy scrolling -- you know what we're talking about. We're pulling down the 250MB file now, we'll let you know how things turn out -- won't you do the same?Update: Well, it took its sweet time to install, but things seem a little tighter and snappier all around. We'll give it a day or so of actual usage before we pronounce things A-OK, though -- how's it going for you?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Permalink|Email this|Comments
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iPhone 2.0.1 Released
iPhone owners should fire up iTunes because iPhone software 2.0.1 is ready for iPhone installing goodness. The 250MB download fixes bugs on the iPhone and reportedly makes the iPhone UI snappier.
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Daily Mail claims iPhone nano ready for Christmas, the rest of us laugh
Filed under: Rumors, iPhone The Daily Mail (of London) is citing "an industry source" that says Apple will release a 150 (≈$295) "iPhone nano" for O2 pay-as-you-go customers. The 8GB iPhone 3G is currently on offer for 99 (≈$195), but requires a 30 (≈$59) per month service charge for two years. In the article, the Daily Mail cites an "expert" who says the iPhone nano will include a touch wheel on the back of the handset so numbers can be "dialed" from behind. As much as I love my rotary-dial telephone, not just no, but heck no. In fact, the seven-sentence, poorly-cited Mail story is little more than linkbait, which is why we're not linking directly to it. The newspaper, from what I understand, is something of a rag in the UK. TechCrunch UK noted that the Mail is going after pageviews, and the crowd that follows Apple rumors would be good for some hits. Shrewd, but crude. Harry McCracken notes that he anticiaptes an iPhone nano at some point in the future, but this ain' t it. All I want for Christmas is an iPhone that works on the Verizon network. I'll have a long wait, I reckon.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple releases iPhone 2.0.1 Software Update
Posted by Dave MertenApple has released iPhone 2.0.1 Software Update, the first maintenance and security update for iPhone 3Gs and first-generation iPhones running iPhone Software 2.0. To download and install the 249.2MB update, do the following.
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iPhone OS 2.0.1
In the history of Apple’s crummy release notes, this one might take the cake: This version of the software includes the following improvements and supercedes all previous versions. Bug fixes One can hope, given how many bugs there were in 2.0.0, that the full list of fixes is actually pretty long. I’m also hoping that Apple soon updates the “recent security updates” page I’m linking to with at least some of the specific changes in 2.0.1. ★
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Apple releases update to iPhone 2.0 software
The new software supposedly comes with various "bug fixes," although it's not clear right now exactly what bugs Apple chose to tackle with the new software.
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iPhone/iPod touch 2.0.1 software arrives through iTunes
Apple has released iPhone 2.0.1 this evening, which contains bug fixes that will surely blow our socks off. Read More...
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News: Apple releases iPhone Software 2.0.1
Apple today released iPhone Software 2.0.1, the first update to the iPhone and iPod touch software since the release of the iPhone 3G and the arrival of the App Store. According to Apple, the update contains simply “Bug fixes.” The download is 249.2MB in size for the iPhone, or 246.7MB for the iPod touch, and is available now for the iPhone, the iPhone 3G, and iPod touch units running software version 2.0 through the update feature in…
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Sun offers StarOffice 9 beta for Mac
Filed under: Software, Freeware, Beta BeatSun has released a beta for StarOffice 9, which brings native Mac support to Sun's commercial version of the OpenOffice suite of applications (finally bringing to fruition Sun's joining the Mac porting team back in 2007). The new version is a regular Aqua application and no longer requires X11. In addition, it integrates with "the address book and other system tools" including Spotlight, and allows importing the new XML-based Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac file formats (.docx, .xlsx etc.). StarOffice9 is Intel-only and requires OS X 10.4+. The beta expires on August 17. It is a free download from Sun Microsystems (registration required). The regular price of StarOffice 8 is $69.95.[via MacNN]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Psystar placing its trust in antitrust
Lawyers for Mac clone maker Psystar have said they are considering raising antitrust questions in their defense of the company against a lawsuit filed by Apple.
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Leaked spyshots of the next MacBook?
Filed under: Rumors, MacBookA Taiwan-based Mac site, Apple.pro, has posted what purport to be spy shots of the next MacBook. If they're real (always the big if) the big change appears to be a move to an all aluminum enclosure for the low-end Mac portable bringing it into line with its big Pro (and little Air) brothers. The shot of what appears to be the screen bezel clearly reads "MacBook." If this pans out it would mean the end of an era, with the elimination of last Macs to sport the previously iconic Apple white plastic design.[via Engadget]Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Dashboard widget: Remember the Moof for Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is a feature-rich, web-based task management service. Remember the Moof is a Mac OS X Dashboard client that complements it. Read More...
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Another App bites the dust: Box Office/Now Playing
Last week Apple pulled iPhone tethering application NetShare from the App Store without explanation (it’s since been posted and removed again) and this week another – less controversial – application has bee pulled without explanation. Over the weekend I was comparing iPhone apps with some friends who were visiting from out of town and when someone [...]
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TidBITS on Security Update 2008-005
Glenn Fleishman and Adam Engst: Twenty-four days after the rest of the industry mobilized to patch a serious flaw in the domain name system (DNS) protocol that’s core to the functioning of the Internet, Apple has at long last released Security Update 2008-005, which includes its fix for the regular and server flavors of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and 10.5 Leopard. If 24 days doesn’t sound like a long time, note that Apple was notified privately on 05-May-08, nearly 3 months ago, and this is for a vulnerability with significant exposure that had the potential to be disastrous for Apple’s business and hosting customers, as amply described in an opinion piece for Macworld by Mac system administrator John Welch. Today’s issue of MDJ had this to say: In the face of theoretical zero-day exploits, the question had remained: can Apple produce a zero-day patch if a real exploit shows up? Now we have the answer: no. The company’s deliberative and opaque security process can benefit customers by not rushing ill-considered patches out the door that might need subsequent patches a day or two later. Yet when a real zero-day exploit arrives, Apple has shown it has no mechanism for dealing with it. ★
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The NetShare debacle: Apple, explain yourself
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Bad Apple, App Store Put yourselves in Nullriver's shoes for a minute: you create an app (NetShare - see TUAW passim), which as far as you can tell does not break any of the App Store rules. You submit it to Apple for inclusion. It passes the vetting procedure (so it must be OK, right?) and goes live online, for sale to real people. Then it disappears, with no warning. No explanation is given. Then it returns. For a while. Again, no explanation. Then it goes offline again. (I've now lost count how many times NetShare has been online, then offline, rinse and repeat.) And throughout all this, you get nothing from Apple. No explanation. No reason. No polite email asking you to wait. Not even an impolite email. Nothing.Continue reading The NetShare debacle: Apple, explain yourselfRead|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Amazon Rebates on Mac Hardware
Rebates between $50 and $150 for various MacBooks, and $200 on the Mac Pro. Use this link and I’ll get a juicy kickback from Amazon, which I’ll in turn almost certainly squander on something else from Apple. ★
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Apple’s Lack of Candor
Michael Tsai simply nails it. ★
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Pictures of Apple's new MacBook leaked on Taiwanese site?
Filed under: Laptops We can't say for sure these are the real deal, but if recent leaks of iPhone 3G production models are any indication, we might just be looking at Apple's new MacBook. It's a bit hard to make out what's happening in these photos, but to our eyes we're seeing the back of a metal laptop lid, as well as the as-yet-unused inner panel of the display. The text clearly reads MacBook, which falls right in line with rumors that the next iteration of the smaller laptops would be aluminum just like their big brothers. Right now it's anyone's guess if these pics are legit or not -- but you can be sure we'll be keeping a close watch on this one as these pictures emanate from the same site carrying the last supposed leak. Two more shots after the break.Continue reading Pictures of Apple's new MacBook leaked on Taiwanese site?Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple Gazette Daily 320 - Today it's all about the App Store!
podcast sponsor link:Click Here to check out Blogflux Groups! Today's Show: Today it's all about the App Store! You can subscribe via iTunes, or by RSS feed, or… you can listen to the episode right here: In addition to that, you can also download the Apple Gazette Daily Widget and listen to every episode of the show right on your Dashboard. Click Here to download.
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Apple nixes second Black Hat talk
A second Black Hat session focused on Apple security disappears from the current session schedule.
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News: Latest iPhone 3G problem: dusty screens
Following reports last week of cracking iPhone 3G plastic shells, additional reports have surfaced this week that some iPhone 3G screens are susceptible to dust and dirt intrusion, creating dots that are stuck underneath the glass of the phone's face. According to several readers posting in an iLounge forum thread, the problem may be linked to a loose seal around the screen, which allows for gaps between the screen and bezel, letting small particles…
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Rumor: iPhone 3G ramping production, iPhone nano coming soon
10 million iPhones per quarter, plus an iPhone nano for the holidays means Christmas could come early for Apple. Unfortunately, some of that will end up not coming true, at least this year.Read More...
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Rob Enderle be a lady tonight
Last week we learned the answer to a question that has plagued mankind from time immemorial. "Who the heck pays Rob Enderle to do whatever the heck it is exactly he does?" Not too surprisingly, the answer was Dell, on their upcoming iPod killah! (Good luck with that by the way, boys!) This week, Rob outdoes his already jacktastic standards by writing in glowing terms about a project he's being paid to consult on without, you know, revealing he's being paid to consult on it. I'm not sure I'd bet against Michael Dell. Well, sure, Rob. It's not polite to bet against the guy who brought you to the game. A lady never leaves her escort It isnt fair, it isnt nice A lady doesnt wander all over the room And blow on some other guys dice Lets keep this party polite Never get out of my sight Stick with me baby, I'm the guy that you came in with Luck be a lady tonight - Luck be a Lady Tonight, Frank Sinatra
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Rob Enderle be a lady tonight
Last week we learned the answer to a question that has plagued mankind from time immemorial. "Who the heck pays Rob Enderle to do whatever the heck it is exactly he does?" Not too surprisingly, the answer was Dell, on their upcoming iPod killah! (Good luck with that by the way, boys!) This week, Rob outdoes his already jacktastic standards by writing in glowing terms about a project he's being paid to consult on without, you know, revealing he's being paid to consult on it. I'm not sure I'd bet against Michael Dell. Well, sure, Rob. It's not polite to bet against the guy who brought you to the game. A lady never leaves her escort It isnt fair, it isnt nice A lady doesnt wander all over the room And blow on some other guys dice Lets keep this party polite Never get out of my sight Stick with me baby, I'm the guy that you came in with Luck be a lady tonight - Luck be a Lady Tonight, Frank Sinatra from "Guys and Dolls", music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (tip o' the antlers to Neil Bernstein via email)
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Virgin Mobile is fourth iPhone carrier in Australia
Posted by Dennis SellersA note at the Virgin Mobile Australia site says the company has become the fourth iPhone carrier in Australia. It joins Vodafone, Optus and Telstra.
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Apple software updates for Aug. 4
Posted by Dennis SellersEttore Software is shipping TypeIt4Me 4.0.4, an update of the text expander for the Mac. With the upgrade, flags transient items are placed on pasteboard so that CopyPaste (and other similar programs) won't add expanded clippings to their clipboard history list. Also, if AutoCorrect ignore list file is missing, it's...
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Aug. 4 'Macsimum Podcast' now available
Posted by Dennis SellersThe Macsimum Podcast for Aug. 4 is now available here and the RSS feed is here.
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'Macsimum Recommended Reading' for Aug. 4
Posted by Dennis Sellers“Apple to launch the iPhone 'nano' in time for Christmas: Apple is about to launch a 'nano' version of the hugely successful iPhone. It is expected to be in the shops in time for Christmas. The product will be launched in the UK at up to 150 for pay-as-you-go customers...
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eMedia launches My Piano Pack
Posted by Dennis SellerseMedia Music has announced My Piano Pack, a keyboard and software package designed to teach kids ages six and up to learn how to play piano. Due in October for US$129.95, it combines eMedia's My Piano CD-ROM with a touch sensitive full size 49-key MIDI controller.
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eAuthorize credit card processing plug-in for FM Pro updated to version 5.0
Posted by Dennis SellersWorqSmart has announced eAuthorize 5.0, an update of the credit card processing plug-in for FileMaker Pro. The update include includes a card-swipe parsing example (for Authorize.Net card-present merchant accounts) and support for the Sage Payment Gateway.
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MacBook, iMac, iPod touch top categories in 'Back-to-School Gift Guide'
Posted by Dennis Sellers Apple rules in the 11th annual Back-to-School Gift Guide from CNET. The MacBook is the top notebook pick, the iMac is top desktop pick, and the iPod touch is the top MP3 player in the guide.
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800,000 iPhones Born a Week?
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Psystar lawyers may be planning antitrust defense
Posted by Dennis SellersOne of the attorneys hired by Psytar. to defend it in a copyright- and trademark-infringement lawsuit brought by Apple “hinted” that the clone maker will bring up antitrust issues if the case goes to trial, according to Computerworld.
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Apple ramping iPhone 3G production to 800,000 units per week?
Posted by Dennis SellersFoxconn, the Taiwanese electronics giant that produces the iPhone 3G for Apple, has ramped up production to 800,000 units per week, a source “close to Apple with direct knowledge of the numbers” told TechCrunch.
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A Better Finder Rename v8 beta is out
Filed under: Software, Beta BeatBatch renaming utilities for the Mac may come and go, but A Better Finder Rename just keeps on keepin' on. The latest update of the venerable utility is the beta 8.0 release, which will be a free upgrade to anyone who bought the product since January 2007 (or owners of 'forever licenses'); upgrade costs start at $12.45 for single user licenses.New in the forthcoming v8: a new single-window interface, simplifying most actions into 7 renaming categories a more powerful database behind the renaming process automatic conflict resolution full rename preview lists (up from a max of 250 files) performance enhancements (multi-threading, optimization of rename order) The trial version of ABFR is limited to 10 renames at a time. You can download the beta from Publicspace's download page. While you're there, check out The Big Mean Folder Machine, a $15 file/folder organizer with serious attitude; it does a great job on folders with thousands of images or MP3s that you want to slice and dice into a more rational arrangement.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Apple's App Store Antics Frustrate Devs
Now you see it, now you don't. Apple is playing hide and seek with some applications in the iPhone and iPod touch online App Store. The first application to show and then disappear was Nullriver's NetShare. It first went on sale briefly on Thursday, then disappeared without explanation -- to the developer or to MacNewsWorld press inquiries on the matter -- then reappeared Friday. And now it's gone again. NetShare is a controversial app. It basically uses a proxy connection over WiFi with a computer to turn the iPhone into a WiFi hotspot.
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Mike Ash: ‘Welcome to iPhone: Your Crappy Mac of Tomorrow, Today!’
Mike Ash argues the other side: But as they say, familiarity breeds contempt, and after using it more these past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that the iPhone platform is really pretty crappy in a lot of ways. And these ways are mostly not due to hardware limitations, but rather artificial limitations put in place by Apple. And mostly these are limitations which have been put in place For Our Own Protection, and which have been, shockingly, praised from many quarters. ★
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Digital Anarchy sells visual effects, 2D animation product lines
Posted by Dennis SellersDigital Anarchy, known for its software in both the broadcast and Photoshop markets, has announced today the sale of their full video product line to Red Giant Software. Effective Monday, August 4, the company will transfer sales and support of 12 plug-in products for host applications that include Adobe After...
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Matt Gemmell: ‘iPhone Developer Complaints’
Matt Gemmell: I’ll just never understand this magical thinking process; it seems that whenever we don’t get access to a juicy API, or when Apple uses a new type of window appearance that isn’t yet publicly available, or when something gets locked down so that we can get access to it at all, normally sane and rational people contract some kind of temporary freetard rabies. I think Gemmell is spot-on regarding the current limitations in the iPhone APIs, and whether it’s fair that Apple’s own software isn’t similarly limited. But I don’t see why he’s so sure that there’s a good reason behind the non-lifting of the NDA, or that it’ll be lifted any time soon. Game console development for Sony or Nintendo is under permanent NDA — I certainly hope that’s not what Apple plans for the iPhone, but I’ve seen no evidence that it’s not. ★
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News: Mix: iPhone nano?, Noreve Diamond, Foxconn, iPhone Russia
United Kingdom-based newspaper The Daily Mail reports that Apple plans to release a “nano” version of the iPhone in time for the holiday season. The report, which cites only one anonymous industry source, suggests the product would be aimed at pay-as-you-go customers that might find the iPhone 3G too expensive. Noreve has introduced its new Diamond Leather Case for the iPhone 3G (pictured). The simple sleeve-style case is adorned with…
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Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 3G coming in September
Mophie Juice pack fans like myself who have upgraded to an iPhone 3G will be glad to know that the company is quickly going to be releasing an iPhone 3G compatible version of the charger/case. The new case has been redesigned for the iPhone 3G, but keeps the same features as previous versions. Consumers will have an additional 350 hours of standby time, 6 hours of talk time on 3G, 12 hours of talk time on 2G, 6 hours of Internet on 3G, 8 hours of video playback, and 28 hours of audio playback. I'm a big fan of the Juice Pack, and I'm looking forward to its September release. The MSPRP is $99.95 like its original iPhone and iPod Touch counterparts. Currently Mophie taking entries to raffle off 10 of the 3G Juice Packs for free when they ship this fall. You can find out more at their official website.
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Article: iPhone Gems: Every Voice Recorder, Reviewed
Voice recorder technology first appeared on iPods back in 2003, when Belkin released the original Voice Recorder for iPod. Since then, additional full-sized iPod and nano models have offered basic voice recording capabilities, using software that Apple included in the devices' firmware. All you needed was one of several microphone-laden accessories from Belkin, Griffin, XtremeMac, or others. Then something changed: the iPhone came with a built-in…
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First Looks: JAVOedge Indented JAVOSkin for iPhone 3G
Sold in black or white versions, JAVOedge's Indented JAVOSkin ($20) is a simple silicone rubber case that's bundled with a lanyard necklace and a cleaning Micro Swipe. No screen protection is included, but the case breaks with JAVOedge tradition by actually including an interesting rear design. You can pop out the hard plastic lanyard attachment pin found in the case's rear, creating a small hole in the process....
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First Looks: JAVOedge Leather Side Pouch for iPhone 3G
Similar to the many other sunglass case-style holsters released for the original iPhone, JAVOedge's Leather Side Pouch for iPhone 3G ($25) uses black leather with an olive nylon center stripe, a metal JAVOedge logo on the front, and a 180-degree ratcheting, non-detachable rear belt clip. The speakerphone mic and speaker, as well as the headphone port, are left open on the sides of the case for easy access. Notably, Leather Side Pouch uses magnets…
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Battle of Waterloo
Decisions, decisions. read more
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Foxconn builds 800,000 iPhones per week?
Filed under: Apple, iPhone TechCrunch is reporting that Foxconn (the Taiwanese Apple manufacturing plant) is building over 800,000 iPhones per week in order to meet demand. They are also reporting that this means the plant is working "above current full capacity" and notes that the quality control might not be the best at this time.Apple has moved more than 6 million iPhone units in just the first year. According to TechCrunch, Apple's run rate for the iPhone 3G is over 40 million units per year.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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“Box Office” goes missing in the App Store and no one knows why
Reports are coming in that Apple has pulled “Box Office” from the App Store without telling anyone - including the developers why. Gizmodo and TUAW are both reporting on it with a fair bit of speculation being thrown in. Gizmodo speculated that there could be something “under the surface” like a security flaw that has caused the App to be removed. TUAW is going another route, comparing it to the NetShare Application that was recently removed from the App Store - then returned - then removed again. That poster even goes so far as to say “it's clear that apple has complete control over what you install on your iPhone or iPod Touch”. That statement is completely wrong, though. Apple has control over what is and isn't in the App Store. They don't force you to delete Applications that they have removed from the store. I have both Box Office and NetShare on my iPhone - and they aren't going anywhere. Until they do, Apple does not have “complete control” over my iPhone - and even if they did do that - I could still jailbreak it if I so chose. Back on topic, though, there is no word on why Box Office is missing - but it could be a simple error. It's not like NetShare didn't get added, then removed, then added again - perhaps someone just flicked the wrong switch in the App Store and isn't aware of it yet. Regardless, if Box Office comes back, I recommend it. It's a good App.
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Report: Apple increasing iPhone 3G production
A boost in production to 800,000 units a week could help Apple offset iPhone 3G demand, if it can avoiding introducing quality-control issues along with the increase.
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iPhone SDK Tutorial: Build a Simple RSS reader for the iPhone
With this I'm assuming you have a bit of familiarity with the iPhone SDK - you can download it for free from Apple's site, and follow along here. We're going to build an RSS feed reader for a simple feed (from The Apple Blog, no less). Let's getstarted Open Xcode and choose the “File” menu, in which you'll click the “New Project…” item. Click “Application” under “iPhone OS” in the list at left. On the right, choose “Navigation-Based Application”. Then click the “Choose…” button. You'll be prompted to pick a name and location. Type in the name “TAB RSS reader”. Save it wherever you wish. The Xcode project window will appear, with the standard 3 panes - I recommend pulling the horizontal divider on the right side all the way to the top, since you'll need that editor area and all the real estate you can give it. (more…)
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Black Hat Talk on FileVault Encryption Flaw Pulled
Brian Krebs: Charles Edge, a researcher from Georgia, had been slated to discuss his research on a weakness that could be used to defeat FileVault encryption on the Mac. But sometime last week, Black Hat organizers pulled his name and presentation listing from its schedule of talks. Contacted via cell phone, Edge said he signed confidentiality agreements with Apple, which prevents him from speaking on the topic and from discussing the matter further. ★
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Forum Activity: August 4, 2008
Shapes and CSS? Cuil - can it tackle Google? Trouble getting the iPhone 3G How to clean un-used downloaded items Yet another Macbook vs. Macbook Pro thread…
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iPhone Under AT&T's Control Until 2010
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App Store bringing in strong revenue for some iPhone devs
Now that the iTunes Connect site has been launched to provide App Store developers with sales data, some of those developers are releasing their initial sales info to the world. This should be pretty encouraging for other developers looking to get into iPhone app sales.Read More...
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Poll: how often do you use Front Row on your Mac?
Posted by Dennis SellersIn this week's Macsimum Poll we're asking “How often do you use Front Row on your Mac?” The poll is located on the home page (right hand side) below the “Macsimum Opinion” column.
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First Looks: Contour Design Flick for iPhone 3G
An apparent response to Incase's minimalist, overpriced Slider cases for the original iPhone, Contour Design's Flick for iPhone 3G ($35) is a white or black glossy hard plastic shell with a rubberized hinge at the back for iPhone 3G Dock compatibility. Thin and similar but not identical to Apple's white plastic coloration, the Flick case has dimples at its side center points for easier holding, but doesn't include screen protection or other frills…
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First Looks: Contour Design Fusion for iPhone 3G
As one of two extremely simple new cases from Contour Design, Fusion ($TBD) is a plastic case that blends glossy and matte textures on its back and sides; a similar design to SwitchEasy's Capsule Rebel, but minus the separate frame and the frills. Fusion doesn't include a screen protector or other pack-ins; the price just includes the case, which bulges a bit at the volume and ringer point on iPhone 3G's left side. It's available only in black for…
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Apple pulls Box Office from App Store
Filed under: App Store Gizmodo is reporting that Box Office, an app that gives showtimes for your area, along with movie synopses and images from RottenTomatoes.com and other online sources, has been pulled from the App Store. Metasyntactic, the developer, claims they have received no communication from Apple on the subject, despite emailing Apple about the situation. They also say they communicate regularly with all their data providers, and none have issues with the app. Late last week, NetShare was mysteriously yanked under the same cloud of secrecy. As we mentioned in last night's talkcast, it's clear that Apple has complete control over what you install on your iPhone or iPod touch. Gizmodo speculates that something might be going on "under the surface -- an undiscovered security flaw, maybe." Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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iPhone to go on sale in Russia next year
Posted by Dennis SellersiPhones will go on sale in Russia next year, the Vedomosti /a> publication has reported, citing Evgeny Butman, a Moscow-based director of Apple IMC, Apple's official vendor in the country (as noted by Bloomberg
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First Looks: Incipio dermaSHOT for iPhone 3G
Boosted in price from last year's version, Incipio's dermaSHOT for iPhone 3G ($20) is a simple rubber case, now packed with a screen protector, cleaning cloth, and video stand. The case has been improved from the original iPhone dermaSHOT, now lacking the unnecessary back slits and thereby offering correspondingly better rear protection. Eight colors are available....
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First Looks: Incipio Silicrylic for iPhone 3G
Available in eight colors, Incipio's Silicrylic ($25) iPhone 3G case has dropped in price from last year's version, and changed somewhat in style. Still made from a combination of a hard plastic frame and a silicone rubber case, the frame has been chopped down substantially from the boxy prior iPhone version, and now comes with a screen protector, cleaning cloth, and video stand. Frame colors vary a little from case to case, but tend to be clear;…
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'The Economist' looks at potential successors to Steve Jobs
Posted by Dennis SellersTim Bajarin, an analyst who has followed Apple for decades, told The Economist that CEO Steve Jobs has bred such a strong culture within Apple that there is “nobody on the outside who could even come close” to taking the reins successfully. He also believes that Jobs has recently groomed...
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Review: BeatMaker turns iPhone into a mini-sequencer
A sequencer in your pocket? Ars reviews a very competent iPhone app called BeatMaker. If you do any sort of sequencing work, then you'll definitely want to check this out. Read More...
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Mac 101: Protect your data with FileVault
Filed under: Security, Mac 101If you use a notebook Mac, then the risks are higher for getting your computer stolen. However, Apple has included a tool to protect your entire home folder (documents, pictures, movies, etc.) right within OS X. FileVault protects your computer against stolen data by encrypting/decrypting your home folder each time you login and logout. To use FileVault, you must first set a Master Password. This password is a fail-safe if you forget your user login info. However, if you lose both your user login info and the master password, you will not be able to decrypt your home folder and your data (if not backed up in unencrypted form) will be lost forever. To set the master password, navigate to System Preferences > Security > FileVault > Set Master Password. Once you have the master password set, you will be able to turn on FileVault and begin protecting your data. Click the "Turn on FileVault" button in the FileVault section of the Security preference pane. You will be asked for your master password, and a disclaimer will be displayed explaining the process. Please note that you will not be able to login to your Mac via SMB (Windows file sharing) after turning on FileVault. FileVault provides a high level of data security, but some applications have a history of incompatibility with the feature; it's also very important that you have a secure and solid backup strategy if you choose to use FileVault. For best results with Time Machine, make sure that your FV home folder is upgraded to the Leopard image format (if you were using FV under Tiger, you may have to turn it off and back on to convert your home folder) and log out of your account periodically to allow backups to run.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Inside iPhone 2.0: the new iPhone 3G Software
With the iPhone 3G hardware, Apple significantly improved upon last year's original iPhone. It also extended many of the benefits of its newest model to existing users in the form of the iPhone 2.0 software update (which is also available to current iPod touch users for a nominal $10 fee). This segment presents what's new in the 2.0 software, what hasn't changed, what's missing, what's wrong, and how it compares to other smartphone software platforms on the market. Continues: Inside iPhone 2.0: the new iPhone 3G Software
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Supernova 2: Spacewar zooms to Mac OS X
Posted by Dennis SellersSupernova 2: Spacewar is a new US$19.95, Mac OS X space war game combined with a resource macromanagement simulation from Tycoon Games. It offers over 200 technologies to discover to “rule the galaxy.”
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Apple's security through obscurity policy at Black Hat
Apple pulled out of the Black Hat conference, which is precisely what it should not be doing as it seeks to improve its security.
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Two Apple security sessions cancelled at Black Hat
Apple-related security sessions have been canceled from this week's Black Hat conference. Some conference-goers may be disappointed, but given the circumstances, most aren't really surprised.Read More...
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Wait a minute - 2010? What happened to the Apple/AT&T 5 Year deal?
This weekend USA Today posted an interview with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. Several other blogs posted about it - and all of them have focused on one thing — the idea that the iPhone exclusivity deal has been “extended” to 2010. There's only one real problem with the report. 2010 isn't an extension of anything…depending on which USA Today article you believe. When the Apple/AT&T deal was originally made, it was a five year deal. (My source for that? A USA Today article from May 2007). Now Apple and AT&T originally began their discussions in 2005. So even if you wanted to go back and claim that the exclusive began from the time they began working together, and not from the time the first phone was released - it would still be 2010 when it expired…and not an extension. It is doubtful, though, that the exclusivity deal began at that time. It is an “exclusive distribution” deal, so it would only make sense for it to start when the the first iPhone was released. That was last year. Which means that the iPhone is locked in with AT&T until 2012 (or the end of time if you believe the Mayan calendar). The new article that was posted this weekend says “In exchange for its payout, AT&T got a year extension, into 2010, on its exclusive distribution deal with Apple, people familiar with the matter say. Sources asked to not be named because the terms are confidential.” The original article states “AT&T has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for five years — an eternity in the go-go cellphone world.” Now, where this becomes really kind of confusing is when you look at the fact that both of these USA Today articles were written by Leslie Cauley. If it were two different reporters I would be less surprised that they contradict one another. You would think, however, if she broke the story about the 5 year deal last year - that she would remember it when her new “people familiar with the matter” contradict her initial reporting. So maybe its 2010 - maybe its 2012. Either way, if you want an iPhone you're either going to have to use AT&T or find one unlocked somewhere that fell off the back of a truck…or ebay. Whichever. So which is it Leslie?
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News: 'Ask the Editor' article coming, submit your questions today
Alongside our weekly Ask iLounge column, which focuses mainly on technical issues related to iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV, iLounge this week will post an “Ask the Editor” article, in which iLounge's Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Horwitz will be responding to a number of reader questions. Topics may include everything from favorite products in different categories to our views on events in the Apple pocket device world to iLounge's…
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Sony Ericsson launches Zeemote's JS1 Controller bundle for the W760
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Peripherals Tilt controls might be getting all the fanfare, what with the iPhone and Sony Ericsson's own W760 featuring tilt gaming, but the analog stick still reigns supreme when it comes to getting some actual fragging done. We spotted Zeemote's promising JS1 mobile joystick back at MWC this year, featuring four trigger buttons and an analog nub, but the little Bluetooth controller is finally getting a release. In fact, Sony Ericsson is giving this thing away in the Netherlands, with the purchase of a W760. Sadly, folks who already own a W760, don't live in the Netherlands, or just want a stand-alone JS1 for throwing at people or wedging in small crevices are still out of luck -- still no word on price or release of the thing outside this deal.Read|Permalink|Email this|Comments
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Use iPhone to check if a remote is working
You can use your iPhone to check if a household remote control is working. Start the Camera application, then point the remote in question toward the camera. Be sure the end of the remote with the dark plastic filter is facing the back of the iPhone. If the remote's batteries work, and the remote are functional, you will see a light glow in the picture of the remote in the iPhone's viewfinder window. This can help narrow down a balky remote as to being broken or just having bad batteries.This trick isn't unique to iPhones, but takes advantage of the camera's sensitivity to infrared light, and the fact that you never go anywhere without your iPhone!
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10.5: Exclude Downloads from Time Machine
Time Machine automatically excludes hot folders like /var/tmp and /var/vm and Library/caches from its backups. But it does not exclude, by default, the Downloads folder.If you are like me, things in your Downloads folder are mainly transient items that have not yet earned the status of permanent guests on your hard drive. So add this to your list of excluded items by using the Options button in the Time Machine System Preferences panel.I invite readers to add comments suggesting other overlooked folders with lots of churn that should not be backed up by default.
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Use OpenStep's Ni.snd in OS X
I had OpenStep running in a virtual machine for quite a long time before I got the idea to extract and convert the Ni.snd to something that OS X can play back.For those who don't know: OpenStep had many of the same system sounds found in today's OS X. However, OS X lacks the most important one from OpenStep -- it's the "Ni" sound from Monty Python's Knights who say Ni. This hint presupposes that you have access to an OpenStep installation, as I don't know if the sound was included with NextStep.In OpenStep, find the sound file, which is located at /NextLibrary/Sounds/Ni.sndSomehow, move the file over to your Mac. Since I use a virtual machine, I first tried to use NFS for that, but failed miserably. So I installed OmniWeb 3 and mailed the sound file to myself. Astonishing that the webmail site (GMX) even worked in the old browser, but it did ...
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Create a Dock bookmark to show all Safari bookmarks
This hint explains one way create a bookmark in your Dock that will bring up the All Bookmarks page in Safari. In Safari, entering the URL bookmarks:// does the same thing as pressing the Bookmarks button in the Bookmarks Bar, or selecting Bookmarks » Show All Bookmarks. Confused yet? Good! The only trouble is that LaunchServices (the program that Mac OS X uses to open URLs) doesn't know how to open the bookmarks:// protocol. So here's how to create the Dock entry and make it fully functional:Create a new Safari bookmark for the URL bookmarks://Drag this bookmark to your Dock, which will create a springy ampersand.Download and install the freeware MisFox. In the program, click the Protocol Helpers tab and press the New button. Enter the Protocol bookmarks, and for the Helper, choose /Applications/Safari.app.Now the Bookmarks bookmark in your Dock will open y...
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Software Updates & New Release Highlights For Week Ending 2008-08-02
Apple's Security Update and iTunes minor update received the bulk of the attention this week, but there were a few other post-worthy items as well: Sequence - 1.0.1 - The now $19.00USD innovative screen capture utility fixes a bug in video compression. I had not noticed the “é” in the name now (I believe that came with the actual 1.0 release) but am happy to report that QuickSilver still brings it up after hitting “se”. 10.5 only, tho, as it makes extensive use of a number of Leopard-only features. CLIX - 1.8.1d - After just mentioning it CLIX gets an update which adds built-in command-group sharing (.clix files) from within the application (sends an e-mail with an attachment, but thankfully does not open up Apple Mail to do so). It does incorporate address book lookups and enables you to choose from all available Apple Mail accounts (for the sending part). Again, it's free and works on 10.4 & 10.5 (Intel & PPC). QuarkXPress - 8.0 - I do not do much desktop publishing at all these days, and – when I do – Pages provides most of what I need. Back in the pre-OS X days I used to be a QuarkXTension developer and still attempt to use Quark shortcuts in apps where I am doing more publishing-like activities. The app link goes to their 60-day demo (warning: 517MB, but pretty quick over cable modem) download where you can try some of the web features (Flash and Web Authoring Tools) and enhancements to tools that I cannot believe took this long to get into the program. I realize both Quark & Adobe use the “it's for professonals” and “piracy” excuses for their software prices, but $799.00 seems a bit much, even for this highly extensible program. 10.4 & 10.5 compatible (Intel & PPC) Centre - 2.14.1 - This is a server-side app which requires a number of other components, but it can be setup on either OS X workstation or server and is a full-featured, web-based student management system that incorporates significant functionality into an open source program. I had not fully tried it on OS X prior to this release (I've done most of the installs on Linux), but this release works great and may be something institutions on a budget may want to investigate before the new school year starts. Free!, and OS X 10.1+ Citrix ICA Client - 10.00.601 - A minor update (fix for XenDesktop connections) to this mostly-enterprise tool for running Windows apps remotely (you need the Citrix server software for this to work). Free and 10.3.9+ Flip4Mac WMV - 2.2.1.7 - Telestream fixes a security vulnerability in their substitute for Windows Media Components in QuickTime and also improves some existing features. My installed version did not find the update (even with a manual check), so you, too, may want to grab this on your own and update manually if you use it. 10.3.9+ and pricing starts at free! Flip4Mac Drive-in - 1.0.0.72 - Flip4Mac has another app out (in beta) that requires a full review, but you need to go and grab this beta soon if you want an easy way to get DVD's (that you own!) onto your system and also want to avoid the full price of $59.00USD for the finished version (users who activate the beta prior to 2008-08-15 are eligible to purchase for $19.00USD). 10.4 & 10.5 (Intel & PPC) VMware Fusion - 2.0b2 - Again, this is an app that requires a full review to do it justice, but if you are a VMware Fusion user you really should kick the tires with this pre-release as it significantly improves so many aspects of running virtual machines on your system (and not just Windows). 10.4 & 10.5 (Intel-only) and $79.99USD (but you can often find great deals with much more palatable prices). Accordance - 8.0.4 - This great Bible search & reference tool (exclusively OS X) releases a minor update to fix bugs in 3D map processing. They support a wide range of Mac operating systems and pricing really varies depending on the packages you want (all related to license fees). OmniPlan - 1.6 beta 2 - I dislike Microsoft Project, but have enough large projects on my plate that I wound up grabbig OmniPlan when it first came out just to help keep things in some semblance of order. It is less complex than Project (which is Windows-only), runs on OS X and has all the features I need. This beta fixes bugs, but I encourage OmniPlan users to give it a spin and provide feedback to the Omni folks since they are a solid bunch of developers who do a great deal for the Mac community. 10.4 & 10.5 (Intel & PPC)