MacBook and MacBook Pro update fixes frozen keyboards
Apple has released the MacBook and MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1, which promises to fix keyboard freezing issues experiences by many users.Read More...
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Apple finally fixes some MacBook keyboard issues
Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals We're sure Apple had a fix in the works long before we got around to posting a poll about it, but if the response to Saturday's informal questionnaire was any indication, this update is long overdue. Apple just posted a new software update for MacBooks and MacBook Pros running Leopard, which solves the problem with the keyboard freezing up sporadically for a minute or so, which had at least two Engadget editors' keyboards in fits. Apple still hasn't addressed the issue with dropping the first character when typing into a text box on certain MacBook Pros, but this is certainly a good move -- though would it have really killed Apple to be a bit more talkative about the whole process?[Thanks, Turgemanster] Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Why are their so many Macbook problems lately?
It appears as though at least some of the latest Apple Macbooks are suffering from graphical issues according to reports on Apple's discussion forum. Both the Macbook and the Macbook Pro are said to be suffering from instances of “visual corruption” in which text duplicates, documents fail to scroll, and animations and videos flicker annoyingly. The video problem, of course, primarily effects Quicktime and Flash. Some have claimed that the problem may be connected to the Leopard Graphics update, was was recently released. Apple has officially commented on the problem by saying “Apple has received reports similar to the behavior you are describing and we are investigating those reports. Further information will come in the form of a Knowledge Base article, Software Update, or Software Release.” This begs the question - why are their so many Macbook problems lately? There have recently been problems with Macbook Pro hard drive failure, non functioning keyboards have been an issue, and now we're seeing graphical problems with the latest machines. I don't have an answer for why this is happening so much recently, but its becoming a very large issue. I mean, I don't see issues with Dell notebook keyboards not functioning, or video not playing properly…why is that? OR - does that happen and I just don't see it because I don't read Windows blogs? The thing we always tell people about Apple is that it “just works” - but more and more recently it seems like we're running into issues where it doesn't “just work”, and I'm not sure why. Is this a big issue - or is it simply a case of bloggers hanging around the Apple discussion forms and finding an isolated incident and blowing it out of proportion? I can tell you my own current problem with my Macbook Pro is so rare that Apple doesn't have another case of it on record. They have tried like mad to fix the problem, but after sending it off 4 times I still can't record audio on it without it turning to a garbled static filled mess. That doesn't mean that the problem is “widespread” or “affecting numerous machines” but that's how these other problems are reported - and seriously - if these issues are affecting only a dozen or so people that's not “wide spread”. Now, I know the keyboard issue affected a lot of people - but I was never able to really tell how many people were affected by the hard drive problems, and it is as yet unclean just how many users are affected by the graphics issue - but this stuff has to stop. So what do you think? Are these problems over-blown? Even if they are, is there anything Apple can do to stop them from happening so frequently?
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MacBook keyboard fix in Software Update
Filed under: Portables, Software Update, Macbook Pro, Mac ProIf you own a MacBook or MacBook Pro and have had keyboard problems, Apple just released a software update that will (hopefully) fix this issue! This problem was first spotted when users started upgrading to Leopard. Some users have reported that their keyboards temporarily freeze, especially in Carbon apps such as MS Office 2004.Apple states, "Some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems may occasionally experience a temporary suspension of keyboard input which can last a minute or longer." You can download the update from the Apple Support website or via Software Update.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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New MacBook firmware update doesn't resolve memory issues
Apple may well have an update on the way that fixes the 4GB memory problem affecting at least some new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, but it apparently isn't the firmware update that was just released yesterday. According to jkOnTheRun, while the update appeared to have remedied the problem initially, the freezing eventually returned and, once again, going back to 3GB proved to be the only way to get the laptop back into working condition. Of course, Apple never claimed that the update would fix this particular problem, but it seems that there's an increasing number of people waiting to hear something about the matter straight from the company. Filed under: LaptopsNew MacBook firmware update doesn't resolve memory issues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple releases QuickTime 7.5.7, fixes HDCP issues
Filed under: Multimedia, Software Update, Macbook Pro, MacBookApple just updated QuickTime to version 7.5.7. This update is big news for users of the MacBook and MacBook Pro unibody computers because it fixes the problem where some users were unable to play protected movie files from iTunes on external displays. This is a problem that TUAW noted last week. Here's what Software Update has to say about this update: This update is recommended for owners of MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort. The update addresses an issue where some standard definition purchases from the iTunes Store do not play on some external displays.We're sure that this update will make many MacBook and MacBook Pro users happy when it comes to video playback on external displays. You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update), or by visiting the Apple Support Download Website. Continue reading to see a screenshot of Software Update.Update: Please note that this update does not allow the playback of HD (High-Definition) content on external displays, you will only be able to view SD (Standard-Definition) content.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Continue reading Apple releases QuickTime 7.5.7, fixes HDCP issuesTUAWApple releases QuickTime 7.5.7, fixes HDCP issues originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple releases MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2
Filed under: Software Update, Macbook Pro, MacBookWith the new MacBook and MacBook Pro computers shipping today and appearing in stores tomorrow, everyone is waiting to get their hands on one. We can't say when you'll get yours, but we can predict exactly what you'll be doing when you get home with it. That's because Apple just released a software update for the new MacBook and MacBook Pro. Seriously, they couldn't have updated them at the factory? The update is a whopping 45 MB, and is recommended for all users of the "precision aluminum unibody enclosure MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers introduced in October 2008." (Wow, long description there, Apple). They note that the update "improves compatibility with external displays and includes a variety of software fixes." If you somehow (magically, perhaps?) have your MacBook/Pro already, you can download the update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's software downloads website. Thanks for the tip, Thomas!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Software Updates & New Release Highlights For Week Ending 2008-08-23
Yet again, an Apple update steals the show with the release of iPhone OS 2.0.2. Strangely enough, you may have been a recipient of the following text message (ostensibly from Apple) even if you upgraded: For a release that just “fixed bugs,” I find it difficut to believe that the motivation behind the SMS (if it was from Apple) is not more related to a security issue than Apple's desire to ensure iPhone users are well-informed. Apple also released a MacBook Air update (full disclosure: this one I did not install as I do not own an Air) which fixes issues with video playback and processor core idling. Apple makes note that third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update. However, Apple is not the only one gettin' busy with the late-summer updates: Adium 1.3 - So, while this technically was released on Monday, August 25th, I could not let this slip away for a whole week. The Adium team did a phenomenal job in the betas and 1.3 sports Facebook chat support, enhanced MSN support (including personal messages), a much improved “contacts” interface with excellent Address Book support and significantly enhanced searching. A definite must-install. NewsLife - 1.2.1 - I gave NewsLife (yet another RSS reader) a try this week, since I'm a sucker for shiny, new toys. It did not import the OPML groups from NetNewsWire, but does support grouping of feeds. Mouse tracking in the article list window kept working even with the Preferences dialog having focus (bug? feature?). It's a clean, simple app that is charging ~$15.00USD for something you can get for free in many other ways, but it may have a visual & functional style that appeals to you. Requires OS X 10.4 or 10.5, PPC/Intel NetNewsWire - 3.1.7b4 - Speaking of RSS readers, NNW fixed an issue with a startup crash and some proxy compatibility problems and tweaked some UI color indicators for clippings and unread items counts. One of the more interesting updates, though, is the inclusion of an AppleScript command to evaluate the JavaScript for the current page. Most users will probably not find that useful, but it was a feature asked for and provided by NNW users. Gotta love the community! NNW is free and requires OS X 10.4 or 10.5; PPC/Intel AppleScript, Interface Builder & Xcode Project Spotlight Importers - Whether you like or loathe Apple's built-in filesystem search interface, you have to give a nod to the Google Toolbox folks for helping out budding Mac developers by creating some handy importers. The AppleScript Importer imports source and description from AppleScript .scpt and .scptd files, the Interface Builder Importer imports custom class names, bindings, outlets, actions and localizable strings from .xib and .nib files and the Xcode Project Importer imports file names and project comments from .xcodeproj files. (I'd appreciate comments from Apple developers who have real projects and sources they can toss at these as my tests worked, but I hardly have an extensive personal library). Free, but check the web page for compatibility. Transmission - 1.33 - This most excellent torrent client for the Mac (and other platforms) fixes a security issue as well as some other bugs. You probably missed this if you are an infrequent user, but as school season is upon us, you may want to ensure you keep this app as up-to-date as possible. Not that I'm suggesting you kids are sharing files as opposed to attending classes. It's all for Linux distributions. Gotta get those Linux distributions… Transmission is free (open source, actually), OS X 10.4/10.5 & Universal. Let me & other TAB readers know what you've been checkin' out by posting a note in the comments!
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Apple issues update for MacBook Air, warns against processor-speed tools
Filed under: Hardware, Software Update, Apple, MacBook AirLast night, Apple issued an update for the MacBook Air. With the oh-so creative title of "MacBook Air Update," this update is recommended for all users and fixes "issues with video playback and processor core idling."According to Apple, this update should not be installed until applications that modify processor operating characteristics (i.e. frequency and voltage), like CoolBook, are removed from the system. Apple says that these applications are not supported. You can download this update by visiting the Apple support download website or by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update). Apple has published a support note with extra information about this update.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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A Look back at Apple in 2007
2007 got off to a wild, but ultimately slow start for Apple. There was tremendous speculation that the iPhone and the “true” video iPod were going to be announced at Macworld 2007. Then, just before the event, more speculation insisted that they weren't going to be announced. No one, however, got it quite right. The AppleTV was fully revealed at Macworld - then the entire rest of the Keynote focused on one thing - the iPhone. In fact, most of 2007 focused on that one product. It was announced as a mobile phone, an internet communication device, and the best iPod Apple had ever made all wrapped into one handy device. The entire world became facinated with the iPhone. So much so that the major talk of CES 2007 was what was happening at Macworld 2007. The iPhone was on the news, on the web, and in the minds of just about every consumer you could find. For the first time people that had never spoken to me about Apple before were asking for more information on what this iPhone thing was…people of all ages and technology interest levels were eaten up with this super slick device. February came and went, and we finally saw the official release of the AppleTV. While I really love this device, and most AppleTV owners use it daily - it hasn't quite caught on with a majority of consumers, and was referred to by Steve Jobs as “a hobby” not a business. The future looks brighter for the device in 2008, but 2007 was certainly not the year of the AppleTV. From March to April we speculated about the iPhone, and highly anticipated the release of Leopard, the next version of the Mac OS. On April 16th, however, we were hit with the official news that the iPhone was more important, and Leopard was delayed until October. With no new products to speculate on other than the iPhone, things kind of stalled in the Apple news bin until May 17th when Engadget published a fake story that claimed the iPhone and Leopard were going to be further delayed. The story temporarily caused Apple's stock to drop by $4 billion dollars, but it recovered after the entire fiasco was revealed to be a hoax. Finally, in June the wait was over, and the iPhone launched to a roaring success. The device delivered on its promises, even though users were disappointed that there was no Flash or 3G support for the product. The iPhone was introduced at a price of $499 for a 4gb version and $599 for an 8Gb model. The iPhone remained Apple's primary focus, even when they released a newly designed iMac in August, and an entire new line of iPods in September. In fact, after the launch of the new iPod line, no one was even discussing the new iPods because everyone was focused on the fact that Apple also chose to drop the price of the iPhone to $399 only 2 months after its release. This enraged many early adopters, and eventually lead to a $100 Apple Store credit for those of us that purchased the iPhone on day one. Apple and NBC also battled back and forth during the fall, each claiming the other was to blame for their inability to reach a deal to continue having NBC programming in iTunes. This discontent among content providers has not stopped, and other studios and companies have been striking deals with companies like Amazon in an attempt to kick iTunes off the perch of top selling digital stores. It has yet to happen, but things could change in 2008. October saw the release of Leopard. The new OS was highly reviewed, even though it is arguably the buggest version of OSX to ever be released by Apple. New features like Spaces, Stacks, and Quick Look were all praised, but some users began having problems with their Internet connections and Macbook keyboards. Apple released an update to fix the keyboard issue, but the Internet problems still persist for some users. The holiday shopping season appears to have done well for the company, and rumors have been wildly circulating about an Apple sub-notebook or iTablet being released at Macworld 2008, but that has yet to be seen.
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Quicktime Update Brings Intermitten HDCP Fixes
Apple has released another update to Quicktime that should be a small bit of good news to unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro owners. Bringing its version number up to 7.5.7, the new Quicktime removes the HDCP playback restrictions from standard definition movies purchased and rented from iTunes. According to the release notes: This update is recommended for owners of MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort. The update addresses an issue where some standard definition purchases from the iTunes Store do not play on some external displays. It should be emphasized that this only resolves issues with standard definition versions of purchases. So, if you were having troubles before and are now hoping to watch that download in all its high definition glory, you are still out of luck. The update is currently only available via Software Update for all Mini DisplayPort equipped systems.