15" MacBook Pro Battery Exchange

Apple has initiated a worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006.

We recently discovered that some 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries supplied to Apple do not meet our high standards for battery performance. To give our users the best experience possible, we will replace these batteries for customers free of charge.

Note: The affected batteries do not pose a safety risk. You may continue to use your current battery until a replacement arrives. Learn more.

technorati tags:Apple, MacBook Pro

The Latest on the French Connection

Apple gets reprieve from French DRM-busting law

France's controversial copyright law is dealt a major setback as sections are ruled unconstitutional.

technorati tags:Apple, iTunes, DRM

Flip4Mac Goes Universal!

Universal Flip4Mac coming soon (Today!)

Filed under: Software, Universal Binary

People who want to play Windows Media files on their Intel Macs can rejoice, eventually. That's right, Telestream, the makers of the very cool Flip4Mac which enables Quicktime to play Windows Media files, have posted a note on their website. It basically says that they are working on a Universal Binary and they hope to release it within the next few weeks.

Update: The real story here is that the Universal version of Flip4Mac (2.1) is available from Microsoft right now. Go forth and download. Thanks, Andy!

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Microsoft Confirms Portable Music Player

Microsoft Zune to Battle iTunes/iPod

Microsoft today confirmed the existence of a new portable music player and integrated service called Zune. Launch is scheduled for launch some time this year.

Zune is clearly aimed at Apple’s iTunes/iPod dominance. In an interview with Billboard, Chris Stephenson, Microsoft’s new GM of marketing for MSN Entertainment Business, said Zune will be an umbrella brand for what he says is “a family of hardware and software products” targeting various digital entertainment services.

It’s an ambitious project that some critics are already saying goes too far outside Microsoft’s core strengths and could end up joining other media projects on the junk heap of tech history. Perhaps after seeing how successful Robert Scoble was in making Microsoft lovable again, two company employees working on Zune are also blogging about the project. Cesar Menendez is writing ZuneInsider.com, just launched today, and Richard Winn is writing blog called Madison and Pine. The company has also set up a site to collect emails for further information at ComingZune.com.

It will be interesting to see if the company can take a position of real innovation or whether Zune will just be a case of playing catch up - at the risk of feature overload.

Microsoft, Zune

Tags: apple, itunes, ipod, music

technorati tags:iPod, Microsoft, Music

TUAW Tip: shortcuts for display, audio and keyboard preferences

From the TUAW: this is just too cool. I did NOT know this. Did you? -TG


This simple tip was actually sent to us by TUAW reader Zoli Honig. It works on my MacBook Pro, and I assume other portables: if you hold the option key while pressing any of the F-key shortcuts for display brightness, keyboard brightness or audio volume settings, System Preferences will open and take you straight to the relevant preference pane. I don't know if this is Mac OS X Tiger only, and I don't have desktop machine to test with, so if you're still on Panther or using some kind of desktop Mac, feel free to share whether this tip works on your machines in the comments.

TUAW Tip: shortcuts for display, audio and keyboard preferences - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW):

Gates: 80 pct. chance Vista ready in January

Sorry I'm a little late on this one. -TG



CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said Tuesday there was an 80 percent chance the company's next-generation operating system, Vista, would be ready in January.

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However, Gates said at a presentation in Cape Town to Microsoft software partners that he would delay the launch if beta testing uncovered shortcomings.

Gates: 80 pct. chance Vista ready in Jan - Yahoo! News:

SuperDuper! 2.1.3 backup utility released

If you don't already have a backup scheme (using Apple's Backup software, for instance) you REALLY SHOULD START NOW! This utility is one of the simplest and best. -TG



July 13, 2006 - 11:17 EDT Shirt Pocket today announced the availability of SuperDuper! 2.1.3, the latest release of the company's fully bootable backup utility. Version 2.1.3 improves many aspects of the award winning application, and adds the ability to control ACL copying for the more advanced user. SuperDuper! 2.1.3 supports both Intel and Power PC Macs running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, and is priced at US$27.95
SuperDuper! 2.1.3 backup utility released | MacMinute News:

Why Microsoft should fear Intel Macs

Posted on itwire: -TG

There has been much talk about the threat that Apple Macintosh computers now pose to Windows PCs - or should we say Windows only PCs. Make no mistake, the talk is well justified, as recent market research shows. However, what hasn't been talked about as much is the very real threat that Macs now pose to the Windows operating system itself.

Stories about Apple's Boot Camp software and vitualization software from US startup Parallels, both of which allows Windows and Mac OSX to coexist on new Mac desktops and notebooks are already sending shivers through the collective spines Windows PC vendors. The new Macs are well priced, well made and now present an attractive alternative to the one dimensional PCs in the marketplace.

iTWire - Why Microsoft should fear Intel Macs:

Technorati Tags: Apple, Macintosh

Mariner Software Special Offer

I received the following from the good folks at Mariner Software. -TG

Once every year or so, we put together a bundle with another

developer that makes us step back and say, "wow!" This year we have
partnered with our friends over at Intego and bundled two
award-winning (and Universal Binary) suites:

The MarinerPak and Internet Security Barrier X4. Here's what you get...

MarinerPak

Mariner Calc - Macintosh OS X Spreadsheet
Turn data into information with powerful tools to analyze,
communicate, and share results. Reads Microsoft Excel files. 140
built-in functions and charts. Apple's iWork compatible.
[Read More]

Mariner Write - Macintosh OS X Word Processor
Boasting an elegant interface, as well as hundreds of intuitive
features such as the
ability to read Microsoft Word documents and customizable headers,
footers, endnotes,
and footnotes, you will require little need for the documentation.
[Read More]

Internet Security Barrier X4

NetBarrier X4 - Macintosh OS X Internet Security
Protect your computer from intrusions by constantly filtering all the
activity that enters and leaves through the Internet or a network.
Intego NetBarrier X4 protects you from thieves, hackers and intruders,
and warns you automatically if any suspicious activity occurs.
[Read More]

VirusBarrier X4 - Macintosh OS X Anti-Virus Security
Protect yourself against viruses of all types that come from infected
files or applications, whether on CD-ROMs, DVDs, other removable
media, or on files downloaded over the Internet, consider yourself
protected.
[Read More]

Personal Backup X4 - Macintosh OS X Personal Back-Up
Backup, synchronize, restore, and clone functions that allow users to
back up and restore
data manually or automatically, synchronize data between two
computers, such as a
desktop and laptop, and clone a Mac OS X startup volume, providing a bootable
backup at all times.
[Read More]

Thanks for your interest in our products.

Best Regards,

Logan Ryan
Director of Marketing
Mariner Software

Place your order before July 16 and receive five award winning
productivity and security applications
bundled together for one incredible price!

Technorati Tags: Macintosh, Apple, Software

Nike, Apple to launch Nike+iPod sport kit on Thursday

July 12, 2006 - 21:28 EDT Nike today said it plans to launch the Nike+iPod sport kit, the first product developed through its partnership with Apple. "The Nike+iPod sport kit allows Nike+ ready footwear to communicate with Apple's iPod nano through a sensor in the Nike+ footwear and a receiver plugged into the nano. The sport kit allows the runner to receive audible updates on speed, distance and calories burned upon request throughout the run, Nike said. The kit will be available through Apple and Nike stores starting on Thursday."

Nike, Apple to launch Nike+iPod sport kit on Thursday | MacMinute News:

New Version of Panic Software's FTP App

I absolutely love this application. I've been using it for years after a long and happy relationship with "Fetch". I find the interface and interoperability with OS X to be far superior. See what you think. -TG

Panic releases Transmit 3.5.4, Unison 1.7.6

Panic today announced the release of Transmit 3.5.4 and Unison 1.7.6...

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New Verstion of Boot Camp

New Apple Boot Camp beta available

Apple has quietly released Boot Camp 1.0.2 beta, notes The Mac Observer...

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Intel Xeon to Power new Mac Pros?

Intel Xeon to power new Mac Pros?

Filed under: Desktops

Most of you didn't bite on the last Mac Pro rumor from Think Secret. New Power Mac case design, sure, but the idea of them sporting Intel's Core 2 Duo (aka, Conroe) procs just didn't fly what with Intel's more flexible 64-bit Xeon (Woodcrest) chip already loosed. No sweat, enter AppleInsider whose sources claim that Intel's dual-core Xeon series processors will power those new Mac Pro desktops (and Xserves, too) which would finally give Mr. Jobs access to that elusive 3.0GHz marker, the current top-o-the-line Xeon clock speed. See, Xeon chips feature the Land Grid Array (LGA) 771 socket which allows for the multiple processor configs we've come to expect from Apple's professional desktops. According to AI, we can expect a dual-processor Xeon Mac Pro at the top-end when launched. Of course, both rumor sites could be right -- a single, high-end Core 2 Duo offered in the entry level Mac Pro with a quad-core Xeon config topping things off. Either way, they agree it's all going down at Apple's WWDC, so we'll know soon enough.

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technorati tags:Apple, Macintosh, MacPro, Intel

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Pop2Life plans to blend Apple’s music catalog with old-school radio

Pop2Life is in talks with Apple Computer to provide a text-messaging link that connects iTunes to dozens of terrestrial radio stations in major urban markets in the United States.
The New York City-based startup, which lists itself as a marketing and promotions agency, recently introduced P1 SMS, a text-messaging system that allows listeners to purchase songs they hear on the radio

Read the rest here:

Technorati Tags: Macintosh, Music, iTunes

It Was Only a Matter of Time...

Overview
ElevenBC is a fully featured computer running both Macintosh OS X and Windows XP operating systems and offers a full array of applications, including Microsoft Office. Delivered in partnership with leading network service providers, this solution delivers a rich, secure and easy-to-use guest experience.

Current Business Center Challenges
Many business travelers and most leisure travelers leave their laptops at home. They hope to find computers in the hotels they patronize. Historically, many hotels have turned to basic Internet kiosks, but these provide only browser-based Internet access. More recently, hotels have set up their own basic desktop computers, placing them in the hotel lobby or business center.

Neither of these two approaches has allowed hotels, or their service providers, to deliver complete computer functionality to guests. Nor have these approaches enabled the hotel to properly monetize business center computing and printing. Even some newer systems don’t allow hotels to control their brand image and guest experience, let alone centrally manage, control and report on business center use.

ElevenBC Solution
ElevenBC is a new lobby and business center computer solution developed by Eleven Wireless, an emerging leader of software for managing public-access hospitality broadband networks. ElevenBC offers hotels and their service providers the ability to deploy an elegant all-in-one computer that guests can use to access email, applications and the Internet, as well as print in high-quality color or black-and-white.

More:

Technorati Tags: Macintosh

Apple Does a "Shake" Up

In case you aren't familiar with Shake you may be familiar with some of its results: Lord of the Rings (for which Apple won an Oscar) and King Kong (forgettable, but a fact none-the-less). "So what?", you may ask. Well folks, here's the big scoop. This professional level effects program which used to retail for $3,000.00 now sells for $500.00! What's more, Apple has integrated Shake into it's venerable Final Cut Studio so round-tripping from the Final Cut timeline works just like Motion and Soundtrack Pro. For all you editors out there, this is huge news and definitely worthy of consideration.

Another Microsoft "iPod Killer" Speculation

Microsoft seen edging onto Apple's iPod turf - MarketWatch

Playfuls.com

Microsoft seen edging onto Apple's iPod turf
MarketWatch - 40 minutes ago
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Apple Computer Inc. could soon find itself facing more competition in the digital media player market from its old rival Microsoft Corp., as the software giant appears ready ...
Microsoft deals hopeful hand in iPod game iTWire
New MS portable could be in stores by Christmas GamesIndustry.biz
ElectricNews.net - Forbes - MTV.com - Times Online - all 156 related

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Fireworks Screensaver for 4th of July

I've always liked screensavers. Flying toasters will always hold a special place in my heart, but I continue to be impressed by Skyrocket, a free screensaver that renders fireworks on your display. Perfect for your 4th of July party, not only is Skyrocket free, it's also a universal binary which runs fantastically on my Intel iMac. Be sure to turn on the smoke option and play around with the zoom level, Moon glow, and sound options.

Fireworks Screensaver for 4th of July - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW):

DeskBrowse is now free

If you're looking for a quick, efficient browser that will appear and disappear at the press of a button, look no further than the cleverly designed DeskBrowse. "The browser is toggled in and out of the side of the screen via a hotkey," describes their website, and has a feature called Websposé that enables what they call a "password-protectable 'kiosk-mode' web environment ideal for allowing other users or guests to browse the web safely without any harm coming to your system." And it works as advertised.

DeskBrowse is now free - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW):

Microsoft drops its XP pirate checks

MICROSOFT has dropped Big Brother-style plans to track down pirated copies of Windows XP, dumping elements of its Windows Genuine Advantage Notification after they ignited a firestorm of controversy.

The stealth application, introduced with auto updates in Australia in April as part of a pilot scheme, "phoned home" every time the computer was booted to confirm that the operating system was genuine.
If the software was pirated it triggered a series of irritating warnings. Now Microsoft has reacted to user anger by switching off the boot-up check.

The company has retained another tool, WGA Validation, which checks back periodically with Microsoft headquarters

Read more: Australian IT - Microsoft drops its XP pirate checks (Simon Hayes, JULY 04, 2006):

The Top Ten Most Beautiful OS X Apps

Apparently Phill and I have very similar tastes. Any of the rest of you use these applications? -TG

Top ten lists are a dime a dozen, but I haven’t seen one floating around yet on the most beautiful OS X apps out there. And as someone who’s hitting MacUpdate daily as a small part of my job, always on the hunt for what’s cool and new, I thought I’d share some of my insight, condensed down for mass consumption into a neat little list. Before you go on, remember that this is going to be controversial no matter what. I haven’t found a single top ten list that doesn’t get most people complaining. But honestly, after a lot of thought, I feel there are very few truly beautiful OS X apps left out if you include the honorable mentions. Oh, and before you begin, note that Apple apps (like Front Row and Aperture) have been knocked off the list. This one features independently developed freeware and shareware apps. So, without further ado, presenting the ten most beautiful OS X apps in the world: PhillRyu.com - The Top Ten Most Beautiful OS X Apps:

Apple Drops Price on Shake. $500? Wow!

Final Cut Studio editors can now take advantage of Shake for sophisticated 3D compositing, keying, image tracking and stabilization– without that big Hollywood budget.

Mac Media Blog » Apple drops the price of Shake from $2999 to $499:

Apple-Discounts.com Contest: Your Apple Imagination

You simply HAVE to see these! Some very creative people and ideas. I would love to see some of these products actually come to "life". -TG

Judgment criteria was based on three components: originality, creative presentation and "desirability" factor. Thank you for sharing with us your insights and creativity.

Apple-Discounts.com Contest: Your Apple Imagination:

Soonr Brings Mac Desktop to Your Phone

Soonr brings Mac desktop to your phone

Soonr, the company that lets you access desktop files and Skype from your mobile phone, has released a version for the Mac. Mike profiled Soonr in May and the lack of Mac support was his one complaint. The new version is integrated with Spotlight and can render Photoshop files from your desktop into jpg for viewing on your phone. Looks cool.

SoonR

Tags: TechCrunch, Web2.0, Soonr, mobiles, Mac, Skype