Microsoft's Mac Business Unit launches blog site | MacMinute News

Microsoft's Mac Business Unit launches blog site | MacMinute News: "August 31, 2006 - 12:23 EDT   Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit let us know about the launch of its new blog site -- Mac Mojo. 'Mac Mojo provides Mac enthusiasts perspectives from developers, testers, product managers, usability engineers, product marketers and the Mac BU executive team on a variety of topics -- from product announcements to updates from inside the Mac BU."

New FileMaker Campus Productivity Kit announced

August 29 - 09:15 EDT FileMaker today announced its new Campus Productivity Kit, an all-in-one ready to use database solution for Mac and Windows PCs. The Kit empowers students to "manage contacts; organize searchable research and lecture notes; track all kinds of assignments and projects; manage and coordinate events and all those extra To-Dos that go along with being a college student." The FileMaker Campus Productivity Kit includes the new FileMaker Pro 8.5 Web Viewer in the Lecture Notes module that brings back related information from Wikipedia for the selected topic automatically -- without having to go to a separate Internet browser.

MacMinute News

Blogged with Flock

Japan orders Apple to probe laptops

By CHISAKI WATANABE-Associated Press Writer TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese authorities reported Tuesday the first case of an Apple laptop catching fire in Japan and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving the faulty Sony batteries and report back within a week.A laptop made by Apple Computer Inc. overheated and caught fire in April, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The user sustained minor burns after the the iBook G4 computer caught fire, according to Apple spokeswoman Michiko Matsumoto, who confirmed the case.

STLtoday.com - News

Blogged with Flock

Problem with Parallels

Parallels on Mac Pro not quite working?I just received an email from a listener who pointed me to this thread on the Parallels web site that indicates there may be a problem running the current final release and Beta versions of Parallelson Apple’s new Mac Pro systems. Looks like the currently available versions of the virtualization software are causing kernel panics for a number of users. The Parllels team says they are aware of this issue and have made releasing fix a “high priority”, but don’t provide any timeframe for the release of a patch. One tech in the thread does offer a temporary work around that involves switching OS X into “legacy (32-bit) mode”, but does warn the workaround is “unofficial (untested and unsupported)”. To make matters worse, as of this writing Parallels does not appear to be making customers aware this issue anywhere on their site other than in the forum thread. This means there may be customers out there still purchasing Parallels for use on their new Mac Pro who will end up in Windows purgatory and be forced to use Boot Camp until Parallels releases a fix. Stay tuned.

FastMac announces Dual Layer SuperDrive Upgrade

It's about time! If you've been looking for a way to take advantage of the new dual-layer DVD media this is it. -TG

FastMac announces Dual Layer SuperDrive Upgrade: "FastMac today announced the availability of an enhanced internal 16x Dual Layer SuperDrive upgrade for Mac Pro, PowerMac G3, G4, G5, eMac and iMac G4 systems..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Very Cool Desktop Utility

Desktopia is a clever little freeware program that does one thing: changes your desktop background based on a schedule you set. Think of the possibilities, in the morning you can have a nice picture of the sunrising, and at night you can have a full moon. The possibilities are only limited by the desktop backgrounds that you have available to you, though Desktopia does ship with a few backgrounds.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Software

Apple's $100 Million IPod Payout

Not the result I expected but what do I know? -TG

Apple's $100 Million IPod Payout: "It's a big payday for Creative Technology as Apple agrees to pony up a pile of cash to settle patent-infringement lawsuits."

(Via Wired News: Top Stories.)

Apple recalls 1.1 million laptop batteries

Apple recalls 1.1 million laptop batteries: "Apple will recall 1.1 million laptop batteries in the United States that are at risk of overheating, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday, notes MarketWatch..."

(Via MacMinute.)

OWC ships FW 800/400+USB 1.5TB RAID solution

Can you believe the price drops on Hard Disks? And these are RAID drives! Take a look. -TG

OWC ships FW 800/400+USB 1.5TB RAID solution: "Other World Computing (OWC) today announced it is shipping its new Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW800/400+USB2 RAID external hard drive Storage Solution starting at US$279.99..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Report: Sandisk drops prices to take on iPod

Report: Sandisk drops prices to take on iPod: "According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Sandisk is expected to announced a new digital music player products and price cuts today in an effort to battle Apple's iPod supremacy, notes Reuters..."

(Via MacMinute.)

MacBook "hack" still stirring controversy

There's still controversy brewing over the demonstration of a wireless-networking flaw using a MacBook at the Black Hat security conference.

At the Las Vegas event earlier this month, the researchers demonstrated how a flaw they found in a wireless driver could allow a hacker to gain control of a notebook, such as the MacBook they used during their presentation. But although they noted then that the flaw applied to a driver for a third-party wireless card, in an interview with the Washington Post's Brian Krebs, they said the flaw also applied to Apple's wireless drivers.

But the SecureWorks researchers have still not shown any proof that Apple Computer's wireless hardware and software is flawed, despite the claims that it was vulnerable, Lynn Fox, an Apple spokeswoman, said in a statement. "SecureWorks has not shared or demonstrated any code that is relevant to the hardware and software that we ship," she said.

SecureWorks has put up a notice on its site explaining that the demonstration of the exploit used a third-party add-in wireless card, not Apple's internal wireless chips. SecureWorks will not disclose which third-party wireless card they used until a patch is released, they said on their Web page.

MacBook "hack" still stirring controversy | News.blog | CNET News.com:

Coming to a Virutal Theater Near You

Lions Gate CEO confirms iTunes movie downloads

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Video

There's no telling exactly how close we are to an Apple iTunes movie store service, but it's become pretty clear of late that we are due for one sooner or later. The greatest confirmation yet just came from the loose lips of Lions Gate's CEO, Jon Feltheimer, during a financial earnings conference call. He stated that the independent studio has reached digital delivery deals with CinemaNow, Movielink and iTunes, and Lions Gate president Steve Beeks followed that up by stating that iTunes movie downloads should be launched before the end of the year. Think Secret is also reporting that iTunes downloads will be rental only, but we're not sure where they're getting that info. Of course, Apple isn't the only company these days that can't seem to keep a lid on their movie download plans. Amazon was recently subjected to a drive-by Google-caching (pictured), revealing similar confiscatory rates to what we're used to by now for downloaded video content, and potential TV show downloads. Netflix is also hitting the rumor mill with reports of 1.5TB of server space being staked out at the high-end Isilon hosting service. Good times indeed for the download crowd, we just hope one of these providers can manage to drive the price down a bit.

[Thanks, CoreyTheGent]

Read - Lions Gate signs up for iTunes movie downloads

technorati tags:iTunes, Apple, Macintosh, Film, Video, Movies

Macs for sale at UK's Toys 'R' Us store

Macs in Toys-R-Us?. Oh, my! Do you think this could possibly happen in the United States? -TG

Reader: Macs for sale at UK's Toys 'R' Us store: "MacMinute reader Matthew Blest dropped us a line to let us know that it is the first time he has seen iPods, Macs (Mac Book), Mac mini, and iMacs for sale in Toys 'R' Us in the UK..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Apple releases Boot Camp 1.1 beta

Apple releases Boot Camp 1.1 beta: "Apple has released Boot Camp 1.1 beta, the latest release of the company's software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Avid to enhance support for Intel-based Macs

For all the AVID editors out there (myself included) this is Good news!

Avid to enhance support for Intel-based Macs: "Avid Technology today announced its plans to expand its range of video and audio content creation solutions that will be available for Intel-based Mac systems, including the new Mac Pro workstation introduced last week at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)..."

You can read AVID's realease here.

(Via MacMinute.)

Apple says Steve Jobs' health is 'robust'

Will this douse or fule the rumor mill? -TG

Apple says Steve Jobs' health is 'robust': "Following rumors of Apple CEO Steve Jobs' 'deteriorating' health, the company has issued a statement saying he is fine, notes Macworld UK..."

(Via MacMinute.)

The $3200 Workstation System Shoot-Out!

Here's an interesting an unbiased comparison of the new MacPro and the Dell Precision 690. - TG

The $3200 Workstation System Shoot-Out!: "The New Apple Mac Pro vs. the Dell Precision 690! Let's get readyy to rumble....!!!!"

(Via diggdot.us.)

iLifeStuff unveils three new iWeb templates | MacMinute News

iLifeStuff unveils three new iWeb templates | MacMinute News: "iLifeStuff unveils three new iWeb templates
August 9, 2006 - 13:35 EDT   iLifeStuff today released three new iWeb templates -- Chocolate, Redmodern and Juice. The templates feature a number of page layouts for ‘About Me,’ photo album, blog, podcast and movie. In addition, the templates allow users to work with fonts, colors, layout and add or remove photos. iLifeStuff's templates for iWeb requires Apple iWeb 1.0 or later. Each template is priced at US$12.99, and the package of nine (Chocolate, Redmond, Juice, Green, Pink, Light, Wood, Water, Yellow) templates is also available for $39.99"

(Via MacMinute.)

A&E Network programming now available on iTunes

A&E Network programming now available on iTunes: "A&E Television Networks and Apple today announced hit television programming from A&E Network, The Biography and History Channels is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Music Store..."

(Via MacMinute.)

I Love their programming. -TG

Homeland Security: Fix your Windows

Our day may be coming, but for now they aren't issuing any warnings to us! -TG

In a rare alert, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has urged Windows users to plug a potential worm hole in the Microsoft operating system.
The agency, which also runs the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), sent out a news release on Wednesday recommending that people apply Microsoft's MS06-040 patch as quickly as possible. The software maker released the "critical" fix Tuesday as part of its monthly patch cycle.

Homeland Security: Fix your Windows | Tech News on ZDNet:

Mac Office Security Update (2006-08-08) released

Mac Office Security Update (2006-08-08) released: "Microsoft has released Microsoft Office v..."

(Via MacMinute.)

Apple Design Award 2006 winners revealed

Apple Design Award 2006 winners revealed: "Apple has published the winners of this year's Apple Design Awards at WWDC in San Francisco..."

(Via MacMinute.)

An Interesting Response to Jobs' Keynote

Jobs speech wasn't very Jobs-like | News.blog | CNET News.com:

"Meh," "Yawn," "Zzz," and "Ho-hum," aren't typical responses to the Steve Jobs keynotes we've come to know, filled with suspense and verve for even the most mundane of new products.

What do you think? -TG

Mac OS X - Leopard Sneak Peek

Here's a "Sneak Peek" at Apple's newest OS. Folks you really should take a look at the new features. Are you as excited as I? -TG


Apple - Apple - Mac OS X - Leopard Sneak Peek:

BeLight Offers DiscCover Crossgrade

BeLight announces Disc Cover crossgrade program
August 7, 2006 - 07:53 EDT BeLight Software today announced a crossgrade for Disc Cover,its CD/DVD labeling application. The crossgrade gives owners of anyversion of Disclabel or Discus software the ability to purchase DiscCover with a 40% discount, US$19.95 for download and $24.95 for boxeditions. The crossgrade will last from August 7-27, 2006.

Great Anit-Spam Rule for Mail.app

It seems that I'm not the only one being inflicted with a new wave ofimage spam, as Bill Benson, a MacInTouch reader, has posted his rule solution for this junk that seems to so easily elude Mail.app's filters. Tim Gaden at Hawk Wings, also a victim, elaborates on how to set up this rule, as a trick is involved. To summarize:

New Security Update Available

Apple releases Security Update 2006-004

Apple has released Security Update 2006-004 for Mac OS X 10.3.9 Client, Mac OS X 10.3.9 Server, Mac OS X 10.4.7 for both PowerPC- and Intel-based systems...

technorati tags:Apple, Security