News Archive for 05/04/21

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Apple releases Java Update for Mac OS X 10.3.9

04/21, 9:45pm

Java Update for 10.3.9

Apple today release Java Update for Mac OS X 10.3.9 via its website and the Mac OS X Software Update mechanism accessible from the Software Update system preference pane. The update corrects issues affecting some Java users following the installation of Mac OS X v10.3.9 Software Update. “After updating to Mac OS X 10.3.9, some systems may have issues with Java applications and Java-enabled websites when using Safari. Safari may unexpectedly quit, and standalone Java applications may unexpectedly quit or not launch. This update resolves that issue,” Apple said." More detailed information on this update is available in an appended tech note which was first published on Apple's support website earlier this week.

CR: iPod shuffle the Toyota Echo of MP3 players

04/21, 7:20pm

CR on iPod shuffle

"If the pricey and stylish full-sized Apple iPods are the Lexuses of digital-music players, the new $99 iPod shuffle is more like the Toyota Echo--a decent performer of the same pedigree that's smaller, cheaper, and a lot less luxurious," wrote Consumer Reports in a recent review of Apple's new flash-based player. The non-for-profit consumer rating magazine found the shuffle's battery life to be "relatively short for a flash-memory player" at just 10 hours. "Many of those we've recently tested deliver 18 hours or more of continuous music before batteries must be replaced or recharged."

Briefly: Final Cut Studio books, Consumer Reports ...

04/21, 6:40pm

Consumer Reports on Mini

In brief: A BBC article looks at the "phenomenon," the "followers," and the "faithful" surrounding the wildly successful iPod.... Consumer Reports has deemed the Mac mini "adequate", and the iPod shuffle "appealing".... Peachpit today announced its lineup of Apple Pro Training Series books, designed to guide readers through the latest Final Cut Studio.... FastIcon.com recently released AquaLand ($250), its new collection of icons for Web designers and software developers.... Building on the success of the "Carbon" series, Stockicons.com has released Carbon: Database Add-On ($180), an extension of the original stock icon set.... AOL announced it will begin to work internally and with partners to identify and block member access to 'phishing' sites.

Coldplay's new single tops iTunes charts overnight

04/21, 5:45pm

Coldplay tops iTunes chart

"Speed of Sound," the first single from Coldplay's forthcoming "X&Y," made it to the No 1 position on all of Apple's iTunes Music Stores worldwide only one day after its release. The single trumped all other tunes, achieving the No 1 position on all 15 iTunes stores. "Coldplay's 'Speed of Sound' has been a hit with music fans topping iTunes charts today in every country, only a day after its release," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of Applications. "With iTunes' extensive reach, there's no faster way to bring a pre-release track like this to fans around the world."

ChronoSync updated for OS X 10.3.9, Tiger

04/21, 5:30pm

ChronoSync updated

Econ Technologies today updated ChronoSync, the automated synchronization and backup application. The update contains features, fixes and improved compatibility with Mac OS X Tiger and Panther version 10.3.9. ChronoSync 3.0.1 fixes several bugs including problems associated with Tiger and the recently released 10.3.9. This version also adds the ability to expand and collapse all folders from within the Analyze Panel and improved synchronization performance of analyzing and deleting package files. ChronoSync lets users synchronize between folders on your Mac, other Macs, PCs, external drives or iPods. Users can set up a sync document to schedule and automatically mount volumes. ChronoSync costs $30 for new users.

Apple reaffirms board, Jobs rebuts criticisms

04/21, 5:00pm

Jobs rebuts criticisms

Apple today held its annual shareholders meeting, in which the company re-elected its current board of directors, and addressed a number of hot topics. Apple CEO Steve Jobs was aggressive with his answers, and largely calmed concerns raised about the company. Although much time was spent rebutting claims from environmentalists about Apple's policies, Jobs got a chance to take some shots of his own. When asked about similarities between Microsoft's new Longhorn operating system and Apple's Tiger, Yahoo! News quoted Jobs as saying, "They are shamelessly trying to copy us ... Longhorn is still two years out. They can’t even copy fast."

LA Times: why rumor sites are still "journalism"

04/21, 3:15pm

La Times on journalism

Though talented at creating products that "strike an emotional chord with consumers," Apple sometimes projects a "corporate personality as chilly and arrogant as an oil company," a Los Angeles Times article says. Comparisons aside, the article looks at the definition of a "journalist," which has been a key point of argument throughout Apple's struggle with rumor sites AppleInsider and Power Page. Columnist Michael Hiltzik says the only way to define a journalist is functionally -- "as anyone who hunts down suppressed, overlooked or misunderstood information of public interest (even trivial interest) and presents or explains it to an audience. The medium of publication is irrelevant. Newspapers, magazines and TV and radio services aren't invariably exemplars of serious news gathering; many are brainless, irresponsible or purveyors of propaganda. Conversely, although many weblogs and websites are outlets for wingnuts and noodniks, many others provide trenchant and incisive news and analysis."

Video pros place Apple in top three for spending

04/21, 1:05pm

Video pros on Apple

Video professionals cite Apple as third most likely recipient of increased spending this year, trailing Sony and Avid slightly. Of the 25 post-production and broadcast professionals surveyed by research firm Piper Jaffray at the National Association of Broadcasters trade show, 11 said they expect to buy Apple products in 2005, compared to 14 votes for Sony and 13 for Avid. Of those surveyed, 56 percent said they expected spending to increase in 2005. In its latest research note, Piper Jaffray says, "Apple continues to enjoy success at the low-end of the market, which is where the strongest growth is occurring, with Avid maintaining its strength at the high-end." The firm also noted that "Apple is effectively a one product solution, while Avid is a product family."

Briefly: EVDO on PowerBooks, Macworld Boston, Tiger

04/21, 1:00pm

EVDO on PowerBooks

In Brief: EVDOinfo.com has posted more details on getting both Verizon and Sprint data cards (Novatel v620, Kyocera KPC 650, Sierra AirCard 580) to work with PowerBook for connectivity via the mobile carriers' high-speed EVDO data networks.... Iconbuffet's Deep Ellum ($290) is a new stock icon collection that is inspired by Dallas' multicultural jazz-district and includes 64 icons in three color variations.... One reader reports that Apple has redesigned its order status page at the Apple Store, now allowing users to sort current/previous orders more efficiently.... Macworld Boston will feature training sessions on Mac OS X Tiger as well as a music festival, featuring select Berklee College of Music artists who use Mac computers to compose and produce music.... Intego has released Mac OS X Tiger-compatible versions of all its products, including NetBarrier, VirusBarrier, Personal Backup, ContentBarrier, and more.

Apps: xSkyDesk, Picture Patrol, Merlin, Jam Pack 4...

04/21, 12:05pm

Jam Pack 4, xSkyDesk

xSkyDesk 1.3.0 ($10) "puts the sky outdoors on your desktop," simulating light as it is scattered throughout the atmosphere in both the day time and at night. This version adds Azimuthal and Equatorial Grid Lines, Antialiasing, and the night light pollution. [Download - 445KB]
Picture Patrol 1.5 ($20) is a program that automatically extracts pictures from thousands of articles posted in Usenet newsgroups. New features in version 1.5 include: user-defined collections of newsgroups, support for more than one news server, automatic group circulation after a number of articles, and more. [Download - 2.1MB]
Merlin 1.2.1 ($20) now delivers a French localization, as well as Mac OS X 10.4 optimization. "Merlin runs a lot faster, smoother and more stabile under Tiger." Merlin in a tool for businesses that helps with project management. [Download - 6.1MB]
Close Combat: First to Fight 1.0.1 is a minor update to the military simulation game. his update improves graphics on higher end cards and fixes a number of bugs and rendering issues. [Download - 1.5MB]
Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra 1.0.1 is the latest version of the add-on for Garage Band from Apple. This software will update your version of Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra to Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra 1.0.1. This update addresses isolated issues with the sound quality of some Software Instruments when used with GarageBand 2, Logic Pro 7, or Logic Express 7. [Download - 3.0MB]
Wx 2.01 ($10) is a Internet weather station app that displays weather information, radar, and forecasts from the National Weather Service in a transparent "tinted glass" window as well as in the Dock. The 2.01 update includes workarounds for WebKit and Javascript issues in Mac OS X 10.3.9. [Download - 3.0MB]

PodBrix plans iPod accessory minifig, Woz minifig

04/21, 11:00am

PodBrix iPod Accessory

PodBrix, makers of modified minifigs inspired by Apple's popular iPod ad campaign for portable music players, says it will release its next product on April 25th at 9:00pm EST. PodBrix isn't saying much about the product other than hinting that it will be a minifig which is significantly different from its previous offerings. "The product is intended to function as an iPod accessory. It will be a limited run of 300 units. All will be hand signed and numbered as with our previous products." The company's two previous mini figures -- 1K Brix and Keynote -- sold out in a matter of minutes and are currently fetching double the original price on eBay. PodBrix also announced that Greg K. from San Francisco California is the lucky winner of the "Woz Prototype," a minifig inspired by Steve Wozniak that will soon be released for sale.

ProjectForum 4.3 makes collaboration easier

04/21, 10:05am

ProjectForum 4.3

CourseForum has released ProjectForum 4.3, the latest release of its professional Web-based software for online team collaboration. Inspired by the new generation of wikis, weblogs, bulletin boards and other grassroots online collaboration tools, ProjectForum is easy to setup, use, and secure. Version 4.3 makes custom branding and other look and feel changes easier with a new Web-based theme editor. Help pages have been reworked to make getting started even easier for new users, and all administration pages have been restructured for greater consistency. ProjectForum can be hosted on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD, while users need only a standard Web browser. Standard licenses are available starting from $230, and a free "lite" version is also available. Fully managed hosting options are also available, starting from $20/month.

iPod unlikely at Wal-Mart stores

04/21, 9:50am

iPod Wal-Mart

Apple's iPod may be winning shelf space at retailers like Best Buy, but Apple's firm pricing policy may leave the music player out of Wal-Mart's stores. While Apple likes tight control over how and at what prices Apple products are sold, Wal-Mart largely dictates terms to its suppliers, according to IDC analyst Roger Kay. Apple, in years past, pulled out of a number of retailers because it wasn't getting enough support in selling Apple products. "I'd be very surprised if Apple went to Wal-Mart, because they're a true discounter," said analyst Tim Bajarin. "Apple won't go in without an agreement that the reseller won't change the suggested retail price" Bajarin said.

Apple offers more refurb iBooks, flat-panel iMac G4

04/21, 9:45am

More refurbs from Apple

The Apple Store has added many more refurbished Macs, including more 12-inch iBook models, a new Combo-drive version of the 12-inch PowerBook, a 23-inch Aluminum Cinema Display as well as the flat-panel iMac G4. The 12-inch 1.33GHz PowerBook (256MB/60GB) with AirPort wireless networking is only $1,100 (while the SuperDrive-enabled version is $1,300). Refurbished iBooks now start at $700 for the 1GHz/CD model (256MB/30GB), $800 for the 1.2GHz/CD or the 1GHz/Combo models, and $850 1.2GHz/Combo with AirPort Extreme. Apple is also offering the 14-inch model iBook for $900 (1GHz/40GB/Combo) or $1,050 (1.2GHz/60Gb/Combo/AE). The flat-panel iMac G4 is also available for $800, while both refurbished iMac G5 and eMac models are available as well, starting at $1,100 and $550, respectively.

Briefly: AU iTunes, Google history, piracy bill

04/21, 9:40am

AU iTunes coming soon

In brief: An Australian artists confirms that Apple will launch its iTunes Music Store in Australia within a month--perhaps as soon as April 28th, the second anniversary of the store.... Xeric has opened a mirror host for downloads of its EarthDesk 3.0, due to strong demand for the application.... Google is experimenting with a new feature that enables the users of its online search engine to track and view all of their past search requests and results.... A new bill that would imprison pre-release file pirates for up to three years is just a few steps away from becoming law.... A revised version of BrianDunning.com's free FileMaker Custom Functions library is now available.

High-capacity replacement battery for 12" PowerBook

04/21, 9:25am

12\" PB replacement battery

OWC and Newer Technology have announced "the longest lasting batteries" available for Apple's 12-inch Aluminum PowerBooks. The replacement batteries provide more than 13 percent additional capacity over original Apple batteries and as much as 32.5 percent more capacity than other non-Apple aftermarket batteries. The NewerTech NuPower PowerBook batteries are designed, engineered, and assembled in the U.S.A., which the companies say help the product "consistently outlast the competition in terms of both operational runtime and useful longevity. The NewerTech NuPower design goes beyond just adding extra capacity. The extra runtime is great, and that along with the long useful lifespan of NuPower batteries is what sets them apart from any other." NuPower's new 53.3 Watt Hour battery model is immediately available for $140.

Apple to offer Mobility Electronics power adapters

04/21, 9:15am

Dual-power adapters

Mobility Electronics today announced Apple will begin selling the iGo EverywherePower 3500 Series power adapter with an interchangeable tip for use on the iPod portable music player. Beginning in the second quarter of 2005, the EverywherePower 3500 Series is expected to be available from the Apple Store Online and in its retail stores. The EverywherePower 3500 Series will be bundled with the iGo DualPower accessory and an iPod "itip," which allows the adapter to power/charge an iPod plus a second low-power mobile electronic device simultaneously. Additional separately sold itips will enable iPod users to utilize the power adapter to power/charge thousands of other models of low-power ME devices. It features combination AC/DC functionality to power low-power ME devices from any power source--either a standard wall outlet or outlets in motor vehicles.

iPodStyles launches limited edition black iPod case

04/21, 9:05am

Black case for U2 iPod

iPodStyles today announced the availability of a special limited edition Black silicone case specially designed for the iPod U2 and iPod 4G 20GB. The case protects your iPod from minor dents and scratches, while still maintaining the slim form factor and shape of the iPod. It also features an open top to accommodate accessories, allows full access to the iPod's controls, and has a bottom opening for music synchronization and charging, without taking the iPod out of the case. Each case includes a free optional belt clip, hand strap and neck strap; it is available for $10.

Speck launches Shuffle Dock for iPod shuffle

04/21, 9:00am

Shuffle Dock for iPod

Speck Products today announced its newest accessory for Apple's iPod shuffle. The Speck Shuffle Dock allows users to dock their iPod shuffle "in Style." The dock enables computer users to conveniently store and sync their iPod shuffle on their desktop. "For the 4G and Mini iPods, the dock is really an optional accessory", said General Manager Tim Hickman. "For the Shuffle Dock its a necessity unless you want to constantly be crawling under your desk to plug it in." The dock works with both Shuffle models, comes in white, and will be available for $25. The docks ship on May 6th and are available for pre-order today; the will be available soon at most major retailers.