Apple: Foxconn violated code of conduct...

Apple on Thursday said it has found evidence that one of its iPod suppliers has violated its own Supplier Code of Conduct. Earlier this summer, the company began an investigation following reports of labor abuse by its iPod manufacturing partner Foxconn. Recent reports also indicated that Apple look to Foxconn for additional laptop production. Apple said its audit team--comprised of members from is human resources, legal, and operations groups--found that Foxconn was in compliance in the majority of the areas audited, but found violations to the company's Supplier Code of Conduct, including overcrowding in some housing provided to workers, a complex and overly incentivized pay structure, an outdated payroll system, over-worked employees, and some instances of harsh treatment. In addition, Apple found other areas for improvement, which it said it as working to address. While Apple said it has been encourage by steps already taken by Foxconn, it will continue to monitor the conditions as well as conduct an audit of all its iPod and Mac manufacturing partners by the end of the year.

Sente 4.0 offers Spotlight searching

Third Street Software has released Sente 4.0, an upgrade to its academic literature research and bibliography software. Sente 4.0 enables users to locate full text versions of academic journal articles by selecting works of interest, easing the process of requesting providers for the full text. Sente automatically downloads PDF files when the full text is located, and allows users to search through large PDF collections using Spotlight technology. Sente 4.0 also improves Amazon Books integration, adds new scripting commands, enhances APA as well as MLA styling, and features EndNote 9 XML export. Sente 4.0 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and is free for all existing users. New licenses are priced at $130. [Download - 17.5MB]

Apple updates MacBook, Xsan, Logic...

Apple has issued updates for its MacBook line of notebook computers, Xsan, and Logic pro audio software. The MacBook SMC Firmware Update adjusts fan behavior in the new Intel-based MacBook. The company's Logic Pro 7.2.2 and Logic Express 7.2.2 updates improve compatibility with the Mac Pro, offering increased performance through full use of the Mac Pro Quad-core architecture and delivering optimized support for the built-in audio ports of that system. The Xsan Filesystem 1.4 for Mac OS X 10.4 improves reliability with fixes for using file system access control lists; labeling as well as initializing LUNs greater than 2TB in size; AFP and NFS performance when re-sharing Xsan volumes; handling file system quotas as well as notifications; and compatibility with Apple as well as third party applications.

YouTube's music could dethrone iTunes...

YouTube's planned effort to offer "every" music video for free could dethrone Apple's iTunes as the leader in the digital music/media industry and eliminate the paid-for online content business model. Users watch 100 million clips each day via YouTube, and the video sharing site is in talks with EMI as well as Warner Music to offer music videos for free via download, according to Guardian Unlimited. The move threatens Apple's closed iPod/iTunes ecosystem which uses proprietary technology restricting tracks purchased from iTunes to play only on Apple's iPod and iTunes software. YouTube's popularity could mean free video-based music competition for Apple, and will likely leave iPod users out in the cold due to compatibility issues.

Details on Apple's "display actuator"

A new filing with the US Patent & Trademark Office offers more details on the combination input/output invention first revealed by a filing with the European Patent Office. The company is hoping to improve the user interface on electronic devices to shrink their size and maximize visual real-estate available on the surface using what it calls a "display actuator." The invention straddles two separate patent filings relating to the input generation and output visualization from the same invention. Earlier this week, Apple filed for a trademark on "multi-pass," which it uses to sell bundled media content from the iTunes Music Store at a discount and also received patents for the Mac mini, fluid cooling, and improving image decompression.

NuPower battery for 12-inch iBook...

NewerTech has introduced a new NuPower replacement battery designed for Apple's 12-inch iBook G3/G4 laptops. The battery boasts 51 percent higher capacity in comparison to the original Apple battery and features a 55.5 watt-hour capacity to deliver up to nine hours of battery life (compared with the 6-hour life offered by Apple's own battery). The NuPower replacement will work with all 12- and 12.1-inch iBook models between the 2001 (Dual USB) model and the most recent 1.33GHz G4-based model. Also available for the 12-inch iBook is a 45.5 watt-hour battery with 31 percent more power. The new 55.5 watt-hour replacement battery costs $130, while the 45.5 watt-hour model is now priced at $100. All batteries sold by NewerTech contain no mercury thus keep them environmentally friendly when disposed of or recycled. [image included]

Apple not planning cluster node Xserve

Contrary to a report by CNET News.com yesterday, Apple is not planning a distinct Cluster Node version of the Xeon-based Xserve. Both ZDNet and CNET News.com, which ran reports yesterday on the October introduction of Cluster Node version of Apple's Intel-Xserve, have pulled their respective articles without any correction notice or explanation. However, MacNN has learned that Apple has no plans for such a configuration, instead as the base model, full-featured dual-dual core Xserve is almost the same price -- only $200 more -- as the old Cluster Node model. Previously, the price difference between standard and Cluster Node was about $1000. Apple, instead, has opted to let cluster-node customers utilize a bare-bones configuration of a standard Xserve to create a "Cluster Node". According to one source, all Xserves will still have built-in optical drives, the internal equipment for three drive bays (even if only one is used), and integrated video. The publication has posted a few photos of the Xserve. [update: CNET has since provided a correction notice to its website]

Apple maintains dominance with iPod...

Apple continues to lead the U.S. digital music player market in the second quarter of 2006 with 75.6 percent share, according to a recent study by the NPD Group. "Apple has done a great job of focusing consumers' attention on digital music in their products through millions of dollars in advertising," said Ross Rubin, an NPD analyst. Mobile phone companies may eat away at Apple's sizable lead, however, as they continue to unveil new phones with built-in music playing capability, according to ITworld.com. SanDisk achieved 9.7 percent market share taking second place below Apple, while Creative holds third place with 4.3 percent of the digital music player market. Samsung obtained 2.5 percent of the market, and Sony managed to take 1.9 percent.

Apple Spotlight, WebObjects patents?...

The US Patent & Trademark Office published information about three new Apple patents, including one for managing internet transactions, another for managing as well as searching metadata, and a third for a display actuator, as described in yesterday's patent filing with the European Patent Office. Apple's internet transaction patent covers an object-oriented approach to develop and manage internet transactions, which appears to be related to Apple's Java-based WebObjects software, as the assignee is Next Software -- the original developer of WebObjects. Next Software was acquired by Apple in the late 90s in a deal that also brought Apple co-founder Steve Jobs (along with his management team) back to Apple. The internet transaction patent filing lists January 6th, 2006 as the original filing date; however, Apple's filing references Next patents dating back to 1995 and 1994. Using traditional internet software development lingo, Apple's patent describes an object-oriented, transactional model that can build dynamic queries for data based on either user input or data store within an external database.

AUT, Renaissance ink Apple supply deal

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the Apple division of Renaissance -- an IT distributor -- have signed a supply agreement to provide students with access to the latest Macs. The new deal also includes other Apple services, such as installation and on-site service with IT support. AUT campuses currently boast a count of more than 500 Apple systems, most of which are used in the schools of Art and Design, Communication Studies, and Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. Liz Gosling, AUT's IT services director, said the university is committed to providing students with the latest technologies to best prepare them for their professional lives, according to m-net. "Our partnership with Renaissance provides for the best level of equipment, support and training for our staff and students," Gosling added.

Lions Gate: iTunes movie deal in place...

Apple has already inked deals with some major studios for offering full-length feature films through iTunes. In recently held Lions Gate quarterly conference call, company executives revealed a digital licensing deal, indicating Apple is prepping the launch of an iTunes movie store. Lions Gate Chief Financial Officer Jon Feltheimer said that the company had digital delivery deals in place with several companies, including Apple: "We also have digital delivery deals in place with Cinema Now, MovieLink, and iTunes, with upcoming announcements with at least two more major industry players."

Logitech debuts two new iPod speakers...

Logitech has released two new iPod speaker systems featuring an iPod-style design and plug-and-play simplicity. Both new speakers carry the Logitech AudioStation brand name and compatibility with the iPod mini, iPod nano, and all fourth- and fifth-generation iPods, including the iPod color and iPod U2. The AudioStation features a built-in AM/FM tuner, offers the ability to charge the iPod charging powered by AC, includes touch-sensitive controls and an LCD screen for clock and information, and features 3D stereo sound technology, removable speaker grills, an audio 3.5mm input jack, composite and S-Video outputs, and a remote control. The $300 system includes Universal Dock adapters, a protective case, and AM/FM antennas. [images included]

Foxconn may produce Apple's laptops

Apple is looking for another company to produce its laptops and may turn its to is current iPod manufacturer, despite recent allegations of labor abuse in its "iPod factories." Citing the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN), Digitimes reports that Apple is looking for a third contract manufacturer in Taiwan for its MacBooks and that Foxconn Electronics, the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry, has a "good chance of becoming the new partner." The EDN report says that Foxconn is "eyeing orders from Apple for a 15-inch consumer notebook model, although it appears to have confused Apple's consumer and professional notebook sizes: the 13-inch MacBook is designed for consumers, while 15-inch MacBook Pro, which soon may be updated with Intel's new "Merom" Core 2 Duo, is designed for professionals. The report notes that Asustek Computer currently produces Apple's MacBook, while Quanta Computer manufacturers the MacBook Pro. In addition to iPods, Foxconn is a contract manufacturer for Apple's desktops. While Foxconn initially denied the labor abuse claims, it has since reportedly admitted to breaking some Chinese labor laws after Apple announced it began an investigation into the claims.