Intel's quad-core Xeon CPU roadmap...

Intel is planning new quad-core Kentsfield- and Clovertown-based chips for the lucrative server market, according to a new report that discusses Intel's Xeon processor roadmap. The company will release quad-core Kentsfield-based Xeon 3000 series processors for servers in early 2007--after the consumer-based Kentsfield Core 2 Quadro (November), according to Dailytech. The new Xeon X3220 and X3210 processors will be identical to the Core 2 Quadro processors, the report said, and will share the same Kentsfield core: there will be no architectural or socket differences between desktop Core 2 Quadro for desktops and Xeon X3000 series for servers; however, the Santa Clara-based chip giant will use product placement and marketing to help differentiate the prodcts.

Indiana board rejects school Mac deal...

The East Gibson board in Oakland, Indiana has voted to reject a proposal for the purchase of around 200 Apple computers that were headed to a local school, voicing concern about methods used by Apple and some EGSC administrators to facilitate the deal. The proposal had not received final approval from the board, but more than 100 Macs had already shipped to Wood Memorial Junior High School by the time the board convened to discuss the matter. At least two board members and several patrons proceeded to question one superintendent and the board president about the proposal, according to the Princeton Daily Clarion. After a lengthy debate, the board voted by a 3-2 vote to reject Apple's proposal and start "from the ground up."

Adobe Acrobat 8 to be Universal Binary...

Adobe has confirmed that Acrobat 8, announced last week, will be a Universal Binary, making it the fourth application the company has released with native support for both Intel-based Macs and legacy PowerPC-based Macs. The Universal Acrobat 8 will be available as part of an upgrade to its suite of applications for creative professionals, Creative Suite 2.3, which was announced last week and is expected to ship in November. Acrobat, however, will be the only application that supports Intel-based Macs natively, according to the company. "Acrobat 8 is currently the only product in Creative Suite 2.3 that is Universal Binary," an Adobe representative told MacNN. "The next release of the Creative Suite and its point products, including Dreamweaver, will support Universal Binary. We have made it clear recently that Dreamweaver will be replacing GoLive in future versions of Creative Suite and that GoLive will continue development as a standalone product." [updated]

Gefen unveils 4x4 HDMI Matrix switch

Gefen today unveiled its new 4x4 HDMI Matrix switch, a rack mountable unit supporting multiple display sources with plug-and-play capabilities that features a black enclosure. Gefen's 4x4 HDMI Matrix is designed to provide a simple solution for studios, entertainment venues, theaters, conference centers, educational facilities, and any environment that sends multiple HDMI sources to multiple HDMI displays or projectors. The back side is lined with four HDMI inputs, four HDMI outputs, and an RS-232 interface. Matrix switching is controlled by IR remote or RTS-232 serial communications systems. The 4x4 Matrix Switcher ($2,000) includes a RMT-16IR, four 6-foot DVI cables, one 24-volt power supply, a user's manual, and rack ears. [corrected, updated]

Briefly: "Get a Mac" ads; Virgin ban

In brief: One avid Mac user has posted photos of Apple's latest "Get a Mac" commercials, which are currently showing exclusively in Apple stores.... Virgin Atlantic Airways has lifted its ban on in-flight use of Apple and Dell laptop batteries that was originally enacted after numerous reports surfaced of the Sony notebook cells overheating and, in some cases, bursting into open flames.... A Lenovo laptop computer that burst into flames at Los Angeles International Airport this last weekend was likely the result of a defective Sony battery, according to one Lenovo spokesman.... Apple has announced that the version of Flash that ships in its QuickTime software is older than the version available from Adobe, noting that it will still ship Flash with QuickTime but that the feature will come disabled by default.... Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) problems could persist, according to recent tests of Windows Vista, and are occurring near the end of the development cycle.... One Mac advocate has blogged a request for computer manufacturers to bundle OpenOffice.org with every new computer they sell.

PCMag gives Editor's Choice to new iPod

PC Magazine has reviewed Apple's 80GB video iPod, rating the device a 4.5 of 5 and bestowing its Editor's Choice award upon the recently-refreshed portable media player. Apple's latest and highest-capacity iPod boasts enhancements over the previous model such as longer video battery life, game support, search capability, a brighter screen, and greater storage capacity. With a lower price, the highest capacity video iPod could use longer battery life for audio playback, as well as a built-in FM tuner and recording capabilities. Additionally, Apple could broaden the device's video-format support. Despite these shortcomings, Apple's 80GB iPod earned PC Magazine's Editor's Choice award for three reasons: the device features "very good music player features;" it integrates seamlessly with iTunes; and it offers "an elegant and simple design."

QuickTime vulnerability surfaces

SecurityFocus has warned of an arbitrary-script-execution weakness in Apple's QuickTime plug-in when executing QuickTime Media Link files. Attackers can exploit the issue to execute arbitrary script code -- which is limited to the context of the affected application -- and load local content in a user's Web browser, which could lead to further security issues. QuickTime 7.1.3 is known to be vulnerable, while other versions of QuickTime may also be at risk. Apple has yet to issue patches for the vulnerability, and two proof-of-concept QuickTime Media Link files are already available using the .mp3 file extension.

Aspyr offers Sid Meier's Civ IV demo

Aspyr Media has released a free demo for Sid Meier's Civilization IV for Macintosh. "With Sid Meier's Civilization IV, history as you know it, is history. Rule throughout time and create your own legacy as you guide your civilization from the dawn of man through the space age and beyond. Implement new technologies, conduct diplomacy or wage war to grow your society and become the most powerful leader the world has ever known." The demo offers a tutorial and allows you the opportunity to play up to 100 turns of the full game. Civilization IV is a Universal Mac title, running natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs. The game is rated "E" for "Everyone 10+" by the ESRB. Civilization IV is available now for $50.

Apple approaches major catalysts

ThinkEquity analyst Jonathan Hoopes today said that "significant catalysts" coupled with strengthening demand for core Mac systems will boost Apple's revenue trajectory, earnings power, and price valuation in the near term. The analyst raised his price target on Apple shares from $90 to $100, and noted the potential for profits up to $400 million from Mac OS X Leopard in the year following its release. The analyst points to Apple's strong back-to-school season, new product as well as software launches -- which will include Mac OS X Leopard, a new version of iLife, and iTV's launch -- and success in the enterprise market later in 2007. Additionally, Apple will benefit from pent-up demand in European markets, even as Apple retail stores appear ready to deliver solid September and December quarters, according to Barron's. "Never in the history of the PC has a company been better positioned than Apple is at this time to both gain share and improve profitability... Apple's software holds the key to additional share gains and margin expansion."

Briefly: "iWoz" in stores; CenterStage

In brief: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak's book titled "iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple and Had Fun Doing It" has hit store shelves.... CenterStage has launched a recruitment drive with a "Developers wanted" section on the main site to help push its project along.... Group Logic today announced that Lampeter-Strasburg School District in Lampeter, PA, has installed ExtremeZ-IP for file and print sharing between 1,300 Mac desktops and Windows servers.... Memorex today introduced its Inkjet Printable media with AquaGuard technology, offering a smear- and water-resistant surface.... Evo Networks today launched its Express Partner Program allowing Mac VARs as well as Mac Technical and Business Consultants the opportunity to offer Evo Networks' Express Platforms to their Apple clients.... The next meeting of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (lafcpug) will feature "How did you do that?" night for creative artists to display their work while enabling participants to learn from it.

iTunes movies to hurt Apple, Disney?...

Apple's recent deal with Walt Disney to offer full-length films as digital downloads via the iTunes Music Store could prove ill for both companies if other Hollywood studios view the deal as a competitive move, rather than an opportunity. A new report from the Los Angeles Times highlights the fact that Apple has only Disney on board offering full-length movies downloads -- a total of 75 films -- and that the Cupertino-based company's movie pricing currently undercuts major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy. Rival studios may also view the deal as a close-knit partnership between Apple and Disney, flagging the duo as a major competitor in the entertainment industry. Regardless, other studios are reluctant to come on board with Apple due to fears of alienating brick-and-mortar retailers, which account for half of Hollywood's revenue via DVD sales and rentals. "The other studios want to wait and see how it goes," said independent media industry analyst Harold Vogel. [corrected]

Mac OS X threat exposure increases...

As Apple's Mac OS X operating system increases in popularity, so does its exposure to internet-related security threats. Security firm Symantec has published its latest Internet Security Threat Report, revealing that the number of vulnerabilities identified in Apple's Safari Web browser doubled over the first half of 2006, and that the amount of time Safari users were vulnerable to exploits before Apple released a security fix increased from zero days to five. During the first six months of 2006 malicious users discovered 12 bugs in Safari, 47 bugs in Mozilla Firefox, and 38 bugs in Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Mozilla on average fixed its bugs within one day of exploits surfacing, Apple within five days, Microsoft within nine days, and Opera two days.

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z710

Kodak has released a new prosumer camera that the company says is a balance between image quality and features. Electronista reports that the "new EasyShare Z710 has the same 7.1-megapixel resolution as many more expensive compact cameras but uses a much larger Schneider-Kreuznach lens with 10X optical zoom. Kodak promises full manual control for veteran photographers while still giving access to 19 preset modes and the EasyShare function to quickly share photos with computers or printers." The camera also features a 5x digital zoom (50x total zoom), SD/MMC card support, 32MB of internal memory, and many picture editing and enhancement features, such as multiple scene mode, a live histogram display, five color modes, continuous video (VGA 640  480 at 10.5 fps or QVGA 320  240 at 20fps), and burst mode to capture images in succession. Kodak says it expects the Z710 to ship in October for £280 (about $530US, however, US pricing will likely be less).

Apple debuts Aperture 1.5 at Photokina...

Ahead of the Photokina tradeshow in Germany, Apple has announced a new version of Aperture, its professional digital photography workflow solution. Aperture 1.5 is a major update to the all-in-one post production tool for photographers that delivers enhancements across each phase of the entire workflow. Aperture 1.5 delivers a powerful new open library, seamless iLife '06 and iWork '06 integration, XMP metadata support, powerful new adjustment tools and an export API that makes it easy to extend the Aperture workflow to third party applications and services. "Aperture has given photographers around the globe the confidence to work in exciting new ways," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Product Marketing. "Now with Aperture 1.5, we've opened the library and extended the workflow to provide a solution that is as flexible as it is powerful." Aperture 1.5 is available this week in English, French, German and Japanese as a free Software Update to current Aperture 1.0 customers. The full version is $300 from the Apple Store.

Epson announces Stylus Pro 3800...

Epson today launched the Stylus Pro 3800, its new professional photography, graphic design and prepress proofing printing solution. It features a new compact, 17-inch wide printer design, a new "breakthrough" screening algorithm and Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink technology as well as a new auto-sharing black ink technology that allows for automatic switching between photo and matte black ink modes to maximize image quality on a wide variety of media types. Epson's UltraChrome K3 Ink technology leverages eight individual cartridges that use high-density color pigments for overall color gamut and fidelity along with a high-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation resin chemistry to create prints with greater scratch resistance and reduced gloss differential. In addition, the technology uses a three-Level black ink system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light-light black inks to produce professional quality black-and-white prints, which it says rival traditional silver halide. (The company has a page dedicated to Intel-based Mac support.)

Briefly: review; Apple Store Columbia

In brief: MacNN has reviewed the Miglia TVMini ($100, shown at right), enabling users to watch, pause, record, and rewind free-to-air digital TV on a Mac.... One user has posted photos of the Apple Store Columbia's grand opening, describing a line farther than the eye can see as well as a marriage proposal.... Delkin Devices has unveiled the eFilm ExpressCard/34, a Compact Flash adapter that fits ExpressCard/34 or /54 slots and can transfer data from a Type I or II card as quickly as 20MB/sec.... Storynory is beginning a serialization of the classic story Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, offering the audio version as a free podcast.... Bluelounge has unveiled cool feet, its removable and portable laptop feet for Apple notebooks designed to facilitate the escape of heat trapped beneath the unit.... Corsair has debuted its 8GB Flash Voyager drive which uses a dual-channel interface to nearly double the practical transfer rate.

VersionTracker Pro comes to Intel Macs

TechTracker today released VersionTracker Pro 4.2 for Mac, enabling users to securely keep their software up to date. The application incorporates a central database of updates coupled with peer feedback to help users choose the right update for each software title. VersionTracker Pro 4.2 allows users to filter updates by operating system, scan UNIX volumes for every Mac OS X file type or format, enhances support for external drives as well as partitions, and runs natively on Intel-based Macs as a Universal Binary. VersionTracker Pro scans local, external, and networked drives to map all of the existing applications as well as updates to ensure users are automatically kept current through customized alerts based on installed applications. VersionTracker Mac 4.2 Pro is available as a three-license version for $50, or $80 for a 10-license cross-platform version (Mac system requirements were unavailable).

Wal-Mart denies iTunes retaliation plan

Wal-Mart Stores has disputed a New York Post report from Friday saying it was trying to dissuade movie studios from working with other forms of distribution, including Apple's iTunes. On Friday, The Post reported that the world's largest retailer had warned Hollywood studios it may retaliate for selling movies on iTunes amid concerns that Wal-Mart's DVD sales will suffer. Earlier this month, Disney and its sister studios became the first companies to offer full length movies on Apple's iTunes: Walt Disney reported it had already sold 125,000 movies in the first week and expected annual revenue of $50 million through iTunes. Reuters reports that Wal-Mart said it was not pressuring movie studios into shunning online delivery: "Customers want to watch movies and they want to be able to make the choice when and how they want to view them," a Wal-Mart spokeswoman told the publication. "While we recognize there are various current and potential providers of this service, we are not dissuading studios from conducting business with other providers."

Fujifilm debuts FinePix F31fd, S5 Pro

Fujifilm today introduced two new digital cameras designed for casual photographers as well as professionals. The FinePix F31fd (pictured at right), due in November, is an update to the 6.3-megapixel F30 that adds an advanced face recognition system: Fujifilm says its technology can find as many as ten faces in a scene and optimize exposure, flash, and focus to improve the accuracy of portrait shots. It also adds an IR-based wireless transfer system that can share photos between cameras and other similarly-equipped hardware. The company also debuted its FinePix S5 Pro, a significant improvement to the company's earlier S3 DSLR model, offering an effective image resolution of 12.34 megapixels using a dual-image sensors The new S5, due early next year, also adds intelligent flash as well as ISO 3200 light sensitivity as well as improved auto-focus and metering, according to Electronista. In addition, the S5 offers three new variations of the original film simulation mode for improved reproduction of natural skin tones.

Briefly: Nano review, Army goes Dell

In Brief: Giving the new iPod nano four out of four stars, the Boston Herald says that the aluminum body of the lighter and thinner player resolves the previous-generation's susceptibility to scratching and that in some cases the battery may last longer than the 24 hours touted by Apple..... The iKEY Plus, due in October for $240, is a small recorder requires an external microphone or RCA audio source, but can record 320Kbps MP3 or uncompressed WAV to any attached USB mass storage, including iPods.... The early bird fee for Big Nerd Ranch Europe's PostgreSQL Bootcamp, scheduled for mid-November in Germany, is available through September 29.... Dell, who received a NASDAQ delisting notice last week, got the go-ahead last week on a big Army supply contract in which the Defense Department agreed to buy computers, displays, printers and peripherals from Dell and others--that could be worth $5 billion over 10 years.

Iogear's Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse

Iogear today introduced its Germ Free Wireless Laser Mouse, which automatically protects users from germs and bacteria by leveraging a unique auto-disinfecting surface. It is designed for use in highly-trafficked public areas, such as offices, libraries and schools and is able to inhibit a wide range of antibodies, viruses and algae. The company said that a recent survey from the University of Arizona found that an average desk harbors 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. The outer shell is covered in nanocoating, consisting of titanium oxide and silver nanoparticles that can prevent or deactivate bacteria with 99% efficiency, according to the company. The new mouse, which provdes a 2 meter/6ft wireless range and features laser technology for advanced tracking at 1600 dpi, is available now for $40 and comes with a three-year warranty, carry case, and USB receiver.

Adobe ships Photoshop Lightroom beta 4...

Adobe today announced an update to the public beta of its Lightroom photography software at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany. Now called Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, the fourth beta of the product unites the product feature set for Windows and Macintosh platforms, offering professional photographers a new way to import, manage and showcase large volumes of digital photographs. To date, Adobe said more than 325,000 people used Lightroom, since its launch earlier this year. The final release of the software is expected in early 2007; however, the company did not offer details on pricing. Beta 4.0 offers improved digital photography workflow tools, including a precision white balance selection option and a more streamlined and elegant user interface experience with customizable controls. An intuitive new tone curve adjustment feature provides powerful image correction capabilities, allowing users to visually obtain excellent midtone, shadow and highlight adjustments.

New wireless transceiver for MacBooks

QuickerTek today introduced a new wireless transceiver for MacBook owners. The 27dBm Transceiver for MacBooks works with common 802.11b/g networking hardware including Apple's AirPort and AirPort Express Base Stations. Doubling the laptop's wireless range and speed, the new transceiver provides increased range as well as a stronger signal at greater distances. According to the developer, MacBooks can be used further away from network access points such as Base Stations, maintain high speed connections and connect to an increased number of available networks by delvering 500 miiliwatts of RF power -- ten times that found in the stock MacBook. The transceiver, which does not require any additional steps or drivers to alter normal wireless networking, clips onto the top of the MacBook case without velcro and "won't disturb the finish in any way." The MacBook transceiver attaches internally and a thin cable exits out of the case to the external antenna through the AirPort Express port on the MacBook. It is available now for $200 with a one-year warranty.