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Briefly: Magic Mouse for Windows, smoke voids AppleCare

updated 10:55 pm EST, Mon November 23, 2009

Bluetooth update hacked and converted into .exe


In Brief: Although Apple only provides drivers to support the new Magic Mouse on Mac OS X or Windows via Boot Camp, a recent software update has been hacked and converted into an .exe for operating the mouse on ordinary Windows PCs. Meanwhile, a separate report suggests Apple has been rejecting warranty claims for Macs that have been used in smokers' homes.

Apple's recent Bluetooth update was hacked and modified for Windows PCs, allowing users to take advantage of the new multi-touch and scrolling features of the Magic Mouse. The .exe files, available from UNEASYsilence, can be downloaded for either 32-bit configurations or 64-bit Windows systems.

The Mac maker is allegedly voiding AppleCare warranties in certain cases where the user exposed their computer to second-hand smoke, according to a report by The Consumerist. Although the warranty terms and conditions do not contain any information related to cigarette smoke, several Apple representatives reportedly rejected systems due to the presence of smoke residue on the internal components of Macs. In several cases, Apple has referenced OSHA regulations which list nicotine as a hazardous substance.


by MacNN Staff

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TAGS :

 peripherals, troubleshooting, Windows, hacks, Mac OS X, Apple, Magic Mouse

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  1. eldarkus

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2004

    +3
    11/24, 07:10am | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    second hand smoke

    and how do they know if it's second hand smoke or not? Some Mac mini's have been known to be chain smokers, hence the stunted growth :)

  1. macjockey

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2004

    +11
    11/24, 08:21am | report spam | Reply |

    Nasty

    I don't blame them for voiding the warranty. We have taken in computers for repair from chain smokers and the computers are real nasty to work on. We have seen eMacs and the white iMacs come in that have turned yellow or even brown because of the smoke. They reek of cigarette smoke and smell up the whole repair room. The insides are covered with brown sticky tar from the cigarette smoke. Our repair technicians wear nylon surgical gloves when working on them. And when done will place the computer into a trash bag to keep the smell contained.

    Comment buried. Show
  1. danviento

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2005

    -10
    11/24, 09:40am | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Nicotine?!

    Why the h*** would you site nicotine as the problem here? I agree, the tar from smoke eventually gets on everything, and is just as damaging as spilling liquid on your device. But are they saying that nicotine residue is harmful to their workers? So wear gloves- duh.

  1. cartoonspin

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2003

    +7
    11/24, 10:01am | report spam | Reply |

    Nicotine...part deux

    Wear gloves? Duh they don't want their employees to inhale the poison. Globes won't help. You should see some of the systems that come in. They are disgusting!

  1. gskibum3

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2006

    +3
    11/24, 10:22am | report spam | Reply |

    First Hand

    I'm glad it's only second-hand smoke. I'd hate to know there's iMac abuse with people sticking a cancer stick in one of the intake vents and lighting it up.

  1. Mr. Strat

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2002

    +4
    11/24, 10:24am | report spam | Reply |

    It *is* disgusting

    While I'm not an anti-smoking n***, macjockey is right. When I worked in a computer store, we'd get in computers where it's like the user must have been in a nicotine fog. The c*** was caked on components so badly that it acted as an insulator causing components to overheat. You'd turn on the computer, and the power supply fan would blow that stench all over the place.

  1. cmoney

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2000

    0
    11/24, 11:28am | report spam | Reply |

    n***

    nerd

    Just wondering what n*** word would be censored...

    What are these people doing? Hot boxing with their macs?

  1. jamesfabin

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2007

    +1
    11/24, 12:15pm | report spam | Reply |

    I thought only smart people bought Macs?

    I just cant fathom a person being smart enough to buy a Mac, yet ignorant enough to smoking around it so much that it gives the Mac that awful "smoker smell" and coats it with that thin film of tar. Back in my early college days we'd get smokers bringing in PCs that would fill the room up with that awful smell - and like Mr. Strat says, turning on the system only made it worse when the power supply fan kicked on. As you can guess I'm not a smoker, but I can accept those who need an occasional smoke and step outside once or twice a day for it. I find it unacceptable for a person to smoke so much that everything smells of that stinch, even long after they have smoked their most recent cig. I'm all for Apple not warranting these machines, I'm all for all manufacturers not warranting hardware damaged by excessive smoking.

  1. ggirton

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    -4
    11/24, 12:41pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    improve warranty language

    they had better improve the warranty language if they are going to do this (which is not a bad idea) since 1 in 5 people still smoke. If fewer smokers use macs as a result, macs will become even MORE reliable vis-a-vis windows, and what's microsoft gonna do? Advertise that they don't care if you smoke or not, because nothing having to do with hardware is their fault? ha ha!

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -2
    11/24, 01:21pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: Nasty

    If true (and can you believe these types of stories), I'd be blaming them and looking to start lawsuits (TX, here we come!).

    If Apple wants to void warranties on certain actions, they have to tell the user up-front. You can't just come back later and say "Oh, wait, you were smoking. Well, we won't cover that." What's next. Will they not repair your computer because you didn't use a wrist-rest when using your mouse, which is also considered a bad-thing by OSHA standards?

    And why are smokers whose rooms are well ventilated not being violated? They're still using that dangerous substance of nicotine!

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