Apple updates iPhoto, runs customer survey on it
updated 06:59 pm EDT, Mon October 1, 2012
Bug fixes include Facebook, iOS syncing issues
Having issued a similar update for Aperture over the weekend, Apple on Monday updated iPhoto to version 9.4.1, which likewise acts as a general bug-fix update that improves the reliability of syncing with iOS devices through iTunes and also addresses issues with downloading and viewing photos synced with a Facebook album. In a related development, MacNN has learned that Apple is surveying customers on their use (or lack of use) of various features in iPhoto, including the ability to buy printed products.
Version 9.4.1 also fixes an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly when using the Export command, and builds on version 9.4 which was released last month. The 9.4 update allowed Aperture and iPhoto users to share a common library, added the ability to add comments to photos synced with Facebook, and increased the number of card and calendar themes.
The new update also addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit while upgrading multiple books, cards and calendars users have made. The new customer survey, which appears to Apple users as they visit Apple's site on occasion, asks specific questions about iPhoto services like the professional digital printing. In querying customers about their use (or lack of use) of options to create and buy books or calendars, a list of possibly reasons why customers don't use the service was offered.
Including in the options were factors like cost or difficulty using the software, but also listed was "no availability for local pickup," suggesting that Apple may consider letting users receive their orders from local photo stores rather than have them mailed to their home. Local pickup (or outsourcing of the work to authorized dealers) could conceivably allow Apple to speed up the process from ordering to fulfillment, which currently takes around a week.
The update replaces the entire iPhoto application, and thus is 757.62MB in size. It requires either Lion 10.7.5 or higher or Mountain Lion 10.8.2 or higher, and can be obtained through Software Update (though the Mac App Store on Mountain Lion) or downloaded directly from Apple's Support Downloads page.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: 02-11-05
So...can I now get back to syncing photos thru iTunes to my iDevices? The past week or so has been very difficult when managing a family of 5's iPhones, iPod touched, iPads, and our AppleTV. (Now I'm traveling for a week so I have to live vicariously thru you!)