| Giveaway: Bracketron Case | If outdoor adventures are in your future this summer, enter to win a Bracketron Sport Case with Mount Strap from MacNN and keep that iPhone, iPod or other electronic device safe from the elements. |
Apple has released a new security update for the Windows version of QuickTime. The update resolves several issues that could lead to an unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution when viewing a maliciously crafted PICT file, website, TeXML file, or Targa file. The updated version of QuickTime can be downloaded from Apple's website.
One of the few third-party add-ons to OS X that is considered by many as essential as the operating system itself, Telestream's free Flip4Mac WMV Player (also distributed by Microsoft as Windows Media Components for QuickTime) has for years given Mac users the ability to play WMV format video and audio in QuickTime and on the web without having to think about codecs. The company has now officially inaugurated version 3.0 of the utility, which still offers free translation of Windows media formats, but now also includes a free player and new abilities.
Apple issued a minor update to iMovie for OS X on Wednesday that addressed an issue related to third-party QuickTime components (such as Perian, the now-in-beta Flip4Mac WMV Player 3.0 or other non-Apple add-ons designed to expand QuickTime's compatibility with other file formats) that was preventing iMovie from opening. The update is large in size -- 1.08GB -- as it replaces the application entirely rather than just patching it. Specific changes were not detailed.
A new lawsuit, filed through the US District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Apple of using media patents in spite of negotiations for them breaking down. A company called EPL Holdings says that on January 28th, 2002, it met with Tony Fadell, Apple's senior VP for the iPod division, about technologies it had developed alongside another company, Enounce. On February 5th the parties met to talk licensing, and Apple's senior manager for iPods, Aram Lindahl, is said to have offered Enounce $50,000 for one of the patents.
Though its official name is Windows Media Components for QuickTime, the product maintained by Telestream and licensed to Microsoft that allows Mac users to view Windows Media-format audio and video files within QuickTime is known nearly universally in the Mac community as Flip4Mac, the product's original name. Telestream is now offering a preview of the next generation of the free video utility, along with a new independent Flip Player for Mac.
RIM quickly got around a ban on mentioning BBX during BlackBerry DevCon Asia by renaming its platform. The new smartphone and tablet platform will just be called BlackBerry 10. Its technique copies the one used by Apple for jumping multiple version numbers with QuickTime and Final Cut Pro.
While most of the changes in iTunes 10.5 are aimed at supporting iOS 5 and iCloud, Apple has also made some significant changes for Windows users. Central is the removal of QuickTime from the installation package, since iTunes is said to no longer require it. In the past some Windows users have complained about being forced to install QuickTime, which can potentially hijack some filetype associations.
Apple has posted a trio of new software updates, the most important of which are Thunderbolt-related. The Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update fixes unspecified stability problems with Apple's latest product, and apart from the monitor requires a Mac running either OS X 10.6.8 or 10.7.1. A new Thunderbolt Software Update for Snow Leopard is required to use the Thunderbolt Display with the OS, and also fixes compatibility issues with other Thunderbolt devices. A matching Lion update was released late last week.
For security reasons, Apple has updated the Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) and Windows (XP SP2 and later) versions of QuickTime to version 7.7, addressing 13 security issues. The update is not available to Macs running OS X 10.6 or later, as the security fixes in this update have already been addressed in OS X 10.6.7, 10.6.8 and later releases. Apple recommends the update for all QuickTime users on Windows or Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8.
A job posting posted on Tuesday to Apple's website has revealed that the company is working on improvements to their streaming technologies, one of the main features in QuickTime and Core Animation and also used in a number of other products, including iTunes, Apple TV, Safari and others, AppleInsider reports. The position calls for a "Media Streaming Engineering Manager" who will "help develop our media streaming engine for our iOS, Mac OS X and Windows products."
Apple has released a maintenance update for its QuickTime player on Windows computers and Macs running Leopard v10.5.8. Version 7.6.9 focuses on security, addressing a long list of reported vulnerabilities. The update brings improvements to file handling for JP2, GIF, PICT and FlashPix images, along with several video formats including AVI, MPEG, Sorenson, and QTVR. The changes are designed to protect against attacks from maliciously crafted files.
Creaceed has launched v2.0 of Elasty, upgrading the video utility with a new, more refined user interface. Some features of the enhancement tool allow for rotating, flipping and cropping QuickTime movies, as well as applying automatic image stabilization. In v2.0 manual stabilization is possible, with control over strength and scaling. The program additionally supports Quartz Composer effects, and has been optimized for Grand Central processing.
Apple has deployed a series of software updates, including QuickTime 7.6.8, only available for Windows 7, Vista and XP SP2. The patch concentrates exclusively on security problems, which could be used to attack a PC by way of the app's ActiveX control, or else a path-searching flaw in QuickTime Picture Viewer. For Mac owners Apple has posted Pro Applications Update 2010-02, which includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.3, Motion 4.0.3, Color 1.5.3, Compressor 3.5.3 and Qmaster 3.5.3.
Apple has released an update to its QuickTime player for Windows, along with display firmware for recent iMacs. QuickTime 7.6.7 addresses a security vulnerability that could have allowed attackers to gain unauthorized access to a computer using a maliciously crafted movie file. The issue is said to only affect Windows machines.
Some of the first hints of Mac OS X 10.7 have surfaced in material coming out of WWDC. A component of the iOS 4 gold master, AV Foundation, is ultimately part of the next desktop OS. Some of the sessions at the primarily iOS-oriented event also referenced future developments for 10.7, even if their final goals weren't evident.
Apple on Tuesday released maintenance updates for QuickTime and iPhoto. QuickTime 7.6.6 focuses on increased reliability, expanded compatibility, and improved security. Specific details are vague, although the download is said to address H.264 playback issues on certain Windows systems with multi-core configurations.
After months of development, Apple has released Mac OS X 10.6.3, a major update of Snow Leopard. A central focus of the code is on graphics, as it improves compatibility with OpenGL-based renderers, as well as the reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X. It also fixes color issues in Mail and iMovie, related to backgrounds and HD video, and trouble with "glowing, stuck or dark" pixels when viewing video from an iSight camera on a present-era iMac.
Apple is currently testing updates to three pieces of software, sources note. The first is Safari 4.0.5, which is being tested in separate builds for Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Windows. The emphasis of the patch is said to be a regression in the browser's JavaScript engine, one which arose with the release of Safari 4.0.4. Some sections of code are also being transitioned from a Safari-native base to WebKit, for the sake of cross-platform compatibility.
Apple is seeding a new test build of Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers, 10D552. The code is said to continue many of the troubleshooting efforts taken with the last two builds, correcting problems with AirPort, OpenGL, graphics drivers and QuickTime X, while improving the performance of 64-bit Logic. Also fixed are some compatibility and reliability issues with third-party printers, and a glitch which causes background message colors to behave badly in Mail.
Over the weekend, Apple began seeding a new test build of Mac OS X 10.6.3, developer sources say. Labeled 10D548, the build is said to be little different than 10D538, with similar emphasis on improving the security, compatibility and reliability of QuickTime X, as well as the performance of the Logic audio editing suite. Tweaks are also said to improve compatibility with printers, and apps based on the OpenGL rendering platform.
Apple has seeded a third beta build of the upcoming Mac OS X 10.6.3 update, which currently offers enhancements related to QuickTime X and Logic, according to AppleInsider. The beta version, build number 10D538, includes an updated version of QuickTime X that will reportedly increase security while improving compatibility and reliability.
Rogue Amoeba on Wednesday introduced Radioshift 1.5, an update to its Internet radio player and recorder. The latest version adds support for hundreds of new streams in Windows Media Pro and QuickTime formats. Streaming reliability is said to be improved, with automatic restart or switching to back-up streams if the feed encounters an error.
GroupSmarts has announced a major upgrade to its Mac-based digital storytelling utility, MemoryMiner 2.0. The app allows users to create digital stores which link audio, video, pictures or other media. Version 2 offers a new Maplines view, support for Reverse Geocoding, and a new Ken Burns-style pan and zoom effect available through every selection marker. Support is also offered for recording video or audio annotations with QuickTime=compatible devices or the integrated iSight camera.
Divergent Media has released an update to its M2T/MTS batch converter, ClipWrap 2.0. The program converts HDV or AVCHD files into QuickTime movies that can be used with any QuickTime-based application. Features in v2.0 include enhanced speed when rewrapping files, as well as additional format support.
Apple has released two new software updates, beginning with a firmware update for the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. The update fixes an error with the built-in iSight camera, which may not be detected as intended by some programs. Downloaders must have an Intel Mac, as well as Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.2.
A number of reports on Apple's Support pages suggest the latest QuickTime update, v7.6.4, has been causing problems on Windows machines. Many users attempting to play embedded videos can only hear the sound, while the video content is left blank.
In tandem with iTunes 9, Apple has released QuickTime 7.6.4, a minor update to its signature AV playback software. The patch primarily fixes problems with H.264 and/or MPEG-4 playback, which exposed systems to crashes or arbitrary code execution. H.264 vulnerabilities were connected to memory corruption and heap buffer overflows, while an MPEG-4 flaw involved conventional buffer overflows.
Beginning with two Tuesday updates, all future iterations of Mozilla's Firefox browser will check for at least some outdated plug-ins, the company has announced. Firefox 3.5.3 and 3.0.14 will both scan for the latest version of Flash, prompting users to visit a link where an updated plug-in can be downloaded. "For now, our focus is on the Adobe Flash Player both because of its popularity and because some studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of users currently have an out-of-date version," says Firefox security team member Johnathan Nightingale.
AJA Video Systems has introduced a portable video-recording system for filmmakers and video professionals, Ki Pro. The device connects to almost any digital camera through SDI, HDMI or analog inputs, and records high-quality Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files that can be edited within Apple’s Final Cut Studio software. The device integrates both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection capabilities, enabling users to control the device via a browser or their iPhone.
A controversial report today has accused Apple of borrowing or being late to features previously available in Windows. The PC World story argues that Apple is behind in implementing 64-bit and that Exposé's new integration with the Dock, the enhanced PDF preview, and QuickTime X are all either derivative of features first seen in XP or Vista or else available separately. Author Randall Kennedy goes as far as to claim that QuickTime X is a "reactionary" move to Windows Movie Maker.
Validating rumors, Apple has formally announced that Mac OS X Snow Leopard will ship on August 28th, just ahead of its predicted September launch date. The software is a $29 upgrade for individual Leopard owners, or a $49 upgrade for people needing a five-license family pack. It can also be had with a new Mac computer, or as a part of the Mac Box Set, which bundles the latest versions of iLife and iWork. Single-user and family pack versions of the Box Set cost $169 and $229, respectively.
Apple has released build 10A421 of its upcoming Snow Leopard operating system. The latest developer update is almost 745MB, and includes bug fixes and enhancements. Some unannounced changes include a new QuickTime Player icon, and several new desktop pictures. A new version of the Unix kernel has left beta stages, and Darwin is now listed as a final component of the System Profiler.
Samson today hoped to bring quality to pocket video cameras and launched the Zoom Q3. It records video in standard VGA (640x480) but adds two large condenser microphones borrowed from the audio-only H4n, giving it 48kHz, 24-bit stereo sound. The enhanced audio can additionally focus on a particular point independently of the fixed-zoom lens to capture sound at a distance.
The QuickTime 7.6.2 update, released on Monday, allegedly addresses a security vulnerability that was partially described in "The Mac Hacker's Handbook," according to PCWorld. Apple usually succeeds in addressing bugs before they are made public, although the book written by Charlie Miller and Dino Dai Zovi provided many of the details surrounding an issue with the way QuickTime reads files compressed using the JP2 format.
Apple has published updates for two of its main media playback utilities, iTunes and QuickTime. The most crucial is iTunes 8.2, which introduces support for the yet-to-be-released iPhone 3.0 firmware; the upgrade may signify an iPhone 3.0 debut on or around Apple's imminent WWDC event, scheduled to begin June 8th. Also addressed in the download are unspecified bugfixes and accessibility improvements.
A number of minor but cumulatively important interface changes have been made in Mac OS X Snow Leopard, observes a Flickr user with access to the developer beta. Beyond some known tweaks, such as the addition of sliders for icon size, the software is also expected to warn users who have not created a password hint, and enable Quick Look within Open and Save dialogs, not just Finder. The System Preferences pane has meanwhile been rearranged, for instance splitting the Keyboard and Mouse sections, removing QuickTime, and moving Bluetooth under a new Internet & Wireless header.
The next version of QuickTime, QuickTime X, should incorporate features for uploading directly to media sharing sites, people experienced with the current beta say. The video playback software is described as having a new "Share" menu, offering the ability to upload to YouTube without a separate encoder or browser. Options should also include uploading to MobileMe Galleries, the only requirement for any upload being login info.
Apple is distributing a new build of Mac OS X Snow Leopard to its developer community, adding a redesigned QuickTime Player and a Cocoa-based desktop. AppleInsider reports that beta 10A286 was released Friday morning, with a completely redesigned version of QuickTime thought to be QuickTime X, featuring a minimal user interface geared towards playback. The first-ever Cocoa-based desktop is said to include updated info windows and contextual menus.
The two current versions of Apple's QuickTime software may merge into one come the release of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, new information hints. The latest developer seeding of Snow Leopard is said to enable all features of QuickTime by default, including advanced functions such as sharing and movie creation or capture. Special features have typically been reserved for QuickTime Pro, a $30 package advertised through pop-ups in the regular QuickTime Player.
JVC today rolled out a pro-grade HD camcorder designed explicitly for videographers using Apple's Final Cut Pro editing suite. The GY-HM700 is the only 1080p camera to capture directly in the MOV format used by QuickTime and so lets producers send raw footage directly to Final Cut without the software having to first transcode or otherwise alter the material before it enters the pipeline. Editors can even trim video while it's stored on the camera, JVC notes.
Apple's QuickTime 7.6 update addresses seven security issues. The first issue involved accessing a maliciously crafted RTSP URL may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution Description: A heap buffer overflow exists in QuickTime's handling of RTSP URLs. Accessing a maliciously crafted RTSP URL may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. Version 7.6 fixes the issue by performing additional validation of RTSP URLs.
Apple has launched QuickTime 7.6, addressing seven security issues. The update increases reliability, improves compatibility and enhances security. It is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users. The 75.1MB download (via software download) will work with Mac OS X 10.4.9-10.4.11 and Mac OS X 10.5 and later. It is available for Windows Vista, XP SP2 and SP3 as well.
Apple on Tuesday has unveiled QuickTime 7.5.7, an update to its multimedia player system that reportedly removes HDCP protection from standard definition movies bought or rented from iTunes when played across the DisplayPort on some of the more modern Macs. MacRumors reports that the update resolves issues on the new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air, all of which feature the miniature DisplayPort connector.
Ross Video has released its SoftMetal 4.0 software, adding native MXF recording and playback support for HD and SD video clips, and QuickTime-native SD playout. It also adds closed-captioning support, embedded audio, and stereoscopic recording and playback. Version 4.0 additionally introduces capacity for 16 channels per video input/output. The upgrade is free for previous customers.
Apple allegedly has QuickTime 7.6 beta builds seeded to developers, which will allegedly offer Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard, and Windows users 5.1 audio, as well as several optimizations, AppleInsider reports. Developers are asked by Apple to stress the current build (A26) with multi-channel audio, taking note that audio plays back correctly with each channel. GPU acceleration is not expected to arrive in this update, a feature heavily used by Adobe's new Creative Suite 4 applications.
A possible security hole has been discovered in QuickTime 7.5.5, which was released last week alongside iTunes 8. Symantec researcher Aaron Adams notes that a particular parameter in QuickTime is not geared to cope with strings past a certain length, and that if this trait were to be properly exploited, it could represent a security threat. "Symantec is currently investigating this flaw further to determine the underlying technical details," Adams' official note reads.
Divergent Media has announced ClipWrap for the Mac, an m2t batch converter for creating QuickTime HDV files. With most Hi-Def cameras recording in m2t transport streams, and few video applications capable of handling m2t, ClipWrap attempts to bridge the gap, converting the streams to QuickTime movies. The software is a rewrapping tool, moving video and audio streams to a QuickTime container. In theory this avoids generational loss through re-encoding, and saves hours of encode time.
Plyxim has upated its QuickTime-based scheduling software for closed-circuit broadcasting systems. Exibia 1.2 Server allows users from multiple platforms to use their web browsers to upload content to a central server. Version 1.2 includes a "major overhaul" to Exibia's web client interface. Exibia supports iCal and LDAP integration, and works with third-party plug-ins including Flip4Mac, Perian and Divx.
