Apple on a roll with updates

Pro Application Support 4.0.1

Improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.

iPhone 1.0.1

Apple says security and minor bug fixes

Security fixes for Safari, WebCore, and WebKit on the eve of Black hat

Charles Miller discovered the vulnerability and was critical of Apple and OS x security in general during a talk at Black Hat

Apple regularly includes outdated versions of open source code in OS X.

Hackers can look at what was patches in later version to craft exploits.

Apple patches in days, not weeks like Microsoft, but why not be pro-active?

Customers reporting better stability and improved performance

Fix for low volume levels

Fixes batter not fully charged icon issue

BCC added to Mail

Passcode lock adds 1 hour option to immediately and one minute options

Enhanced VPN with cancel button

Calendar alerts to sound settings

Fixes a bug in Google Maps functionality

Allows FM transmitter accessories to work

Safari 3 Beta Update 3.0.3

Security fixes and patches in Safari and WebKit addressing 4 holes

AirPort Extreme update (2007-004)

For all Intel-based MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models

Fixes dropped connection, kernel panic and instability issues plaguing some Intel Mac owners

Security Update 2007-007

Recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components: bzip2; CFNetwork; Core Audio; cscope; gnuzip; Kerberos; mDNSResponder; PDFKit; PHP; Quartz Composer; samba; WebKit; and WebCore.

iTunes 7.3.2

All the note says is, "iTunes 7.3.2 provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance."

OS 10.4.11 in testing

Offers bug fixes

iTunes sells 3 billion

Total sales of iTunes tracks reached 3 billion on Tuesday

Went from 2 billion to 3 billion in just over 7 months

2 billion on January 9th 2007 (just under a year)

1 billion February 2006 ( almost 3 years)

iTunes opened in April 2003

Apple holding "mac-centric" event, Tuesday.

Has invited press members to a townhall meeting at 10 a.m. PDT on the campus.

"product presentation" focused on Mac

Executives will be present, no word on Jobs.

New iMacs. Santa Rosa processors? Keyboard.

iLife?

Mini?

Eminem's publisher sues Apple.

From Playlist

Apple did deal with Universal who is the publisher (label)

Eight Mile Style LLC and Martin Affiliated LLC, Eminem’s music publishers say they did not authorize Universal. And Universal is not compensating them.

Going directly after Apple and will

Force Apple and other services to do direct deals with publishers, cutting out labels.

Apple patent for multi-touch gestures

Uncovered by a MacNN blogger

Filed days before the iPhone announcement

Patent is credited to John Elias and Wayne Westerman who were founders of Fingerworks, a company acquired by Apple in 2005

Patent describes a gesture dictionary, multi finger and chords.

FlyGesture, mouse gestures

flyingmeat.com—flygesture

Leopard, certified UNIX

The official UNIX 03 certification came in mid-May from Open Brand

UNIX 03 specifications cover libraries, system calls, terminal interfaces, commands and utilities, internationalization and the C language.

Mac OS X Version 10.5 Leopard on Intel-based Macintosh Computers received the certification and gives the OS and Apple tier-one Unix operating system status, on par with other companies like SUN, IBM, and HP.

iPhone get first true 3rd party app

MobileTerminal.app, terminal emulation

Has own icon

"hacky version"

Using the Hacker's SDK things are happening. Erica Sudin reported on TUAW that she was able to write a basic TextEditor in about 30 lines of code.

SMS messaging apps for Mac

Peter was looking for a desktop SMS app

Everyone recommended Bluephone Elite from Mira Software

Bluephone Elite

Location based preference settings

Listener Dave wanted his default printer setting to change automatically based on the WiFi network he was connected to

More of an automated way to do location management.

Can set up and save different settings in the Network system preferences.

In the OS 9 days we had the location manager. Set network, printers, extensions, sound preferences, and other settings

Location X, has plug-ins. Default Printer, Mail, Entourage, Security, Network, Sound, etc. 2.5 added AutoLocate, ability to switch location based on Airport Connection

Location X

Marco Polo, adds fuzzy logic and support for devices

Marco Polo

Actions triggered on presence of Bluetooth devices, attached Firewire and USB devices, IP addresses assigned and WiFi, etc.

Run scripts, mount volumes, adjust sound, change default printers, etc.

HomeZone, in Beta, more limited at the moment, but shows promise.

HomeZone

Streaming wireless audio to your Stereo

Listener Gaby asked about AppleTV, but has a standard def without composite inputs.

AirPort Express

Airport Express

AirFoil, to send audio from apps other than iTunes. Not recommended for video, due to audio delay.

AirFoil

AT&T Billing issues

AT&T apparently hates trees.

Pouge and Gruber mention AT&T itemizes each and every data packet when you use edge. file size and charge for each and every graphic on a web page.

Go paperless, please and complain. With unlimited data plans there is no need for this.

Beware using you iPhone outside the US

Friend and others are reporting huge data bills when using data outside the US. International data roaming.

Complaining to AT&T seems to result in them reducing the bill and recommending you sign up for an International data plan.

Bummer is that plan is $300/yr, but only offers 20MB/mo. Not sure if this is added over and above your unlimited data plan.

AT&T has a $70/mo unlimited international data plan for Blackberry customers.

I have something to say: OS X for PC?

Gazmaz from the UK

Some USB mics not working after 10.4.10

Listener Aaron reported his Plantronics DSP-400 headset stopped working after the update

MacSpeech seems to have the fix:

1). Launch "Audio MIDI Setup.app" (You will find this application inside the folder named "Utilities" inside your Applications folder).

2). In System Settings, select "Plantronics Headset" as the default input.

3). In "Properties For:" select "Plantronics Headset."

4). In the area below "Properties For:" uncheck the "Mute" check box. (If it is not checked, check it and then uncheck it.)

5). Test the microphone to verify it works in the Sound and Speech System Preference panes.

Headsets and mics other than Plantronics are also effected and same fix may work for those.

Pairing your remotes

Listener Danielle. Friend was using his Mac Mini remote to show her some things and accidentally locked (paired) the remote to her Macbook

Pairing allows you to lock one remote to one machine (device). Good so that your Mac remote doesn't set off your Apple TV in the same room. Also prankster friends

Hold the play/pause and menu buttons down until you see a remote icon with a linked chain above it.

Can unpair the remote from the Security system preferences. (may need to click the lock and authenticate.

Pair Apple TV Remote

1. Choose Settings from the Apple TV main menu.

2. Choose Pair Remote Control.

You can also press and hold the Menu and Next/Fast-forward buttons for 6 seconds to pair Apple TV and the remote.

Unpair Apple TV remote

1. Choose Settings from the Apple TV main menu.

2. Choose Unpair Remote.

Other Mac remote tricks

Sleep, hold down the Play/Pause button and your Mac will go to sleep. To wake up your Mac, press any button on the remote.

Select boot volume, Hold down the Menu button on the remote while starting up an Intel Mac. Use FF and RR to move between available volumes and play/pause to select. After choosing a CD/DVD pressing the + volume will eject the disc in this mode.

Replace the battery, use a pen or paperclip to press the little divot on the bottom of the remote. Uses a 3V CR2032 "coin" battery.

Some comments on home built hard drives

Play comments from John

Talk about interface controllers

How to upgrade your primary hard drive

Play question from Jimé