As the App Store Turns

The SOAP opera with developers continues

More apps turned down for things like "not broad enough appeal" and "duplicating Apple functionality" (extremely anti-competitive IMHO).

In the case of Podcaster, started blocking Ad Hock licenses. Devs can create these 100 at a time and use the IMEI numbers to create iPhone specific copies. Supposed to be used for BETA testing, review copies, etc.

Rejection letters are under NDA

Apple needs to be more transparent and open with developers about the rules.

The anti-competitive stuff could come back to bite them.

As open options, like the Google Android phone, become available Apple might start to lose developers.

Or not with stories like the $250,000 made by the Trism developer.

While the App store is good for Apple and for most developers, I still worry that it is too much control in the hands of one company. It's one thing when they want control for the stability and security of the platform, but another when it they tell me the apps that I want on my device and that for some Apps I can only get Apple's version.

Apple updates Java

Apple released Java updates for Tiger and Leopard last week

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2 “delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.4 and later.

Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 7 “delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 and Java 1.4 on Mac OS X 10.4.11 and later. This release updates J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_16 and Java 1.4 to version 1.4.2_18.

Both updates also include security updates and enhancements, including issues where visiting maliciously crafted Web sites could lead to arbitrary code execution, and issues where certain Java applets could gain elevated privileges.

The updates are available via Software Update or from the download section of Apple's support web site.

iTunes rocks unsigned artists

According to Mac NN Apple has made a deal with Pure Play Music to bring their roster of over 6,000 unsigned artists from 42 countries around the world to iTunes.

Pure Play's pool of talent operates operate under a set of non-exclusive rights agreements and could bring as many as 1.5 million new songs added to the iTunes Store.

Traditionally Apple has had deals with many independent labels and both TuneCore and CDBaby have allowed for unsigned acts to get into iTunes.

But the Pure Play is deal is expected provide the artists more exposure sine Pure Play will have it's own space within iTunes and a drop-down category on the front page of iTunes.

Would Apple shutter iTunes with royalty hikes?

This Thursday the Copyright Royalty Board will make a ruling on a proposal from the National Music Publishers' Association to raise the rates on royalties collected from individual tracks sold online, from 9 cents to 15 cents.

In a statement to the Royalty Board, Apple's iTunes VP, Eddy Cue, said, "If the [iTunes music store] was forced to absorb any increase in the ... royalty rate, the result would be to significantly increase the likelihood of the store operating at a financial loss - which is no alternative at all. Apple has repeatedly made it clear that it is in this business to make money, and most likely would not continue to operate [the iTunes music store] if it were no longer possible to do so profitably."

It is assumed that currently 70 cents of the 99 cents Apple gets for iTunes songs goes to the record companies and they pay the current 9 cent royalty rate. It is assumed the labels would not absorb the royalty increase themselves.

Apple also doesn't believe consumers would be open to higher track pricing on iTunes.

There is no way Apple could or would shut down iTunes.

Macbook and Macbook Pro rumors linger

Reports from Apple Insider and Mac Rumors are still claiming the new models will take design cues from the Al iMacs and Macbook Air. With all aluminum cases and black bezels around the displays along with more tapered edges.

Macbooks and MBPs would be less distinct from each other, with the 13" vs. 15" and 17" screen sizes being the main distinguishing factor.

Macbook Pros will lose Firewire 400 ports and full DVI in favor of FW800 (require an adapter for 400) and Mini-DVI.

Later in the week O'Grady's Powerpage refuted the claims of a tapered MBP design. But did say new Pro models would be as much as a half an inch narrower (reduced bezel) and thinner. They also claim new models will have "full" multi-touch support trackpads.

New iPhone software on the horizon

Rumors that Apple has seeded iPhone OS 2.2 beta 1 and the iPhone SDK (build 9M2611) to developers

This is the first stage of testing and developers are being asked to test compatibility.

There are reports that background push notification is back in the build, along with the improved GPS functionality to allow apps to track speed and direction. Both these features were reported dropped from the 2.1 release.

According to ArsTechnica there are also some tweaks to the Safari address bar. Moving the refresh icon inside the URL area and adding a Google search box (I assume next to instead of under the URL area).

Also an App Store refresh with category icons, "more generous spacing", and modified Application information pages.

2.1 Jailbreaks have been confirmed to still work on the 2.2 beta 1, but it's still early.

Adobe Sr. Director of Engineering, Paul Betlem, at a conference said that Adobe has been working on Flash for the iPhone and could have it ready in a very short time if Apple would give approval for it on the iPhone.

Apple stock takes a dive and rebounds

Apple stock (and the rest of the market) took a huge hit this week.

Apple shares hit a 52-week low trading at around $105 per share on Monday.

The drop was fueled by analysts from Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital Markets downgrading the stock. Citing concerns over consumer spending, reduced interest in new Mac purchases, and the rise in popularity of sub-$1,000 laptops (which Apple doesn't currently make).

Most other analysts disagree and the stock was up 8% on Tuesday with AAPL getting strong buy ratings and target prices still between $170 and $200 per share.

Immutable flag prevents changes

Dean had a big issue. After doing an Archive and install of OS X he could not longer read or write to his 5 external volumes.

In Get Info, he could click the padlock and change permissions, but they changes wouldn't "stick".

The owner and group were set to "custom". The "Ignore ownership on this volume" flag was even set, but made no difference.

Running repair permissions, also didn't make a difference.

Turns out that some how the user "immutable" flag got set on his volumes.

This is set from the command line (Terminal) and once it's set the file, directory, or volume (in this case) cannot be modified regardless of the permissions.

Any drive you have mounted will get an alias in a special hidden folder off the root of your drive called 'Volumes'. In the Finder under the Go menu, select 'Go to Folder...', and type /Volumes and you can see it. Also cd from the Terminal.

To see if the user immutable flag is set on a volume you can type 'ls -alO' (Leopard) or 'ls -alo' (Tiger). This will show the flags, like 'hidden'. A flag of 'uchg' means the item is user immutable.

You set the uchg flag with the terminal command 'chflags uchg [filename]' and remove it with 'chflags nouchg [filename]'.

External hard drive and freeing up space at Home

Several questions about buying an external drive

Interface, firewire 400 or 800, USB 2, eSATA. Consider multiple for upgradeability and backup (bad port).

Storage size, 500GB, 750GB, TB, etc.

RAID and network storage. Drobo.

Brand, design, form factor.

Drive size 2.5" or 3.5", bus powered. Will on off cycles hurt a drive?

Most of these decisions come down to how you want to use the drive.

Formatting and partition maps.

GUID vs. Apple Partition Map. Boot Master (Windows). Under Partition tab --> Options... in Disk Utility.

Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or FAT 32. Covers 90% of users.

Saving space in your Home folder.

A couple simple tips. Not covering sharing media, moving entire home folder, etc.

Move iPhoto Library to an external.

1) Back-up.

2) Connect the external drive

3) Copy your iPhoto Library to the desired location on the external (don't delete yet).

4) When it finishes copying, launch iPhoto while holding down the option key.

5) Select Choose Library....

6) Locate the iPhoto Library folder on the external drive, select it, and click open.

Move iTunes Library

PREP. First make sure that the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" option is checked in iTunes Preferences:

0. Backup.

1. From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.

2. In the resulting window, click the Advanced button.

3. Select the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" checkbox.

4. Click OK.

MOVE. Using this procedure will copy your audio files over and retain your ratings and playlists, etc.

1. Open iTunes.

2. From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.

3. Click the Advanced button in the Preferences window.

4. Click the Change button in the iTunes Music folder location pane.

5. In the Change Music Folder Location window that appears, navigate to the location on the external drive where you would like your new Music folder to be created.

6. Click the New Folder button in the Change Music Folder Location window.

7. In the New Folder window that appears, enter the name of the new iTunes Music folder.

8. Click Create.

9. Click Open in the Change Music Folder Location window.

10. Click OK in the Advanced window.

11. From the File menu, choose Library and then Consolidate Library... A message appears that says: "Consolidating your library will copy all of your music into the iTunes Music folder. This cannot be undone."

12. Click Consolidate. Important: This action copies all of your music files to the new location. There must be enough hard disk space available to copy all of your music files.

13. After the folder has been copied, locate your original iTunes Music folder(typically at ~/Music/iTunes Music), and drag it to the Trash or Recycle Bin. Note: Don't remove the iTunes library files that may be in the same location as the iTunes Music folder.

14. Empty the Trash. (You still have your backup, right?)

Use the apps with the libraries in their new locations for a few weeks before removing files from it's old location (iPhoto) or from your backups (iPhoto & iTunes).

After you move libraries make sure the new locations are included as part of any of your scheduled backup plans. Don't forget Time Machine.

Some simple Mac security

Robert wanted to know a couple things.

How do I convert my admin account to non-admin and set up a new admin only account?

Should I secure my wi-fi network?

Probably, or at least be willing to accept the potential consequences.

Can I safely run an open network? Run one open and one closed.

Is it time to finally move to Intel?

Danny is like many Mac owners with and aging G4 tower and an urge to save some cash.

Should he pick a G5 at a great deal or go Intel?

What would need to upgrade and update? Maybe some older hardware, like printers or scanners.

Older non-Intel software? Most should run great in Rosetta.

Some tricks in the transition. Clean install apps and copy Documents, music, photos, etc.

Eject before disconnect? Living dangerously.

Rick has a new iPod touch and noticed that, "When iPod syncing is complete, the iTunes windows says "OK to disconnect"."

Do you still have to click the eject icon under devices?

On older iPods yes. Look at the iPod screen. Newer models, like the Touch and iPhone can be pulled when not being written to.

Reality is this is true for all devices, but it's a bit like Russian roulette. That's why you'll see the warning about devices being disconnected improperly and potential data loss.

Bottom line is ejecting first ensures the drive is not in use and reduces the risk of data loss or corruption.