MacRumors

Adobe yesterday announced the release of a beta preview version of Flash Player for Mac, Windows, and Linux offering 64-bit support. The new release, codenamed "Square", has been found to be fully functional as far as content compatibility and stable enough for broad testing so far, but Adobe of course encourages feedback on performance.

The community has been very vocal around the need for native 64-bit support and we've heard you loud and clear. Today we're also sharing a refresh of the Linux 64-bit version of Flash Player together with the first preview of both the 64-bit Windows and Mac versions. If you're using a 64-bit browser, I encourage you to install a 64-bit version of Flash Player and give it try.

Downloads of the various preview versions of Flash Player "Square" are available through Adobe Labs. Adobe has also put together an FAQ (PDF) discussing some of the details of the move to 64-bit support.

Reuters publishes an interview with Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz touching on a number of different topics, briefly including the burgeoning mobile advertising market and Apple's role in it through its iAd program. In Bartz's view, Apple's demands for total control over the program will ultimately be its downfall, as advertisers eventually rebel against the non-traditional framework in favor of the greater flexibility offered by other channels.

Mobile advertising, although still a nascent market, has become the next battleground pitting Yahoo against Google and Apple.

Earlier this year Apple introduced its iAd service to create premium ads for marketers on the iPhone.

"That's going to fall apart for them," Bartz said about Apple's iAd service. "Advertisers are not going to have that type of control over them. Apple wants total control over those ads."

Apple's iAd program went live on July 1st with only a small handful of prominent brands ready for the launch. Despite the fact that the few early adopters have been happy with the results so far, rollout of the ads has been slowed by Apple's firm control over the entire process, including the creative and development aspects that advertisers have been accustomed to having control over themselves.

In late July, Apple announced a new 27" LED Cinema Display, set for launch in the "September" timeframe to replace the existing 24" LED Cinema Display and 30" Cinema Display, which are seeing remaining stock being depleted before being officially discontinued. With September now half over, customers have been anxious for an update on the possible release of the new 27" display, and signs are beginning to appear hinting at a release in the near future.

As noted by 9 to 5 Mac a few days ago, the customization pages for Mac Pro orders placed through Apple's online store were displaying updated descriptions advertising the 27-inch display as an option, despite the fact that only the 24" and 30" models remained available as selections. While Apple's site has since been reverted to omit descriptions of the 27" display, it is clear that some adjustments were going on behind the scenes that suggest preparations for launch of the new display may be underway.

That hint has now been followed by the apparent complete discontinuation of the 24" and 30" displays in several international online Apple stores such as those for Australia and New Zealand. While the models showed availability of "within 24 hours" just a day or two ago, the stores now list the models as "Currently Unavailable".

Officially, Apple continues to list the 27" display as "Coming September" in the U.S. and a number of other markets, while Apple's sites for Australia and New Zealand simply note that the new model is "Coming Soon". It appears, however, that based on the continuing changes to Apple's online store listing and availabilities, Apple may be preparing to take orders for the new 27" LED display in the very near future.

One of the text notes accompanying AppAdvice's video walkthrough of the new iOS 4.2 for iPad suggests that the physical switch on the iPad's side for locking the screen orientation has been repurposed as a mute switch. The change has been confirmed by posters in our forums.

With the change, screen orientation locking is now accomplished within the multitasking tray as on the iPhone under iOS 4. Interestingly, the switch had been originally planned to be a mute switch but was repurposed as an orientation lock as revealed in publicity materials published just weeks before the device's launch.

It is unknown whether Apple had originally planned for iOS 4 to be available for the iPad in time to its initial launch so as to support multitasking tray-based screen orientation locking, or if the changes over time have simply been adjustments to fluctuating priorities and development of new software solutions for certain tasks.

AppAdvice posts a brief video preview of the first beta version of iOS 4.2 for iPad, which was released just a few hours ago. The primary feature shown off in the walkthrough is multitasking, which allows users to easily jump back and forth between applications. Also featured are the universal inbox for email and a brief view of the launch screen for Apple's Game Center service.

According to some notes accompanying the video, the iPad allows for users to view seven application in the multitasking tray in landscape mode and six apps in portrait mode. In addition, AirPlay can be activated directly from the Photos application, allowing users to stream their content to the forthcoming Apple TV revision.

Apple's new AirPrint service, which currently requires interfacing with a Mac running the latest Mac OS X 10.6.5 beta, is not addressed in the walkthrough.

Update: Engadget has also posted a video preview of iOS 4.2 on the iPad, focusing on multitasking.

Update 2: iLounge has posted an extensive series of screenshots showing some of the changes in iOS 4.2 for iPad.

Alongside today's developer release of the first beta version of iOS 4.2, Apple issued a press release officially announcing the AirPrint feature that will allow iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches running iOS 4.2 to support wireless printing directly from the devices. HP will be the first to offer AirPrint compatibility with its ePrint line of printers.

Apple today announced that it is releasing a beta version of its AirPrint wireless printing for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to members of Apple's iOS developer program today, and that AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update in November. AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software. HP's existing and upcoming ePrint enabled printers will be the first to support printing direct from iOS devices.

Apple's Phil Schiller notes that AirPrint will require no user configuration, no drivers, and no additional software, allowing users to simply tap to print photos and documents on compatible printers.

AirPrint will be compatible with the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch second-generation and later, leaving out the iPhone 3G among iOS 4-compatible devices.

As noted by CoveringWeb, Apple has pushed out to developers the first beta version of iOS 4.2. At its media event on September 1st, Apple announced that iOS 4.2 would be released in November and would unify iOS across Apple's mobile devices, bringing iOS 4 features such as multitasking to the iPad for the first time.

Soon after the media event, Apple posted a preview page showing some of the features coming to the iPad in iOS 4.2, including the multitasking and folders already available in iOS 4 for iPhone and iPod touch but also such features as printing and AirPlay support for streaming media from the iPad.

Coming just a week after the public launch of iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod touch, the initial iOS 4.2 beta is available for iPad, iPhone (3G, 3GS, and 4) and iPod touch (second-, third-, and fourth-generation).

Update: Users are reporting that the AirPrint feature in iOS 4.2 beta also requires that users install the latest Mac OS X 10.6.5 beta. The Mac OS X beta has reportedly been made available to developers in the iOS Developer Program for this purpose.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that Apple is preparing to roll out support for newspaper subscriptions on the iPad, opening the door for new revenue streams for publishers. The information apparently comes via Roger Fidler, head of digital publishing at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, who works closely with many newspapers and has received the information from industry sources.

Apple is expected to announce soon a new subscription plan for newspapers, which hope tablets like the iPad will eventually provide a new source of profits as media companies struggle with declining print circulation and advertising revenue.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the report, Apple may be looking to take a 30% cut of subscription revenue and up to 40% of advertising revenue from the digital newspaper content. Apple and major newspaper publishers have also reportedly agreed on an "opt-in" option for subscribers that would allow user information to be passed along to the publishers for generating advertising commitments. Those two items of contention have been seen as the primary barriers to bringing newspaper and magazine subscriptions to the iPad.

Publishers wanted to pay Apple a fee rather than a cut of subscription and advertising revenue, and are not happy with Apple's terms, he said. They had hoped to offer app editions as part of subscription bundles that include print versions of the paper. Instead, they must use Apple as an intermediary with subscribers.

Several publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have been able to roll out subscription-based content for the iPad, but the vast majority of newspaper publishers have yet to see access to their e-editions come to the iPad as negotiations over how the subscriptions will be handled have continued.

DigiTimes reports that Apple is adding another supplier of touch panels for the iPad, likely addressing what has been thought to be the primary bottleneck on production rates for the device.

Cando, a subsidiary of AU Optronics (AUO), is scheduled to start shipping 9.7-inch touch sensors for Apple's iPad from its newly reformed 4.5G production line in September-October 2010.

Overall output of the newly reformed 4.5G plant will be mainly for iPad touch sensors with a monthly capacity of almost one million units.

According to industry sources, Apple initially contracted with both Wintek and TPK for iPad touch panels, but claims of production issues at Wintek were blamed for a slightly delayed launch and tight supplies for the device as it debuted in the U.S. in early April. TPK was also rumored to be experiencing difficulties with production, forcing Apple to shift some production back to Wintek as it scrambled to fill its sales channels in the early weeks of availability.

iPad production has apparently already been boosted significantly over the past few months, with shipping estimates in its existing markets dropping down to "within 24 hours" and Apple reportedly looking to boost output even further to 3 million units per month. The further expansion in production appears set to support expanded distribution, with the device launching in China and several South American countries later this week and Best Buy expanding U.S. retail store distribution. Target has also been claimed to be rolling out iPad availability early next month.

Letemsvetemapplem.eu has posted a series of videos providing some direct comparisons between the iPhone 4 and 4th generation iPod Touch. The first one is a speed boot test between the iPad, iPhone 4, iPod Touch and iPhone 3GS. We're not sure if it shows very much, though the iPad booted the fastest of the bunch.

More interesting is the embedded (above) video showing the differences in the display angles between the iPhone 4 and the 4th generation iPod Touch. While the new iPod Touch does contain a retina display, it is not the same high quality display found in the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 uses an IPS display which offers better viewing angles.

The site also provides a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4 and iPod touch taking video:

Following on last week's announcement, Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac launched today with a number of new features and refinements for users looking to run alternative operating systems in virtual environments on their Macs. As summarized on Parallels' site, the update brings enhancements to gaming and graphics, simpler setup and integration, greater manageability and mobility, and better performance.

Beyond improvements to the standard Parallels Desktop application for Mac OS X, the company has also released a new, free iOS application, Parallels Mobile, bringing remote access on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch to users running the desktop software.

Parallels Mobile lets you:

* access any virtual machine running in Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac
* use any Windows application in your virtual machine, from Internet Explorer to Outlook
* remotely start, stop and reset virtual machines
* stay connected via WiFi or 3G networks
* access your Windows applications from anywhere over the Internet
* optimize for either speed or graphics performance.

Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac is priced at $79.99 for an electronic download, with upgrade pricing of $49.99 available for existing users of Parallels 4 and 5. Users of Parallels 2.5 and 3, which are no longer being supported by the company, are also eligible for upgrade pricing for the next 30 days.

Parallels is also offering its Switch to Mac version with additional tools for customers new to the Mac platform, priced at $99.99.

VMware, the primary competitor of Parallels in the consumer operating system virtualization market, has responded with an offer allowing users of any version of Parallels to switch to VMware 3 for only $9.99. Users of VMware Fusion 1 and 2 are also eligible for the discounted upgrade pricing, and the offer is valid through December 31st, 2010. Meanwhile brand new customers are offered 30% off of the retail price.

Note: VMWare and Parallels are both affiliate partners so sales from these links support this site financially

AppleInsider notes that Apple has posted job listings for three new positions apparently dedicated to working with Liquidmetal's "amorphous metal alloys" for which the company acquired the rights last month. The three new positions include Amorphous Metal Development Manager, Metal Process Development Engineer, and Amorphous Metal Development Engineer. Among other responsibilities for the "highly visible" positions, the management role will entail:

- Managing a team responsible for developing amorphous alloy composition, molding and forming processes, and secondary operations (e.g. machining, grinding, finishing) as applicable to Apple requirements.

- Meeting all quality, capacity, logistics and cost requirements working closely with Industrial Design, Product Design and Global Supply Managers.

- Identifying, researching, developing, and qualifying world-class equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

- Managing the optimization of process capability to achieve dimensional tolerance and cosmetic finish requirements.

Liquidmetal's alloys, which were tested in the SIM card removal tool for the iPhone 3G, are said to offer rapid, low-cost fabrication of relatively complex parts while offering superior strength and corrosion-resistance compared to traditional metals. One former Liquidmetal executive has speculated that Apple is planning to use Liquidmetal alloys in future iPhone models.

Consumer electronics chain Best Buy today announced that, as of September 26th, it will expand availability of Apple's iPad to all 1,093 stores across the U.S., up from about 675 stores at the device's launch in early April.

Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY), the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, today announced that it will expand availability of the Apple iPad with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi +3G models to all 1,093 U.S. stores beginning Sept. 26. Best Buy is a preferred channel partner for the Apple iPad, now selling the popular device online (for in-store pick-up) and through Apple Shop locations within 673 Best Buy stores.

Best Buy will also begin carrying an expanded assortment of iPad accessories in its stores.

The announcement is the latest in a series of rumors and official announcements regarding expanded availability for the iPad, which has seen supply shortages ease as Apple has been able to ramp up production of the device. Just yesterday, Apple announced plans to bring the iPad to China and a number of South American countries beginning this Friday. Leaked inventory screenshots also suggest that the iPad will be coming to Target in early October.

MacRumors has received word today that Apple has seeded yet another version of Mac OS X 10.6.5, termed Build 10H542, to select developers. According to those familiar with the release, the new build offers the following improvements:

- improve reliability with Microsoft Exchange servers
- resolve a delay between print jobs
- address a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an Airport Extreme
- resolve an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal
- address an issue where dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide
- add SSL support for uploading files to iDisk
- resolve an issue with Wikipedia information not displaying correctly in Dictionary
- improve performance of MainStage on certain Mac systems
- resolve spacing issues with OpenType fonts
- improve reliability with some Bluetooth braille displays
- resolve a VoiceOver issue when browsing some web sites with Safari 5
- address stability and performance of graphics applications and games

Apple's most recent developer seed of Mac OS X 10.6.5 before today was Build 10H535, released to the general Mac OS X developer community on September 2nd. Apple had generally been sticking to a weekly release cycle for new builds, and it is unclear why this build has seen a longer interval since the previous release. It is possible that Apple has been devoting its developer resources primarily to iOS 4.1 since its announcement on September 1st and public release last week, but such a conclusion is merely speculation at this point. A public release date for Mac OS X 10.6.5 remains unknown.