MacRumors

Apple has added three new visualizers in the version of iTunes that is built into the latest build of leopard. The new visualizers are called Lathe, Jelly, and Stix.

Lathe: A floating fountain of particles that pulsate to bass (very responsive to bass drums)

Jelly: A quick moving kaleidoscope of multicolored bright LED-looking lights

Stix: A streak of light that changes speed and color to the music and reflects on the "floor" of the visual.

Apple is expected to release Leopard in October.

Apple announced today that Daniel Cooperman, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Oracle Corporation, will join Apple as the company's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, replacing Donald J. Rosenberg.

Donald Rosenberg had only held the position since November 2006, after Former Apple general counsel Nancy Heinen had left amidst accusations of involvement in the backdating scandal.

"Dan will be an excellent addition to our team and will fit right into Apple's fast paced culture," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Dan is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in securities compliance, intellectual property, litigation and corporate governance."

Apple released a number of updates to their iWork '08 suite including:

Numbers 1.0.1
This update primarily addresses issues with tables and performance.

Pages 3.0.1
This update primarily addresses issues with change tracking and performance.

Keynote 4.0.1
This update primarily addresses issues with builds and performance.

iWeb 2.0.2
This update to iWeb addresses issues with upgrading iWeb 1.x websites, and fixes some common publishing problems, and supports general compatibility issues.

Apple released a number of EFI Firmware Updates for the iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro and Xserve today.

The update describes various fixes including

- Improves performance and reliability of Intel Core 2 Duo Processors (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro)
- Improves performance and reliability of Dual-Core Intel Xeon Procesors (Xserve)
- Fixes issues with Boot Camp (iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro)
- Fixes fan behavior (Mac Pro)

Along with iPhone Software 1.1.1, Apple has also released the 1.1.1 software update for the iPod Touch which simply lists "bug fixes".

Some early reports by users are claiming that the Negative Blacks screen issue may have been addressed with this update.

Meanwhile, iTunes 7.4.3 for Windows has also been released which specifically addresses issues with the initial setup of the iPod touch on some international versions of Windows. No Mac update is presently available.

Apple has released the iPhone 1.1.1 Software Update to iTunes.

The 154MB download warns that "If you have modified your iPhone's Software, applying this software update may result in your iPhone becoming permanantly inoperable."

Apple previously released a press release saying that users who specifically had SIM unlocked their iPhone should not proceed with the update as it may cause irreversible damage to your iPhone.

Apple's website has been updated with a new video that shows off the latest features of the iPhone update. The video is titled "Wi-Fi Music Store. Ringtones. And more."

New Features include:

- iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
- Louder speakerphone and receiver volume
- Home Button double-click shortcut to phone favorites or music controls
- Space bar double-tap shortcut to intelligently insert period and space
- Mail attachments are viewable in portrait and landscape
- Stocks and cities in Stocks and Weather can be re-ordered
- Apple Bluetooth Headset battery status in the Status Bar
- Support for TV Out
- Preference to turn off EDGE/GPRS when roaming internationally
- New Passcode lock time intervals
- Adjustable alert volume

Update: Though it was hoped Apple would only be targeting SIM unlockers, the update is confirmed to have broken all 3rd party applications installed via Installer.app. On our iPhone that had 3rd party applications installed (but was NOT unlocked), the update reverted the iPhone back to only Apple-made applications, and the iPhone re-activated itself after installation (similar experiences are being shared in the forum).

Experience may vary, especially if your iPhone is unlocked. Unlocked users who wish to apply the update are recommended to wait until the promised re-locking tool surfaces.

Followup:

- Are Unlocked iPhones Getting Bricked? At Least Some.
- 3rd Party Apps Disabled in iPhone 1.1.1
- iPhone 1.1.1 Harder to Hack/

More updates at MacRumors.com/iPhone

MacNN notes that of the two remaining "issues" listed in the latest Mac OS X Leopard seed (9A559), one was simply a test case for a new feature.

Mac OS X Leopard 9A559 was released to developers last week and listed two "known issues".

The first was an issue with "Archive installs" from Tiger to Leopard on PowerPC machines, and appears to be a true outstanding issue. The second issue, however, asked users to deselect HP printers and allow Leopard to update the HP drivers post-install via Software Update.

MacNN spoke with HP and found that this is actually a feature that Apple was testing rather than any particular bug.

"Although listed in Apples last developer Leopard Seed Note as an 'Issue', the recommendation to use Apples software update process to install the HP driver set for the Leopard developer seed is actually a test scenario, not a driver problem or bug issue.

It seems that future Mac OS X printer driver updates may simply become available through Apple's Mac OS X software update mechanism. A more extensive version of this technology had been previously rumored with the idea that Apple would open up their Software Update to major 3rd party applications to allow them to push updates to users.

Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is scheduled for release in October.

Apple has released a number of updates for the iLife '08 suite this afternoon, available in your Mac OS X software update.

iLife Support 8.1
This update supports system software components shared by all iLife 08 applications, improves overall stability, addresses a number of other minor issues, and supports general compatibility issues. It is recommended for all users of iLife 08.

iDVD 7.0.1
This update improves overall stability, supports general compatibility issues, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

iMovie 7.1
This update addresses several areas including video and audio editing capabilities, and performance associated with opening and switching iMovie Events and Projects. This update also supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. More details

GarageBand 4.1
This update addresses isolated graphic display issues, compatibility with 3rd party audio software, fixes minor problems with Magic GarageBand, and supports general compatibility issues.

iPhoto 7.1
This update addresses issues encountered when moving photos between Events, plus new greeting card themes, including holiday card designs. It also supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

The iTunes Store is now offering content from the fall television season, including a number of free episodes from Fox.

Despite conflicting reports, NBC's new shows, including Chuck and Journeyman, have become available on iTunes. NBC's contract with iTunes expires in December and has not been renewed. As a result, NBC shows will only be available until December of this year.

Apple had originally claimed that NBC's new fall season would not be added to the iTunes Store, but it appears this is not the case.