MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

Following the announcement of new MacBook Pro's at WWDC today, Apple has already released a software update for the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro. The update, which weighs in at 1.06GB, offers updates to a few non-specific issues: About MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) Software Update 1.0 This update is recommended for MacBook Pro (mid 2012) models. The update includes fixes that improve graphics...

Apple released new versions of OS X Mountain Lion to developers today. Developer Preview 4 arrives with a build number of 12A239, while OS X Server Developer Preview 5 has build number 12S254j.The release notes do not reveal any major updates to the software, but note a few minor issues with Setup Assistant, FileVault and QuickTime screen recording. Most significantly, the release does not ask ...

This 2880x1880 screenshot of Dashboard on a Retina-equipped MacBook Pro displays at full resolution on non-Retina equipped Macs. The image gives a decent idea of the sheer number of pixels on Apple's new flagship Mac. Click the image to see the full-size...

In line with our report from earlier today, Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion, offering educational customers a $100 iTunes Store gift card with the purchase of a Mac or a $50 card with the purchase of an iPad. As detailed in the official terms and conditions (PDF), the promotion is valid on the purchase of a new (non-refurbished) iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, ...

After their update today, Apple's two photography applications -- iPhoto and Aperture -- can now share libraries with no import or export required. The Aperture update notes say that "Faces, Places, slideshows, albums and web sharing work across both applications". Users of both apps will no doubt be pleased.Since the apps were introduced, self-contained photo libraries had to be exported and...

Apple has quietly issued updates for a number of its software packages following the WWDC keynote this morning. Final Cut Pro, Motion, Aperture, iPhoto and iTunes have all been given updates. Professional video editing app Final Cut Pro [Mac App Store] was updated to version 10.0.5 with an update that "improves overall stability and is enhanced for the MacBook Pro with Retina display." Moti...

In its quest for thinness in the Retina Display MacBook Pro, Apple removed the optical drive and built the display into the unibody construction. The company's engineers also designed a new, thinner MagSafe power port to accommodate the notebook's 0.71" height. The new MagSafe 2 connector -- which is incompatible with the original MagSafe power bricks as well as devices with a MagSafe power...

Apple today quietly introduced a redesigned AirPort Express wireless base station, drawing on the design of the Apple TV set-top box and introducing simultaneous dual-band 802.11n connectivity for increased performance.The new AirPort Express supports simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi. That means it transmits at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. So no matter which band...

Apple has quietly upgraded the Mac Pro with minor processor bumps and an increase in the standard RAM to 6GB in the least expensive configuration. The update does not include the much-anticipated addition of the Thunderbolt I/O system. Reports The Verge: Unfortunately, it's not much of an upgrade: you can simply get a pair of six-core 3.06GHz Intel Xeon X5675 processors rather than 2.93GHz...

Apple appears to have quietly discontinued the 17" MacBook Pro today amid the flurry of updates and announcements at WWDC today. Apple's newly updated MacBook Pro product page mentions the new Retina Display-equipped 15" Pro, as well as the new 13" and 15" Pro's, but is silent on the 17". The 17" PowerBook G4 was first released in January of 2003 and has received a number of updates over the...

Apple's announcement to move their Macs from PowerPC to Intel processors in 2005 was a huge surprise at the time. Serious reports about the plan hit the web only two days before the official announcement at WWDC 2005. The immediate reaction on MacRumors included a 2936 comment thread with some very strong reactions to the switch-up. Now, a post by the wife of a former Apple employee at...

The keynote Video is available With Apple's WWDC 2012 Keynote kicking off on Monday, some users are interested in avoiding all of the announcements and waiting until Apple posts the recorded video of the event so as to experience it without already knowing the outcome. For those individuals, we've posted this news story, which will be updated with the link to the presentation once it...

Earlier today, a Chinese forum post on Weiphone claimed to have the specs for the new 13" MacBook Pro revision. Disappointingly, the changes were minor with no evidence of a new design or the use of any high resolution Retina display. The original poster has since edited his post with additional claims for the 15" MacBook Pro update. The specs listed include: New Macbook Pro 15 inch: i7...

Apple today released MainStage 2.2.2 [Mac App Store], an update to the company's software for bringing virtual instruments and effects to live performances. According to the full release notes, the update addresses 14 different issues, with the company highlighting the following:The MainStage 2.2.2 update addresses overall stability and performance issues including:• Addresses a stability...

Drobo says it will soon have Thunderbolt-enabled data storage products, as well as adding support for solid state drives. The setup, while extremely pricey, would allow data to run 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 alone. Drobo CEO Tom Buiocchi wrote in a blog post that "customers have been very clear to us about their desire for Drobos with Thunderbolt support". I was brought up on the east...

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the latest installment in the massively popular Counter-Strike series, will be arriving on the Mac on August 21. The game will launch the same day across all four supported platforms -- Mac, PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 -- according to a tweet from Polygon.The most significant feature for Mac users will be full cross-platform multiplayer between gamers on both the...

Fantastical, an OS X natural language calendar assistant, has been updated to version 1.3 today. The new version includes support for iCal and iOS reminders. MacStories describes the new feature:Fantastical can create, edit, and delete reminders with natural language recognition. In testing the app, I told Fantastical to “remind me to take out the trash”, and the app intelligently...

Apple has released a minor bug fix update to its Aperture photo editing and management software.What's New in Aperture 3.2.4- Improves stability on Mac OS X Snow Leopard.- Addresses an issue that could prevent the Viewer from updating correctly after editing a photo using an external editor.The app weighs in at 635.54MB and is available through Software Update, Apple's software update website,...