MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

TUAW late last week reported on a customer who purchased a new 27-inch iMac earlier in the week and allegedly received a prerelease version of Mac OS X 10.6.3 via Software Update. Mac OS X 10.6.3 has not yet been released to the public, with the latest version being seeded to developers just this past Friday. That version, Build 10D572, is the same as the one somehow received automatically by ...

Apple has begun promoting 10-pack iPad bundles for educational institutions, offering minor discounts while also reducing packaging by eliminating separate retail boxing for the devices. Each package contains ten iPads with USB-to-Dock Connector cables and power adapters along with a single set of documentation. Only Wi-Fi iPad models are currently available for order through the program,...

Apple yesterday updated its Logic Pro and Logic Express audio workstation packages, addressing a number of issues and updating system requirements. Logic Pro 9.1.1, which weighs in at 191.87 MB, delivers several improvements related to stability and compatibility. - Improved stability of the 32-Bit Audio Unit Bridge - Compatibility with Novation's Automap feature in 64-bit mode. -...

Apple yesterday released a pair of printer driver updates for Snow Leopard users, delivering updated compatibility for users of Brother and Samsung printers and multifunction devices. - Brother Printer Drivers for Mac OS X v10.6, Version 2.3 (100.02 MB) - Samsung Printer Drivers for Mac OS X v10.6, Version 2.1 (23.25 MB) Both updates requires Mac OS X 10.6.1, and full details on printer...

Apple today released Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.1, addressing an issue with HD video playback in slideshows. This update addresses an issue affecting the playback of HD video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard. Audio and video tracks now remain properly synced in video clips that have been trimmed.The update weighs in at 3.29 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.2. An earli...

Just days after reaching $200 billion in market capitalization, Apple has pushed past Berkshire Hathaway and Wal-Mart to take the third spot in market capitalization among publicly-listed U.S. companies behind Exxon Mobil and Microsoft. Apple and Wal-Mart remain neck-and-neck today, with minute-by-minute fluctuations in the two companies' stock prices causing them to rapidly swap positions. ...

9 to 5 Mac reports that it has received word from a tipster claiming that Apple is set to be released as soon as tomorrow, although the launch may be delayed until next Tuesday. The report follows an earlier claim of new Mac Pro models set for launch next Tuesday. According to the source: The MacBook Pro will be released on the same day as Mac Pro. We are scheduled for a Friday morning release...

Apple today released MainStage 2.1.1, an update to Apple's Logic Studio component for bringing virtual instruments and effects to live performances, via Software Update. According to the release notes, the update addresses a host of issues related to 64-Bit mode, stability, plug-ins, and other areas. This update delivers improved compatibility and numerous fixes. Issues addressed in MainStage...

Microsoft today issued a handful of updates for users of the company's Office productivity suite, primarily addressing security issues. - Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.2.4 Update (221 MB): The update offers several fixes related to stability and performance, as well as patches for security vulnerabilities. - Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.8 Update (9.7 MB): The update addresses...

Fueled by Friday's announcement of a shipping date for the iPad, Apple's stock price has jumped over 6% in recent trading, pushing the company beyond $200 billion in market value for the first time in its history. AAPL currently sits at over $223 per share. Apple currently holds the fifth-largest market capitalization among U.S. public companies, behind Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and ...

The Associated Press reports that a federal court judge in Delaware has placed a hold on the patent dispute between Apple and Nokia pending review of similar, separate cases by the U.S International Trade Commission (ITC). The judge signed an order Wednesday staying litigation in a lawsuit in which Nokia claims that Apple is infringing on seven Nokia patents in products ranging from the iPhone to...

Apple today released ProKit 5.1 for Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5), an update to the framework that provides the controls and user interface for Apple's pro applications. This ProKit Update fixes issues with user interface software resources that are shared by Apple's professional applications. The issues addressed include: - Corrected an issue with improper scrolling behavior. - Resolved memory...

PCWorld reports that Apple has hired former Mozilla security chief Window Snyder as a Senior Product Manager in its security group. Apple is the third browser-maker in the past five years that has employed Snyder, who previously had worked as a security strategist at Microsoft where she managed the company's relationships with security consultants and had worked on the Windows XP and Windows...

In mid-January, The Mac Observer posted several images apparently of a front bezel that its source claimed was for Apple's forthcoming tablet device. We were skeptical of the images, which appeared almost identical to a stretched iPhone, and they did in fact turn out to be false. Cloned in China today reports (via Engadget) on a new "iPad clone" from Chinese manufacturer TESO offering...

Apple today released Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.1, bringing RAW image compatibility to Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09 for a number of cameras. This update extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 3 and iPhoto 09 for the following cameras: - Hasselblad H3DII-50 - Leica M9 - Leica X1 - Olympus E-P1 - Olympus E-P2 - Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 - Pentax K-7 - Pentax K-x - Sony...

Apple today released Aperture 3.0.1, addressing several issues with the latest version of its professional photo editing and management application released earlier this month. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of issues in Aperture 3, including: - Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture - Importing libraries from iPhoto - Importing photos directly...

Data Center Knowlege points to a brief YouTube video posted late last week reportedly showing aerial footage of Apple's massive new data center being constructed in the town of Maiden, North Carolina. It's plenty big, as illustrated by this aerial video posted to YouTube (apparently taken by an area realtor) of the 500,000 square foot facility. The new $1 billion data center will be nearly five...

9to5Mac rediscovers evidence that the iPad 3.2 SDK shows hints of video conferencing. This was first discovered shortly after the SDK's release in January: We're told that there are hooks to accept and decline a video conference, flip a video feed (which suggests a front-facing camera) and -- most importantly -- run the video call in either full screen mode or in just a portion of the screen....