MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

Apple today released iTunes 9.0.3 via Software Update and the iTunes download site, offering several bug fixes. iTunes 9.0.3 provides a number of important bug fixes, including: - iTunes no longer ignores your "Remember password for purchases" setting. - Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod. - Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected. -...

Apple yesterday released Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1 for the 2007 model of its wireless keyboard, addressing both battery life issues when used with the company's new multi-touch Magic Mouse and an issue related to unexpected key repeating. This firmware update improves battery performance of the 2007 aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard when used in combination with other bluetooth devices...

With less than 48 hours to go until Apple's media event where it is widely expected to introduce its tablet device, the Internet has been awash in claimed "leaked" images of the new device. We've gathered here a few of the recently-surfaced images for interest's sake, but we believe that none of them are genuine. French site Be Geek published [Google translation] a set of three images...

Mobile analytics firm Flurry yesterday reported that it has detected in its usage data what it believes is evidence of approximately 50 tablet devices in testing at Apple's campus in Cupertino, California. According to the report, the devices are running an as-yet-unreleased iPhone OS 3.2 and have sampled approximately 200 traditional iPhone applications from the App Store. Using Flurry...

Update: Apple has posted video of the event, available in three different sizes/bandwidths: - Low - Medium - High On January 27th, Apple will be hosting a media event detailing their latest "creation". News sites across the web will cover every announcement in detail, while Apple's site will be updated with any new products announced. Some readers prefer watching the keynote...

Zirana.com published a weekly crime summary of Cupertino, CA for late December which reveals that a prototype Apple laptop was stolen from Apple campus: Trade Secret Theft/Possession of Stolen Property - Infinite Loop Between 1/1 and 12/18, unknown suspect(s) took a prototype laptop worth about $100,000 from Apple Computers on Infinite Loop using an unknown method. The suspect(s) sold it to...

BumpTop, the popular physics-based 3D desktop environment for Windows, has now been made available for Mac OS X 10.5 and later, offering users new features for organizing their desktops. BumpTop offers users multiple surfaces on which to store files, allowing users to alter the sizes of individual items and take advantage of several organizational features such as piles. BumpTop for Mac is...

Following up last week's report of a claimed image of Apple's tablet "glass" that appears to be more accurately described as the front bezel, The Mac Observer has received two additional images that provide a greater sense of scale for the part. The Mac Observer again notes that it has been unable to corroborate the information presented in the images, and we remain skeptical of their...

Apple today released Security Update 2010-001 for users of Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Leopard. According to the associated support document, the update addresses security issues affecting a half-dozen system areas, including CoreAudio, Flash Player plug-in, and OpenSSL. - Security Update 2010-001 (Snow Leopard) (21.90 MB, Requires Mac OS X 10.6.2) - Security Update 2010-001 Client (Leopard)...

Apple yesterday released several software updates targeting both Mac Pro and Xserve users and users of its Logic Studio professional audio application package. Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.4, which weighs in at 1.96 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.2, addresses several issues related to Apple's Early 2009 Mac Pro models. This update addresses the following issues for Mac Pro (Early...

A new report today from The Korea Times claims that Apple is preparing to launch the fourth-generation iPhone, with sources claiming that it could debut as early as April. The assertions apparently come from an executive of KT, the exclusive iPhone carrier in South Korea, who claims that the new iPhone will launch to large Korean corporate clients in April, with release to the general public...

Apple today released a pair of updates for its Apple Remote Desktop software package, updating both its admin and client applications to version 3.3.2. This update improves the overall stability and performance of Apple Remote Desktop in addition to delivering the specific improvements listed below. Setup * Improved handling of IP address and port changes for clients accessed behind a Network...

The Mac Observer reports that it has received an image from a source showing what is claimed to be the "glass" for Apple's much-rumored tablet device, although the image actually depicts a front bezel. With no sense of scale for the image, the report relies on the source's claim that the "glass" (presumably the bezel opening for the screen) measures in at 10 inches. The bezel has a...

Apple today released Bonjour Update 2010-001 via Software Update, addressing issues with Apple TV connections. The update, which weighs in at 959 KB, has not yet appeared on Apple's Support Downloads page for manual download. This update improves the reliability of connections between iTunes and Apple TV....

Cult of Mac reports that it has received a tip from someone claiming to have contact with an Apple employee who revealed that the company's much-rumored tablet will have a "steep learning curve" when it comes to the device's interface. According to reader Tom: "I just heard [to] be ready for a steep learning curve regarding the "new" Apple product about to be released [and its] interface. This...

TUAW noted yesterday that Apple has dropped its regular U.S. educational pricing for the MacBook by $50 to $899. Special pricing apparently available through the University of Maryland's custom Apple Store reportedly even temporarily dropped pricing as low as $728 yesterday, although the offer was quickly removed. The new $899 price covers Apple's standard MacBook offering updated in October...

Citing a source who has been "amazingly accurate", Boy Genius Report issued a brief note today claiming that Apple's much-rumored tablet will be announced in January and will carry a 7-inch screen. Most rumors have pointed to a 10-inch screen for the tablet, and while the source does not rule out the possibility of such a model, they can only confirm the existence of the 7-inch model. It has been ...

Ever since the release of Apple's multi-touch Magic Mouse just a few months ago, one of the primary complaints from users has been a lack of support for Expos and other functionalities given the limited options available in System Preferences for configuring the mouse. Addressing these issues, Gizmodo today points to a new menu bar application, MagicPrefs, that greatly expands the...