MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

CNET briefly noted late last week that Apple's iTunes U channel [iTunes Store] offering education content through the iTunes Store has surpassed 100 million downloads. According to Apple, one of the most popular areas of iTunes U has been that of the United Kingdom-based Open University (iTunes link), whose learning categories include Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Childhood and...

Apple yesterday released several updates for Xsan, the company's enterprise-class storage area network (SAN) solution, bringing the software to Version 2.2.1. The updates target only the FileSystem portion of Xsan and include the following fixes: - Improves filesystem reliability - Improves the cvfsck filesystem repair utility - Resolves an issue that could cause QuickTime media to report...

Apple today released a pair of Snow Leopard printer driver updates, bringing additional compatibility for printers and multifunction devices from Epson and Lexmark. - Epson Printer Drivers v2.2 for Mac OS X v10.6.1 (546 MB) - Lexmark Printer Drivers v2.2 for Mac OS X v10.6 (121 MB) A full list of Snow Leopard printer drivers and compatibility is available on Apple's support...

Autodesk today announced that it is set to begin shipping Smoke 2010 for Mac OS X, a brand-new version of the company's high-end video post-production software. The release marks the first of Autodesk's pro finishing tools to be developed as a native OS X application. "The business of post-production is evolving. Post-production and broadcast facilities alike are seeking more affordable,...

French site Nowhereelse.fr has published [Google translation] what appears at first glance to be a video of a tablet computer being used to browse a touch-enabled version of an IKEA catalog. The sleek profile and iPhone-like status bar at the top of the screen have led to speculation that the device might be Apple's much-rumored tablet device. The video demonstrates a feature similar to Cover ...

Silicon Alley Insider reports that it has received an unconfirmed tip claiming that Apple is in talks to purchase Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider iCall. One reader just sent us a message that Apple is in talks to acquire VoIP company iCall in a $50 million to $60 million deal.As expected, iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert refused to comment on the rumors, and Apple has not offered a statement on ...

Engadget reports on a Twitter post from Eldar Murtazin, editor-in-chief of Russian mobile phone blog Mobile-Review, claiming that Apple's long-time partner Foxconn has received the manufacturing contract for the next-generation iPhone. Foxconn received order for next generation iphoneMobile-Review reportedly has a very strong track record in the mobile phone rumor community, but has rarely turned...

Robert Cringely speculates that underneath all tensions, Intel is actually looking to purchase NVIDIA. Intel had to do something the minute AMD bought ATi. Now with Larrabee gone Intel has no real choice but to buy another company to remain in contention. The only such company available is nVIDIA.Cringely admits that it's just a "conspiracy theory" but he lays out why he thinks the move might...

Apple today released four software updates, one AirPort client update targeting Snow Leopard users and three firmware updates addressing optical disk drive noise on a number of the company's computers. - AirPort Client Update 2009-002 (12.95 MB) addresses several issues experienced by users of Mac OS X Snow Leopard related to wireless networking. This update is recommended for all Macintosh...

T3 has received word that there is a currently a major shortage of 7" touchscreen components, with speculation centering on Apple as a likely culprit ahead of a possible January launch of its much-rumored tablet computer. Our source said: "If you want to buy a 7-inch touchscreen at the moment, you can't." They added that this could indicate a January release window for Apple's hotly-anticipated...

Apple today released a pair of software updates for users of Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Leopard, delivering updated versions of Java containing the latest performance and security fixes. - Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 1 weighs in at 78 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.2. Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 1 delivers improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6. Java for Mac OS X 10.6 ...

In the latest episode of Diggnation, co-host Alex Albrecht reveals under pressure from Kevin Rose that he has received information about Apple's much-rumored tablet computer, but acknowledges only that he was "shocked" to hear how low the device will be priced. The episode also features John Hodgman of Apple's "Get a Mac" commercials as a guest, and while he too is asked about the company's...

Boy Genius Report briefly notes that it has received a tip from a "pretty accurate" source claiming that Apple will be revamping its iDVD software as part of its next iLife release to include support for creation of iTunes LPs, the company's new format for providing enhanced content for music releases. We've been informed that Apple plans to completely redo their iDVD application (in addition to...

TUAW notes that Apple has posted a set of documents providing developers with information for creating and distributing iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras, bonus interactive material for music and video content available through the company's iTunes Store. According to Apple, an automated, electronic system for submitting iTunes LPs and Extras will be rolled out early next year, but until that time, ...

Apple today released Final Cut Server 1.5.1, bringing a number of improvements to the company's back-end package for managing Final Cut video production tasks. Final Cut Server 1.5.1 is a revision to Final Cut Server 1.5. This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. This update is recommended for all users of Final...

Apple today released iPhoto 8.1.1, an update to the photo management portion of the company's iLife suite of applications. The update addresses a pair of issues related to the "Faces" feature of iPhoto, including slow performance when displaying suggested matches and incorrect matching of faces. The update also fixes an issue with the book ordering panel not appearing correctly with some...

An Examiner post claims that Apple is planning on finally releasing the iPod Touch 3G with Camera this spring. We have heard from an inside source who claims the camera version of the iPod Touch 3G will be released this Spring. The source confirms to us that the iPod Touch 3G with camera had actually been planned for release this past September, but had problems passing quality control. Unlike...

Popular do-it-yourself repair site iFixit yesterday announced that it has released nearly 250 new repair guides covering in great detail a wide assortment of repairs for every Mac mini model and every 17" and 20" iMac model produced by Apple since 2004. The repair manuals include in-depth disassembly guides, model identification tips, troubleshooting techniques, and upgrade information. The 241...