MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

After promises about moving BBC content to the Mac platform in 2008, TheRegister.co.uk is reporting that the BBC will start distributing shows over iTunes this week. According to their sources, BBC will detail their plans on Tuesday and has already contacted third party production partners of the new distribution...

Reports claim that MacBook Pro supplies are dwindling at major retailers such as Best Buy. Checks with several popular online stores indicate continued stock, though Best Buy's Canadian affiliate, Future Shop, claims to be out of stock of the 2.2GHz version [of the MacBook Pro].Apple has been widely expected to upgrade the MacBook Pros to recently released Penryn...

ThinkSecret.com officially went offline today, after the December announcement that they had settled their lawsuit with Apple. As part of the settlement agreement, ThinkSecret agreed that they would stop publishing, but due to existing advertising obligations they continued publishing in a limited fashion until February 14th. ThinkSecret founder, Nick Ciarelli, is rumored to have received...

Walt Mossberg posts a preview of Lenovo's forthcoming ThinkPad X300, a competitor to Apple's MacBook Air. Walt Mossberg generally had good things to say about the MacBook Air when he reviewed it in January, however he did note several limitations such as built-in battery, lack of optical drive, and lack of other connectivity ports as being possible deal-breakers for some. On the other hand, ...

Apple has released iLife Support 8.2 This update supports system software components shared by all iLife 08 applications to improve their stability and performance. The update also includes iLife support for recently released Aperture 2....

iLounge and MacRumors forums member logicalnoise have noted that iPod Classic Firmware 1.1.1, which is now available via iTunes, has corrected a hissing problem that had been plaguing users when their classics were placed into standby mode. Before the update when I went into standby my speakers would pop and I'd hear some soft static then when I switched on the button lock my speakers would pop...

TUAW's Erica Sadun shows evidence of additional hardware support built into the iPhone's Mac OS X software. Amongst the "platforms" listed include the iPhone itself (M68), the iPod Touch (N45) and an unknown identifier N82 Platforms = (M68, N82, simulator); Platforms = (N45); Sadun also suggests that she has heard that the iPhone SDK may be delayed, though practically dismisses her own...

Apple released two new games on the iTunes Store from Gameloft S.A. Chess and Backgammon Two of the oldest and most popular board games of all time just went digital. Jam-packed with suspense, chess and backgammon put your powers of strategy and concentration to the test as you try to anticipate your opponent's next move. Naval Battle Take control of your fleet and fight in extraordinary ...

Speculation regarding Apple's photo applications hit an all-time high this past week when Sr. Product Line Manager for Photo Applications Joe Schorr posted in Apple's Discussion forums the following: As I'm sure many of you know, it's not Apple's policy to provide a public "ETA" on future releases, so I can't post anything like a timetable for when support for the newest RAW camera formats will...

HardMac claims that one of its sources is citing February 12th as the next launch window for hardware releases, namely the rumored MacBook Pro updates. HardMac is not a typical rumor source, with their most recent rumor falling a bit short. However, this claim is not entirely outside of the previously rumored launch window....

Some users are beginning to realize that iTunes Store Movie Rentals may not be compatible with their iPods (via Wired). While Apple does state in its movie rental FAQ that a "iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, or iPod nano (3rd generation)" is required for mobile movie rental access, other more prominent references only mention "iPhone or iPod." This distinction has left users of video-capable ...

Though perhaps obvious, it is reassuring to know that Apple is very aware of the need for RAW support in unsupported cameras. Joe Schorr, Sr. Product Line Manager of Photo Applications at Apple reassured customers in this thread: As I'm sure many of you know, it's not Apple's policy to provide a public "ETA" on future releases, so I can't post anything like a timetable for when support for...

CrunchGear pinpoints March 17th as the date for the release of next generation MacBook Pros alongside a price drop of the high end model, which currently runs $2799. They also claim the overall design will remain the same but with the expected inclusion of multi-touch. CrunchGear has had some rumor hits in the recent past, but their timeframes have not been accurate. Their date also...

We've heard more whispers about the upcoming MacBook Pro updates. - Multi-touch Trackpad - 17" model to incorporate LED screen - Penryn processors - To be released in the next 2 weeks (so, this Tuesday or next) Exact release dates are always difficult to pinpoint as they can change, but the information is believed to be accurate at this...

Users hoping to buy a MacBook Air USB Superdrive accessory for use with another Mac or PC other than the MacBook Air may be disappointed to find out that the accessory requires a MacBook Air to run. Electronista explains that the requirement is due to the drive's higher power consumption. While external optical drives have existed that rely on the USB port alone, the particular power demands of ...

MacQuebec (via HardMac) provides a screenshot of the boot menu for the MacBook Air. The Boot Menu is invoked by pressing the "Alt" key during boot and now gives you the option for Wifi networks to boot...

Apple released Pole Position Remix (iTunes Link) game for iPods today on the iTunes store. The newest iPod game is from Namco and refreshes the classic Pole Position game. Race to the finish line in Namco's classic arcade racer, Pole Position, remixed for the iPod. Avoid hitting cars, billboards, and other obstacles and downshift to make hairpin turns without careening off the track. Points...

PowerPage notes that the new MacBook Air lacks a Kensington Security Slot which is used to secure laptops down. One of the little issues that seems to have flown under the radar since Macworld Expo last week is that the MacBook Air doesn't ship with a security slot. That's right, the popular Kensington Security Slot (which has been present on every previous PowerBook to date) has vanished from...