MacRumors' Mac Blog: Mac Apps, News and Rumors

An EETimes report that a Friedman Billings Ramsey & Co. Inc. analyst believes that the 2nd Generation iPhone has been pushed into the mid-to-late summer 2008: ...due to a pushout in the introduction of such 'killer applications' as the second-generation iPhone from the March/April time frame to mid to late summer, demand for NAND in 1H08 could weaken more than...

With the introduction of Safari 3, Apple's web browser has seen a significant number of improvements and performance enhancements. The latest nightly webkit builds have again been shown to be significantly faster at Javascript execution than even the final Safari 3.0 release. For comparison, Javascript Speed Test 2007 benchmarks are provided (smaller number faster) Safari 3.0.4: 445ms...

Apple has released Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update 1.1. Whats New in this Version - This update includes changes to the Lights-Out Management environment of the Intel-based Xserve. It addresses the intermittent issue that causes the LOM port to be unresponsive. This update is strongly recommended for all Intel-based Xserve systems. The Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update...

Apple emailed those who downloaded the Boot Camp beta and let them know that with the introduction of Leopard, Boot Camp Beta is over. The Boot Camp Beta software will expire on December 31, and Apple won't offer further updates of Boot Camp Beta for Mac OS X Tiger. Boot Camp allows Intel-Mac owners to dual-boot into Windows. It is now a standard feature of Mac OS X 10.5...

Less than a month after releasing the latest update to its 5th generation iPods, Apple has released iPod Firmware 1.2.3 via iTunes. Per usual, Apple gives very few details and only states that the update contains "bug fixes." Thanks to everyone who sent this in...

Apple announced today that they will be opening a new retail store on Chestnut Street in San Francisco this Friday, November 23, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. PST. The store opening falls on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) which Apple acknowledges will feature a special shopping event: The perfect day for a grand opening. Come early, come late, and enjoy extended hours this Friday, November 23,...

Hrmpf provides details about Apple's latest patent applications. This time, Apple has filed for nine patents related to Flash memory, memory controllers, circuit boards and their applications. This technology may provide data storage in various portable devices, such as digital cameras, other image storing devices, portable audio devices, personal digital assistants (PDA), and digital video...

Apple posted a 1.2.2 iPod update for owners of 5th generation iPods today via iTunes. No details on what specific improvements have been made. Apple simply notes the update contains "bug fixes". Update: Based on comments in the discussion, it is recommended you are upgraded to the latest iTunes (7.5) before (or after) applying this...

A ZFS page page has appeared on MacOSForge.org, Apple's open source repository for projects. Not much information yet available, and it simple directs people to download the current ZFS implementation from Apple's Developer Connection site: Well get more stuff up here in a bit, please stay tuned. In the meantime, all of you should be able to download the ZFS on OS X beta off the ADC site...

Apple posted a MacBook Pro Software Update version 1.2 today. This update improves graphics stability and is recommended for all MacBook Pro (Mid 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz) computers running Mac OS 10.4...

Microsoft has sweetened the deal for imminent Office for Mac buyers that don't want to be left behind come the January launch of Mac Office 2008. From now on, a purchase of ANY version of Mac Office 2004 product (Student and Teacher, Standard, or Professional Edition) will be eligible for an upgrade to the top of the line Mac Office 2008 Special Media Edition for only the price of shipping and ...

We've heard multiple reports that shipments of MacBooks have made their way to Apple Stores with specific instructions that they are not to be opened. While it was originally presumed that these new MacBook shipments simply represented MacBooks with Leopard pre-installed, the instructions not to open the boxes raises some questions. We've heard various (conflicting) claims that they represent ...

Just prior to unveiling the public beta of the joint venture Hulu.com, NBC CEO Jeff Zucker had some hot words for Apple's iTunes (via MSNBC). "We know that Apple has destroyed the music business - in terms of pricing - and if we don't take control, they'll do the same thing on the video side," Mr Zucker said at a breakfast hosted by Syracuse's Newhouse School of Communications. The rift between...

Apple has released Login & Keychain Update 1.0. The update, which is recommended for all users of Mac OS 10.5 Leopard, addresses a few issues according to Apple, including: - Logging in with an account originally created in Mac OS X 10.1 or earlier that has a password of 8 or more characters. - Connecting to some 802.11b/g wireless networks. - Changing the password of a FileVault-protected...

Aperture users that have upgraded to Mac OS 10.5 Leopard should beware when using Time Machine. According to an Apple support document, having Time Machine run a backup while an Aperture session is in progress could result in inconsistencies in the Aperture database. Apple recommends that Aperture users set Time Machine to perform manual backups. Apple also says that they will be updating...

Forum user, elbows, took some time to try to recreate the missing iChat Star Wars hologram effect that didn't make the final cut of Leopard. OK here it is. Like I said its not quite right yet, probably need some effects to make the image look grainy etc. And the preview is messed up and it doesnt seem to work in PhotoBooth, just iChat, but give it a try anyway. You simply copy the .qtz file...

Adding to the flurry of software updates released this week, Apple has released Server Admin Tools 10.5. Apple's Server Admin Tools software is used to administer (remotely or locally) Apple's Mac OS X Server products. This latest release requires Mac OS 10.5, however it can be installed on either server or client...

Apple has released version 3.1.2 of the .Mac Backup software in Mac OS X Software Update: Backup 3.1.2 is highly recommended for all users of Backup 3. This update includes reliability improvements and improves compatibility with Leopard and iWork '08....