[6/30] Apple Revised Mac OS X 10.4.7 (Intel) Install Package But Situation Unclear

We received the following note from Apple,

Mac OS X v10.4.7 was released on Tuesday of this week. The install
package that upgrades a Mac OS X v10.4.6 (Intel) system is being
revised. The revision is to provide several files related to OpenGL
performance that were missing.

Only the package that upgrades a Mac OS X v10.4.6 (Intel) system to
Mac OS X v10.4.7 (Intel) is being changed. All other Mac OS X
v10.4.7 install packages remain unchanged.

The change being made to the install package does not affect the
security fixes provided in the package.

The new package is named: MacOSXUpd10.4.7Intel.dmg
It's SHA-1 digest is: 10aa57dfccd63accb0939a894cea202a8910fb45

We believe that this means that if one updated an Intel-based Mac to 10.4.7 using the delta updater that one will need to apply a revised updater when issued. However, if one used Software Update or the stand-alone Combo edition of the updater, then perhaps one does not need to reinstall Mac OS X 10.4.7 (Intel) but that is not completely clear. We used Software Update on our Intel-based Macs and have not experienced any graphics issues.

According to MacFixIt, Apple has now posted a revised delta updater (MacOSXUpd10.4.7Intel.dmg) and MacFixIt provides a procedure to confirm it. Unfortunately, Apple has not posted an explanation nor updated the posting date for the update's listing on Support/Downloads or its specific Web page. It seems to us that the safest and easiest procedure is simply to apply the combo updater. [Bill Fox]

[6/30] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple Released iTunes 6.0.5

iTunes 6.0.5 is available for download via Software Update or from this Apple Web page. According to Apple,

iTunes 6.0.5 allows you to sync your Nike + iPod workout data to nikeplus.com, where you can easily track your progress, set training goals, challenge others, and much more. Visit the Nike Sport Music area on the iTunes Music Store to download workout mixes, Athlete Inspiration playlists, Nike podcasts, and more.

It also includes a security fix:

CVE-2006-1467 for Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later, Windows XP / 2000
Impact: An integer overflow in iTunes could cause a denial of
service or lead to the execution of arbitrary code
Description: The AAC file parsing code in iTunes versions prior
to 6.0.5 contains an integer overflow vulnerability. Parsing a
maliciously-crafted AAC file could cause iTunes to terminate or
potentially execute arbitrary code. iTunes 6.0.5 addresses this
issue by improving the validation checks used when loading AAC
files. Credit to ATmaCA working with TippingPoint and the Zero Day
Initiative for reporting this issue.

We downloaded and installed iTunes 6.0.5 on a number of Intel-based and PowerPC-based Macs with no problems. The iTunes Music Store now lists a new selection in the left column entitled Nike Sport Music which has songs, albums and playlists of songs related to sports and free sports-related podcasts and videocasts. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[6/30] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple Released iPod Updater 2006-06-28

The new iPod updater is available via Software Update or for download from this Apple Web page. According to Apple,

iPod Updater 2006-06-28 delivers:

New iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod
New iPod Software 1.2 for iPod nano
New iPod Software 1.1.4 for iPod shuffle
For all other iPod models, iPod Updater 2006-06-28 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2006-03-23.

Important: After downloading the iPod Updater software, connect your iPod to your computer and launch the iPod Updater application. If iPod Updater determines that your iPod needs to be updated, click the Update button to install the latest software on your iPod.

Features of iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod:

Bug fixes

Features of iPod Software 1.2 for iPod nano:

Nike + iPod support
Bug fixes

Features of iPod Software 1.1.4 for iPod shuffle:

Volume limit
Bug fixes

Note: iTunes 6.0.5 or later required to set a maximum volume limit for iPod shuffle. For information about how to set the maximum volume limit, open iTunes and choose Help > iTunes and Music Store Help.

We downloaded iPod Updater 2006-06-28 and updated our iPod with video's software to v1.1.2. We hadn't noticed any bugs with v1.1.1 and our iPod with video works fine after the update to 1.1.2 was applied. [Bill Fox]

[6/30] New MTV Programming Available on iTunes Music Store

MTV Networks and Apple announced in a press release that new television programming from Spike TV, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Logo, MTV and The N is now available on the iTunes Music Store. Adding to the hit MTV Networks content already on iTunes, this new round of programming available for purchase and download crosses virtually every genre and includes Spike TV's brand-new action series "Blade: The Series," MTV's prank-comedy show "Viva La Bam" and TV Land's "Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg." MTV Networks' programming has been a huge success on iTunes since debuting earlier this year, with COMEDY CENTRAL's "South Park" alone selling over one million episodes. iTunes now offers over 150 TV shows for $1.99 per episode for viewing on a computer or iPod. [Bill Fox]

[6/30] Apple Investigating Possible Stock Options Irregularities

Apple announced in a press release that an internal investigation has discovered irregularities related to the issuance of certain stock option grants made between 1997 and 2001. One of the grants in question was to CEO Steve Jobs, but it was subsequently cancelled and resulted in no financial gain to the CEO. A special committee of Apple's outside directors has hired independent counsel to perform an investigation and the company has informed the SEC. Apple executives will refrain from commenting further on this matter until the independent investigation is concluded.

"Apple is a quality company, and we are proactively and transparently disclosing what we have discovered to the SEC," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "We are focused on resolving these issues as quickly as possible."

News accounts have indicated that the issue involves possibly post-dating certain stock options. [Bill Fox]

[6/29] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple Released QuickTime 7.1.2

QuickTime 7.1.2 is available for download via Software Update or from this Apple Web page. According to Apple,

QuickTime 7.1.2 addresses an issue previewing iDVD projects. This update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

We downloaded and installed QuickTime 7.1.2 on a number of Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs. We used QT 7.1.2 to view QT movies, regular and HD, on the Web without any problems. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[6/29] Apple's FireWire Making Come Back, Especially in Consumer Electronics

While Apple's FireWire (the 1394 protocol) is being strongly challenged by USB 2.0 in computer and peripherals markets, its life in consumer electronics (CE) is improving, In-Stat reported. Digital televisions, cable set top boxes, and DVD recorders are all driving 1394a growth in the CE segment, the high-tech market research firm said. In addition, the High-Definition Audio Video Networking Alliance (HANA) has endorsed FireWire as a transmission medium for high-definition content, a development that may spur adoption of FireWire in home video networks.

In the computer world, FireWire has had success, particularly in notebooks, but the low rate of adoption of FireWire outside of Apples own computers led Apple to remove the FireWire interface from its wildly popular iPod devices in favor of USB 2.0. However, Microsoft has announced that it will support 1394b in its next-generation Vista operating system, which may breathe additional life into FireWire in the Windows-based computer segment.

"The CE segment is expected to surpass the combination of the PC and PC peripheral segments in 1394 devices by 2007," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The overall worldwide market for 1394-enabled devices will grow from 115.8 million units in 2005 to 219.9 million in 2010.
• If HANA is successful in driving 1394b as a home networking technology, In-Stat expects to see 1394b in wall plates or separate boxes, such as gateways, rather than in CE devices.

The results of In-Stat's research is very good news for Apple's FireWire protocol. [Bill Fox]

[6/29] Apple Revised the Offerings from Three Hot Deals Retailers

CDW Mac Warehouse has deals on a wide variety of Mac products including: get the #1 productivity suite in Office 2004 Professional w/Virtual PC for G4 and G5 Macs for only $469.00!; run Windows XP on your Intel-based Mac with Parallels Desktop for only $49.99! (does not include Windows XP software); print like a pro with the Konica-Minolta 5450 color laser printer for only $949.99 after $550.00 instant rebate through 7/31/06!; get the 8.0-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P4 w/3.5x optical zoom for only $399.99; make high-resolution scans on a budget with the Microtek ScanMaker i320 flatbed scanner for only $99.99!; convert your 15" MacBook Pro to a desktop system in seconds with the BookEndz Docking Station for $299.95!; ; and much more.

MacGameStore has deals on a wide variety of Mac games with an exclusive 5% Hot Deals discount at checkout: get the highly anticipated Civilization IV from Aspyr Media for only $49.95; join the chaos of WWII battles in Call of Duty 2 from Aspyr Media for only $49.95; hit the courts with Tennis Titans from Skunk Studios for only $19.95 (digital download only); get a new travel and home companion with Puppy Luv: A New Breed from Lost Sock Games for only $19.95 (digital download); breed and care for exotic fish in the new sim game Fish Tycoon from Big Fish Games for only $19.95 (digital download); and much more.

Sweetwater Sound has deals on a wide variety of Mac compatible products including: get a virtual rack full of premium stereo tube recording gear with TonePort UX2 from Line 6 for only $199.99!; get the latest professional loop collection from Zero-G - World Pack for GarageBand for only $154.97; get a better understanding of Pro Tools LE with Pro Tools Clinic, book and CD-ROM, from Music Sales for only $24.95!; get a pro-grade pitch shift and time stretch Pro Tools LE Plug-in with Serato Pitch n' Time LE for only $369.97!; get free shipping and a $20 price drop when you buy the Novation ReMOTE LE 25 USB 25-Key MIDI Controller for only $109.99!; and much more.

[Bill Fox]

[6/29] Tonight on The Tech Night Owl Live--MacFixIt, Macworld and Script Software

This week Gene Steinberg and his irreverent son and co-host Grayson welcome MacFixIt editor Ben Wilson, who will talk about troubleshooting the 10.4.7 update and reports of problems with Apple's Intel-based notebook computers. Macworld's Rob Griffiths will be on hand to evaluate about the best available Mac virus protection software, and deliver a possible with list for Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. You'll also hear from Julian Miller of Script Software, who will talk about some of his company's shareware applications, such as ChatFX. Tune in the broadcast tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 to 11:00 PM Eastern.