Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow were paid $4 billion for naming their child Apple.
If you don't believe me, watch this Ricky Gervais interview.

Beware the iPod Finger!
There's a new warning from the British Chiropractic Association.
"‘iPod finger’ is an injury that affects the finger of music-mad consumers who are constantly using the scroll-wheel or buttons on their MP3 players to organise their song library, update playlists and adjust volume of their favourite artists.

Portable music jukeboxes are the most fashionable item on the highstreet today, with people listening to their favourite songs on their way to work, in the gym and even at home. Arguably the market leader is Apple’s stylish iPod, a slim line MP3 player not much larger than a credit card, which can store in the region of 1500 songs. This has launched the phenomenon of listening to your favourite tunes wherever and whenever you want – to such an extent that users in U.S. have developed a debilitating medical condition from it.

Although complaints of MP3 player-related injuries have not reached high levels as yet, the British Chiropractic Association’s Dr Carl Irwin feels that it is only a matter of time: “Hand-held music machines are extremely popular and users are constantly using small, difficult buttons with the same finger in a repetitive motion. The nature of modern technology means that these devices are only going to be getting smaller and I would not be surprised if hand and finger related injuries become one of the most common RSIs that chiropractors treat.”

“Young children are particularly susceptible – their bones and muscles are not fully developed, meaning they are at more risk than adults. The best way to avoid injury is to flex your hand muscles as this will keep the blood flowing and will break up the repetition. Varying the finger that you use to operate your MP3 player will also prevent injury”

New Apple Store to open in Sheffield's Meadowhall Shopping Centre on the 10th!

New Intel-inside Mac minis to also have Tivo-inside this January?
ThinkSecret have heard that the new Macs will be revealed by Our Great Leader at the forthcoming MacWorld Expo in San Fran on Jan 9th. At last they'll be putting a TV tuner back in their machines. The first Mac I bought had one. It was a PowerPC 6400/200 Creative Studio and I could watch and record analogue TV and use teletext. I even had a remote control. So this newfangled 'iMac remote TV' thing has all been done before.
...and that was a decade ago.

Speed up your connection with Apple's Broadband Tuner 1.0.
This appeared on Apple's download pages recently. It increases your default buffer sizes so you're not so restricted when you send and receive data through your braodband.

Can't afford a new iPod? Then why not make your own. The Paper iPod is a cut out and keep 3-D black video pod that will fool your friends. Try throwing it for people to catch and see their faces. It works a treat.
Build the cute little Mac Classic too.

The Beastie Boys use G5s at their Oscilloscope Laboratories studio. Also their iTunes library is stored on a Lacie P1 200GB external hard drive. If you don't believe me have a look at their pics of the day by clicking on the buttons.

New Motorola RAZR V3i iTunes phone:
This should have been their first attempt at an iTunes compatible phone. Personally I think they could have at least produced a white version. Let's hope they've sorted out the glitches in the ROKR. See Motorola's website.

'Intel Inside' iBooks by April?
13" widescreens are possible additions to the next gen of iBooks. And as for the PowerBooks? Well, they're be thinner and have built-in iSights. It looks like the 12" version will be binned. It's all from a 'very' reliable source too. See AppleInsider.

These people know how to have fun!

Quick! Before they get rumbled!!
You don't have to buy a new iMac to use Front Row or Photo Booth. The hackers at McMAC have made them installable on any Mac. Don't hang around though, it won't be long before Apple catch up with them.

New Tiger Update!

"It includes fixes for:
- AFP, SMB/CIFS, NFS and FTP network and file services
- AirPort and Bluetooth wireless access
- Core Graphics, Core Audio, Core Image, and RAW camera support
- disc recording when creating and burning media
- .Mac sync services
- Spotlight indexing and searching
- Dashboard widgets: Dictionary, Flight Tracker, Stickies, and Unit Converter
- Address Book, AppleScript, Automator, Dictionary, Font Book, iCal, iSync, Mail, and Safari applications
- Disk Utility, Keychain Access, Migration Assistant, and Software Update
- compatibility with third party applications and devices
- previous standalone security updates."

If you couldn't make it to Olympia last week (same here), why not peruse Apple's MacExpo gallery. Looks like any other expo to me. There's no freebies like in the old days, so you're better off popping in to your nearest Apple Store.
By the way, be prepared to read a few posts about the iPod's poor cousin, the Motorola ROKR. I've only gone and upgraded from a slightly annoying Nokia 6600. Yes, I know it was only awarded 1/5 in MacUser, but my mate Rodders has just got one and he said it's alright.

"But now bring me a man who plays music. And when the man played music, the groove came upon them."
Rejoice. For $12.95 you can turn your shuffle into a stylish crucifix. See the iBelieve at devoted1.com

Someone called Geoff has versioned 50 Cent's "In da Club". It's was in an attempt to raise enough 50 pences for a new iPod. Well it worked. Read how he did it here.
Here the Pants Mix at his website Geofftech.co.uk
...so you can get free iPods from the internet.

New Dual Core Power Mac G5s.

The Power Mac G5 Dual, with a suggested retail price of £1,399 (inc. VAT), includes:

• dual-core 2.0GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
• 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 16GB;
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• NVIDIA GeForce 6600 LE with 128MB of GDDR SDRAM
• three open PCI Express expansion slots: two 4-lane slots and one 8-lane slot;
• dual Gigabit Ethernet ports;
• 16x SuperDrive™ with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW); and
• ships with Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The Power Mac G5 Dual, with a suggested retail price of £1,749 (inc. VAT), includes:

• dual-core 2.3 GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
• 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 16GB;
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• NVIDIA GeForce 6600 with 256MB of GDDR SDRAM
• three open PCI Express expansion slots: two 4-lane slots and one 8-lane slot;
• dual Gigabit Ethernet ports;
• 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW); and
• ships with Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The Power Mac G5 Quad, with a suggested retail price of £2,299 (inc. VAT), includes:

• two dual-core 2.5GHz PowerPC G5 processors;
• 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 16GB;
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• NVIDIA GeForce 6600 with 256MB of GDDR SDRAM
• three open PCI Express expansion slots: two 4-lane slots and one 8-lane slot;
• dual Gigabit Ethernet ports;
• 16x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW); and
• ships with Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

Build-to-order options include up to 16GB of NECC or ECC DDR2 SDRAM, up to two 500 GB Serial ATA hard drives running at 7200 rpm, NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 graphics card with 512MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth module, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse, Xserve RAID and Apple Fibre Channel PCI Express Card.

New PowerBook G4s with higher-resolution displays and up to one hour more battery life on the 15- and 17-inch models.* In addition, every new PowerBook now includes a DVD burning SuperDrive™ with prices starting at just £1,099 (inc. VAT).

“The Apple PowerBook continues to deliver the ultimate in portability, performance and innovative features,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Our mobile customers are going to love working on the new high-resolution PowerBook displays and appreciate the added productivity that one more hour of battery life delivers.”

The new higher-resolution PowerBooks provide significantly more screen real estate and include the 17-inch PowerBook with a 1680-by-1050 pixel resolution—36 percent more than the previous generation—and the 15-inch PowerBook with a 1440-by-960 pixel resolution—26 percent more than the previous generation. Ideal for business and creative professionals, the new 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks make reading text and viewing images even easier with brighter displays—up to 46 percent brighter on the 17-inch model. The 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks also provide up to an additional hour of battery life to get even more work done while on the road.

The PowerBook line includes three models: the 1.5 GHz 12-inch PowerBook with an 8X SuperDrive and the new 1.67 GHz 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks with an 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support. Both the 15- and 17-inch PowerBooks include ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 128MB DDR dedicated video memory and now feature built-in Dual Link support to drive Apple’s groundbreaking 30-inch Cinema HD Display as an external monitor, providing more than four million pixels of additional workspace.

Apple reveal an iPhoto for the pros. Aperture is the first all-in-one post production tool that provides everything photographers need after the shoot. Aperture offers an advanced and incredibly fast RAW workflow that makes working with a camera’s RAW images as easy as JPEG. Built from the ground up for pros, Aperture features powerful compare and select tools, nondestructive image processing, colour managed printing and custom web and book publishing.

Oh, not another new product launch!
This time it's aimed at the photography market. See this: Apple preps October 19 special event.

After all that business about Eminem sueing Apple for using a track without permission, he's only gone and let them use the same track in the new iPod TV Ad.

The webcast of Apple's special event can be found here.

Buy music videos and programmes with iTunes 6!
"iTunes® 6, the next generation of the world’s most popular music jukebox and online music store. iTunes 6 lets fans purchase and download over 2,000 music videos and six short films from Academy-Award winning Pixar Animation Studios for just £1.89 (inc. VAT) each. Also, in a landmark deal with Disney, iTunes is now offering current and past episodes from two of the most popular shows on television, “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost,” as well as the new drama series “Night Stalker” and the two most popular shows from Disney Channel, “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”. Customers can now purchase and download their favourite television shows from iTunes the day after they air on TV, watch them on their Mac® or PC, and Auto-Sync them onto the new iPod® for viewing anywhere. Download it now."

New 'media hub' iMac with remote and built in iSight!
"Apple® today unveiled the new iMac® G5 which features a built-in iSight™ video camera for out-of-the-box video conferencing and the debut of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience. Front Row gives users a simple, intuitive and powerful way to play their music, enjoy their photo slideshows, and watch their DVDs and iMovies, as well as popular movie trailers from apple.com and music videos and television shows purchased from the iTunes® Music Store, on their iMac from up to 30 feet away using the new bundled Apple Remote. The new iMac G5 comes in a sleek, new design that is even thinner than its predecessor, and starts at just £899 (inc. VAT). It's smaller than the last iMac too and is available next week."

New video iPods!
As widely expected, Apple today introduced the long-awaited new iPod with video playback capabilities. The new device is up to 30% thinner than the previous full-size iPods and features a larger 2.5-inch color screen that can play video including music videos, video Podcasts, home movies and television shows, in addition to displaying album artwork and photos. The new iPod is available in both white and black versions in 30GB and 60GB.

Macbidouille has obtained some leaked screen shots of a PowerMac running on 4 Intel Processors! Bring it on!!

One More Thing...?
As reported on AppleInsider Apple have another treat in store for us on the 12th. Could this be the ViPod? Or even an Intel Mac? Or what about something completely new? That would be nice.

Probable new products:
New HHD iPods (I reckon in black and white).
Last pre-Intel PowerMacs and Minis.
Rumoured:
Special Edition Pink Madonna iPod. The fansite says nano, but Madge's back catalogue won't squeeze into 4GBs.
iVidPod as a PSP contender.

iPod nano owners - RELAX.
Mac Rumors: Apple Address iPod nano Screen Issues: "'This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units,' Schiller told MacCentral. 'In fact, this issue has affected less than 1/10 of 1 percent of the total iPod nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue.'"

Matthew Peterson's website started a huge media frenzy over faulty iPod nanos. It seems that Apple has been forced to offer free replacements or money back to owners of nanos with buggered screens. Well done Peterson for getting your replacement, but you've given the press, Sony and every other rival flash player manufacturer a reason to steal some of Apple's customers. Maybe that was your plan all along. What with Dixons selling five nanos every minute, the iPod is coming more mainstream than ever before.

Don't fancy the Motorola ROKR, but do fancy the Sony Ericsson Walkman phone? Then you can sync it with iTunes with iTuneMyWalkman 0.6 on VersionTracker.com. Goodbye Moto.

Apple logos are spooked away.
The BBC has been slammed for the product placement of Apple Macs in Spooks (MI5 not 9 to 5, k'now?). Last week's episode had all of it's logos 'posted out' at the last minute. Don't they know Auntie doesn't do advertising? It's not Richard & Judy for pity's sake. Now, I for one, don't mind one of my two favourite programmes (the other being Rockstar INXS) resembling an Apple ad. Especially when the good guys that use Macs and the bad guys use Windows. I guess we'll always remember Spooks for not being as good as the first few series - before Tom was sacked, Zoe sent away, Danny shot dead and the Apple logos were painted out.

Thinking of buying a Mac mini? Stop!
The new updated versions are rumoured to be 'in transit' as we speak.
See ThinkSecret for the lowdown.

iTunes Updated to v5.0.1. Is it just me or has everyone noticed the huge gaps at the end of tracks bought from iTunes?

Paris Expo sees .Mac updates.
The press release says: "Apple® today announced a significant update to .Mac, the membership-based online service that combines the simplicity and elegance of the Macintosh® with the power of the Internet to facilitate group communication and make sharing, storing and protecting digital photos and videos easier than ever. New features include: .Mac Groups, a service that helps members communicate, co-ordinate schedules and stay in sync with private groups of friends or colleagues; an updated version of .Mac Backup software that makes it easy for members to archive their iLife® and other important files; a four-fold increase in combined iDisk and email storage to 1GB for individuals and 2GB for families; and full French and German localisation."

My 30GB iPod can tell I don't love it anymore.

I only ever use it on a 'least played shuffle' these days. And because I only use it on my hourly commute, I rarely listen to more than twenty songs a day.

I don't need it to plug into hi-fi since I bought an Airport Express.

My old 3rd Gen just looks so...BIG.

I'm trying to stay away from Regent Street, because I know all it will take is one look/feel/fiddle with a black nano and before I know it I'll be in that 1/4-mile queue, dusting off my credit card.

TIME Magazine interviews Jobs: Stevie's Little Wonder -- Sep. 19, 2005.

Nooooooooo!!!!!
Those crazy guys at arstechnica test the nano to it's limits. What a waste of a good iPod nano!

Motorola ROKR will be available with O2 from 16th September.
Pre order now - Motorola E1 only at The Carphone Warehouse

See it all for yourself here: Apple Special Event 2005

BBC report concludes that "iPod phone hybrid divides experts". They have a video of the launch here. I'm not overly impressed. Being an O2 customer I will have the chance of getting it first. But if it's too expensive, I'll be happy to stick with my separate iPod and Nokia. Anyway, the Motorola ROKR can only ever hold 100 songs, even if you stick a larger memory card in it. Sony's Walkman phone holds more.

Apple keeps the Metalheads happy with a black version of the iPod nano. Just take a look at these iLounge pics.

New iPod Nano!
It's a teenie little iPod. Almost too wee.
(photo from iLounge). It's a shame you can't sync using firewire.

Straight off the iLounge site:
"iTunes phone: Motorola ROKR E1
iTunes client inside
Made by motorola
ROKR is name
Quad band gsm
Camera
Stereo speakers and headset
100 song capacity
Instant 1 button access to iTunes
You can use autofill
Interrupts play for songs
shuffle right on your phone
Fewer songs
No clickwheel
Cingular exclusive carrier
51m customers of cingular
Phone lets you shoot video
Cingular to launch 3 tv commercials tomorrow

iTunes 5

* Available today
* Refined look
* Smaller
* LCD at top now has artist and song
* Folders of playlists
* Search bar
* Duplicates top of spotlight
* All music audiobooks podcasts videos etc
* All artists albums songs
* Microsoft outlook syncing
* For contacts and calendars on pc
* Smart shuffle
* Shuffle realy is random
* Make it less random if you want
* Now in playback preferences
* New parental tag too
* Smart shuffle is more likely random less likely
* Album reviews
* 1000 reviews already in there"

Also Madonna's back catalogue is available. Jobs also spoke to Madge using iChat.

Bugger the iLounge feed. No one can type quicker than the bods at MacWorld. Macworld: News: Apple Special Event Live Update

Get your up-to-the-munute Apple Special Event newsfeed at iLounge.

$50 iBooks cause riot. Shock. Horror.
This is hilarious. A woman pissed herself so she wouldn't lose her place in the queue when a school sold off their unwanted iBooks when they downgraded to Dells. When the doors were opened, all hell broke loose. One man battered other bargain hunters with a deckchair and some nutter tried to drive through the crowd in a truck. It beats our own Ikea riot hands-down.Check the CNN report.

iTunes takes 80% of the UK (legal) download market. Soon the world will be Jobs'.
Check out top selling tracks around the world here.
iTunes new Music Tuesday on hold for today's "big push".
1000 pop promos in your pocket? (Why else would they start selling music videos on iTunes?)
1000 tunes on your phone? (Well, more like 250)
1000 tunes on your shuffle? (If there is, I'm getting one).
Stay tuned.

Whatever happens on the 7th, it will involve the unveiling of the long awaited Motorola iTunes phone. The phone company has arranged an after-event party with a live band at Webster Hall in New York. Don't believe me? Pop over to AppleInsider.
Flash-based iPod minis with colour screens are also rumoured to appear.

New iPod ALERT!
It looks like the next generation (make it so) iPods will be with us soon. Apple have sent out invites to the San Fran media with the title "1000 songs in your pocket changed everything. Here we go again!" Could this mean that they're bring out a new bigger, better iPod? or the Motorola iPhone? or could we be in for their interpretation of a vPod to match the PSP? (but without the games). We'll have to wait and see. Read more at AppleInsider.

Got a PowerBook or Mac mini? Got a slow Superdrive?
Then sign this petition!

A Mighty Mouse. At Last!! Left & right buttons (hidden), squeezy side buttons (programmable) and a nubbin (a 360 degree wheel). About fuckin' time too!

New iPod Alert!!
It's much smaller that the Shuffle. It's the iPod Flea.

iPhoto 5.0.4 Update
"Recommended for all customers using iPhoto 5.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2 and 5.0.3. iPhoto 5.0.4 addresses an issue with browsing photos that have been auto-rotated by a camera."

There's a new Mac mini
Apple has enhanced the Mac mini, the most affordable and compact Mac ever, with 512MB of memory now standard in every model and prices starting at just £359. The Mac mini also features built-in wireless networking with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth starting at just £429, and the ability to burn DVDs with a SuperDrive for just £499. About time.

New iBook G4 but no widescreen.
The new iBook G4 line features faster PowerPC G4 processors running up to 1.42GHz, 512MB memory across the line, higher performance graphics and built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The new iBooks feature two patent-pending features made popular in the PowerBook G4 line, the scrolling TrackPad and the Sudden Motion Sensor, with prices starting at £699.

GarageBand updated to v2.0.2
GarageBand 2.0.2 addresses issues with time signature handling, Apple Loops authoring, locking tracks, and improves compatibility with Mac OS X Tiger.

One of the best apps I have come across and been persuaded to buy is Delicious Library. It's a program you can use to catalogue your collction of books, CDs, DVDs and videos in a searchable and very nice-looking interface.It's all made very easy as you use your iSight (or DV camera) to scan in the barcode. Delicious library then searches the internet for information linked to the item. Well now Appleinsider has found out that one of Delicious Monster's co-founder has joined the Apple interface team. They did it with Soundjam for iTunes and now they've done it with this. Let's hope they're not thinking of bringing out their own library, because that'll be $40 wasted.

Road Warriors: Check your batteries. Yet another Battery Exchange Program is recalling many portable batteries that were sold worldwide from October 2004 through May 2005 for use with the following notebook computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4.

New Widescreen iBook rumours. See Think Secret.

Ah, that'll be why it doesn't work...
Apple - Discussions - Lost connection with ADSLNation X-Modem with Airport 4.2

Think twice before updating your Airport to v4.2. It may not work. I know. Bastards!!Apple - Discussions - Lost connection with ADSLNation X-Modem with Airport 4.2

The Mac OS X 10.4.2 Update (Delta) is here!

...And these are the many improvements:

AirPort

* With this update, logging out of Mac OS X automatically disconnects the computer from an AirPort network if it is using WPA Enterprise security settings (this does not affect WPA Personal WEP-secured networks).
* The AirPort menu extra displays more information when you enable a Software Access Point with this update installed.
* Adds support for AES encryption of WPA-PSK networks, which are supported by many wireless access points.
* The Try Again button behaves as expected when attempting to join a third-party, WEP-enabled wireless access point with this update.
* Improves reliability when associating with wireless networks after waking from sleep.
* Improves WPA2 wireless encryption support for AirPort Extreme cards.

Mail

* In Mail, if you retrieve and sort IMAP mail using multiple email clients, the counts of unread IMAP messages in mailboxes other than what's in your Inbox are more accurate with this update.
* Addresses an issue in which IMAP messages deleted in Mail could unexpectedly "reappear" after a few seconds.
* In some situations, a Mail message's attached graphic displayed as a small blue box with a question mark inside the message window, even though the attached file was just fine; this update addresses the issue.
* Mail no longer tries to print an HTML message's remote images if the "Display remote images in HTML messages" option is deselected—the message is printed without the graphics instead—after this update is installed.
* This update addresses an issue for Mail in which signatures with graphics were not appearing as expected.

iChat

* With this update, you can successfully send and receive AIM messages using iChat after changing network locations (without having to log out and back in)—from wireless to Ethernet, for example.
* If iChat is logged in to your AIM account in Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.4.1, logging in to the same account on a different computer disconnects the Tiger computer without warning—this update adds a preference choice to iChat to avoid this, if desired.
* iChat no longer states that the network is unavailable if you intentionally disconnect from the Internet using Internet Connect without first quitting iChat.
* Improves video framerate for iChat when certain kinds of background processes or applications are running.
* Resolves a situation in which iChat could incorrectly report "insufficient bandwidth to maintain conference," even though enough bandwidth was available.

Finder

* Addresses an issue in which the Finder could unexpectedly quit if Show Package Contents was chosen several times from the shortcut menu for the same package.
* The Finder slideshow feature should now always work as expected.
* If ACLs were enabled on an SMB volume, a Get Info window in the Finder wouldn't show the Details section when getting info on files stored on the volume—this update addresses the issue.
* Addresses an issue in which a supported burning device could unexpectedly be seen as "unsupported" by the Finder.
* The duration of MP3 files is accurately reported in Get Info windows in the Finder with this update.

Other applications

* With this update, many applications, including Safari, work better with proxy servers that require authentication.
* With this update, you can use Safari to log in to MyAccount on cingular.com.
* Safari pages scroll better with this update when scrolling with a scroll wheel (such as one on a third-party mouse or keyboard).
* Orange iCal calendars, with alarms that go off while iCal is not open, no longer change color after the alarm is snoozed.
* Addresses an issue in which Stickies.app notes could disappear unexpectedly if Stickies opens automatically during login (if it was set as a Login Item in Accounts preferences).
* Addresses an issue for Adobe Premiere 6.5 in which the application could unexpectedly quit when exporting a file.
* With this update, the Reduce File Size option in Preview works as expected when saving a file as a PDF from the File menu.
* Addresses a Keychain Scripting issue in which the "password" property of a key often could not be retrieved.

iDisk, WebDAV

* Improves .Mac iDisk syncing after changing network locations—an iDisk could incorrectly appear to be offline after switching networks, causing syncing to stop working.
* With this update, you can access iDisk or other WebDAV servers through HTTP and HTTPS proxies.
* HTTP/HTTPS proxy account and password settings defined in Network preferences are now used by the WebDAV file system as expected.
* Addresses some issues that could occur when saving files directly to an iDisk.

Networking

* Addresses an issue in which some Apple internal modems would not dial, and the PPP log would include a message such as "Failed to open /dev/cu.modem: Resource busy".
* Adds improvements to Active Directory support.
* Addresses an alert "Error code -8065" that could occur when copying a file through SMB to a Microsoft Windows-based PC volume a second time, if the file had previously been deleted from the PC.
* Includes other enhancements related to connecting to and using Windows-based file servers (SMB/CIFS).
* Allows Active Directory users with Mobile Accounts to authenticate without being connected to the Active Directory network.
* Allows Active Directory users to log in after a restart.
* Resolves an issue that prevented Active Directory users from accessing certain Kerberized services, such as ssh, on a Windows 2003 server.
* Active Directory users can be given local admin privileges on a client computer, with this update.

Other enhancements

* Software Update no longer unexpectedly quits in certain situations after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and changing Network Port settings, after installing this update. More....
* With this update installed, Disk Utility (and fsck) can better resolve "Overlapped Extent Allocation" issues that could appear when verifying or repairing a disk.
* Xgrid can now map multiple input files using the inputFileMap key, and retrieve results from multitask jobs using the command line.
* The Dashboard widget Unit Converter requires much less CPU usage after installing this update.
* Improves performance for the web-based Power School student information system (http://www.apple.com/education/powerschool/).
* Improves compatibility when using an HP Deskjet 5850 printer wirelessly.
* Improves compatibility for HP LaserJet 1320 printers.
* This update ensures that periodic background maintenance tasks run as scheduled in launchd.conf.
* Addresses an issue in which custom installations from a Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Install disc that don't require starting up from the disc could cause Installer to stop responding ("hang") for a couple of minutes if the destination volume was write-protected (eventually, a "There is not enough space for this item" message would appear).
* External disks no longer unmount unexpectedly when switching users, if Fast User Switching is enabled.
* Addresses an issue in which after performing a NetInstall or restoring Mac OS X from a disk image, you may see certain files and folders at the root level of the Mac OS X volume that are not supposed to be visible, such as etc, tmp, and var. More....
* With this update, the ttys file can be edited in Tiger; for example, if you're creating a login hook.
* Addresses an issue in which the computer might wake from sleep with a black screen if it went to sleep while prompting you for a keychain password.
* Allows users to log in with Kerberos authentication when using an edu.mit.Kerberos file.
* These Automator actions are updated in this update: Add Files to Playlist, Add Songs to Playlist, Import Photos into iPhoto, New Mail Message, Run Shell Script.
* The AppleScript "do shell script" command has been revised.

iTunes now Podcasts and iPod now in full colour.

The new 4.9 version of iTunes includes Podcasting. This allows you to download many Postcasts and listen to them later, just like iPodderX. You can even upload your own Podcasts to the service.

Also today saw the launch of the new iPod range. There's only two of the white hard drive players now, 20 and 60GB, but both have colour screens. There were no updated Shuffles though. Just a price reduction to the 1GB player (Time to buy one, Dad!). See the iTunes site for more info. No UK prices yet.

If you've updated to Tiger and you still have Virex, then you may notice that your Mac is always running with the fans on. This is because Virex is incompatible with Tiger and it's getting confused. Read .Mac: How to uninstall Virex.

Well, well. Whatdahyerknow? Intel chips by 2007.
Mac OS X 'Leopard' to fight at the Battle of Longhorn.
View the WWDC nerdfesthere. (Sleeping with Intel for the last 5 Years?! Those double-crossing, two-timing so and sos!)

If the Intel news is true, do you think Apple ads will begin to feature the Intel Bong and the mentioning of the Intel Pentium processor as many times as possible (like Dell do)?
NB. Intel pay for up to 70% of Dell's advertising media spend if they mention the mighty Pentium 4 twice and show a huge logo.

So. It seems that Apple has finally given IBM the elbow, the heave-ho, it's marching orders. IBM = Failure. How long have they been working on the next generation (G5) laptop processor? How behind have they put back the 3GHz G5 PowerMac? OK, Intel may supply the bad guys, but they've obviously been burning the midnight oil getting OS X to work on their chips and have come up trumps. Could there be a G5 PowerBook with an Intel inside ready to be unveiled this week? Let's hope so. It could be the only route to forgiveness.

Put your iPod in a little man with SpeckProducts.

Daft Punk's Technologic has been chosen by the Mac Marketing Machine to feature in another new iPod/iTunes ad. See it here.

It's always a good idea to check that all of your essential apps and peripherals work with a new OS upgrade before you install it (Neill). Here's MacInTouch's Tiger Incompatibilities and Workarounds list to help you. (What nice chaps).

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update. There's no excuse not to buy it now the first bug fixing version out. Now how do you update a system without your wife noticing the difference?

The new version of iTunes (v4.8) now plays movies! (JPEG Image, 795x485 pixels). Does this mean there's a ViPod movie/music/photo player on the horizon?

The new iPod Rollerskating Ad features Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz. The song features De La Soul.

Is your old Blue & White too slow for Tiger? Give it an upgrade Like this.

Not updating to Tiger Yet?
I don't believe you!
And here's the reason why:

Dowload your StarWars™ widget for Dashboard HERE and watch them all line up for the movie in San Jose, CA!

You know what? I'm gonna see how far I can go without buying Tiger. I said this when Panther came out, but I couldn't resist waiting until 10.3.1. I've learn't my early adopter lesson.

QuickTime has been updated to version 7. But don't update it if you're a Quicktime Pro user, unless you intend to buy a new Pro Key for £19.99.

On the same day that Tiger is released, the Brummay Apple Store Bullring opens. Somehow I don't think there will be many people queing outside the night before - security would throw them out. Anyway it gives me another excuse to go back to Birmingham at long last (the other is to see the new Selfridges building).Get your Directions & Map here.

NIN's Trent Reznor has released his new single, The Hand That Feeds, in GarageBand 2 Format. Go on. Have a fiddle.

The last version of Panther is available for download is the guise of the Mac OS X Combined Update 10.3.9. And now the end is near...

If you haven't got a .Mac account, here's an offer not to be missed.
Until the 23rd of May, Apple UK are knocking £20 off new subscriptions. Must be something to do with all the newfangled .Mac syncing features in Mac OS X Tiger.

You can now pre-order the new TIGER version of Mac OS X for delivery on April 29th from the Apple Store. It's already been the top seller on the US Amazon site.

Been caught short without any iPod power? Why not make your own backup, neatly encased in an Altoids tin. Have a look at chrisdiclerico.com :: blahblahblog :: iPod Altoids battery pack v2. It's much cheaper , and less of a pocketful than Belkin's effort.

Intel have revealed a tiny PC that looks quite familiar to something already on the market. Click here to see the new Mac mini...sorry Intel Digital Home. Someone's been on the photocopier.

Non-photo iPods are now only available in 20GB size and are now £209. Looks like the b&w iPod screen is on it's way out.

iPod photo has been updated too. For some reason the 40GB has been scrapped for a slimline 30GB at £249 and the 60GB is now £309. This one is slightly lighter and both now only come with a USB 2.0 cable. Apple will also start selling Camera Connectors for £19 late March.

These two new iPod mini models to choose from. Each come in Silver or three new colours, Blue (bondi - like the orginal iMac), pink and green. The 4GB version (1000 songs) is £139 and the 6GB (1,500) is £169. And laser engraving is FREE!

In the beginning....
The lost 1984 video

Apple's iPod shuffle Ad is available for your viewing.

The Macworld San Francisco 2005 Expo Keynote is now ready to watch.

iTunes updated to 4.7.1: Includes support for iPod shuffle and other performance improvements.

...And Final Cut Express goes all HD on us. Pre order priced at £199.

A new year, a new iLife: The new '05 offers major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand.

AppleWorks dies. iWork lives: "Got ideas? iWork ’05 brings them to life with Keynote 2 — offering cinema-quality presentations for everyone — and Pages — a word processor with an incredible sense of style." It's only £49. Nice box design.

Apple goes mass market with the iPod shuffle. 512MB or 1GB flash memory, no display, USB 1.1 and 2. Looks nice. Now all of those late adopters, who still don't have firewire (i.e. my dad) can be part of the new music revolution. There are lots of nice extra bits for it too.

Apple go for PC switchers with the Mac mini: A cube-like G4 Mac which can't be upgraded (easily) comes with a Combo drive, a low-end graphics card and up to 1GB of RAM. It starts at £339 for a 1.25 GHz processor with a 40GB drive. It's simple and well designed, but it's not quite as beautiful as a Cube.

iPod shuffle site is up.

Life is random?. Especially if your ipod doesn't have a screen.

Could this iHome be the Headless iMac? We'll find out Tuesday. But from the look of that packaging it looks like a hoax. And why would they place all the I/O ports on the back of something that fits under your TV? Now that would be silly (but they did do it on the iMac). It looks a bit familiar.

San Fran MacWorld Expo Predictions:
Apple will definitely launch some form of flash-driven Tiny iPod; a replacement for AppleWorks called iWork; Their own range of iPod accessories including speakers; And (if we're lucky) a new headless iMac that will probably be the same shape as a Sony PlayStation (in that you can stand it on it's side or lay it flat like a DVD player). Let's hope it an be used like a Sky+ box. That would be a brilliant excuse to buy one.