First ever Panther Update. Apple released a Security Update for Mac OS X Panther today. Security Update 2003-10-28 addresses a potential vulnerability in the implementation of QuickTime Java in Mac OS X v10.3 and Mac OS X Server v10.3 that could allow unauthorized access to a system. Also those who haven't already bought Panther may have noticed that iChat AV 1.0 isn't free (and the beta expires in January). You can buy it for £20 from the Apple Store.

Pictures: ©Apple

Update Time! Old iPod users get a software update. Version 1.3.1 improves compatability with Mac OS 10.3. iSync has moved up to 1.3 to include compatibility with Sony Ericsson P800, P900, Nokia 3650, 7650 and N-Gage mobiles. It uploads Address Book pictures to the phone. It also allows .Mac subscribers to, not only, view and use bookmarks online, but also edit them too. Ooh! La-di-dah!

Pictures: ©Apple

I'm afraid to say that I couldn't make it to any of the special Panther launch parties, Conjunctivitis, a cold and babysitting duties got the better of me. It seems that everyone who did attend had a crazy time. Read the report: Macworld UK - UK punters pounce on Panther here. (Pounce. Panther. Geddit?)

iBook goes G4. ...and it's not quite the new look we were expecting. The 12" gets 800MHz and a 30GB Drive. The two 14" get 933Mhz and 1GHz, 40 and 60GB Drives respectively. All of them have a USB 2.0, a 32MB ATI Mobility Radeon and a slot-loader. They're almost a Powerbook. Well, except that they're made of bullet-proof plastic. Hang-on. That shouldn't be the difference between an iBook and a PowerBook. My knees tell me that there's a G5 Powerbook on the horizon.

Picture: ©Apple

Apple updates eMac. Bigger (drives). Better (graphics cards, prices). Faster (processors). They all come with Panther too.

Picture: ©Apple

A new iPod TV ad has appeared on US TV. Using The Jets' 'Are you Gonna be my Girl?', it's much more rock 'n' roll than the last effort. A selection of 'long hairs' pogo, air guitar, head-bang and devil salute whilst listening to their iPods. Thus demonstrating that the white one's 20 minute skip protection. Shake it baby.

The stories I've heard about Copy-Control compact discs in the past always put me off buying them. These stories range from discs that were completely unplayable to discs that didn't even eject and were only removable if you took the whole Mac apart.
It wasn't until I blagged a promo copy of the Richard X album X-Factor Volume 1 that I had my first taste of this new format (they can't legally be called CDs because they aren't mastered to something called the Red Book standard). When I inserted the disc, not one but two CD volumes appeared on the desktop. One was the normal CD (with cdda files) and the other was titled AUDIO. This contained a simple audio player that (I guess) is meant to launch instead of iTunes. Nevertheless, the track files were read and ready to rip like any other CD. So much for Copy Control.
The first Copy Controlled disc I actually paid money for was The Neptunes Presents...Clones. I first twigged that this wasn't a CD when I tried to play it on a standard CD player. Not a cheap one - a Technics separate. The CD wasn't recognised. If music companies can't even make this bastard son of the CD work in standard players then why do they bother with the format at all? Even the ageing Windows PC I use at work had trouble the first time. A message flashed up saying "To listen to the CD a number of files need to be updated on your PC. Select OK to install, Cancel or quit the installation process." It seems music companies have given themselves the right to barge into the guts of your computer, modifying files, just to make it difficult for you to listen to their music. The Playability chart on the back of the CD box stated it was compatible with CD Audio Home, Windows PCs but not Macs. I didn't have to worry for long because when I shoved it in my Mac that night, it too opened in iTunes like any other Tom (Jones), Dick (Valentine) and (Debbie) Harry CD. (Surely another good reason to switch?)
I tried out a few other CCCDs. Even the Star Wars: Attack of the Clones soundtrack from the local library worked. Now this was something that I, at the time of release, was thinking of buying but didn't because of the playability warning on the cover. A CD that I couldn't rip and transfer to my Rio mpeg player wasn't any use to me (that was before apps like Ambrosia's WireTap were available). These days, AOTC is sooo two years ago, so I've no desire to make the purchase. Now, in these days of falling music sales, do they really want to be losing another valuable customer?
I've learnt that if you use Mac OS X there's nowt to worry about. BGM et al obviously don't see us Mac Heads as much of a threat (it's the same with virus writers), we do only make up 7% of the market after all. So, the next time you're browsing through the new releases don't be put off by the bullshit label on the back. If they say it won't play on a Mac, they're probably lying.

Here are the two new iPod add-on products from Belkin. The Voice Recorder uses the iPod's headphone and remote connections and enables you to dictate Alan Partridge style as you drive along in your Rover ("arrange meeting with Bill Oddie"). You can play them back through it's built-in speaker. The recordings are only mono but can be easily saved to the desktop. The Media Reader is a rather cumbersome contraption that plugs into the firewire connector of the iPod. Basically it just a 6 in 1 Media reader that enables you to store photos on your iPod (instead of on your Mac) to free up media card space. The two gizmos work with all new 3rd generation iPods with iPod software 2.1.

Fautly iPod Update: After phoning Micro Anvika today I gave in to the fact that my faulty replacement iPod would have to be returned to Amsterdam. Why I ortta...!

Indeed. Hell has frozen over. Today, as planned, Apple has launched iTunes for Windows. I don't want to even talk about it. If you've read my earlier blogs, you'll know how I feel about this subject. What a perfect end to an atrocious week. I don't want to talk about it. OK, if you insist. The replacement iPod I received, after a three week wait, is another dud. It has a mystery power leak so a full charge only lasts approximately forty-five minutes (instead of the normal eight hours). I'm going to attempt to get my money back from Micro Anvika. Now, this may involve chaining myself to their counter. It it does so be it. The aftercare service from Apple is flawed. The place of purchase has no say in the matter and, as I found out today, this can lead to endless confusion and phone calls to the shop, Apple Aftercare Centre and Apple Customer Relations. I demanded a full refund. After an hour, neither could help. (Micro Anvika's hold music was "Stuck in the Middle with You" - very apt). If I'm going to get anywhere near to seeing my money I'm going to have to force the Shop Manager to call Apple Customer Relations direct. It could get messy.

Update Time! Today, Quicktime was updated to version 6.4, iTunes to 4.1 and iPod Software to 2.1. You can now record sound and store photos on it. That's if you have the right hardware add-on.

Pictures: ©Apple

A new iPod ad has just broke in the States. It follows the look of the new posters and magazine ads (and also the Mac Bore mast as seen at the top of this page) and features music by the Black Eyed Peas (AAARRRRGGGHHHH! Somebody tell they to SCRAM!). I'm so glad they got rid of those all singing, all dancing buffoons in the last ads. As you can see below, they've blacked out the dancers this time (v. cool) and we don't hear them sing. The 'I like big butts' twat wasn't cool, just cringe-inducing. Expect to see the new ad here soon.

Picture: ©Apple

Pods Reunited. Well not exactly. Twenty-one days since that fateful day, I am now in possession of a working iPod again. Not a repaired iPod but a replacement. Whilst I'm on the subject, my mother-in-law is in the States at the moment, so I've asked her to try and get me an iTrip. I'll be breaking the law if I use it this side of the pond but who cares? It's too cool a gadget not to.

iPod Repair Status: Ready to ship.
Wooo Hoooo! And it's a Friday!! There is a God!!!

Panther Party time! A few Apple Resellers will be putting on 'a bit of a do' to celebrate the launch of the new OS, so says a Macworld UK article. The Square Group on North Oxford Street will be opening it's store at 7pm on 24th October ready to sell Panther to early adopting Mac Bores (yup, I'll be there along with real people who actually work at Apple UK). Something similar will happen at the Computer Warehouse in Brentford and KRCS in Nottingham, Leeds and Birmingham..
Bring a bottle!

Panther is coming!

24th October it is then. Another OS X update. Another £100 to pay. This time I'll probably wait until after the first update is released before I upgrade. That is, unless Apple's marketing hasn't persuaded me otherwise before that day comes. Also iCal has been updated to v1.5.1 (Information drawer replaces palette) and iSync has reached v1.2.1 (it's now compatible with even more mobiles). What a busy day.

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Bad News for UK iTunes users: We're going to have to wait until May 2004 for the Euro Music Store. Boo, Hiss!! (MacRumors report)
Good News for US Windows users: The PC version of the iTunes Music Store is almost certainly ready for release. It could be out as soon as 16th October. Double Boo, Hiss! (MacRumors report)

Completely new iBooks are rumoured to be ready for this Christmas. The consumer notebook will take on a different form to the '2001: Space Odyssey' look first seen in (yes) 2001 (I was never that fond of the shiny white plastic - it got dirty too easily). Rumour has it that they'll sport Airport Extreme, faster RAM, faster processors, Bluetooth inside, USB 2.0 and the new Panther system pre-installed. Read the full article on AppleInsider.

Also, Mac OS 10.3 Panther is now at Gold Master stage. This means that it could be out sooner than first expected. Have you seen it? It's bloody smart as plums!

iPod Repair Status: Hold - Awaiting Part.
C'mon, don't hang around waiting for an old 30GB drive. Just put a 40GB drive in there. Or send me a new one. Why keep a good customer waiting?
...Stingy bastards.

It's back! No not my iPod (that's waiting for a new part), I'm talking about the Mac OS X 10.2.8 update. Just have a look at your Software Updater. They should've ironed out the ethernet problems this time. It also includes an update for Safari. Get the info at the Apple Support page here. Oh well. Here goes...

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I've just been to the Smart Car site and spotted the centre console of thier special edition iPod car. It looks very 'smart'. I wouldn't mind one in my Punto.

The guys at Think Secret have discovered a job posting on the Apple web site, looking for a Hotspot Evangelist in Uxbridge. The primary purpose of this role is to raise the profile in the marketplace of AirPort," the description reads. "... Achieving this by coordinating the opening of WiFi Hot Spots in high profile places, which Apple will support.". Mmm, an interesting proposition.

It looks like ITV's This Morning will, most likely, be receiving a letter from the ITC in the next few days. For once again, a shaft of sunlight shone from Steve Jobs' arse and fell upon Stephen Fry. Being interviewed by Fern and Schofield about his new film Bright Young Things he digressed onto the subject of the iPod. Is he paid to do this? Not on your nelly! He just loves to enthuse all things Apple. Where's the harm in that?

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My comatosed iPod arrived safely at the repair centre in Amsterdam at 8:30 this morning. Phew!