Software Updates Galore!
Logged in to my iMac this morning and up popped up Software Update with loads of new stuff ready to hog bandwidth.

Movie HD 6.0.3
This update (71MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in iMovie HD. It also improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues.

iWeb 1.1.2
This update (23MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in iWeb.

iPhoto 6.0.5
This update (80MB) to iPhoto contains new calendar, greeting card, and postcard themes for use with Apple print services, including a variety of holiday card designs. It also addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in iPhoto.

iDVD 6.0.3
This update (7.2MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in iDVD.

GarageBand 3.0.4
This update (30MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in GarageBand.

Keynote 3.0.2
This update (2.7MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in Keynote.

Pages 2.0.2
This update (2.8MB) addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content in Pages.

Why that pesky Aperture 1.5!
(Oh yes, that was updated a few days ago. Forgot to post it up.)

Other Pro stuff has been updated too:

Logic Express Update 7.2.3
According to a brief set of release notes, Logic Express 7.2.3 (14MB) addresses performance issues when Logic Express 7 is used on Mac Pro and G5 Quad computers.

Logic Express 7.2.3 is recommended for all Mac Pro and G5 Quad users. An existing Logic Express 7.2.1 or Logic Express 7.2.2 installation is required before applying the update, Apple said.

Logic Pro Update 7.2.3
Similarly, Logic Pro 7.2.3 (25MB) addresses performance issues when Logic Pro 7 is used on Mac Pro and G5 Quad computers.

Logic Pro 7.2.3 is recommended for all Mac Pro and G5 Quad users. Again, an existing Logic Pro 7.2.1 or Logic Pro 7.2.2 installation is required for this update.

Apple also noted that Logic Pro 7.2.3 is optimized for PowerPC G4, G5 and Intel based Macs with up to 2 dual-core processors.

New iSights and AirPort Extremes coming soon...
...well that's what AppleInsider say.
I say about time too. The old 'banned' iSights are going for ridiculous prices on eBay.

You can now get free iTunes tracks without getting fat.
Diet Coke bottles with the free promotion are starting to appear on supermarket shelves. Don't drink too much of the stuff though, remember the rumours about the sweetener causing brain tumours?

Here's a preview of the new .Mac webmail interface. It works and looks just like the Mail app. Drag and drop and everything. Nice.

Lennon invented the iPod in 1968.

Just found an unread MOJO magazine (see, I don't just read Mac Mags) and found an article about some spoof historical footage on YouTube. It's by Peter Serafinowicz (voice of Darth Maul and bit-parter in Spaced). Apparently, John Lennon invented the BeatleBox when recording the Magical Mystery Tour. It's funny, I think you'll like it.

MacPro Firmware updaters available for download.
Three things:
Mac Pro (mid 2006) EFI Firmware Update 1.0, Firmware Restoration CD 1.1 and Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update.
I guess the Resoration CD is there in case the updater messes things up.
Not a sign of confidence.

iTunes artwork is as buggy as a bug.
My regular readers know that I do like to keep my iTunes artwork in order (see CoverMountedCovers for proof) so must have felt my glee when iTunes 7 was released. It has a new album artwork downloader, where as long as your ripped CD is available in the iTunes Store, the artwork will automatically be downloaded and tagged to your tracks.
This all works fine, of which I have no complaints about. All's not so rosy when you attempt to tag your own artwork (or from a Google image search) to a group of tracks. In short, it doesn't work. It used to in iTunes 6, you could select a whole album of tracks and drag a picture to the artwork window and iTunes would update each track. Very annoying.
There is a workaround though. You have to open the tracks info and drag the artwork to the well in this window.
Fingers crossed, Apple will save the day with a 0.1 update in the next few days.

BootCamp Updated to 1.1.1
Now it works on Dual Core 2 chips. Download it through Software Update.

1st iPod nano test.
...and the screen failed on the 1st drop.
Ars Technica, the people that started the 1st gen nano scratching hoo-har, have put the new mini/nano through the mill. Miraculously, it survived the washing machine test.
Here's the conclusion, for those who can't be bothered to read the whole thing:

Pros:
* Case and screen more difficult to scratch
* Battery life (24 hours)
* Increased storage capacity on high-end (8GB)
* The return of colored cases
* Headphone jack holds on tight... most of the time.
* Improved earbuds
* Lower price

Cons:
* Black nano only comes in highest-end model (and highest-end model only comes in black)
* Overall not as durable as 1st gen nano
* Some, but not all, old nano accessories are incompatible
* No software CD included

Microsoft unveils the Zune.
So the leaked photos were real, and yes they have kept the 3rd generation iPod buttons. It has got a big screen though, hasn't it?

End of Line Sale:

iPod nano: 1GB white or black, £79; 2GB, white or black, £99; 4GB, white or black, £129.

iPod: 30GB, white or black, £189; 60GB, white or black, £219.

iPod U2: £209.

All from the AppleStore.

Here are some close-up pics of the new nano from AppleInsider. In my view, it's a step back in design, too much like the mini and not enough like the 1st gen nano. But it won't scratch, bend or break as easily.

QuickTime 7.1.3 Update
...is an important release that delivers numerous bug fixes and addresses critical security issues. This update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users and is required for playback of content purchased in the iTunes Store.

See the new nano ad here.

It's Showtime!
...is now available to watch in a tiny size via Quicktime 7.

More UK AppleStores on the way.
...to make a total of nine nationwide.

...And a bit of John Legend to finish things off.

One last thing...
iTV (sneak peak)
Short Mac mini look-alike.
Streams iTunes content to your TV wirelessly.

“But there is one last thing,” said Jobs, stunning long-time Apple event attendees. “This next thing’s a little unusual for us. It’s a sneak peek for a product that will be introduced in Q1 2007.”
“We usually keep things corralled until we ship them, but we think this completes the story, so we decided to go ahead and show it to you today.” Jobs said.
“You can take a movie, download it to a computer, put it on your ipod. But what about that big flat screen TV you just bought?” asked Jobs. “You need a box to drive that big screen TV. How’s the box going to talk to the computer? Do I want to string cables throughout my house? So I’m going to talk to it using wireless network, to get the content from the computer to the box, from the box to the TV.”

Movie download in iTunes:
Buy movies from Disney, Pixar, Touchstone and Miramax
Downloads are near DVD quality
International service 2007
Same rights as shows

New iTunes 7:
New organisation feature
Album artwork downloader for all your CDs
Higher resolution of movie downloads
Gapless playback
Transfer libraries between computers using the same iTunes account

New iPod shuffle:
Tiny aluminium casing
Built-in clip
Connects to computer through headphone jack
The world's smallest mp3 player

New iPod nano:
New aluminium body
Available in anodized blue, pink, green, silver and black
24 hour battery
2, 4 & 8GB

New video iPod:
300 & 80GB
60% brighter screen
Video Playback increased from 2 hours to 3.5
New earphone (same design)
Gapless playback
Search tracks by letter
Plays games (downloadable at $4.99)
Cheaper

Just found this on MacRumors.com. Someone has the entire agenda for the Showtime event today...

• Welcoming of Media Members
• Discussion on iTunes software, iTMS integration into iTunes, and iTMS sales and facts.
• Announcement of iTunes version 7.0
• Announces better search feature for Music Store
• Announces Movie Store. Available Immediately will be movies from Disney and Pixar, among other studios.
• New iPod Nano Announcement (nice brushed casing, while it will have same features as first gen, only a longer battery life)
• New iPod Announcement (Widescreen, Bluetooth, and featuring virtual touchweel. Does not include Wi-Fi, or any other protocols)
• One More Thing....TubePort. A $99 2-piece set that includes a dongle that connects via USB to your mac, and another dongle that connects via included HD cables or regular Component cables to your TV. The movie is accessed on your Mac via an iDisk-like storage component hosted by Apple.
Jobs will then explain the pricing structure of the Movie Store. Movies will be available as either a smaller iPod-format (which will cost $9.99 per movie), or as a larger, streamed movie to be streamed to your TV via TubePort. This cost $14.99 per movie. To purchase an iPod-formatted movie and a streamed version of the same movie, it will cost you $19.99."

The iTunes Music Store is closed for refurbishment.

How exciting! I'm hoping for some sort of media streaming device that you can use as a Tivo recorder. C'mon Jobs, answer my prayers. I can't afford Sky+!

"it's showtime!" = Mr Incredible quote = deal with Disney = download Disney films in iTunes.
It all makes sense. But you need something to view them on. Please let there be a "one more thing..." moment.

iMac upgrades announced before 'special event'. Shock! Horror!

So will there be a big-screen iPod, after all?

Hot off the Press release:

"CUPERTINO, California—September 6, 2006—Apple® today announced that its entire iMac® line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac.* A new 24-inch iMac with a brilliant 24-inch widescreen display joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and iMac prices now start at just £679 (inc. VAT). Every new iMac includes a built-in iSight™ video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box; Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience; and iLife® ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.


“Every iMac—from the £679 model up through the new dazzling 24-inch widescreen model—now features blazing Core 2 Duo performance,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “And the new 24-inch widescreen iMac is the fastest, biggest and brightest iMac we’ve ever made.”


The new iMac lineup includes four models: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac, and features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor which delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous 20-inch iMac running industry standard benchmarks."

More Expo Rumours...
MacRumors.com has been told (unofficially) that the new iMac will sport a mighty 23" screen, and that they will also lauch a Movie Download service in iTunes (only in the States, i guess). Why, us Brits don't even have TV programme downloads in iTunes yet.
The nano will be redesigned with a metal body (like the iPod mini).
There'll be a 'one more thing...' moment in the media event too. How very exciting! Will it be the iPhone? AppleInsider have said the new product is 'real and ready for production'. Ooh-er.

New iMac and iPods out on the 12th.
Only rumours, but if it saves you from buying a shiny new toy a few days before they're updated, you'll thank me for it; hopefully by posting a comment on here. Surely at least one of my fans can type. Think Secret have let it slip that there will be an upgrades to nanos, 5th gen iPods and iMacs. Oh and someone somewhere ordered an Mac mini and was surprised to find the one he received had a faster Intel chip and a bigger drive than specced. So there will probably be an update to these too.