News for Friday, 5 September 2003

Several sources just informed us that we should check Apple web site on next Monday. We do not know more, but you will have the complete week-end to speculate; as we will do.
Last but not least. One of our sources mentioned that one of the rumors we have published recently (in the last few days) might be wrong....

MacosXrumors jsu put online a rumor, which we could not really believe immediately: IBM could be able to produce 65nm PowerPC by the end of the year.
One of our sources just gave us some details confirming this rumor.
IBM could be close to validate the 65nm process. Mass production should start during the next 6 to 9 coming month. The 90nm process might not be used at all.
Of course, we have checked that our source was not the same that the one from MacOSXrumors.
When you think that Motorola is not able to deliver large quantities of the 0.13um 7457 G4 processor....
[Update]
We just received some supplementary info originating from different sources. Even if the 65nm process development is progressing well at IBM, there will be no 65nm G5 before a long time, probably 2005.
IBM has indeed started production of 90nm PPC970. They will use the LoK dielectric technology to solve some electrostatic problems, similar to those that Intel is facing with the Prescott.
Mass production should start end of this year with still the same goal : ready in March to deliver the new processor.
The same source confirms that there are indeed some PPC980 prototype since last May, but there are still numerous problems to solve. It should arrive roughly one year after introduction of the PPC970, so around April. What is actually interesting to mention is that, if Intel continuing with the oil immersion technology for 65nm process, IBM is considering that this technique has no future, and is trying different possibilities.
Even if both sources gave somehow conflicting information, it actually might be part of a plan. Indeed IBM can produce other processors than the G5 with the 65nm process. The G5 is a quite complex processor, so it must be produce using a fully validated and controlled process.

Miglia's hardware RAID 1 solution, the Mediabank HS-R, is now compatible ATA 6. Meaning that it will support hard disk with over 128GB capacity.

Tomorrow, after 2 months off-line, iPodfanatic web site will be back online.
This site was hacked in June
So do not hesitate to support them tomorrow from 18h (European time, GMT+1)
http://www.ipodfanatic.com/

Below is the official list of the DVD+R 4x compatible 8x with the Plextor DVD burner.
Mitsubishi Chemical: DTR47U1 & DTR47U5.
Ricoh:DRD-4XPC, DRV-4XPC, DRD-4XCW10, DRD-4XCW5, DRD-4XPC5, DRV-4XCW5, DRV-4XPC5.
Taiyo Yuden: DVDR+D47TY & DVDR+D47TY5P
If you are seeing in a supermarket a guy with a magnifying glass to read the reference number on DVD box, then you can conclude that he/she has bought a Pextor

SYB has looked inside MAC OS X 10.2.7.
and below is the info that he has found in iobluetooth:

Here is a zoom version of what is written in red:
The batteries in your Apple Wireless Keyboard are critically low, and the device may turn itself off at any time. Please replace the batteries as soon as possible.
and
The batteries in your Apple Wireless Mouse are critically low, and the device may turn itself off at any time. Please replace the batteries as soon as possible.
After this proof, this info is still considered as a [rumor] till it is made official by Apple

We know that some people at Smart (auto manufacturer created by Mercedes and Swatch) loves Apple. Hereafter is an additional proof.
Smart is going to launch a limited edition (100 cars), the Smart i-move, which will include an iPod. Apple is of course a partner for this special operation, without being the initiator.



To download the Quicktime VR file:
i-move-1400ko.mov.sit (1,3 Mo)
PS: Macplus has received and published this info on-line before us.

Thanks to Aurelien for the info.
Apple proposes to .Mac users to test the beta version of Backup2.
This version increases the number of usable peripheries:
- non Apple Cd and DVD player/burner,
- external hard drive (and iPod),
- network drive....

We just received the xBench test results of a 1.8GHz G5 running MacOSX 10.3 (last beta version)
The computer being identical to Mickael's one from which we got the results under 10.2.7 yesterday, we have just put the results side-by-side for easier comparison. Results with 10.3 are on the right columns


the new OS seems to give a real boost in terms of speed and performance!
The user interface test which defines how fast is the user interface under MacOSX is dramatically increased. We might be able to enjoy again a speed similar to the one we had under MacOS9 :)

Following a marketing study conducted with 20,000 young peoples (age ranging from 13 to 35 years old), Apple appears to be one of the most appreciated brand. This probably due to the iPod, iTMS and the G5. Apple is ranked first for the product design category. The author of this poll mentions that young peoples are attracted by Apple essentially because most of their favorite stars are using Apple products (numerous shoots of iPods in music video clips for example).
for more info : this articleì