News for Wednesday, 19 January 2005

Report from Arno

...I own an iPod 2G since 2 and a half year, and I have been using it with an iMac DV. A few times I have realized than the iPod could become quite hot when I was listening music from it while reloading its battery; but so far no problem.
When in September I replaced my Mac with a PowerMac G5 then problems started... after several hours of music played from the computer while having the iPod connected to it, the iPod has started to be noisy, quite a strange noise. From that time, this noise was generated every time I was plugging it to the computer and that the iPod surface was getting hot... and it was getting worst and worst. So I got used to unplug it when it was getting too hot...up to few days ago when I did it, and that I heard a "clac", then ... nothing else, frozen display on the iPod... rebooting the iPod shows me the "sick iPod sign"...it was dead...
Few hours later, I make a test, and miracle it turns on, and except its problem of noise and overheating when connected to the computer it was still working fine, not a single music track lost!
Then I remember the problem faced by PMG5 users with their FireWire ports... so I did a test... I plugged my iPod via the FW400 of my External HD 'ICE FW800), and..; no problem!! it does not really heat up anymore, even after hours being connected, and no more noise.

We have published this report to remind you to be careful with the FireWire port from a PMG5 which is delivering a voltage higher than usual. So avoid plugging an iPod and using it as an HD when you are reloading its battery; at least not for a long period. This overheating phenomenon can lead to HD failure as well as a decrease of the battery lifespan/capacity.

One could have though that with its Prescott Intel had reached the maximal thermal limit with the 100W barrier reached...
Wrong! They have successfully “exploded” their own previous record with a prototype of their future bicore processor, the SmithField. In documents distributed to developers and integrators, it is required to plan a heat exhausting system able to manage...130W! And when fully loaded, this processor will probably release even more heat. Its maximum power requirement could reach 125A.
In those conditions, how to plan computers which will not be simply pure noisy machine...maybe soon one will need ears protection to work with an Intel-based computer.
Once IBM will be ready with the PowerPC bicore, then Apple will be well prepared with the current liquid-based cooling system already used in the PowerMac G5 Dual 2.5GHz.

Available through the S.U. panel

Compatibility with Audio Units and other formats
Track Automation
Control Surfaces
Various further improvements

Note: The update improves compatibility with a number of Audio Units plug-ins. Your Audio Units plug-ins will be rescanned the first time Logic Express 7.0.1 is launched.

The Logic Express 7.0.1 Update is highly recommended for all users of Logic Express 7. An existing Logic Express 7 installation is required for this update to take effect.

This update weighs in about 8.3MB for Logic Express, and 15.36MB for Logic.

We have just been informed that PowerBooks as well as eMac Superdrive have been declared "End of Life" at the FNAC (largest multimedia consumer shop in France).
This means that once machines in stock have been sold; there will not be any new shipment for the same ordering number.
PS: this is not a rumor, simply a fact. We let you draw your own conclusions.

The new site http://www.mactuning.com/ offers a multi IO PCI card that has quite a lot of appeal.

2 external Firewire 400 ports, 2 USB 2 ports and Gigabit Ethernet. Internally, it offers one Firewire and USB 2 ports.
The card has been tested on several machines. These details are available on their webpage. It sells for 99 euros + S&H. Payment via Paypal.