News for Tuesday, 28 June 2005

A report from khanpl

Tiger is running on my iMac DV (G3 350Mhz) featuring 128MB of RAM, and no FireWire ports (despite what is claimed by Apple)! Of course it is not super fast, but I guess if I had a bit more RAM it should run faster.
Well, Apple is not totally wrong when stating that one can not install Tiger on a Firewire-less iMac (the display freeze 3 minutes after installation from the DVD; according to my own test).
What I have done to make it running: I have installed a HD (originating from a Firewire enclosure HD used to backup my iBook's HD.), and the iMac booted straight from the new HD without any probems!

The reason of such behavior: Tiger is checking hardware compatibility only during installation. Once installed (on a supported hardware), it boots on FireWire-less G3-based iMac as well as on computers featuring only 64MB of RAM. But for sure Apple did not test Tiger on those computers.
If you have an even older computer such as a G3 Beige, or a computer with a G3/G4-based upgrade card, XPostFacto 4 can help you to install Tiger on your computers.
To conclude, Apple's License Agreement states that one should have one license per computers. Apple is proposing a Family Pack including 5 licenses for 199 Euros.

Available via the sofware upate panel:

iPod Updater 2005-06-26 includes new iPod Software 1.2 for iPod with color display, new iPod software 3.1 for iPod with Click Wheel and new iPod software 1.4 for iPod mini. iPod Updater 2005-06-26 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2005-03-23 for all other iPod models.
What’s New in iPod Updater 2005-06-26
Integration with iTunes 4.9 for downloading and listening to podcasts

This iPod updater is quite heavy for those not having access to fast internet connection: 29.3MB!

Thomson has released for Mac users running Tiger the software update for its SpeedTouch modem. the new drivers (including a new installer) can be downloaded on the official SpeedTouch site.
The SpeedTouch ST330 modem was not working anymore with tiger, except with the hack developed by MacADSL since version 10.4.

Microsoft and Toshiba have announced their collaboration for the HD-DVD format. Thanks to cross-licensing, both companies will collaborate and gain from partner expertise. So, after announcing that the video format of the HD-DVD will be based on WMV, they are planning to develop portable HD-DVD player running on Windows CE. In addition, a rumor is spreading that now the Xbox360 could support HD-DVD.
It is clear that Toshiba is trying its best to keep the battle up with Blu-Ray consortium, especially due to the Playstation 3 which will include a Blu-Ray drive. Officially, apple is supporting the Blu-Ray video format. the fact that being with HD-DVD format would have implied supporting Microsoft proprietary video format might has been already enough reason for Apple to join Blu-Ray.

An updated product is now available on the AppleStore but might have been missed by many users:
It is now possible to have a Radeon X800XT as BTO for any PMG5 (except for the PMG5 SP 1.8GHz which is still available on some AppleStore worldwide).
The graphic card cost 349euro when replacing a Radeon 9650, and 399 Euro when being exchanged with a Radeon 9600.

As usual with AppleStore update, something happened, and it was possible to see at least one of the potential new products introduced today: the new iPod.

Say welcome to color display.
iPod on the Apple Store when it will be re-opened.
[update] AppleStore are opened.
Apple has renamed the iPod Photo as iPod and removed the original music-only iPod.
It makes it easier for buyers, clear choices.

Labon says:

I have found http://digitalhominid.apesseekingknowledge.net/?q=node/5 a method allowing you to slim down your Mail2 folder to the size it was before upgrading to Tiger.
I have tested it and it works fine, not a glitch and my ~/Library/Mail folder went from 200MB to 100MB, juste like it was under Panther/Mail1
The trick: erasing the Mail 1.x format mailboxes and indexes that Mail 2 DOES NOT DELETE when it converts your mailboxes to the Mail2 format (individual file for each email vs one file per mailbox in Mail 1.x)

[moose: I tried it too and I was healed and now the girls love me and I drive a Ferrari. Well, ok, not exactly but it did work without a problem].

Le Figaro announced that the iPhone was about to be launched (refer to our previous news). We then tried unsuccessfully to find some information about this device in iTunes 4.8.
Of course, we did the same with iTunes 4.9 and... Bingo!

It is clearly mentioned a phone device as well as Motorola.
iTunes 4.9 also includes a new feature concerning the video: "VideosParty"
Up to you to guess what this new feature is before Apple do it!
[UPDATE] Macprime also discovered the iPhone's icon in iTunes:

[UPDATE 2] Now, Consomac discovered this:


We then know that the included memory capacity is 555 Mb.

Available through S.U. :

With iTunes 4.9, you can now browse and subscribe to podcasts from within the iTunes Music Store. Podcasts are frequently updated radio-style shows downloadable over the Internet. You can also transfer podcasts to iPod, for listening on the go.

As of 2AM PST (the time here on the US West Coast), there is no Podcast section on the iTMS. Apple is probably waiting for an announcement or official release later this morning.
There appears to be no other changes to iTunes whatsoever.
[edited by Nate]

Our readers in the UK will be delighted to learn that the English Refurb Store offers several G5 models with pretty good discounts.
(The indicated rebate percentage is based on the original selling price of the G5 model in question, so it's important to compare carefully with the price of a similar model in the current lineup).
Click on the link to visit the refurb store for UK customers and support Hardmac.com: Refurb Store