News for Tuesday, 19 July 2005

Here's a reader who works in a maintainance centre for Apple.

After I had to take care of a few G5 iMacs, I came to notice a detail that might result in a problem.
On the venting circuit for the G5 by heatsink entrance, composed of copper
wings that are distant from each other of a few mm, the dust will aggregate in quantities that may suffice to obturate the heatsink venting circuit.
As the air won't enter as well the fan will turn faster.
It's an issue I dealt with on older G5 iMacs series.

Frequent opening and cleaning might be in order.

The MDD G4s tend to go very hot. In summer, it might result in overheatings and KPs. Readers from Xlr8yourmac managed to cool their CPUs by software means. To do so, you first have to d/l version 3.5.2.of CHUD Tools ( ftp://ftp.apple.com/developer/...CHUD_3.5.2.dmg )
Then install them. In system preferences, a new "CPU" panel will show. Open hit and hit the button that activates NAP mode. David, an English speaking reader sent us the following capture.

You'll see that the NAP mode allows the CPUs to heat less when they're not sollicitated much.
Beware though as CHUD tools do not allow to activate NAP since version 4. You will also have to have installed developer tools for CHUD to install.

Another update for an Apple Authoring software.

DVD Studio Pro 4.0.2 Update addresses isolated stability issues. Most significant areas addressed are:
- Font size in PAL templates
- Menu duplication when Text Objects are active
- Simulation of long PAL MPEG2 stream with MP3 audio
- Isolated issue with recognition of certain media
For additional info related to DVD Studio Pro 4, visit: http://www.apple.com/fr/finalcutstudio/dvdstudiopro/
For DVD Studio Pro technical assistance, follow the link hereafter: http://www.apple.com/fr/support/dvdstudiopro/index.html

Thanks to Anthony for this info
Up today, the USB cable shipping with the Sony Ericsson K750i was not really useful for Macusers running Tiger. If the connection was not a problem, the memory stick located into the K750i mounts without problem on the desktop, but unmounting it or disconnecting the USB cable generate every time a kernel panic.
This problem is now solved thanks to K750iGrabber. You will be asked to reboot your computer.
After installing this small application, it will become possible to mount and unmount the K750i memory stick before disconnecting it. One can now use it to recover photos via iPhoto via the USB, a faster way than Bluetooth.
Après installation, il devient enfin possible de monter puis démonter sans encombre le memory stick avant de déconnecter le K750i. On peut donc enfin récupérer ses photos, via iPhoto, par l'USB, et assurer des transferts de gros fichiers plus rapidement que par le Bluetooth.

Engadget has published couples of photos which should be the iPhone.

According to their source, this phone should have in Motorola catalog the reference number/model E790.
Well, this phone is real!! It really exists in Motorola database! It is not official, but almost. Warning: we are not sure that it is indeed the iPhone but from official docs, it has plenty of features which turn it into the best candidate.
Every manufacturer has to release the RDF file, also named UAProf, that contents the description and the technical specifications of the mobile phone.
And the E790 already has its RDF file!!
http://motorola.handango.com/phoneconfig/e790/Profile/e790.rdf
A couple of details from its specifications:
- the processor: ARM7TDMI-S.
- it can play/decode multiple audio format: MP3, WMA, AAC and MIDI.
- it can play/decode multiple video format: ASF, mp4, 3gpp, real, WMV.
- It is Java compatible
The most important point is probably the ARM processor rather oversized for a standard mobile phone (this processor can be clocked up to 133MHz). So, one can expect that with such a processor this phone will have quite a lot of feature in addition to simply phone or listen AAC files...

Last Saturday, we were talking about the Optimus keyboard.



Even if it is still at the prototype level, it is already a success.
In an interview to Primo Technology, its designer provides additional info:
- USB2 and maybe Firewire keyboard
- it could integrate an external power supply.
- it will cost between 200 and 300$.
- It should be available within one year.
Interests generated by the Optimus keyboard have proven that there ia a market for such keyboards. So, chances are quite high to see other manufacturers to release similar products as soon as possible.

The firmware 1.57 for Pioneer DVR-109 and A09 is available.

It improves the burning quality on all media and bring support for DVD+R 8x.
To download the PC version: A09 model:DVRA09_FW157EU.EXE109 model: DVRA09_FW157EU.EXE We have also prepared a version 1.57 for the Mac flasher: DVR109_FW157EU2.sit
Warning: this firmware/flasher will not work on A09 or A09-like 109 model (following a patch) You will need to reboot your computer to activate the new firmware.

Apple has definitely problems to maintain secret some info, and avoid rumors, except if it is a rumor mill "made by Apple". The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is negotiating with Music Majors to sell via the iTMS music video/ video clips which are currently offered for free with some albums.
The targeted price would be 1.99$. So one can consider that the freely available video currently available on the iTMS are part of a test period, and/or a marketing pre-launch plan.
In the WSJ article they also reports a possible iPod able to play video that should be announced in September.
so the answer will come in 2 months and 2 days at AppleExpo, and probably during the keynote. we will be there to cover this event taking place every year in Paris.

Intego has officially announced via a PR that the company is ready to deliver software/updates for Intel-based Macs.
When the first MacTel will be released, Intego will have software ready.
We do not know yet if it will be simple updates or brand news softwares, neither if it will be free for current license owners, nor will require a fee.
We have asked them and we will let you know.