Thursday March 02, 2006

- GarageBand 3.0.1 Update - MacEnsteph - 22:28:21

Another update to the iLife 6 suite is available!
This time it's GarageBand's turn to get a slight face lift, as it is now at version 3.0.1

GarageBand 3.0.1 addresses an issue with Podcast production using the French or Finnish localized versions.

[translation by jwa]

- Test of the K790/800 - Lionel - 16:52:56

Thx to DriK for letting us know the site Mobile Review tested the K790-K800, which release we announced yesterday.
Apart from a new proprietary format memory card that will upset the brand fans, those cells seem to differ widely from those they replace.
http://www.mobile-review.com/index-en.shtml

[translation by Kalomir]

- AMD against Skype - Lionel - 16:50:42

In its version 2.0, Skype allows (just like iChat) a 10 people audio conference. To use this, you'll of course need DSL, as well as a recent Intel CPU, Core Duo, Pentium D or platform ViiV. It would bee so important that the functionality is bridled for AMD CPUs.
Of course, AMD don't like this at all, and decided to sue Skype in order to prove this limitation is artificial.
If it really is, which is probably the case, Skype will have all AMD fans turn their back on them.

[translation by Kalomir]

- Install the new version of Front Row on non-supported Macs - Lionel - 14:50:52

Andrew Escobar strikes again! He has released a new application in order to enable the installation of the last version of Front Row on non supported Macs. Especially interesting if you want to benefit of the last sharing management possibilities.
All instructions and downloading links are available on his website:
http://www.andrewescobar.com/frontrow
Nothing new with the new enabler. The procedure remains the same as the previous version. Pay attention it is not trivial to install a hack, read carefully the warnings and instructions of previous enabler versions.

[translation by Eric]

- Firmware update for Power Mac G5 SP 1.8 GHz - MacEnsteph - 14:24:11

This update (900 KB) is only dedicated to the PMG5 SP 1.8GHz model (end of 2004) running Mac OSX.4 (OS X 10.4.3 and latter). It is supposed to improve the reliability of your Power Mac G5, especially after it has been inactive for two hours.

For additional info, please visit the dedicated page on Apple Support webpage.


[translation by Eric]

- Inside the MacIntel mini - Lionel - 14:21:21

Macworld has partially disassembled the new MacIntel mini.


No big surprise: the cooling system remains the same, the chipset including the GPU is also covered by a heatsink as expected. The RAM modules are SODIMM DDR2 and easier to access than in the G4-based Mac mini.
Now there is something weird: Why Apple has kept its Airport card for the Wifi whereas Intel and its Core Duo/Centrino platform have an integrated wifi a/b/g controller available?
We still do not know if the Core Duo is soldered to the motherboard, or on a socket. We would of course prefer the latter option, at least for future upgrading.

[Update] Good news!! And definitely a really good point for the Mac mini Intel: as shown on the photo published by http://nak.journalspace.com/ the Core Duo is on a socket; so One will be able in the future to upgrade its processor. A really interesting point for hte Core solo-based model.




[update 2] A xBench test comparing a core Duo and a G4-based Mac mini indicates that the Intel-based model is twice faster than the PPC-based model. Especially for the OpenGL test, so maybe one will be able to play some 3D games with this computer; even though the OpenGL test of xBench is far to be as accurate as real 3D games benchmarks.

The Core Duo Mac mini is also able to play H.264 1080p HD video; but nothing surprising since it uses CPU. But the Core solo might have problem to play full definition 1080p HD video.


[translation by Eric]

- RefurbStore: PPC-based notebooks on sales - alex - 14:09:45

The RefurbStore is once more opened and full of PPC-based notebooks:

- iBook G4 12" 1.2 GHz : 699 Euros (taxes included)
- iBook G4 14" 1.33 GHz : 1049 Euros (taxes included)
- iBook G4 14" 1.42 GHz : 1049 Euros (taxes included)
- PowerBook G4 12" 1.5 GHz : 1296 Euros (taxes included)
- PowerBook G4 12" 1.33 GHz : 1146 Euros (taxes included)
- PowerBook G4 15" 1.67 GHz : 1455 Euros (taxes included)
- PowerBook G4 17" 1.67 GHz : 1889 Euros (taxes included)
- and the usual Xserve : 2092 Euros (taxes included)...

The easiest way to buy one of them, follow the link: Refurb store

[translation by Eric]

- Ars Technica has tested the MacBook Pro - Valentin - 12:37:44

Source : Digg

Ars Technica has put online a test of the MacBook Pro. Most awaited figure, the battery lifetime varries between 3 hours and 3 hours-and-a-half with AirPort and BlueTooth on, for a fairly intensive use. The discharging of the battery is linear, which is a sign of good quality.
They have benchmarked a MacBook Pro 1.83 GHz with a PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz and a Dell Inspiron 9100 (P4 HT 3.2GHz) running Mac OS X 10.4.4 (and Windows for Cinebench). The MacBook Pro is on equal footing with the Dell and, as expected, they're both ahead on the PowerBook.

Ars Technica

[translation by Greg]

- 50000 members for Macbidouille - Lionel - 08:50:26

Yesterday morning, Macbidouille (the original French website whom news are translated for Hardmac) was opening its doors to its 50000th member. The whole Macbidouille/Hardmac team would like to thank both websites' readers worldwide for their fidelity, and the members for their participation to the forums, be it for debating or just to get and give useful tips for the daily use of our beloved computers. We are very pleased with the forum's success. It is the proof - if one was needed - that the Mac community is lively and willing to help.
PS: of course, a big thank you to the moderators as well who skillfully keep the talks in a legal frame and take care that everybody's treated with respect.

[translation by Greg]

- iPhoto 6.0.2 Update - MacEnsteph - 00:31:46

An update to iPhoto (13.7 Mb) is available for download.
This version "resolves several minor issues with playing shared slideshows in Front Row."

[translation by jwa]

- Front Row 1.2.1 Update - MacEnsteph - 00:30:05

An update to Front Row 1.2.1 is also available for download (5.5 Mb).
This update "improves compatibility with iTunes and iPhoto sharing."

[translation by jwa]

- Security Update 2006-001 - MacEnsteph - 00:27:16

A security update is now available via Software Update which updates a number of components.

Security Update 2006-001 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

apache_mod_php
automount
Bom
Directory Services
iChat
IPSec
LaunchServices
LibSystem
loginwindow
Mail
rsync
Safari
Syndication

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798

[translation by jwa]

- iTunes 6.0.4 Update - MacEnsteph - 00:24:35

Apple has released an update to iTunes (18.7 Mb) via Software Update.
This release fixes "stability and performance issues related to Front Row."

With iTunes 6, you can preview, buy, and download over 3,000 music videos and hit TV shows on the iTunes Music Store and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go. To watch purchased videos, you must have QuickTime 7.0.3 or later and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

iTunes 6.0.4 addresses stability and performance issues related to Front Row.

Note: After purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store with iTunes 6 or later, you will also need to upgrade your other computers that purchase music from the iTunes Music Store to the latest version of iTunes.

[translation by jwa]