News for Tuesday, 24 October 2006

We should soon see the successor of the GMA950 in our MacBook and Mac mini, the name of this next generation Intel IGP is GMA3000.
Thanks to pazoo, we have learned that Phoronix has published the first benchmarks of the GMA3000.
Tests have been performed on Linux, with non finalized drivers, but the comparison with a Radeon X300 SE gives a good idea of the real performance of this integrated graphic processor. In summary, the GMA3000 seems to be 2 to 4 times faster than the GMA950, and Intel is also having a boosted version of the GMA3000, aka GMA X3000. Let's see what will be the performance with more advanced drivers.

Our month partner, www.yourmacstore.com, has launched a special offer for Mac Edition graphic cards:

Special Price, Video cards:
- nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL 256MB $399.95
- nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT DDL 256MB $349.95
- ATI Radeon X800 XT Mac Edition 256MB $319.95
- ATI Radeon 8500 Mac Edition 64MB $99.95

The new MacBook Pro are now powered by the Core 2 Duo Merom (http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/)
Three models are available, 2 15" respectively sporting a 2.16GHz or 2.33GHz Merom, as well as a 17".
A small revolution in Apple's history, the MB Pro based on the Merom clocked at 2.33GHz are shipped with already 2GB of RAM!!, while the low-end model, 2.16GHz, comes with 1GB of RAM.
Storage capacity of HDs ranges from 120GB to 200GB as a BTO.

MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.16 GHZ Core 2 Duo
- 1 GB de DDR2 SODIMM (single module)
- Radeon X1600 128 MB
- HD 120 GB
- Superdrive 6x double layer
- Firewire 400 and 800
- 2 USB 2.0
1,999.00$
- MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.33 GHZ Core 2 Duo
- 2 GB de DDR2 SODIMM (two modules)
- Radeon X1600 256 MB
- HD 120 GB
- Superdrive 6x double layer
- Firewire 400 and 800
- 2 USB 2.0
2,499.00$
- MacBook Pro 17" 2.33 GHZ Core 2 Duo
- 2 GB de DDR2 SODIMM (two modules)
- Radeon X1600 256 MB
- HD 160 GB
- Superdrive 8x double layer
- Firewire 400 and 800
- 3 USB 2.0
2,799.00$

Shortest way to the store near you: Apple Store

While the AppleStore is closed for preparing the arrival of new models, the RefurbStore is once more filled up with tons of models: from the iMac Core Duo, all MacBook Pro models, Mac Pro to PMG5 Quad.
Except if you really need a PMG5, avoid it since Apple will not update Pro-applications to benefit of a quad-core computers
The shortest way to the RefurbStore near you: here

All AppleStores are now closed, preparing the arrival of new models, probably MacBook Pro, and potentially MacBook.
As we mentioned it before the modification of the shipping data of MB Pro was probably a hint that the revision was just around the corner.

Here's a double 2.0 news! Sure you've already tested the beta versions of Skype and Firefox 2.0. Well they've just gone final.
While Firefox's new features are not flabbergasting ones (anti-phishing filters, spell checking), the alternate browser amongst alternate browsers really seems to have reached a worthy maturity. It's altogether visualy nicer, more intuitive, cleaner, faster and less bugged (although we'll have to wait a bit in order to be sure about that one). A very good browser that'll make Internet surfing more comfortable.
As for Skype, the long expected big feature has eventually come to be integrated in its Mac version: videoconference. The look and feel is also "very Mac". Developers have taken their time and now provide us a really polished piece of software. If you will lile trying, don't forget that the quality will be improved if you use headphones, or even a headset complete with a microphone (no other choice with the Mac mini!). Any USB (or mini jack, if you use a separate microphone) headset will do.
Skype 2.0
Firefox 2.0

According to FCC documents, the future generation of Motorola RoKr mobile phone (RoKr E6) will not support iTunes anymore, and will come loaded with Real One Media Player.
So, this might be the sign of the future upcoming iPhone. One can imagine that Apple will not give a license for iTunesStore compatible mobile phones to third parties if Cupertino has decided to release an iPod-based phone.
In addition, the iTunes support in Motorola RoKr is only restricted to US market, the recently launched Razr V3i does manage Fairplay DRM AAC music tracks, but it is not the case for RoKr models intended for international markets.

The online music store eMusic has prided itself of having taken the second place (still far) behind the iTMS, only a few months after its launch.
eMusic is the only website where you can legally purchase any track you want from their library under the shape of DRMless mp3 files. And it makes sense: so far this is indeed the only way to hunt on Apple's grounds and attract iPod owners given that Cuppertino refuses to licence its FairPlay DRM.
The French FNAC and Virgin have also tested that kind of distribution method allowing unrestricted use. The majors have evidently understood that the only way to break Apple's monopoly (which really bugs them) is to make some concessions on security. Anyway it's better to have a customer pay for the purchase of unprotected files than to have him/her download them illegally.
If this retail method takes off, this will be a victory for the customers, for sure, but it will also be a new challenge for Apple, who has heavily relied on the the iPod hype and on its unlicenced FairPlay DRM system for the success of the iTMS. For the same price, customers will probably choose to download a track with no restrictions.