Wednesday May 30, 2007

- Exclusive: The iPhone in Europe - Lionel - 19:57:49

We have obtained information from reliable sources concerning the future of the iPhone in Europe. Those information are reliable enough to publish them.
For Europe, Apple is still negotiating with Orange and Vodafone for being the european carrier(s). It seems that discussion with Orange are going well and only 2 points remain to be clarified before leading to a final agreement. The first one is related to the price of the iPhone in Europe: Apple wants 700€/unit(around US$1,000) which is quite expensive for a smart phone, even a revolutionary model. Based on this price, Orange could offer it for 500€ with a 2-years subscription package. For sure, it will probably be the most expensive smartphones in Orange's catalog.
For the second point, and the most critical one, Apple wants the selected carrier to purchase a huge number of iPhones prior its launch. If Vodafone seems to be potentially able to agree, Orange does not want to sign a 9-digits check without further insurance. Indeed, the European iPhone is not ready yet, as it will support 3G, but Apple is currently facing problem with its 3G chip as it compromises the battery lifetime of the 3G iPhone. If Quanta seems to have already been selected for manufacturing the 3G iPhone, all steps required before the launch of the long-rumored Apple-branded phone in Europe are still not completed yet.


[translation by Linathael]

- iTunes 7.2 Released for iTunes Plus: DRM-Free Music Tracks on iTS - Lionel - 09:54:52

iTunes 7.2 is available and can be downloaded and installed via Software Update preferences, or from Apple Support download webpage.

With iTunes 7.2, preview and purchase iTunes Plus music—new higher-quality, DRM-free music downloads from participating music labels.

As we announced it yesterday, EMI and Apple engineers have finished to deploy the new EMI DRM-free catalog on the iTunes Store before the end of the month.

[translation by Linathael]

- How Faster Are the New MacBooks? - Lionel - 09:48:28

MacSpeed compared the new MacBook Core 2 Duo with the previous version. Without a big surprise, the 2.16GHz C2D model is 8% faster than the previous 2.0GHz C2D-based version. The only major difference is the increased performance level recorded for the HD: 25-27% faster. Taking into account that the HD is the major limiting factor for notebooks, it illustrates how you can quickly speed up your notebook by changing its HD, and thanks to Apple such operation is really easily done.

[translation by Linathael]

- Another iPhone Clone: CECT P168 - Lionel - 09:47:57

The Chinese website Phonedaily published a report on an iPhone clone.



On the photo you can see the iPhone-like clone on the left, while the original model is on the right. If esthetically both models are similar, the iPhone clone lacks the revolutionary touch screen. Nevertheless, the GUI of the iPhone clone has been adapted as much as possible to resemble the iPhone (especially for icons)



If this phone is clearly a copy of the iPhone, it will unfortunately most likely end up on eBay entitled as an iPhone.

[translation by Linathael]

- Security Update for QuickTime - Lionel - 09:47:01

A security update for QuickTime is available and can be downloaded and installed via Software Update preferences, or from Apple Downloads. It fixes 2 security issues which could lead to arbitrary code execution or disclosure of sensitive information.
For additional information: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305531-en

[translation by Linathael]

- Pioneer Launches its SATA-based 18x DVD Burner - Lionel - 09:46:33

Source : CDR Info

Pioneer has officially unveiled its first 18x DVD burner based on SATA format, DVR-S12. It should arrive in Japanese shops in the coming days and its performances should be similar to the DVR-112 (PATA, DVD±R media at 18x, DVD±R DL at 10x, DVD+RW at 8x, DVD-RW at 6x DVD-RAM at 12x, CD-R at 40x, and CD-RW at 32x).



Such drive can only be installed in a Mac Pro, thank to its 2 free internal SATA ports located on the motherboard. Performance wise, there is no difference with the PATA-based model as the ATA is not saturated by data speed rate for burning DVD at 18x. The advantage is mainly linked to the use of thinner SATA wires as compared to the large flat ATA one. Ultimately it should reduce impact of connecting cables on the cooling air flows in the Mac Pro.

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple to Consumers: Do Not Purchase Audiobooks - Lionel - 09:44:55

Source : iPod Lounge

From a couple of days, Apple is facing problems with some audiobooks available on the iTunes Store. Cupertino has confirmed that some recently released audiobooks will not properly play on iPods. If the audiobooks will play with iTunes, the file will refuse to play on iPod.
While working on a fix, Apple recommends iPod owners not buy audiobooks still the issue is solved.


[translation by Linathael]