Monday July 23, 2007

- iPod Shuffle 2G Clones on eBay - Lionel - 09:24:56

In March we were reporting about photos of on-going projects to manufacture iPod Shuffle 2G clones, sent by one of our sources.



Such counterfeited iPod Shuffles are now on eBay.



This clone features 1GB storage space and as the original one it is available in 4 colors. The price is of course much cheaper, 29€TTC. But as indicated by the specification, it does not support itunes, neither AAC, etc.
So if you know a bit what you are looking for you should identify a counterfeited product, but eBay should quickly react as it might not please Cupertino.

[translation by Linathael]

- Ask.com to better Protect your Identity? - Lionel - 09:10:06

Source : TGdaily

Ask.com is a relatively unknown search engine which is a simple as Google, while providing results as efficiently as Google. To increase its exposure, Ask.com decided to communicate about the current discussion around Google's decision to store your personal data for long time periods while trying to ensure users that it will remain anonymous. Google might start to be in serious trouble as the European Union authorities started complaining about such policy and might push Google to cease it.

A new tool entitled Ask Eraser will allow visitors to perform online searches anonymously, while Google is storing information on its servers (2 years + 2 additional years if you keep using the search engine); and nobody really knows what Google is doing with entire logs.

This decision from Ask.com looks like a small step backwards in the current tendency of a more controlled and supervised internet usage making rights of users for anonymous and privacy not allows respected. The help of the EU is more than welcome when some states try to adopt "Big Brother"-like policies.

[translation by Linathael]

- SATA Compact Flash - Lionel - 08:58:13

The CompactFlash Association announced formation of a new working group to develop a specification for CompactFlash card with SATA interface. The goal is to reach faster transfer speed than (theoretical) 133MB/s currently available with the PATA interface. CompactFlash cards are currently available up to 32GB with sustained data rates of 40MB/s. No dates are currently available, and one would need years before seeing the first result of such announcement as consumer electronics' manufacturers will have to adopt this new interface to make it viable.

[translation by Linathael]

- What is Wrong with Apple's Engineers/Developers? - Lionel - 08:56:32

Couple of days after reporting several issues due to Apple-released updates: the Airport problem affecting MacBook following 10.4.10 update, QuickTime 7.2, SuperDrive Firmware killing optical drives, this is now the MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 which is creating problems. Unlike other issues, Apple immediately published a technnote about it.

Motion unexpectedly quits after MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0
When running Motion (included with Final Cut Studio) after installing MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 on a MacBook Pro 2.2 or 2.4 GHz computer, Motion may unexpectedly quit.

Products affected
Motion 2
Motion 3
MacBook Pro (2.4/2.2 GHz)


Solution
You can use Motion with a MacBook Pro (2.4/2.2 GHz) computer, but you should avoid installing MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 on the computer. If you have already applied this update, perform an Archive & Install installation of Mac OS X using the discs which were included with the computer. After reinstalling Mac OS X, reinstall Final Cut Studio.

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.

In summary, do not apply the MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0 to your Santa Rosa MacBook Pro (2.4/2.2 GHz) if you are using FCP or depending on Motion, as the current fix will be quite time-consuming: Reinstall OS X and FCP...
As we already reported it couple of months ago, Apple is clearly suffering from a lack of internal engineers and developers who after being dedicated to the iPhone, are now fully concentrating on Leopard, while they have to fix some bugs in the current OS X 10.4.10. Apple needs to strengthen its resources in this area, but it will take some times till Mac users can benefit of new recruited coders in Cupertino (training, gaining experience, etc.).

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple Impacted by LED Shortage - Lionel - 08:52:08

Source : Apple Insiders

Mac users expecting to purchase a LED-based display MacBook Pro 15" have probably already noticed it, the shipping date for such models is significantly longer than for other models. You will not be able to buy it from Apple resellers or Apple Centers, they are all out of stocks. This is particularly true for the entry level model sporting a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, with an expected shipping date of 7 to 10 days.
The reason would be a shortage of 15" LED-based backlighting. It might become a major issue for Apple as August and September are usually an important purchasing period as students and future students are usually buying their notebook for the next college or university year.

[translation by Linathael]