Monday October 08, 2007
- "Made for iPhone" to be Introduced Soon - Lionel - 22:51:08
As the iPhone features the Apple Universal Dock from the iPods, it should be compatible with most iPod accessories already available (such as Drive+Play from Harman Kardon).
However, it is often required to turn off the phone function to avoid interference, your iPhone becomes then an iPod Touch. New peripherals and accessories will soon be released specifically for the iPhone ("Made for iPhone"), and should let users to keep the phone function on.
[translation by Linathael]
- iPod Classic and Nano Update 1.0.2 - Lionel - 22:42:49
Apple released the new update without much details (only available from the software update panel), according to our sources it should improve Cover Flow and speed up navigation menu options. The video output issue is reported to be fixed.
[translation by Linathael]
- QuickTime Pro: "Hello Apple? We Have a Space Problem..." - Eric - 15:14:11
Aaron, one of our readers, sent us a report about a bug in QuickTime Pro when using iPod, Apple TV, and iPhone codecs. It does appear the problem is specific to those codecs as other ones (such as Perian) did not cause any similar issue.
If you use QuickTime Pro to export files into other formats, you may have a large number of hidden temporary files on your system. The files start with .QT- and are about the same size as the original file. On my system, I erased 25GB of hidden temporary files from my Movies folder. The files were from exporting movies into iPod format using QuickTime Pro.So, you might want to check Aaron's guide as you could get some free space back on you HD. Please, Cupertino if you read those lines, think of fixing this small bug in future QuickTime pro updates.
I've created a "how-to" guide to locating and deleting these files from your system, available here: http://homepage.mac.com/aarond12/Blog20071003.html
- Additional information about the 399€ PS3 - Lionel - 09:53:12
Additional information about the 399€ PS3
Sony made it official that the new entry-level PS3 priced at 399€ (all taxes included) will be available on October 10th.
However, to avoid cannibalizing sales for higher models, this entry level PS3 will be "technically" limited:
- only two USB ports instead of four
- no memory stick slot-in
- 40GH HD only (but being a SATA format it should be simple to change it for a larger one)
- no backwards compatibility: no support for PS2 games
- no bundled games
If Sony target the Blu-ray standalone player market with this entry level PS3, especially with its HDMI output and support for 1080p, the previous entry level model PS3 is now available for 499€ instead of 599€, targeting gamers at first.
Before Christmas shopping, Sony might be willing to prepare its weapons to face the competition, mostly from Nintendo Wii than the Xbox360 as this game console suffers from important technical issues, and short lifetime.
[translation by Linathael]
- Apple Wants all High-End Xeon Penryn - Lionel - 09:50:37
According to The Inquirer, Apple might try to secure all batches of high-end ("Extreme") Xeon Penryn currently manufactured by Intel.
We already published news about such processor, this is the first flagship Xeon Penryn engraved at 45nm, clocked at 3.16GHz, featuring 4 cores/CPU and 12MB of cache. As usual with such extreme CPU, yields are low and number of available units probably small (without mention their price...). By securing such deal with Intel for all high-end Xeon Penryn, Apple might be willing to repeat the "coup" of the first Octo Core Mac Pro, which made high-end Xeon non available for other integrators during weeks.
So, we can expect in November, Mac Pro to be updated and all models to feature Octo Core, ranging for 2.0GHz for entry level to 3.16GHz for the high-end model. Prices should remain unchanged, or very similar to current ones. The graphic card to be installed in such models remains unknown, and will drivers be optimized for getting the best from those GPU?
[translation by Linathael]
- iPhone in France: to Be or not to Be - Lionel - 09:50:06
Since one week, all news networks are discussing about this topic bringing their own exclusive information about it. According to sources, the iPhone will either arrive in France from November 15th till end of the year, or never. One can read that Steve Jobs is upset due to comments from Orange Execs Didier Lombard; or it might be the 30% return from subscription asked by Apple for finalizing the deal. Some are also mentioning the French law allowing SIM locking only for a short period (6 months) and then forcing carriers to unlock mobile.
Today, between rumors and true information, it is impossible to have a clear idea of the future of the iPhone in France. One can only claim that the iPhone will come in France one of those days, but the carrier might not be Orange...
For sure, such situation fuels the grey market for the iPhone. With Apple's last iPhone firmware update; it is so far impossible to unlock the device shipped with firmware 1.1.1. The price of iPhone featuring the original firmware ("hackable") are rocketing up, while business of Bladox, the company manufacturing Turbosim, are going well: this is so far the only way to use an iPhone based on firmware 1.1.1.
[translation by Linathael]
- Battery Update 1.3 for MacBook Pro 15'': The Miraculous Update - Lionel - 09:49:41
The last battery update released by Apple for MacBook Pro 15" seems to have finally fixed most if not all issues encountered by some owners of this notebook model.
Batteries enjoy a second life, with an improved lifetime. However, the update will not fix faulty batteries, and users should contact their Apple Centers to get it replace.
Before calling Apple Support, perform a complete battery cycle, in order to reset your battery:
- Charge your battery (best with notebook turned off)
- Switch on your computer then let it run till it automatically goes into sleep due to low battery level.
- Charge your battery again (notebook turned off)
You will then know the true battery lifetime available, and have information to discuss with the Apple Support, especially for those having a battery not able to provide a sustainable capacity (notebook switch off without warning).
[translation by Linathael]
