The software updates for today continue with Final Cut Pro, updated to version 5.1.3 (about 42MB).
Final Cut Pro 5.1.3 is a maintenance release that resolves performance and other issues.
Render File Compatibility
Render files created on both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macintosh computers
now work properly on either type of computer.
Keyboard Layout Issues Resolved
Final Cut Pro 5.1.3 adds several commands to the default keyboard layout that were
missing in the previous version.
Issues with Cross Dissolves in Nested Sequences Resolved
Final Cut Pro 5.1.3 resolves cases in which cross dissolves did not work as expected in
nested sequences containing still images with adjusted motion parameters.
For the complete information about FCP updates:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Final_Cut_Pro_5.0_lbn_z.pdf
IBM unveiled its eDRAM, an evolution of DRAM aimed to boost performance of chips. It works by swapping out most of the static random access memory (SRAM), used to store information directly on computer chips and integrating onto the chip another kind of memory, known as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). SRAM is a fast memory but it is part of the processor chip, making it difficult to extend its capacity at will. DRAM is the most common memory type found in our computer on separated modules, but its access times are slower than SRAM.
What IBM has achieved, is the get the best of both RAM types to create a DRAM almost as fast as the SRAM while being physically separated from the chip. They named it embedded DRAM, or eDRAM, while being off the chip, it will boost the performance of multiple core calculating engines and will be particularly interesting for graphics rendering and movement calculation in gaming and other multimedia applications.
IBM expects to integrate this technology to its server chips beginning of 2008, and from then extend it to its entire line of products. One can also imagine that IBM will license out this technology to GPU designers.
If one can still find some Core Duo-based models on the RefurbStore, it also offers now all Core 2 Duo-based hardware. But as usual, pay attention, and do not select by default the model with the highest discount; always take into accounts the amount of RAM installed, CPU type and performance, GPU and installed VRAM, etc. The shortest way to the
Refurb Store near you.
The software updates for today continue with one for Java, available for Panther and Tiger (the update is substantial, weighing in at 82.1 Mb).
Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 5 adds support for the latest Daylight Saving Time (DST) and time zone information as of January 8, 2007, and delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 and Java 1.4 on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and later. This release updates J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_07, Java 1.4 to version 1.4.2_12 and improves SWT compatibility for J2SE 5.0.
For more details on this Update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304586
A small surprise update for daylight savings time has been made available on Software Update (version 1.0, 9.2 Mb).
The Daylight Saving Time Update for Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server addresses recent changes in the way Daylight Saving Time will be observed in the U.S. and Canada beginning in March 2007 and includes the latest time zone information for the rest of the world.
For more information about this update, see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305056
The 2nd security update of 2007 has been released. This one is available for Tiger (Intel & PPC) and Panther, and as usual it is available via Software Update (4.5 Mb).
Security Update 2007-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:
CoreServices
iChat
UserNotificationCenter
For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798
