Yesterday, some users have noticed that the SSH port, they had opened, was closed during the night. It did not take long before
some users started charging Apple for having remotely locked their SSH port, even claiming that Cupertino did it on purpose to erase all hacks or modifications added to the Apple TV...
This paranoia might be an example of the internet side effect, where a non verified claim can suddenly get too much attention or excessively be exposed. We do not think that Apple will check every nights all purchased Apple TV to ensure they did not get modified.
We can expect the system loaded in the Apple TV to check regularly the integrity of files, and correct automatically authorization/permissions/rights; the SSH script could not be maintained and would be deactivated. In addition, one can also easily figure out for security reason, that the system deactivate the SSH script when the Apple TV is idle for a long time, such as overnight. To conclude, we suspect those system checks to be automated (such as a nightly cron job) as the Apple TV is not supposed to be plugged to a keyboard, nor the user supposed to run regularly disk utility or any maintenance software.
An update dedicated to the administration tools for the AirPort Base Station is available from the Apple Support website:
About AirPort Base Station Update 2007-001 for Mac
The perfect wireless solution for home, school, and business. As it blankets your space with a blazing-fast, secure wireless network, it opens up a world of possibilities for home entertainment, backups, printing, and more.
What’s New in this Version
The AirPort Base Station Update 2007-001 includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications:
- AirPort Utility
- AirPort Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow Base Stations
- AirPort Disk Utility
- AirPort Disk Agent
Note: Only previously installed software from the list above will be updated. AirPort Utility v5.1 for Mac OS X 10.4.x or later software supports the AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n, AirPort Extreme Base Station and AirPort Express Base Station.
this update seems to improve search for wireless network and access time to the station, and the Airport Utility seems to be able to check for 802.11n-dedicated update, as one would expect to see Apple releasing the firmware update corresponding to the drafted 802.11n version 2.0.
Earlier this week, we were mentioning the new Pioneer DVD burner, DVR-112, and its main feature, 18x burning speed. However we could not test it as we could not find compatible media. We finally put our hands on Verbatim DVD-R, harboring the reference MMCRG20 (18x).
Using Toast 8, we burned a complete DVD at the maximal speed. It took 7 minutes and 10 seconds from the lead-in to the lead out at 18x. To store the same amount a data at 16x, it would have taken 15 seconds more.
In summary, if the 18x burning speed is of course faster, the difference remains negligible, and beside of being a marketing argument, this faster burning speed does not provide a real improvement for user. In addition, it can only be used with some limited number of DVD media, hard to find, and more expensive than some standard 16x media.
Within a couple of years, the market for flash memory litteraly exploded. One can find NAND memory everywhere, from the USB key to the last mobile phone model. Of course adoption of this type of memory by Apple in its iPod mini and nano has massively contributed to the development of NAND. The upcoming iPhone sporting 4 or 8GB flash memory-based storage unit, as well as the expected NAND-based SSD should sustain the demand for such memory. According to Samsung, it could even lead to a shortage, and the consequent increase of prices.
It remains of course to be demonstrated if this announcement is not delivered to stress a bit the market and artificially raise the price of NAND. Other flash memory manufacturers are reported to have decreased their NAND production volume, but what would happen if a Apple is looking a for a large amount of NAND chips at a good price. For sure they will fight to secure the deal.
