Thursday March 20, 2008

- RAW Support for digital cameras update - MacEnsteph - 19:14:55

Apple has just released a software update to improve RAW picture support in Aperture 2 and iPhoto '08, for digital cameras (version 2.0)

This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

-Hasselblad CFV-16
-Hasselblad H3D-31
-Hasselblad H3D-31II
-Leaf Aptus 54S
-Leaf Aptus 65S
-Nikon D60
-Olympus E-3
-Pentax *ist DL2
-Pentax *ist DS2
-Pentax K100D Super
-Sony DSLR-A200
-Sony DSLR-A350

The update is, as usual, available through the Software Update panel.

[translation by xavier]

- The new RAID cards no longer sports a soldered wire - Lionel - 15:10:10

Last month we spoke about the RAID cards where Apple has added a soldered wire by hand.


José, a reader living in Canada, has just received a RAID card. This card, the latest version, no longer has this extra wire soldered to it.
Thus Apple has redesigned the PCB since the first series of cards.
We will soon publish the tests of the RAID card, having succeeded in using it on a Mac Pro rev 1 and having obtained better results than we expected.
Note however - that if you install a card RAID in your machine, you will lose the possibility of deep sleep mode.

[translation by crispin]

- Intel wants to bring internet to the boondocks - Lionel - 15:00:23

Source : Dailytech

Those who live far from towns know it well. To obtain a decent Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth requires one to combat with providers who are reluctant to invest since it is impossible for them to show a profit.
This situation affects several million people in France and a larger number in the US.
To develop this still stammering market, Intel has announced a new WiFi system with the name of CCP for rural connectivity platform.
The system will provide an internet connection that can reach 6.5 Mbits/s over a distance of 100 Km. Intel prefers to guarantee the performance of this platform only to 50 Km.
The installation will cost 1000$ and will permit, for example, internet to be brought to the centre of a village before being shared with the inhabitants using other methods of connection.

[translation by crispin]

- Western Digital markets drives with 320GB platters - Lionel - 08:22:49

Western Digital announced in late January the production of platters of 320GB for 3,5" disks.They just started marketing products using these platters.
They are simply made, and are replacing the old disks of 250 and 500 gigabytes with 320 and 640 GB respectively without a significant increase of cost.
Both of these capacities represent the bulk of their sales both in the trade and as OEMs.
One can expect that soon enough the discs 750 and 1 Go will follow the same path and will be replaced by products of 980 GB and 1.3 TB
Note that in contest for the most extensive capacity per platter, Samsung still holds the lead with 334 GB per platter, which allows them to offer the F1 with only 1 to 3 plateaus.
The disc manufacturer have rushed ahead to increase capacity. They are forced by competition between them to reduce prices (1 TB disk sells for around € 200), but they must also make grea advances in order to delay the emergence of SSD drives.

[translation by jeremy]

- iTunes forever ? - Kalomir - 08:07:00

Source: "Screens" / "Liberation"

Even if the news is already out, Apple has not commented for the time being: that is to say that this news may not be incorrect, for the moment, is a bit speculative.
A major evolution of the iTunes store is about to be announced based on the principle of the blanket license, Apple reportedly started negotiations with the majors to pay them a certain share of its sales of portable mp3 players and (or? ) iPhone (and the Apple TV?), in exchange for a system of unlimited listening to their catalogue.
As emphasised by "Liberation", Apple would be in line with the FAI, which offer this type of access (but more often in a single catalogue) as a result of agreements with industrial music.
It is in brief to link to the (Apple) device to access "for life" to a vast repertoire: but we are missing details of other technical aspects (DRM or not? Mode of identification of client / of the camera?) This announcement, if confirmed, will have to specify other points.
While it is no doubt (in France) that this sale will be voluntary, and linked to consumer choice, it is interesting to know whether this form of subscription marks the end of the current method of distribution of iTS.
It seems unlikely in view of Apple's success with this model for several years. But there is no doubt that the negotiation must be tightened. The ability to offer this type of offer in the field of video (where some major players in the music market also have important interests) must also be in the line of fire in the negotiations.
One thing is certain: this information "leakage" indicates that this development may become a reality soon, although it may cover only the United States as a first step.

[translation by jeremy]

- Intel announces the price for its solutions WIMAX - Lionel - 07:32:09

Intel has decided that its next platform for portable computing will support the WIMAX, a technology supposed to bring high debit internet over a distance of some tens of Km.
The price of PCI-Express 1X cards that will be in the machines has been fixed.
It will be 43 to 44$ for a card that supports WIMAX and the WiFi N(a/g/h) with two antenna connectors.
For 54$, one will have the right to a card that is a little bigger, and fitted with 3 antennas and thus a better management of MIMO.
At this price, this norm could spread quickly for the few where this access exists. Actually in France, Free continues to make tests, but these are confidential and it seems that they are far from a commercial solution.

[translation by crispin]

- Dell denies lack of reliability with SSD drives - Lionel - 07:23:10

Yesterday, with a lot of scepticism we related information that SSD drives had a huge return rate, from 10 to 20%.
Dell, which sells some of these products stood up and refuted these figures which have no solid base according to Dell.
Dell said the SSD failure rate will ten times less, and therefore about the average for PC components.
Other sources have corroborated what Dell reported.

[translation by jeremy]

- Security Update 02/2008 - Matrix - 07:17:07

Apple has just made available a new version of the security update for Tiger and Leopard, in client and server versions, via Software Update, .

The update "Security Update 2008-002" is recommended for all users. It improves the security of Mac OS X. Earlier security updates have been incorporated into this security update.

For more information on this update, please consult the following website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798-fr(french) http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798-en(english) .

More info or direct download .

[translation by jeremy]