Friday May 02, 2008

- Firmware 1.1.2 for iPod 6G - Joe Le Boss - 18:30:15

Apple just released a firmware update dedicated to the iPod 6G.

For once, we have details:

• Cover flow became a lot more faster.


• Cover flow image loading time reduced greatly.


• Clickwheel sensivity improved.


• The screensaver is still there. Still no option to disable it ...


• A bit more crisp sound.


• The font became slightly blur comparing to 1.0.3.


• No hiss issue when changing volume while song is on pause.


• Battery pull is still the same i belive.

[translation by Linathael]

- Microsoft Messenger 7 for Mac Available - Eric - 14:13:22

Yesterday, the Microsoft's Mac Business Unit (MBU) released the Messenger 7 for Mac. One can not say it did not take years to come, as it has been rumored and postponed so many times. So as expected we finally get audio calls and videoconferencing capabilities, but with some limitation... Indeed, Microsoft decided that such features have to be restricted to mac working in an enterprise environment, as it is well known, nobody has Mac at homes... Audio calls, multi-party conference calls and video-conferences are limited to users who run the Messenger 7 for Mac in conjunction with the Microsoft Communicator and Exchange Server. So, if you were finally expecting to chat with your brother who owns a PC running Windows Live Messenger, well too bad, it is planned, but later on, if at all...

So, if you are a fan of Messenger, you can install it, but if you could not wait for Messenger 7 for Mac, and decided to switch to other chat applications allowing audio and video conferencing such as iChat or Skype (multi-platform), then do not feel bad today, it was a good choice as Messenger 7 is far from being the expected Mac version of Windows Live Messenger.

- Apple and Hollywood Majors Reach an Agreement - Joe Le Boss - 13:57:39

Yesterday, Apple published a press release to announce that new movies released from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes Store on the same day as their DVD releases. To strengthen the potential of the iTS, Apple signed this agreement with most of the largest Hollywood studios : 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros.

Unfortunately, iTunes Movies remains exclusively available in the US, prices will vary from 14.99 USD for new releases and 9.99 USD for library title purchases.

Majors probably found a way to slowly stop their DVD business and transfer it to an online store, and then have more resources to concentrate on the growing new format, Blu ray.

[translation by Linathael]

- Adobe Launches Open Screen Project - Eric - 13:47:27

Flash format is becoming the new reference for animation on the web, especially when large community websites such as MySpace and YouTube use it extensively. To strengthen its position, Adobe decided to launch the "Open Screen Project", a smart way to push developers to use Flash.

The Open Screen Project is dedicated to driving consistent rich Internet experiences across televisions, personal computers, mobile devices, and consumer electronics.

While the project is supported by technology leaders, including Adobe, ARM, Cisco, Intel, and others, and leading content providers, including BBC, MTV Networks, and NBC Universal, Apple is not in the list. Maybe Cupertino is waiting for the iPhone 2.0 to bring support for Flash, a real missing feature in the current iPhone.

The Open Screen Project aim to enable a consistent runtime environment to eliminate barriers for developers and designers and to make their published contents and applications across desktops and consumer devices (phones, mobile internet devices (MIDs), etc.) independent of operating systems and devices.

To achieve such goals, Adobe is ready to free the Flash format, as indicated below:

Specifically, this work will include:

- Removing restrictions on use of the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications
- Publishing the device porting layer APIs for Adobe Flash Player
- Publishing the Adobe Flash® Cast™ protocol and the AMF protocol for robust data services
- Removing licensing fees – making next major releases of Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR for devices free

- Keyboards 5x dirtier than toilet seats! - crispin - 10:13:55

Before one wonders what some people may be using their computers for - you should realise what is behind this rather sensational headline. For sure we all know that keyboards are not the cleanest of items since they are touched by everyone everyday - however, also, due to their construction it is easy to trap dirt between and under the keys...
It seems that some office workers eat their lunch sitting in front of their computers (this is a report from the UK - not France!) thus food particles, together with dust, collects and forms a reservoir of nutrients. Additionally if they also skip the washing of the hands after using the toilet - one can understand how the keyboard can harbour all sorts of undesirable bacteria.
I think this is enough on this unsavoury subject of personal hygiene - but maybe one should look with suspicion at public terminals...

- iTunes turns five - Kalomir - 09:55:15

If you have seen it, maybe you did and also wondered for a moment at what the slogan wants to say... "iTunes turns five"?
Of course, it is not a question of a fifth version of the software iTunes (exceeded since we are already at iTunes 7): this slogan is to remind us that what was called then "iTunes music store", the second stage of the iPod rocket (launched to a quasi-skeptical general public in 2001), opened its doors five years ago in the United States.
One could almost ignore this information since the iTunes Store of today is just so clearly obvious to everyone. However let us briefly recall the facts for the sake of 'history'. Everyone knows that Apple computers (became since then Apple, Inc), made a success of a historical change of direction from being solely involved in the data-processing world towards the universe of the digital lifestyle, thanks to online music.
The experienced negotiator, Steve Jobs, knew how to impose onto the music majors a mode of distribution and remuneration which in effect installed his 'juke-box' at the top of its category. The competition still seeks to join the parade, especially since ITS today is changing focus towards the video, before evolving/moving tomorrow towards subscription models of the unlimited downloads? Who knows...
In 2003 with the Web talking only of the G5 future, that promised to relegate G4 to be "the computer of secretary" (the words of Lionel), it was not this ultimate misadventure with the PowerPC that will have allowed the rebirth that led to the rise of the market share of Apple.
More discrete, perhaps, it is the chance taken with IT(M)S and this proved to be decisive on the long term. To carefully facilitate its entry in the "dark" universe , iTunes was a remarkable Trojan horse for Apple. To bring the funds necessary for the transition to INTEL, the income of the online music were essential. To confer on Apple, then on the decline, the label of outsider perpetually innovating that it enjoys today, the ITMS marked a historical turning point-- a term which is not easily used in the world of new technologies.
What can we wish from this company that made this beautiful American come back? Putting business aside, it would be undoubtedly to recreate a little of the special bond that, in the past, attached it to its fans, a magic that the growth of the sales, apart from the circle of the shareholders, can not be replaced....

[translation by crispin]