News for Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Apple released an update for QuickTime to version 7.5.7. This update is mostly for owners of the new MacBook models (MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air:

This update is recommended for owners of MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort. The update addresses an issue where some standard definition purchases from the iTunes Store do not play on some external displays.

As pointed by Dana, Macrumors summarize the current situation: This latest update appears to remove the HDCP enforcement on standard definition content, which means that current movie content purchased or rented on a Mac should playback unrestricted. While Apple does offer high definition movies for rental through Apple TV, it's not clear when Apple will begin offering this to Mac users.
However, by looking at differences between the new version and the previous one, hackers will most likely find how Apple managed is HDCP protection only via a software solution. This would ultimately allow any Mac users to play and watch HD movies on their Mac, irrespective to the brand of their display or hardware models.

Intel and Micron, who have a joint venture in the manufacture of NAND FLASN memory, announced that they have started the production of 4 GB chips of MLC memory engraved in 34nm.
Even though the investment to reach this level were very heavy in a market that is more than morose, it will help the two companies lower the cost of each chip and prevent being outdistanced by Samsung; the market of SSD disks remaining a eldorado for those who can resist the crisis.

The writer of Stuff.tv had the chance to visit the factories of LG. There, he saw computer screens equipped with multipoint touchscreens. He arrived from there at the following conclusion:
LG sells touchscreens. Apple buys screens from LG. Thus Apple probably will market Macs with touchscreens.
In short, this has became a rumour from rather convoluted reasoning rather than being based on hard facts. Perhaps he has shares in a manufacturer of sprays used for cleaning screen :)

Even though the last update for the iPhone added the possibility to their owners to reach Google StreetView, the owners of the iPod Touch can not. However, the fault that blocks this function is amusing, and since it makes it possible to walk to the other end of the world without consuming tons of carbon...
For the few that you have a jailbroken iPod Touch it is possible to force the activation of StreetView. All is explained at the following address:
http://www.ipodtouchfans.com

In an interview, Paul McCartney announced that the negotiations with Apple (and EMI in the middle) had, at least for the moment, failed.
A spokesman for EMI indicated that the two protagonists had not succeeded in finding common ground but that the Major (who has much to gain) made all efforts to bring closer their points of view.
Even though we do not know what causes the blockage, one would not be a soothsayer to include the reason of money. It is probable that Paul McCartney asked for too large an advance.