News for Thursday, 1 January 2009

Let's start the new year with the latest MWSF 2009 rumors roundup:
- Apple is thinking of providing an online version of iWork, following Adobe on its way to online free applications (aka web apps), as Microsoft is also planning it. Apple might use the Open Source technology SproutCore allowing a rather easy porting.
- As we previously indicated it, the Mac mini will be refreshed. Beside the adoption of the GeForce 9400M chipset, it might feature a second HD instead of its SuperDrive as a BTO. It should also feature metal enclosure, marking the end of plastic for all Apple's branded hardware (as the new iMac will also be Alu based, similarly to the MacBook unibody).
- Apple might launch for Fall 2009 a super iPod Touch featuring a 7 or 9" display, offering a multitouch interface for a device of the size of a Mac Tablet...
- The new iMac to be announced at the MWSF will use desktop processors, however, there are some uncertainty regarding the type of CPU to be used. It will be at least a Core 2 Quad, or the brand new Intel Core i7. However the latest based on the LGA 1366 socket is incompatible with earlier processors (Core 2 Duo or Quad). Intel Core i7 is a family of three Intel desktop x86-64 processors, the first processor released using the Intel Nehalem micro-architecture and is the successor to the Intel Core 2 family. In other words, if Apple releases a Core 2 Quad-based iMac, it will be using a micro-architecture on its end of life, while adoption of the Nehalem will offer both better heat release control and a new architecture to live on for easily 1 or 2 upgrade.

The Hardmac team sends you warm wishes for a promising and prosperous new year 2009, with health, happiness, joy and success for your personal and professional life.
On May, 25 2009, Hardmac will celebrate its 6th anniversary! Six years already, or six years only, depending how we look at it. When looking at numbers, it is about 10,000 news, dozens of articles, and hundreds of emails received from readers. This year will see the result of a transition work initiated months ago, giving birth to a new Hardmac which we hope will help you and serve you even more. The Mac community is growing every day and its not only composed of Mac addicts or geeks, and new Mac users are joining us and need helps and supports. That's by essence why Hardmac exists.
Concerning Apple, we send our best wishes to Steve Jobs and all Apple's employees, expecting new devices and products to improve our life and usage of the digital world. We also hope that Apple will continue to serve its customers and will not forget customer satisfaction with the growing success of Apple-branded products.
On behalf of the team
Eric (aka linathael)

All owners of a Zune 30 GB have been facing a weird bug, as the device stopped working on December 30th 00h00. After the Year 2000 bug feared/organized by Microsoft, the company managed to repeat the same story for one of its product. Such a great company isn't M. Ballmer...
Microsoft finally reacted 24 hours later and explained that all Zune 30 GB already sold were affected by the bug. The bug happens on the last day of a bissextile year... amazing, they still do not know about it... To fix it, you have to let the Zune run out of battery and reboot it from January first.
So, dear Microsoft, you have now 4 years to fix the problem, but will still be any Zune around in 4 years? Considering the poor success of the device, it is highly unlikely.