Wednesday March 28, 2007

- Apple releases Boot Camp 1.2beta, support for Vista added - moose - 23:13:20

Source : Apple

Apple has just made version 1.2 of its Boot Camp beta software available for download.

Version 1.2 beta brings:

Boot Camp 1.2 beta contains several updates and is intended for all new and previous Boot Camp beta users.

Boot Camp 1.2 beta includes:
Support for Windows Vista (32-bit)
Updated drivers, including but not limited to trackpad, AppleTime (synch), audio, graphics, modem, iSight camera
Support the Apple Remote (works with iTunes and Windows Media Player)
A Windows system tray icon for easy access to Boot Camp information and actions
Improved keyboard support for Korean, Chinese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, and French Canadian
Improved Windows driver installation experience
Updated documentation and Boot Camp on-line help in Windows
Apple Software Update (for Windows XP and Vista)

Official support for Vista... now THAT will kill all the crazy "opinions" about Leopard being delayed until October because Apple needs to make Boot Camp ready for Vista...

Grab the update here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

- Apple TV: Some Comments and Analysis - Lionel - 15:54:27

After playing with our Apple TV for 2 days, we would like to share some comments and analysis with you:

- If you own a large photo, video and/or audio library, synchronizing it with the Apple TV might be a nightmare time wise, as the operation will be carried out at 9.5MB/s max speed, either via the 802.11n or the 100BT Ethernet connection.
- The audio output is very good, either via the HDMI or the optical channel through an amplifier.
- The current main issue we have identified is the heat. The Apple TV is quickly getting very warm, and as a closed and non ventilated system the generated heat is released only via the metal case. We advise all owners of an Apple TV to avoid placing any thing above or below the Apple TV. One reason could be the HD which seems to be always spinning. We also hope that the Apple TV will not have the same short lifetime (20 months) as another closed wireless device from Apple, he Airport Express.
- Photo-based animation available when playing music are funny and might impress your visitors.
- The WiFi 802.11n is excellent, power and range wise.
- The Apple TV can only be linked to a single "Master" computer, so to only one iTunes library.
- The content can be shared with up to 5 computers, but it has to be set up.

[translation by Linathael]

- WiMax: Not So Hot Anymore? - Lionel - 15:30:12

Source : Digitimes

The development of the WiMax, a revolutionary wireless system able to provide cable-free high speed internet over long distance, might be slowing down despite enthusiastic expectation or capabilities of this system.
Most companies involved in developing WiMax devices, peripherals or components are modifying their strategy: Ericsson stopped all on-going development of WiMax-dedicated products, while other manufacturers have slow down their investments or R&D plans.
If Intel, main initiator and supporter of this technology does not give a strong signal in a near future, this highly anticipated and advertised long-distance wireless system might simply become a new candidate for the vaporware awards.

[translation by Linathael]

- Turn your Macbook into an Apple TV - Lionel - 12:52:21

The buzz around Apple TV mods is growing every day as this new machine is being delivered to enthusiastic Macfans. The latest hack - once again published by Appletvhacks - shows how to install the Apple TV finder on a Macbook, thus turning it itself into a full-featured Apple TV.


To do so you have to install a "normal" version of OSX on your Macbook, and then to get, patch and install on it a few files from the Apple TV system. As for now, Appletvhacks does not provide the patches, though, out of fear of a reaction from Apple legal. And they're probably right not to, given that this hack - which violates copyright laws - might well jeopardize the sales of the Apple TV.

[translation by Greg]

- Microsoft satisfied by sales of Vista - Lionel - 12:46:37

Microsoft announced with much satisfaction that 20 million licenses of Windows Vista have been sold. While this is better than sales of XP at the time of its release, questions have risen about the validity of these sales figures, and about whether this is indeed cause for satisfaction.
- Between XP and Vista, the number of computers worldwide has increased tremendously. In terms of market share, Vista is not doing as well as its predecessor.
- Starting late last year, Microsoft has distributed vouchers for a free update to Vista, responding to the urging demand of retailers that did not want a poor holiday/end of year season. It seems Microsoft accounted those free updates as sales.
It seems, as PC Users have been confirming to us, that Vista is not tempting people using XP. Still this system will end up imposing itself ineluctably, no matter whether users like it or not, and irrespective of the fact that it may or may not be too expensive. this is thanks to the enormous mass and near-monopoly of Microsoft. It's only a matter of time before the road roller climbs up the slope, even if a tad steeper than expected.
Apple can still draw its pin from the play, and seems in good position to grab a few marketshare percents to Microsoft. Let's not forget that if OS X can get only 3% of Windows users, our OS will double its marketshare.

[translation by pmax]

- Samsung Unveils a 1.8" 64GB SSD - Lionel - 10:45:44

Source : http://www.samsung.com

Samsung announced a new 1.8" SSD based on 64 NAND chips of 1GB each. As for the SanDisk model, the data transfer speed are impressive with 64MB/s in reading mode, and 45MB/s for writing. Samsung also claims that power consumption of this SSD would be 3 times lower than the one of a standard HD.
Production of this SSD should start soon, but the price will be too high for being integrated into an iPod; However, it does not mean that it could not find its way in an Apple notebook.
Samsung expect the SSD market to raise from US$200 million in 2007 to US$6.8 billion in 2010.

[translation by Linathael]

- Nostromo Programming Software and Drivers Finally Available in UB - Lionel - 10:36:01

In June 2006, we were complaining about the lack of Mac Intel drivers for the Belkin gamer-dedicated pad: Nostromo SpeedPad n52. Nine month later, one can download the specific driver from Belkin website: http://www.belkin.com/support

So it is time to get your Nostromo out from the box and back in action.

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple and Adobe Team Up to Promote the Creative Suite 3 - Lionel - 10:30:09

If Adobe and Apple are competitors for audio and video applications, they team up for promoting the Creative Suite 3. Both companies have different interest: Mac users are a large percentage of Adobe consumers, and Apple expects to boost sales of its Pro hardware models as soon as the long awaited Adobe CS3 will be available.
One can find an entire webpage dedicated to the CS3 on the Apple website, and Apple Store will organize demonstration of the CS3 on March 28th and 29th.

Last but not least, the AppleStore has been updated and one can now pre-order the CS3 from the Apple online shop: AdobeCS3

Only the US version is currently available, but the French and German version should follow soon, other localization will come later.

[translation by Linathael]

- Adobe CS3: Pre-Order and First Look at the Box Version - Lionel - 10:19:43

One can now preorder any application part of the Creative Suite 3 from Adobe Online Shop. Hereafter is a summary of all versions and their corresponding price:

(Retail price / update price in Euro, VAT excluded)

CS3 Design Premium 2199€/810€
CS3 Design Standard 1699€/510€
CS3 Web Premium 1899€/610€
CS3 Web Standard 888€/449€
CS3 Production Premium 2199€/999€
CS3 Master Collection 2999€/1699€
InDesign CS3 1129€/249€
Photoshop CS3 Extended 1349€/549€
Photoshop CS3 899€/249€
Illustrator CS3 719€/249€
Flash CS3 Professional 699€/249€
Dreamweaver CS3 479€/249€
Fireworks CS3 429€/238€
Contribute CS3 149€/79€
InCopy CS3 419€/129€
After Effects CS3 Professional 1299€/299€
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 849€/299€
Soundbooth 249€

Hereafter is a capture of the Adobe webshop displaying the design of the new Creative Suite Boxes.



[translation by Linathael]