What's New - Apr 19, 2006

By: Ben Martin - Revised: 2006-05-25 richard

Download Slides – PDF-File, 1.1 MB

Introduction

What's new for the Mac in the previous month:
  • General issues, workarounds and fixes
  • New Software and hardware
  • Software and hardware updates/patches


Notable Updates

Power Mac G5 Firmware 1.1 — This update is only for the 1.8 GHz, single-processor Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer and supports installation on Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Also improves the reliability of your Power Mac G5, especially after it has been inactive for two hours.

iWeb 1.0.1 — Addresses issues related to publishing and blogs. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.

Aperture 1.1
  • New RAW adjustment controls in the Adjustments Inspector and Adjustments HUD: Improve the quality of RAW decodes via custom tuning of parameters.
  • New Color Meter tool: Quickly and easily sample any area of an image for RGB, CMYK, or Lab color values.
  • New image resolution controls: Specify a resolution in dots per inch (dpi) when exporting images or sending images to an external editor, such as Adobe Photoshop.
  • Universal support (Aperture 1.1 runs natively on both Intel-based and PowerPC-based Macintosh computers).
  • The update also addresses issues related to overall reliability and performance in all areas of the application, including:
  • RAW image decoding
  • Image export
  • Metadata handling
  • Onscreen proofing
  • Histogram
  • Cropping
  • Query HUD
  • Book Layout Editor
  • Importing from iPhoto Library
  • Light Table
  • Slideshows
  • Printing
  • Web galleries and journals
  • AppleScript support
Final Cut Pro Studio 5.1 — Universal version of its Final Cut Studio video production suite that delivers up to 2.5x the performance when running on a MacBook™ Pro* notebook computer. Final Cut Studio features state-of-the-art tools that complement Final Cut Pro 5 including Soundtrack® Pro, a revolutionary audio editing and sound design application that makes video projects sound as good as they look; Motion 2, the world’s first real-time motion graphics application with GPU accelerated 32-bit float rendering; and DVD Studio Pro 4 for professional DVD authoring.

Stuffit 10.0.2
  • Fixed an issue with the StuffItEngineShell.cfm for StuffIt SDK client applications - a SIOUX error was generated when the StuffIt Frameworks were not present.
  • Fixed an issue for StuffIt SDK client applications that rely on the SDK to provide a passphrase prompt - an error was generated. Prompt is now displayed correctly.
  • Fixed a StuffIt Expander issue - crash on Expand when destination is set to Merge into location specified by archive and archive is encrypted with a password.
  • Fixed a StuffIt Engine issue - a particular minor Base64/MIME file wouldn't decode.
  • Fixed a StuffIt Engine issue - a particular gzip file wouldn't decode.
  • Fixed a StuffIt Engine issue that affected StuffIt X archives when archive was compacted after modification.
  • Fixed an SEA Maker issue with double-byte file names.
  • Fixed issue with browsing a StuffIt X archive after extracting files and closing the archive.
Flip4Mac WMV 2.0.2
  • Supports more web browsers
  • Supports more website playback (Comedy Central, Sirius, etc)
  • Corrected possible conflict on .avi playback
  • Limited installation to PowerPC macs
Microsoft Office 2004 11.2.3—To many changes to list here. See above link.

Version Tracker Pro 4.1— Improved support for partitions and removable hard drives. VersionTracker Pro is now a Universal Binary Application, capable of running on both Intel and PowerPC based Macs.

Firefox 1.5.0.2— Universal Binary support for Mac OS X which provides native support for Macintosh with Intel Core processors. Firefox supports the enhancements to performance introduced by the new MacIntel chipsets. Improvements to product stability. Several security fixes.

Apple Mac OS X 104.6—The 10.4.6 Update is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies:
  • login and authentication in a variety of network environments
  • file access and byte range locking with AFP file sharing
  • network access when using proxy server automatic configuration files
  • connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec
  • using Bluetooth wireless devices
  • searching iWork and Microsoft Office documents with Spotlight
  • saving Word documents automatically when using a network home directory
  • creating Automator workflows for iPhoto 6
  • synchronizing contacts and calendars to .Mac and mobile phones
  • mounting and unmounting iDisk volumes
  • compatibility with third party applications and devices
  • previous standalone security updates

Apple Security Updates

Apple Security Update 2006-001— Apache_mod_php, automount, Bom, Directory Services, iChat, IPSec, LaunchServices, LibSystem, loginwindow, OpenSSH, rsync, Safari, Syndication.

Apple Security Update 2006-002— Apache_mod_php, CoreTypes, LaunchServices, Mail, rsync, Safari.

Apple Security Update 2006-002v1.1— Apache_mod_php, CoreTypes, LaunchServices, Mail, rsync , Safari.

New Software

Apple Remote Desktop 3— Apple Remote Desktop is the best way to manage the Mac computers on your network. Distribute software, provide real-time online help to end users, create detailed software and hardware reports, and automate routine management tasks — all without leaving your desk. Featuring Automator actions, Remote Spotlight search, and a new Dashboard widget, Apple Remote Desktop 3 makes your job easier than ever.

Boot Camp— More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta today.

Parrallels Workstation— It’s here! Parallels is proud to launch the Beta program the first virtualization solution specifically designed to work with Intel-powered Apple computers! Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta4 for Mac OS X is NOT simply a "dual-boot" solution; rather, it empowers users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use critical applications from other OSes.

Gone Universal

  • Logic Pro 7 & Logic Express 7
  • Cinema 4D
  • Timbuktu Pro 8.6
  • Final Cut Studio 5.1
  • Aperture 1.1

XP on Mac Benchmarks

See pdf slides 10-11.

Issues

Intel Mac Mini— Intel Mac Mini uses integrated graphics card. Does not support Final Cut Studio.

Mac Book Pro— Apple has addressed issues regarding Airport, LCD, heat issues, strange noises. Revision D's use newer logic board. MacBook Pro 802.1x issue fixed with 10.4.6 update.

Retail News

Q2 Apple Earnings Report— CUPERTINO, California—April 19, 2006—Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2006 second quarter ended April 1, 2006. The Company posted revenue of $4.36 billion and a net quarterly profit of $410 million, or $.47 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $3.24 billion and a net profit of $290 million, or $.34 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 29.8 percent, equivalent to the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43 percent of the quarter’s revenue. See link above for more info.

New Apple Stores— Reno, Nevada, Dallas, Texas, Hingham, Massachussetss. 27 more by the end of the year!

Other Apple News

Intel Plans Faster Core Duo Chip— Intel is planning to introduce a new Core Duo chip with a 2.33GHz clock speed per core, sharing 2MB of cache. The company also plans to follow the launch with price reductions to encourage demand, according to Geek.com. The move will take place within the next six weeks, and though the chip is 32-bit like its predecessors, the 64-bit Merom processor is slated for shipment in the third quarter. Apple is likely to adopt the faster chip once it arrives, along with rival notebook makers such as Dell. When the new chip launches, Intel will slash the price of its 2.16GHz Core Duo CPU by over $200, according to the report. Apple currently offers 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo chips in its latest high-end iMacs and MacBook Pro notebook systems.

OnMac.net Triple-Boot—Triple-boot OS X, XP, and Linux.

Volume Limit Setting— CUPERTINO, California—March 29, 2006—Apple® today announced a software update for the iPod® nano and fifth generation iPod, allowing customers to easily set their own personal maximum volume limit. The software update also gives parents the ability to set a maximum volume limit on their child’s iPod and lock it with a combination code.

Events

Apple Store — Many upcoming training sessions and workshops.

E3 — Game Development. Los Angelos May 10-12.

NAB — Electronic Media. Las Vegas April 24-27.

IT Utility of the Month

fseventer — Graphically observe filesystem changes using the same underlying API as Spotlight. One example of use could be to determine what files are changed via software installation, preferences, etc...

Humor

See pdf slide 18.