What's New - May 16, 2007

By: Benjamin D Martin - Revised: 2007-05-24 ben

Download Slides – PDF-File, 1.5 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


  • Pro Application Support 4.0
    • Interface and reliability update for ProApps
  • Quicktime 7.1.6
    • Bug fixes and addresses a critical security issue with QuickTime for Java
  • Battery 1.2
    • Updates battery firmware to improve battery functionality
  • Security Update 2007-004 v 1.1
    • AFP client, airport, kerberos, etc.
  • Microsoft Office 2004 11.3.5
    • Stability and security

Retail News

  • Apple seizes 9.9% of U.S. retail laptop sales, desktops are at 7.7%
    • According to Bloomberg
  • Apple reports 35.1% gross margin!
    • Best March quarter in companies history

A greener Apple

  • Apple has disclosed plans to become a "greener" company.  Has comitted to:
    • Remove toxic chemicals from products
    • Emphasize recycling programs
    • Increase energy efficiency of products
    • Disclose more fully it's green efforts

New hardware

  • MacBook refresh
    • CPUs @ 2.0 GHz and 2.16 GHz
    • 1 - 2 GB RAM
    • 80 GB - 200 GB HD
    • Prices remain the same for base models

Microsoft's MacBU

  • An OpenXML drag and drop converter has been released
    • Converts one way only ... ?
    • Word only ... ?
    • PowerPoint and Excel converters coming in the summer
      • Says marketing manager Amanda Lefebrvre
  • Maybe it's time: OpenOffice.org

TidBits.com

  • Maintosh newsletter website
  • How tos, FAQs, hints, news, fixes, etc.
  • They have given us a "Take Control" CD to raffle off

The state of backup & cloning tools under OS X


Humor