The update for the Mac version introduced a number of bug fixes and performance improvements, including:
Improved video hardware detection and default settings, especially with Intel video. Vertex Animation Shaders have been disabled for systems with Intel video. Improved iTunes key-binding feature for smoothness and track name display. Fixed a bug where Tutorial Tips would not be marked as viewed correctly on PowerPC Macs. Fixed a rare crash bug in the audio code. Improved support for Weather Shaders. Added support for changing the mouse sensitivity in WoW. Previously, the Mac version ignored the value from the slider in the Interface Options dialog.
Most notable, however, is support for Multithreaded OpenGL for Intel Macs running OS X 10.4.8 or higher. According to the patch notes, depending on hardware, scene and settings, this can raise World of Warcraft framerates "up to a factor of 2X".
We first reported on Multithreaded OpenGL in August, after it was discussed privately at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Multithreaded OpenGL allows 3d games to take full advantage of multi-core and multi-processor Macs which have become so common. Doubling of framerates had been described with the early demos, and it appears that Multithreaded OpenGL was quietly released as part of the Mac OS X 10.4.8 update released in September.
Users should be aware that games need to be rewritten to specifically support Multithreaded OpenGL to see the benefits. Once rewritten, any Intel Mac with a Core Duo, Core 2 Duo or Xeon processor would see benefits. It does not appear that multi-processor PowerPC Macs are supported at this time, but this support is expected with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Wednesday November 27, 2024 5:05 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 in early December, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls incoming as...
Friday November 29, 2024 5:17 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.
If you plan to skip...
Wednesday November 27, 2024 12:19 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch for 10 more months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
An imaginative iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models so far:
Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro ...
Black Friday 2024 is over, but you can still find great deals on numerous Apple devices this weekend. Right now, this includes big savings on AirPods, Apple Watch, MacBook Air, iPad, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Specifically, in...
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the recently leaked design of the iPhone 17 "Air" and iPhone 17 Pro.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
Earlier this week, a report from The Information's Wayne Ma revealed that the iPhone 17 Air will have a thickness of between 5mm and 6mm, which would make it the thinnest iPhone ever. In comparison, iPhone ...
Thursday November 28, 2024 3:30 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for.
Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
Black Friday is over, but you can still find great savings on streaming memberships this weekend as we head into Cyber Monday. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a...
Black Friday is over, but you can still find great prices on numerous iPads, including the 9th generation iPad, 10th generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Best iPad Deals
9th Gen iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) - $199.99...
