MacRumors

Psystar today announced the release of Rebel EFI, a new software product that enables users to install any modern operating system, including Mac OS X Snow Leopard, on a wide variety of PCs.

Psystar Corporation will begin selling the software it uses to run OS X Snow Leopard on generic Intel hardware. Available for download directly from Psystar.com, the Rebel EFI suite allows users to easily install any OS on their computer. Available today, Rebel EFI allows machines with Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, i7 or Xeon Nehalem CPUs to install any modern operating system, including Mac's newest release of OS X. Users would simply download the new software from Psystar.com, burn it onto a CD and follow the onscreen instructions to easily install the OS.

Available as a time-limited free trial to ensure compatibility, the full version of Rebel EFI is normally priced at $89.99 but is currently being offered at an introductory price of $49.99. Psystar is also launching an "approval program" that will allow users having difficulty setting up their systems with Psystar's products to send in their components to have them certified for compatibility.

Apple and Psystar have been embroiled in ongoing legal disputes stemming from Psystar's launch of its own-branded computers running Mac OS X, which Apple claims is in violation of the operating system license. Psystar has continued to expand its offerings since its initial hardware release 18 months ago, releasing several new hardware models and launching earlier this month a licensing program to allow third-party PC manufacturers to preinstall Psystar's boot loader on their systems for easy installation of Mac OS X.

Corresponding with today's launch of Windows 7, Microsoft opened the first of its new retail stores today in Scottsdale, Arizona. Reports that Microsoft has drawn heavily on Apple's retail store concepts appear to be accurate, with the store featuring wood floors and tables, a relatively sparse layout designed to accommodate large crowds, and an "Answer Bar" to provide support for Windows users.

A video of the grand opening reveals additional similarities to Apple's model, with Microsoft retail employees wearing t-shirts in various bold colors lining up and cheering as customers enter the store for the first time.

Microsoft has announced that it is targeting Apple's retail stores with its new venture, planning to open many of the new stores in close proximity to existing Apple stores. A second store is scheduled to open in Mission Viejo, California next week Thursday, with more locations in the works.

The company hired former Apple real estate chief George Blankenship as a consultant to assist with planning for its retail store initiative and has also attempted to poach Apple's own store employees in order to hit the ground running with experienced staff members already in place.

With the release of Windows 7 today, Apple has posted a new support article announcing that official support for running Windows 7 on Macs using Apple's Boot Camp solution will be coming later this year.

Apple will support Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate) with Boot Camp in Mac OS X Snow Leopard before the end of the year. This support will require a software update to Boot Camp.

The document also notes that a number of early Intel-based Macintosh computers will not support Windows 7 running in Boot Camp.

Note: The following models will not be supported for use with Windows 7 using Boot Camp.

- iMac (17-inch, Early 2006)
- iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
- iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)
- iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)
- Mac Pro (Mid 2006, Intel Xeon Dual-core 2.66GHz or 3GHz)

While Boot Camp currently officially supports only Windows XP and Vista, many users have had success installing and running Windows 7 already, but official support from Apple should streamline the process and provide consumers with resources to assist them with setup and use.

Many users also prefer to run Windows virtually rather than turning to the Boot Camp dual-boot solution. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac already includes support for 32-bit Windows 7, and VMware Fusion 3, scheduled to launch next week, will offer full 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 support for virtualization under Mac OS X.

AT&T today released its earnings report for the third quarter of 2009, and among the highlights was the activation of 3.2 million iPhones, the highest quarterly total in history. The number tops the 2.4 million iPhones activated in the third quarter of 2008 after the release of the iPhone 3G.

Also of note, iPhones accounted for an astounding 74% of total AT&T postpaid activations of "integrated devices" offering either a physical or virtual keyboard in addition to voice capabilities during the quarter. Nearly 40% of iPhone activations were from customers new to AT&T, a figure consistent with previous quarterly performances.

- Strongest Integrated Device Quarter To Date. Postpaid 3G integrated wireless devices added to AT&T's network in the third quarter totaled 4.3 million, the largest quarterly increase in the company's history. Over the past year, the number of postpaid integrated devices on AT&T's network more than doubled, and at the end of the third quarter, 41.7 percent of AT&T's 63.4 million postpaid subscribers had integrated devices. The average ARPU for integrated devices on AT&T's network continues to be 1.8 times that of the company's nonintegrated-device base.

- Record iPhone Activations. AT&T's third-quarter integrated device growth included 3.2 million iPhone activations, also the company's largest quarterly total to date, with nearly 40 percent of the activations for customers who were new to AT&T.

Overall, AT&T experienced a net gain of two million wireless subscribers, the highest such third-quarter additions in company history, and also reduced customer churn levels to record lows.

Apple reported earlier this week as part of a stellar earnings announcement that it had sold a total of 7.4 million iPhones during the quarter.

Nokia today announced that it is filing a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the iPhone infringes on ten Nokia-held patents related to cellular and Wi-Fi technologies.

The ten patents in suit relate to technologies fundamental to making devices which are compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards. The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007.

Nokia notes that it has entered into licensing agreements for the intellectual property with approximately 40 other companies, but Apple has refused to agree to "appropriate terms".

"The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for," said Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia. "Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia's intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation."

No further details regarding the exact patents in question or Nokia's desired outcome have been released.

Following on the heels of yesterday's dissection of the new MacBook, the remainder of Apple's major new products have now been subjected to similar analysis.

First, iFixit features the new 27" iMac. Among the discoveries in the teardown:

- Use of the 27" iMac as an external display via its MiniDisplayPort connector requires that the machine be fully powered up, as the signal is routed through the main logic board.
- The 27" iMac unsurprisingly carries the biggest power supply ever seen in an iMac, putting out 310 watts.
- The CPU and GPU are located on opposite sides of the machine and have separate massive heat sinks, allowing Apple to utilize desktop-class processors within the thin iMac's profile for the first time. In addition to the heat sinks, the iMac carries six temperature sensors and three large fans to aid in heat dissipation.
- The AirPort antenna is routed to directly behind the Apple logo on the rear of the machine, providing better Wi-Fi performance by placing the antenna next to the only plastic portion of the machine's back.

iFixit also dissected the new Magic Mouse that is included with the updated iMac models and can also be purchased separately. The teardown reveals the expected touch sensor capacitors under the top surface of the mouse from the Apple logo forward. The Magic Mouse also uses a keyboard-and-mouse-specific BCM2042 Bluetooth chip from Broadcom for communication.

Finally, macminicolo.net offers a comparative dissection of the new traditional and server Mac minis released earlier this week. The two versions are essentially identical with the exception of swapping in a second hard drive for the optical drive (and a corresponding modification to the exterior case to eliminate the optical drive slot) in the server model. The new models are also nearly identical to the previous-generation models with the exception of minor spec bumps.

In an unusual patent application filed in 2008, Apple explores the possibility of integrated ads into an operating system. The graphics provided even show how it might be integrated into Mac OS X (see above). In exchange for the ads, the user would receive some goods or service for free or discounted:

Among other disclosures, an operating system presents one or more advertisements to a user and disables one or more functions while the advertisement is being presented. At the end of the advertisement, the operating system again enables the function(s). The advertisement can be visual or audible. The presentation of the advertisement(s) can be made as part of an approach where the user obtains a good or service, such as the operating system, for free or at reduced cost.

In the late 90's, ad-suppprted products including getting free computers were offered to customers in exchange for viewing advertising, though the practice has since fallen out of favor. It's unclear if Apple had any real intentions for the concept, though Steve Jobs is listed as one of the inventors of the patent.

Of interest, Microsoft is reportedly working on an ad-supported version of Microsoft Office.

OS X BraZil reports that Apple today seeded a new version of Mac OS X 10.6.2, known as Build 10C531, to developers. The new update reportedly fixes the one outstanding issue related to Image Capture detailed in the previous build released last Friday, as well as a half dozen other issues related to ColorSync, Dock crashes, GraphicsDrivers, and QuartzCore. No remaining outstanding issues are documented by Apple.

We noted yesterday that the user guide for Apple's new Magic Mouse makes reference to Mac OS X 10.6.2, suggesting that Apple is building direct support for the new mouse into the update and expects to release it in the near future. Users running earlier versions of OS X (10.5.8 through 10.6.1) will have to install a separate software update to support the Magic Mouse.

Mac OS X 10.6.2 also reportedly fixes a serious bug that has resulted in some users losing all data from their login accounts.

Apple's stock price has hit an all-time high today, surging over 4% at the moment to top $207 per share. The peak eclipses Apple's previous high set in late December 2007. Apple's stock subsequently sank to a low of under $80 per share in late 2008 amid uncertain economic times before rebounding strongly over the past eight months.

Apple's total market capitalization is currently approximately $186 billion, placing the company behind only Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart in market cap rankings of American companies.

Apple's stock has seen a significant bump over the past couple of days in the wake of a stellar earnings report on Monday and subsequent price target upgrades from analysts looking ahead to future performance.

As usual, iFixit has been quick to dissect Apple's updated MacBook, offering an extensive gallery of photos documenting the process.

A few notes of interest:
- There is no external indicator of battery charge state.
- There is no infrared port, meaning that the new model is incompatible with Apple Remotes.
- The integrated battery offers only 9% more capacity than on previous models (60 watt-hours vs. 55), but Apple claims an increase in battery life to 7 hours from the previous 5 hours, suggesting that the new model is more energy efficient. The new battery is significantly lighter than in the previous generation, offering a power-to-weight ratio that is 23.5% better.
- The hard drive is more difficult to replace than on previous models, but certainly can be done.
- The apparently increased rigidity in the latest model appears to come the use of an aluminum sheet (covered with a rubberized coating on the exterior) for the bottom case and other structural supports within the body of the machine.
- The Bluetooth antenna is routed into the display housing, likely improving range compared to previous models that placed the antenna in the body of the machine above the optical drive.

iFixit has also put together a video montage of the teardown process.

In a brief note, TechCrunch reports that it has heard from multiple sources that Google is preparing to launch a music service that would appear to compete against Apple's iTunes Store.

Google will soon launch a music service, we've heard from multiple sources, and the company has spent the last several weeks securing content for the launch of the service from the major music labels. One source has referred to the new service as Google Audio.

It is unclear at this time whether the service would offer music downloads or streaming, or perhaps both. TechCrunch will offer more details as they become available.

Update: TechCrunch now reports that it has received an invitation to a media event launching the service scheduled for October 28th. The invitation suggests that Google is partnering with music services Lala and iLike on the project.

MediaMemo provides additional information, noting that the service will reportedly be called "One Box" and will be a search service offering users content previews and directing them to sites where music can be purchased, not a full-fledged iTunes Store competitor.

Sources describe the service, which will be called "One Box" as a refined set of answers for music queries. The idea: Punch in, say, "Madonna", and you'll be presented with one or more songs, which may be partial clips or full-length versions, then guided to other sites where you can purchase the music.

Several readers have pointed out that the user guide for Apple's just-announced Magic Mouse contains a reference to Mac OS X 10.6.2, which is yet to be released.

To use your Apple Magic Mouse and its full range of features, update your Mac to Mac OS X version 10.5.8 or later and install the Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0; or update to Mac OS X version 10.6.2 or later.

While OS X 10.6.2 is not required for the Magic Mouse to function, users running OS X 10.5.8 through OS X 10.6.1 will have to install a separate software update to enable support for the new device. The mention of OS X 10.6.2 suggests that Apple plans or at least did plan for the update to be released to consumers around the product launch.

Apple has seeded three builds of OS X 10.6.2 to developers, with the most recent having been delivered last Friday. The update notably addresses an issue with guest accounts that has resulted in some users losing all data from their regular user accounts.

Apple's new product releases earlier today have generated a lot of excitement and analysis, as well as comments from those who have managed to get their hands on the new models, and here are some of the tidbits we've seen.

iMac
- In its hands-on review, Gizmodo highlights the fact that the expanded chassis compared to the previous 20-inch and 24-inch models allowed Apple to double the number of RAM slots to four, allowing the new iMac to accept up to 16 GB of RAM.
- Gizmodo also notes that the larger chassis allowed Apple to upgrade the audio performance on the new models, yielding a "noticeable difference".
- The use of quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors at the high end of the 27-inch model marks Apple's first use of desktop class processors in its "thin" iMac designs. Apple has traditionally used mobile processors in its iMac line for their lower thermal output, but the large chassis of the 27-inch model apparently allows for sufficient ventilation to permit the use of desktop processors.
- The 27-inch iMac supports video input via its DisplayPort connector, allowing the machine to be used as a display for external sources.

- The 27-inch iMac is wall-mountable via an optional VESA adapter, but the 21.5-inch model is not.

MacBook
- Engadget was able to get its hands on the new MacBook and notes that it feels more solid than the previous model. Gizmodo notes, however, that the new design looks and feels "chubbier" than the previous model, despite identical thickness.
- The new MacBook comes with a MacBook Air-style MagSafe power connector with the cord exiting from the side of the connector rather than from straight-on.
- The new MacBook now utilizes Mini DisplayPort for video output as opposed to the Mini-DVI used on earlier models. It also loses the Firewire 400 port and swaps in a combined audio in/out port for the separate ports present on its predecessor.

Overall Notes
- A report from French site Mac4Ever late last month was nearly dead-on in its claims, correctly pegging the inclusion of quad-core processors and an SD card slot in the new iMac, as well as the multi-touch Magic Mouse and the aluminum Apple Remote all announced today.

While the big news today was Apple's release of new iMacs, a new Magic Mouse, updated Mac minis, and a refreshed MacBook, Apple also quietly updated several other hardware products.

Apple today introduced a new aluminum Apple Remote priced at $19 and shipping in 2-4 weeks. Compatible with any Mac made since 2005 with an infrared port, the new remote offers a circular navigation wheel and separate menu and play/pause buttons. The remote is also compatible with the iPhone and iPods when using an iPod Universal Dock.

Apple also updated its AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule models today. The new models reportedly offer up to 50% better wireless performance and 25% better range than the previous models due to a revised antenna design. The new Time Capsule also offer up to 60% faster Time Machine backups than on earlier models when using Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Apple today updated its Mac mini, offering spec bumps to its existing $599 and $799 models and adding a new $999 server model.

Apple today also announced that the Mac mini, the world's most energy efficient desktop, is now faster, offers more storage and comes standard with double the memory. Starting at $599, the entry level Mac mini features a faster 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, a 160GB hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and a SuperDrive. The $799 Mac mini features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of memory and a larger 320GB hard drive. Apple now offers a $999 Mac mini that is specially configured with Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server. Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server features two 500GB hard drives for a total of 1TB of server storage in the tiny 6.5-inch square by 2-inch tall Mac mini enclosure.

The server model runs Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server and replaces the Mac mini's usual optical drive with a second 2.5-inch hard drive, allowing for the 1 TB total hard drive capacity.