MacRumors
An increasingly popular thread on Apple's discussion boards appears to pin WiFi problems some MacBook users have been experiencing on the Mac OS 10.4.10 update. Users with the issue appear to experience symptoms ranging from WiFi dropouts to kernel panics.
Gaging the severity of a problem is always difficult to do from forum threads, as typically only people who have issues voice concerns. However, Mac OS 10.4.10 has had its share of bugs, already being patched once due to an audio issue with Intel-based Macs.
Update: Reports indicate that Apple's engineering team has acknowledged the issue as a bug and is working towards a resolution.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook
MacScoop claims that according to "trusted sources" Apple is planning on releasing "a notebook that is so small and light that it could redefine the standards of ultra-portable computing."
The upcoming Apple notebook is said to feature a 12" display, 0.6-0.7 inches thick, and weigh less than 3 pounds. MacScoop's sources are unclear if an optical drive will accompany this ultra-portable notebook, but do feel it is likely to come by year's end (2007).
For reference, Apple's current 15" MacBook Pro weighs 5.4lbs with a 1 inch thickness.
Rumors of a ultra-portable Apple laptop have been ongoing since late 2006. MacScoop reported in December 2006 about the upcoming 12" ultra-portable MacBook Pro with additional details provided by Appleinsider in February. There are some conflicting reports with one summary that believed the ultra-portable would carry a 13" LED display.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook
FileMaker has released FileMaker Pro 9 and FileMaker Server 9.
FileMaker's site outlines the new features.
FileMaker Pro 9 includes many new features, for end users and developers, to simplify creating, automating, sharing and reporting from databases, including a new Quick Start screen for new users to be quickly productive; Conditional Formatting, which highlights data based on parameters the user sets; and the ability to email a link to other FileMaker users, which they can click to instantly access your database. - press release
All FileMaker 9 products are immediately available. New users may purchase FileMaker Pro 9 for $299 and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced for $499. Existing users of FileMaker Pro 7, 8 and 8.5 may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 9 for $179. A 30 day trial is available.
iPhoneTypingTest.com provides you with a simple way to test how fast you can type on your iPhone keyboard.
Tapping the text entry field gives you a phrase to type. Pressing "Done" on your iPhone keyboard completes the test and gives you your words per minute speed.
Related Forum: iPhone
If you're looking for a more technical review of the iphone, Arstechnica posted their extensive iPhone review along with their own stress testing. It's hard to provide an all encompassing summary blurb but they leave the reader with these pros and cons:
Pros:
Web surfing experience is superior to other phones
Overall SMS experience is great
Practically non-scratchable
Looks fantastic in every way
Easy to use, self-discoverable
Soft keyboard is definitely usable
iPod interface rocks
Cons:
iPhone is currently locked to AT&T
No worthwhile Exchange support
No wireless syncing over Bluetooth or WiFi, must tether via USB, no modem use at all
Extremely quiet ringer/alert/speakerphone volume
Windows version of iTunes cause a few hiccups
Application support is weak
E-mail implementation feels weak, uninspired
Related Forum: iPhone
JP Morgan analysts claim that Apple is planning on launching a cheaper version of the iPhone in the 4th quarter of this year that "could be based on the ultra-slim iPod Nano music player".
The analyst (Kevin Chang) cited unspecified "people in the supply channel" as well as a recent U.S. Patent application as his sources for the information.
"We believe that iPod Nano will be converted into a phone because it's probably the only way for Apple to launch a lower end phone without severely cannibalizing iPod Nano," he said noting that the new phone could have "rather limited functionality."
The "iPhone nano" patent application was widely cited last week as evidence of a possible iPhone Nano:
It describes a simple touchpad that can display different symbols for different modes of the device and the ways to operate such a device. These different symbols are illuminated as different modes of the device are selected and are used to operate iPhone Nano in that mode.
The patent application, however, was filed in November 2006, and may simply represent different iterations of early iPhone plans than actual future devices.
Update: A followup report by the JP Morgan contradicts their first report:
The new report says that the majority of Chang's assumptions appear to have come from a review of the patent that was published last week, adding that a near-term launch of an iPhone-nano product would be "unusual and highly risky".
Related Forum: iPhone
BeeJive.com has released their web based instant messanging client for the iPhone at iphone.beejive.com.
JiveTalk for iPhone is currently available to the public as an open alpha, and free to use. Because this is an alpha release, you may experience some problems/defects. Please report these to support@beejive.com. Thank you for choosing JiveTalk!
Overall expereience with the iPhone designed client has been very positive. JiveTalk allows you to connect to multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously, including AIM (iChat), Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger.
Related Forum: iPhone
AppleInsider believes that the coming iMac refresh will also bring a new, sleeker keyboard.
Tapping the wizardry of industrial design chief Jonathan Ive and his team, the Cupertino-based Mac maker has reportedly crafted a super-slim external keyboard for the new Macs. It's said to draw upon the aesthetic and feel of the low-profile keyboard which was first integrated with the company's 13-inch MacBook portables in May of 2006.
The last change to Apple's wired desktop keyboard accessory was in 2003, when Apple introduced the aptly named "Apple Keyboard".
AppleInsider has said that the iMac update can be expected in late July to mid August, with ThinkSecret specifying August as the likely arrival timeframe. Both sites expect a trimmed-down frame, with ThinkSecret citing the use of brushed aluminum, perhaps to roughly mirror the looks of the iPhone.
Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)
Related Forum: iMac
Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster belives that Apple will be focusing on OS X based iPods by Macworld San Francisco 2008.
Munster's belief is likely based on an otherwise overlooked comment by Steve Jobs at Apple's Town Hall which revealed that Apple was working on OS X based iPods:
There is one OS group that does Mac OS X for the Mac and the iPhone, as well as "some iPods we're working on."
Apple uses a version OS X as the basis for the new iPhone, and many have expected a similar widescreen OS X based iPod to come from Apple since the introduction of the iPhone.
Related Forum: iPod touch and iPod
BestBuy.ca is promoting an early signup for information for the Canadian version of the iPhone.
It's beautiful, it's powerful and it's been all over the news; the question on the minds of Canadians from coast to coast is "when can we get our hands on the iPhone?"
EETimes reports on speculation that Apple may be a licensee for Imagination Technologies Group's "next-generation" graphics and video cores.
The conclusion appears to be entirely speculative, with Imagination reporting only that "an international electronics systems company" has signed a multi-use licensing agreement.
Observers have speculated that Apple will use the SGX 3D graphics and video cores in forthcoming products, with future generations of the iPhone as obvious candidates. The SGX core may also, or alternatively, be destined for inclusion in an Apple IPTV product, one observer said.
RegHardware notes that the iPhone currently uses Imagination's MBX GPU built into its Samsung processor, and suggests that Apple may "well have decided it can get more out of the platform if it gets hold of the core itself."
A web survey from AT&T has been making the rounds as "evidence" that Apple is planning on launching an iChat client for the iPhone.
The survey, conducted by a 3rd party company, asks users to give feedback for various applications on the iPhone.
The applications listed include: YouTube, GoogleMaps, Email, iChat, Weather, Stocks and Search.
"iChat", of course, is not an application on the iPhone, but it seems very unlikely that this survey company would have any inside knowledge of Apple's future plans. More likely is that iChat was simply referencing iPhone's SMS client, which carries an iChat look.
Related Forum: iPhone
Web developer Joe Hewitt and team posted an alpha version of Tilt -- an rudimentary iPhone game that takes advantage of the iPhone position sensor.
The is simple, but does provide an example of how to detect the iPhone's position. Andrew Mager describes the game:
This was my favorite game presented at the hack-a-thon. Javascript afficianado Joe Hewitt, along with help from Nicole Lazzaro, Colin Toomey, Kent Bye, and Felipe Ortiz, built a game that claims to be 1.5 dimentional. Flip, who likes to eat falling leaves and butterflies, will only catch his dinner if you rotate your iPhone in time for him to be under the falling food. You can try it on your desktop or laptop browser, but good luck trying to rotate your screen.
Wired profiles Joe Hewitt, who has been one of the most visible iPhone web developers who has put out templates and other hacks to help with iPhone web development.
Related Forum: iPhone
The first iPhoneDevCamp concluded this weekend. The keynote presentation has been posted (PDF) which summarizes all known information about iPhone web development.
A flickr photo set shows more photos from the event and a list of apps from the event is provided.
The application list is of variable quality, but a few stand out:
iPhogo - Mobile photography made fun. Email your iPhone photos to new@iphogo.com and use the Subject field to tag the photo.
heysan! - Mobile web AIM, MSN, ICQ client. Works well.
gOffice - Word processor
And a few other useful applications from developers who weren't actually at the DevCamp:
MoviesApp - Search for movies, tickets and trailers
iPhoneQuickSearch - Consolidated net search interface
Diamenty - Bejeweled clone (game)
Sudoku - Sudoku (game)
Related Forum: iPhone
Readers may remember the MacHeist scavenger hunt bundle last year which offered a final 10 application bundle (value $307.74) for $49.
This morning, MacUpdate has launched a week-long sale offering 10 Mac applications ($433.82 value) for $49.99. These applications include:
GraphicConverter - image editor/converter
Fetch - FTP Client
iWOW - iTunes audio enhancement plug in
GarageSale - eBay auction software
Cocktail - Mac OS X system utility
ProfCast - Record presentations for podcasts
Amadeus Pro - Multitrack Audio editor
Little Snitch * - Prevents applications from "phoning home".
Intaglio * - Drawing and Illustration
TechTool Pro * - Repair utility
* Three of the applications are "locked" unless a certain number of goal sales are met. 2500 sales for Little Snitch, 4000 sales for Intaglio and 9999 sales for TechTool Pro. Once unlocked, they will be available for everyone who purchased a bundle.
The MacHeist crew have partnered with MacUpdate and added value to the bundle by adding in the following applications if you purchase through them (for a limited time):
Browseback - Visual web history
Exces - Password protect files
"Secret Application" - to be announced
Beta spot for Pixelmator - Image editor with Core Image
Beta spot for Flow - brings FTP and editing together
Free ticket to enter the next MacHeist Skunkworks project early
Visit MacHeist to purchase special bundle.
Update: Little Snitch and Intaglio have been unlocked. Also WriteRoom has been added to MacHeist's bundle for free.
MacRumors.com has a business relationship with MacHeist
Tag: MacUpdate
Per Robert Scoble, Silveroffice, Inc. launched a word processor application for the iPhone at gOffice.com (iPhone Link). The web-based application allows you to type into a text field which you can save to a Word document and send it to yourself or to others.
The application offers some addition features, including special headers, text templates, a cursive signature font and live previews. According to a video interview with the CEO, you will be able to upload your own text templates in the next week or so. The application is free, but they do offer a service to print your document and mail it anywhere in the world for $3.
We generated a sample Word Document (download) and PNG preview.
Related Forum: iPhone
Those of you still following Apple's Retail guide to iPhone availability may want to know how the retail store algorithm works.
At 9 p.m. every night (local time), the inventory is checked at each Apple Store. Those with less than 10 8GB iPhones are considered to be "out of stock" for the following morning. Therefore, the tool tells us nothing about the status of 4GB iPhones at the Apple Stores.
Beyond this, Apple Stores appear to be getting daily shipments (except Sunday) of new Apple iPhones, so even if your store is listed "out of stock", new iPhones are likely arriving at some point during the following day.
Related Forum: iPhone
