MacRumors

Apple today released Mac OS X 10.6.2, the second maintenance update for Snow Leopard, via Software Update and the company's software downloads page. The update brings several bug fixes, reportedly including one for a serious issue involving Guest accounts that has caused some users to lose all data from their primary user accounts.

The 10.6.2 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes for:

- an issue that might cause your system to logout unexpectedly
- a graphics distortion in Safari Top Sites
- Spotlight search results not showing Exchange contacts
- a problem that prevented authenticating as an administrative user
- issues when using NTFS and WebDAV file servers
- the reliability of menu extras
- an issue with the 4-finger swipe gesture
- an issue that causes Mail to quit unexpectedly when setting up an Exchange server
- Address Book becoming unresponsive when editing
- a problem adding images to contacts in Address Book
- an issue that prevented opening files downloaded from the Internet
- Safari plug-in reliability
- general reliability improvements for iWork, iLife, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, MobileMe, and iDisk
- an issue that caused data to be deleted when using a guest account

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3874.
For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

The most recent developer build of OS X 10.6.2, Build 10C540, was seeded last week Wednesday. Rumors have pointed to the removal of support for Intel Atom processors in 10.6.2, creating issues for netbook users who have modified their devices to run OS X and are looking to upgrade their software.

- Mac OS X v10.6.2 Update (473 MB)
- Mac OS X v10.6.2 Update (Combo) (479 MB)
- Mac OS X Server v10.6.2 Update (496 MB)
- Mac OS X Server v10.6.2 Update (Combo) (503 MB)

Apple has also released Security Update 2009-006 for users on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

- Security Update 2009-006 Client (143 MB)
- Security Update 2009-006 Server (231 MB)

Several MacRumors readers have reported that they have received notification from Apple that their Intel Core i5-based quad-core 27" iMac orders have been shipped from Shanghai. There is no word yet on whether the upgraded Intel Core i7-based version of the quad-core model has also begun shipping.

Apple released its new 21.5" and 27" iMacs late last month, but announced at the time that the quad-core 27" models would not begin shipping until sometime this month. Pricing on the 2.66 GHz Core i5-based model begins at $1,999, with a $200 upgrade to the 2.8 GHz Core i7 also available. The use of these quad-core processors in the new iMac marks the first usage of desktop-class processors in Apple's "thin" iMac designs, as the model has traditionally utilized mobile processors for their lower heat output.

Google today announced that it has agreed to acquire mobile advertising firm AdMob in a deal valued at $750 million. AdMob is currently the world's largest mobile advertising provider and is utilized by many of the top ad-supported iPhone applications.

The deal will help Google in its efforts to develop more effective tools for creating, serving and analyzing emerging mobile ads formats. As this ecosystem continues to grow, the company expects these new marketing media to offer significant benefits:

- Advertisers will be better able to engage mobile users with AdMob's ad formats
- Publishers and developers will be able to monetize their content more effectively, which has benefits for the wider mobile ecosystem
- Users will see more relevant ads and ultimately get access to more ad-supported content and applications - improving their mobile experience

In a blog post about the pending deal, Google executives Susan Wojcicki and Vic Gundotra note the attractive market presented by iPhone and Android users for mobile advertising:

We've written in the past about how mobile phones are becoming an increasingly indispensable part of our daily lives, and we continue to see how great devices with full Internet browsers and vibrant app marketplaces are driving an explosion of usage. In fact:

- iPhone and Android users browse the Internet more often than anyone else [Morgan Stanley], contributing to Google's 5x mobile search growth over the past two years
- And a quarter of these same iPhone and Android users spend nearly 90 minutes per day using applications on their devices [AdMob]

Google has also posted an information site with full details of the proposed AdMob acquisition.

Several weeks ago, word surfaced that recent developer builds of Mac OS X 10.6.2 had ceased to support Intel's Atom processors, the basis of many netbook systems popular with those who wish to modify non-Apple systems to run OS X. The news set off a tremendous amount of discussion about the change until additional news surfaced that Atom compatibility had resurfaced in a subsequent developer seed, Build 10C535, released in late October.

A new post by developer and Tumblr user stellarola who has been monitoring the situation indicates that the claim of restored Atom support in Build 10C535 had been faked. He claims to have received confirmation from multiple sources that Atom is not supported in the latest developer seed, known as Build 10C540, released last week.

I spoke to another colleague of mine and he noticed the date of the kernel. He sent me a picture of his kernel information from 10.6.1, which uses the same kernel as 10.6.0. (The name has been removed for privacy purposes)

As you can see the date is exactly the same as the old kernel. Now, let's take a look at my gf's Core2Duo system that's running 10.6.2 Build 10C535. (The name has been removed for privacy purposes)

Obviously the date is different than the previous two. Anyone can tell the first image from "MachVoluM" is a fake. My sources still tell me the Atom CPU is still unsupported even in the latest 10.6.2 build 10C540.

A video has also been posted showing an MSI Wind netbook attempting to boot on the latest 10.6.2 seed, but being unable to do so.

Antivirus firm Sophos details the first known iPhone worm in the wild, which surfaced in Australia late last week. The worm affects users who have jailbroken their iPhones and installed SSH without then changing the default password and is currently a harmless exploit that simply changes the user's iPhone background to an image of singer Rick Astley, but could be used for much more malicious purposes.

The worm, which could have spread to other countries although we have no confirmed reports outside Australia, is capable of breaking into jailbroken iPhones if their owners have not changed the default password after installing SSH. Once in place, the worm appears to attempt to find other iPhones on the mobile phone network that are similarly vulnerable, and installs itself again.

In analyzing the worm, Sophos has found multiple variants, as well as numerous comments within the code suggesting that the worm is an experiment to draw attention to the risks faced by users who have not taken appropriate steps to secure their devices.

The source code is littered with comments from the author suggesting the worm has been written as an experiment. One of the comments berates affected users for not following instructions when installing SSH, because if they had changed the default password the worm would not have been able to infect them.

A forum poster known as ike_x on the Australian forum where the worm was first discussed has taken credit for the exploit and has been assisting affected users with removing it from their systems.

Apple has issued a 3.0.1 update to the Apple TV to address an issue that causes content to temporarily disappear from the device. They sent out this email notifying customers:

Dear Customer,
If you've installed the Apple TV 3.0 software update, you should immediately update to version 3.0.1. This prevents content from temporarily disappearing until it is resynced.

To update your Apple TV software:

1. Reboot your Apple TV (unplug the power cord and plug it back in)
2. Select Settings > General from the main menu
3. Select Update Software
4. Select Download and Install

Note: Your Apple TV will conduct a restart, which is followed by the Apple logo and a status bar.
For more information, please refer to this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3116

If you need further assistance with your Apple TV, contact AppleCare.
Sincerely,
Apple TV Team

Apple launched the 3.0 software update for Apple TV last week which overhauled the Apple TV interface and added compatibility for iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras.

A new report from OTR Global relayed by AppleInsider indicates that Apple is planning on manufacturing new hybrid iPhones that will support both Verizon's CDMA2000 network as well as the UMTS 3G network. Only the UMTS network is supported by the current version of the iPhone and is used by AT&T and much of the rest of the world.

Qualcomm's new hybrid CDMA/WCDMA chip offers the potential for a single, global iPhone that users can take to any major carrier, solving the network fractionalization problem. It also solves other issues that had served as roadblocks, including the issue of user confusion that would result from Apple selling separate CDMA and GSM/UMTS versions of the iPhone.

The reason behind building in such support would seem primarily to extend the iPhone's compatibility with Verizon in the U.S. The move is expected to take place by the 3rd quarter of 2010. Conveniently, AT&T's exclusivity contract with Apple is believed to expire in mid 2010.

The report also indicates the new model's screen will also shrink in size from 3.5" to 2.8" diagonally. Curiously, this is not the first time the possibility of a 2.8" iPhone has emerged with iLounge previously publishing photos of 2.8" screens that were believed to be for use in future Apple devices.

In a brief press release today, RadioShack announced that it will begin selling the iPhone starting with the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City markets later this month. RadioShack plans to sell the iPhone across the U.S. in 2010.

"As part of its ongoing mobility strategy, RadioShack is pleased to announce that it will introduce Apple's iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a limited number of company-owned stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City metropolitan areas beginning later this month. RadioShack expects to introduce iPhone in stores nationwide in 2010. For more information about exact store locations and product availability, visit www.radioshack.com. For more information about iPhone, visit www.apple.com/iphone."

Last year The Boy Genius Report reported that Best Buy and Radio Shack would begin selling the iPhone. Best Buy began selling the iPhone in September 2008.

Apple has rolled out a new Reserve and Pick Up purchasing program for its retail stores, allowing customers to select and reserve products for later in-store purchase and pick up ahead of the holidays.

With Reserve and Pick Up, you can make sure the top things on your list are definitely under the tree. Reserve an iPod or Mac online today and it will be waiting for you to pick up and purchase at an Apple Retail Store from December 15 to 24. You can even have many products wrapped. It's just another way we make it even easier to get through the holiday crowds -- and your gift list.

The program looks to streamline the purchasing process for those who reserve hardware ahead of time and ensures that customers won't face out-of-stock issues encountered when attempting to purchase on the spot. The program also offers gift wrapping in the company's "signature gift box" for an additional $5.00 charge for iPods and notebook computers. The program is currently featured prominently on the company's retail store sites in the US, UK, and Australia, and also appears to be available in Canada.

Fortune reports that Apple has issued media invitations for a preview of the company's fourth Manhattan store scheduled to officially open in New York City's Upper West Side at Broadway and 67th Street on Saturday, November 14th.

The store, located on the Upper West Side at Broadway and 67th Street, is well-positioned to get attention from the crowds and the TV cameras that will line the avenue for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade less than two weeks later.

ifoAppleStore previewed the new store earlier this month, showing off the "curtain" barrier currently shielding the store from public view and a high-level view of the store's unique glass roof and curving faade.

The Upper West Side store opening is part of a rush of several such high-profile openings as the company prepares for the holiday shopping season. Apple's first French retail store opens in Paris tomorrow, with a second French store set to open in Montpellier the following weekend.

Apple today began notifying purchasers of its iTunes LP offerings that updated versions compatible with the new Apple TV 3.0 software are now available for download. Apple delivered the Apple TV 3.0 software update to users last week, bringing a number of new features including iTunes LPs, iTunes Extras, Genius Mixes, and Internet radio to the company's set-top television box.

With the latest versions of iTunes (9.0.2) and Apple TV software (3.0), you can now use iTunes LP on your Apple TV. We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with (your purchase) so that it can now be viewed on Apple TV in addition to your Mac or PC. It is available for you to download now, free of charge.

Apple introduced its iTunes LP offering of enhanced album content in early September, and evidence had suggested that the format was designed with the Apple TV in mind. It appears, however, that a slight tweak to Apple's original Apple TV 3.0 software plans required the company to alter the iTunes LP format. This in turn required users who downloaded early versions of iTunes LPs to update to the new revised versions compatible with the full range of Apple devices.

A few times a year, MacRumors partners with MacHeist to promote their Mac application bundle deal. Their app bundles typically deliver a dozen Mac applications at a significant discount. The latest bundle is a bit of a departure for MacHeist by delivering 6 Mac applications ($154 value) for Free.

- ShoveBox ($25) - easily capture important bits of information
- WriteRoom ($25) - a distraction free writing environment
- Twitterific ($15) - popular Twitter client
- TinyGrab ($14) - quickly share screenshots
- Hordes of Orcs ($25) - tower defense game
- Mariner Write* ($50) - fast, streamlined word processor

Mariner Write requires 500,000 total bundle participants to be "unlocked". This free bundle offer can be downloaded here. Each application offered represents full licenses. Enjoy.

Near Field Communications World reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple is rumored to be testing a prototype of its next-generation iPhone equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The rumor comes from a "highly reliable source" who provided the information to Einar Rosenberg, Chief Technology Officer of Narian Technologies. Rosenberg writes:

Had to share this news. A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.

Apple has filed several patent applications related to RFID, which uses low-power radio waves to allow devices to interact over short ranges. The technology is currently being used in a number of settings, including electronic vehicle toll and mass transit system fare collection and contactless credit card transaction implementations.

AppleInsider details a patent application from Apple published today describing a method offering simplified transfer of data between devices. The method would allow users to easily or automatically transfer certain types of such as files or even content within applications such as online maps or other web pages between devices, addressing the often complex mechanics and decision-making involved in syncing only limited amounts of data between devices.

Though a user may have access to two similarly capable electronic devices, sharing data between the two devices may involve a number of steps, each of which may vary in difficulty. The process of transferring data between the devices may include many user decisions, such as which data to save, where the data is saved, which formats each device may be capable of processing, how to interconnect the devices for a most effective data transfer, etc. Such complexity may increase the difficulty or time spent transferring data between two electronic devices.

In one embodiment of the invention, a "Grab & Go" iPhone application could be used to allow users to transfer such content as files and open browser windows from a desktop Mac or other device.

The patent application also describes user-definable categories that could enable users to automatically grab only certain types of data from another device.

. . .a user may be sitting at their desk at work with an important spreadsheet open on their computer 58 when the user is called into an unexpected meeting. The user may have a number of other personal applications running. The preferences described above may allow the user to "grab" only files related to work from the user's work computer, such as only user data associated with productivity applications. In this way, the user may transfer only the important spreadsheet in the simplified data transfer 114, showing up to the meeting with only those files pertinent to work.

Additionally, the system permits users to define preferred methods of connection between devices, and security settings, as well as options to automatically convert files and content that would be unreadable on target devices to PDF format.

The patent application was filed on September 30th, 2008 and is credited to a total of seven inventors, including former Apple executive and "Father of the iPod" Tony Fadell.