MacRumors

A company called Psystar has started advertising a $399 computer called "OpenMac" which claims to be a Leopard compatible Mac built from standard PC-parts. For $399, you get a tower computer with the following specs:

- 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GB of DDR2 667 memory
- Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics
- 20x DVD+/-R Drive
- 4 USB Ports
- 250GB 7200RPM Drive

Many of the components can be upgraded, however. For example, the graphics card can be updated to a GeForce 8600GT 512MB for $155 more.

Psystar is marketing this as a cheaper and more expandable alternative to a true Apple Mac.

When comparing base configurations, the Mac Mini costs 150% of the price of the OpenMac while offering poorer performance, smaller storage space, and RAM. Not only that but the Mac Mini doesn't have the option for an nVidia GeForce 8600 video card like the OpenMac does so playing games on it is a lost cause.

The company claims that the machine is Leopard compatible with some "minimal patching" but does offer Leopard pre-installed. This is reportedly accomplished by using parts that are known to be compatible with Mac OS X Leopard, as well as the use of an EFI emulator.

With the EFI V8 emulator it is possible to install Leopard's kernel straight from the DVD that you purchased at the Apple store barring the addition of a few drivers to ensure that everything boots and runs smoothly.

Readers should note that these claims have not been independently verified, so this should not seen as an endorsement of this product. However, the technology appears to be derived from the osx86project, which has allowed hobbyists to install Mac OS X on their non-Apple PCs.

The concept is an interesting possibility, and will certainly draw the attention of Apple. The use of Leopard on non Apple-branded hardware is a violation of its End User License Agreement (EULA) and is specifically prohibited.

Update: Psystar appears to have changed the name of their product to "Open Computer". Whether this is a response to a direct request from Apple or is simply an internal company decision in recognition of possible trademark infringement remains unknown.

Macheist has launched their latest application bundle. The 12 application bundle is somewhat of a "best of" bundle incorporating many applications featured in previous bundles. The bundle will be boxed and sold at retail stores over the next year, but for a limited time is available online.

The bundle is now available and the Mac OS X applications (valued at $286.55 separately) include:

Awaken - alarm clock and sleep timer, works with iTunes
Cha-Ching - money management software
CoverSutra - iTunes controller
DEVONthink Personal - database for all your digital files
iClip - multiple clipboard & scrapbook
Overflow - application and document launcher
Wallet - store and organize your passwords, serial numbers, credit cards and more
Writeroom - full-screen writing environment
XSlimmer - shrink the size of applications
Enigmo, Bugdom 2, Nanosaur 2 - games from Pangea

Total cost is $49 for all 12 applications. MacRumors is a promotional partner for MacHeist and sales through these links support MacRumors financially.

Apple waited a full week before seeding the latest version of Mac OS X 10.5.3 (9d19) to developers on Friday. The latest version of Mac OS X Leopard adds 31 bug fixes to the growing list of issues addressed in the upcoming release. Features that are specifically targeted for focused testing include AirPort, Back To My Mac, Spaces, Time Machine and many others.

Apple first seeded Mac OS 10.5.3 9d10 in late-March and has been issuing regular releases to developers.

Once complete, the final Mac OS X 10.5.3 update will become available as a free update to existing Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) users via Software Update. No target date is set, but testing for a new version can extend over several months.

Apple has released Pro Applications Update 2008-01.

This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, Logic Studio, and Shake.

Apple's release notes specify that the update is a revision to Final Cut Studio 2.0 and includes Final Cut Pro 6.0.3, Compressor 3.0.3, Apple HDV Codec 1.4, and PluginManager 1.7.3.

The update to Final Cut Pro has made editing media in Sony's XDCAM HD422 format possible. Additionally, the Compressor update includes the ability to encode in Dolby Digital Professional (AC-3) and anamorphic video from the Apple Devices Encoder pane.

The Buyer's Guide has a been an important part of MacRumors for many years now.

The basic reason why the Buyer's Guide exists is to prevent someone from buying at the wrong time of the upgrade cycle. Apple updates their products in a very consistent manner. A Mac comes out at a certain price with certain features. The price and features of that particular Mac stay exactly the same throughout the lifespan of the product. So, if a customer buys on Day #1, they are getting the fastest/newest technology for the dollar. The problem, however, is that 8 months later, on the day prior to its refresh, that Mac costs the exact same money, but contains 8 month old technology.

Before the move to Intel this trend could be even more striking, as the PowerPC updates were especially secretive and we had no roadmap for future PowerPC processors. Instead, one day Apple would announce "new Macs," and anyone who just bought a Mac would curse their luck. Of course, the Buyer's Guide combined with the most recent rumors helped prevent that.

Since the move to Intel, however, the dynamics have changed a bit. First, we know what's coming 1-2 years in advance. Intel is very open about their plans, and we know that Apple will use their newest processors within a reasonable timeframe. Second, we've even heard rumors that Apple has even been forced to update their Macs ahead of what might be considered the "natural" refresh cycle in order to keep up with Intel's aggressive pace. These changes have caused some interesting side effects.Minor Updates, Buy Old Models?

The release of the newest MacBooks and MacBook Pros in February brought only minor changes to Apple's notebooks. The move to Penryn-based processors offered slight battery-life improvements, but little in speed gains.

In fact, the MacBook upgrade came as a bit of surprise since it had just been updated 3 months earlier. Rumors suggested that this unexpected update was due to Intel's aggressive phase-out of the previous generation Merom processors. But what this meant is that it was suddenly not very compelling to get the latest MacBook. Many readers may have been swayed by discounts on the previous generation MacBooks or MacBook Pros that had similar performance, but with a substantial "closeout" discount.

As we await the Penryn revisions for the iMac, readers should be aware that Penryn's reduced power consumption will not be particularly beneficial to desktop computers. Unless Apple adds other compelling features to the next iMac revision, readers may want to pause a moment before reflexively ordering the newest Mac.

Major Updates Ahead, To Wait Or Not?

For the first time since Apple has adopted Intel processors, we are approaching a major jump forward in processor technology with Nehalem processors. Nehalem represents an overhaul of Intel's processor technology. Arstechnica provides a technical overview of the upcoming processor, but the bottom line is it offers major improvements to several existing bottlenecks.

Nehalem, however, won't be ready for use in a Mac until early 2009. As a result, we can't recommend delaying all upgrades until then, but for those with more flexible upgrade plans, it may be worth the wait.

Meanwhile, potential buyers will be tempted mid-year with updates to the Penryn processors that will accompany the Montevina launch. These incremental increases in Processor and Front Side Bus speeds could also accompany major design changes to Apple's notebooks.

A newly published patent application reveals an abandoned possibility for the Apple iPhone. The patent details the methods for Apple to act as a "mobile virtual network operator" (MVNO).

When iPhone first connects to wireless network, it sends iTunes MVNO server it's ID and location, and get's back the information with the available networks, services and rates in the area.

Network selection can be done manually or simply based on the best price. All billing would have been consolidated under iTunes. The MVNO model would free Apple from any ties to any one particular mobile phone carrier and users would buy service directly from Apple. This possibility was discussed here on MacRumors back in 2005.

An earlier Wired article on the iPhone's origins had previously revealed that Apple was prepared to try to launch the iPhone themselves, if negotiations with Cingular (AT&T) fell through:

Apple was also prepared to buy wireless minutes wholesale and become a de facto carrier itself.

As readers know, negotiations were successful, and Apple launched the iPhone on AT&T exclusively. It's still interesting to see the other options Apple had explored in launching their own iPhone.

Adobe launched the Adobe Media Player 1.0 today. Adobe's Media Player is a standalone Video Jukebox application that runs under their AIR platform. The Media Player is compatible with both PCs and Macs.

In many ways, the Adobe Media Player mimics iTunes Video and Podcast functionality by providing users with an all-enclosed application that provides access to network shows and podcasts. Content is sparse at the moment, but Adobe has partnered with a number of content providers such as CBS, PBS, MTV and more. Unlike iTunes, however, Adobe's Media Player is not presently a "store" and offers free and ad-supported content. Adobe, however, has said that it plans on adding payment systems later to offer purchase and rental options.

The player supports playback for FLV and h.264 encoded content at up to HD quality (1080p, 720p). Content may be available for streaming or download with and without DRM depending on the rights granted by the content providers.

Predictably, there will be many iTunes users who don't see the point of transitioning to a different player, but what this represents more than just another media player is the first effective cross-platform Digital Rights Management (DRM) video platform alternative. As much as end users dislike DRM, the lack of an additional cross-platform video DRM has hindered some features on Mac. Notably, Netflix stated that the lack of a publicly-available Mac DRM solution was what prevented them from offering their streaming service to the Mac. It's not clear if Netflix will necessarily adopt Adobe's DRM, but this may open up additional alternatives to Apple's iTunes for content delivery on the Mac.

TGDaily claims (via IntoMobile.com) to have some new knowledge from "industry sources" about the upcoming 3G iPhone.

According to their sources, the 3G iPhone will indeed be introduced at Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in June. The 3G iPhone is expected to retain the same price points as the existing iPhone with an 8GB model priced at $399 and a 16GB model priced at $499. While they mention some speculation about a $599 32GB model, this remains unconfirmed.

The 3G iPhone is expected to be housed in a slightly thinner enclosure, less "plasticky" design, with some accelerometer tweaks. The operating system and user interface will remain unchanged.

While TGDaily admits they have not previously been the source of many Apple rumors, they have traditionally been a good source for Intel processor and industry information. Apple's WWDC conference takes place between June 9th-13th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.

Engadget has posted screenshots of the newest iPhone 2.0 Beta which was just released yesterday. One of the big features added to the latest beta is the ability to search contacts.

Meanwhile, MacTalk.com.au claims to have intercepted information sent to Australian resellers about the launch of the iPhone in Australia. According to their sources:

- iPhone Australia launch in last week of June release
- More than 1 carrier
- No contract lock in
- Current resellers will be able to sell iPhones

If true, this would represent a significant departure from Apple's current model in the U.S. which locks customers to AT&T specifically.

Finally, there had been reports of 3G chipset (SGOLD3) references in the latest SDK, but there are some doubts as to its significance.

Apple has seeded a new version of the iPhone 2.0 Beta OS for developers enrolled in the beta iPhone Developer Program. Also available today to all ADC members is an updated version of the iPhone SDK (Beta 3).

The updated iPhone beta firmware, version 5A240d, includes a number of fixes and new features centered on Exchange support, including the additional abilities of receiving and accepting meeting invitations, searching for contacts in the global address list, auto-complete email addresses in the global address list, and setting up an exchange account using Autodiscovery (Exchange 2007).

The final version of the firmware is expected in June as a free update for iPhone users and for a small fee for iPod Touch users.

Today's iPhone OS beta replaces the build originally seeded to developers, which incidentally had timed out today.

Apple released EFI Firmware Updates for the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac today. The firmware update descriptions are predictably short:

This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of [MacBook Air. Macbook, MacBook Pro, iMac] computers.

Users should note that while the EFI Firmware upgrades are downloaded by Software Update, they are not installed automatically. Instead, the updater is downloaded to Applications/Utilities and must be manually launched in order to update the firmware. Updating the firmware requires the computer to be shut down and it is installed on the next boot. Follow the included instructions carefully.

Apple also issued an Aluminum Keyboard firmware update:

This firmware update addresses an issue with the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing.

The updates can be found in your Mac OS X software update.

Apple is now shipping Final Cut Server.

For the past few months weve been using a beta of Final Cut Server to manage our entire workflow pipeline, 24/7, and it held up beautifully, said Evan Schechtman, CTO of Radical Media. Best of all, Final Cut Server integrates seamlessly with our home-grown solutions so its actually adding new value to systems weve relied on for years.

Announced nearly one year ago at the 2007 NAB conference, Final Cut Server provides professional asset management with tight integration with Final Cut Studio. The product was originally scheduled to ship in "Summer 2007" but has seen extensive delays.

Final Cut Server is available immediately through the Apple Store, Apples retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for $999 (US) for one server and 10 concurrent client licenses, and $1,999 (US) for one server and unlimited client licenses.

With QuickTime increasingly becoming a target for malicious hackers, eWeek reports that Apple has made several steps to make QuickTime more secure in the latest version (7.4.5) released just last week.

Besides patching 11 security vulnerabilities, the new version of QuickTime adds a few new features such as ASLR (address space layout randomization), stack buffer safety checking and function call hardening, all of which make it much more difficult to hack QuickTime.

Security researchers have applauded the efforts:

"That's a pretty big change for a point release," said Dino Dai Zovi, a hacker who has written multiple exploits for QuickTime. "They [Apple] have way more guts than many other software companies to do something like that. Either that, or they are afraid of the backlash if malware starts targeting QuickTime and iTunes in a more serious way."