MacRumors

Macworld reports that Apple is acknowledging a limited problem with some iPod nano screens causing them to break easily:

"This is a real but minor issue involving a vendor quality problem in a small number of units," Schiller told MacCentral. "In fact, this issue has affected less than 1/10 of 1 percent of the total iPod nano units that we've shipped. It is not a design issue."

Affected users are asked to call AppleCare for iPod replacement.

A separate issue which has received a lot of press has been complaints that the iPod nano screen is very easily scratchable. Apple reports, however, that the Nano is made of the same materials as the recent 4th generation iPod.

According to a user submission, Apple has started shipping 1.5Ghz G4 Mac minis while still packaged in 1.42Ghz boxes. The system profiler shows the video card as a 64MB VRAM Radeon 9200, and a Dual-Layer 8x SuperDrive.

Mac mini upgrades were recently rumored in this page 2 post. The Apple online store still lists the Mac mini as being offered with either a 1.25Ghz or 1.42Ghz PowerPC G4.

Update: ThinkSecret is now publishing corroborating evidence.

Reuters reports that Microsoft and Intel have announced their plans to back the HD-DVD format for high definition content. Microsoft's support for the HD DVD format was expected based on previous announced partnerships with Toshiba.

Meanwhile, Apple announced support for Blu-ray technology in March of 2005. Blu-ray is the main competitor to the HD DVD format.

While, Microsoft/Intel control a large proportion of PC hardware, content providers have not yet joined their site:

But the battle over next-generation DVD formats is far from over, Kaufhold said, noting support in Hollywood for Blu-ray. Several studios, including Walt Disney Co., Sony Pictures and News Corp. unit Twentieth Century Fox, have said that they will release high-definition movies on Blu-ray.

The Inquirer.net claims that Apple is trying to influence Intel in providing their newest processors to Apple early.

So just what can Apple do? It could attempt to put pressure on Intel to give it the necessary chips early. So Apple is doing just that, and sources claim that it isn't flying as well as it had hoped.

According to this unverified report, Apple is interested in the Woodcrest and Merom processors which Intel announced in August.

Note that previously, analysts predicted Apple would use the Yonah processor which will be released in early 2006, consistent with Apple's present timeframe.

Apple has released a new Security update in your Mac OS X Software Update. Security Update 2005-008 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users.

This update includes the following components:

- ImageIO
- LibSystem
- Mail
- QuickDraw
- Ruby
- SecurityAgent
- securityd

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798

Update: iPod software update 2005-09-23 has also been released. It includes iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod shuffle, which contains bug fixes.

Businessweek reports on a market research firm's analysis of the iPod nano - taken apart.

According to iSuppli, the components of the 2GB iPod nano costs $90.18 in materials and $8 to assemble, leaving Apple a 50% margin before marketing and distribution costs.

This estimates a $54 price point for the 2GB Flash from Samsung. Apple reportedly struck a deal with Samsung cornering 40% of their flash production at a significant discount. Meanwhile, the same 2GB flash would cost another manufacturer $90, according to the article.

Other internal changes noted some changes in suppliers for parts providing further discounts and the return of PortalPlayer's technology to the Nano (absent in the shuffle).

Guardian Unlimited provides an interview with Steve Jobs during the Apple Expo in Paris. The interview offers little new information but does provide some insight into Steve Jobs and Apple.

Of most interest is the suggestion of new products in the pipe, while we are currently in a lull:

Apart from nano - which, as a replacement for the best-selling iPod mini, is a major move for the company - Apple's cupboard is fairly bare. It is a low point in the product cycle, with much of the behind-the-scenes work focusing on the Intel-based computers due next summer. But new iPods are on the way, and Jobs promises "a lot of new things in the pipeline".

Intel-based Macs are first expected in 2006, though there have been some persistent rumors that Dual Core PowerPC based PowerMacs are in the works.

ThinkSecret provides confirmation for an earlier Page 2 Rumor.

According to the report, Apple will be quietly updating the Mac mini in the next week. The low end Mac mini will be upgraded from 1.25GHz to 1.33GHz and the high end from 1.42GHz to 1.5GHz. Internal components such as AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth will receive upgrades as will the SuperDrive (up to 8x) in the high end Mac mini model.

Prices are expected to remain the same.

The Mac mini just received minor upgrades in July. Such a gradual upgrade process is consistent with a long standing goal of Apple wanting to de-emphasize Expo events for product releases.

MacCentral provides a slightly more detailed report of the discussion session held with Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller at Apple Expo Paris.

Highlights include:

- iTunes software for the Motorola phone was a learning experience. "We see it as something we can learn from."
- Jobs discussed video on handheld devices - such as a Video iPod. He admits that you can download videos from iTunes as well as Video Podcasts, but is uncertain if people will buy a dedicated video playback device. "So far they haven't. No one has been successful with that yet."
- Jobs still insists that the convergence between TV and Computers is not going to happen.
- Regarding new features (such as radio), "We are very careful about what features we add because we can't take them away."
- Feels that Bluetooth isn't a good option. Sound isn't good. Recharging headphones is a pain.

Apple released a small update to iTunes 5.0 today:

iTunes 5 features a new even more powerful instant search, including the new Search Bar which helps you find exactly what you are looking for in iTunes or from among 2 million songs on the Music Store, folders for organizing playlists, and new Parental Controls for music, music sharing and podcasts. iTunes 5.0.1 features several stability improvements over iTunes 5.

The 5.0 upgrade introduced a number of issues including crahes, difficulties transferring purchased music, playlist problems and other issues.

This bug-fix update has been expected and can be found in your Software Update or downloaded directly at http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

At Apple Expo in Paris, Steve Jobs reaffirmed that Apple would be ready to ship Intel-based Macs by June of 2006.

"We are on track to do that," Jobs told a news conference in Paris, referring to the plan the company announced in June this year.

Apple first announced their plan to move to Intel-based processors in June 2005. At that time, Jobs stated that the transition would take place in less than two years and be complete by the end of 2007. The first Intel Macs were expected to arrive by June of 2006.

Based on Jobs' comments today, this targeted timeframe remains true.

Macworld.co.uk provides a more detailed description of the Q&A Discussion which Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller participated in at the start of Apple Expo Paris.

Apple updated their .Mac service overnight. The site has been revised to reflect the changes. The updates increase user storage, add a new Groups feature and updates the Backup utility to 3.0 (previously rumored):

The .Mac account now has a 1GB of combined email and iDisk storage. The Family Pack now offers 2GB of storage.

.Mac Groups - "your place to get connected with friends and family online."
- Group Photos
- Announcements
- Group Calendar
- Share photos and files
- Post messages

Backup 3.0
- Preset backup plans for iLife content and other Mac essentials
- Automatic scheduling to CDs and DVDs
- Incremental backups
- Advanced file restoration
- The ability to back up more than one Mac to your iDisk

Apple Expo Paris starts this week from September 20th to 24th in Paris, France. Despite rumors that Steve Jobs would give the keynote address, Apple announced that there would be no opening keynote speech at Apple Expo Paris.

Several reports (macplus/french, YourMacLife Post) note that part of Apple's booth are covered in black cloth:

Apple's booth looks the same as it always does.....except for the black cloth draping one section of the booth and the absence of Powerbooks and iBooks in the booth.

Although security appears to be tight around the booth, some early photos have been posted including a small glance at the black cloth.
Update: Appleinsider claims there will be one hardware announcement at Apple Expo Paris.

Wired is reporting that Apple has been sending legal notices to iPod accessory vendors such as everythingipod.co.uk and iPodLife.co.uk to stop them from using the word "iPod" in their names and URLs.

Apple reportedly also threatened legal action against another iPod retailer forcing their name to be changed from iPod Essentials to MP3 Essentials.

Of note, enthusiast site, iPodLounge, recently rebranded their site and changed their name from iPodLounge to iLounge. They reason for the change was cited to be growth and expansion, but its unclear if Apple's recent iPod name interest had any part in it.

O'Grady's PowerPage claims that Apple is prepping an update for the PowerBook line "that could arrive as soon as this week."

The update is expected to be a minor speed bump but few details are available.

Also reported is that Intel PowerBooks are not expected until mid-to-late 2006.

The imminent prediction of PowerBooks is contrary to recent predictions by ThinkSecret that PowerBooks would not see updates for some time... possibly as late as early 2006. Traditionally, ThinkSecret has been far more accurate than PowerPage with product release predictions.

Of note, readers are reminded that Apple Expo Paris kicks off this week on September 20th. While Steve Jobs was originally expected to provide a keynote speech, that speech was canceled in early September.

ZDNet reports that IDG has canceled Macworld Expo Boston, which was next scheduled for July 10 to 13, 2006. Attendance and interest in the Boston event have lagged ever since Apple withdrew from attending, which in turn was a result of IDG moving the east coast Expo from New York to Boston in 2004.

"We did it for two years in Boston without Apple," said spokesman Mike Sponseller. However, he said, in talking with exhibitors and others, it became clear that there was not enough demand for future shows. Sponseller said the final decision to cancel the event was made Friday.