MacRumors

MacNN reports that Phil Schiller joined Intel's Paul Otellini on stage at Intel's Developer Forum.

According to another report, Schiller stated that this was "just the beginning of the things that Intel and Apple can do together to bring to market the best computers that consumers and professionals have ever seen."

Otellini discussed the successful launch of the Core 2 Duo processor which powers the latest iMacs:

When it comes to performance and energy efficiency, Intel's new Core micro-architecture and flagship Intel Core 2 Duo processor have set a new standard for the industry, Otellini said. He showed where Core2 Duo benchmarks led across a wide range of applications and said it was now the fastest-ramping product in the company's history, with 5 million units shipped since it was introduced less than 60 days ago.

He also discussed their plans for 45nm products across desktop, mobile and server lines as well as the plans to ship Quad-core processors by November.

Meanwhile, Intel has also announced a $1 million contest for the best ("sexy, small, and sleek PCs") design utilizing their Viiv platform. Viiv is a reference design utilizing their dual core processors intended for home digital entertainment. At present, Apple has not adopted the Viiv design/name in its computers, but there had been speculation that they might.

ThinkSecret claims that Apple and Cingular have signed an agreement that will make Cingular the exclusive carrier for Apple's upcoming phone, reportedly due in early 2007. The contract is said to last 6 months, after which Apple would be free to expand its offerings to other providers. According to the site, Apple is still in talks with providers in other parts of the world on other exclusive deals.

The site has previously claimed that Apple's phone will feature a candy-bar design with a 2.2" display and 3 megapixel camera, with "robust iTunes and iSync" support. MacRumors has posted an artist's rendering of how our sources have depicted the phone.

Daily Tech claims to have received details for Intel's next major Core-based Xeon processor, code-named Clovertown. The processors will be in the Xeon 53xx family (current Mac Pros use Woodcrest cores that are in the Xeon 51xx family), and will be available in the following configurations:

In the likely event Apple choses to use Clovertown Xeon core as the next Mac Pro CPU, educated speculation would indicate that Apple would elect to only use the X5355 and E5345, as they are the only models that support a 1333 MHz front side bus, which is what current Mac Pros use. In such a scenario, Apple may elect to keep a Woodcrest configuration at the bottom end for customizability (currently, Apple offers 3 chip speeds in the Mac Pro).

Of interest, the Xeon 53xx series will be using Intel's LGA771 socket, which is the same socket that today's Xeon 51xx series (aka Woodcrest). Therefore current Mac Pro users may be able to upgrade to 8-core machines upon availability of the new chips (expected later this quarter to PC manufacturers according to Daily Tech).

Also mentioned in the article were Intel's Tulsa (Xeon MP) processor and Core-based Kentsfield, aka Core 2 Quadro. Currently, the Tulsa (Xeon MP 71xx series) is highly unlikely to be introduced into a Mac due to its basis on the power-hungry Netburst architecture. Kentsfield/Core 2 Quadro is also unlikely to see an inclusion in any current models.

A recent apparent cease-and-desist letter sent to Podcast Ready (makers of a software product called myPodder) by Apple has lit a firestorm in the blogosphere and online community. According to Eliot Van Buskirk at Wired.com, the cease-and-desist letter claimed that both the company's name and software infringed on Apple's trademarks.

While Apple's attempts at safeguarding its trademarks is nothing new, the move is striking fears that Apple is trying to take over the term "podcast". ZDNet's Russel Shaw posts a good summary of recent trademark attempts by Apple to register such terms as iPodcast.

Indeed, MacRumors' own research has found evidence that Apple has attempted to further the reach of its existing trademarks. The following describes a change Apple proposed to its existing iPod trademark (change applied for 06/18/05, final denial 05/22/06):

A full line of electronic and mechanical accessories for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio and video files; electronic docking stations; stands specially designed for holding portable and handheld digital electronic devices; battery chargers; battery packs; electrical connectors, wires, cables, and adaptors; wired and wireless remote controls for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; headphones and earphones; stereo amplifier and speaker base stations; automobile stereo adapters; audio recorders; radio receivers; radio transmitters; image scanners; video viewers, namely video monitors for portable and handheld digital electronic devices; and, electronic memory card readers; a full line of computer software for portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files; computer application software for recording and organizing calendars and schedules, to-do lists, and contact information; computer game software; and, computer software for clock and alarm clock functionality; carrying cases, sacks, and bags, all for use with portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, audio, image, and video files.

Currently, Apple's existing iPod trademark is much more restrictive.

Portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing text, data, and audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices

In addition, Apple has an open trademark application for "pod":

portable and handheld digital electronic devices for recording, organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files, and peripherals for use therewith; computer software for use in organizing, transmitting, manipulating, and reviewing audio files on portable and handheld digital electronic devices

Currently, the "pod" trademark appears to be encountering some resistance, as a request for an extension of time to file an opposition to the trademark has been filed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. It was not immediately clear who is asking for the extension.

Of additional possible relevance, it appears a few enterprising individuals have already attempted to trademark the term "podcast". In both cases found by MacRumors, non-final action has been mailed by the U.S. trademark office, which either indicates a initial refusal or a request for additional information. Currently, no corporation or individual appears to hold a trademark (in the U.S.) to the term "podcast."

Update: The original cease-and-desist letter can be found here. In it, Apple's legal team cites its "iPod" and "Pod" trademarks, and asks Podcast Ready to stop using the term "mypodder" because of confusion it may cause with the iPod and Pod trademarks. Furthermore, Apple explicitly states that it is not asking Podcast Ready to stop using its company name, as the "services description indicates the mark will be used for podcasting-related services."

Apple held their Photokina Media Event today and announced Aperture 1.5.

Aperture 1.5 provides more iLife integration, plug-in support for Internet services, and advanced library and editing features. The new features are summarized on this page. Improvements include:

Flexible Library Manangement
iLife '06 and iWork '06 Integration
Export Metadata Automatically
Advanced Color Controls
Edge Sharpen
Speed Metadata Entry with Presets
Improved Loupe
iPod Sync
and more...

It is a free update to existing Aperture owners and should be available later this week. Apple's website has been updated to reflect the new version.

Apple is hosting a Special Event today at Photokina. The invite-only media event was first reported in late August after members of the UK Press received invitations.

Details on the media event have been particularly scarce, but it is believed the event is currently taking place in Colonge, Germany.

There does not appear to be any live coverage for this event on the web. We will provide links or updates as they are received.
There have been rumors of Aperture updates and possibly MacBook updates at this event.

Updates:
MacNotes.de and MacTechNews are providing live updates. Information also from consolidated from the user reports. Summarized bullets:

Aperture 1.5 Announced
Demo of Aperture 1.5
More flexible use of storage. Photos on DVDs and other storage.
Offline media can be "edited"
Previews shown in high quality, even if stored on DVDs/"offline"
iLife, iDVD, iWork integration
Plug-in API offered. Plug Ins for Gettyimages, iStockPhoto, and Flickr available, with more coming
New Loupe, Magnification no longer tied to specific settings/steps.
Loupe shows color information
Improved Meta-data support, allowing meta data assigned to several images.
XMP format is supported
Better sharpening tool
New full-screen comparison mode for several images at once
iDVD, Keynote integration
iPod/iTunes integration. Transfer photos to your iPod
Free upgrade to existing Aperture users.
Available this week

Adobe announced today the release of the Beta 4 version of Lightroom, available for public download.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta 4.0 offers improved digital photography workflow tools, including a precision white balance selection option and a more streamlined and elegant user interface experience with customizable controls. An intuitive new tone curve adjustment feature provides powerful image correction capabilities, allowing users to visually obtain excellent midtone, shadow and highlight adjustments.

The first beta of Lightroom was released by Adobe in January 2006 and is poised as a direct competitor to Apple's Aperture.

Meanwhile, Apple is rumored to release an update to Aperture at their September 25th Media Event today at 10:30 EST. The possibility of Mac portable updates has also been raised, though the evidence has not been overwhelming. The latest report simply places the updates before the holiday season. Ongoing discussion about potential MacBook upgrades should be directed to this ongoing thread.

MacRumors user, Peace, discovered that the wireless card in the new Core 2 Duo 20" iMac is identified as a Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter under the latest version of Vista.

The Broadcom 802.11n adapter provides a draft version of the 802.11n wireless specification which is not yet finalized. The new protocol promises significantly faster transfer speeds than existing 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks.

The real data throughput is estimated to reach a theoretical 540 Mbit/s (which may require an even higher raw data rate at the physical layer), and should be up to 50 times faster than 802.11b, and well over 10 times faster than 802.11a or 802.11g.

Adopting draft protocols may cause interoperability issues when the protocol is finally ratified -- which may not be until 2008.. This doesn't appear to be stopping manufacturers, including Intel, from adopting the draft protocols.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation that Apple's iTV device will also incorporate the 802.11n protocol. Steve Jobs described the wireless technology only as "802.11" -- without specifying the exact protocol.
The new card capabilities were discovered when booting the latest version of Vista. The 802.11n capabilities of the device do not appear to be recognized under Mac OS X at this time.

The New York Post reports that Wal-Mart is warning Hollywood studios against partnering with Apple's iTunes Store for movie distribution.

According to studio executives, "Wal-Mart has overtly threatened to retaliate if [studios] go into business with Apple."

While Apple has only signed one movie studio (Disney) to the iTunes store, the early success has caught the attention of other studios. One executive is quoted as saying "We all want to be in the Apple business".

The threat of Wal-Mart repurcussions, however, may temper iTunes partnerships as Wal-Mart controls a large portion of the retail market for DVDs.

The situation between [Wal-Mart] and Hollywood has gotten so heated and so high-level that Jobs recently phoned Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott to ask him to moderate his stance, according to a source.

Update: This Reuters story claims that Wal-Mart has said it is not trying to dissuade movie studios from working with Apple's iTunes service.

"The Post story appears to be a rehashing of the misinformation that's been printed previously," a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said in a statement.

Multiple Canadian readers are reporting seeing at least two new Apple "Get a Mac" ads on Canadian TV. The ads have not appeared on Apple's Get A Mac website, but from the accounts appear to be the same ads that were previously spotted in a Tampa Bay Apple Store earlier this month. Readers report the following additional information on the ads:

In one ad, Gisele Bndchen reportedly represents a beautiful movie made on a Mac (iMovie), while the PC (with some proding) shows his movie which is an unkempt, hairy man dressed like Gisele.

In another ad aimed to demonstrate the Mac's capability in the office, both Mac and PC are wearing suits (although the Mac's suit is described as a "fairly good looking hip" suit). The PC ends up on the floor in this ad, and reportedly says something along the lines of "just let me lie here and depreciate".

A third ad seen by the Tampa Bay spotter has not yet [also] been reported by Canadian TV watchers, and reportedly depicts the Mac and PC in a counseling session.

Update 2: Watch one of the ads on Youtube. [The ad was removed]

Update 3: Two more videos have been uploaded to Google Video: [ 1, 2 ]

The New York Post claims that Amazon and TiVo are in negotiations about bringing Amazon's Unbox movies to your television screen. According to their sources, the potential new feature would allow users to automatically transfer online movie puchases to their TiVO.

This offers a similar service as Apple's pre-announced iTv device. Apple's iTv attempts to provide this computer-TV connection with a seperate set-top box which locally connects to your Mac/PC to play your iTunes downloaded content. Presumably, a TiVo version of this would provide similar functionality with Amazon Unboxed videos.

Amazon's Unbox service has received poor reviews since its launch.

Infoworld points out that Apple will have two sessions at Intel's Fall Developer Forum from September 26-28th in San Fracisco.

The author sees this as an long delayed endorsement from Intel for Apple:

Intel has put two Apple sessions at the top of its Featured Sessions list for the upcoming Intel Developer Forum. That isn't Apple doing Intel a favor by filling a couple of empty slots in the schedule. Intel is touching a toe to that third rail for component manufacturers: Endorsement

This comes in the wake of comments by AMD CEO that he feels Apple will eventually come around and buy AMD chips as an alternative to Intel. While the comment has received a lot of press, it appears to be a simply speculative comment without any particular basis.

Now available via software update:

Security Update 2006-005 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components.

AirPort

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798.

Macworld takes a look into developing the recently released iPod games for the iPod 5/5.5G. Dave Roberts and Dennis Ryan, CEO executive vice president of business development of PopCap Games (respectively), and Fresh Games President Steve Smith were both interviewed. Notable excerpts are below:

On Development:

Roberts: PopCap has been working with Apple for more than a year to bring its games to the Macintosh in a project that, in typical Apple fashion, demanded absolute secrecy. "We coordinated with Apple engineering," he said. "The first time I was able to play the game on the iPod was at the Apple event."

Ryan: "It was different in terms of using the click wheel as an input device rather than a dialpad," said Ryan. "In terms of technical challenges, it's things we've dealt with before, like a small screen size and different memory requirements"

Future Plans:

Smith: "We're working on a new game that will be released soon," said Fresh Games' Smith. "And we've seen some interest in it for the iPod, so we'll see."

Roberts: "We will certainly do other games for the iPod, but when and what all depend on the normal confluence of events."

In a follow-up article, Macworld talks with long-time Mac developers who were a bit frustrated at being left out of the loop.

"It was lame of Apple to ignore the guys that have been loyal to them," said a developer who asked not to be named. "We were ready, willing and able to create anything they wanted."

Developers are continuing to be frustrated at the lack of a software development kit (SDK) for the iPod that would allow them to program software for the iPod.

"No one can create anything for the iPod without access to an SDK," said one developer. "They dont even have to release that if they dont want to. I can see not wanting to open the floodgates to every [amateur]. But they have our number... let us sign an NDA and work on some things."

Besides announcing the number of movies that Disney has sold, iPod Observer notes that CEO Bob Iger also provided some impressions of Apple's pre-announced iTV device which is due in the first quarter of 2007.

Iger describes the device's functionality:

It's wireless. It detects the presence of computers in your home; in a very simple way you designate the computer you want to feed it and it wirelessly feeds whatever you downloaded on iTunes which include videos, TV, music videos, movies or your entire iTunes music library to your television set.

And also explains that it is very easy to control and the appeal to content developers is to provide them roll in selling content to the DVR/TVR audience.

...if they've forgotten to set their TiVo device or their TVR or they just have no plan to do it but they want to watch an episode that they missed, they can go to iTunes, buy it for $1.99, [send it] to the set-top box source wirelessly and watch it on the television."

Iger also indicates that the device does indeed contain a hard drive... a fact that was not entirely clear from the preview.

MacCentral has posted a question/answer article for iTV which gives an overview of the device, in case you missed the original preview.

Long term Apple fans will remember that Apple almost launched an Apple Set Top Box years ago but it was never officially released. Interestingly, the Set Top Box device was described as "Apple's ITV system" in a press-release, indicating that Apple has recycled this codename (iTV). The final name for the upcoming system has not yet been decided.

Apple has released a Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update in your Mac OS X Software Update. The update is described:

This EFI Firmware Update fixes several Boot Camp and start up issues on Mac Pro computers. If the firmware update doesn't run automatically, open it manually in the /Applications/Utilities folder.

Also available is a Mac Pro SMC Firmware update:

The SMC Firmware Update adjusts fan behavior in the Mac Pro. After this update has completed successfully, your SMC Version will be: 1.7f8. The updater application will be installed in the /Applications/Utilities folder and will launch automatically after restart.