MacRumors

According to the meta-description embedded in the HP Music Site, HP should start shipping iTunes pre-installed HPs by the end of this month:

The [iTunes] icon will start shipping pre-loaded on Pavilion and Presario computers in late March and these pages will be the first landing site directed towards HP.com/music

The original announcement placed pre-installed iTunes shipments in "summer". No further word on availability of the HP-branded iPod, however.

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.3.3:

Key enhancements include:

- network volumes are now available in the Finder sidebar and Desktop for convenient access
- improved file sharing and directory services for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks
- improved PostScript and USB printing
- updated Disk Utility, DVD Player, Image Capture, Mail and Safari applications
- additional support for FireWire and USB devices
- improved compatibility for third party applications
- previous standalone security updates and Bluetooth Update 1.5

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n25711

DVD Studio Pro 2.0.5 is now available via Software Update:

The DVD Studio Pro 2.0.5 update is strongly recommended for all users of DVD Studio Pro 2 creating DVD-9 projects. This update improves the placement of the dual-layer break point.

For additional information regarding the full contents of this update, please refer to the DVD Studio Pro Late-Breaking News located in the Help menu or at http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n93500

Apple announced today that the iTunes Music Store has sold over 50 million songs to date.

This figure does not include promotional songs given away in the iTunes-Pepsi giveaway.

Crossing 50 million songs is a major milestone for iTunes and the emerging digital music era, said Steve Jobs, Apples CEO. With over 50 million songs already downloaded and an additional 2.5 million songs being downloaded every week, its increasingly difficult to imagine others ever catching up with iTunes.

Apple has seeded Mac OS X 10.3.3 (7F43) to developers yesterday.

Major areas of change include Core OS, Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics and Imaginge, High Level ToolBox, Printing and USB.

Various fixes include:

- Prebinding performance fix
- Directory Services in large Active Directory installations performance improved
- NFS automounter now maintains connections in use
- Network browsing servers now mount on the Desktop and Sidebar
- AFP Authentication options are again available (Keychain for AFP now works again)
- Many other fixes

ThinkSecret posts some brief notes on various topics.

Of most interest is word of that one company is conducting a survey about Newton technology:

"We need to determine why the Apple Newton was not a commercial success and whether there is an interest in re-launching a new version of the Newton," the survey says. "Your comments will help understand why the Newton failed and if there is interest in re-launching a new, improved Newton."

The Apple Newton was first introduced in 1993 and essentially represented the first Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The Newton went through various revisions over the years but was discontinued in 1998.

Apple, however, retained the rights to all Newton related technology, and at least some has made it into Mac OS X (Inkwell).

Related Videos (Quicktime):

Say Hello to Newton
Newton Intelligent Assistant
Newton Trash

HP has posted their HP Music website at http://www.hp.com/united-states/music/

The special section on HP's website promotes Apple's iTunes jukebox software:

HP and Apple have partnered to bring the award-winning iTunes music jukebox software onto your PC and into your digital world!

The download link takes you to a special HP/Compaq "Download iTunes" page on Apple's site. This version of iTunes is 4.2.0.74( HP ), but is otherwise visually identical to the standard version of iTunes for Windows.

HP and Apple announced in January that they would be releasing an HP branded music player and bundling iTunes with their computers.

TechTV reports on Apple hosting in-store events featuring musicians to help draw traffic into their Apple Stores.

According to the article, Apple started offering the free live musical performances in spring of 2003. Musicians featured so far include Rufus Wainwright, Moby, The Ravonettes, and Wilco.

Apple hopes to give existing customers more reasons for coming back as well as a draw for new customers.

Several readers note this story about Pixar's migration from Linux to Mac OS X for its production work in 2003.

With this impressive technology [Pixlet], the new G5 systems and OS X's Unix underpinning, all the pieces were in place

This has been previously reported... with first rumors in July 2003, and subsequent details provided in this article in October 2003.

Apple announced today that they have plans to participate at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in April.

Of more interest, in a media invitation, Apple writes:

Moving pictures. Moving sound. Moving the industry. Please join Apple for a special presentation at NAB 2004 to see the latest Apple technology

The special event is to be held on April 18, 2004. While one recent Page 2 rumor hinted at an "upcoming device" at the NAB show in April, this may simply be a demonstration of existing products or software upgrades.

AP News reports that French music rights holders may take legal action against Apple for unpaid levies on the iPod.

Hard drive players in France are expected to pay taxes based on their size. A top of the line iPod would be expected to pay $20 euros per sale. The proceeds go to musicians and "other rights holders" who may lose money to piracy. Similar levies are placed on blank media in other countries.

This report claims that Apple has no plans to pay the tax.

MacWorld.co.uk reports on an Apple trademark dispute with Guangdong Apples Industrial Co, a Chinese clothing company.

According to the report, the dispute traces back to a rejection from China's trademark appraisal committee for Apple's request for a trademark on its logo for a line of Apple branded clothing. The request was denied due to similarities with Guangdong's logo.

MacWorld.co.uk provides pictures of both logos.

Apple continues to seed newer builds of Mac OS X. The most recent build 10.3.3 7F40 was seeded last night with no known issues, according to MacNews.net.tc -- who expects a final release "any day now".

Areas of major change include Core OS, Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics and Imaging, High Level ToolBox, Printing, and USB.

Filemaker 7 was released today. The long awaited upgrade provides several new features (MacCentral):

The most significant change in this release is FileMaker's transition to a new relational database engine architecture, although that's only one of more than 100 new features in this new release.

CNet also provides a brief review.

Official Press Release.

MacWorld.co.uk reports that Macworld Expo Boston is "shaping up to be a very strong show" according to its organizer -- IDG World Expo.

Macworld Boston takes place between July 12-15 and replaces the Macworld New York summer expo.

Apple, however, has announced that they will not be participating in the Boston expo.

MacWorld.co.uk reports confirmation that the Xserve G5s utilizing the new PowerPC 970FX processor has seen delays.

An official statement released to Macworld says: "We've received an incredible amount of customer interest for the new Xserve G5 1U rack-mount server since it was announced at Macworld Expo in January 2004.

"We're working hard to start shipping the new Xserve systems in March 2004, not by the end of February as originally announced."

No reasons regarding the delays has been given, but speculation suggests the same issues may have delayed a PowerMac G5 (970FX) upgrade.

French site, MacPlus.org, reports that according to their source, 3 new PowerMac G5 models will be released on Tuesday, March 23rd.

According to their information, the new machines will come in at the following specs:

Dual 1.8GHz G5, 256MB DDR400, 80GB HD, GeForce 5200 Ultra
Dual 2.2GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600
Dual 2.4GHz G5, 512MB DDR400, 160GB HD, Radeon 9600

MacPlus.org does not frequently publish rumors, but has published an accurate release date in the past.