MacRumors

Apple has posted the rumored iSight Firmware Update (1.0.2) to your Software Update:

The iSight 1.0.2 update provides improved auto exposure and auto white balance functionality, enhanced IIDC compliance and better overall performance. The iSight 1.0.2 update is recommended for all iSight users.

Readers are reporting the first of the iPod Minis being delivered.

News.com provides this very well balanced first-look video of the iPod Mini.

Apple will be selling the iPod Mini at their local Apple Stores starting at 6pm on Friday, February 20th.

Apple contiunes to add benefits for .Mac subscribers.

The latest promotion offers 10% off Camcorders at Apple Retail stores.

We're making filmmaking even easier with this timely digital camcorder discount for .Mac members, now through March 31, 2004 only at the Apple Retail Stores. You'll need to present a printout of this .Mac page to get the 10 percent discount on any digital camcorder in stock, including the latest models from Canon, Sony and JVC. (Note: This discount is subject to camcorder availability.)

Terms and Conditions apply. This represents the first .Mac-exclusive discount on retail products. Previous hints have suggested that Apple may offer similar discounts for software purchases for .Mac subscribers.

Despite Napster's popularity at select colleges, it appears that the relauched Napster service is having some difficulties.

This Mercury News article reports that besides losing money, several executives have left and a round of layoffs began on Wednesday.

According to record label sources, Napster only sells approximately 1/4 of the songs that iTunes does.

Of additional interest is that the surprise Apple-HP deal announced in January was originally Napster's partnership:

But in the days leading up to Napster's re-launch in late October, HP suddenly -- and without explanation -- returned Napster's $250,000 check and canceled the agreement to install a link to Napster's online music service on its computers.

Napster's chief executive Chris Gorog, however, remains upbeat about the company's prospects and points to retail partnerships, pre-paid cards, and their European launch.

ThinkSecret reports that Apple has seeded Mac OS X 10.3.3 to developers.

Major changes include Carbon, Cocoa, Core OS, Graphics and Imaging, High Level ToolBox, Printing, and USB."

The previous 10.3.3 seed was pulled due to a major bug on 20" iMacs.

99mac.se publishes an internal memo from Steve Jobs to Apple employees today.

According to the Memo, Jobs states that "Today is a historic day of sorts for our company." Apple used $300 million in cash to pay off the rest of their debt, and is now a debt-free company. A big turnaround from over $1 billion in debt in mid-1997. Also noted in the memo is that Apple has $4.8 billion in the bank at this time.

Update: In case there was any doubt: Fred Anderson reported the same on Friday.

Appleinsider rekindles rumors of an Apple Set Top Box.

The vague details describe "a device that will allow consumers to wirelessly broadcast their iTunes play libraries--from an iPod or PC--to a home stereo, among other things".

Other reports claim iPhoto and iDVD compatibility with this media hub.

Rumors of an Apple "Set Top Box" go back years, but also match recent pre MWSF hints and an entry in the 2003 rumor reject pile. Meanwhile, Appleinsider recently claimed that Apple would be producing a 'home appliance' of some sort in the near future.

Apple posted iSync 1.4 to your Software Update:

iSync 1.4 includes support for more Symbian OS smart phones and the iPod mini, as well as stability improvements.

Before you install iSync 1.4, you must install iCal 1.5.1 or later. To download the latest version of iCal, visit www.apple.com/ical.

This IDG news article provides some very limited coverage of IBM's PowerPC presentation yesterday at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) 2004.

This particular article offers very few details, but does confirm a 2.5GHz rated PowerPC 970FX from IBM. According to senior technical staff member at IBM:

IBM's 2.5GHz PowerPC 970FX will dissipate about 50 watts of power during typical use, down from 66 watts consumed by its PowerPC 970 predecessor at a lower clock speed

Apple is using the PowerPC 970FX (at 2.0 GHz) in their Xserve G5s, and will presumably use the new processor in upcoming PowerMac revisions. More coverage of IBM's Monday presentation will be posted as available. IBM will also presenting information on the PowerTune technology on Wednesday February 18th.

Apple's website now reflects a countdown to the iPod Mini's public release. The teaser page reads "iPod mini: The world's smallest 1,000 song digital music player. For Mac and Windows".

Apple also announced that the iPod mini has received over 100,000 pre-orders since its introduction in January. According to Phil Shiller, "The response to iPod mini has been off the charts".

As previously reported, the iPod Mini will be in stores February 20th at 6pm.

TechWorld offers some early details of IBM's new PowerTune technology in the PowerPC 970FX.

The company claims that the chip's unique power-tuning technique allows it to vary power consumption thousands of times per second, reducing the overall power consumption compared with other chips that consume a constant amount of power.

According to a senior technical staff member at IBM, "customers will be able to use the chip in everything from PCs to notebooks to networking equipment".

The new processor is already being used in Apple's Xserve G5, which starts shipping this month.

ThinkSecret updates with a number of small blurbs... the most interesting of which involves some information of PowerMac G5 updates.

According to the rumor site, while Apple has received PowerPC 970FX chips from IBM for "a number of weeks", PowerMac G5 upgrades are not expected during the month of February.

Steve Jobs had last announced that PowerMac G5s would reach 3GHz "before the end of next summer [2004]".

Despite limited supply arriving at Apple Stores for the iPod mini as early as Feb 16th... the new Minis will reportedly not go on sale until February 20th at 6pm.

Some Apple Stores are taking reservations for early orders at this time.

Apple may be hosting some sort of event/launch party at that time, but details are yet unavailable.

IBM officially announced that it is producing the PowerPC 970FX today based on "a new method of manufacturing to make microprocessors that consume less power".

The new manufacturing process for the new chips includes silicon-on-insulator, strained silicon and copper wiring based on a 90nm chip making process. The resulting chip "which can process vast amounts of computer memory compared with a standard 32-bit chip, can either run at faster speeds or use less power".

According to Richard Doherty, research director at Envisioneering, "It's logical that Apple would select the flexibility of this chip for a next-generation notebook computer."

The incorporation of both Silicon-on-insulator and strained silicon gives credence to this early rumor report which claimed that IBM was producing chips using a new SSOI (strained silicon on insulator) manufacturing process. Previous expectations had targeted this technology at a later date (2005).

The new chips are already being used in the Xserve G5s. More information should become available at the ISSCC 2004 conference this next week.

Meanwhile, CNet report echos a previous expectation of 2.5GHz speeds, but may simply be based on the same Microprocessor Report speculation published earlier this week.

TimesOnline reports that Apple is planning on opening a "giant flagship store" on London's Regent Street.

The 20,000 sq ft store would represent Apple's second international store, and the first in Europe.

Apple had hinted that Apple Retail Stores would make their way into international territories in time. The first such store opened in Japan in November.

The London store is expected to open by Christmas.

Apple posted a GarageBand 1.0.1 update today.

According to the info page, this 21MB update "clarifies specific alert dialogs regarding system performance."

Apple first introduced Garageband at MacWorld San Francisco in January 2004.