Doctor Q

MarketWatch reports on a Wall Street Journal article saying that Alain Levy, CEO of EMI Music, expects Apple to end the one-price-fits-all pricing in the iTunes Music Store within a year, increasing prices for popular songs and cutting prices for music by unknown artists. Levy reportedly discussed the issue with Steve Jobs, although the details of those discussions were not given and it was not...

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...

Now in Software Update: Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2 delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java on Mac OS X v10.4. This release includes Java 2 Platform Standard Edition versions 1.3.1_16 and 1.4.2_09. The update, which is over 40MB, is also available for direct download....

Alongside the many other announcements today, Apple has also released a minor update to Quicktime 7. Quicktime 7.0.2 is now available in Software Update. QuickTime 7.0.2 delivers numerous important bug fixes and compatibility enhancements. This update is highly recommended for all QuickTime 7 users. A restart will be required. Other announcements today included iPod nano, iTunes 5...

Apple announced that, contrary to expectations, there will be no opening keynote speech at Apple Expo Paris on September 20 through 24. Instead, Apple executives will host a question-and-answer session for the media, according to Macworld. In a move possibly designed to lessen press attention, Apple revealed the information on a U.S. holiday weekend. Steve Jobs has been the traditional...

In an apparent marketing change of mind, and without warning or comment in its online retail store, Apple has canceled its Mac mini "test drive" offer after only one day. The Apple Store previously said Test drive a Mac mini Exclusive Online Offer Try it for 30 days - send it back if you don't love it. Macworld has received confirmation from Apple that the offer has been...

An update to the .Mac package of software and services is imminent, according to AppleInsider sources. Reportedly, a new version of Backup (the backup utility) will support multiple backup plans, for backing up different collections of files, and allow backing up of multiple computers to one iDisk. The new .Mac version is also said to include a number of exclusive Dashboard widgets. .Mac...

Now in Software Update: Safari version 2.0.1 for Mac OS X Tiger improves website compatibility, application stability and support for 3rd party web applications.It can also be downloaded directly from Apple...

Ever since Apple's announcement of plans to move to Intel processors, there has been much speculation about the relationship between Apple and its G4 processor supplier: Motorola-spinoff Freescale Semiconductor. New details emerged this week when Apple and Freescale signed a supply agreement, as noted in a regulatory Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Under the terms of the agreement,...

Apple has posted PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 for 1.67GHz PowerBook G4s. The PowerBook must be on Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.2 to install this update. About the PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 This update is recommended for the following PowerBook G4 computers: - PowerBook G4 (15-inch, 1.67 GHz) - PowerBook G4 (17-inch, 1.67 GHz) The PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0 improves graphics...

Now in Software Update: The iMac G5 Sleep Light Update adjusts the brightness of your iMac G5 sleep indicator light so it's not as bright during the evening. The daytime brightness remains the same. This update is installed in Applications > Utilities and should automatically launch. Click Update and follow the onscreen instructions to apply the update. Note: Once the update has started, do...

Last month's Widescreen iBook rumor has resurfaced in a Think Secret article today saying that sources have confirmed an iBook update "very soon" and possibly today or this week. The last iBook updates were nine months ago today, making this the longest-ever interval without updates. The article speculates, based on an unconfirmed tip, that the delay is a result of a change in form factor, to ...

An Ars Technica column, with what is claimed to be insider information, says that Apple's switch to Intel processors was a result more of Apple's high-handedness with IBM, and IBM's refusal to continue to acquiesce, than of the performance and roadmap issues stated publicly by Apple and disputed by IBM. Other purported reasons are an Apple interest in becoming an all-Intel shop, using Intel...

AirPort 4.2 is now in Software Update. For Mac OS X: AirPort 4.2 for Mac OS X software supports all models of Apple AirPort base stations including the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express models. This update fixes compatibility with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2) security software on AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme base stations. This update also resolves IPv6 link local configuration...

iPhoto 5.0.3 is now in Software Update and available for download: Recommended for all customers using iPhoto 5.0, 5.0.1 and 5.0.2, iPhoto 5.0.3 addresses issues with Tiger compatibility, Book and Print ordering, and Smart Albums. Changes include: - On Tiger, images are no longer color-shifted after editing --(Mac OS X 10.4.2 update required) - Book layouts will not change when moving an...

Now available via Software Update: iSync 2.1 supports compatibility for more devices such as the latest Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic and Sony Ericsson phones For a complete list of supported devices, please check http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/isync/devices.html. Motorola is expected to release the iTunes enabled phone next month ...

AppleInsider reports on an Apple patent filing for an iPod automobile dock. The device would seemingly complete with the TuneDok sold by Belkin, using a different method for cable management. Apple's patent (patent 20050147951), titled "Electronic device holder", is very general, referring to use for a digital music player in an automobile only as examples. Diagrams are included. Abstract ...

HP has added the iPod shuffle to its HP-branded iPod line as of today, and now sells all three types of iPods: the iPod, iPod mini, and iPod shuffle. HP began selling iPods under its own name last year and added the iPod mini early last month. Prices match those of Apple, although the HP models sold still include the 30GB iPod, which Apple dropped last week as part of its consolidation of the ...

Rumors are circulating, based on a MacBidouille message (translation) that a Mac mini order showed a status of "Replaced with new product". If true, this could indicate that a new low-end Mac model was to be released. There has been no confirmation of this rumor and others with Mac minis on order claim not to have this order...

AppleInsider reports that Contois Music Technology, run by David Contois, filed suit Monday against Apple for patent infringement based on the iTunes interface. David Contois and family run eMusicGear. According to the suit, persons who were at the time employed by, or later became employed by, Apple were present at both trade shows and viewed Contois' software. The suit charges Apple later...