mudbug

New fuel was added to the Apple branded phone fire in a post at TreoMac.com, saying that Motorola was working on an Apple-branded phone with iTunes and iPhoto integration. According to the post, the phone featured a top-located media card slot, and possibly a bottom-located USB port. No other information is available as of yet.[Update, January 6, 2005] Matt Hicks at eWeek reports that Motorola ...

According to ThinkSecret, Apple's 1U server is set to receive a speed bump in January, likely at Macworld Expo San Francisco. Systems will be bumped to a 2.3GHz G5 processor, identical to what Virginia Tech received months ago for its System X cluster, although sources didn't dismiss the possibility that a 2.5GHz Xserve might emerge as well. The update also relates to the upcoming release of...

According to various reports including ThinkSecret and CafeMacs, the latest developer build of Tiger (a8A323) has been released. The new release solves a number of previous bugs, but fails to resolve others, including iDisk synchronization, various bugs with iLife '04 installation, several quirks related to Quartz 2D, MPEG-4 video playback, and others. [Update] AppleInsider adds a look at...

Apple is expected to release a revised iPod mini early next year, according to AppleInsider. The revised mini is reported to be moving to a 5 GB hard drive, up from the current 4, allowing it to hold approximately 1250 songs. Like Dell's new Pocket DJ and Rio's Carbon, sources say the new Apple player will be based around a 5GB hard drive. Hitachi, which supplies Apple with drives for the current...

Teen-centric mac enthusiast site TheMacMind has posted what it says are 'confirmed details' of the previously-rumored flash based iPod. The site claims the flash iPod will be significantly smaller than an iPod mini (approx 2.5" long, 1.5" wide, and just .5" thick), have no screen, and have pricing set at approximately $99. TheMacMind doesn't usually foray into the world of rumors, so it has no ...

Now available via Software Update: Security Update 2004-12-02 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components: Apache AppKit HIToolbox Kerberos Postfix PSNormalizer Safari Terminal For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798...

After a delay reaching the promised November release, we've learned from an inside source that the Canadian localization of the iTunes Music Store is headed for launch on December 1. [UPDATE] In a release to MacWorld's news service, Apple has conceded that it missed it's own deadline for the Canadian iTMS release. There was no indication from Apple on what caused the Canadian iTunes Music...

While missing the mark of November 26 previously rumored, a Globe and Mail interview with Apple Products & Technology PR Director Natalie Kerris said the target of November will still be met, leading to the obvious launch on November 30. AppleInsider has noted that iTunes commercials have started airing in Canada, in identical style to the US version, but with the ending URL pointing to...

AppleInsider claims to have knowledge of a new audio interface for GarageBand users in the coming months. An audio 'breakout box' of sorts, Asteroid will include two XLR/ TRS audio input connectors, two RCA analog output jacks, and a standard headphone jack. The device reportedly will draw power through a single FireWire 400 port and include a phantom on/off power switch. Developed by portions of ...

The Apple Store London - Regent Street opens this weekend, along with the announcement of two additional UK stores to open in the near future. In a statement Apple's senior vice president of retail Ron Johnson confirmed the company's plans to expand its European offerings. Johnson could only confirm the Birmingham and Kent stores will open "sometime in 2005", though his manner implied that Apple...

Available today via Software Update: Read Before You Install iPod Updater iPod Updater 2004-11-15 includes iPod mini Software 1.2 for iPod mini and iPod software 3.0.2 for iPods with a Click Wheel. iPod Updater 2004-11-15 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2004-10-20 for all other iPod models. New features of iPod mini Software 1.2: Compatibility with iTunes 4.7 and iTunes...

While we have previously rumored the expansion of the iTMS into Canada on November 26, one of several countries that remains without its own store is Japan. An article on CNET points to a release of a localized store by March 2005, with a 100,000 track catalog emphasizing Japanese music. Once released, the Japanese iTMS is expected to be the largest music download service available in that...

After missing out on the Paris Expo keynote speech due to recent cancer surgery, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is reportedly once again addressing crowds of mac faithfuls at MWSF on January 11, 2005. MWSF runs from Jan 10 - 14, with the keynote address falling on the usual Tuesday. Since this keynote is typically a forum for product introduction, it seems likely this show will follow suit and hold a few...

Think Secret sheds some light on an upcoming processor revision to the 970 line dubbed the AntaresSP, or PowerPC 970GX. This single-core variant of the 970MP will initially come in at speeds around 3GHz and is said to feature 1MB of L2 cache, double what the 970FX processor sports. Like the 970FX, however, the processor will not have any L3 cache. Availability hints are in the early part of 2005. ...

An article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press points to Digital River to produce electronic game content for distribution to the next generation of iPods. Digital River's stock jumped 10 percent Friday on rumors that the Eden Prairie e-commerce outsourcer was negotiating with Apple Computer to download games to the next version of the popular iPod music player. "We actually believe this rumor, as...

According to sources close to AppleInsider, the previously rumored (thread, thread, thread) flash memory-based iPod variant should go into production in December, and is expected to make a debut in early 2005. A production stockpile of 2 million units is expected to be produced prior to worldwide distribution in an effort to keep pace with demand. Interface and controls should be similar to the...

MacRumors, AppleInsider, and Apple-x.net have been handed information pointing to a possible WebObjects 5.3 update in the near future. WebObjects is the software Apple uses to create its web site, as well as build the framework for the iTunes music store. In the submission: A major update is on the way, set for January. However, due to the fact that inventory has literally dried up, it may...

Sources close to AppleInsider claim online retail giant Amazon.com is working on a subdivision of their store to feature all flavors of iPods & iPod accessories. A specific live date hasn't been released, but the iPod store is expected to be online prior to the holiday shopping season. Amazon would not confirm or deny any of the reports, stating simply "unfortunately, we cannot talk about what we ...

Both AppleInsider and Think Secret are reporting that projected sales of iPods in the current quarter should be nearly 4 million units, pushing Apple past the $3 billion revenue mark. This number is up from the 2.68 million figure Merrill Lynch analyst Steven Milunovich gave in October. In addition, Merrill Lynch raised the target stock price for Apple to $61/share. As of this posting, the stock...

Now available via Software Update: The 10.3.6 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users. Key enhancements include: improved file sharing for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks more reliable network automounts and launch of network applications improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and...