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Apple Inc

• Apple boss reassures on stock woes - Apple CEO Steve Jobs advises employees and investors to 'hang in there' while markets down on fear of recession. Macworld UK
• Dark days for Apple's New Zealand distributor - Apple's new deal with its New Zealand distributor seems likely to push profits down for its partner there. Macworld UK
• Apple gains in pre-market trading - Shares of Apple rose in pre-market trading Tuesday, after Piper Jaffray said the company was in position to transform the portable music market into a portable computing market. The stock was up 1.2 percent at $131.51 ahead of the open. MacimumNews
• Apple withdraws UK ‘Get a Mac’ ads? - Apple appears to have quietly withdrawn its UK-specific series of “Get A Mac” ads, according to Macworld UK. MacimumNews
• New Zealand: Apple revamps supply arrangements - Apple has changed its supply arrangements in New Zealand, causing shares in its current sole distributor Renaissance Corporation to fall sharply, reports Computerworld. MacimumNews
• Ferrari president praises Apple - Today the president of Ferrari praised Apple in any interview with TG1, the most important newscast in Italy on channel RaiUno. MacimumNews
• Even a blind squirrel: John Dvorak finally gets something right about Apple - I try to avoid reading John Dvorak, because I am the moth to his flame just as he plays the fly to Apple’s ointment... MacDailyNews
• Thomson Squawk Box sees Apple stock turnaround signs; most traders missing Mac story - With Apple Inc. (AAPL) down about 37% from its all-time highs near $200 in late December, the risk-reward now favors buyers... MacDailyNews
• Piper Jaffray reiterates ‘Buy’ rating, $250 price target on Apple Inc. - "Shares of Apple Inc. rose in premarket trading Tuesday, after Piper Jaffray said the company ... MacDailyNews
• Wall Street failing to recognize Apple’s blow-out quarter? - What if I told you that Apple forgot to enter 2 of the 2.3 million phones it sold this quarter, that they just skipped them... MacDailyNews
• Jobs: 'Hang in there' -Puts falling share price into perspective in employee letter Insanely Great Mac

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Mac Hardware

• UK 'Get A Mac' ads go dark - UK pro-Mac series of ads are no longer available online, has Apple withdrawn them in the face of criticism? Macworld UK
• Intel buys green - Intel said it will become the largest corporate buyer of green electricity in the US, while Nokia pledges to reduce electricity consumption. Macworld UK
• Apple granted patent for design of a speaker unit - Apple has been granted a patent for the ornamental design for a speaker unit (evidently the iPod HiFi) by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. It involves a docking station and more. MacimumNews
• Toshiba to tout HD DVD format in Super Bowl ad - Toshiba has purchased a Super Bowl sport for US$2.7 million to convince the world that HD DVD is still in the next gen, high def game despite evidence that Blu-ray is winning the race. The ad will tout the dramatically reduced prices of Toshiba’s HD DVD players, according to a Wired report. MacimumNews
• MacOSG: MacBook Air performance tests - Thinking of getting a MacBook Air? Well if you plan on doing anything beyond light-duty work—such as word processing, surfing and email—you may want to “think different” and get another Apple notebook instead. A MacBook Air may be light as a feather, but it’s slow as molasses when compared to other Apple notebooks doing certain tasks. MacimumNews
• Migrating to the MacBook Air - One of the oddities of the MacBook Air is, as a system without a FireWire port, an optical drive, or an accessible hard drive, the act of reinstalling Mac OS X and migrating your files from your old system to this new one is more complicated than it has been in the past. So Jason Snell used a modified Migration Assistant to get his data transferred. Macworld
• First MacBook Air Orders Shipping. Not in Stores Yet. - Previous reports of shipments may have been premature, as the first customers who ordered the stock (1.6GHz/80GB) MacBook Airs immediately after the keynote are now getting shipment notifications for the latest Apple laptop. Calls to retail Apple Stores reveal that MacBook Airs have not yet arrived at retail locations. Mac Observer
• Intel lists 45 most influential technologists (#14 Steve Jobs) - Intel recently took the time to assemble a panel of experts including academics, journalists and independent third parties... MacDailyNews
• First HDD-based MacBook Airs to land stateside on Feb 1st - Much to their excitement, several Apple Store customers are waking up this morning to find confirmation emails indicating that their hard disk drive-based MacBook Air notebooks have shipped.AppleInsider
• THIS DAY IN APPLE HISTORY January 29, 1994: IBM Goes Mac? - Michael Spindler was strongly opposed to the notion of licensing Macs. Well, at least he was opposed to the idea until he announced that Apple expected to line up a (read more) Applematters
• Air: Shipping notices sent - HDD-equipped units arriving as early as Friday, SSD models to start arriving next week Insanely Great Mac
• UK 'Get a Mac' ads pulled - Perhaps a little too smug for our friends across the pond Insanely Great Mac
• IEEE starts work on next generation ethernet - The IEEE has given the go-ahead for work to start in earnest on developing the next generation of ethernet: there will be two versions designed to provide throughput at 40Gbps and 100Gbps. itwire
  

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OS X & Software

• World Clock Deluxe 4.5 - Compare multiple times in multiple cities and time zones with additional clocks in your docks. Macworld UK
• Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor updated - Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor gains network and single user versions, printable reports and other upgrades to help you learn to type. Macworld UK
• Swedish prosecutors close in on The Pirate Bay - Swedish prosecutors have until Thursday to file charges against The Pirate Bay, one of the most widely used BitTorrent search engines. Macworld UK
• Jade is new digital imaging app for Leopard - Datamind has released Jade 1.0, a Mac OS X app for improving your digital images. Designed for Mac OS X 10.5 (“Leopard”), it uses algorithms to enhance image colors, contrast and dynamics, while preserving the overall quality of your images, according to the folks at Datamind. MacimumNews
• Apple granted patent for integrated time line for editing - Apple has been granted a patent for an integrated time line for editing by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. It relates generally to methods for manipulating a time-based stream of information using a processing system, and more particularly to methods of using a user interface for editing a time based stream of information to create a presentation in a processing system. MacimumNews
• Book reviews: Checking out books on Leopard - If you’re looking for books on Mac OS X 10.5 (“Leopard”), there are three fairly recent releases from which to choose. The best is from O’Reilly Media has released Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual by David Pogue. MacimumNews
• Graphics eXpansion Module Control Panel offers enhanced multi-display support for OS X systems - Matrox Graphics has announced a new software utility for Graphics eXpansion Modules (GXMs) operating under Mac OS X. The GXM Control Panel enables additional resolutions for the DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go Digital Edition products, offering greater multi-display support for compatible Mac notebooks and workstations. MacimumNews
• NetFinder for Mac OS X gets ground-up re-write in version 3 - Ortabe has premiered NetFinder 3.0, a new version of the file management, syncing and automation tool with a Finder-like interface that supports a number of internet protocols including ftp, sftp, ftps, webdav, http and file. MacimumNews
• Microsoft vows to fix Office 2008 installation issues - Users have uncovered several installation-related issues with Office 2008 that, while not affecting everyday use, could result in security vulnerabilities. Macworld
• ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5.3 Adds Ebook Support, More - CS Odessa announced the immediate availability of ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5.3 on Tuesday. The updated version of the mind mapping and productivity application added the ability to create visual ebooks from mind maps. Mac Observer
• MercuryMover 1.1 Adds Customizable Modifier Keys - Helium Foot Software announced the immediate availabilty of MercuryMover 1.1 on Tuesday. The updated version of the mouse-free window management utility added support for user definable modifier keys along with undo and redo support for window moving and resizing actions. Mac Observer
  
• NetFinder 3.0 Gets Visual Filters, Undo Support - Ortabe announced the immediate availability of NetFinder 3.0 on Tuesday. The new version of the file syncing application added the ability to visually filter hierarchical file listings, undo support, and more. Mac Observer
• QuickTime 7.4: Downgrade working for many users; remove components for playback issues - QuickTIme 7.4 has proven one of the more problematic updates released by Apple in recent memory. To recap, serious issues caused by the release include no video, only audio in movies, incompatibility with third-party applications (such as After Effects), inability to playback some file formats, and more. MacFixIt
• iWeb publishing errors continue - Several months after we initially reported the problem, users continue to experience maddening issues with publishing sites using iWeb 2.0.x. Among the typical error messages: MacFixIt
• Unwanted (extra) Mighty Mouse clicks - We previously reported on an issue in which Apple's Mighty Mouse registers an unwanted click -- usually button 4, which is designated (by default) to trigger the Dashboard function. This problem can be obviated by turning off button 4 in the Mighty Mouse pane in System Preferences, though the attached functionality will obviously be lost. MacFixIt
• Antivirus applications - Do you need them? - I am a frequent visitor to an Apple centric community on orkut where I try to help new Mac users find their way around Mac OS X. A few days (read more) Applematters
• Matrox boosts drivers - New Graphics eXpansion Module Control Panel offers enhanced multi-display support for Mac systems Insanely Great Mac
• Firefox hits new highs - Clawing away market share from Internet Explorer on the right side of the pondInsanely Great Mac
• DIY security fix for Office 2008 - An Office 2008 installer error results in the suite's files being owned by the wrong user, but Microsoft has offered a manual fix until an update can be delivered. itwire

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iPods, iTunes & Apple TV

• U2 manager slams 'hippies' and 'deadheads' - 'It's time for a new approach - it's time for ISPs to start taking responsibility for the content they've profited from for years,' says U2 manager Paul McGuinness at Midem. Macworld UK
• Internet streaming setting pace for developing video processing industry - Rapid technological advancements and the advent of Internet streaming is set to revolutionize the video processing industry, according to a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan. By taking over traditional broadcasting methods with live broadcasting, Internet streaming has gained considerable recognition among a large number of users, with Flash video set to dominate this domain, the research firm says. MacimumNews
• U2 manager wants Apple to help with illegal file-sharing problems - Music fans who indulge in widespread illegal file-sharing should have their web connections cut off by Internet service providers, Paul McGuinness, the manager of U2, said at the Midem music industry convention in Cannes, reports the Times Online. And he wants Apple to get involved. MacimumNews
• Is Qtrax A Stock Scam? - Qtrax, a division of Brilliant Technologies Corporation, saw its stock climb last week as it conducted a series of press briefings in advance of launching a P2P music service it said had full approval of the major record labels. On... Wired
• Digitize your cassettes and LPs - If your music collection stretches back several decades, odds are you have at least a few beloved analog titles on cassette or vinyl. They need not languish unloved and unheard simply because they’re in an old format. Macworld
  
• OPINION Ripped and Burned by iTunes' Hassles - My wife and I had some time on our hands over the holidays. Rather than waste it by having deep conversations, playing with our daughter or contemplating the true meaning of Christmas, we decided to download music at our kitchen table. That was the plan, anyway. Ruth wanted to make a mixed CD to replace her old cassette tapes, which have deteriorated to the point they sound like they were recorded on wax cylinders in a locker room shower. Armed with an iTunes gift card, off she went to the virtual record store, where she was immediately denied entrance. MacNewsWorld
• Music labels say no deal with Qtrax; music player software ‘sucks bad’ - The world's biggest music companies, including Warner Music Group Corp and Sony BMG... MacDailyNews
• Apple seen introducing cheaper, more innovative Wi-Fi iPods - With market data clearly showing a deceleration in growth of the standalone MP3 player market, Apple Inc. will reportedly strive to maintain growth in its iPod business by introducing a range of cheaper, more innovative models that incorporate touch-screens and multi-touch technology. AppleInsider
• Apple Virtually Giving Away AppleTV - A 10% profit margin - maybe. Insanely Great Mac
• Qtrax launches at last, with one catch – no trax. - Qtrax, the supposedly ‘legal’ p2p music download service, is still enjoying its 15 minutes of fame as the first beta version becomes available for download at last, but while it’s easy to download, once you’re in, you quickly discover that despite promises of 25 million free tracks, Qtrax is still NoTrax for now. itwire
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iPhone

• O2 doubles call, text allowances for iPhone contracts - O2 delivers much-improved deal to UK iPhone customers, increases call and text allowances under all three of its deals. Macworld UK
• 'Missing' iPhones not missing - analyst - Many iPhone users like to unlock their iPhone, or so it appears - and with an audience like that how can Apple fail to meet its sales targets, an analyst observes. Macworld UK
• iPhone gets online photo printing service - Future iPhone software to allow direct creation and print ordering of postcards and image booklets using the mobile device. Macworld UK
• O2 sees triple traffic in-store on iPhone - iPhone piqued interest, attracted visitors to O2 shops, company reveals as release of Christmas sales data looms. Macworld UK
• What iPhone can and can't offer enterprise users - Future third party software releases for iPhone could open the product up to enterprise users, analysts explain. Macworld UK
• Analyst: Apple gave up iPhone sales to push iPod touch as ‘mainstream Wi-Fi mobile platform’ - Apple gave up as many as 1.5 million iPhone sales during the holiday quarter to establish the future of the iPod as a mobile device, Needham & Company analyst Charles Wolf says in a note to clients. He bases his conclusion on Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook that Apple is promoting the iPod touch as a “mainstream WiFI mobile platform.” MacimumNews
• O2 Triples Minutes on Cheapest UK iPhone Plan - Maybe Apple reads Gadget Lab after all. No sooner do we complain about price gouging customers outside the US, than O2 in the UK introduces new iPhone tariffs. The 35 ($51) tariff gets bumped from 200 to 600 inclusive minutes... Wired
• Quarter of Apple iPhones "unlocked": analyst - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - More than a quarter of people who bought Apple Inc's iPhone are using them on wireless networks other than AT&T's, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S., a "stunning" number that will pressure the company's business model, an analyst said on Monday. Yahoo! NEWS
• Apple on the lookout for one million unlocked iPhones - Steve Jobs' strategic headache The Register
• O2 sweetens its iPhone deals - iPhone changes The Register
• Mobile: iPhone Application Key Leaked - HighWizard writes with word from Engadget that the iPhone SDK Key has been leaked early. "We're not exactly sure how this all went down, but we trust Erica Sadun over at TUAW when she says that it appears that the iPhone's SDK key — which will probably be required by all 'official' third-party apps — has been leaked. Two different sites currently have the key posted, but it's all just for show until next month, when the SDK hits for real — and the code is undoubtedly changed." Slashdot
• O2 Revamps iPhone Contract Fees - iPodObserver - British cell carrier O2 announced on Tuesday that it is restructuring the fees for all of its cell plans including Apple's iPhone. The company is simplifying its offerings by moving to six price points with different text and minute bundles, which means iPhone users with £35 contracts will get about three times as many talk minutes and double the SMS messages without seeing a rate increase. Mac Observer
  
• O2 drastically improves iPhone plans in UK - O2 is rolling out a much improved contract deal for iPhone users, offering more text messages and a higher call allowance... MacDailyNews
• Are unlocked iPhone sales really so bad for Apple? - While its revenue-sharing agreement with AT&T is kept under wraps, Charles Wolf, an analyst with Needham & Co., believes the carrier... MacDailyNews
• iJailBreakMobile 1.0 Hacks Your iPhone On the Go - iPodObserver - AriX and Ben Feldman announced the immediate availability of iJailBreakMobile 1.0 on Tuesday. iJailBreakMobile is based on the iJailBreak utility and lets iPhone and iPod touch users upgrade to software version 1.1.3 and maintain a jailbroken device from Installer.app. Mac Observer
  
• iPhone Application Key Hits the Web - iPodObserver - Apple's secret key needed to install iPhone applications through iTunes doesn't appear to be so secret any more. Hackers have apparently uncovered the code used to properly sign applications as legit now it is circulating around the Web. Mac Observer
  
• O2 sweetens service plans for UK iPhone customers - In an effort to spur more sales of Apple's iPhone while simplifying its pricing structures, European wireless provider O2 announced Tuesday a 'radical shake-up' of its monthly tariffs that will see most of its iPhone customers awarded with three times as many wireless minutes without a fare increase. AppleInsider
• Needham says Apple letting iPod touch cannibalize iPhone sales - Apple knowingly gave up as many as 1.5 million iPhone sales during the holiday quarter to establish the future of the iPod as a mobile device, according to investment note issued on Monday by Needham & Co. AppleInsider
• Is the iPhone Slowly Killing Apple or Giving it a New Life? - With the new jailbreak for the iPhone, users haven’t waited that long to be able to break the latest update from Apple. This news comes along with last week’s claim (read more) Applematters
• A quarter of Apple iPhones may be 'unlocked' - Analyst calls the percentage of phones used on wireless networks other than AT&T's "stunning." C|Net News
• One Million-Plus Jail-Broken iPhones Out There - And why Apple's not trying too hard to stop it. Insanely Great Mac
• O2 rejigs iPhone plans - More minutes, more texts for [more or less] the same money... Insanely Great Mac

 

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