Apple have just released an updated firmware for its SuperDrive component found in many of there computers.

SuperDrive Firmware 2.0 features solutions for many errors previously encountered when using certain burning speeds on some recordable DVD media. This update, designed for Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later is designed for use with the following Apple products:

PowerBook G4 (12 -inch 1.5GHz)
PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.33GHz, 1.5GHz, or 1.67GHz)
PowerBook G4 (17-inch 1.67GHz)
iMac G5 (17-inch 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz)
iMac G5 (20-inch 1.8GHz)
Mac mini G4

If your product meets the system requirements, but you are unable to update the firmware, Apple have advised customers to contact your local Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store retail location.

You can get this free download (avaliable in most languages) just below:

Download: [Superdrive Firmware 2.0 Update]

DivX released its famous codec for the Mac. Almost universally found in PCs, DivX for Mac 6.5 is the first Mac version officially released by the company.

DivX is a codec (compression/ decompression) software that crunches video from virtually any source to a size that is easy to transport over the Internet. But despite the significant reduction in file size, the original video's quality remains unchanged. The software's video compression power is so efficient it can fit the entire contents of a DVD on a regular data CD.

If you've never used a DivX before, trust us it's not complicated. The DivX for Mac 6.5 lets you convert your videos to DivX by the fool-proof drag-and-drop method. Simply drag the file to the DivX Converter and clck on the Convert button.  That's all there is to it.  The DivX for Mac download includes:

• DivX Player 1.0.1
• DivX Community Codec 6.2.2
• DDivX Community Codec 6.2.2

DivX for Mac 6.5 requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and QuickTime 6 or later. The Pro Version costs $19.99 which is a good deal if you ask us.

For older machines using older Macintosh operating systems, you can use the DivX 5.2.1. DivX 5.2.1 for Mac works with Mac OS 10.2.6 to 10.3.9. However, DivX 5.2.1 is not compatible with Mac OS 10.4 or QuickTime 7. DivX 5.2.1 for Mac includes an mp3 encoder and also costs $19.99.

If Apple's refurbished Intel-based iMacs and G4-based PowerBooks that went on sale last month didn't tempt you to bite, this month's bumper crop of refurb iBooks might do the trick. Apple's refurbished 14-inch G4 1.42GHz SuperDrive iBook now goes for $1,049 (a 20 percent savings in case your calculating), while the 17-inch eMac 1.42GHz Combo Drive can be had at only $639 - 21 percent off the original pay-through-your-nose price.

Meanwhile more refurbished iMacs went on sale. The 17-inch G5 1.6GHz 256MB 80GB Combo iMacs is down 43% at $749. The 17-inch G5 1.8GHz 256MB 80GB SuperDrive is now only for $799 (47 percent less than the original $1,499). The 17-inch G5 1.9GHz SuperDrive now has a $999 (you save $300 on this one).

Apple knocked off $200 of the 17-inch Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz, now only $1,099. The 20-inch G5 1.8GHz 256MB 160GB SuperDrive at $1,099 saves you 43 percent. The 20-inch G5 2GHz SuperDrive now retails for only $1,249 (less $550). The 20-inch 2GHz Intel Core Duo is yours for only $1,399 (less 18 percent).

Yup, refurb Apples are in season so buy while the price is right. All refurbished items are available at the Apple Store and come with free shipping. They are also backed by Apple's one-year limited warranty.

Ok, so it's really a subjective thing, and everyone's experiences vary, but I'm writing this so deal with it! 

My wife and I both have PowerBooks.  Mine a 15" and hers a 12".  She's home with our boys, and they tend to destroy most things around them.  Her PowerBook has faired ok, but taken its scratches, tiny dents, and a couple sharpie marker lines on the casing.  Recently our little one pulled the 'R' key off the keyboard.  Not a big deal, right?  They normally pop back on and life goes on.  Well this time was different.  The key wouldn't stay on the board any longer.

So I took it over to the local (Aspen Grove) Apple store and asked the guys at the Genius Bar to take a look at it.  They didn't have the proper keyboard replacement on hand, so they ordered it and said they'd call us when it was in.  We got a call less than a week later and I brought the PowerBook back in.  It was near closing time, so I dropped it off for the night.  I was called first thing the next morning and went to pick it up. 

When they brought the PowerBook out, I initially thought they'd brought the wrong one.  The Sharpie marks on the lid casing weren't there.  It couldn't be mine.  But it was.  I powered it up and the correct user accounts were there and everything.  I can't tell if the ENTIRE keyboard is new, or if they just swapped out the right 'R' key for us.  Regardless, it came back to us in better shape than it left us in.  At zero cost to us, mind you.  The fact that they took notice, and then the time to clean the Sharpie marks off is just icing on the cake. 

I can't say I've ever had this kind of service with any other computer company, can you?

As we've already reported, a total of 5 flaws have been discovered in Mac OS X, however according to the security expert who discovered them, there is a total of 7. A security researcher by the name of Tom Ferris, who works for Mission Viejo, California, discovered a total of 7 'Highly Critical' flaws in Mac OS X, namely in Safari browser. The operating system thought to be one of the best when it comes to security, has been probed and a series of flaws which have multiple effects have been discovered. To prove his discovery, on his site he has posted some proof of concept codes. The flaws at the moment could be used to crash applications and even run unauthorized code by taking advantages of bugs in Safari and the Mac OS X operating system.

Apple Computer Inc. has already been made aware of the bugs and plans to fix them in "the next security release," Ferris said, "There [seem] to be some problems with the claimed solid-as-a-rock Unix OS." Since the label of being more secure than Windows OS's, Mac OS X has been tested, probed, and ripped apart by researchers such as Ferris in order to discover and publicise the weaknesses. In February a series of programs with malicious intent were released in targeting Mac's, one named OSX/Leap. The SANS Instituter's Internet Storm Center rated the revealings as "Highly Critical" and that there were no patches to solve most of them. Apple have not yet commented on the bugs.

When you purchase a new Macintosh system at any Apple store or at there online store you will receive free shipping and free environmentally friendly disposal of your old computer. Apple was named a one of the top ten environmentally progressive companies earlier this week by the Sierra club and its investment advisor, Forward Management. Apples has recycled more than 90% of electronic equipment since 2001 and are hoping that this new free take back program will heighten those numbers.

Â?Apple is committed to supporting our customers and protecting the environment throughout the entire product life cycle, from purchase through to retirement,Â? said Philip Schiller, AppleÂ?s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. Â?Now we are making it even easier for AppleÂ?s customers to safely and affordably recycle their used computers and iPods.Â?

 

Apples iPod 5th generation, iPod nano and iPod shuffle are 100% compliant and way ahead of schedule for upcoming restrictions of hazardous substance (RoHS) in California and Europe which is the new global standard for environmental regulations which is due July 1st. Apple has also exceeded the Energy Star efficiency requirements for California for its iPod power adapter the regulations are to take effect July 1 2008.

Well after a day full of events, all due to the release of the Boot Camp software which allows users to run XP on Intel Macs, it seems that one faithful individual by the name Speedeye has gone about taking pictures for us to gaze at showing the processes that Boot Camp takes you through. The screens were all sourced from Flickr, and we've compiled about 10 of our favorite screens from the 34 for you to have a look at. They all show an individual step in the process, from creating partitions to actually running Windows Update in XP. Enjoy.

The two problems with using desktop technology in a laptop is heat and power. With the promise of improved battery life and more compact designs, Intel's Centrino should be helpful and capable for musicians needing mobility and powerful performance. In the past, Apple's Powerbooks have done much better than their Intel and AMD counterparts when it comes to music and audio software because G3 and G4 processors ran cooler than Pentium III or IV chips and required less power. Plus, the Powerbooks have had a longer battery life than Intel's battery.

Well it seems Apple have given into consumer pressure, and also pressure from those taking a back door approach to running XP on Intel Mac's. As of today you can download a patch/application called Boot Camp from the Apple website which allows you to install Windows XP, only if you have the official install disks. What this means is, its an official way of installing, with more driver support, which overly means that people wont have to go through the long process of doing the install through the back door.

The software also allows either operating system, Mac OS X or XP, to be booted on restart. It is announced that the software will be Incorporated as standard on the forthcoming Mac OS X v10.5 'Leopard'. The patch includes a step-by-step guide on doing the install, so pretty much anybody can use it. At the moment it will be a trial beta, and the full version will be included in Mac OS X v10.5 'Leopard' in its expected show off in August at the Worldwide Developer Conference.

"Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement. This just shows what power we as consumers have, and judging from it Apple aren't happy either. Apple's shares have risen 6% before markets opened, which shows the possible gain in Apple's future profits from Mac sales. What this may mean though is as sales of Mac's go up, apart from the included version of Mac OS X, external sales of the OS may be hit, so the company have both a gain and loss situation.


Download: [Boot Camp Public Beta]

I don't know what happened to this PowerBook.  I don't think I want to find out.  It definitely looks excruciating.  But regardless of the trauma this Apple notebook has experienced, it apparently still boots, and, "AirPort works..."  Holy.  Crap. 

The most I've dealt with is the power cable being yanked-out of my PowerBook at the wrong angle and bending the edge slightly.  (MagSafe is the best idea ever!)  I think I would probably shed some tears if that were my laptop, bootable or not.  That's bad.