Firstly, watch the video below. To me this is one of the most convincing fakes I've seen for a while, and I say that only because it has a video to show it off. Someone wants us to believe that they have ported Mac OSX Leopard to the Video iPod, and not only this, they have also got themselves or made a touch screen for the iPod. There are two main reasons to why I think this is a fake, but the final decision is up to you. Firstly the screen resolution seems way too high for the iPod, and the general appearance just seems like a straight video. Secondly the stylus sync is too un-smooth and mis-timed.

Have a look at the video and let us know what you think...

When the infamous MacBook Pro was released to the masses back at the start of the year, it was housed in a very fetching aluminium case, gained somewhat from its predecessor. When the MacBook was released recently, that too supported a 'newish' case, which gained popularity thanks to its slimline appearance, and its choice of white and black. We have now learned that the new release of the PowerMac will be housed within a newly designed case.

The new case will be different enough to allow instant distinction between the PowerPC and Intel Core Duo variants. Together with the cases, there will be a few choices on which processors to adopt. The new Intel Core Duo will be available for the PowerMac with 2 chips, A.K.A. Quad-core platform. It is not known whether the PowerMac will adopt the soon-to-be released Core Duo 2 chip, codenamed Conroe. The mobile variant is not expected till Fall.

The MacBook Pro will also have a new case for its range. However rumour has it that this will not be released till the system adopts the Intel Core Duo 2 chip, codenamed Merom. We would hope that issues are fixed in the new case release including heat expulsion.

On Monday, Intel, the largest chip manufacturer, took the sheets off its new dual-core Xeon Processor 5100 series. The chips, codenamed Woodcrest, are high-volume server and workstation chips which are capable of 135% performance improvement, and 40% power reduction over their previous server products. Power consumption will start at 40 watts for lower models, going up to 65 and 80 watts for the faster processors.

This is very important for Apple's view of things, aside from the obvious inclusion in future products, this would most certainly mean cheaper and lower prices for the current range of processors used in Apple machines.

The new Core micro-architecture is being implemented, which is based on the a power sensitive blueprint design. It is expected that this design will be used in two forthcoming chips for the desktop and notebook called Conroe and Merom. These are expected in July and August, but we all know about delays that can be involved. The 5100, will be shipped at speeds up to 3.0Ghz, with 1333Mhz front side bus and 4 MB of shared L2 cache. The chips are compatible with the current Bensley Platform, which means that they can be dropped in with the current pin format. The platform uses faster and more reliable memory technology, FB-DIMMs, Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel Active Server Manager and Intel I/O Acceleration Technology.

"Simply put, the Core micro-architecture is a technical marvel that is driving a new era of power efficiency without compromising on what can only be described as eye-popping dual-core 64-bit performance," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of IntelÂ?s Digital Enterprise Group.

Pricing will start at $209 to $851 in 1000 unit quantities, and Intel expect the family of processors to be the fastest-ramping ever. However, they are still loosing ground to the AMD range of processors, and are aiming to rectify things with Woodcrest, Merom and Conroe.

We've stumbled across this, and quite frankly it just seems like a cool idea. Being reminiscent of the scanning laser at the start of the film Aliens, this is a tad different, where-by it is controlled by a sound input. Being used here with an iPod, there is nothing saying that it isn't possible to use any input device, perfect for anyone who wants to recreate a nightclub atmosphere within their bedrooms at a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, there were no details on how this was constructed and made, but we can only assume it used the iPod, the laser with lens, and a signal processor feeding into the laser system. Feast your eyes on the video...

With Steve Jobs being a powerhouse of ideas and inspiration for Apple, it's nice to see their hard work go rewarded with lots of media coverage - and, of course, praise. This cannot go much higher than attention from one of the largest and respected publications, Time Magazine. They've just selected the 13" MacBook as their gadget of the week, and Apple are so proud of this feat that they've listed this award under their hot news section.

Reviewing what the writer Wilson Rothman says about the laptop, I can't even help but smile. He explains that the unit is one of the perfect contenders for students and anyone who pretty much wants a unit that is easy to use, good looking and fairly priced for what it is. He states that it is nice for a lot of the technology which was already in its Pro counterpart to go into the MacBook. As we already know the base unit lacks some features, such as the large screen, lit keyboard, 2.16Ghz Processor and dedicated graphics card. However it makes up for these by including a media remote, iSight, MagSafe connections, Bluetooth and of course a relatively lower price.

Wilson furthers his strong argument for the unit by showing how his wife was pleased with a work obtained one. Her only complaint was of the lag she experienced in Rosetta (Apple's background PowerPC emulator), however even this was justified by explaining that it was a matter of milliseconds. Further arguments for the unit included its overall look and the options available for upgrade. He noted that if you wish to purchase a MacBook with the 'Black' high end specifications, do so by upgrading the white base model, in this instance, the overall price is cheaper for some reason. Again concerning options, he develops his point and advises us to upgrade at purchase and not after, as again it would be cheaper and for the RAM, upgrades mean throwing your old sticks away.

Ending points were based on the OS. The unit is perfect at dual booting, and the problem of right click can be avoided by an external mouse. Otherwise you have a future compatible laptop even capable of running Vista in requirement specification. A winner in anyone's book.

Some may remember a while ago when Dell had some shocking things to say in an email and a Fortune article. The famous lines were "If Apple decides to open the Mac OS to others, we would be happy to offer it to our customers' and also 'Mac OS X will only run on Macs. Apple has no plans to sell Mac OS X software to run on PCs".

Well it seems that we've stumbled upon something that furthers Dell's want for Mac OS support. If you head down to Dell's support page, or alternatively the screenshot, you will see that Apple Mac OS has been included in the added options for the operating system for each unit. Either this has been included by accident, or possibly something is stirring that we don't know about yet.

Obviously the transition, and also attempts by groups to put Mac OS on Intel based chips and PC's, means that possibly there is a window of opportunity for Dell to gain a few extra customers, at the expense of Apple Laptop sales.

One thing that troubles me is the above quote stating that Dell would be happy to use Mac OS. Dell are renowned for sticking to particular suppliers and parts, namely Microsoft Windows and Intel, besides many more. It would be interesting to see reactions and plans if Dell, the worlds biggest custom computer manufacturer, decides and manages somehow to implement Mac OS.

The infamous Apple Glass Cube store is set to open May 19th at 6.00pm, the 5th anniversary of the opening of Apple's first store. The store, based in Manhattan's Fifth Avenue (767 Fifth avenue at 59th Street), has cost Steve Jobs $9 Million. The store, being famous for its extraordinary use of glass, sits below the main cube, under the shadow of the General Motors Building. Announcements have let it known that the store is going to be the first 24-hour location, allowing you to fulfill your urges of 3am iPod purchases.

The store is Apple's second in the city, but not expected to be the last, as the company has recently hired out a full 30,000 ft. building on West 34th Street. The success of the first, bringing in 5 million customers to date, has proved that opening hours to late night can suit the city that is always busy.

At the opening, Steve Jobs is expected to be in attendance, and there will be many free goodies, and lots of offers and prizes to lucky people. Remembering my Apple Store opening back in Birmingham Bullring, UK, the event was great, lots of fun and everyone left with something to commemorate it. I had my T-Shirt, which found a new home thanks to a certain online auction, and also there were thousands of dollars/pounds worth of goodies for grabs. Good luck to those that want to brave the elements to get an early entrance.

A company called CompWave have designed and is currently selling some very intriguing products to use with Mac Mini and iSights. They have 2 products both designed to offer a new way of using both your iSight and Mac Mini. For those looking for a perfect accessory for use with a LCD monitor you can use both a Mac Hitch and Cam Hitch to provide a tool to allow you to turn your LCD into an iMac.

By effectively using the 75/100 mm holes in the back of a LCD monitor, these attachments hook up the Mac Mini and iSight in a stable position to offer space saving solutions. They can be used together or irrespective of each other. The Mac Hitch also offers stand alone use, similar to that of a PS2, you can now use your Mac Mini upright or flat, in this stylish and practical case.

By using Paypal, you can buy the Mac Hitch for $49.95 and the Cam Hitch for $15.95, or alternatively buy both for $64.95.



   

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.

Together with receiving news about Apple's new 17" MacBook Pro, its seems the UK's Sussex Ambulance service have given Apple another reason for product sales and are offering free audio downloads on how to correctly deliver First Aid in a variety of situations. All 7 situations are based on a series of accident types, for example there are burns, wounds, breathing and baby CPR. This is designed to help those who feel that if they come across a situation one day that they cannot deal with, they can follow instructions from their favorite media device. However the service does instruct all people to get some form of basic First Aid, as you never know when you might save someones life. The project was the idea of a paramedic, Stuart Rutland, who said that he hoped it might help in an emergency. "I like to go running and listen to music - but what if I turned the corner and somebody had collapsed? I have 11 years of paramedic training, but not everyone will. It's just about what to do in those moments before an ambulance arrives." The MP3's were designed with the iPod in mind, however they will work on any MP3 player you may have.

Download: [First Aid for your iPod]