It's been revealed that Apple are continuing efforts to promote their recently released Intel-based products by obtaining larger shelf space at Best Buy stores across North America. Samir Bhavnani, an analyst with Current Analysis commented that the stores feature large displays and units of several Apple products.

Although the retailer already stocks a range of Mac Minis and iPods, this move shows Apples confidence in their line of products using an Intel processor. In addition, this initiative signifies a dramatic push to hopefully increase their market share and availability of products.

Best Buy are now also stocking the regular MacBook and Pro alongside iMac systems.

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]

Yet another dispute between Apple Computer and Apple Corps came to an end today, as the latter company lost the trademark battle between the two.

Apple Corps disputed that Apple Computer violated their former trademark settlement by using an Apple logo to sell music. The final word from the Judge, Edward Maan was that he could find 'no breach of the trademark agreement' and that the case 'therefore fails'.

Due to losing the case, Apple Corps now plans to appeal the decision made in London's High Court. Although, Steve Jobs is now hopeful that they can work together with Apple Corps to finally get The Beatles (whose interests are represented by the company) on iTunes.

Regardless, Apple will now be able to continue using their logo all across the iTunes store.

Rather than opting for a standard dock, one iPod fan has created his own stand in the shape of the Apple logo.

Dutch-speaking Klaus, who is a regular contributor to the German website iPod Fun, shown off his creation to other people in a Apple related modification competition. Amongst his unique product, other visitors posted pictures of other surreal modifications, such as homemade iPod batteries and chargers.

Although, don't expect to find it on the Apple store anytime soon.

After observing other UK based companies exploit a tax loophole, Apple could now be interested in following suit.

Throughout the United Kingdom there is a system called "VAT" (Value Added Tax) that means British consumers have to pay an extra cost with every good they buy. But if the delivery of these goods is from a location in the Channel Islands, in addition to the item being worth less than £17 ($30), it becomes free of VAT.

With this possibly in mind, Apple recently expressed that they are looking at setting up an operation on the island of Guernsey.

Could this mean long demanded price drops on iTunes UK will now take place? By doing something like this, it could cut the costs of iTunes UK goods by nearly 18%

We'll see soon enough I guess!

Currently in development  of his own autobiography, Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple) recently asked his old friend Steve Jobs if he'd like to write the foreword to his book.  After initially accepting the offer, Jobs has now reportedly declined it.

"I was a little disappointed -- he'd never written a forward before, we sent him the book and he said, 'Oh I saw some excerpts and I'm going to decline"

The strange thing is, why decline? Many years ago, both Jobs and Woz' founded the now immensely successful Apple, regardless of the lack of Steve Wozniak's contribution to the company within recent years. "I don't know why he declined -- I'm nice to him, so there must have been something [in the book] he didn't like."

He continued explaining his relationship with Steve Jobs saying that they have not been close friends for a while, and expressed it could be interpreted they weren't really too close during the first years of working together, due to there differentiating aims for Apple and general prospects.

In conclusion, its disappointing to see these two great people slowly drift further and further apart.

Recently, Apple had to call a meeting discussing possible changes to there corporate policy after upsetting a 9 year  old girl. Shea O'Gorman began learning in her third-grade class on how to write formal letters, and decided she wanted to write to Steve Jobs on how Apple could improve her iPod nano.

Nearly three months later, she actually got a reply from Apples Califonia-based headquarters, although, a letter from Law Department isn't what she expected. The reply came from Mark Aaker who instructed her that Apple does not consider unsolicited ideas, so she shouldn't bother sending them suggestions and just read their legal policy instead. Upset, Shea just ran into the room and slammed her door. Later CBS5 News heard about it from her family.

Since the incident, it has been reported that Apple held a meeting last Wednesday to discuss on how they could be less cruel towards children by making amends in there corporate policy. In addition, following the CBS5 News report, an Apple Representative called Shea to apologise.

Early last year rumors surfaced about Apple possibly expanding the iPod family further by adding a model that incorporated Bluetooth technology.

Now, these same rumors have now came back into focus. This is because of a UK retailer who was recently quoted as saying, 'Over the weekend, Apple has been adding the finishing touches'.

Is Apple merely days away from officially revealing a Bluetooth iPod?


A Bluetooth-capable iPod could take advantage of existing wireless headphone products, broadcasting your music very easily through car stereos or even potentially, streaming video. This could be Apple's first stab at a product that uses the new ultrawideband Bluetooth standard we talked about here.

You can find a link to the full article just below.