Apple lawsuits, like Apple rumors, are a dime a dozen. Included in the long list of Apple's legal battles are the Apple vs. Apple (The Beatle's Apple) case, the lawsuit over MP3-related patent, the Cisco and iPhone brouhaha and clearly if we enumerate every legal battle the Steve Jobs camp has faced and has been facing, we will run out of space. Now, here is another lawsuit to add to Apple's already long list of legal woes.

A San Diego filing by private citizens Dave Gatley and Fred Greaves accused the Cupertino-based company of deceptive advertising, unfair competition, and misrepresentation with regards to the MacBook and MacBook Pro's - specifically their screens/displays. The plaintiffs said that the Apple products' screens aren't nearly as good as they were advertised to be. Part of the lawsuit goes something like this:

Apple withheld its knowledge that its MacBook-series laptops did not actually display "millions of colors" allowing the user to "[e]njoy a nuanced view simply unavailable on other portables."...Plaintiffs suffered injury in fact and have lost money or property as a result of Apple's violations. Specifically, plaintiffs paid more for their computers than the computers were worth and that they otherwise would have paid but for Apple's violations.

Will Apple settle? Will this lawsuit be junked? Well, only time would tell. You could check out the lawsuit in PDF format by clicking on our read link below.

Two juicy morsels of Apple tidbits comes our way today. According to an AppleInsider report, the next MacBook update won't deliver much in terms of new features. Apparently, Apple's 13-inch wonder won't be benefited with an LED-backlit display until a successive revision later this year. Also, it's unlikely that it would be enjoying the enhancements presented during Intel's Santa Rosa launch.

As for the MacBook Pro update, Apple is said to be focusing on boosting the grade of the MacBook Pro line. Enhanced set of features from Santa Rosa are also expected. If this happens, expect faster front-side bus speeds (800MHz) and second-generation mobile processors.

Now to the other juicy Apple bit - the ultra thin portable department to be exact. Apparently the company is hard at work to produce a sleek design for their MacBook ultra portable for it to cater to the Japanese market. AppleInsider adds that Apple is building the model around an ultra-thin, 13-inch LED backlit display. Here's what AppleInsider knows about the ultra-thin contraption so far:

• 13-inch ultra-thin, LED-back lit display
• No optical disc drive
• On-board NAND flash for faster application launching and boot times
• Built-in iSight webcam
• Thinner and lighter than existing MacBook offerings
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n enabled
• MagSafe power adapter
• Target launch late '07, early '08

 

Last February, we reported that Wilkes University in Pennsylvania dumped the PC in exchange for Macs. The project, at that time, was expected to cost US$ 1.4 million. Now, Wilkes is speaking out about the switch. Over at Wired, Wilkes' Scott Byers, vice president for finance and general counsel, explained the switch, and what reaction it elicited from students and staff.

Apparently, the staff and students didn't resist the switch to the Mac. He further explained that this generation of students has a great affinity for the Apple brand. The institution has a lot of reasons to switch to the Mac aside from saving money. Byers mentioned that the switch brought about these advantages:

• Allowed the user to choose the desired operating system
• Offered the potential to enhance teaching and learning using AppleÂ?s iLife software
• Created a standard base that our IT department could work with consistently rather than Dells, Gateways, HP and Apples
• Reduced the number of units necessary for campus and the number of units requiring potential service and replacement.

They are also anticipating more campus community support to provide training on the educational benefits of the Apple software. He also expects that a lot of universities and schools would be switching to the Mac since "the switcher approach allows campuses to access both platforms from one unit. Again, I would pose the question why wouldnÂ?t a campus make the switch?"

Known accessory maker Griffin recently unveiled three new iPod cases that are welcome additions to their growing stable of iPod accessories. The iPod cases are The Courier (cost US$ 29.99), Tempo for the iPod shuffle (US$ 14.99), and iVault for the iPod nano (US$ 24.99). All of them are shipping now.

  

Tempo for the second generation iPod shuffle is an armband case made of elastic micro-membrane fiber. In other words, that's one tough cookie to crack. Comes in black and grey and is washable. The Courier is made of leather and Cordura and not only could it house your iPod, it also has enough room for your iPod accessories.

Lastly, the iVault for the second generation nano is an aluminum case metal enclosure that would provide access to your iPod's screen, click wheel, ports and switch. To know more about these products, click on our read link below.

Most people would rely on Photoshop to create or customize pictures and images. MS Paint, well you could use them to get a screencap or use them to resize images. Well, a user may just prove you wrong. He (or she) managed to draw an almost perfect Apple iPod, which is complete with shadows, breaks, and all that jazz. The finish product looks like this:

Still skeptical? If you are, we couldn't blame you because we didn't believe it at first as well. So for all the Doubting Thomases out there, we have found a Google video of the iPod drawing. Click on play to quench your doubts.

Back in January, we reported that Canadian communications giant, Rogers, will be the exclusive carrier of the Apple iPhone in Canada. This was based on the alleged emails that Rogers has been sending to their customers about the iPhone's availability, but at that time, no public statement from Rogers or Apple has been made.

Fast forward to today, Rogers has now made a public statement. Only problem is the announcement itself - apparently, a Rogers customer rep told CBC news that the company has not announced any plans to carry the iPhone in Canada. So who would distribute the iPhone in Canada?

Website iPhoneWorld.ca didn't buy this CBC news report so they decided to know what's up straight from the horse's mouth. They called Rogers Wireless regarding the report and another customer rep (named Amanda) told them that,

We (Rogers Wireless) are going to offer the iPhone in CanadaÂ? WeÂ?re just unsure of the exact release date.

So basically, it all boils down to who you'll believe more - the CBC news report or iPhoneWorld.ca's information. You be the judge folks!

Since Apple allowed universities to post lectures and other educational items on iTunes, universities have grabbed the opportunity to spread the knowledge. George Washington University, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and Ohlone College are just some of the universities that have joined iTunes U.

With that, a bill was put forward on Michigan recently that includes a proposal to give out US$ 38 million in iPods or other mp3 players as instructional tools for every student in the state. But even if the Michigan legislators mean well, they were still questioned by school representatives. According to Don Wotruba, spokesman for the Michigan Association of School Boards:

My members are telling me they have much more pressing things theyÂ?re worried about, like whether theyÂ?re going to be able to make payroll in May.

 

Back in October, we talked about the competition called My Dream App wherein people had to create a make-believe application and the winners get to see their dream app turned into reality. The winners were Atmosphere 1.0 by Cameron Westland, Portal by Farza Sadjadi, and Cookbook by Michael Yuan. Now, we going over the My Dream App site, we have uncovered some updates on what's cooking with Cookbook.

People would be happy to know that TextMate and iSnip icons creator, Wolfgang Bartleme, has been working closely with the Cookbook devs. They are also going with a three column interface which will be good for visual browsing.

Aside from that, the theme of the recipe view will change depending on the kind of recipe your checking out. With all those leaps forward, the interface and all graphics are still under heavy development. Here, check out how Cookbook looks like now and check out the link below to know more about Cookbook.

  

Apple Inc. and environmental group Greenpeace never got along - despite the company's efforts to improve their green practices. Greenpeace argues that since Apple is shaping up to be a leader in design and product innovation, they should also be a leader in recycling and other environment-friendly activities. Well, Greenpeace is once again pounding on the gates of Apple because of an upcoming Apple board of directors action.

This time around, the target is former vice president, Apple board member, and environmentalist Al Gore. Apparently, the Board has two proposals that would strengthen Apple's environmental policies. But according to Apple, shareholders will be informed that the Apple board is "unanimously" against the plan when the said proposals are sent to the shareholders for voting.

So with that, Greenpeace is urging Al Gore to support the proposals and use his leadership ability and environmental track record to improve Apple Inc.'s environmental policies. For now, former VP Gore has no comment about that.

Mimicry may be the greatest form of flattery for some, but we doubt that Apple is flattered with this iPod styled mobile phone.  Engadget reports about this iPhone knock off that is currently being sold for roughly £75 (around $150). It looks nothing like the iPhone and to the misinformed consumer, this will look like a really sweet deal.

The iPhone knock-off comes with an iPod like white finish and a Mac OS X wallpaper. A quick visit to the mobile's media player will treat you to a strange Quicktime skin. Also take a good, hard look at the "Apple" logo of iPhone wannabe - yup it has an extra leaf. Buyer beware.

Lots of Apple products have been ripped off and sold for a cheaper price. There was this iPod Nano knock off found in China and there was also this cheap iPod Shuffle wannabe that surfaced months ago. Mimicry may be the greatest form of flattery, too bad it's illegal most of the time.