Mac OS X 10.5.5 Released

Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.5 today. Among the updates and fixes were a couple of important ones for MacBook Air users:

Addresses stability issues with video playback, processor core idling, and remote disc sharing for MacBook Air.

There were also a couple of updates for iPhone users:
- Improves iPhone sync reliability with iCal and Address Book.
- Time Machine can now back up iPhone backups that are on your Mac, as well as other items in (~/Library/Application Support).
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Apple’s September 9 Event

Yesterday’s Apple event didn’t hold too many surprises (many had been leaked ahead of time by various rumor sites), but it provided fairly solid updates to Apple’s iPod lineup, as well some interesting information.

In the humor department, Jobs jokes that “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” (complete with a slide saying that)

- iTunes now offers HD TV shows
- A “Genius” capability was added to iTunes which creates playlists from your existing library as well as recommendations from the iTunes store
- iTunes 8.0 made available
- iPod Classic drops 160GB model, upgrades 80GB to 120GB
- iPod Nano redesigned - thinner, accelerometer
- iPod Touch slightly redesigned - thinner, stainless steel, controls added, Nike+ iPod receiver built in.

The thing I was interested in was the iPhone 2.1 firmware / upgrade. It’ll be available this week, and among the fixes/updates:
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Apple Event Tomorrow (Sep 9, 2008)

There probably won’t be a replacement announced for the 13.3″ Apple MacBook at tomorrow’s Apple event / announcement, but there will be quite a few other things (it was speculated that some Macs would receive updates, and MacBooks are definitely reaching an age where they are due for a new design).

Based on the invitations, it’s going to primarily be an iPod / iPhone event.

Apple Insider is claiming that among the announcements, iTunes 8, which could include HD content for TV shows (and possibly movies).

The thing I’m interested in, the iPhone 2.1 firmware could be released. It’s expected to add background push notifications for events to third-party applications as well as full directional GPS.

Read: Apple Insider

Apple MacBook Air System Update

Apple has released a new software / system update for their 13.3″ Apple MacBook Air (all models).

It addresses two issues:
- Video playback
- Processor core idling

Apple strongly recommends that any third-party software that users have installed that changes anything having to do with the CPU such as speed / frequency or voltage should be removed before this update.

It sounds like part of this update could help increase battery life (i.e. the change having to do with the core idling).

It’s 368KB and can be downloaded from the link below:

Read/Download: Apple.com/Support

MacBook Air Revision Soon?

Could a revision of the 13.3-inch MacBook Air be just around the corner?

PhoneNews.com seems to think so. They are reporting that for the most part, the MacBook Air will still look the same. The internal components will change quite a bit from what we saw in the MacBook Air that was first released back in January of this year. A custom platform and CPU was being used in able to keep cooling and power requirements low. PN believes that they will move to a standard-sized Penryn Core 2 Duo, which could reduce the cost, while increasing the speed.
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NetShare Coming Back to iPhone

For iPhone owners who are fans of NetShare, it’s apparently coming back to the iPhone. NetShare, from Nullriver, was/is a $10 application available through Apple’s App Store. It allows you to use your iPhone as basically a wireless router for your computer, using your 3G / EDGE connection.

Think of it as tethering without any cables.

A really clever application (and use) and one that many travelers would like to use when WiFi is not available. There’s some debate over it - people were surprised that AT&T didn’t offer a tethering plan and Apple didn’t off the ability for iPhone users, because the iPhone had all of the hardware needed. Nullriver made it even easier, since it uses a wireless connection.

Those of you not following this little saga, here is a brief outline of events:
- Nullriver released Netshare a week ago
- Apple takes it down minutes later.
- Hours later, it’s back in the App Store.
- Hours after that, it’s gone again.

There’s been a lack of communication - in theory Nullriver wasn’t breaking any Apple guidelines and/or agreements for Apps. It could be seen as violating the terms of service for the iPhone plan, and at this piont, AT&T should be capitalizing on this and offering a tethering plan for the iPhone, since they offer it for other devices, and since this application makes it so easy.

Now Wired Magazine is saying that Apple finally contacted Nullriver and said that it was a technical error that it was removed and that it will be back in the store.

Read: Wired Magazine

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