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  • EFI

    Front Row updated to v1.3.1

    By EFI, in OSx86,

    Front Row was also updated to version 1.3.1, most likely to make it better compatible with iLife 08'.
     
    Launch Software Update, and install the update.
    The file size is 5.2 MB, so its fairly small.
  • Takuro

    Media Event Keynote Overview

    By Takuro, in OSx86,

    Update: The video of the keynote is now available here.
     
    Well, today was a very exciting day for Apple fans. For once, most of the rumors that were circulating around the past few days turned out to be true. All in all, today's keynote had many unsurprising, yet satisfying announcements.
     
     
    New Aluminum iMac
     

     
    The most anticipated announcement came to fruition today when Steve Jobs showcased the first major computer design revision since the switch to Intel processors: The new iMac. The new design bares a close resemblance to the form-factor of previous models, but is far slimmer. Taking cues from the MacBook Pro line, the iMacs now feature glossy screens and smooth aluminum front panels and stands with a black screen border and black rear panel.
     
    Models come in 20" screens with 2.0 GHz CPUs, 20" with 2.4 GHz, 24" with 2.4GHz, and 24" with 2.8 GHz at $1199, $1499, $1799, and $2299 respectively. All models come with the latest ATi Radeon HD cards and are built on the Core 2 Extreme processor platform. Firewire 400 and 800 ports are available. Built-in iSight cameras are also still standard. The new iMacs have 802.11n-compatible wireless cards. The computing casing is made of easily recyclable materials, and its energy consumption rating meets Energy Star approval, making it the first Mac to receive the approval since standards were recently increased. The people over at the Greenpeace community should be pleased about the new iMac's eco-friendliness.
     
    Click here to see the new iMac ad.
     
     
    New Slim Keyboard

     
    Bundled with the new iMacs comes a radically redesigned ultra-slim keyboard, available in both wired and wireless bluetooth variants. Featuring a new key layout, the keyboard comes with special buttons to control brightness, volume, eject, play/pause, exposé, dashboard, and more. It comes with two USB 2.0 ports for easy accessory connection. The keyboard is also immediately available for purchase separately for use with any existing Apple computer.
     
    Surprise, surprise. It seems those leaked photos earlier this week were authentic after all.
     
     
    iLife '08

     
    Last-minute rumors proved true today when Jobs also announced a new version of the iLife suite.
    iPhoto '08 now has "event" sorting, allowing pictures to be automatically grouped by day and classified as a single event. If photos are taken from two different events on the same day, the user can select a key photo from the day's shots and "split" the photo group, creating a new event. Event browsing creates a much more optimized way of browsing through large photo albums. Users can also temporarily hide certain photos or groups of photos to reduce clutter. An all-new "skim" feature allows for photos to be quickly browsed. A new .Mac feature allows for instant publishing of web galleries online, allowing friends and family to view, download, and upload photos. The web galleries use web 2.0 standards to imitate several features of iPhoto from within a browser to create the ultimate photo browsing experience. 

    GarageBand '08 has received numerous updates from its previous version. "Multi-take recording" allows bands to repeat a section of their performance several times and choose their best recording. An all-new visual equalizer lets artists graphically change frequencies of tracks to fine-tune their songs. Tempo and equalizer effects on instruments can also be automated now, giving a professional touch to any song. A new mini-application called "Magic Garageband" lets all people, professionals and common users alike, experiment with a virtual band based on specific genres to help inspire new songs, plan real performances, or just have fun. 

    iMovie '08 features a newly redesigned icon to symbolize the immense transformation it has undergone since iMovie '06. Video libraries now let users browse their video clips in much the same way iPhoto handles pictures. Support for the latest high-definition cameras and formats has now been added. New video export options now support Apple TV, iPhones, and even automated upload to YouTube. New text effects and professional video transitions allow for high-quality movies to be produced in under 20 minutes without the need of Final Cut Pro. Just as iPhoto has a new "skim" feature, iMovie also allows quick, smooth video skimming for easy editing. 

    iWeb '08 comes with a plethora of new, fun features. New dynamic web widgets allow for stocks, videos, google maps, and more to be displayed from your web page. Google, who has grown close to Apple over the past year, has now partnered to include AdSense options built into iWeb, allowing users to preview ad layouts before publishing. Several new professional design themes have been added to iWeb, allowing for quick page styling. In addition, iWeb finally supports personal domain names, allowing users to use any ".com" ".net" (etc) name they please. 

    iDVD '08 has also received a couple new features. It comes packed with 10 new themes, available in both standard 4:3 and wide-aspect 16:9 resolutions. From a back-end perspective, the application's code has been cleaned up, making iDVD less sluggish than in the past. New drops zones allow for DVD menu customization like never before. Making video and picture slideshows (or hybrids of both) is now easier than in previous versions. iLife '08 Guided Tour (Quicktime Video) 
     
    iWork '08

     
    People will also be happy to know that Apple's iWork suite was refreshed, along with the inclusion of an all-new application.
    Pages '08 now features two different viewing models: "Writing" and "layout" mode. When using layout mode, an object formatting box pops up to the side of Pages, allowing text boxes, images, and styles to be added to documents in seconds. Pages is also more powerful than previous versions when writing primarily textual documents, touting an all new "formatting bar" similar to what Microsoft Word has had for a while. The contextual format bar is a feature that is honestly long overdue. Additionally, Pages now recognizes typed lists and outlines, automatically formatting them on-the-fly. A new set of tracking tools helps view changes made to a document, which is especially useful when editing a document collaboratively with other people. Last but not least, Pages '08 comes with a bunch of shiny new layout themes. 

    Keynote '08 has received a handful of improvements, including new instant alpha transparency. Now image backgrounds can be removed with the click of a mouse, allowing the picture's contents to blend in seamlessly with the background of your presentation. New themes, visual transitions, textual animations, and special effects have also been bundled with this application. Finally, Keynote now supports pre-recorded audio, allowing you to deliver stellar presentations without actually being there at any time, any place. 

    Numbers '08 is a the newest member of the iWork family. After bashing the mundane use of spreadsheets in its famous "Get a Mac" ad campaign, Apple has made crunching numbers fun again. All the basic features of a spreadsheet program are present: Tables, data cells, functional formulas, and charts. Of course, data is not simply displayed in a boring 2-D graph. They are done the "Mac" way, complete with special professional templates for homework, office work, educational purposes, and more. Numbers also comes with an "Interactive Print View" feature, which allows users to see exactly how documents will look before they print. Changes can be made accordingly from within the dynamic preview itself. However, the key feature of Numbers is its ability to import and export to Microsoft Excel formats, making it practical even in an office full of beige-box Windows machines. .Mac Update Apple's Dot Mac plans have received an update, allowing users to purchase up to 10GB of storage for single users and 20GB of storage for family packs, at $99.95 and $179.95 respectively. The new .Mac also takes advantage of many new features found in iLife 08, including dynamic web 2.0 photo and video galleries. However, there is no word if .Mac now performs any better than in the past.
     
     
    Mac Mini Refresh
    Although Jobs's main focus was on the iMac today, the Mac Mini also quietly received a refresh. Featuring new Core 2 Duo processors, they are now 39% faster than previous models. Although it has been rumored that the Mini will soon be discontinued, it seems that the product line still has some life left in it after all.
     
     
    Hints at Future Products
    During a Q & A session, a reporter asked jobs, "[You] introduced multitouch on iPhone, what about for the Mac?" In classic Steve-o fashion, Jobs replied, "Makes sense for the iPhone, not sure it makes sense in the Mac. Classify that as a research project." A "research" project might explain all the new patents Apple has been making for new, larger multi-touch displays. Is a touch-screen Mac a feasible future product? Maybe. Only time will tell.
  • EFI
    Apple, also today unveiled new iMacs. They are more thinner now, as well as faster. They come in four price ranges:
     
     
    20" - $1199 :
     
    - Intel C2D 2.0GHz Processor
    - ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB VRAM
    - 250Gb HD
    - 8X DL Superdrive
    - 1Gb 667MHz DDR2 RAM
    - New Apple keyboard
     
    20" - $1499 :
     
    - Intel C2D 2.4GHz Processor
    - ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro with 256MB VRAM
    - 320Gb HD
    - 8X DL Superdrive
    - 1Gb 667MHz DDR2 RAM
    - New Apple keyboard
     
    24" - $1799 :
     
    - Intel C2D 2.4GHz Processor
    - ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro with 256MB VRAM
    - 320Gb HD
    - 8X DL Superdrive
    - 1Gb 667Mhz DDR2 RAM
    - New Apple keyboard
     
    24" - $2299 :
     
    - Intel Core 2 Extreme 2.8GHz Processor
    - ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro with 256MB VRAM
    - 500Gb HD
    - 8X DL Superdrive
    - 2Gb 667MHz DDR2 RAM
    - New Apple keyboard
     
    The above is the final retail specifications for the new iMacs. This does not include BTO options. Read below for more info.
    Note that the iMac's maxed out configurations are as follows:
     
    Maxed out specs :
    24"
     
    - Intel Core 2 Extreme 2.8GHz Processor
    - ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro with 256MB VRAM
    - 1Tb Serial ATA HD
    - 8X Superdrive
    - 4Gb 667MHz DDR2 RAM
    - New Apple Keyboard
     
    The Apple store is still down, however this page will be updated with the link to the new iMac product page.
  • EFI

    iWork 08 Introduced

    By EFI, in OSx86,

    Today, Apple also unveiled iWork 08, which was much expected.
     
    Pages:
     
    - Ability now to do word processing or page layout (design)
    - 140 Apple designed templates
    - New format bar
    - Even closer integration with Microsoft Word
     
    Keynote:
     
    - New effects | themes | transitions
    - Ability to design own animations, ie. Smart Build
    - new Instant Alpha feature for editing out parts of photos
     
    Numbers:
     
    - Dynamic tables, powered by formulas now
    - Closer integration with Microsoft Excel
    - Create awesome spreadsheets in short time
     
    iWork 08 product page
  • EFI

    iLife 08 Introduced

    By EFI, in OSx86,

    Today, Apple announced the introduction of iLife 08.
     
    iMovie:
     
    - Create stunning movies in 30mins or less
    - New video library
    - Ability to capture and import video from any source
    - New support for exporting to iPod, iPhone, AppleTV, YouTube (.Mac)
    - Ofcourse integration with .Mac's new web gallery feature
     
     
    iPhoto:
     
    - Introduction of "events" catagorizing
    - New "calenders + books"
    - Ability to hide photos, then view them later if need be
    - Integration of .Mac's new web gallery feature
     
     
    iDVD:
     
    - Professional visual aspect
    - Additional themes
     
    iWeb:
     
    - New widgets integration into sites
    - Additional themes
     
    Magic Garageband:
     
    - New multi-take recording feature
    - Ability to downmix/resample multiple genres of music
     
     
    iLife 08 product page
  • Paranoid Marvin

    Apple Media Event

    By Paranoid Marvin, in OSx86,

    I don't know about you, but I won't be attending Apple's Media event today, so I'll be relying on live coverage from various sites. It is held in Cupertino, California at 10am Pacific time (that's 6pm BST, for us in the UK).
    The following sites will be providing live coverage:
     
    • Gizmodo
    • Engadget
    • SlashGear
    • MacObserver
    • Stuff.TV
     
    Or you could download this little universal app, that will launch all the useful links for you. (thanks mac-mini!)
    Apple_Media_Event_Live.zip
     
    The rumors flying around at the moment include new iMacs with aluminum enclosures, iLife and iWork '08, and a .Mac update. There is also rumors of a 16gb flash based iPod with video playback support.
    Perhaps this is a good time to finish your bingo card from WWDC!
     
    Time to place your bets on this event's "one more thing"!
     
    Update: This just in from Sweden: contrary to reports from AppleInsider that Apple is to close the book on the popular Mac Mini, Macworld Sweden is reporting the specs of the forthcoming iMacs and also a Mac Mini with Intel Core 2 Duo power. If you can read Swedish, or just fancy trying to read a Swede article, check it out here
    The quoted specs are:

  • EFI
    Just for the info, Digitimes has a poor track record of accuracy in predicting all things Apple. So with that assurance over the shoulder...the lastest news coming from them is that Apple will be unveiling new iPods...flash based ones that is:
     

     
    Furthermore:
     

     
    Whether or not Samsung's shortages is related to Apple is yet to be confirmed, as they are one of the major suppliers of NAND flash modules.
  • EFI

    " Rage "

    By EFI, in OSx86,

    When Apple, at WWDC 07 brought forward John Carmack, to speak about the future of Mac gaming...he mentioned Rage, a game that id was working on, that would see the light of day on the Mac, as well as PC...only thing is...it would happen simultaneously. Few screens were shown, and some spectaclular graphics were seen.
     
    Now, this game, as said by id; is not like the traditional Doom, Wolf, or Quake games from the same company. Instead, it is part shooter/adventure/driving game.
     

     
    Furthermore, John Carmack, also talks about the dev tools used in creating this new game. Detail was given to the textures, which were of extremely high resolution, and insane bumpmapping that makes the game feel different in every location.
     
    Article link
    In the article, make sure to check out the video also. Great information is given with regards to the game from its developmental stages to how id wanted to change its route in this game from its previous ones.
  • EFI

    JPEG XR

    By EFI, in OSx86,

    Well, among the common and most widely accepted image file formats are JPEG, PNG, TARGA, TIFF and BMP. Out of all of them, the format with the worst destructive image compression algorithm is JPEG. For HD pictures, this could prove the exact opposite of being acceptable. However, Microsoft has recently come up with a new format, and is capable of providing uncompressed image data algorithms, intended to be used as the file format for high definition pictures. Going by the name of JPEG XR:
     

     
    Microsoft has been in works with the JPEG committee to come to an agreement that states that this new format will be considered for future adoption for HD photos.
     

     
    Full article link
  • Paranoid Marvin

    Office 2008 Delayed

    By Paranoid Marvin, in OSx86,

    Microsoft's Office 2008 for Mac has been delayed. It's now scheduled to be released in... January 2008.
    Now, I would have thought it would make sense to release it in 2008 anyway, but it seems the original launch date was "late 2007", most likely December. The release will "hopefully" be in time for MWSF 2008.
     
    At the moment, it is not clear wether the suite will be 100% compatible with Leopard. Microsoft said it is "working closely with Apple to deliver the best possible experience for our mutual customers."
     
    The new Office 2008 will sport a redesigned UI, along with "Clipart 2.0" and the rather nifty "My Day" feature. While we are waiting for 2008, we can have a look at some screenshots here. (I suggest you look at them slowly, or perhaps ration your viewing, after all, 2008 is a long way off yet! )
     
    Full Article Here.
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