Apple Updates: Notebooks, Keyboard, and iMac

Apple Releases Firmware Updates for Notebooks, Keyboard, and iMac

Apple released EFI Firmware Updates for the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and iMac today. The firmware update descriptions are predictably short:
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of [MacBook Air. Macbook, MacBook Pro, iMac] computers.

Users should note that while the EFI Firmware upgrades are downloaded by Software Update, they are not installed automatically. Instead, the updater is downloaded to Applications/Utilities and must be manually launched in order to update the firmware. Updating the firmware requires the computer to be shut down and it is installed on the next boot. Follow the included instructions carefully.

Apple also issued an Aluminum Keyboard firmware update:
This firmware update addresses an issue with the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing.

The updates can be found in your Mac OS X software update.

(Via MacRumors.)

Flickr Video Launches!!!

Flickr Video Launches – A Unique Experience
Flickr users can now add video clips alongside their photos, a much requested and much anticipated feature that has been promised for over a year.

The puppet version of Shel Israel graciously kicked things off for us by announcing the new feature in the Flickr Video below.

(Via TechCrunch.)

Streaming comes to your iPhone!

Streaming comes to your iPhone!

So the iPlayer on your iPhone isn’t enough, eh? Well how about having live streaming to your blower? A bit more like it, we think you’ll agree.
And it might not be too far off. London-based company Best Before is in talks with two broadcasters about launching a service that’ll spunk their shows onto Apple’s finest.
You’d be able to watch through the Safari browser using Wi-Fi.
The server-based technology is called Millicent, which allows broadcasters to provide an edited video feed to be watched on the iPhone without the need to hack it.

Via T3

sobeTECH weekly update 4.8.08

BREAKING NEWS – Today Apple is FINALLY shipping the long awaited Final Cut Server. It has been a year since it was announced and I, along with countless others, are excited to see it ship.

Wal-Mart Abandons Windows DRM, Sony/BMG and Warner – As Wal-Mart switches to the MP3 music format and redesigns its music store, it leaves behind Microsoft's digital rights management technology, which prevented the songs it sold from being played on iPods. The company has also ditched Sony/BMG and Warner Music Group, for now anyway, probably due to licensing squabbles about the terms of the transition to unprotected music. Is there anyone out there using Wal-Marts music store? What do you like or dislike about it?

WEEKLY NEWS – Get all your news in one place. A new site called Alltop.com puts all your favorite web news sites on one page and lets you view the 5 latest stories. Alltop says, "sites are starting points — they are not destinations per se. The bottom line is that we are trying to enhance your online reading by both displaying stories from the sites that you’re already visiting and helping you discover sites that you didn’t know existed. In this way, our goal is the “cessation of Internet stagnation.” It's great to get a full view of your favorite info. Like, work, culture, people and of course geek news on one web page!

Amazon improves Latin Music Store – Amazon relaunched its Latin music store Friday, with video content from top artists, more bilingual product descriptions and a selection that's grown by at least 10% in less than a year. The online retailer will also shortly introduce blogs by Latin artists on their product pages, as well as partner with them for video debuts and possible event sponsorships, music category manager Craig Pape says. Check it out and let us know what you think!

RUMORS – The current MacBook and MacBook Pro designs will be retired and are expected to see “major design changes” in their next revision. The consumer MacBook line is expected to transition from plastic enclosures to aluminum and stainless steel, which are reportedly more “eco-friendly”.

Nokia’s Tube – another iPhone killer?!?

Nokia offers Tube as iPhone rival, dismisses Apple

Nokia has given its touchscreen phone an early name and demonstration, the company has revealed at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference.

(Via Electronista.)

Aluminum Apple MacBooks?!?

Apple to release aluminum MacBook laptops

Apple’s laptop line has been due for a design change for quite some time; not counting the MacBook Air which is an entirely new product.  The MacBook and MacBook Pro are due for moderate, if not groundbreaking changes.

The most significant changes will be coming to the MacBook, according to AppleInsider.  It will be getting either an aluminum or stainless steel case makeover which would bring its design more in-line with the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Pro is also set for a design change and will look more similar to the MacBook Air, although, there’s no way Apple can make it nearly as thin.  It may get a black backlit keyboard and will have design similarities with the aluminum iBooks as well as the MacBook Air.

All this is to give the Mac product lines a more uniform appearance and will allow Apple to reuse more components on more of its products.

Apple is also said to be preparing the MacBook and MacBook Pros to make use of Intels new “Montevina” platform which will offer processors in speeds ranging from 2.26GHz to 2.8GHz and requires a new logic-board with a “Socket B” processor slot.

If you haven’t purchased that MacBook or MacBook Pro yet, hold off, it will be outdated come the end of the year.  On the other hand, if you don’t mind having an “outdated” model, discounts are already being offered.

(Via MAC.BLORGE.com.)

Apple Final Cut Server ships!

Apple ships Final Cut Server
Apple on Tuesday finally began shipping Final Cut Server, its media asset management tool for video production houses. The software announced last year automatically gathers media assets across a network to let editors work from a common pool of resources, including on Storage Area Networks (SANs).

(Via MacNN.)