Stan's List

Battery runtimes can be reduced if an application(s) has runaway or taken over system processes. This can cause the processor to work overtime and consume unnecessary battery power.
Products affected

* Portable computers running Mac OS X

More …

Mac OS X Hints has the low down on getting Front Row working on your Mac Pro (or any Mac able to run OS X, but not Front Row). The problem is twofold: one, Front Row not being configured to run, you need to find the executable for it; two, it’s not technically supposed to run unless it detects the Apple Remote. This part is a little more challenging; fooling it into thinking you do have the remote involves a bit of hacking that may depend on what brand mouse you use. More …

iFixit.com posted a Fixit Guide for the new 2G iPod shuffle. The Fixit Guide clearly illustrates how to get inside, access, and replace any component in the new iPod shuffle.

Fixit Guides for every iPod and Mac laptop are available free online on this iFixit Web page.

Apple has published a revised, corrected list of affected PowerBook G4 12.1″ batteries on its website.

The correct battery serial number range is as follows:

ZZ411 - ZZ427
3K428 - 3K611

Originally, Apple published incorrect numbers (6C510 - 6C626). The website now contains the accurate serial number ranges.

The website form asks users to enter their battery serial number. The site checks whether it is one of the affected units.

In addition, PowerBook users should note that no 17″ PowerBooks’ batteries are affected by the recall.

Today Apple and the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall of certain lithium ion batteries made for 12″ and 15″ PowerBook G4s and iBook G4s. Here is Apple’s Web page on the recall and CPSC’s notice. The recall covers batteries made by Sony similar to those recalled by Dell. The total number of batteries in the U.S. is 1.1 million and there are some 700,000 more outside the U.S. for a total of about 1.8 million batteries.

Check Apple’s Web page or the CPSC notice to determine if the battery is involved in the recall and, if so, to stop using it until it can be replaced by Apple.

AppleInsider: Leading notebook makers Apple, Dell, and Lenovo will hold a summit meeting in San Jose, Calif. next month to begin development of standards for the manufacture of lithium ion batteries for portable and handheld electronics.

Lacey J. Manning of The Daily Universe gives hints on how to avoid getting your iPod or Mac laptop stolen. One example:

The standard white ear buds immediately call attention to an iPod. Switching to black earphones can camouflage the popular music player, making it look like a less desirable brand. It’s also a good idea to keep your iPod stowed out of sight to avoid becoming a target.More …

With last week’s announcement that the British government thwarted an alleged terrorist attack planned for flights from the U.K. to the U.S., news that travelers are required to check their laptops as baggage on some flights has raised a new level of panic as they try to figure out the best way to protect their laptops. More …

What about your iPod or your Newton?

This update aids the 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook battery in performing at full capacity.

Updating battery firmware for PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) and some earlier PowerBooks

Soon laptop batteries could last all day and be recharged from a cartridge. BBC News has a piece on fuel cells as laptop batteries, and what their adoption could mean for laptop usage.

“At the Cebit technology fair in Hanover, Taiwanese hi-tech firm Antig said its fuel cells should be on the shelves of computer shops by early 2007. The first versions of the methanol-using units should keep a laptop going for up to nine hours. Fuel cell technology got a boost recently when international air flight regulators changed rules that banned passengers from carrying flammable methanol onto aircraft.” More …