Stan's List

The Inquirer reports the usual iPod refresh, but also MacBook and a major upgrade of iTunes to high definition video. iTunes is to also to include a playlist suggestion system. These revelations are the result of a leak of the release notes.\\

With a different slant:

Apple may have some surprises for iPod and iTunes event on September 9, Computerworld

IMG reported that development of a Mac-native version of Google Chrome is in early stages and that a public release is likely months away.

On September 9, Apple is expected to introduce new iPods, possibly at lower prices. This could mean a measly $99 for the 8 GB mano and $199 for the 16 GB iPod Touch. There is faint hope of any iMac updates, but if you are contemplating, wait a few days.

SMARTReporter is a free application that warns you of some hard disk drive failures before they actually happen! It does so by periodically polling the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk drive. S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a technology built into most modern hard disk drives that acts as an “early warning system” for pending hard disk drive problems.

Not included in the original release, Solver for Excel 2008 is now available. A linear programming and analysis tool had been included in Office 2004, but dropped from Office 2008, as it required Visual Basic for Applications, which the Mac Business Unit says will not returned until the next version of Office.

Computerworld reports on a survey by ChangeWave Research which determined, from those planning to buy a computer in the next 90 days, nearly a third will buy a Mac.
Stemming from consumer satisfaction reports, it is predicted this trend will continue. Apple has an ever increasing army of unpaid marketing reps.

The Apple ProRes QuickTime Decoder software allows both Mac and Windows users to play Apple ProRes files through QuickTime. Apple ProRes is a visually lossless format that provides uncompressed HD quality at SD data rates.

It is an excellent choice for mastering and can easily be transcoded to distribution formats like H.264. With new support for playback on both Mac and Windows computers, Apple ProRes can also be used for review and approval of Final Cut Studio sequences.

Huge iPhone Security Flaw Puts All Private Information at Risk

Major Security Flaw in 2.0.2

Thanks to ars technica, I download 3 Smithsonian Channel programs. They are not only coming At a $1.99 each for the 3 hour long nature shows, glad to see these available. This makes over 20,000 TV shows available. This particular one is most invited. Now to get PBS’ Nova and Nature.

RoughlyDrafted does a critic of several articles, with links back, on the level of MobileMe security, if any. The security is varied and depending on what area, whether desktop or web. What does this mean with email, calendar, data and web access? A good read.

MobileMe is not recommended.