Software

10.6.4 Graphics Driver update available

By James Wilson on August 18th, 2010 No Comments

Apple today released a software update regarding the recently publicized driver issues that arrived in Mac OS X 10.6.4, namely from users of the immensely popular Steam-delivered Portal and Team Fortress 2 games. Full text of the update below:

- Addresses frame rate issues occurring in Portal and Team Fortress 2 by Valve, on iMac (Late 2009 and Mid 2010), Mac mini (Early 2009 and Mid 2010), Mac Pro (Early 2009), MacBook (Early 2009 and Mid 2010) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) or MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) models.
- Resolves an issue that could cause Aperture 3, or StarCraft II by Blizzard, to unexpectedly quit or become unresponsive.
- Resolves an image corruption issue that may occur when disconnecting and reconnecting external displays while the system is running.

This update requires a restart once downloaded. So click the Golden Apple Menu and download the latest code to make pwning n00bs more epicz.

iOS 4.0.2 waiting to meet your iPhone, Apple Retail Store’s safe.

By James Wilson on August 12th, 2010 1 Comment

Well that was short-lived. After much publicity, the PDF exploit that jailbreakme.com utilises (that site and others) to jailbreak your iPhone has been fixed by the big A. Apple this morning released the 4.0.2 update to fix that specific issue. That is all. No antenna fixing issues. No 3G painkillers. Nothing. Just a PDF, font-subsystem fix to keep Apple’s iPhone and iOS happy. Oh, and to stop youngsters (both real and young-at-heart) from breaking Apple’s retail display iPhones.

Windows 7 SP1 Beta released

By Terence Huynh on July 14th, 2010 No Comments

Windows 7 LogoWindows 7 has to be, in my view, the best Windows OS since Windows XP, but like all others, it must have a service pack. And while SP1 isn’t coming in a couple of months, a beta of the first service pack for Windows 7 and the server equivalent, Windows Server 2008 R2, has been released.

Of course, you will be left in the dark for any technical support – since it is a beta (Google is your friend) – and we probably should tell you that you should download it at your own risk. But if you are desperate to see any small changes to Windows 7, then feel free to download it.

You can download it from Microsoft’s TechNet site. You would also need to have a current version of Windows 7 and it is a 1.2GB file to download – so you should really use your offpeak, or possibly get a friend to download it for you.

Firefox 4 Beta 1 released for download

By Terence Huynh on July 7th, 2010 No Comments

Well, took them long enough. Mozilla has released the first beta of Firefox 4, the upcoming update to the second-most popular browser. As you can tell, it is a substantial redesign to the user interface, taking on what Google Chrome (and now Opera) has done by moving the tabs at the top. Other improvements is a new Add-Ons manager and improvements on how HD video is played using HTML5.

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Chrome tops Safari as Internet Explorer, Firefox shares drop

By Terence Huynh on June 30th, 2010 No Comments

It the end of the month, and May sees Google Chrome topping Apple’s Safari in total market share with a 7.04 percent stake, compared to Safari’s 4.77 percent stake in the browser market share war for third place again, according to NetApplications.

However, what makes it interesting is that it is Internet Explorer and Firefox that has dropped, while Chrome, Safari and Opera has gained when compared to last month. While they are minuscule losses, it looks like Chrome’s simplicity has an effect on the big two browsers.

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Google Chrome update includes built-in Flash

By Terence Huynh on June 25th, 2010 No Comments

Chrome users will now notice that they should get an update, and it’s a very very big update. Google, along with Adobe, have finally pushed out the in-built Adobe Flash Player in the browser – effectively meaning that you can go straight onto YouTube and play a video without downloading the Google Chrome specific plugin for Adobe Flash, as it will now be in the browser.

Updates to Flash will also be updated in Chrome, utilising Chrome’s behind-the-scenes upgrading technology, minimising any risk of security holes of unpatched or outdated software as Chrome will be using the latest version of Flash.

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iOS 4: 9.00AM Pacific, 2.00AM AEST

By James Wilson on June 21st, 2010 2 Comments

Just a quick reminder that iOS 4 is expected to come out really early tomorrow morning (June 22 at 2.00AM AEST), 9.00AM Pacific Time (or so the rumors around the interwebs say). So don’t forget to mark your downloaders, iTunes, iCals, Alarms and whatever else wakes you up at 2 in the morning to get the latest iOS!

Don’t forget you will NEED iTunes 9.2 in order to update iPhone. iOS 4 does NOT work with iPhone 1st Gen or iPod touch 1st Gen. And yes, it’s free for everyone. Even you, iPod touch user.

Mac Mini Updated. Now with HDMI

By James Wilson on June 17th, 2010 1 Comment

Apple Website

Yes folks, you heard right. The Mac Mini has been updated this week and now boasts the following tech specs:

  • Unibody enclosure – now matches the new iMac and MacBook Pro lines
  • Removable base – there is a cover that is under the base of the machine that allows for DIY RAM (SO-DIMM DDR3 SDRAM)
  • Up to 8GB of RAM, 320GB or 500GB HDD space
  • 3.6cm high by 19.7cm deep and wide. Weighing in at 1.37kg
  • 2.4GHz or 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
  • 10/100/1000 MB BASE-T  Ethernet Port
  • Bluetooth 2.1 and Wireless 802.11n
  • SD Card Slot, Firewire 800
  • HDMI port as well as a MiniDisplay Port
  • 8x Slot-loading Drive

And yes, Apple (for once) learned from their recent market ticker of the server-based Mini. This has not been discontinued and still receives the love and care it deserves, with up to 1TB of space (2x500GB HDD).

So now sit back and relax, for just $999 as the base model goes or $1399 (all in AUD), you can enjoy Team Fortress Two in all its glory on your titanic-sized 3D-capable 90″ screen. Ok, so perhaps 90″ is a little big.

Hell has frozen over: Opera Mini now on iPhone

By James Wilson on April 13th, 2010 No Comments

Yes folks, you heard right. As of right now, UK and Australian Appstore goers can officially download the Opera Mini web browser for iPhone. This app approval has come with a collective sigh of disbelief as Apple has approved an app that directly competes with one of it’s native apps – Safari Mobile Browser. Who knows what the future may hold for future approvals?

Microsoft wants you to be social… on Outlook

By Terence Huynh on February 17th, 2010 No Comments

Despite Google Buzz becoming an abysmal failure, Microsoft has decided to release a plugin for Outlook 2010 Beta that will allow you to view what you and your friends are doing on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or on its Sharepoint service (because that is apparently going to bring in social networking features to the workplace). It’s pretty much going to tell you what your friends are doing in real time (which has been overused so many times), and there’s going to be a gallery to see your upcoming meetings – wow (sarcasm)!!

But why the hell would you want to be social while typing up an e-mail?

Like I said, it is out now for Office 2010 Beta users, but those using Office 2003 and Office 2007 versions of Outlook will be getting it in the near future.

Alert: Windows 7 RC to start shutting down

By Terence Huynh on February 16th, 2010 No Comments

Windows 7 LogoThink of this as a community service announcement. On March 1, Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) users will have their computers shut down every two hours (and that data will not be saved!). So, if you want to keep Windows 7 – go get the full version.

If you continue to use it, however, then on June 1; you will still experience that two hour period of using the computer, but your files will not be saved on the hard drive whatsoever, and that you’ll get annoying messages from Windows Genuine Activation telling you it isn’t genuine.

Intel brings app store to netbooks

By Terence Huynh on January 9th, 2010 No Comments

CES 2010 BlockIntel has decided to follow in Android, Apple, Blackberry and Nokia’s footsteps in opening up an app store. This endeavour, however, will not be mobile phones, nor for laptops, but for the netbook laptops. Called the Intel AppUp, it will allow users to find, download and purchase software that would run fine on the Atom processor. Applications selected will run on either Windows or Moblin-based operating systems, but will also offer applications that use Adobe Air and Microsoft Silverlight in the near future.

Intel has already signed up Acer, Asus, Dell and Samsung to bring this to their netbook range and will collaborate on the store. The program is currently in beta and can be downloaded from its website.

Microsoft to dump upgrades, trim retail editions for Office 2010

By Terence Huynh on January 7th, 2010 1 Comment

Microsoft LogoMicrosoft Office 2010, the upcoming edition of the popular office suite, is set to dump the upgrade version – which have a lower price so users who have an earlier edition upgrade to the new version. This comes after Microsoft released the pricing for Office 2010.

As well, it has trimmed the number of retail editions from five to three – Home and Student, Home and Business, Professional. Office 2010 Home and Student, which will feature Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, will have a price tag of US$149 or US$119 for the key card – Microsoft’s new method of allowing users to upgrade from Office 2010 Starter to the four versions.

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2010 – Adolescence meets the Internet: Lookout! (Pt 1)

By James Wilson on December 29th, 2009 No Comments

image

The 00’s – what a decade. Filled with ups and downs. Bubbles and bursts. Revolutions and extinctions. Moving into 2010, I thought it nice to start a little series called 2010 – Adolescence meets the Internet. This series will look at what we can expect from 2010 and beyond while reflected on the 00’s.

Today’s article looks at the cloud and it’s possibility of extending all mobile phones. To help us with this, we will look at an exciting new product called Lookout [previously known as flexilis].

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Microsoft’s Word patent appeal fails

By Terence Huynh on December 23rd, 2009 No Comments

A US Court of Appeals judge has upheld a $290 million jury victory against Microsoft for infringing a patent held by Toronto, Canada-based i4i in its Word program.This effectively means that Microsoft cannot sell either Office 2007 or Word 2007 unless they remove the infringing code from the program – well, from January 11 of next year.

The patent in question relates to how specific algorithms is used to read and write custom XML.

The Seattle-based company has said it is taking steps to remove the “little-used” feature from the latest versions of Office and Word from that date. Microsoft has also noted that the beta versions for Office 2010 and Word 2010 do not contain the infringing patent.

Microsoft, however, has not ruled out applying for another appeal.

“While we are moving quickly to address the injunction issue, we are also considering our legal options, which could include a request for a rehearing by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals en banc or a request for a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court,” Director of Public Affairs for Microsoft, Kevin Kutz, said in a statement.

i4i has welcomed today’s ruling. “I4i is especially pleased with the court’s decision to uphold the injunction, an important step in protecting the property rights of small inventors,” founder and co-inventor of i4i, Michel Vulpe, said in a statement.

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