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TidBITS#898/01-Oct-07

Apple released the first significant update to the iPhone’s software last week, adding features such as the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and welcome shortcuts. But the iPhone 1.1.1 update was more notable for breaking third-party iPhone applications and “bricking” (rendering inoperable) phones hacked to work with SIM cards from cellular carriers other than AT&T. We run down the changes and debate Apple’s approach in a staff roundtable. Apple also released important updates for iLife ’08 and iWork ’08, new firmware for Macs with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and an update for recent portables that re-enables journaling of the hard disk. We also note pricing and availability of the upcoming Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac. If that wasn’t enough, Adam compares the new Amazon MP3 music store to Apple’s iTunes Store, Glenn passes on news of cheap iPod touch Wi-Fi in the UK, and Joe strolls through Apple Expo in Paris, France. Lastly, we note the updates of our best-selling “Take Control of Mac OS X Backups” and (so you have plenty of time to plan) “Take Control of Thanksgiving Dinner”!

Jeff Carlson No comments

iLife ’08 Updated, iMovie Improved

Apple has released iLife Support 8.1, iPhoto 7.1, iDVD 7.0.1, GarageBand 4.1, and iWeb 2.0.2, but the most significant improvement to the iLife '08 suite is iMovie 7.1, which fills in some gaps left open in the transition between iMovie HD 6 and the rewritten iMovie.

Adam Engst No comments

Amazon MP3 Takes on the iTunes Store

With the public beta of Amazon MP3, online retail giant Amazon.com is giving Apple's iTunes Store a run for its money. Is the elegance and breadth of the iTunes Store enough to beat Amazon MP3's DRM-free music, 256 Kbps encoding, and lower prices?

TidBITS Staff No comments

Staff Roundtable: Apple Should Do No Harm to iPhones

Apple has come under fire for "bricking" unlocked iPhones - rendering them unusable - with the latest iPhone update. Is that reasonable behavior? Our editors universally think not, and they aren't wild about the way Apple has made it difficult to develop native applications for the iPhone either.

Adam Engst No comments

Take Control News: Joe Kissell Talks Turkey

In this important update from Take Control, we address the pressing issue of candied sweet potato sauce compatibility with the 2007 Thanksgiving feasting season. No really. For a geekly approach, check out Joe Kissell's "Take Control of Thanksgiving Dinner," our most unusual ebook.

Jeff Carlson No comments

Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/01-Oct-07

This week in the TidBITS Talk forums, readers continue to tackle the ethics of hacking the iPhone, consider waiting for Leopard to arrive before buying a new Mac, and share their experiences with Yugma, iMovie, and Retrospect, and more.