Apple’s media event last week provided most of the fodder for this week’s issue, since Steve Jobs introduced a revised set of iPods (including a new iPod touch and a multi-touch iPod nano), previewed the upcoming iOS 4.1 and 4.2, pulled back the curtain on the second-generation Apple TV, and launched iTunes 10 with its integrated Ping social networking service. We have complete coverage, along with a DealBITS drawing for Raskin, an alternative computer interface based on the pioneering work of the late Jef Raskin. Notable software releases this week include Radioshift 1.6, Audio Hijack Pro 2.9.7, Fission 1.6.9, Things 1.4.1, BLT 1.0.4, Lightroom 3.2, SpamSieve 2.8.3, and Dreamweaver CS5 11.0.3.
Apple can't resist updating iTunes whenever new iPods come out, but this time the changes are fairly minimal other than the addition of the Ping social networking service, aimed at making it easier to discover new music by connecting you to your friends and favorite artists.
Apple redesigned its entire line of iPods (except for the iPod classic, which is still available in the Apple Store), bringing cameras, FaceTime, and the Retina display to the iPod touch; a smaller size and touchscreen interface to the iPod nano; and (finally) buttons back to the iPod shuffle.
If you've never quite been happy with the Finder, or just like the idea of alternative computer interfaces, you'll want to check out Raskin, a zoomable interface based on the pioneering work of the late Jef Raskin. Enter to win a copy in this week's DealBITS drawing!
The new Apple TV is a black box a quarter the size of its predecessor, offering streaming content, no requirement to sync to a computer, and 99-cent TV show rentals to the living room.
Apple has taken the wraps off iOS 4.1, due this week, and iOS 4.2, due in November, fixing some high-profile bugs and adding features like HDR photos, Game Center, HD video upload support, background printing, and AirPlay wireless media streaming.
Notable software releases this week include Radioshift 1.6, Audio Hijack Pro 2.9.7, Fission 1.6.9, Things 1.4.1, BLT 1.0.4, Lightroom 3.2, SpamSieve 2.8.3, and Dreamweaver CS5 11.0.3.
We were watching Google this week, as the company released Priority Inbox for Gmail and open-sourced Google Wave. We were also amused to see Autodesk bring AutoCAD back to the Mac and Borders drop prices on all its ebook reading devices to compete with Amazon and Barnes & Noble (and the iPad). If you’re using Apple Mail’s parental controls be sure to read on for a concerning vulnerability. Finally, Adam participated in a pair of MacNotables podcasts that should make for good listening.