World of Apple

On Tuesday night Apple released an update to QuickTime which fixes a controversial issue affecting the new MacBook, second generation MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks.

The complaint from users of the new notebooks was that standard definition movies purchased from the iTunes store would not playback on an external display due to HDCP restrictions.

Apple writes the following about the update:

This update is recommended for owners of MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort. The update addresses an issue where some standard definition purchases from the iTunes Store do not play on some external displays.

The update means that content purchased from the iTunes store should now playback with no issues.

Just one week after the release of Safari 3.2 Apple has now released a minor update pushing Safari to version 3.2.1.

The update which is available through Software Update and on Apple’s website is said to contain “stability improvements” and is recommended for all Safari 3.2 users.

From Apple’s Release Notes:

Pro Applications Update 2008-04 Release Notes

Pro Applications Update 2008-04 addresses general performance issues and improves overall stability.

Applications included in the update:

* Final Cut Pro 6.0.5
* Compressor 3.0.5
* Color 1.0.3
* Shake 4.1.1

The linked page gives more details on the specific updates.

In addition to the release of the latest iPhone and iPod touch software, Apple has also issued a minor update to iTunes. iTunes 8.0.2 which is available to download through Software Update.

The included notes with the update state the following improvements in the update:

iTunes 8 and iTunes U are now accessible with VoiceOver on your Mac.

Apple has released a new version of software for the Apple TV which can be downloaded by users by using the “Update Software” menu item in the Apple TV Settings.

Apple has posted a support document which lists the feature changes in the update:

• Music can be streamed via AirTunes to Airport Express speakers or other Apple TVs in your house.
• Apple TV can now learn other remote controls and use them in addition to the Apple Remote.
• Playlists in iTunes that contain Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, and Music Videos can now be seen on Apple TV.
• Support for volume control in Music.

QuickTime H.264 Compatibility Update - 3.3MB

This update improves QuickTime compatibility with iChat.

Update is available through Software Update.

This firmware update addresses an issue where trackpad clicks may not be recognized on MacBook (Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (Late 2008) systems.

The update is available in Software Update to owners of late 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks.

Safari 3.2

This update is recommended for all Safari users and features protection from fraudulent phishing websites and better identification of online businesses. This update also includes the latest security updates. For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

• Safari 3.2 for Leopard - 39MB
• Safari 3.2 for Tiger - 25MB
• Safari 3.2 for Windows - 19MB

Apple has today released a software update for the fourth generation iPod nano. The update which weighs in at 58MB and is labelled as version 1.0.3 contains the following:

• Support for Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic
• Support for Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
• Fixed instability issues when using Nike + iPod Sport Kit
• Added a setting to turn off Cover Flow when rotating iPod nano and a Cover Flow menu item under the Music menu
• When Shuffle setting is set to Songs, pressing play on a song in a saved Genius playlist will now follow the Shuffle setting
• After playing a slideshow with TV out, Cover Flow album art is no longer distorted
• Waking iPod nano after hibernating no longer distorts photos
• Other minor bug fixes

The update can be obtained through iTunes for owners of the iPod nano 4G.

iLife Support 8.3.1 - 11.7MB

iLife Support provides system software components shared by all iLife ’08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife ’08.

[Update] Update only available to iLife users on Mac OS X 10.4.11.