World of Apple

Apple today quietly released an update to its GarageBand application, pushing the application to version 3.0.1 the update is described as;

GarageBand 3.0.1 addresses an issue with Podcast production using the French or Finnish localized versions.

This update is only for the 1.8 GHz, single-processor Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer and supports installation on Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Also improves the reliability of your Power Mac G5, especially after it has been inactive for two hours.

The update is just 900k.

If you have a machine capable of running it then you’ll be receiving notification via Software Update that your FrontRow requires updating. Weighing in at just 5.5MB the update is said to improve compatibility with iTunes and iPhoto.

Just a few minutes ago Apple released security update 2006-001, in particular the update is described as fixing holes that the Leap.A trojan exploited.

iChat. A malicious application named Leap.A that attempts to propagate using iChat has been detected. With this update for Mac OS X v10.4.5 and Mac OS X Server v10.4.5, iChat now uses Download Validation to warn of unknown or unsafe file types during file transfers.

Apple has released a Security Update for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, the update which is labelled either PowerPC or Intel in the Software Update application is around 13.2MB in size (will vary) and includes a number of fixes.

Full details of the update after the jump…

Security Update 2006-001 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

apache_mod_php
automount
Bom
Directory Services
iChat
IPSec
LaunchServices
LibSystem
loginwindow
Mail
rsync
Safari
Syndication

(more…)

Apple has released its second update in under 2 weeks to iPhoto, the update pushes iPhoto to version 6.0.2 and is 13.7MB in size.

Apple has given the update the following description;

iPhoto 6.0.2 resolves several minor issues with playing shared slideshows in Front Row.

Apple describes the update which weighs in at 18.7MB as the following;

With iTunes 6, you can preview, buy, and download over 3,000 music videos and hit TV shows on the iTunes Music Store and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go. To watch purchased videos, you must have QuickTime 7.0.3 or later and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

Note: After purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store with iTunes 6 or later, you will also need to upgrade your other computers that purchase music from the iTunes Music Store to the latest version of iTunes.

As widely expected Apple today announced the new Mac mini featuring an Intel Core Duo and great Media Centre features using FrontRow.

Here’s the specs:
The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

• 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable up to 2GB;
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive;
• 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking &
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
• the infrared Apple Remote.

The new 1.66 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:

• 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 2GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive™ with double-layer
• support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking &
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port,
• each supporting both optical digital and analog;
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
• the infrared Apple Remote.

  The new Mac mini offers a completely new system architecture for performance up to four times as fast as the previous Mac mini, including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new Mac mini now includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort® Extreme 802.11g WiFi for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and a total of four USB 2.0 ports, twice as many as the previous generation. Mac mini includes a DVI interface and a VGA-out adapter to easily connect to a variety of displays, including many of today’s most popular flat panel televisions, and now features both analog and digital audio outputs to easily connect to a home stereo

  Apple has also made an update to its FrontRow software;

  Featuring the next generation of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience, the new Mac mini gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content on the Mac mini including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With the latest version of Front Row, customers can now effortlessly access shared iTunes® playlists, iPhoto® libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour™, Apple’s zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS® X.

Apple’s Special Event has concluded and Apple has given us a handful of great new products.

The iPod Hi-Fi will produce music from any iPod including the iPod shuffle. Apple describes the device as the following;

“Fill your home with sound, not stereo components. Keep your music collection at your fingertips, not in countless CD cases. Change the way you experience digital music. For $349, iPod Hi-Fi delivers crystal-clear, audiophile-quality sound in a clean, compact design. Hear, hear”

“Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.”

So, with the start of the Special Event just hours away, World of Apple is preparing to cover the happenings and keep you up-to-date. You’ve all heard the rumours; so will it be a movie store, a vPod, an Intel Mac mini, or something else? Reports elsewhere indicate that an iPod Boombox/Hi-Fi is on the cards, but what else does Apple have up its sleeve?

Stay tuned and find out over the next hours.