If you haven’t noticed in iTunes yet, the firmware update for the iPhone, 2.0.1, has just been released. In the always descriptive change log, Apple tells us nothing once again. The 249 MB update addresses “bug fixes” per Apple’s announcement that many hope will fix the Contact delay, Safari crashes, and issues with many of the new native applications. One major out cry, extreme sync times due to back-ups, have not been resolved according to some users who have already upgraded. Others are reporting that Contact searches have sped up, as well as iPod and Calendar response seeming to be more peppy.

Next up, 2.1. The rumors have cut-n-paste and MMS as new features as well as the push-notification API available for third-party vendors for use with such programs as Instant Messaging.

Apple has just pushed the 420 MB update to OS X 10.5, Leopard, to 10.5.3. The update includes fixes for Time Machine, Time Capsule, Spaces, iChat, large attachments dragged to Mail.app, Airport, Automater, Address Book, Parental Controls and VoiceOver. Full disclosure of updates can be found on Apple’s Support site.

You can update your Macintosh either via the Software Updates in your Apple Menu or by downloading the 420 MB Standalone file directly from Apple’s site for network installs to multiple Macs.

Mariner Software, developers and publishers of professional and personal software, announced the release of MacJournal 5.0.2 and StoryMill 3.0.1, adding several new features and fixing numerous bugs.

This release of MacJournal 5.0.2 highlights the following:

MacJournal 5.0.2 has been totally redesigned and built for the Leopard operating system. MacJournal allows users to add any kind of content, PDFs, QuickTime movies, images, and text. Bloggers can now blog video to their blog in Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal or even their .mac account. To see all of MacJournal’s latest features, go to www.marinersoftware.com/sitepag e.php?page=85.

With StoryMill 3.0.1, the following features have been added:

StoryMill 3.0.1, the latest release in Mariner Software’s long line of writing and creativity software. Part word processor, part database and introducing an industry-first feature that will interactively display a story across time, StoryMill 3.0 empowers every author with the tools essential to writing a best seller.

To see all of StoryMill’s features, go to: http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepag e.php?page=127

Pricing and Availability:
MacJournal 5.0.2 is available for download and requires Mac OS 10.4 or higher (including Leopard). Pricing is set at $34.95 for the download version and $39.95 for the boxed version. Registered MacJournal 3 and 4 customers can upgrade for $19.95 on the Mariner web site with their serial number. MacJournal 5 is available for purchase at the Mariner eStore at www.marinersoftware.com/shoppr oduct.php or through various retailers such as: The Apple Store, Amazon, MicroCenter, MacMall, or Fry’s Electronics. MacJournal can also be purchased through numerous international distributors across the world. For a complete list of international distributors, visit the our page.

StoryMill 3.0.1 is available, for sale and trial, on the Mariner Software web site at http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepag e.php?page=127. The shipping version will initially be offered in English and sell for $49.95USD ($44.95 download).

You will finally be able to truly conquer Time Machine and Spaces with Apple’s latest update, 10.5.2. With the ability to turn off Space’s funky spring view of the folders, you’ll be able to go back to that great simply listing of Tiger. Also fixed is Time Machine’s inability to see some external hard drivers as well as automatically popping up the status window when running. Also noted by Apple is, ” Improved general stability when running third-party applications.” That would be nice since 10.5.1 seems to crash so many of my applications when I was on that awful rev. No specifics if Windows Network shares are fixed, but this comment, “Addresses a hanging issue that may occur when connecting to an AFP network volume,” on Apple’s release notes seems to indicate maybe you mixed network folk should have no more issues.

Leopard users can initiate download via there Software Update on their Mac.

For a complete list of fixes in the near 400 MB upgrade, take the leap below…

Read the rest of this entry »

Macworld was a great time last week even if nothing ground breaking happened other than a very thin and a very expensive laptop was released. In my book, Apple TVs update and HD movie rentals was the big news. But what bugged me more than anything was the lack of something and that something was the missing feature of Cut-n-Paste in the iPhone. Without a doubt, this has got to be the most annoying omitted ingredient of the iPhone and yet still, Apple continues to ignore this chasm. Yes, chasm! I can’t understand why there isn’t more of an uproar about this must-have option in such a versatile device. I’m tired of typing in long web addresses from notes, address book notes, and iCal note fields that the iPhone seems to ignore and translate into hyperlinks. I’m tired of typing in redundant information into notes or iCal entries. I’m tired of hand copying text from web sites into other applications. Heck, try typing, from memory at best, long WEP keys for protected wireless networks! Tired, tired, tired! What gives?!

Well, I hunted someone down at Macworld to give me the answers and after a long search and pass off after pass off from Apple employee to Apple employee, I finally got an answer. The deal is, Apple is aware of the desire for this option and it is working on it in the labs as we speak. The trouble it is having is implementation. How to easily call up a copy or cut option and then the paste action. It’s probable that the zoom bubble (the one that brings up the edit cursor) is the issue as it has removed the obvious tap and hold position from Apple to use for a pop-up menu of some sort. Text selection is another difficulty to sort out. Certainly, the cursor could be added to the menu selection; however, Apple wants to keep this as simple as possible and that added step would not lend itself to simple.

My source would not give me any details other than to say that it has been working on the solution for some time and that there was no immediate release for it. So at best, we can hope that the interface hurdle will be leaped over very soon.

As to Exchange, a straight answer was more difficult to pull out of my Apple source. Yes, Apple knows that there are business professionals that want support for it (and Blackberry Enterprise Server) and Apple is not ignoring this demand. The source would not go as far as to say that it’s being worked on, but when I asked for clarification by questioning, “So is Apple not working on a solution?” he simply laughed and said, “Apple’s aware of the Exchange need.” So, take that at face value, business professionals.

While there is a slew of other unanswered features many have called for since day one, such as voice dialing, these two were my main concern and I was glad to at least get some kind of answer. My source suggested letting Apple know of my fire desires in encouragement that this would help push for a quicker resolve. So, folks, if you agree with my needs, head over to Apple and let them know now!

Scratching your head over the Mac Pro update today? You know, the one where 8-cores are now standard on all Mac Pro’s and a bump to 3.2 GHz 8-core Xeon processing, a 1600 MHz front side bus and 800 MHz memory to just make sure things hum nicely for all those Pixar hopefuls. Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, calls this, “The fastest Intel Xeon architecture on the market.” So why Phil is it out today and not next week at Macworld? Couple that with the update to Xserve and you must have to really stop and think about this.

First, Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs has never been a big IT guy. When the Xserve was originally released at Macworld a few years back, it was as if it were just some blip on his Keynote presentation and nothing more. So it’s no surprise to find Xserve on Apple’s homepage buried away from the mass to find out about. But the Mac Pro is a bit different. It’s up there on stage with Steve during Stevenotes and is the power horse behind the Mac. So why front page at apple.com and not Macworld? Mmm, maybe because something so much more exciting is on tap.

The rumored sub-notebook MacBook is pretty nifty in itself, but not big enough to one-up the Mac Pro to shove it off stage for a paired announcement. No, something grander is behind this supposed announcement. Many have talked about a very unique docking system, one in which the sub-notebook docks inside an LCD screen. Yes, like most of the iMac announcements, this would be pretty fantastic…and who’d care about the Mac Pro speed bump at that point? Umm-hmm.

And friends, that’s not probably half of it. With any of our Macworld predictions coming true, that too is enough to over shadow the Mac Pro upgrade. Add our newest prediction (that popped into my head late last night) and like that chef says — BAM! — you’ve got an unforgettable Macworld announcement. Again.

So while the Mac Pro improvement is nice, heck, very nice, it’s still not as great as what’s to come. Are you excited yet?

Ever since I updated to OS X 10.5.1, Leopard’s first update, things just keep crashing. It’s not just one or two applications like Microsoft Office applications, but other well behaved programs such as MarsEdit and by beloved 1Password. Prior to install the update, all these applications worked flawlessly and never gave up a final breath until I closed it. Now, I’m getting crashes left and right. Some applications refuse to even stay open for any usable amount of time unless I reboot. Ugh, what’s going on, Apple? This update seems so horrible.

I haven’t seen or heard others complaining about this update, yet, so maybe it’s just me. Thinking this, I did a format and install of Leopard off the DVD and then migrated by Carbon Copy Cloner image of my previous 10.5.1 install. Since this only sucks up preferences and applications along with user documents, stability should be better if not return to normal. Nope, same old problem the minute Software Update informed me of 10.5.1 and I accepted its offer to destroy, er, upgrade my operating system.

So, buyer be ware.

Apple. What’s up? Why in three months all we have seen added to the feature list of the iPhone is some way for you to make more money and that’s it? Where’s the copy-and-paste? Full Exchange server support? vCal notices for new appointments to meeting attendees? Landscape mode for e-mail? Ringtones in your Bluetooth ear set? (Man, you’ve charged $2 for it, why not let us live a little?) Speaking of Bluetooth, how ’bout full support of the protocol? You know, “Beam Contact to Other iPhone”.

No, oddly in the last three months, all Apple really has done is fix bugs, disable custom ringtones (twice), bricked unlocked phones, and given users the iTunes Store. That’s it. Forget all these wish lists floating around the Internet. Forget the fact cooperate users have asked for more business support. Nope, the honeymoon is over and now it’s time to make AT&T happy. That’s about it.

This attitude begs the question. Is version 1.1.1 worthy of an upgrade? Like Sony’s PSP updates that broke homebrew hacks two years ago, Apple’s latest update prevents third-party applications from functioning including SIM unlocking software. Is a double-tap space bar really that cool? I don’t think so and I’m betting not many others feel the same way as well. In fact, if you think about it, none of the updates have been worthy of “gotta have” updates. It’s really quite funny if you think of it.

Apple wants to get peoples iPhones back in its control, yet it hasn’t given any incentive to do so! For me, custom ringtones is way more valuable than being able to buy David Matthews at Starbucks. I can buy him on Amazon — cheaper — when I get home. (Read more.) Nothing in any of these updates out weighs the advantages I get from staying with 1.0.2 and using all the wonderful third-party applications out there. If Apple doesn’t want to listen to its customers, that’s okay, we don’t have to listen to it. There’s no need to have any particular version installed to sync at this point and thus no reason to upgrade to the Evil 1.1.1. Now of course, Apple can really dig a hole for itself and force users to upgrade in order to continue syncing, but that would also require an iTunes upgrade. No, for now, I’m happy, well, kind of, with 1.0.2.

I actually rely on my custom ringtone to audible identify if I need to pull my iPhone out of my holster or not to answer the call or let it go to voicemail. I highly doubt I’ll ever see any song from Donut Man or Boney M as an iTunes Store download. But because those two artists have songs that identify two particular people perfectly, I’ll stick with iToner and version 1.0.2 on my iPhone. But, give me vCal and true Exchange sync support and then I’ll gladly find something on the iTunes store for those two suckers of my contacts. But as history is showing, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that for a loooong time.

If you haven’t performed a Software Update on your MacBook or MacBook Pro recently, then you don’t know about Apple’s update for Cingular’s HSDPA or Sprints and Verizon’s EV-DO Rev. A. The new WWAN Support Update 1.0 will give you native support for various ExpressCards (plus one USB device) that support either HSDPA, EV-DO Rev. 0, or EV-DO Rev. A. Giving Mac users true plug-and-play for the latest in near broadband access anywhere where there is a cellular signal, Apple will let the PC users worry about drivers and compatibility issues at the time of purchase.

Take a look at what ExpressCards and the one USB adapter that are now supported.

Cingular (now AT&T) customers:
•Novatel Merlin XU870 ExpressCard (HSDPA)

Sprint customers:
•Novatel Wireless Merlin EX720 Express Card (EVDO Rev. A)
•Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 USB Modem (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)

Verizon customers:
•Novatel XV620 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. 0)
•Novatel V740 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. A)
•Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)