Apple Archive

Apple has updated its line of Mac Mini computers. The new models have slightly faster processors, with the cheapest Mini now featuring a 1.33Ghz G4 (previously a 1.24Ghz) and the expensive models receiving a speed bump from a 1.42Ghz G4 to a 1.5Ghz G4. The higher-end models also recieve dual-layer DVD burning and improved Bluetooh and Airport Extreme. Graphics-wise, the Mini sees a doubling of RAM. And the harddrives are (finally) upgraded to normal 5400rpm models, instead of the rather sloppy 4200rpm models.

Speaking yesterday at Apple's European conference, Apple Expo in Paris, Jobs said: "Microsoft is copying us with its operating system... Dell's trying to copy us with its hardware. That's fine but we'd like to not give them a map and show them where we're going to go. At least they can follow our taillights." Update: More from Jobs here.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs and the company's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller have just ended a frank and open discussion with European media. Jobs said: "We don't know how having OS X available for PCs would affect Macs", and promised, "we will have technology in OS X for Intel so that it cannot be installed in other PCs". Jobs also confirmed Apple's switch to Intel processors remains on schedule, saying: "We said we'd be shipping by next June and we are on track to have that be a true statement".

Two years after the East Coast version of the Macworld Expo made a controversial move to Boston, IDG World Expo is pulling the plug on the event. IDG announced plans in October 2002 to move the show from New York to Boston, with Apple Computer immediately announcing that it would not join IDG in the move. With Apple gone, attendance dropped substantially, prompting a move this year to the smaller Hynes Convention Center.

Why didn’t Jobs, ever the maverick, opt for the scrappy challenger, Advanced Micro Devices, instead of the old-money establishment, Intel? The reason, industry analysts say, is that Jobs has a clear goal in mind: innovative designs. And such designs require the lowest-voltage chips, which IBM and Freescale were not going to make with the PowerPC chip core - and which AMD has not yet perfected.

Andy Hertzfeld is responsible for much of the development for the Macintosh in the early eighties. Since then, he's worked at several technology start ups, including General Magic and Eazell. Most recently, he signed on with Google. Read an interview with Andy about the future of the personal computer and network here.

Apple has seeded build 8B1027 to Apple Developer Platform owners. This build brings Transition Kit systems up to version 10.4.2, and in-sync with the current released version of Mac OS X for 'ordinary' Macs. This build includes new tactics to prevent piracy of Mac OS X.

Apple pinned its hopes on a project started in 1987 to provide a next generation version of Mac OS, called Pink. The operating system never shipped, but it prompted Apple's adption of the PowerPC. Read the story here.

Apple Computer without VisiCalc would have been an entirely different company. VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet, was a major cause of the success of the Apple II, and attracted the attention of IBM to the microcomputer market. Read about VisiCalc at creator Dan Bricklin's site and a brief history at Braeburn.

The featured content section on Apple's Developer Connection has some interesting articles. First, "Learn about universal binaries, and how to get your applications ready for Intel-based Macintoshes." Secondly, "You need Xcode to build universal binaries. Read the latest on Apple's IDE." There are more articles, so feel free to look around.

Apple updates Safari to 2.01, the site says improved website support. You can download this update via Software Update. My Take: I downloaded the update. Due to server load haven't been able to test the image of doom, will be a shame if that problem is still there.

A bug in Apple's Safari leaves it vulnerable to crashing from an animated image. All webkit apps are vulnerable, even rss readers. This comes after Internet Explorer and Firefox had vulnerabilities due to pictures. Why is it that images cause browsers so many problems?

Apple's switch to Intel could lead to a merger that spawns a big power player in the personal computer, home media, and entertainment industries. Apple has already made great advances, so what could they possibly do next that would allow them the potential for yet another large surge of hype, buzz, profit, and success? Intel is already the most dominant chip manufacturer, so what could they possibly do next that would make them bigger, badder, with more diverse profits and services?

Apple has announced a worldwide warranty extension for 1st generation iMac G5s. "The iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues applies to first generation iMac G5 computers that have video or power-related issues as a result of a specific component failure."