Apple on Thursday debuted Mac OS X 10.6.8, the company’s newest update to the Snow Leopard OS.

The download is meant to offer a bunch of “general operating system fixes” which includes support for IPv6, removal of known variants to Mac Defender and improved VPN reliability.

The new update is also suppose to fix an issue in which Preview randomly shuts down for some Mac users.

The update is 275.3MB and will require a system reset so I would suggest allowing the update to move forward when you won’t need your Mac for a little while.

If you’ve downloaded version 10.6.8 let us know what you think about the system performance increases.

Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Now Available [Free Download] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Most of the talk today when it comes to Apple has been around the availability of Facetime in the Mac Apps Store for 99¢ as well as the confirmation that the Light Peak technology is available in the MacBook Pro line under the name of Thunderbolt.

However the news doesn’t stop there as Apple has also made available in the App Store a Developer Preview of the next generation OS X operating system codenamed Lion. Thanks to TechnoBuffalo we have some of the deatils of what peoples can expect with the new OS X.

• Mission Control is a powerful, entirely new feature that unifies Exposé, Dashboard, Spaces, and full screen apps to give you a bird’s eye view of every app and window running on your Mac. With a simple swipe, your desktop zooms out to display your open windows grouped by app, thumbnails of your full screen apps as well as your Dashboard, and allows you to instantly navigate anywhere with a click.
• Launchpad makes it easier than ever to find and launch any app. With a single click, Launchpad displays all your Mac apps in a stunning full screen layout where you can launch, re-order or organize apps into folders. You can also arrange apps into multiple pages and swipe between them.
• Lion brings the full screen experience that iPad users love to the Mac. With one click, your application window goes full screen, taking advantage of your Mac’s brilliant display. You can swipe from one full screen window to another and even back to your Desktop or Dashboard.
• New Multi-Touch gestures and fluid animations give you a natural and intuitive way to interact with your Mac. New gestures include pinching your fingers to zoom in on a web page or image, swiping left or right to turn a page or switch between full screen apps and swiping up to enter Mission Control.
• A new version of Mail, with an elegant, widescreen layout inspired by the iPad; Conversations, which automatically groups related messages into one easy to read timeline; more powerful search; and support for Microsoft Exchange 2010;
• AirDrop, a remarkably simple way to copy files wirelessly from one Mac to another with no setup;
• Versions, which automatically saves successive versions of your document as you create it, and gives you an easy way to browse, edit and even revert to previous versions;
• Resume, which conveniently brings your apps back exactly how you left them when you restart your Mac or quit and relaunch an app;
• Auto Save, which automatically saves your documents as you work;
• the all new FileVault, that provides high performance full disk encryption for local and external drives, and the ability to wipe data from your Mac instantaneously; and
• Mac OS X Lion Server, which makes setting up a server easier than ever and adds support for managing Mac OS X Lion, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

Some details about Apple’s just released Developer Preview of OSX X Lion is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you couldn’t tell from their exclusion in the race for the much coveted Apple Design Awards, the award of excellence for developers, there doesn’t seem to be much love from Apple marketing or management for the Mac. Everything is about the iPhone and iPad these days as was witnessed by the recent WWDC and all the hype about the upcoming iPhone 4.

However don’t lament to much Mac users as there has been some stuff updated today albeit very quietly and with no fanfare at all.

Today saw a new Mac Mini slip quietly into the Apple Store with a bunch of upgrade to go along with the $100.00 price increase.

Apple® today unveiled a completely redesigned Mac® mini, featuring up to twice the graphics performance, a new HDMI port and a new SD card slot, all in an amazingly compact aluminum enclosure. Mac mini is the world’s most energy efficient desktop and starting at $699, is the most affordable way to enjoy Mac OS® X, iLife® or Mac OS X Snow Leopard® Server.

“The sleek, aluminum Mac mini packs great features, versatility and value into an elegant, amazingly compact design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With twice the graphics performance, HDMI support and industry-leading energy efficiency, customers are going to love the new Mac mini.”

Source: Apple PR release

To go along with the Mac Mini it seems, according to the crew at Gizmodo, that there is a new OS X also available which brings the version number up to 10.6.4 and comes with the new Safari 5. According to their post this is what you can expect with the updated OS X

General fixes and improvements

-improves compatibility with some Braille displays
-resolves an issue that causes the keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive
-resolves an issue that may prevent some Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications from opening
-addresses issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
-improves reliability of VPN connections
-resolves a playback issue in DVD Player when using Good Quality deinterlacing
-resolves an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view
-resolves an issue with Parental Controls Time Limits for Open Directory or Active Directory users
-resolves a display sleep issue with MacBook Pro (Early 2010) computers
-resolves an issue with MacBook Pro (Early 2010) computers in which the right speaker may sound louder -than the left speaker
-includes Safari 5.0; for more information about Safari 5.0, see this webpage
-Security improvements; for information about the security content of this update, please visit this article
-Fixes and improvements for Aperture 3

-adds tethered shooting support for additional digital camera models
-addresses IPTC metadata compatibility issues
-Fixes and improvements for external devices

-RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras
-resolves an issue with using third-party USB web cameras
-resolves an issue with noise when using some third-party FireWire audio devices
-resolves pairing issues with Apple remotes

See Apple fans, there’s still some love for you even if it does seem to be the kind that Apple doesn’t want to talk about in public.

Apple’s stepchildren, Mac Mini and OS X, see some quiet updates is a post from: The Inquisitr

The never-ending saga of the mighty mouse company taking on of the Goliath of elitism and aesthetic perfection has taken yet another rather strange turn of events. Yes folks the sad story of Psystar being hunted to the ends of the court system has reached what can only be termed a rather strange resolution.

Today it was announced that Apple and Psystar have agreed to settle a 17-month lawsuit that will see Psystar from pre-installing Mac OS X on the generic Intel based computers that Psystar sells. Yet the agreement may not stop the company from selling Mac clones as Psystar has laid out the argument that would shift the responsibility for installing Apple’s operating system on to the customer.

Part of Apple’s response to this?

Apple has agreed to voluntarily dismiss all its trademark, trade-dress, and state law claims. As a result of this partial settlement the need for a trial is eliminated and reduces the issues before the court in regards to the scope of any permanent injunction on Apple’s copyright claims. This was the injunction that would have seen the hammer brought down on Psystar effectively shutting down the company for good. Not so now.

Huh?

Well it all seems to center around a piece of software that Psystar has created that would allow customers to install OS X onto any generic PC. Psystar is arguing that the software called Rebel EFI is completely Psystar property and in no way includes any Apple trademarked code.

“Psystar argues only that any injunction from this Court should not extend to Rebel EFI, a Psystar product that is presently the subject of litigation in the Florida case, that is composed exclusively of Psystar software, that is not sold in conjunction with any hardware, and that is sold entirely apart from any copy of Mac OS X or any computer running Mac OS X,” Psystar said.

Source: Computerworld

By getting Rebel EFI excluded from any of the proceeding Psystar is effectively moving the responsibility of installing OS X onto generic Intel based PC onto the consumer. So on one hand Apple gets some satisfaction by appearing to smack down some upstart company as well as maintaining its copyright and trademarks but this is so unlike Apple. After all this is a company notorious for its habit of literally demolishing anyone who they think is infringing on their products or trademarks – they are not a company to give quarter to anyone.

Yet if this argument by Psystar regarding the exclusion of the Rebel EFI software passes muster, and at this point Apple doesn’t seem to be contesting the argument, there would still be a legal avenue for consumers to install OS X on any computer of their choice. Obviously the hope here for Psystar is that it would be one of their systems.

So is this possibly a tacit admission by Apple that while we could stop this if we wanted to let things run their course. If people use this software to try out Mac OS X on some crappy PC Apple will possibly assume that they should be able to move a portion of those people over to their own products arguing that if you liked OS X on a sub optimal machine try it now on a real computer – a Mac.

It’s not like they have anything to lose. they’ve put a irritating upstart back in its place and it now has a possible new way to bring in new customers and they haven’t had to expend a cent developing software that would get a lot of people asking a lot of questions that apple wouldn’t want to answer.

Sounds like a win-win to me.

Could Apple use Psystar as a backdoor to a wider consumer marketplace is a post from: The Inquisitr

It appears that Apple’s Snow Leopard has gotten itself an appetite for your data under certain conditions. The issue; which cnet wrote about back on September 19, has to do with how Snow Leopard handles guest accounts.

What happens according to all accounts so far is that shortly before the bug appears a Guest folder appears in the /Users directory. Interestingly enough previous to this point no such folder existed. Now when the computer is restarted you are somehow logged in as a guest and all your files stored under you main account get deleted.

As Ed Oswald at Technologizer notes the only way to recover from this requires that you have a full backup available.

Moral of the story here? If you’re on Snow Leopard, start backing up your home folder regularly.

Apple is currently looking into the issue, however has not provided any guidance as to when the problem could be fixed.

Watch your data get eaten – bad Microso… err .. Apple is a post from: The Inquisitr

Now before the penguin brigade jumps in with their typical Linux is free crap let me just say this – STFU. This post as should be obvious from the headline is about those two popular operating systems that people pay money for. So swim back to your icebergs and leave me alone.

With that necessary disclaimer out of the way let’s get to the serious discussion. This summer and fall is going to see the wide spread release of both OS X Snow Leopard and Windows 7. Discounting the obvious fanboy beating of the chest about whose operating system is better than the other I am more interested in the price being paid by the consumer. Or rather if we are approaching a period where there is a break point where the price being charged is too much.

The realistic approach of OS X

As much as Window fans might like to point to the fact that Apple holds a hammerlock on it’s hardware and software which in some ways gives it an unfair advantage when it comes to pricing its operating system the fact is that Apple really just see the OS as an ends to a means. As such it has always priced its OS at a level that would make any Windows user drool.

Yes much of Apple’s profits originate from its hardware sales with the OS being a necessity in order to get their customers to buy their other products which are more realistically priced. The one thing to keep in mind though is that this OS pricing due to the hardware/software lock is only possible because unlike Windows, Apple doesn’t have to expend large development costs in supporting the same depth of hardware.

As a result it is easy to understand how Apple is able to provide Snow Leopard for $29 an upgrade or $129 for the full install. One has to wonder though that while the upgrade price is a real sweet spot, why is there such a difference between it and the full install version. Is there really that much difference to justify the $100 difference?

The hair pulling approach of Windows

Windows has always gotten flack for its pricing of the operating system, as well as for the insanity of the different versions of the same software. After all as it is pointed out in all the discussion that is starting about Windows 7 pricing it is basically the same DVD being sold for all versions. While this might make it nice and easy for upgrading between the various flavors of the OS it definitely makes one scratch one’s head as to why they even need so many versions.

Microsoft has always been known for trying to milk its OS sales for every cent they can. So having as many different versions of Windows has been to their advantage. The only problem is that when they tried this with Windows Vista it came back to bite them hard on the ass. I think that is one of the reasons why Vista failed in the marketplace – people didn’t have a clue as to which version to upgrade to. So since XP was still a rock solid OS why worry about it.

So I think when it came to Windows 7 there was some serious rethinking about this mistake and which is why we are back to seeing three versions being pushed into the pipeline. While this is a good thing to see the same attitude of change hasn’t really been seen when it comes to the pricing. they might be touting an 8% price drop from Vista as a great consumer oriented deal but the fact is Windows is still price heavy.

For example these are the current proposed prices expected when Windows 7 goes live

Upgrade Path:

Home Premium – $119.00 US / $129.95 Cdn 
Professional – $199.00 US / $249.95 Cdn
Ultimate – $219.00 US / $279. 95 Cdn

Full Install Path:

Home Premium – $199.00 US / $224.95 Cdn
Professional – $299.00 US / $329.95 Cdn
Ultimate – $319.00 US / $349.95 Cdn

Source: Ars Technica / Canadian prices courtesy of Kris Abel’s Tech Life

As I pointed out in the section about Apple is that Microsoft has an incredible myriad of hardware to support which will obviously add to the cost of developing the OS. That doesn’t mean though that as we more to more of a digital download world that the prices being asked for the Windows OS is entirely justified.

Right off the bat the idea of an Ultimate version makes absolutely no sense in a general, or power user, consumer market. When Vista came out with that I wrote about how it was a waste of money and my opinion hasn’t changed with the Windows 7 version of it either. Once you take that out of the equation you are left with Home Premium and Professional. At what point does the consumer market switch from a premium user to a professional one?

Even though Microsoft might like to point to some minor price drop as their way of making the OS more affordable the fact is it isn’t. Beside confusing consumers as to what version of Windows 7 is best for them the idea that an OS is worth the prices they want to charge is ludicrous especially considering the large majority of their sales will be at the lower OEM prices. We also need to take into consideration the reality that we are very quickly moving into a downloadable distribution channel which means Microsoft’s delivery costs would be miniscule compared to the current retail sales channel.

The changing landscape of consumer usage

While Apple’s pricing of OS X might be more consumer friendly that Windows multi-tier pricing they are both ignoring how the consumer use of computers has changed. Where their prices might be applicable and to a point understandable when most homes, or individuals only had one computer that in a growing number is no longer the case.

Whether they be laptops, media centers, gaming rigs, laptops or even the new netbooks it is no longer uncommon to see multiple computers within one home. In the case of a family chances are that each member has some form computer they are using. Even on an individual level people stand a good chance of having more than one machine.

So instead of only having to purchase one license people are having to buy multiple licenses and there is no denying the expense regardless of OS. Take myself: I have my main desktop, a media machine in the process of being rebuilt, my wife’s laptop and plans for a laptop of my own. That’s for licenses for Windows 7 that I am going to need 4 of which means a cost of $899.80 for the Home Premium or $1,319.80 for the Professional version. Even if I was an Apple user and all those were Macs I would still be looking at $387.00 USD.

And really what is the difference between 1 licensed version and 4?

The serial number is the only difference. So in effect we are paying in excess of anywhere from $500.00 to $1,000 for three sets of numbers.

As much as we bitch about old media being stuck in the mindset of outmoded business models the fact is even supposedly modern tech businesses are stuck in the same mindset.

And they wonder why stuff gets pirated.

Are operating systems too expensive at any price? is a post from: The Inquisitr

For those of you who haven’t placed themselves under some rock somewhere it is kind of hard to escape the fact that Apple hosted its World Wide Developer Conference today that saw line-ups around a whole city block. As usual the rumors and prognostications have been going strong leading up to this morning’s keynote speech and as expected primed up the troops for their dose of Apple goodness.

So I guess it’s kind of cool that they rebranded the current iPhone as … the iPhone but with a kill the Pre buzz price of $99.00. This of course opened up the way for the announcement every iPhone fan was waiting for – well at least some of what they had been hoping for. Video, Voice Control, Auto focus, and of course the holy grail of the one feature to rule them all – cut and paste. all this goodness that has existed on other smartphones for years for the price of $199 (16GB) or $299 (32GB).

Not to mention that for everywhere else except the US iPhone 3GS (S for speed WooHoo!) users would have MMS and tethering capabilities at some point after the 19th of June. For the AT&T suckers customers – well you’ll just have to wait for some undeclared future point in time.

Now the real interesting point for me was the announcement of Snow Leopard being available for $29.00. For those not familiar with this new release of OS X it is an upgrade to the existing Leopard release of the Apple operating system. For anyone else who is having to get it for the first time it’ll still cost you $149.00 (plus the cost of the Mac computer).

In other words they are issuing a service pack that has some enhancements included and you get to pay for the privilege – wow. I can just image the uproar if Microsoft started charging for their service packs, but then of course everyone knows how evil Microsoft is by selling an operating system that can run on just about any computer configuration on the market.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled Twitter love-fest and other such useful real-time ego puffing.

[picture courtesy of Digital Daily]

Apple yanks umbilical chord, fanboys get all jizzy is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ah poor plucky little Psystar, how I had hopes that you would succeed if only by a little bit but it seems that is not to be. For those of you who might know of the Psystar story it is one of a small company willing to take on the might of Apple and their well fed lawyers by selling off the rack computers that came with Mac OS X installed.

It was a little over a year ago when Psystar first made headlines in the tech blogosphere by releasing their Mac clones and everyone waited with baited breath for Apple to hit them and hit hard. Interestingly enough apple’s response lacked any or the real ferociousness that Apple, and its lawyers, is known for. While the company was eventually sued by Apple they seem to take a more casual approach to the whole thing.

In return to Apple suing them Psystar caught most of the tech pundit off-guard by turning around and suing Apple. However as it seems in most cases when it comes to battling Apple, might wins over right and Psystar has finally filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The one interesting thing to come out of this is that we will finally be able to see who has been bankrolling Psystar as that information is revealed as a part of the court hearing on June 5.

Even though they might be in trouble money and legal wise this hasn’t stopped Psystar from continuing to sell their Mac clones on their site. As the MacObserver blog notes though it really is only a matter of time before Psystar will be a footnote in Apple history

Even if Psystar has plans of continuing its battle against Apple to sell PCs with Mac OS X installed, it isn’t in a strong position to move forward once the Judge overseeing its bankruptcy lifts the automatic stay since it doesn’t likely have money to pay for its legal defense. Without the cash to pay its legal team, Psystar probably won’t have anyone to represent it in court, and won’t be in a position to defend itself against Apple.

Psystar begins circling drain, Apple lawyers exchange high-fives is a post from: The Inquisitr

For those of you not familiar with the back story to this David vs. Goliath story here’s the short version. Psystar setup shop last year marketing what basically boiled down to a Mac clone. Apple at first didn’t do anything but near the end of the year they finally slapped Psystar with a lawsuit to which the scrappy little company slapped Apple back with a lawsuit of their own.

At which point Apple put forward a motion to have Psystar’s countersuit thrown out. Well the judge in the case has ruled that Psystar’s lawsuit can go ahead. In addition US District Court Judge William Alsop suggested that "Psystar may well have a legitimate interest in establishing misuse [of copyright] independent of Apple’s claims against it — for example, to clarify the risks it confronts by marketing the products at issue in this case or others it may wish to develop,"

Alsup also said that if Psystar proves that Apple abused copyright laws, some of Apple’s charges against the company would be moot. He also seemed to say that that others would then be free to follow in Psystar’s footsteps. "Moreover, if established, misuse would bar enforcement (for the period of misuse) not only as to defendants who are actually party to the challenged license but also as to potential defendants not themselves injured by the misuse who may have similar interests," said Alsup in his ruling.

Source: ComputerWorld

I can’t help it but I’m rooting for Psystar here. It would be nice to see Apple; and its legal team, get their comeuppance finally.

Psystar wins one against Apple is a post from: The Inquisitr