At about 9:45 AM PST I noticed (see image below) that the Apple Online Store was showing a message that it was down for updates. Not sure if this is just a routine update or if something major is being added. Stay tuned.

Update: Oh well. It’s back up and I cannot see any major updates. I got excited there for a minute and thought maybe we were going to get a little pre-MacWorld treat. Looks like this was just a routine update after all.

A MacCast listener just sent me this screenshot of an Intel ad that appeared in this PCWorld article. It was very interesting to note that the browser image in the dog’s mouth is an Apple Safari browser. Now I know that usually the artist who designed the ad will be a Mac user and they just happened to take a screenshot from their browser and use it, but it is funny none the less. Plus, if you remember I noted a while back how the new Intel logo has a distinct “Aqua” look about it. Are we seeing more merging of the Apple Intel cultures?

Looks like Apple just greatly expanded it offerings for TV shows on iTunes. I was just looking at iTunes and saw the splashes for NBC, USA Networks and SciFi Channel shows. I clicked and was thrilled, they are actually there! The NBC offerings include, Law and Order, Jay Leno and classics like Knight Rider just to name a few. I also saw Monk and the Battlestar Galactica Mini series. This is BIG. I can see my bank account depleting as I type this. Bring on the content!

What happens when you take a MacMini, FrontRow, GPS Software, a KeySpan remote and 10.2″ LCD touch screen display and put it in a Ford F-150? You get the ultimate “Mac” truck. This is one of the coolest Mac car integrations I have seen to date. It is awazing how the Mac Mini is just tucked into the center console. Just awesome. Check out some of the details and lots of picts on Leftlanenews.com.

A Brief and Warped History of the Mac, part 11 (Single Button Simplicity)

I’m a huge fan of the MacCast. There are several reasons why I favour it over pretty much every other Macintosh PodCast – such as Adam’s style and the fact that we seem to largely agree on a lot of things. But that’s not to say that we agree on everything – I know that Adam is not a fan of Apple’s traditional single button mouse format. Sparked by Apple’s new Mighty Mouse – this week, I want to look at the importance of the single-button mouse on Mac’s interface.

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We have discussed this issue on the cast before. There is a known issue with some single 1.8 GHz processor G5 Macs where they freeze and lock up more than they should. There is even a web site and petition, g5freeze.com, dedicated to the issue. Well many had hoped one of the hundreds of bug fixes in the just released 10.4.3 update would resolve the issue. It didn’t. The good news is, I have just found out a fix is in the works. A listener just got off the phone AppleCare and the rep said there is a firmware update due out before the end of the year. Apple just needed the 10.4.3 update to be released first. This information comes after the listener had several tech support calls and had his issue escalated, so I would tend to believe him. Stay tuned.

A Brief and Warped History of the Mac, part 10 (Future OS)

With Mac OS X version 10.5, Leopard in the works and Windows Vista, er, having its name unveiled, my thoughts have turned to the future. Mac OS X is the best operating system ever developed – its unique blend of high power UNIX and stylish, easy to use interface mean that the new version of Windows will really have to go some to catch up. We all wait with baited breath for Steve Jobs to stand on a stage and say, ‘Tiger is great, but for all the developers in this room – it’s old hat, because look what Leopard can do…’ Well actually, the most exciting part is what he says after that. New tweaks to the Aqua interface will probably filter in, great new features to make your life easier will crop up – and if they don’t, we’ll all be very disappointed.

So what is to come in Leopard? Well as I gaze into my crystal ball, I am at a loss to speculate what might appear. Better optimisation on the Intel Macs that will be commonplace by then is a strong likelihood. Even more extreme graphics, with support for PDF spec 1.6 built into Preview, more real time effects filters in Core Image and probably some other graphical innovations that none of us can guess.

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As expected Apple announced new PowerMacs with dual-core G5 processors, along with new Powerbooks and a new photo application called Aperture which looks like a Pro level version of iPhoto.

Looks like Steve Jobs is once again on the cover of Time magazine along with the new iMac G5 and the iPod with video support. The article highlights Apple’s amazing industrial design success and offers interviews with Steve Jobs; engineering vice president Tony Fadell; current iPod head Jon Rubinstein; industrial design chief Jonathan Ive and marketing director Philip Schiller. You’ll find more information on the articles contents at iLounge.com and Time does offer an online version for paid subscribers.

Well looks like I was totally wrong. Despite what Steve says Apple announced the video iPod today along with a new version of iTunes to allow customers to purchase video content. Looks like initially the video content is limited to music videos and some popular ABC and Disney TV shows. I am really excited to see TV content available for purchase at only $1.99 per episode. This could be a huge benefit to us non PVR owners. The new iPods are smaller, but have a slightly larger 2.5″ screen and of course provide video out so you can connect to a TV for a better viewing experience. The new iPod Video is also available in black. Looks like Apple has done a good job here, but they will need to work hard on getting more video content for iTunes. I just hope that there may be a possible software update for those of us with older color and photo iPods.

I haven’t had a chance to really explore the mew iMac G5s, but it looks like the big updates are new Front Row media software and a remote for viewing all of your multimedia content (photos, video, music, podcasts, etc), a built in iSight camera with new PhotoBooth application, processor and video card upgrades, comes with a Mighty Mouse and Apple finally ditched the built-in 56K modem (although an external $49 USB modem is available as an option).

Another subtle change was pointed out by listener Charlie. Apple has moved the eMac to the education area of the site.

I am just back from my trip and trying to catch up. I have a meeting tonight, but will try to get a Podcast out soon. We have so much to talk about. Stay tuned.