Apple updates Airport Routers and Bluetooth

Fireware updates were released for both the Airport Express and Airport Extreme routers.

Some fixes include, addressing a DoS security issue, reliability and resolving issues with AirTunes, AirPort compatibility, and fixes to issues with some third party Routers.

Apple also released Bluetooth Firmware Update 1.2 which improves Bluetooth performance and reliability issues

Pete Townshend reminds us to turn down our iPods

The Who rock guitarists hearing was irreparably damaged from years of using stereo headphones.

With music downloads, iTunes and iPods gaining popularity more people are listening to music with headphones.

Good reminder to turn the volume down just a bit.

Disney/ABC expands iTunes Lineup

Disney ABC Television Group plans to add a slew of new programming to the iTunes Music Store. The new offerings will come from ESPN and ABC Sports, ABC Entertainment and Touchstone Television, ABC Family, ABC News, Buena Vista Television, Disney Channel, SOAPnet, and Walt Disney Feature Animation.

ESPN and ABC Sports are offering condensed versions of all four BCS Bowl Games from ABC Sports. Yesterday’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Nokia Sugar Bowl will be available today, while today’s Orange Bowl and tomorrow’s Rose Bowl will be available the day after they air.

The content will be a mix of free and paid downloads.

Before you get all excited the list includes gems like the 70s kids cartoon "Schoolhouse Rock," SOAPnet’s biog show "Soapography," and bits of "Good Morning America."

iTunes dropped from new ROKR phone

The ROKR E2 will have Motorola's iRadio service instead. It features 435 commercial free radio channels and will cost about $7.00/mo.

There are images from CES that show the new Motorola SLVR phone will have iTunes and the next version of the RAZR should have iTunes too.

Finally help with uninstalling Mac Apps. AppZapper is Here

We all know to remove most applications in OS X you simply move them to the trash and empty. That works but can leave stuff behind.

Some installers offer uninstall options, but not too many.

Enter AppZapper, This nifty little $13 utility will find all the little odds and ends (preferences, applications support files, etc) and all you to quickly and easily "zap" them away.

appzapper.com

MacCast One Minute Tip #10 - The Dock

Play One Minute Tip

www.oneminutetip.com

Huge Microsoft security flaw wreaking havoc

A flaw in Microsoft's Windows Meta File has spawned dozens of attacks since its discovery last week

The flaw affects Windows XP with Service Pack 1 and 2, as well as Windows Server 2003.

The Windows Meta File flaw uses images to execute arbitrary code and can be exploited just by the user viewing a malicious image.

Microsoft plans to release a fix as part of its monthly security update cycle on Jan. 10th, meanwhile the thing has been used in attacks from MSN Messenger to email SPAM

Why would you want to deal with this?

Retail iPod scams put the Grinch on Macmas

This sucks. There are so many stories of people opening their holiday iPods only to discover something else.

I have read wrapped meat (at least it was wrapped), Spam, AA Batteries, etc. Walmart Stores were targeted a couple of times.

No word from Apple, but seems most retailers are replacing the scammed customers.

Will this cause "reverse" scams and make legit claims invalid?

What it means for Ives to be a Commander of the British Empire (CBE)

Get you mentioned the the Queens end of year speech

Ives is now a noblemen, and part of the British aristocracy.

The CBE is one level below Knighthood, so he is not a SIr, but He is now a high military rank and has a kind of 'veteran status'

He gets a big shiny medal and can attend any Royal meeting ranging from the Queen birthday to Royal Ascot horse
racing. He also enters into the Royal Journal which has been maintained since the 9th century. Also, if there is a national crisis in the country, he is guaranteed to be protected.

More details on Wikipedia

Wikipedia—Order of the British Empire

Audio Issues around iMovie HD transitions

Listener Steve pointed out an issue of buzzing and popping noises sometime occurring around transitions.

I have not experienced this myself, but it was confirmed in this MacWorld article and other online reports.

macworld.com— iMovie Article

One theory is that it happens if you have recorded your taped audio in 12-bit vs. 16-bit format. Many DV cameras have an option in the menu for changing this setting.

So far it appears Apple has not addressed this issue in any of their updates.

iPod Nano Case warning

Play comment from James

Link to images on his blog

iPod Nano Case Damage

It turns the Nano PINK. A cheap way to get a "Madonna" iPod?

"Restore" your Mac drive on Reboot

Listener Tom was looking to help replace his local schools PCs with new iMac, but they had a requirement for Norton GoBack.

GoBack would reset the system to it's original state after the student logged off and the system was rebooted. Essentially removing any changes, installed software, etc.

Norton Go Back

A comparable product for OS X is MacShield Enhanced Edition from Centurion Technologies

MacShield Enhanced

"A simple reboot restores the computer to the originally established pristine configuration and wipes away any unwanted changes. Yet, you can permanently save documents, emails and other information in “Persistent Storage" to remain unharmed and constant upon reboot."

Another option could be to run an OS X Server and use NetBoot Service.

OS X Server NetBoot

NetBoot service in Mac OS X Server enables multiple Mac systems to boot from a single server-based disk image, instead of from their internal hard drive.

Party for the People at MacWorld

The “Party For The People” during Macworld Expo Brings
Vendors, Developers, Press and Mac-Celebrities together.

This is the third year of the event and is hosted by Deb Shadovitz who also puts on the Mac Gathering Expo.

www.macgathering.com

This is an "open" party and nay MacWorld attendee is invited, no invite only list. Attendees are only required to wear their badge.

The Party For The People takes place the evening of the first show-day, at the Renaissance Parc55, just half a mile from Moscone. It starts at 8pm and goes until folks head out.

You could meet Mac celebs like Playlist Magazines, Chris Breen, Macobservers Dave Hamilton and others. Also Shelly Brisbin of Shelly's Podcast will be Podcasting the event Live.

Shelly's Podcast

MacCast Site down briefly

There was an issue with my hosting provider and they suspended the account.

I will be moving the site to a new host sometime this month.