Tag Archives: Mac

Apple Offering Free Snow Leopard To Encourage iCloud Adoption

Posted on April 19, 2012 by AppleBitch


Apple has begun offering a free DVD of their Snow Leopard operating system to select users to encourage iCloud adoption (spotted by Macgasm). The company has recently contacted some users of MobileMe to offer them a free DVD version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard in the event that they are still using older versions of the Mac operating system that aren’t compatible with iCloud. The offer also encourages users who take advantage of the Snow Leopard offer to upgrade to the latest version of OS X, 10.7 Lion for $29.99.

The installation of Snow Leopard on a Mac means that a user has access to the Mac App Store which is the sole method that Apple has been using to distribute the Lion operating system. With the free offer of Snow Leopard, MobileMe users who take advantage of the offer are saving $29 on the purchase of Snow Leopard but still have to pay $29.99 for Lion to take full advantage of all the features in iCloud.
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Apple Seeds Mountain Lion Preview 3

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Chris


Apple has today released the third preview of the next iteration of OS X to Developers. The preview of Mountain Lion is version 10.8 of OS X and has been seeded to registered members of Apple’s Mac Developer Program (Via MacRumors). The preview fixes a number of bugs that were reported in the online Developer support platform, but Apple also lists a number of known issues with the latest preview, including minor bugs with FileVault, Mail, iTunes and Back To My Mac.

The release follows on from Developer Preview 2 of Mountain Lion which was released just over a month ago.  There has been no word from on Apple on exactly how many Developer previews will be released before the company seeds the GM build or Gold Master version of the OS to Developers. The GM build is the one that will be released to the public and Apple will allow some time for Developer testing. However, the latest build shows progress as Mountain Lion moves closer to release.
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Apple Releases Java Software Update With Fix For Flashback Malware

Posted on April 12, 2012 by AppleBitch


Apple has today released a software update with a new version of Java for OS X which includes a tool that automatically removes ‘the most common variants of the Flashback malware. The release of the tool follows on from the announcement by the company that they were working on software to remove the Flashback malware from Macs.

The update also has another trick up its sleeve in that it now prevents the Java web plug-in from automatically executing Java applets while browsing. However, if users wish to re-enable this, then they can do so by using the Java Preferences application. In addition, the Java web plug-in will now constantly monitor whether Java applets are run and if none are executed for a prolonged period of time then it will once again disable Java applets.
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Apple Announces Flashback Malware Software Fix Coming Soon

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Mark


Apple has announced that it is working on a tool which will detect and remove the Flashback malware which is thought to spreading across a significant number of Mac computers. The malware, thought to have infected in excess of half a million Mac computers worldwide, has become an aggressive target for Apple as they work to issue a fix and disable the malware command and control network by working with ISPs.

In an announcement via a support document on the Apple website the company noted that they had already released an update to fix the Java security flaw for systems that run OS X 10.6 and 10.7. For users that are running OS X 10.5 or earlier, the company advises that users can protect themselves by disabling Java in the web browser preferences to prevent infection.
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New Intel Processors Set Off Rumors Of New Macs

Posted on April 7, 2012 by AppleBitch


A new report has emerged suggesting that Apple will be introducing new models of the iMac in June of this year. The launch, reported by the Taiwanese Economic Daily News (via Digitimes) is apparently a reflection of recent news that Intel would be releasing its new Ivy Bridge processors at the end of this month. The source of the information is stated to be the Apple supply chain. The report also suggests that a new version of the MacBook Pro would be launched in mid 2012.

The report also follows on from multiple rumors that a 15 inch MacBook Pro with a MacBook Air-like form factor would be launching in the April-June timeframe. The new 15 inch model is also rumored to sport the latest Ivy Bridge processor and seems to utilize the same ‘supply-chain’ sources.
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Rumor: Apple Shifts New 13 and 15 Inch MacBook Pro Into Production

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mark


A new rumor is suggesting that the next iteration of the new MacBook Pro has reached production phase and that the 15 inch model will be produced during the month of April. The report comes via the erratically accurate Digitimes who are suggesting that while the 15 inch model starts production next month, the 13 inch model will not start production until June, despite more demand for that model.

The start of production in April correlates with the recent news that Intel would be releasing their next generation Ivy Bridge processors which will likely be found in the next generation MacBook Pro models.  That announcement is due to take place in the 4th week of April.
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How The MacBook Pro Will Get Retina Display

Posted on March 24, 2012 by AppleBitch



Recent reports have suggested that the Mac will soon be on the receiving end of high pixel density displays, according to some new, double resolution images found in the second Developer build of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. The high resolution artwork indicates that Macs could soon come with a HiDPI mode, essentially Retina Display, meaning that their screens would have a much greater density of pixels packed into the same area.

While this is an exciting prospect, it’s actually pretty surprising that it hasn’t been done up until now. The iPhone 4 was the first to receive Retina Display capability, swiftly followed by the iPhone 4S and, more recently, the new iPad. However, these are mobile devices that are subject to much greater limitations on internal component capacity than Macs are. What is worth noting, however, is that in order for Apple to accomplish this, the majority of the internal volume of the new iPad is now comprised of battery. And how could Apple achieve this in the MacBook Pro? You guessed right. Drop the CD/DVD drive.
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Angry Birds Space Is Unleashed On The App Store

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Lily



The latest iteration of the phenomenally successful Angry Birds franchise, Angry Birds Space, has been unveiled to the public on both the iOS and Mac App Store. Rovio, the designers of the app, have completely rewritten the game engine to incorporate new challenges and ‘innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love, plus some surprises!‘

The new game is based around the concept of the Angry Birds going after a giant claw that has stolen their eggs and disappeared down a wormhole. The Angry Birds follow the Claw into the wormhole and into a new galaxy filled with space pigs. The game features 60 new interstellar levels and zero gravity puzzles which can take place in either slow motion or light speed. As usual, there will be regular free level updates with in app purchases and bird upgrades.
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Apple Issues Firmware Updates For 2011 Macs

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Dave



Apple has issued new EFI Firmware updates for the 2011 range of Macs, which includes the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air, the iMac and also the Mac mini. The firmware updates are available through Software Update now and weigh in at just a few megabytes. Software Update will automatically determine if your Mac is one of the models to which the update applies.

“This update improves the reliability of booting from the network, addresses an issue that can prevent HDCP authentication after a reboot and resolves an issue with boot device selection when a USB storage device is hot-plugged.”

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Going Viral: New Mac Trojan Discovered

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Dave


Flu season may be just about over for this year but a new Mac Trojan Horse has apparently been discovered to be making the rounds. The discovery was made by Intego who say that a new Trojan called Flashback, and more specifically the strain Flashback.G., has infected a relatively large number of Mac users (via MacWorld). While the original strain was discovered back in September 2011, this new variant is apparently causing some trouble.

The malware apparently infects host Macs by one of three ways. The first two methods involve exploiting one of two Java vulnerabilities which enable the Trojan to infect a host device without any user intervention. If this is unsuccessful then the third method will be an attempt to trick the user to allowing an installation by replicating a security certificate signed by ‘Apple Inc’ requesting content be allowed access to a computer. Users then have to click on continue to allow the Trojan access to their OS.
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