Alongside Mountain Lion 10.8, Apple released the server component as a separate generic app called OS X Server. OS X Server is the next generation of Apple’s award winning server software. Designed for OS X and iOS devices, OS X Server makes it easy to share files, schedule meetings, synchronize contacts, host your own website, publish wikis, configure Macs, iPhones and iPads, remotely access your network, and more.
Server is now an application you can add to Mountain Lion right from the Mac App Store. Anyone can quickly and easily turn a Mac running Mountain Lion into a server that’s perfect for home offices, businesses, schools, and hobbyists alike.OS X Server requires Mountain Lion 10.8 and adds server functionality to OS X. [Mac App Store] read more..
Monday, 30 July 2012
Server Functionality-Server Component-Server Software-Mountain Lion-Mac App Store
Flagship Office Productivity Suite-Mountain Lion-Microsoft
Microsoft today confirmed that the two most recent versions of its flagship Office productivity suite for Mac are fully compatible with OS X Mountain Lion. Office users are advised to ensure that Microsoft AutoUpdate is enabled so that their installations can be updated as needed to take full advantage of the new operating system.- Make sure you have Office for Mac’s AutoUpdate enabled – some updates will be needed to make the most of the upgrade to Mountain Lion. Initiate AutoUpdate in any Office for Mac application by going to your toolbar, then selecting “Help” and then “Check for Updates.”
- Mountain Lion ships with a new feature called Gatekeeper. Gatekeeper helps protect users by allowing you to choose to only download and install software from known developers, like Microsoft. Please note that due to the Gatekeeper architecture, updates will not run when you download and initiate them on your desktop; instead please use Microsoft AutoUpdate to keep your copies of Office for Mac current. read more..
Friday, 27 July 2012
Mac Os X Mountain Lion-Adobe Photoshop-Minor Issues-Software
Adobe and Avid have reported only minor issues with their applications on Mountain Lion, in a pair of posts on their respective websites.
The main issue with Avid's software is related to the Gatekeeper security feature:
Avid is in the process of preparing code-signed versions of our applications and plug-ins that are compatible with Mountain Lion. We realize that users will temporarily wish to work with versions that are not yet signed. Unsigned software can trigger warning messages from Gatekeeper which Avid users can easily bypass, then proceed to install and run their software.Avid does report a few small problems when using Pro Tools 10.2 and lower, including a problem with Core Audio and another regarding some commands ceasing to function.
Adobe says that there are no known issues with Adobe CS apps and Mountain Lion.
Adobe and Apple have worked closely together to test Adobe® Creative Suite® 5, 5.5 and CS6 editions and individual products for reliability, performance and user experience when installed on Intel® based systems running Mac OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8). Earlier versions of Adobe Photoshop® (CS3 and CS4) software were also tested with Mountain Lion and there are currently no known issues.Adobe requests that users discovering problems report them to Adobe. read more..
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Processor Configurations-Other World Computing-Macbook Air Models-Aftermarket Ssd
As it has for past versions, Other World Computing has released its aftermarket SSD upgrades for the latest MacBook Air models released last month.
Along with minor upgrades to memory and processor configurations, Apple also included a new SSD connector, likely to accommodate the new 500 MBps SSDs that Apple has built in to the new machines. As a result of this new connector, it took OWC a few weeks to build compatible aftermarket drives.
Other World Computing's Mercury Pro Aura Express drives are available for the 2012 MBA in sizes starting at 120GB at $167.99, running all the way to 480GB for $644.99. These prices are bit cheaper than comparable drives for the 2011 MacBook Air models. read more..
Friday, 20 July 2012
Mac Software Engineering-Board Of Directors-Parallels Desktop-Bertrand Serlet-Apple
As noted by AllThingsD, former Apple senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering Bertrand Serlet has joined the board of directors at software virtualization company Parallels. Serlet left Apple in March 2011 and was revealed just weeks ago to be working on a new cloud-focused startup called Upthere.Serlet will serve as a non-executive director, bringing to Parallels his distinctive professional experience of having led the development of Mac OS X from its inception until his departure from Apple in 2011. Serlet’s distinguished background and unique insights will help Parallels accelerate growth and continue creating software that simplifies life for consumers and businesses. [...]
"With Parallels Desktop, Parallels became a critical developer for the Mac platform, and I got to know and appreciate the Parallels leadership team. I also discovered Parallels deep involvement with the cloud, represented by its rich portfolio of products. I look forward to drawing on my career at Apple to help guide Parallels as it continues on its impressive growth trajectory," said Serlet.Parallels has been one of the most popular software solutions for Mac users seeking to run Windows in a virtualized environment rather than relying on Apple's Boot Camp solution. read more..
Friday, 13 July 2012
Multiple Graphics-Graphics Cards-Macbook Pro
gfxCardStatus allows users to control which graphics card is enabled -- integrated or discrete -- on MacBook Pro models with multiple graphics cards. By more precisely controlling when each graphics card is enabled, users can improve system performance or battery life. gfxCardStatus is a menu bar application for OS X that allows MacBook Pro owners to view which GPU is in use at a glance, and switch between them on-demand.
Ars Technica has much more, including the fact that the Retina MacBook Pro can be pushed to nearly 10 hours of battery life with some minor battery saving techniques:
I was consistently able to get between 8 and 8.5 hours of continuous use from the Retina MacBook Pro when running integrated graphics only. Turning down screen brightness to just two "dots," a technique I often use to maximize battery life when using a MacBook Air during conferences, caused OS X to report potential battery life as high as 10 hours. I simply didn't have the stamina to test that claim, but I did make one nine-hour run with OS X reporting a nine percent remaining battery capacity.gfxCardStatus is a free download from creator Cody Krieger's website. read more..
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Software Update-Macbook Pro-Trackpad-Retina
One day after its release at WWDC, Apple has already issued a software update for the MacBook Pro (Retina).
The update, which weighs in at mere 1.26MB, fixes an issue with the trackpad being intermittently unresponsive:
About MacBook Pro (Retina) Trackpad Update 1.0
This update addresses an issue where the trackpad may not respond consistently to user input, and is recommended for all MacBook Pro with Retina display notebooks.
The updater will install in the Applications/Utilities folder and will launch automatically. Follow the instructions to complete the process.
Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source when running the update. read more..
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Intel Processors-Apple Employee-Intel Project-Jk
Apple's announcement to move their Macs from PowerPC to Intel processors in 2005 was a huge surprise at the time. Serious reports about the plan hit the web only two days before the official announcement at WWDC 2005. The immediate reaction on MacRumors included a 2936 comment thread with some very strong reactions to the switch-up.
Now, a post by the wife of a former Apple employee at Q&A site Quora fills in some fascinating details about the Mac OS X on Intel project.
According to Kim Scheinberg, she and her husband John Kullmann had decided to move back to the east coast in 2000. In order to make the move, Kullmann had to work on a more independent project at Apple. Ultimately, he started work on an Intel version of Mac OS X. Eighteen months later, in December 2001, his boss asks him to show him what he's been working on:At this point, JK has three PCs in his office at Apple, and another three in the office at home, all sold to him by a friend who sells custom built PCs (can't order them through the usual Apple channels because no one in the company knows what he's working on). All are running the Mac OS.
In JK's office, Joe watches in amazement as JK boots up an Intel PC and up on the screen comes the familiar 'Welcome to Macintosh'.
Joe pauses, silent for a moment, then says, "I'll be right back."
He comes back a few minutes later with Bertrand Serlet.
Max (our 1-year-old) and I were in the office when this happened because I was picking JK up from work. Bertrand walks in, watches the PC boot up, and says to JK, "How long would it take you to get this running on a (Sony) Vaio?" JK replies, "Not long" and Bertrand says, "Two weeks? Three?"
JK said more like two *hours*. Three hours, tops.
Bertrand tells JK to go to Fry's (the famous West Coast computer chain) and buy the top of the line, most expensive Vaio they have. So off JK, Max and I go to Frys. We return to Apple less than an hour later. By 7:30 that evening, the Vaio is running the Mac OS. [My husband disputes my memory of this and says that Matt Watson bought the Vaio. Maybe Matt will chime in.]
The next morning, Steve Jobs is on a plane to Japan to meet with the President of Sony.More engineers were assigned in 2002, and she says that's about when rumors of the project started to appear.
Indeed, in August 2002, we reported on the first news report about Marklar from eWeek:According to sources, the Cupertino, Calif., Mac maker has been working steadily on maintaining current, PC-compatible builds of its Unix-based OS. At the time, it was described as a "fall-back plan", in case the PowerPC should fail to deliver. Later, reports would also claim that PC manufacturers were wooing Steve Jobs to allow them to license Mac OS X and sell PCs running Apple's operating system.
Ultimately, Apple decided to transition from the PowerPC to Intel processor in 2005. The transition was a success, and all Macs now run on Intel processors. read more..
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Data Storage Products-Thunderbolt-Drobo
Drobo says it will soon have Thunderbolt-enabled data storage products, as well as adding support for solid state drives. The setup, while extremely pricey, would allow data to run 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 alone.
Drobo CEO Tom Buiocchi wrote in a blog post that "customers have been very clear to us about their desire for Drobos with Thunderbolt support".
I was brought up on the east coast, where we enjoyed the monster summertime thunderstorms every year. One of the coolest things about thunder is that you see it first and then you hear the “kaboom” impact – the delay sends anxious anticipation through everyone, and if you’re into science, you can estimate how far away the bolt is based on the length of the delay. Let’s face it, thunderbolts are cool.
Today, Drobo is previewing our new Thunderbolt technology much like the real thing – you’ll see it now (check out our home page for the quick glimpse) and you’ll soon hear the kaboom. Yes, there are some other Thunderbolt products out there now, but I guarantee you that you haven’t seen anything like what we’re building. Nothing even close.The company will be demonstrating prototype Thunderbolt-enabled Drobos at a technology show in Taiwan. The company didn't offer details on pricing or availability. read more..
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Microsoft Releases-Microsoft Office
Earlier this week, we noted that Microsoft had pulled its Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 from Microsoft AutoUpdate after users reported issues with Outlook database corruption. While the issues could be fixed and the update remained available for those looking to manually rebuild their databases and install the software, Microsoft opted to remove SP2 from AutoUpdate in order to protect those users who were unaware of the potential issues with the update.
Microsoft today announced that it has released an update to SP2, known as Microsoft Office 2011 14.2.1.This update is primarily preventative and targets those who have not yet installed SP2; however, whether you have or have not installed SP2, please run this update to bring your installation of Microsoft Office:Mac 2011 to the latest version.The downloads weighs in at 110 MB and requires a minimum of Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 1 (14.1.0). read more..
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Software Update-Bug Fix-Safari
Apple has released Safari 5.1.5 just two weeks after the release of 5.1.4. The update is a minor one, however, with just one noted bug fix:
Safari 5.1.5 contains a fix for an issue that could affect website usability when running Safari in 32-bit mode.The issue with 32-bit mode had been noticed previously by several of our readers.
Safari 5.1.5 can be downloaded from Apple's Safari download page or via Software Update.
Safari 5.2 was seeded to developers earlier this year as part of the Mountain Lion preview release. Among the new additions are a unified address/search bar, new persistent Reader icon that is blue when available and grey when inactive, and new URL styling to highlight the domain the page is on while deemphasizing other aspects of the URL. It should be available later this year. read more..
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Apple Software
Apple today released Apple Software Installer Update 1.0, a small update intended to address an issue that could prevent Apple software from installing under Mac OS X 10.6.8.About Apple Software Installer Update 1.0
This update addresses an issue that may prevent certain Apple software from installing. This update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X 10.6.8.Apple does not, however, specify exactly what the issue is or what Apple software is affected by it. The release weighs in at 1.34 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.8. read more..
Monday, 5 March 2012
Desktop Computer-Photoshop-Ipad-Imac
Apple just released an update for all iMacs, Late 2009 or newer. It requires OS X Lion 10.7.3.About iMac Wi-Fi Update v1.0This update resolves an issue that may cause an iMac to not automatically connect to a known Wi-Fi network after waking from sleep.It is recommended for all iMac (Late 2009 or newer) users running 10.7.3.Weighing in at 25.81MB, the update can be downloaded from Apple's software update page. read more..
The Week in iOS Apps: Telling stories with Twitter
This week's round up of iOS app news offers solutions for running your desktop computer from your iPad, a cool way to tell stories using Twitter, and improvements to Twitter itself. read more..
Photoshop Touch app arrives for the iPad
The long-awaited Photoshop Touch app is now available for iPad 2 running iOS 5. read more..