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The MacBook Air’s special processor is not the only example of the ultraportable veering away from Intel’s reference designs, Electronista has discovered. People familiar with the internal design of the system have explained that the external Superdrive DVD burner available for the notebook should only be recognized by the Air rather than any computer due to custom requirements from both the subnotebook and its peripheral.While external optical drives have existed that rely on the USB port alone, the particular power demands of the Apple-made drive should prevent it being used elsewhere; the sole USB port has been boosted past its specifications to supply enough power to use the drive with just the data cable rather than a direct power connection, say contacts. The computer’s port should allow other optical drives, the design choice essentially limits the $99 add-on drive to the Air alone. No external AC power connector exists on the external burner to support systems that more closely follow Intel’s official power requirements.

source: electronista.com

The next update for Mac OS X may be one of the largest Apple has ever released, accounts say. During last week’s Macworld event, it is said that a new build of Mac OS X 10.5.2 was circulated amongst developers, under the version name 9C16. Aside from adding support for Remote Disks (for the MacBook Air) and using networked volumes as Time Machine devices (required for the Time Capsule), it reportedly addresses issues with almost 40 OS components, including AirPort, firewalls, Dashboard widgets, Finder, the Dock, iCal, iChat, Mail and Safari.Some 100 issues are said to have been addressed in total; the latest build alone includes 20 fixes, to problems such as DVD playback and secondary displays, Time Machine and resumed backups, and multiple PDF-related complications. The size of the complete v10.5.2 update could be in excess of 400MB, although users who already have v10.5.1 may have less to download. Two bugs are claimed to be outstanding in the new release, connected to hangs when scrolling through PDF files, and updating default locations under Applications. These may be resolved by the time v10.5.2 is distributed to the public.

source: macnn.com

Two new cases have already been announced for Apple’s yet-to-be-released MacBook Air. The first of these is the AirMail, which takes a cue from Apple’s marketing and is designed to resemble a manila envelope, complete with brown-hued “paper” and a red seal. The case is actually handmade out of vinyl, with a thick fleece liner. It is said to protect against smudges, scratches and light bumps, but not any harsh impacts. It should ship for $30 within two weeks, the same timeframe as the Air itself.

The second case is WaterField’s new version of the SleeveCase, a more general design usually meant for many different notebooks. The case is made of a nylon exterior and a neoprene interior, and can be customized with a vertical or horizontal orientation, a strap, a front flap, and/or a detachable accessory holder. The new MacBook Air size (13-2) can be pre-ordered for prices starting at $40, but will only ship sometime before January 25th.

source: macnn.com

iSkin’s presence at Macworld is being used to demonstrate four new pieces of protective gear. The first of these is the ProTouch, a skin for Apple’s thin aluminum keyboard. The ProTouch is primarily made out of silicone, but uses Microban antimicrobial material to prevent the spread of disease. When the skin does need to be cleaned, it can be quickly removed and manually washed and dried. The skin is already available for $25, in blue, black, pink and frosted colors. Currently without a price or release date are iSkin’s Redline notebook bags, each made of a single piece of cow leather with a minimal number of seams. Handles and straps are stitched into the base of the bags, and the findings are built of solid metal alloys. Microfiber used as liner is said to prevent any scratching.

For iPods the company has released the eVo3 classic, an iPod classic version of its long-standing case series. The new case comes in black and translucent frost colors, and in each instance features anti-dust protection, a textured grip, and an extra resin shield to guard the screen and front panel. A rotating belt clip allows vertical and horizontal orientations. Pricing is $35. The company’s next iPhone case will be the Fuze, a model with a polycarbonate exterior and a softer shock-absorbing interior. All ports and antennas are by default exposed, but for extra protection, the docking connector can be sealed with a flexible cover. The case can additionally be used with the revoClip, although this is a separate purchase. The Fuze should ship in the second quarter of the year.

source: ipodnn.com

Apple’s not only pushed the envelope with the industrial design of the MacBook Air, but also pushed Intel to deliver some advanced CPU technology, according to a new report. Rather than use Intel’s newly introduced 45-nm Penryn mobile chips, the company used a modified version of current 65nm mobile chips with smaller packaging. According to Anandtech, the new MacBook Air uses a specialized version of Intel’s Merom-based Core 2 Duo chip, the same chip used in Apple’s other laptops (and from other PC vendors); however, it appears that the chip is actually uses technology originally slated to ship with its next-generation Montevina platform later this year. According to the report, the CPU comes in a package that was originally reserved for mobile Penryn due out in the second half of 2008 — using the Montevina SFF Centrino platform. Intel apparently accelerated the introduction of the packaging technology specifically for Apple, the report says.

While Intel was initially coy about the technology, a follow-up email from the company notes that the MacBook Air chip is not a low-voltage chip, but a specially made version of its standard Core 2 Duo. “The MacBook Air uses the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and Intel 965GMS chipset with integrated Gfx using a new miniaturized package technology,” Intel explained. “This new CPU and chipset allows for approximately 60 percent reduction in total footprint. The Core 2 Duo Processor TDP is 20 watts. The Macbook Air is using existing Core 2 Duo technology with a lower voltage spec in a new miniaturized packaging design. It is not a ULV processor.” Thus the CPU and chipset are both using advanced packaging technology for a smaller footprint, while still using the current generation mobile Core 2 Duo chips (perhaps to save costs associated with the newer Penryn chips). Anandtech notes that the 1.6GHz chip in the MacBook Air runs at 1.0V – 1.25V, while the 1.8GHz version runs at 1.1125V – 1.25V — both less than the standard mobile Core 2 Duo, but more voltage than the Low Voltage chips. “The TDP of these not-quite-low-voltage Core 2s reflects the increased voltage,” Anandtech writes. “While the L7700 and L7500 have a 17W TDP, the chips used in the MacBook Air are rated at 20W.” Standard mobile Core 2 Duo chips are 35W parts.

While it’s unclear why Apple’s chose a modified version of the Merom Core 2 Duo chip rather than standard low-voltage parts, the report says the that an avoidable side-effect may be a hotter notebook. “The bigger concern however has nothing to do with packaging technology or operating voltages, but overall thermals. The MacBook Pro runs very hot and while the 20W TDP of the MacBook Air is significantly lower than the 35W TDP of the Pro, it’s high for such a small chassis,” the site notes. “We won’t know for sure how hot the Air will get until it’s in our hands but the SSD route seems like an even better bet now that we know a little more about what we’re dealing with. Cutting down heat in that thin chassis will be very important, and moving to solid state storage is the only real option you have there.”

source: macnn.com

Tom Bihn on Wednesday introduced the first laptop case for Apple’s MacBook Air. The popular laptop case manufacturer introduced the Brain Cell Size 6X, a new version of its Brain Cell laptop case designed specifically for Apple’s newest notebook. The Tom Bihn Brain Cell laptop case offers advanced protection and is designed to clip securely inside a wide variety of Tom Bihn messenger bags, briefcases, and backpacks — bags including the Empire Builder, Super Ego, ID, Ego, and Zephyr. Among the protective materials that make the Brain Cell are 8mm thick soft foam padding, 4mm hard corrugated plastic, cross-linked closed-cell polyethylene foam, and 12mm thick premium memory foam. The Brain Cell Size 6X will be available for $60 and is expected to ship in late February.

source: macnn.com

Apple CEO Steve Jobs debuted Time Capsule, a new backup device that uses wireless networking to store files without the need to connect an external hard drive. Time Capsule features 802.11n wireless functionality, and will be sold in a 500GB version as well as a 1TB version for $300 and $500, respectively. The device looks similar to an AirPort Extreme base station, but features different ports on the rear.

source: ipodnn.com

Apple today released its hotly anticipated MacBook Air ultraportable notebook at Macworld San Francisco. MacNN is on the scene at the expo’s show floor and has taken photos of the new computer and has additional details about its more intricate features. Notably, Apple explains that the notebook’s battery is non-removable; the size of the system and the placement of the MagSafe connector makes it impractical, according to the company. However, buyers disappointed in the lack of built-in Ethernet can buy a USB-to-Ethernet adapter ($29) that restores the functionality at the expense of the lone USB port. Other details (more may appear with subsequent updates):

- RAM is not upgradable; users must use the 2GB supplied with the system.
- Users can custom-order the solid-state drive ($999) and faster 1.8GHz processor ($300) independently of each other.
- There is no audio input.
- It uses Bluetooth 2.1, which adds secure simple pairing and improves power use when idle.
- The MagSafe connector is proprietary, again due to the nature of the device. Apple has not said how well existing MacBook or MacBook Pro connectors will function.
- Micro-DVI supports up to 1920×1200, which lets it connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema Display or many 23-, 24-, and 27-inch LCDs.
- The folding door with side ports likely relies on an Apple collapsible port patent that partially folds the connectors when not in use.

source: electronista.com

UPEK today at Macworld Expo launched Protector Suite for Mac, an application that allows Mac users to increase security and convenience with the swipe of a finger. Protector Suite for Mac, in combination with Eikon Digital Privacy Manager — a USB-based peripheral fingerprint reader — enables Mac users to swipe their finger instead of typing passwords to log into as well access password-protected websites and secure preferences. The latest revision offers support for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, and is due to ship in several languages in the first half of 2008 (pricing was unavailable).The Eikon Digital Privacy Manager fingerprint reader began shipping in May of last year for $50, and UPEK is demonstrating as well as selling Protector Suite for Mac along with the Eikon Digital Privacy Manager at Macworld this week in booth no. 4348. The fingerprint scanner works with UPEK’s software to allow users who successfully swipe their finger to login at startup as well as when returning from sleep mode; unlock Keychain to replay login credentials to Web accounts or access secure notes and certificates; unlock secure preferences to access administrator-level settings; unlock FileVault to decrypt a user’s home folder; and unlock the screensaver.

source: macnn.com

Creaceed today began shipping its Hydra 1.0 HDR photography software for Mac, and unveiled a major upgrade to its Morph Age application for morphing as well as warping images and movies. Hydra aims to give the human eye perception to photographs by creating high dynamic range (HDR) images from a series of standard photographs, either from DSLRs or traditional point-and-shoot cameras. Hydra is priced at $60, but is available for an introductory price of $40 until the end of January. Hydra requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to run. The software uses numerous regular photos with different expositions — or darker and lighter photos — to create one image that is much closer to what the human eye can see. Hydra works with images taken with as well as without a tripod, and uses the same warping algorithm as Morph Age to permit the alignment of images with offsets beyond a few pixels.

An advanced image processing pipeline first aligns various images with the non-linear warping algorithm, and then blends them to preserve the interesting aspects of each image. The method is implemented entirely on the GPU to provide interactive viewing via core Mac OS X technology, allowing users to accurately tune all parameters in real-time while observing the changing result. Morph Age is a reference application for morphing/warping images and movies on Mac OS X. The software saves results to QuickTime movies, and the latest release includes Motion as well as Blending curves editing. The update also offers ‘Smart Fit’ which enables users to derive the position of all curves from moving just a subset of them, motion tracking to track curves in movies, and face detection to automatically insert a set of face curves in an image. Morph Age will ship in Regular and Pro versions, with the regular edition offering all new features but working only with still images. The Pro version also includes support for movie inputs and frame accurate keyframing. Morph Age 4.0 Beta and Morph Age Pro 4.0 Beta are available for download at $60 and $150, respectively. Morph Age 4.0 is a free upgrade for existing Morph Age 3.x customers, while upgrades from 3.x to Pro 4.x are available for $40.

source: macnn.com