iPod hard drive upgrade program announced

TechRestore today announced that they have launched a new iPod hard drive upgrade program, providing a fast and hassle-free method for iPod owners to increase their music and storage capacity in full-sized iPod models.

DecoDock connects iPod shuffle in Art deco style

Pressure Drop on Monday announced DecoDock, a new dock for the iPod shuffle created in Art Deco style. Users place the iPod shuffle upright into the center of the DecoDock. The DecoDock frames the iPod shuffle with lighted columns on either side, atop an arc-shaped base. The base has a spot to store your iPod shuffle's cap so it doesn't get lost. Pressure Drop plans to ship the DecoDock in April.

Yahoo acquires Flickr photo sharing service

Yahoo Corp. has acquired the Flickr photo sharing Web site and Ludicorp Research and Development Ltd., the privately held Vancouver company that runs it, according to a posting on Flickr's staff blog.

IAC to acquire Ask Jeeves

Media conglomerate IAC/InterActiveCorp agreed Monday to buy search and portal Web site operator Ask Jeeves Inc. in a stock-swap deal the companies valued at around US$1.85 billion.

Avid acquires Pinnacle

Avid is to acquire Pinnacle Systems for $462 million.

iPod enters the fast-lane with Chevy

The iPod will soon be a permanent fixture in Chevy maker, General Motors'
cars.

OS X security update fixes phishing flaw

Apple released a Mac OS X security update that patches vulnerability in
Safari browser.

Internet Explorer 98% Unsafe

Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser was unsafe for 98 per cent of 2004, according to security firm ScanIT.

Apple world market on rise

The analyst firm raised its estimate on the company to $60, claiming a recent customer survey that showed the iPod halo factor to be generating far more Mac migration than anticipated.
"Users of iPods had a 19 per cent PC to Macintosh platform conversion rate compared with a street expectation of 10 per cent," the analyst said. The survey also said that all PC makers are vulnerable to Apple's market assault, particularly HP.
iPod customers moving to Mac: "Implies two points of global PC market share gain for Apple in 2005 to 5 per cent from 3 per cent", the analyst said, according to Forbes.
Estimated revenues for Apple were revised to $16.942 billion for calendar 2005; with 2006 earnings estimated at a colossal $25.657 billion, Report Macworld.

Apple blocks iTunes Music Store DRM hack

Apple confirmed that it has closed a security hole that allowed users to connect to the iTunes Music Store and purchase songs without digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. The company said that iTunes users will need to upgrade to version 4.7 or higher in order to buy songs. Apple apparently updated the store to block access with PyMusique, recently released software created by three programmers including "DVD Jon" Johansen that enabled users to tap into iTunes to buy DRM-free tracks.

Irish cinema 'set to go digital

The traditional 35mm film projectors are being replaced
Ireland is set to become the world's first country to have digital film in every cinema.
An American company is installing digital projectors in 500 cinemas to replace the traditional film projectors, according to the BBC.

Apple expands focus of Mac OS X 10.3.9 with new builds

Apple is said to be expanding the focus of Mac OS X 10.3.9, the next and possibly final maintenance update to its Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" operating system. According to sources, the most recent build of the system (7W29) includes changes to Image Capture, Stickies, FAT drive support, Preview, DNS lookup, QuickDraw, Security Certificates, Keychain Access, System Profiler and Disk Utility. Developers had previously noted that Mac OS X 10.3.9 would also include enhancements to Networking, Bluetooth, USB, FireWire, SMB, Modem, Safari, Calculator, Data & Time, and the Terminal. Sources said Apple is asking developers to focus their testing efforts on several of the aforementioned system components, but is also requesting diagnosis of iDisk synching, display brightness functions, sleep functions, and performance of the iLife '05 digital lifestyle software suite. Mac OS X 10.3.9 is scheduled for release sometime within the next 6 weeks, according to AppleInsider.

New Mac Game From Ambrosia

Ambrosia has announced a brand-spanking new 3D action game today called Gooball.
Fun and highly addictive. Try it today.

Music Contest And Free Apple Loops

MacJams.com has announced a rather unique promotion. They're giving away a 100+ loops collection of Apple Loops and then having a contest to see who can make the best song from the loops (you can use your own playing, vocals, etc., but not any other loops). The loops are from Tune Media and prizes include an iPod Shuffle and several keyboards.

Free iPod engraving: from the police!

The New York Post is reporting that iPod robberies are becoming epidemic in certain parts of New York City and that school children are routinely being held up for their spendy Apple MP3 players. In response, local police have offered to engrave iPods with unique identifying numbers to aid detection in the event of theft. What's next ? Well someone will start a web site to sell stickers saying: "Think Different...Engrave!"

Three New DV Forge Products Shipping Next Month

JamPod connects a guitar or bass to the iPod, JamPlug FM is an FM Transmitter for guitars and basses, great stuff for the spring.

iSight revision due soon

A revision C iSight will ship soon as stock of the previous model dries up, Apple is replacing the eMacs in the kids section of its Apple stores with iMacs, and the first build of Mac OS X 10.3.9 emerges.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger to arrive in April

Apple will officially announce Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger's release at an event in early April and will begin shipping the operating system within two or three weeks afterwards, Think Secret has learned. Apple has previously only stated that Tiger will ship during the first half of the 2005.

Apple pushes new Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger build out the door

Build 8A414 will be one of the final seeds, sources say, as some Tiger development team members have been celebrating wrap parties and others are already on vacation

Apple acquires SchemaSoft

Apple acquired Schema Software earlier this month, Think Secret has confirmed. The small software development firm specializes in "developing software components that facilitates the workflow of digital information," according to its Web site.

Disney to Release Films for Sony PSP

Disney will support the Universal Media Disc (UMD) format made specifically for the Sony PlayStation Portable unit, and will release five movies this spring, the company announced on Thursday. Disney is only the second major studio to announce support for the format other than the Sony-owned Sony Pictures unit.

Yahoo pledges full Firefox compatibility

Portal giant says it won't launch any new products or services without first ensuring that they work on both IE and Firefox.
Firefox is on the rise!

Hackers build back door into iTunes

New software by "DVD Jon" allows online music purchases without copy protection.

Rumour of the Week: Apple Developing New Palmtop Mac?

According to Powerpage, Apple has in the works a palmtop computer, or mini laptop.Sources who claim to have see one have commented to the PowerPage.