PowerBook Repair Extension Targets RAM Problems

Apple recently announced the PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz) Memory Slot Repair Extension Program . The program addresses an issue that many PowerBook G4 owners have been experiencing where the lower memory slot would stop working. PowerBook G4 models manufactured between January 2005 and April 2005 are affected (serial numbers W8503xxxxxx through W8518xxxxxx); Apple will replace the memory slot and extend the warranty covering the repairs for two years. More specific information can be found at Apple's Web page about the program.

Apple makes Universal Aperture upgrade free

Apple has abandoned plans to charge Aperture users a fee to upgrade to the Universal Binary version of the application. The company had planned to charge users $49 for the upgrade, but these plans appear to have been quietly shelved. "A Universal version of Aperture, which will run natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Mac computers, will be available before the end of March 2006. New and existing owners of Aperture will be able to crossgrade to the Universal version at no additional charge via Software Update," a note on Apple's website now reveals.

Chronos Updates Product Line for Intel Macs

In what's turning out to be "Universal Binary Friday" at TMO, Chronos announced that its entire product line now runs natively on PowerPC and Intel-based Macs. Good news!

Amazon May Offer Streaming Feature Films

Amazon.com is apparently mulling a plan in which it would offer online streaming of feature films from at least two major studios. That is all we know for now...

Symantec Issues Universal Binary For Norton AntiVirus

Symantec this week issued version 10.1 of Norton AntiVirus, enabling the software to run on Intel Macs. The company recommended that users run LiveUpdate within NAV 10.0 to download and install the update.

Mac OS X 10.4.5 emerges

Apple has released the first build of Mac OS X 10.4.5 for PowerPC Macs to developers. The company has also introduced AppleCare for Displays and plans to exhibit at the PMA tradeshow next month.

Apple's Front Row media experience coming to iBook line

Apple Computer appears ripe to extend its Front Row media experience to a new line of iBook consumer laptops this spring.

Introduced this past October, Apple's Front Row software offers users a simple and powerful way to play their music, enjoy photo slideshows, and watch video such as DVDs, iMovies, and programming purchased from the company's iTunes Music Store.

This spring Apple is expected to roll-out the a new series of iBook consumer laptops built around a 13-inch widescreen display. The new models will sport the first major design revision to the iBook in several years and come bundled with both Front Row and the Apple Remote, people familiar with the company's plans tell AppleInsider. Like Apple's new iMac Core Duo and MacBook Pro computers, the new iBooks will also feature a built-in iSight video cam and come bundled with the company's Photo Booth software, these people say.

Although processor specifications for the upcoming iBook series remain largely unconfirmed, it's only logical to assume the laptops will be powered by Intel's 1.67GHz Core Solo processor -- the only processor on the chip maker's roadmap suited for a laptop that is neither equal to, nor greater than, the Core Duo chips used in Apple's MacBook Pro laptops. As the name implies, Intel's Core Solo processors contain one processing core, compared to the Core Duo's two. That is all according to AppleInsider.

Apple Updates GarageBand to 1.1

In the most significant update yet for Apple's GarageBand Software, the company announced that it has released a version 1.1 update. According to the release note, the upgrade "addresses isolated performance and stability issues, allows per-track Echo settings similar to other effects, supports loop libraries in other disk locations, supports importing unprotected AAC audio files in addition to AIF and MP3 files, and addresses issues with ReWire support, moving GarageBand songs between different computers, Help support, fixing the timing of individual notes (as well as entire regions), and dragging entire tracks in the timeline." Sweeeet!

Apple halts reseller orders for 17-inch iMac G5, inventory now limited

Along with the shift in status, the company began informing resellers in the US that it would accept no new orders for the model. This suggests that Apple's inventory of the 17-inch iMac G5 model is nearly depleted.

The company will reportedly continue to accept individual customer orders for the computer through its online store "while supplies last." Beyond this, the 17-inch iMac G5 will only be available from Apple authorized resellers who hold remaining inventory of the computer at their respective locations.

While informing resellers of the change, Apple made no mention of the 20-inch iMac G5, suggesting it retains slightly more of these model's than the lower-cost 17-inch configuration. As for Canadian Resellers... Well let's no go there!