Apple has released iTunes 8.2, an update that “now supports iPhone or iPod touch with the iPhone 3.0 Software Update.” The extremely brief release note also indicates that iTunes 8.2 includes many unspecified accessibility improvements and bug fixes; a security vulnerability involving itms: URLs has also been addressed. It’s available via Software Update or as a standalone 77.3 MB download.
Don’t panic about Liquid damage
We’ve all had an “oh poopie” moment involving liquids: Time slows down, you watch as the glass tips over, its contents cascading (beautifully, in another context perhaps) over the rim and onto the table. The rivulets of beverage roll in a miniscule tidal wave across the surface, over the edge, and drip to the floor. All in the span of a few seconds.
Kindle DX: Larger Screen, Native PDFs
Bucking the trend for ever-smaller devices, Amazon has announced the Kindle DX, a scaled-up version of the company’s much-discussed ebook reading device. Along with a larger screen, the Kindle DX provides a native PDF reader, finally making it compatible with the most common digital format for highly formatted electronic documents.
Apple Refreshes Wet iPhone Policy
Apple has recently revised its replacement policy regarding water-damaged iPhones. The company still won’t replace your damaged device for free if its Liquid Submersion Indicator has been activated (see “Liquid Submersion Indicators Reveal Accidental Dips,” 2009-02-17), but you can now purchase a $199 replacement phone. While $199 isn’t cheap, it’s still $400 to $500 less than purchasing a new iPhone without a 2-year contract.
AirPort Firmware May Fix Problems
The 7.4.1 firmware update for all Apple 802.11n AirPort base stations – any model released since 2007 – combined with Mac OS X 10.5.6 may fix Time Capsule disk corruption problems that some people have experienced. Colleagues Shawn King (Your Mac Life) and John Gruber (Daring Fireball) have recently explained to me problems they had with Time Machine disk image integrity and kernel panics. I also saw repeated disk image corruption in my testing last year.
Apple Announces New iPod shuffle
Apple announced the new iPod shuffle, which features a new ultra-compact design in an anodized-aluminum enclosure, making it the world’s smallest music player and the first one that talks to you. With the press of a button, VoiceOver, a remarkable new feature on iPod shuffle, announces song titles, artist names, playlists and battery status in 14 different languages. Now with 4GB capacity, iPod shuffle holds up to 1,000 songs and supports multiple playlists. iPod shuffle is available in both silver and black.
Seagate’s ticking time bombs?
Own A New 1TB Hard Drive? What You Need To Know
There’s been a lot of hype in the hard drive world about Seagate’s 1TB hard drive. It has come to light in the early weeks of 2009 that one particular model and revision is failing at alarming rates. The ST31000340AS Barracuda 7200.11 with firmware level SD15 made in Thailand is locking up and being rendered inoperable due to firmware problems.
Many customers are claiming a failure-plague of sorts also referencing the recent reduction in warranty time periods raising doubts about quality.
So what do you do if you potentially have one of these ticking time bombs on your hands? First of all be informed. If you’ve recently bought a new hard drive record the model number and information off of the drive. Be certain it’s not the above- mentioned model. Keep an eye on Seagate’s website for any updates or information they may provide on the situation. As of this moment they have made a statement on their website that they have “isolated the problem and customers are eligible for a free upgrade.”
If you or your customers suffer a data loss on one of these drives and need assistance, contact us today, we’ll be glad to help.
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