Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"According to a Microsoft security bulletin, seven privately reported vulnerabilities in Excel could allow remote code execution if a user were to open a specially-crafted file. By exploiting those vulnerabilities, an attacker could gain the same user rights as a local user."

So in order to fix this, Microsoft released two updates, Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.2.4 Update and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.8 Update. These updates will, as described by Microsoft, take care of “vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer’s memory with malicious code.” The updates will also improve stability and slow performance.

Microsoft also brought out two other updates: Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac, Web Services Edition 13.0.4 (which will now allow you to synchronize notes, tasks, and categories with Exchange Server), and Microsoft Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.1.4 (which lets you convert Open XML files created in Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows).

"Apple has released Digital Camera Raw update 3.1, which renders both Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09 compatible with eleven new camera from seven different manufacturers."

Apple posted this update last week, and it adds compatibility with several cameras.

"Last week, Apple released Aperture 3, a major new version that offers "over 200 new features," according to the company's Aperture page. Before you rush to upgrade, though, you might want to check out Apple's Support site. Apple has already posted more than two dozen Knowledge Base articles citing various problems that you may confront with Aperture 3."

You can find more about the upgrade at Apple's Aperture page, and if you are curious as to the reported problems you can scan through the list here from the support pages. Two of the major topics are Memory Leaks and Aperture not showing up in the Media Library. You can also get troubleshooting tips from Apple at this page.

"Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.7 Update improves security for all Office 2004 for Mac applications by addressing "vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code."

Visit the Microsoft Office 2004 Update page to get more info and to download the update.

"Apple may have skipped out on this year's Macworld Expo, but the company at least marked the first day of the annual Mac trade show with a release-Mac Pro Audio Update 1.0."

What better way to celebrate the first day of Macworld than with an update from Apple right? This update is for the Mac Pro models circa early 2009, that are running Mac OS X 10.6.2. This update "reduces processor utilization during audio activities such as playing or recording music." For more info, check out the support page from Apple. 

"In my case, I generally hold off on updating my iPhone due to jailbreaking reasons, but at the same time I am often happy after reading reports such as these. It seems that (at least for some users) iPhone OS 3.1.3 has been causing some issues. So far the complaints are showing up in the usual places, mostly in support forums. But what we are seeing is that users are complaining about battery life and playlist sync issues."

Not sure why he is happy about people experiencing problems, perhaps the intent was that he was happy because he delays updating and so he missed out on all the frustration? Regardless, I updated and haven't experienced any of the problems they talk about here. Any of you out there had problems after updating?

"The latest dot update to my favourite iPhone IM is the cool kind: the kind that makes the app faster. Not only does Beejive now load up and display my contact list within two seconds (down from three and a bit of lag), but my messages are loading faster as well."

If you do have this app, might want to hold off on updating based on what I just read in the iTunes store. Many users reporting an error on trying to launch the app after doing this update making it unusable. So I'd give it some time if you do use this app so they can get it sorted out.

"AppleTV 3.0.2 update is out. Apple.com is mum on the subject but signs point to Aperture/iPhoto media browsing update."

Since part of the Aperture 3.0 update was how that software shares images over the local network, it makes sense this update is related. It also appears to have fixed the problem related to switching the HDMI output cable as well as some improvements in readability of text in the user interface. Use the Update Software option within the Settings/General menu on your AppleTV to get this update.

"Last June I wrote a review of AT&T Navigator for the iPhone and thought it was a very good solution for GPS navigation. I popped my SIM card in my iPhone 3GS last night and saw there was an update to version 1.5i that I read about on the TeleNav blog was just released a couple of days ago."

It is available now in iTunes [affiliate link] and also now includes a yearly pricing option for $69.99. I use GPS so infrequently that the monthly option would be best for me but to each his own, nice to have the option. Couple cool additions include the speed limit notifications, automatic or manual night mode and the shake-to-go, which sets the location to one that you have pre-set simply by shaking the iPhone.

"Aperture 3 popped its head up and over the parapet this morning, with Apple introducing its newly announced pro photography protege as, "the next major release" of the application, bestowed with an impressive 200 added features at the same $199 price."

If you want to give it a try, you can test it out with the free trial version from Apple, which is fully functional for 30 days. After that, it costs $199.00 USD (or $99.00 USD for those upgrading).

"On Monday, Apple released iTunes 9.0.3. According to the release notes, the update's numero uno bug fix is "iTunes no longer ignores your ‘Remember password for purchases' setting." In other words, if you enable this iTunes Store option, you will no longer have to continue to re-enter your password each time you make a purchase."

This really annoyed me so I'm glad they finally fixed it. You can get info and download from the update page at Apple, but this should update automatically for you from the software update feature.

"Apple issued an update late Monday that supposedly fixes issues with the company's 27-inch iMac display. According to notes provided with the update, the fix 'updates the display firmware on 27-inch iMac systems to address issues that may cause intermittent display flickering.'"

You can get details at Apple on this update, but it's basically firmware update for the display in hopes that it will fix the flickering issues. No mention about the fix for the yellowing screen issues.

"Agile Web Solutions has announced 1Password 3.0.4, an update to its award-winning password and identity manager for the Mac. This deceptively minor update adds over 60 new features, changes, and fixes, and is available free to registered users."

Some new features with 3.0.4 such as Quick Look which lets you see file attachments for 10.6 Snow Leopard users to better organize and view files that were saved in 1Password. They also added tagging, improved the Wi-Fi syncing process (thank you very much) and improved importing options for those switching from other programs to 1Password. This is a paid upgrade but if you have purchased 1Password 2 on or after February 1 2009, you get free license upgrades to the new version. If you are outside that free upgrade period, you can still get a deal with single license upgrade at $24.95 USD and family upgrade for $34.95 USD, 17% and 30% savings respectively.

"Apple released iPhone OS 3.1.3 for the iPhone and iPod touch on Tuesday with patches for several potential security flaws. The update fixes flaws that could lead to arbitrary code execution or app crashes when playing maliciously crafted mp4 files, viewing maliciously crafted TIFF images, and accessing maliciously crafted FTP servers. It also fixes a USB-related issue that could grant access to data on locked iPhones, and fixes an issue where Mail could send unwanted data in certain situations when HTML 5 media elements load."

It is also supposed to improve battery level accuracy on the 3GS, fix a third party launch problem with certain apps and a compatibility issue with users of the Japanese Kana keyboard. This is a free update via iTunes.

"Mien Software has released MediaEdit 3.1.8 for the Mac, a consumer-level video editing tool, which supports standard painting tools and multiple layers. This update improves stability and support for Snow Leopard. This free update addresses the following: Improved support for Snow Leopard, fixed issues with non-english characters in file names and fixed an issue where clips can become corrupted after a join and a split"

Admittedly, I don't do a lot of video editing, other than home movies so forgive me if you are already a user and know about this program. Seems like a nifty program that is compatible with all Quicktime formats as well as being able to paint directly onto the frames of a movie. If you have another program that you use similar what is it? This one is available for a free trial period, or you can purchase for $59.95 USD and is now compatible with Snow Leopard.

"Head on over to Getfirefox.com, Firefox fans. Version 3.6 of your favorite browser is now ready."

Mac beta was available last October, but now you can get the full-fledged version here. I am stuck in a Safari rut, I still like it and haven't really played around with other browsers but in the past I always used Firefox. I may have to just get this and give it a trial run. 

"The third major update to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is getting closer to appearing in Software Update. A new beta of Mac OS X 10.6.3 (build 10D538) was released to a limited number of Apple developers last Friday."

This beta had an update to QuickTime to improve reliability, security and compatibility. Sounds like standard fare for these updates, but it also does some tweaking to the 64-bit Logic Pro audio suite and improved some printer communication and compatibilities. The release of 10.6.3 is expected around the end of February 2010.

"Bare Bones Software has released TextWrangler 3.1, an update to the text editor. The new version introduces a newcommand-line tool, "twfind," which provides access to the app's multi-file searching from the Unix command line."

This is a great little text editing program, and best of all Bare Bones offers it free. The latest version requires Mac OS X version 10.4 or later, and its Universal so it works on Power PC or Intel Macs. If you are curious just what did they do to update this program, check out their release notes here. 

"Apple on Tuesday released Security Update 2010-001 for Mac OS X Snow Leopard as well as versions for both client and server releases of its predecessor, Mac OS X Leopard. These updates improve the security of Mac OS X are recommended for all users of the respective versions."

Image Credit: jonathan-hardesty.com

The cat is upset you haven't updated yet, as it fixes some security problems associated with Adobe Flash. What are you waiting for?? Check them out here or just use your software update option. Or you can always go to Apple's support download page here.

"Remember when Apple promised that Boot Camp would be updated to officially support Windows 7 in late 2009? It turns out that promise was a few weeks off, but the company has finally delivered, only one week after Microsoft's beloved Patch Tuesday."

Image Credit: enews.org

Ok folks, it is here, finally. Boot Camp 3.1 in 32-bit version and 64-bit version is in and with it comes support (officially) for Apple's wireless keyboard and the Magic Mouse. If you are going to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, you can do so via the Boot Camp Utility upgrade. They have also fixed bugs associated with the Apple trackpad and as a bonus, the infared sensor on all MacBooks turns off when not in use. Read the article for more info on how to do this the efficient and safe way because I don't want you to miss anything! I may in fact do this now, I had been holding off on my older MacBook Pro.