Ad: Manage updates with the Download App

mac

Weekly Utilities Update: OnyX, MacDust, Cocktail, more...

Our Weekly Utilities Update report is a list of all the updates for many Mac utilities that have been released in the past week. While utilities can be any tool that helps you perform a routine task (including image manipulation and synchronization), our main focus in this column is to bring you those that help in troubleshooting Mac hardware and software problems.… Read more

AppleCare warning: Overheating battery in 1st generation iPod nanos

Apple has released a knowledge base article describing battery overheating issues in 1st generation iPod nanos, suggesting users contact AppleCare immediately if they experience the problem or have concerns about their iPod nano. Symptoms include overheating, discoloration, or deformity of the battery or case around the battery.… Read more

Apple sees Windows 7 as an opportunity to sell Macs

Apple seems to be looking forward to the launch of Windows 7 almost as much as Microsoft, but for very different reasons.

While Microsoft may see Windows 7 as a way out of the failure of Vista, Apple plans to take advantage of the launch by catering to the customers who are fed up with the Windows user experience and want to make a change.

"Users are really growing tired of Windows and the headaches it brings," said Brian Croll, Apple's vice president of Mac OS X worldwide product marketing. "We've seen this with Vista, … Read more

How lower Mac price points and Windows 7 will affect Apple troubleshooting

Rumors around the Internet continue to make mention of the possibilities of Apple initiating a deft attack, targeting the pending Windows 7 release. Advertisements are just the first step with Senior Apple VP Phil Schiller stating that the Microsoft OS upgrade process presents a "very good opportunity for us", which could very well include price reductions in Apple's lineup to better compete with low-cost PCs. Business Week reports that Apple is gearing up to lure PC users facing the daunting task of upgrading their machines to Windows 7 into Apple Stores to purchase a shiny, new Mac that "just works".… Read more

Every Mac ever made

If you've ever wanted to expand your Mac's capabilities, you probably wondered what--and how much--your machine could handle. MacTracker is a handy free utility that eliminates the guesswork, providing current, comprehensive, and accurate technical specifications on every Mac known to man, from Apple's latest right on down to the vintage Macintosh 128K.

Also this week, we have the latest update for multiservice chat client Adium, adding several fixes including the capability to use iChat emoticons in Snow Leopard. Our game this week is Armagetron Advanced, the game inspired by the movie Tron that challenges you to race … Read more

Chrome Mac beta nearer; Win 7 features recede

Programmers have mostly overcome a crucial hurdle to releasing a beta version of Chrome for the Mac, printing support, but several Windows 7 features won't make the cut for the present 4.x version of Chrome.

The Mac printing support is now added, according to the Google browser's issue-tracking system, though there are "minor remaining issues" and the new features aren't yet distributed with the software.

Google has cited Mac printing support as one holding back a Mac version of the browser. Mac support is important for the company's ambitions to spread the browser … Read more

Adobe issues update to Reader, Acrobat

Adobe announced in a security bulletin yesterday that, "Critical vulnerabilities have been identified in Adobe Reader 9.1.3 and Acrobat 9.1.3, Adobe Reader 8.1.6 and Acrobat 8.1.6 for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX, and Adobe Reader 7.1.3 and Acrobat 7.1.3 for Windows and Macintosh." The vulnerabilities in question can cause the programs to crash, giving a potential attacker the ability to take control of the user's system.… Read more

iTunes 9 Issue: Smart Playlists not syncing to iPhone, iPod

Some users may experience an issue where their Smart Playlists are not syncing to their iPhone or iPod as expected. The lists appear in a different order or with different content. The first step in troubleshooting your iPhone or iPod and iTunes is to be sure all your software is up-to-date. Open iTunes and from the iTunes menu bar select iTunes > Check for Updates... Next, plug in your device. iTunes will alert you if you need to update your software for it.… Read more