Looks like Apple has rolled out a new update for AirPort that’s recommended for all Intel mac users (find it here). Now, the first thing on everyone’s mind is: does this have anything to do with 802.11n? There’s no detailed description of the changes other than the standard stuff Apple puts with updates it doesn’t want to divulge all the changes on. That said, I’ve been breaking out the good old command line tool “strings” on recent AirPort drivers as they’ve been coming out, and this is no exception. If you download the update, and then extract the following file:
/System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AirportAtheros.kext
And then run strings on the AirPortAtheros driver file within Contents/MacOS, in the following manner:
strings AirPortAtheros.kext/Contents/MacOS/AirPortAtheros | grep 802.11
You will see the following:
Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g)
What does this mean, precisely? Hard to say until someone gives things a shot on an 802.11n network!
The latest Apple EFI update adds additional support for bootable DOS mode utilities! Some disk utilities which work on other BIOS based Intel PCs now work, A20 mode still not supported. Unsure whether A20 is required for this, but memtest86 is still broken. Some might ask why use that instead of the Mac memtest application? Well, memtest86 doesn’t require booting a full OS X kernel, and so more of the machine’s memory can be checked.
read more | digg story
So, I just noticed today that Apple’s Grapher application provides a quick and easy way to format LaTeX equations. I’d been using it recently to copy and paste equations into Pages while I brushed up on using LaTeX equations for taking notes in class when I just noticed this fabulous little feature tonight. Damn cool, since sometimes it can be faster than typing the LaTeX to format an equation, plus it provides a nice GUI. The only downside that I can see at the moment is that it doesn’t look like the exported code can be pasted back to continue GUI editing of an equation.
User interface changes, tone curve adjustment changes, better filtering and searching for files, better performance, and other improvements based on user feedback!! Check it out!!
read more | digg story
Looks like things have taken another turn in the Greenpeace vs Apple debacle that’s been raging on lately. Roughly Drafted has posted another article which addresses further details released by Greenpeace regarding actual lab tests on some machines, which put Apple in the green and then some. On the other hand, the other manufacturers didn’t fair quite as well. There’s also a written rebuttal which covers some of the issues, but still leaves the report in a state that’s non-factual. The Greenpeace report should be rewritten, and should include reference to the lab testing of hardware from different manufacturers.
Jason O’Grady has posted up a little commentary on the features in the new iPod, some of which are software based, while others are hardware based. He’s indicated that he’s a bit sour about Apple not including the software-only features in the firmware update that came out just recently for the previous 5G iPods. While I share somewhat in the sentiment here, and herhaps we’ll see some adapted versions of the new iPod firmware from someone out there, Apple sold a product with the features that were on the box. A few new ones have trickled down since then, but they’re not taking anything away from you. Sure you get a nice glowing feeling inside if they decide to make all of those brand new features available on your year-old hardware, but there’s nothing really wrong with them deciding to withold things for the newer generation.
The same sort of thing applies for the new upgraded resolutions on the iTunes Store. It’d be great if Apple allowed all the old customers to download fresh new versions of their videos in new higher resolution formats, but they needn’t do so, and in the end making both of these free features available costs them money. I’m not just referring to lost sales on buying new versions of an iPod or a TV show, I mean in terms of bandwidth costs, support costs, and everything else that goes along with providing customers with a new product, free or not. Now the next question is, would people be willing to pay a few bucks for the firmware upgrade or an upgraded track. I suppose a lot of people might say yes to that, but I suppose there are other implications there as well, and one might feel even more inclined to complain. This is also not Apple’s style. So, in conclusion… deal with it.
Skype with video has gone from super-secret-test to beta! Woo hoo!
Check it out!Â
In a recent article posted on Roughtly Drafted, it was argued that one of the major reasons for Apple to delay their up and coming iTV product was to wait for 802.11n to be finalized. While quite a number of the articles that have appeared on RD in the past have been excellently researched articles that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading, Apple is not waiting on 802.11n if they want to ship that thing even within the next year. You see, there’s been a lot of bickering going on with regards to 802.11n, and a recent EETimes article states:
The standard was supposed to be finalized by early next year, but the Alliance has reluctantly accepted that will not happen until probably 2008.
Yeah, there might be hardware out there right now, but there isn’t a guarantee of interoperability ways down the road. Combine with that that Apple isn’t currently shipping ANY 802.11n hardware (draft, pre-n, or whatever) at this point, and you find a device that won’t even work with their current crop of machines.
Then there’s the argument about bit rates and bandwidth. Why would apple need 802.11n’s wireless capabilities? It isn’t going to be streaming raw video data across, because it doesn’t need to. The current 640xNNN content that’s popping up on iTunes isn’t that high of bitrate, it’s only 1.5mbit, which, with a little buffering would be perfectly fine over current wireless, even over 802.11b’s capabilities so long as things aren’t too far away. The only area where one might start running into a little trouble is with HD resolution content, but even if you quadruple resolution again you’re still only at 6mbit. So, I’d argue that the bandwidth argument is moot. Apple’s probably just waiting on making sure their product is compatible with as many sets as possible, working out techinical glitches, features, and the other standard set of product refinement issues that any number of companies go through on a rather regular basis. They’re just trying to embolden people’s vision of them as going somewhere with the video availability, and leveraging higher resolution content being sold through their store.
Another insightful bit of commentary on how the latest Bush administration attempt to link current Islamic extremism with the rise of fascism, here.
You know, I wonder how many people out there are really buying into what the Bush administration is saying. I would say that, in retrospect, much of this will be looked upon as a final fit of writhing incompetency. The only people they’re convincing are people who are both blind to the current state of affairs, and those who only vaguely remember their history. We are not doomed to repeat our history, only to make new mistakes when we don’t properly understand it.