firmware update posts

Filed under: Accessories, Peripherals, Software Update

Apple releases updates improving printing, scanning, iSight cameras and QuickTime

by Joachim Bean (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009

Over the past few days, Apple has been releasing updates for printer and scanner drivers in Snow Leopard, iSight cameras in LED Cinema Displays and QuickTime 7 for Windows.

First, Apple released printer driver updates for Snow Leopard for Lexmark printers and Brother, Canon and HP printers and scanners.

Next, Apple released a firmware update for the iSight camera that's built into the Apple LED Cinema Display. According to Apple, this firmware update corrects an issue with the built-in iSight camera on the LED Cinema Display where the camera may not be recognized by applications.

Finally, Apple released QuickTime 7.6.5 for Windows, which fixes an issue where applications weren't reliably loading libraries required by QuickTime at startup and the incorrect display of QuickTime movies embedded in a webpage using custom scale attributes.

All of these updates are available from the Apple Support downloads page and Software Update.

Tags: Brother, Canon, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, HP, iSight, LED Cinema Display, LedCinemaDisplay, Lexmark, Printers, QuickTime, update

Filed under: Software Update, Apple, Apple TV

AppleTV gets a stealth update

by Mel Martin (RSS feed) on Feb 25th, 2009

Apple didn't just update Safari's beta yesterday. While no one was looking, the Apple TV was updated to version 2.3.1. We checked, and there was no update note published and no specific information on the Apple web site. The most recent software note is from November 19, 2008 and refers to the version 2.3 update.

I prowled around the menus in the new version a bit, and found a Network Test function. It asked me what my bandwidth was, or allowed me to say I didn't know. Then after a few seconds a progress bar showed that something was downloading. The test ended and I received no information about my download speed, so I assume the information went to Apple to help diagnose any connectivity problems.

There may be some other changes or fixes, but I didn't see anything and Apple is so far silent on what else may be in this update. After my update the AppleTV page on iTunes was missing all the media tabs except for 'Photos'. I dropped the connection between iTunes and the AppleTV and re-linked them, and all the tabs came back. I did have to sync again. Whether that was caused by the firmware update or a problem I had and didn't notice is unknown. I suspect it is the former, but no harm was done, other than the bother of doing a fresh sync.

Apple would do well to open up a bit about these stealth updates. I hate updating firmware without knowing the benefits, if any, the update gives me. Then again, if a bandwidth tester is the stealthy scout for the rumored iTunes Replay streaming-on-demand service, that's probably a good thing.

Of course, if you have modified your Apple TV to run boxee you will notice that the update sends it into the netherworlds. Users tell us re-applying the patchstick for boxee puts everything back where it was.

Thanks to TUAW reader Nate and others for the heads up.

Tags: AppleTV, firmware update, software update

Filed under: Software Update, Macbook Pro

MacBook Pro 17-inch SMC Firmware Update

by Scott McNulty (RSS feed) on Jun 27th, 2006

Apple has just updated the firmware for the 17 inch MacBook Pros. This firmware update 'adjusts fan behavior' in Apple's hot new portable (that's a pun, folks. Thank you, thank you).

Let's hope that the MacBooks will get a firmware update to address the Moo problem.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Tags: fan problems, FanProblems, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, smc firmware, SmcFirmware, update

Filed under: Hardware, Rumors, Macbook Pro

MacBook Pro heating problems fixed?

by Dave Caolo (RSS feed) on May 19th, 2006

When Apple released the SMC Firmware update for Intel Macs this past Tuesday, they were rather cryptic about just what it was supposed to do. One conspiracy theory proposed that it was intended to cripple clock speeds, but Information Week is reporting something quite different (and less insidious): It seems that MacBook Pro (MBP) heating issues have been resolved. According to the article, MBP users are finding that their fans are running more effectively, resulting in post-update temperatures as low as 8 degrees cooler. What all this means is no more burnt thighs during lengthy World of Warcraft sessions.

So, TUAWers, what has your experience been? Has this firmware update put your MBP into the deep freeze?

[Via MacNN]

Tags: firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, heating issues, HeatingIssues, macbook pro, MacbookPro, overheating

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