Lots of folks are writing in to let us know about the iLife '08 update waiting in Software Update. The iLife Support 8.3 update, 'provides system software components shared by all iLife '08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife '08.'
At the moment this update is only available via Software Update, but we'll update this post when Apple posts the update on their site.
Keynote Objects is a package of 100 attractive icon-like objects that can be used not only with Keynote, but also with Microsoft PowerPoint and Word. All of the objects have a transparent background, and are easily resized, rotated, made more or less transparent, or shadowed.
I'm actually going to use several of the objects as icons for a new web site that I'm designing, simply because they offer an attractive and cohesive set of art objects. What will you use your free Keynote Objects for?
Apple just released updates for iMovie and iDVD. According to Software Update, the iMovie update "addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."
The iDVD update "supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."
You can download both of these updates via Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or download the installer packages by visiting Apple's Support Downloads website.
iWeb 2 (the iLife '08 version, that is) comes with an assortment of 26 different themes, but if you're tired of trying to mod the Comic Book theme for your new blog, you may want to look at ten new iWeb themes from Jumsoft.
There's a good assortment of styles in the Jumsoft collection. I personally find the Teddy theme to be a bit twee and Flowered World is too feminine for my taste, but YMMV. My personal faves from the new collection are the sparse and paper-like Simple Info, and the pastel and plastic Business. An installer app is included to make sure that your new themes end up in the proper place on your Mac.
Jumsoft sells each theme for $9.99 or you can buy the entire pack of ten themes at a 30% discount for $69.99. If you're an iWeb fan and want some additional design options, take a look at the new themes.
Take Control Books has published the second edition of Joe Kissell's Take Control of .Mac eBook. The new version covers the use of Apple's .Mac service with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and iLife '08, with detailed information about:
Changes to .Mac in Leopard
Adding movies and photos to a Web Gallery
Synchronization of multiple Macs through .Mac
Configuring an AirPort Extreme for use with Back to My Mac
...and much more!
In light of recent news about possible changes to the name and capabilities of .Mac, particularly in terms of iPhone support, it's great that this is an eBook that can be updated almost immediately by the author. If you purchase this $15 ebook now, Glenn Fleishman's upcoming Take Control of Back to My Mac title will be available to you at half-price.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have authored two Take Control eBooks -- but not the Books mentioned in this post.
Karelia software released iMedia Browser 1.1 earlier this week, and it features some very nice changes.
If you're unfamiliar, iMedia Browser is a stand alone application much like the media browser in Apple's iLife applications. It lets you browse your iPhoto library (photos and videos), iTunes library and web links, all without having to launch those applications. It's very handy and a time saver for anyone who needs to access these files frequently. Plus, it "flips over" like a Dashboard widget, which is fun.
Changes to version 1.1 include
The photos browser now includes Adobe Lightroom
New Movies thumbnail generation and caching mechanism for improved stability
Source lists now indicate that folders can be dragged in to be added
Process of checking for updates and reporting problems has been improved
iMedia Browser works with Tiger or Leopard and is free.
If you've been looking to get the perfect Mother's Day gift, Apple says to look no further than iPhoto or Aperture. It's that special time of year when we celebrate our mothers (of course, if you ask Mom every day is Mother's Day), and Apple is cutting us a break! You can now get 20% off of iPhoto books when you use the promo code LoveMom at checkout.
This promo code is valid for iPhoto or Aperture users in the US and Canada and is good until May 11, 2008. Apple recommends that you order by April 30 for standard delivery and May 4 for express delivery so that you get your book in time for Mother's Day.
Fire up Software Update and you'll see iPhoto 7.1.3 which, according to Apple, "...Addresses issues with wire-bound books and cards." At least that's better than "Bug fixes."
If you've been having trouble with wire-bound books and cards, it looks like the nightmare is over. If you experience any trouble after downloading this update, let us know.
Mac lovers traveling to the UK may be able to leave their computers at home -- as long as they stay at a City Inn hotel.
Guests will find a shiny iMac in each room, with full access to the internet, iLife and Office apps. Plus, the hotel will let you use the iMac as a TV, internet radio and media player (DVDs and CDs).
"But will the hotel keep a history of what I do with that machine?" you ask. The answer is "No." They use Faronics Deep Freeze software to restore each machine to its factory settings every 24 hours, so you're safe (that also means you shouldn't save the article you're writing on the iMac's hard drive).
This isn't the first time we've seen hotels offer Apple products to guests. In 2004, several W hotels gave away iMacs, iPods and music on "iTunes Days," and just last year Pod Hotels offered an iPod dock in each room.
iPhoto users in Australia and New Zealand can finally purchase iPhoto books, calendars and cards from Apple. You'll need iLife '08 with iPhoto at version 7.1.2. Picture Books start from $39.99, calendars are $26.99 and postcards and greeting cards range from $1.99 to $2.69.
Now that you've got access, here are some cool things you can do
In the transition from iLife '06 to '08, one of the shifts in iPhoto functionality was the deprecation of photocasts in favor of .Mac web galleries. Sure, your friends and family can still subscribe to an RSS feed of your pictures (and what kind of loving grandparent doesn't want a newsfeed full of Halloween costumes and messy-breakfast snapshots?), but despite the enhanced gallery views in '08, some key features didn't roll forward -- in particular, while '06 photocasts could include original size, full-res picture files for downloaders, '08 web galleries downsized and/or recompressed most photos. Some may not have noticed the degradation in quality, but for the photo purists, including my colleague Jeff L., this was not an improvement.
Today Jeff came by my desk practically jumping for joy. Tucked away in yesterday's iPhoto update to 7.1.2, where you'd least expect it, is a slender button on the web gallery dialog box: "Show Advanced," and we all know that means good things for Jeff and his poor pictures. There are two new options in the Advanced section: a checkbox to hide the title of the gallery on your .Mac galleries page (handy for those who have a photography 'hobby,' nudge nudge say no more), and a choice between optimized and actual-size photos for downloading. Huzzah!
If you've got a web gallery that could benefit from higher-quality download files, try the new setting and let us know your results.
In addition to releasing the iWork update last night, the updated status on MacBook Air and Apple TV today; Apple just now issued an update for iWeb '08. In Apple's normal long-winded explanation of the update, they say "This update addresses compatibility with Mac OS X."
The 17.2 MB iWeb 2.0.3 update can be downloaded through Software Update (Apple Menu > Software Update) or by downloading the update package from Apple's support downloads website.
Fire up Software Update, folks, Apple is setting some updates free. iDVD 6.0.4 is now in the wild, and it 'improves overall stability and supports compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5.'
iLife Support 8.1.1 has also been released which, 'improves overall stability, addresses a number of other minor issues, and supports general compatibility issues.'
Apple hasn't posted these on their site for download yet.
The folks at Apple have had a busy day. iWeb 2.0.2 is now available, with the following changes:
"This update to iWeb addresses issues with upgrading iWeb 1.x websites, and fixes some common publishing problems, and supports general compatibility issues."
I haven't experienced any issues with iWeb. If you have - and if this update provides the fix - let us know. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
iLife '08 users, there is an update awaiting your attention. iLife Support 8.1 'supports system software components shared by all iLife '08 applications, improves overall stability, addresses a number of other minor issues, and supports general compatibility issues.'
Lots of folks are writing in to let us know about the iLife '08 update waiting in Software Update. The iLife Support 8.3 update, 'provides system software components shared by all iLife '08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife '08.'
iPresentee
Apple just released updates for iMovie and iDVD. According to Software Update, the 
iWeb 2 (the iLife '08 version, that is) comes with an assortment of 26 different themes, but if you're tired of trying to mod the Comic Book theme for your new blog, you may want to look at 
Take Control Books has published the second edition of Joe Kissell's 
Karelia software released iMedia Browser 1.1 earlier this week, and it features some very nice changes. 
If you've been looking to get the perfect Mother's Day gift, Apple says to look no further than iPhoto or Aperture. It's that special time of year when we celebrate our mothers (of course, if you ask Mom every day is Mother's Day), and Apple is cutting us a break! You can now get 20% off of iPhoto books when you use the promo code LoveMom at checkout. 
Fire up Software Update and you'll see iPhoto 7.1.3 which, according to Apple, "...Addresses issues with wire-bound books and cards." At least that's better than "Bug fixes."
Mac lovers traveling to the UK may be able to leave their computers at home -- as long as they stay at a 
iPhoto users in Australia and New Zealand can finally 
The folks at Apple have had a busy day. 
iLife '08 users, there is an update awaiting your attention. 
