Tom's Macs Blog

Psystar, the company that made headlines here back in April when it started shipping a Mac clone, is reported to be about to respond to Apple's lawsuit with a countersuit, alleging that Apple is engaging in anti-competitive practices, which violates the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Act.

This course of action by Psystar was expected, but as many legal experts have pointed out, it isn't likely to dramatically affect the outcome of Apple's suit. The problem is that in order to invoke the Antitrust Act, Psystar will have to prove that Apple's actions have not only harmed general consumers of computer products but also Apple's competitors.

Both points will be difficult to prove. I'm not sure how Psystar will be able to argue that a consumer running Windows on a PC was hurt by Apple limiting OS X's license to Apple computers. Even if Psystar could find a way to make that argument, how will they manage to argue that Apple's competitors were hurt?

Well, all's fair in love and lawsuits. We'll just have to sit back and see how this plays out.

Anyone giving odds? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

Although there's been no official word from Apple, two dates have emerged as likely candidates for an Apple event: September 9 and September 16. Both are Tuesdays, one of Apple's favorite days for announcements.

Courtesy of Apple

This September promises some nifty new products. Ever since last quarter, when Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer mentioned a product transition in the upcoming quarter, and Steve Jobs followed it up with a comment about being "busy finishing several more wonderful new products to launch in the coming months," the rumor mills have been working overtime.

Most pundits, myself included, expect a realignment of the iPod product line. I expect a new or revamped iPod touch at a lower price point. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the flash-based iPod nano and iPod shuffle replaced with new models at lower prices.

Other products that could be announced in September include the long overdue MacMini update. I expected a MacMini update earlier this year; maybe this time, I'll get it right. If I keep predicting it, sooner or later I'll nail it! But seriously, Apple needs to either bring a new version of this product to market or cast it aside. My money's on a new version.

There have been unconfirmed reports of various resellers putting MacBook Pro and Apple Cinema display orders on long lead times, one of the classic signs of an upcoming product transition.

No matter what happens, September should be an interesting and fun month for Apple fans.

iDealsChina reportedly has gotten their hands on a plastic mold for a 4th generation iPod nano. They claim the new nano will be the same size as the 2nd generation nano, long and slim. It will also sport a much larger display.

Of course, we always see iPod rumors around this time of year, because we expect Apple to once again introduce new or revamped iPods in mid-September. Although iDealsChina has been accurate in previous rumors, this one seems to have a bit of a functional flaw. The first problem I see is that according to their case mold, the new nano has a rounded surface, including the glazing that would go over the screen. A display based on this design would be subject to reflections from any nearby light source. Think of the old-style TVs and monitors that had rounded display tubes. When they transitioned to flat screens or nearly flat screens, one of the big selling points was the lack of reflections. Why would Apple take a step backwards to a display that would perform poorly?

The other problem I see is that the plastic mold lacks any method for connecting the nano to a computer. There's no molded section for docking connectors, headphone jacks, or any other way to make a connection to the nano. Even if the new nano used wireless connectivity and Bluetooth headsets, how would you charge the battery?

What do you think? Leave a comment below and let us know.

You can see images of the plastic mold at iDealsChina website.

You can also see a rendering of what the finished nano might look like.

Apple has released the first software update specific to the MacBook Air. The software update is designed to fix a problem with video playback and processor idling capabilities.

Courtesy of Apple

If you use any third-party software that modifies the processor's operating parameters, Apple recommends removing it before you install this update.

The update is available from Software Update (Apple menu, Software Update). You can also download it directly from Apple's web site.

Steve Jobs spends life living in a fish bowl, not something that most of us would choose. He does a good job of guarding his private life, better than many others in the industry, but we still manage to peer into his fish bowl now and then.

Courtesy of Apple

One of the places where we can sneak a peek is surprisingly empty. Like every other MobileMe user, Steve has a public iDisk folder for sharing files with friends and colleagues. Of course, he has access to a much more robust method of sharing information, including the entire Apple corporate IT system, the world's news agencies, and web sites like this one. (Pssst, Steve, if you ever want to make any announcements via About.com: Macs, just let me know!)

Even with his ability to command an instant press conference, I'm surprised Steve doesn't use his MobileMe public iDisk folder for sharing information, doing a little marketing, or sending a note to friends. Maybe a "Hi, how ya doing?" or "Hey, everyone, lunch at the Alpine Beer Gardens (more fondly remember as Rossotti's) is on me. See you there!"

If you're wondering why I haven't provided the URL for Steve's public iDisk folder, it's because although the intent of a MobileMe public folder is for anyone to be able to view the files and folders stored there, it's really up to the owner of the folder, in this case, Steve, to give out the access information. Yes, you can probably figure it out on your own, or with a little Internet sleuthing. But until Steve publicly gives out the information, I'm going to leave the curtain over his fish bowl.

Apple has been using SATA (Serial ATA) hard drives and interfaces since the first PowerMac G5 shipped in the summer of 2003. Since then, SATA has expanded both in use and capabilities. While originally envisioned as an internal computer interface for storage devices, it has grown to encompass external hard drives as well.

Courtesy of Apple

eSATA (external SATA) has become a popular way to add external drive space, and many manufacturers offer eSATA-based storage solutions. Apple, however, has been slow to add support for eSATA, requiring those of us who want to use this technology to purchase eSATA interface cards or make our own eSATA cabling, in order to use an available internal SATA port.

According to Electronista, Apple recently filed for a patent that suggests eSATA may be making its way to new Macs. The patent in question brings the Target Disk Mode that Apple uses in its implementation of FireWire to eSATA ports. This means that in the future, you could connect two Macs with an inexpensive eSATA cable and transfer data from one to the other at a very high data rate, just like you can do today with the far more expensive FireWire. Which raises the question: If Apple goes forward with eSATA as a standard connection port on Macs, will we see the phase-out of FireWire?

My take is no, but we could very well see FireWire relegated to higher end desktop and portable products where it's needed for professional media use, such as professional video and audio. Consumer Macs (iMacs, MacMinis, MacBooks) would retain standard USB ports and gain an eSATA port, but lose the FireWire connection they now offer.

What do you think? Is FireWire fated to be relegated to 'Pro' Macs? Share your thoughts by adding a comment below.

Apple has released a new technical support bulletin that addresses an issue with MagSafe adapters becoming frayed or damaged. MagSafe adapters are the power supplies used in MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Until now, Apple replaced damaged MagSafe adapters in Apple portables that were still under warranty. With the new support bulletin, Apple is instructing its service centers to replace any MagSafe adapter that shows cracks or is fraying, regardless of the state of the warranty.

If you have a MagSafe connector that is showing discoloration or any breaks or deformities in the rubber molding, you can take it to any Apple-authorized service center or retail Apple Store for evaluation and possible replacement.

It’s been a while since we've seen any new versions of the Mac ads featuring John Hodgman and Justin Long. Apple has been flooding the airwaves with iPhone ads lately, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the return of the Mac ads.

In his latest role, PC hides in a pizza box to try to ensnare college students when they shop for a notebook for school. Free pizza and college students seems like a natural match to me.

You can see the new ads at Apple's web site.

Apple is giving current MobileMe subscribers a free 60-day extension to their subscription.

Courtesy of Apple

In the email it sent to subscribers, Apple explains:

“The transition from .Mac to MobileMe was rockier than we had hoped. While we are making a lot of improvements, the MobileMe service is still not up to our standards. We are extending subscriptions 60 days free of charge to express appreciation for our members’ patience as we continue to improve the service.”

The 60-day extension is in addition to any other extension Apple has offered. That means some MobileMe users may receive up to 120 days of free service. Quite a deal.

On the other hand, I think most users would be satisfied with a more robust MobileMe service. I know I would.

Apple today released iPhone and iPod touch firmware v.2.0.2. As is typical of many Apple updates, the description of what the update includes is somewhat sketchy; it's listed as 'Bug Fixes.'

Courtesy of Apple

We've been expecting an update to address the iPhone 3G connectivity issues that some users in the U.S. and around the world have been reporting. Apple hasn't explicitly said that this update addresses those issues; perhaps some of you readers out there can let us know whether or not this update corrects any 3G connectivity issues you've been experiencing.

The iPhone 2.0.2 update is available via iTunes. To download the update, connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch iTunes. Click the iPhone listing under 'Devices' to check for the firmware update, and then follow the installation instructions.

Stop by the special iPhone topic in the Macs forum and let us know how the update works for you.