Month of November , 2005

Security Update 2005-009:

Apple has just released a Security Update labeled "2005-009" through the Software Update utility.

The update provides the following changes:

According to ThinkSecret, an Intel-based Mac mini could be released during MacWorld SF 2006 and claims this new Mac mini will sport TiVo like features.

Apple's shares changed hands at $71.07!

As report several readers and Mac-centric sites (1, 2), Apple is now shipping Aperture, the photography editing application released during a special event on October the 19th.

As reports eWeek, Intel has decided to start an internal group called "Apple", as a result of Apple's switch to the x86 architecture.

According to unconfirmed reports (see 1, 2), hackers have easily cracked Mac OS X 10.4.3's improved TPM protection. Not only the new version runs on any PC, but it also enables accellerated graphics on some ATI chips and AltiVec instructions emulation on Rosetta.

Apple announced today that it will pre-pay about $1.25 billion to several Flash chip makers so as to secure supply for flash memory chips through 2010. Among them, Hynix, Intel, Micro, Samsung and Toshiba.

According to IfoAppleStore, Apple plans to open a retail store in Rome, Italy in 2006. The store could be opened at Via Condotti or Via del Corso, according to the site.

American Technology Research's analyst, Shaw Wu, predicts (requires subscription) that Apple will release a new iPod shuffle during MacWorld on January 2006.

Apple has updated Front Row to version 1.0.1. Here is the description provided:

Speculation fuels on the release of the first Intel-based during MacWorld SF 2006 as ThinkSecret claims to have reliable sources reporting Apple will release an Intel-based iBook in January.

The Wallstreet Journal (requires subscription - article on MarketWatch) reports that an EMI executive, said during the company's half-year financials conference in London that Apple will abandon its uniform pricing model in 2006.

Apple announced that its iTunes Music Store and its iPod have become leaders in Japan. The compay is claiming nearly 60% of the Japaneze market for both iTunes and the iPod.

Apple's shares (AAPL) were significantly up today on positive analyst comments. The stock closed at $64.95 (up 4.29%) and is now trading at $65.10 in the after-hours session. The day high in the regular session was $65.06.

Apple has quietly released a Firmware update for the PowerMac G5 Single 1.8Ghz (late 2004).

Apple has made available Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Release 3 through the Software Update utility.

ThinkSecret reports that Apple has seeded the first build of Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.4, labelled "8G7", to developers.

The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple has made an offer to MIT's Media lab initiative for making a $100 laptop for students.

According to Digitimes, Apple is seeking for a new supplier for low density NAND chips for its iPod nano and is in talks with Hynix.

AppleInsider reports that Apple's first Macs to go Intel could be the iMac and the Powerbook and not the Mac mini as previously speculated.

Here's a catch-up with news of the end of this week:

The U.S. Patents and Trademarks office's database reveals that Apple has filed a trademark for "Rosetta" on November the 1st, 2005.

The patent filing has the following description:

Today, Motorola has quietly announced on its site the RAZR V3i, a new iTunes enabled mobile phone in the very popular RAZR line that was started about a year ago.

According to analyst Benjamin A. Reitzes of UBS Investment Research (Forbes report), Apple should be ready to launch an Intel-based Mac mini during MacWorld SF in January 2006.

Sandy McMurray notes in his blog some interesting information found on a patent application that Apple was filed on April 30, 2004. The patent called “System and method for creating tamper-resistant code� describes one scenario something like a multi-os boot feature and virtualization of other platforms.

Apple's new, video enabled iPod has entered the top 5 of most sold products in the Electronics section of Amazon.com late this week. A sign that the new device is reaching the mainstream users and not only current iPod owners as had claimed some analysts.

AppleInsider reports that Apple is working on new "eye-catching" designs for its next generation, Intel based Powerbooks and iBooks.

While Apple's stock soared this week to new all time highs, a number of analysts noted sights that Apple's new iPod with video feature is selling very while and might be outselling the iPod nano which is already a big success. Analysts noted that Apple struggles to meet demand and shows about one week of shipment delay on its online store.

At this time, all European Apple Stores (see UK, FR, GER...) are closed with the usual "we'll be back soon" sticker.

Apple's stock has hit another all time high today on positive analyst comments on recent product launches. The company's shares traded at above $60 during the regular and after hours session..

Apple has posted an update for Airport through the Software Update utility. The update weights 1.4MB and is labelled Airport Udate 2005-001 vertsion 1.0.