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Magic Mouse Drivers For Windows Emerge

Justin Kerr — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:37:05 -0600

Apple doesn't exactly have the greatest track record on mouse designs, and while you probably weren't going to switch platforms just for a "magic mouse" anyway, thanks to a clever new hack, you won't have to. The team over at uneasysilence.com has found a way to extract both the 32 bit, and 64 bit drivers by using WinRar on the latest Apple Bluetooth update and so far users are reporting no issues. The Apple driver, oddly enough, seems to contain all the components you will need to use the mouse on any Microsoft based machine from Windows XP all the way to Windows 7.

At $70 the magic mouse isn't as hideously overpriced as most Apple hardware, and debatably, it might actually be a decent travel mouse given the profile. Based on how easily the drivers were discovered, it also makes you wonder if Apple had planned Windows support for this mouse all along.

Has anyone tried out the magic mouse or the driver hack? Let us know what you think.

Is Apple Using a Technicality to Avoid 3G License Fees?

Ryan Whitwam — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:10:29 -0600

You may not be aware, but Qualcomm holds a number of patents on modern 3G cellular technology. Any company making a 3G cell phone has to pay patent royalties to Qualcomm. Analyst Sanford Bernstein pointed out in a report this week that Apple appears to be taking advantage of a licensing loophole to avoid paying all those fees for the iPhone. The loophole is estimated to save Apple $290 million in fiscal 2009 alone.

Licensees must pay 5% of the wholesale price of a 3G device to the patent owner. Qualcomm’s website lists over 145 companies that have licensed their 3G technology. The list includes all major makers of 3G handsets. The one notable exception? Apple. One surprise on the list is Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer of the iPhone.

The Bernstein report says that Qualcomm is being paid royalties not on the price Apple charges (average $590), but on the unit price Apple pays Foxconn, a mere $244. So instead of making $23.60 per iPhone, Qualcomm is only seeing $9.70. Apple is able to get away with this because the entire manufacturing process is done externally. Qualcomm seems fine with the arrangement. After all, $9.70 per iPhone is pretty good considering how they fly off the shelves.

Russian Hacker Fixes Busted Atom Support on Snow Leopard Netbooks

Paul Lilly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:04:13 -0600

In what's turning out to be a game of cat and mouse, Apple last week disabled support for Intel's Atom processor through a Snow Leopard update, a tactic the Hackintosh community insisted would present only a temporary setback. They were right, thanks to a Russian hacker known as "teateam," who says he has restored support for Atom-based Hackintoshes running Snow Leopard 10.6.2.

"The problem originates in a revision to the kernel in 10.6.2. The changes Apple made to the latest mach_kernel removes support for [Atom] processors, leaving updated netbooks in a useless state," InsanelyMac member "blkhockypro19" explained in a forum post.

TeaTeam's hack appears to address the issue, though Jeff Porten of MacWorld warned that performing the crack is not something to be taken lightly.

"You'll need to roll up your Terminal sleeves for a few simple steps here," said Porten. "And, of course, replace the kernel of your operating system -- the fundamental code that underlies everything else in Mac OS X -- with a file you've downloaded from the Internet."

Not only that, but it's only a matter of time until Apple releases another update that, in all likelihood, breaks support again. Apple hasn't been sympathetic to the Hackinstosh community, and even went so far as to serve Wired.com a cease and desist order after the tech site posted a video with instructions on how to hack a netbook to run Mac OS X.

Image Credit: adisetiya.files.wordpress.com

Ballmer: Windows 7 Off to "Fantastic Start"

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:09:59 -0600

Windows 7 is the best PC operating system ever, according to Steve Ballmer. "We've already sold twice as many units as any OS in a comparable time frame," an exultant Ballmer informed shareholders at a meeting on Thursday.

Its latest operating system has helped the company obscure the spectre of Vista's failure. A couple of NPD reports published during the past fortnight indicate that Windows 7 has so far surpassed Vista in terms of sales, revenue, and adoption rate.

One shareholder apparently became the face of moderation for a bit during the meeting when he questioned Ballmer about Apple's huge popularity with the younger generation. Ballmer admitted that there is some room for improvement. But on the whole, he seemed satisfied with the fact that Windows is by far the most popular OS in the world.

Synology Announces 4-bay NAS with Support for Apple's Time Machine

Ryan Whitwam — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:50:10 -0600

Synology has a history of making excellent NAS boxes, and the new four bay DS410j is no exception. Front and center on the spec sheet is support for Apple’s Time Machine backup system, a rarity on third-party NAS units.

The unit is designed for home and entry-level business use. The four drive bays can take up to 2TB 3.5 inch drives. The DS410j also supports multiple RAID configurations when loaded with multiple compatible drives. Automated backup and DNLA support come standard as well. The DS410j can be purchased with or without hard drives preinstalled, but either way it’s going to be pricey. If you look around, the driveless version can be had for a bit under $400.

CNN Thinks the Apple Tablet will be the Best Thing in the World

Bart Salisbury — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:24:34 -0600

It’s almost surreal, the experience surrounding reporting on Apple’s rumored tablet. Firstly, because there is no such device. Apple, in fact, denies it exists. And there is no credible third-party evidence to suggest otherwise. But that doesn’t stop supposed smart guys in technology reporting to maintain otherwise. And, to top it off, conclude it is (not will be) the coolest thing ever.

David Goldman, of CNNMoney.com, summarizes analysts as viewing Apple’s tablet as “channelling their inner-Frodo. [It will] be the one gadget to rule them all.” A fictional ring of power seems to match up well with a fictional computing device.

For example, Laura DiDio, an analyst for Information Technology Intelligence Corp. (ITIC), says “This will be the next big thing. Apple is going to wow everybody with the tablet.” Apple’s phantom tablet, according to DiDio, will have a 10-inch or 12-inch screen, high-end graphics process, Wi-Fi or 3G, a web cam, and will be able to do everything: ebook, Internet, games, movies, and music. There’ll be dozens of third-party apps available for it. Why, heck, it might even clean out the cat box and take out the trash. That’s how wonderful this device will be.

Also on the Apple tablet bandwagon is Dan Ackerman, a senior editor at CNET. According to Ackerman: “Apple will come out with the tablet and blow everyone away. Instead of taking along a Kindle and an iPod, [it] could become the device you carry with you.”

Not everyone is impressed, however. Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with Yankee Group, says such devices are only good “for ad-hoc purposes, like quick and dirty tasks. There’re not for any prolonged, high-performance use.” It’s not only praise but damnation for a product that doesn’t yet, or may ever, exist.

Image Credit: Innoblog

Mac Clone Maker Crushed in Court

Paul Lilly — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:30:32 -0600

Apple didn't just win its case against Psystar, it demolished the "open computer" vendor whose Mac clones triggered a legal battle over whether or not the hackintoshes violated Mac OS X's EULA. According to Judge William Alsup, it most certainly does. In fact, the judge ruled in Apple's favor on every count brought to the court's attention, although the biggest focus was on copyright.

"Psystar's use of Mac OS X has been in excess and has violated Apple's copyrights," the judge wrote at one point in his 16-page order.

According to Groklaw, there are still issues that remain for trial, including allegations of breach of contract, induced breach of contract, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, trade dress infringement, and state unfair competition under California Business and Professions. In other words, the best case scenario for Psystar at this point is that it will be held liable for damages on Apple's copyright claims, but with its primary defense now seemingly dismantled, the company appears to be in a world of hurt. Or as Groklaw puts it, "Psystar is toast."

Get all the gory details here.

Microsoft: We Didn't Copy Mac OS X

Paul Lilly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:10 -0600

A Microsoft manager has gone on record saying one of Microsoft's goals with Windows 7 was to "create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics." After posting the story, Maximum PC reader Tekzel commented, "That dude is sooo going to get in trouble." Tekzel, you sooo called it.

It didn't take long at all for Microsoft to distance itself from Simon Aldous, the partner group manger who made the comment. In an official Windows blog post this morning, here's what Microsoft had to say:

"An inaccurate quote has been floating around the Internet today about the design origins of Windows 7 and whether its look and feel was “borrowed” from Mac OS X. Unfortunately this came from a Microsoft employee who was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7. I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed."

Oh snap! Microsoft went on to suggest reading an AP story with Ms. Larson-Green and a couple of other articles linked in the blog to learn more about the design of Windows 7.