Apple to Launch Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on 28 August 2009

[Update: 26 August 2009] You can order it at Apple Online Store now.

[25 August 2009] It’s official, Apple announced that the Mac OS X 10.6 will be available on 28 August 2009.  According to Macworld, “Snow Leopard will be available at the price of $29 for those customers upgrading from Leopard; a family pack of five licenses is available for $49. Users upgrading from earlier versions can buy the $169 Mac Box Set which also includes iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 or the five-user family pack for $229. Those who purchased a qualifying Mac on or after June 8, 2009 can take advantage of Apple’s $10 Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program. All versions of Mac OS X Snow Leopard require an Intel processor, 1GB of memory, and 5GB of free disk space.”

[20 August 2009] According to an article on Macworld today, Apple might ship the new Mac OS X 10.6 code-named Snow Leopard as early as 28 August 2009.  Hopefully this is true as I’ve been waiting for this since it was announced.  Stay tuned.

Source – Macworld

Rumored Apple Keynote Event on 9 September 2009 – Possible New iPods?

Multiple sources indicated that there might be a new release of the new generation of iPods with the possible inclusion of a camera and microphone.  Speculations indicated that the three possible versions are of 16, 32 and 64GB were a price tag of US$199, US$299 and US$399 respectively. Possible upgrade to iTunes 9 is said to be included as well.

As for the Apple Tablet, according to Gizmodo, “They went on to say that although the project (Apple Tablet) has been going on under various names between four and six years, the first prototype was built around the end of 2008. Adding, “The time to market from first prototype is generally 6-9 months.” That would place the device’s release date in this holiday season. (Think not) They then said, “There was a question of what OS the device would run, too.” So the chances of it being announced at the upcoming keynote event is highly unlikely.

Stay tuned for more.

Source – Gizmodo

Next Mac OS X Version – Snow Leopard Close to Release

Image from Apple

With the release of the Developer Preview seed, build 10A432, as well known as the Golden Master for 10.6 today, we can expect the release of the newest version of the Mac OS X Snow Leopard sometime next month.  Stay tuned.

Source – GearLive

First Look Video – Bodega (App Store) for Mac

Caught this video from SoldierKnowsBest on Bodega, an iPhone/iPod App Store look-a-like for Mac applications.  Well, there isn’t a lot of apps on Bodega as of now but I’m sure this concept would be catching.  Check out this review video from SoldierKnowsBest.

Product link – Bodega (http://appbodega.com/)

Source – SoldierKnowsBest

Apple Released MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update

On Monday, Apple released the new MacBook Air SMC Firmware Update which adds compatibility for the latest service replacement batteries.

For more information, please visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368.

Source – Apple

Hong Kong – Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program

Image from Apple

This from Apple Hong Hong,

Mac OS X Snow Leopard refines the elegant Mac OS X user experience with lots of little touches and performance improvements that will make using your Mac even more enjoyable. It also includes a few big foundation technologies designed to tap the power of today’s computer hardware and provide a strong base for innovation. If you’ve purchased a qualifying computer or Xserve on or after June 8, 2009 that does not include Mac OS X Snow Leopard, you can upgrade to Mac OS X Snow Leopard for HK$80.*

This program ends December 26, 2009. Your completed order form must be postmarked or faxed within 90 days of the date of your purchase of a qualifying computer or Xserve (described in this offer) or by December 26, 2009, whichever is earlier.

Expected Product Availability: September 2009

Source - Apple Hong Hong

Mac Back to School Sale is Out

If you’re a student, faculty, or staff member and you buy a new Mac until September 8, you can get a free iPod touch.

Buy a qualifying Mac and iPod from the Apple Online store for Education or a participating Apple Authorized Campus Store from May 28, 2009, until September 8, 2009, and receive a rebate of up to HK$ 1,850 via mail in rebate.

For details, hit the apple store link here, http://store.apple.com/hk/browse/campaigns/back_to_school?mco=MTg4ODM5Mw

Finger – Turning Your iPhone/iPod into a Chinese Writing Tablet

My buddy Belle Liu over at Beansbox just teamed up with Headnix and Zendesk this past week by launching one exciting application for both your iPhone/iPod and Mac (PC Support coming soon).  Finger is a great application that automatically pairs up your iPhone and your Mac over WiFi and then turning your iPhone as an input tablet.  Just like using your Chinese input method on your iPhone while composing email or SMS.

The app currently cost US$7.99 and is available via http://thisfinger.com.

Check it out, sure you’re gonna love it.

Apple Debuts New iMacs and Mac Mini

Well, we don’t have to 24 march for the new.  Apple just announced their new 20″ and 24″ inch iMacs and Mac Mini. Prices starts at US$1,199 for the 20-inch and US$1,499 for the 24-inch.

The 20-inch iMac features a 2.66Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD and GeForce 9400M graphics and for the 24-inch, 4GB of RAM standard, option of 2.66 GHz, 2.93GHz or 3.06GHz processor; GeForce 9400M graphics, GeForce GT 120 256MB or GeForce GT 130 512MB graphics.

As for the Mac Mini, according to Engadget, it features five USB ports, a Mini DisplayPort and DVI plugs for dual monitor support. The Mini runs on a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processors and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics.

Click here to read the Apple Pess Release and full configuration.

Source – Engadget, Apple

New iMac and Mac Mini to be Announced on 24 March 2009?

Engadget reported that Apple is planning a March 24 desktop hardware event.  According to Engadget and other sources, we might expect a new version of iMac and/or Mac Mini coming out later this year. Stay tuned.

Source – Engadget

NVIDIA Graphics Update 2009 for Macs

Apple  announced the new update for the NVIDIA graphics, the update improves cursor movement when using the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter with the Mini DisplayPort enabled MacBook Air, MacBook and MacBook Pro. It also improves playback of HD video running on systems with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT or GeForce 9600M graphics.

Download link here.

Picasa Beta Available on Mac Now

Finally, Google released the Picasa for Mac beta. Check it out here.

Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update Available Now

Image from Gizmodo

What’s new in this update? click on to find out.

Upgrade to MacBook Pro? Nah

Back in July I crossed over from PC to Mac and bought my first MacBook Pro.  Last week, Apple announced the new line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros.  I took a long look at them, the MacBook upgrade, though without the firewire now, it’s is still worth the upgrade especially with the new glass trackpad (with multi-touch gestures); aluminum case; LED-backlit display, integrated 256MB Nvidia video; and a smaller and lighter (half pound) body.

As for the MacBook Pros, I don’t see much added value from the new lines apart from the improved graphic display.  Gone are the matte screen (only the glossy ones are available); the portability (the new MacBook Pros are heavier), and most important of all, 20% shorter in terms of battery life.

I’m gald I didn’t hold off in buying mine back in July.  Wondering when the next upgrade will be.