Apple recently announced a second pre-release build to its upcoming Mac OS X 10.5.4 Update. Labeled 9E12, the new build will carry various code corrections that will fix the notorious bug which tends to leave some Macs hanging upon shutdown, as noted in previously released updates. Find out what other details the new update will include in our full article after the jump.

Those running Apple iLife might want to know that the iLife 8.2 Support update is now available. This new patch addresses some stability issues and adds in a few bugfixes. In case you want to find out more, head on over to the full article.

Download: iLife 8.2 Support Update

We all knew that Apple is planning to release iLife before October but what we didn't expect is for it to be  officially unveiled this early. In fact, the Cupertino-based company came up with a press release the other day, officially announcing the new build for suite of digital lifestyle applications to the world.

"Apple has taken iLife '08 to a new level that is years ahead of anything available for the PC. We think iLife '08 gives Mac users even more reasons to love their Macs, and PC users even more reasons to switch," commented Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The following are the general changes applied to the program:

• iPhoto 08 automatically groups all photos into Events, each containing a day's worth of photos represented by a single picture
• iMovie '08 can import video from the latest AVCHD, HDV and DV camcorders, as well as from digital cameras, and displays a user's entire video library whether it’s stored on internal or external drives
• .Mac Web Gallery is fully integrated with iPhoto '08 and iMovie '08, letting users share their photos and movies on the web with just a few clicks.
• iWeb '08 offers new features to make websites more interactive by adding live web widgets such as Google Maps, targeted ads using Google AdSense and photos or movies from .Mac Web Galleries
• GarageBand '08 offers powerful new features for more advanced musicians, including multi-take recording to capture the best performance, arrangements to cut, copy and paste intros, verses and choruses, and support for 24-bit audio interfaces

iLife is currently on sale for suggested retail price of US$ 79 through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores, and Apple authorized resellers. If you want to know more about the latest version, click on our Read link below. It should take you to Apple's dedicated page for iLife 08.

Rumors have it that the new version of iLife has reached the Golden Master phase in terms of development and is ready for public release before Leopard's launch this coming October.

Actually, the release window is quite vague as sources mentioned that the company could release it by summer or even earlier. It was also said that the new version of iLife will both support Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) and Leopard (10.5) operating system.

Despite that, it is still unclear what improvements and additions have been added to the software. Another valid point of discussion is whether Apple will release it under the name "iLife 07" or "iLife 08" since it's already the middle of the year.

More importantly, we have to remember that the final version of Leopard is still not yet finished. If Apple will indeed release iLife earlier than October, then there is a high possibility that consumers will need to perform an upgrade to make the operating system compatible with the application.

As always, we will be watching this one closely and inform you on any further developments.

 

AppleInsider reports that Apple's MacBook consumer notebooks have just been given an upgrade. According to Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, the new MacBook is faster and has more memory and storage than ever before thanks to faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory and larger hard drives in all the MacBook models.

If you're worried about size, don't be. The new MacBooks are still just an inch thick. They also feature built-in 802.11n wireless networking which allows for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g. The new line also includes a built-in iSight camera, an Apple SafeMag Power Adapter and iLife '06. For more details on the new MacBooks' specs, click on the "via" link below.

If you're looking to get one for yourself, all three MacBook models are already available. At a suggested retail price (SRP) of US$ 1,099, the 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook is the cheapest of the bunch. The 2.16 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook has an SRP of US$1,299 while the 2.16 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook has a suggested price tag of US$ 1,499.

Click the Read link below to see the full specs of the new MacBook models.

 

According to MacRumors, Apple is building a stand-alone iWeb Pro application that will fit snug into the iLife software suite to enable small and medium enterprises to publish web content with ease.

For starters, the rumored product is a supposedly higher-end version of its predecessor. One can speculate that if it's integrated in iLife, it should be able to give users an easier time with multimedia content.

The details on the iWeb Pro buzz are still scarce. Will it be revealed in time for the Leopard's release? What new features does it carry? For now, we can only speculate. We'll give you a heads-up as soon as new word is forthcoming.

Iljitsch van Beijnum, an avid fan of Apple products, wrote an opinion piece for Infinite Loop journal on Ars Technica which delved into why the next major OS X release's delay shouldn't be taken so lightly. Just last week, the official word on OS X 10.5, codenamed "Leopard," was to be delayed all the way until October 2007.

 

Despite Apple's consistent drive for a "spring release," Leopard won't make an appearance until fall of 2007. This proves that the speculation of the Mac OS revelation at the 2007 WWDC does signify that it's already in its polishing stages.

But Beijnum's concern isn't about its delay - he is far more concerned about the detrimental effects of the delay could do in relation to what Leopard could offer and what the current marketing strategy that accompanies the product. For the most part, the OS - as he says - comes with a feature set much needed by the Mac user community. iLife and iWork are claimed to be coming in Leopard-only versions.

Apple used to be the secretive product shipper: always being able to keep everything safely tucked in their closet until the big release date. This has always allowed Apple to slap giants like Sony and Microsoft with their new product releases. That character has been struggling to retain itself recently, with information leaks left and right before a product could even be put to production.

Unfortunately, the Mac community isn't such a forgiving crowd. There are those that don't even see a need for Leopard, and could care less about the release delays for 10.5. Tiger, according to them, is a safer bet to stay with instead of having to stave off months from purchasing a new Macbook.

It is possible that Leopard could be a disappointment to many once it releases, due to lack of HD support and hardware resolution independent support. Who, after all, is to say otherwise? Demonstrations are only slated for WWDC attendee eyes and most screenshots have either been debunked or unsatisfactorily rumored to many OS X users. So is the delay of Leopard really much of a big deal? Feel free to discuss.

 

Last February, we reported that Wilkes University in Pennsylvania dumped the PC in exchange for Macs. The project, at that time, was expected to cost US$ 1.4 million. Now, Wilkes is speaking out about the switch. Over at Wired, Wilkes' Scott Byers, vice president for finance and general counsel, explained the switch, and what reaction it elicited from students and staff.

Apparently, the staff and students didn't resist the switch to the Mac. He further explained that this generation of students has a great affinity for the Apple brand. The institution has a lot of reasons to switch to the Mac aside from saving money. Byers mentioned that the switch brought about these advantages:

• Allowed the user to choose the desired operating system
• Offered the potential to enhance teaching and learning using Apple’s iLife software
• Created a standard base that our IT department could work with consistently rather than Dells, Gateways, HP and Apples
• Reduced the number of units necessary for campus and the number of units requiring potential service and replacement.

They are also anticipating more campus community support to provide training on the educational benefits of the Apple software. He also expects that a lot of universities and schools would be switching to the Mac since "the switcher approach allows campuses to access both platforms from one unit. Again, I would pose the question why wouldn’t a campus make the switch?"

The time we heard from the rumor mill was about Apple's new 50 inch display line. Here's another interesting rumor - rather speculation about Apple's plans for its displays.

Steven Johnson (author of The Ghost Map and Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter) cites a particular rumor regarding the next Logic which is reportedly designed to kill Pro Tools. The new application would apparently "work with a new line of touch sensitive Apple displays". Johnson notes that that rumor might explain why there are secret Leopard features, no updates on iLife last January, the announcement of iPhone's multi touch interface, the long delay of new Apple displays, and the new application that would rely on touch screens.

Well, what do you guys think? Hopefully, we'll hear from Apple soon enough.

Word from Apple Recon is that come February 20, Apple will be holding a special introduction event for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), iLife '07 and iWork '07. Updated Mac Pros - which will be available immediately with a free upgrade to 10.5 when it ships - will also be in the spotlight during the rumored event.

Apple Recon also says that it is likely that the often-speculated-about March 24 release date for Leopard will also be announced during the event. Says Apple recon:

There is some speculation that we may see a week earlier or later for this event, depending on the status of Leopard, but this is the most likely date which is being planned (by this time, Leopard’s new interface will be complete and the OS will be finishing up testing). What better way to demo Leopard than with a brand new 8-core Mac Pro?

Keep checking back here on the QJ Apple blog for more updates. We'll be keeping an eye on this to keep you guys abreast of the latest Apple news.