Apple Seeds Third Build of Mac OS X 10.6.3

Apple released another build of Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers. The release is notable as the build number differs once again by only one numeric digit. Build 10D573 weighs in at 790MB for the combo update and 725MB for the delta.

10D573 contains one known issue and continues to advise developers to focus on new areas of the operating system.

Seed notes below.

Included in this update

• Performance improvements for 64-bit Logic
• Addresses compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
• Includes changes to QuickTime X that increase reliability, improve compatibility and address security
• Improves printing reliability and compatibility with 3rd party printers
• Addresses an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail when scrolling
• Resolves an issue that prevented files with the # or & in their names from opening in Rosetta
• Resolves an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows shares
• Resolves an issue that caused machines using BTMM and the Bonjour Sleep Proxy to wake unexpectedly
• Resolves an issue with recurring events in iCal when connected to an Exchange server

Known Issues

• Safari 4.0.5 will be reoffered by Software Update after upgrading to 10D573 from a previous seed

Focus Areas

• GraphicsDrivers
• Images & Photos
• Mail
• QuickTime
• Security Certificates

Apple Invites Developers to Submit iPad Apps

Apple has officially invited developers to begin submitting apps specifically designed for the iPad to the App Store for approval. In an email Apple informed iPad app developers that submissions are now being taken for the inclusion of apps on the grand opening of the iPad App Store on April 3rd.

iPad will begin shipping soon and your opportunity to be part of the grand opening of the iPad App Store starts today. Submit your iPad app now for an initial review by the App Review Team and receive feedback on its readiness for the grand opening.
Submit Your App by March 27.
- Build and test your iPad app using iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 available on the iPhone Dev Center. Only iPad apps built with iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 will be accepted for this initial review.
- Upload your distribution signed app through iTunes Connect by Saturday, March 27, 5pm PDT.
- The App Review Team will review your app on iPad and email you details about the readiness of your app.
- You will also receive additional information about submitting your app for final review before iPad ships.
- Only apps submitted for the initial review will be considered for the grand opening of the iPad App Store.

In related news it is now possible to gift apps from the App Store to other people. Those using the iTunes Store today were asked to accept new terms and conditions that outlined the ability to gift apps.

The “Gifts” section of the iTunes Store Terms of Sale has been changed to clarify that Gifts may not be used for in-app purchases, upgrades, or the iPod Touch OS, to explain that some gifts require compatible hardware and parental control settings so they can be redeemed, and to notify you that, while gifts are non-refundable, this is without prejudice to your statutory rights to a refund in the event that a gift is faulty or has been misdescribed.
A new “Gifts” section has been added to the App Store T&C explaining the conditions under which Apps can be gifted, including an explanation that Gifts may not be used for in-app purchases, upgrades or the iPod Touch OS, and to explain that some gifts require compatible hardware and parental control settings so that they can be redeemed, and to notify you that, while gifts are non-refundable, this is without prejudice to your statutory rights to a refund in the event that a gift is faulty or has been misdescribed.

IE9, standards, and why Acid3 isn’t the priority

Microsoft’s development direction of Internet Explorer 9 is unambiguous: implementing HTML5 Web standards is the name of the game, with the intent of letting developers use the "same markup" to work everywhere. As IE General Manager Dean Hachamovitch said at MIX10 this week, "We love HTML5 so much we actually want it to work."

Read More...

Apple’s iPad secrecy leaves many developers handicapped

An elite group of software developers afforded early access to the iPad must provide photographic evidence that they’ve complied with a stringent set of requirements before Apple hands one over, but for everyone else, authoring software for the upcoming device can prove to be a shot in the dark.

That’s according to BusinessWeek, which is the latest publication to serve up a profile on the secrecy that surrounds Apple’s products, even those that have been announced and stand just weeks away from making their way into the hands of its customers. The iPad is a classic example.

According to the report, the select few developers who’ve seen their requests for an iPad granted must swear to harbor the pre-production units by locking them to an immovable object in an isolated room where all of its windows are completely blacked-out. They must then sign and submit a more than 10-page non-disclosure agreement along with photographic evidence that they’ve met all the provisions set forth in the document, which include the secret room.

The lengths these developers must go to may seem extreme, but they come with their share of rewards, namely a competitive edge over thousands of their peers who’ve pleaded with Cupertino-based electronics maker for similar access to test their upcoming applications on the actual device to no avail.

For instance, Evernote, which authors software that helps users organize, store and search through their documents, was amongst those turned down by Apple for an iPad prototype to test their upcoming application for the device. As such, its development team created a cardboard mockup of the iPad to help it make an educated guess at certain aspects of the iPad, like knowing where a user’s thumbs will naturally rest and how the device’s multi-touch screen responds to certain real-life gestures.

It’s nuances like those that can’t be evaluated with precision using Apple’s iPhone Software Developers Kit, which is still arguably one of the most complete and cutting-edge development environments offered by a modern day high-tech firm. It bundles a simulator for Macs that displays applications in windows that mimic the displays screens of iPhones, iPods and iPads, substituting a mouse cursor for the user’s finger.

Also denied an early crack at the iPad were movie-viewing app maker Flixter and game maker Digital Chocolate, which is run by Trip Hawkins, a former marketing lead at Apple who left to start gaming powerhouse Electronics Arts. "We asked for the iPad many times and got nowhere," he said.

That raises the question as to which developers have actually seen their requests for an iPad met by Apple. BusinessWeek offers no answers to this end, but cites a chief executive of a company that manages relationships with third-party developers as suggesting the company is choosing top software publishers who may have otherwise been hesitant to embrace the App Store ecosystem.

Apple Updates iWork.Com Beta, Adds iPad Tweaks

Apple has quietly rolled out a series of updates to its iWork.com beta. The updates add new sharing features, and changes to the interface to improve iPad and iPhone usability.

• Share documents on websites and social networks. iWork.com allows you to share a document by creating a public link. Use the link to share your document with large groups or on websites and social networks. There’s no need to set a password or send an invitation. Anyone with the public link can view your document but cannot add comments or notes.
• Improved Shared Documents page. Download documents shared on iWork.com without leaving the Shared Documents page. You can also track the number of views your publicly shared documents receive.
• Refined user interface. A redesigned Sign In and Shared Documents page for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch makes it easy to access your documents while on the go. The new interface and improved scrolling help you find your shared documents faster. Visit www.iwork.com from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to view your shared documents.

iWork.com was released as a public beta at Macworld ‘09 and provides a method of sharing uploaded documents via the web. iWork.com allows commenting on documents and downloading in a multiple of formats such as PDF and Microsoft office formats.

Apple Looking to Ensure Supply of Flash Memory

DigiTimes reported that NAND flash memory manufacturers have been caught in a tight situation. Apple may be moving to secure long-term supply contracts to ensure they have all they need for iPods, iPhones, and iPads.

The demand for flash memory has been steady, but manufacturers haven’t invested in new capacity because keeping the supply limited enables them to keep prices up. But, "some NAND flash controller suppliers have indicated that their supply may not be able to satisfy customer demand in the second quarter." A shortage of flash memory could be disastrous as Apple hopes to push millions of iPads and, hopefully, a refresh of the iPhone.

In November 2005, Apple signed long-term deals with flash memory suppliers that included prepaying up to $1.25 billion in three months to ensure a steady supply through 2010. But since then, they have launched the iPhone and now the iPad. Apple’s demand is a significant chunk of the NAND flash memory market, and "sources said Apple may start negotiating long-term supply contracts with its chip partners in the second quarter."

Samsung Electronics is said to continue favoring profitability over shipment volume, meaning they may choose not to be part of Apple’s new deal as they were in 2005. Some manufacturer will see the potential and bite the expansion bullet, though. The opportunity is too great to ignore.

Apple asks developers to test fonts in latest Mac OS X 10.6.3 beta

Apple on Tuesday afternoon pushed out another private beta of Mac OS X 10.6.3, asking its developer community to test font compatibility and stability alongside a handful of other components that have been in need of evaluation for the past several weeks.

Those other components include iCal, QuickTime and graphics drivers, according to people familiar with the beta software. The last private beta, distributed March 5th and labeled build 10D567, also listed those components as focus areas, in addition to Rosetta and third party printer drivers.

When it’s released later this month, Mac OS X 10.6.3 will bundle an update to QuickTime X that improves security and compatibility while also enhancing overall reliability of the media software.

The Snow Leopard update will also include tweaks that enhance the performance of Apple’s 64-bit Logic pro audio suite and deliver better compatibility with third-party printers and OpenGL-grounded applications.

Other fixes baked into the release target issues with mail messages displaying the incorrect background color and problems copying files to a shared Windows volume.

The latest beta carries build number 10D571 and weighs in around 700MB.

Web Based Microsoft Office 2010 Soon To Be Launched

A new productivity suite of Microsoft windows is soon to be fully launched for everyone who uses computers, it will be a successor of Microsoft Office 2007. Yes, it is Microsoft Office 2010 and this time it will be free to use and a web based application. Microsoft has somehow assured that Office 2010 will be released around mid of year 2010. Beta version of this app is available to users since November 2009 and many unofficial beta versions have been leaked since July 2009.

Read More...