Apple is sure working to perfect their Boot Camp software in time for the launch of Tiger. In fact, they just released an updated version of the software, Boot Camp 1.1.2. For those unaware, Boot Camp is Apple’s beta software which allows you to run Windows on any Intel-based Mac on a separate partition. The latest update brings the following improvements:

• Trackpad scrolling and right-click gestures work correctly
• Fixed idle sleep bugs
• Reduced dialogs during Windows driver installation
• Improved international support
• Improved 802.11 wireless networking support
• The Apple USB Modem now works correctly

Head on over to Apple’s Boot Camp site to try it out, and let us know what you think.

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Gallery: Apple Releases Boot Camp 1.1.2

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Alright Xbox 360 owners, with the launch of the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii around the corner, Microsoft is doing what they can to make the Xbox 360 look just a tad more impressive this holiday season. Tomorrow the Xbox team is releasing the second major dashboard upgrade since the release of the Xbox 360 last year, in the Fall System Update. Some of the more impressive additions are 1080p output for both movies and games, and the ability to stream video (WMV only, though) from any PC running Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect. Here is a list of all the new goods:

Expanded HD Display and Video Playback Options:

• With 1080p resolution, gamers now have the ability to enjoy both game and video content in the best HD resolution currently available.
• Expanded video playback options increase the ways gamers can enjoy video content on Xbox 360. It is now possible to stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect.
• Gamers can now play video files from data CDs and DVDs, as well as from storage devices like USB 2.0 flash drives and Xbox 360 Memory Units.
• Xbox 360 will support 50hz HDTV display modes, providing viewers greater choice in how they watch DVD and HD DVD content.

Xbox Live Arcade Enhancements:

• Keeping up to date on Xbox Live Arcade games is now even more convenient with the ability to automatically download newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games. This eliminates the need to manually search for new downloads on Xbox Live Marketplace each time a new game trial is released.
• Fast enumeration of games: you’ll see the games in your Xbox Live Arcade collection appear almost instantly. Get in and play right away.
• With so many games to choose from, Xbox Live Arcade added new sorting options such as “Recently Played” and “By Category.” These enhancements make managing Xbox Live Arcade collections faster and easier than ever.
• A new expanded Friends Leaderboard within Xbox Live Arcade allows gamers to compare themselves directly against their friends and view leaderboard details of their top 10 friends.
• A new expanded Achievements View within Xbox Live Arcade lets gamers view their full Achievement details for their Xbox Live Arcade games including descriptions, icons, allotted Gamerscore and more, right from the Xbox Live Arcade dashboard interface.
• The “Play Now” launch feature has been streamlined. Selecting “Play Now” after downloading a game in Xbox Live Marketplace now bypasses Xbox Live Arcade and takes you directly to the game.
• Xbox Live Arcade now offers a “Tell a Friend” feature. Select this option from the game info screen to send any friend on your friends list a message telling them about the Xbox Live Arcade game.

XNA Support:

• Amateur game designers will be able to test and play the games they create using XNA Game Studio Express on their Xbox 360 systems when it launches later this year (separate download and subscription required).

Gallery: Xbox 360 Fall Update Hits Tomorrow, Adds 85 New Features

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Verizon Wireless will be introducing “Flash Lite for BREW” technology to its cell phones before the end of the year. Claiming to be the first American company to do so, the Flash-enabled content will available on their Samsung-SCH A950, LG VX9800, Motorola RAZR V3c, and Motorola RAZR V3m models. The Software, developed by Adobe and Qualcomm, can be upgraded automatically over-the-air. To get the Flash Lite ball rolling, Verizon will also carry new Shockwave games, MovieGoer from Zingy, and graphic-rich applications from The Weather Channel. Contact Verizon for details on availability and price.

 

Read More | Postbulletin.com via Adobe

Gallery: Verizon Wireless To Go “Flash Lite for BREW”

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Not quite 2 weeks after the release of IE 7, Firefox 2.0 makes its debut from Mozilla for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. The browser features interface and usability enhancements, session saver, inline spell check, an anti-phishing protection, and tab improvements. System requirements include a Pentium 233 MHz (500 MHz or greater recommended), 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM or greater recommended), and 52 MB hard drive space. A preview release is available online and Mozilla cautions users that previous versions of Firefox extensions, themes, and plug-ins may not behave properly.

 

Read More | Mozilla via UNEASYsilence

Gallery: Mozilla Launches Firefox 2.0

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Apple has just released iTunes 7.0.1, just over two weeks from the time iTunes 7 was released at the It’s Showtime keynote. With all the bugs that have been reported in recent weeks, it’s good to see a quick update out of Cupertino. Here are the iTunes 7.0.1 highlights:

With iTunes 7 and the new iTunes Store, preview and purchase high-quality hit movies plus new and classic games designed exclusively for the Fifth Generation iPod. Flip through your collection by album cover with Cover Flow, protect your iTunes library by backing up to CDs or DVDs, and much more.

iTunes 7.0.1 addresses stability and performance issues with Cover Flow, CD importing, iPod syncing, and more.

Good to see the iPod syncing issues have been addressed, along with Cover Flow. You can all stop emailing us about those now.

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Gallery: Apple Releases iTunes 7.0.1

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Tivo Inc. has announced the release of its TiVo Series 3 Digital Media Recorder. The new Tivo is HD compatible and multiple tuners enable the recording of two different shows simultaneously. Its built-in Ethernet jack and USB ports provide advanced connectivity and easy networking, giving it a simpler accessibility. The TiVo Series 3 is also a THX-certified device. “As more and more digital video recorders get connected to HDTVs, the demand for higher playback quality rises,” said Michael Rudd, chief of AV architecture at THX Ltd. “With THX certification, the integrity of HD content won’t be compromised.”

Other Product Features:

• Schedule from your workplace, on the road, or anywhere else you can access the Internet.
• WishList finds programs by actor, director, keyword or topic.
• Automatically record every episode, even if the network schedule changes.
• Season Pass Recording allows you to skip repeat episodes.

Later this year, TiVo will allow parents to create a pre-approved customized area with KidZone. Future software releases will enable advanced MPEG-4 based download features. The Series 3 will be available at retail stores within the next 60 days, and is already available online.

The bad part? Everyone wants to TiVo, but at an MSRP of $799.99 we’ll keep our old TiVos and VCRs around for another year. Especially when you consider that standard TiVo features like TiVoToGo and Multi-Room Viewing isn’t even available on the new Series 3 just yet. Still, we are sure that won’t stop the early-adopters out there.

Read More | TiVo Series 3 Product Page via engadget

Gallery: TiVo Series 3 HD Digital Media Recorder Released

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In an effort to give back to our viewers, this Byte focuses on a giveaway we are doing. We are giving away a Port Authority Windows Vista rain-proof jacket to the one person who can explain to us why they want it - or need it - the most. Head to the forums to tell us why we should send it to you, and you may walk away with this one. So, get creative, and tell us why you should be chosen as the winner. Whichever response we deem to be the best wins.

Oh, and you must have a United States mailing address to be eligible for this one.

Here's how to get the show:
|Download| - iPod-formatted H.264
|Download| - MPEG-4

Gallery: Bleeding Edge Byte 028: Windows Vista Jacket Giveaway

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On its website, Microsoft reports that “Windows Vista RC1 is available for participants of the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program. Please go to the Customer Preview Program website to register and receive a Product Key, which is required to install and activate the software.”

“Before upgrading from Beta 2 to RC1, please install any Critical Updates from Windows Update for Beta 2. Go to Start, All Programs, Windows Update, and click the “Check for Updates” button.”

The keys for Windows Vista RC1, the first release candidate for Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, were sent out via email to CPP participants. The download is a 2.5 GB ISO and Microsoft servers seem to be holding up well, as we am currently downloading at around 600 kb/s.

Here are the download links:

English: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/en/download.htm
German: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/de/download.htm
Japanese: http://download.windowsvista.com/preview/rc1/jp/download.htm

If you are not part of the CPP, don’t worry. Registrations will open in the coming weeks. The release candidate expires June 1, 2007.

Read More | Microsoft Vista

Gallery: Windows Vista RC1 Available to the Public

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Despite rumors and speculation from testers of Windows Vista Beta 2 that the operating system was woefully incomplete, Microsoft has pulled through and released the first release candidate (RC1) earlier today. Windows Vista is the next-generation Microsoft OS meant to replace Windows XP, adding new features and eye-candy. Microsoft’s Jim Allchin posted an announcement concerning the release, but it is only availible to TechBeta or TAP participants. There is no word yet on the stability, usability, or new features in this release but it is probably safe to assume that the OS is considerably less problematic than the previous build. So, if you are a tester, hurry on up to download the file.

Read More | Windows Vista Team Blog

Gallery: Windows Vista RC1 Released

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Mozilla has finally launched its Firefox 2 Beta 2. According to ITT Business: “Firefox 2.0 will focus on four priority areas, according to Mozilla. These include search bar, icon polish, tab strip and buttons in textboxes. To date, Mozilla has already released a beta version of Firefox 2.0, which does not include Radiant Core’s theme changes.”

Another beta is scheduled in September before the launch of Firefox 2 final in October. That version will incorporate Radiant Core’s changes. Firefox 2 Beta 2 RC2 (Release Candidate 2) is now available in all languages on the Mozilla FTP Server.

Here’s the English (United States) download link:
http://releases.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0b2/win32/en-US/

Could this mean the end of IE? Maybe not, but it looks like there is going to be some serious competition.

Read More | Suite 101 via Firefox 2 Beta 2 download

Gallery: Firefox 2 Beta 2 Released

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