Apple began notifying iTunes LP customers Friday morning that purchases made before the Apple TV 3.0 update can now be updated to allow compatibility with the latest software. Users can now view their iTunes LP content on their television set via Apple TV.

"With the latest versions of iTunes (9.0.2) and Apple TV software (3.0), you can now use iTunes LP on your Apple TV," the e-mail sent by Apple reads. "We have updated the iTunes LP that was included with (your purchase) so that it can now be viewed on Apple TV in addition to your Mac or PC. It is available for you to download now, free of charge."

The updated content can be downloaded via a link included in the e-mail, and synced to the Apple TV.



Last week, Apple updated its set-top box software to version 3.0 with a redesigned interface. The new version allows users to watch iTunes Extras and iTunes LP content in fullscreen with their Apple TV, as well as listen to Genius Mixes and Internet radio through their home theater system.

While recent rumors have focused on Apple's long-rumored tablet device as a newspaper and book reader, columnist Walt Mossberg said he wouldn't expect a potential device to focus on only one function.

In his latest Q&A column, Mossberg, who writes for The Wall Street Journal, addressed a reader's query about a potential competitor Amazon Kindle competitor from Apple. He responded by saying he has no reason to believe Apple is making a dedicated e-book reader, nor does he have any evidence that the rumored 10-inch, touchscreen device would serve primarily as an e-book reader.

"The iPhone and iPod Touch already can run a free Kindle app from Amazon that allows you to read Kindle e-books on those devices without needing to own a Kindle itself," he said. "And Barnes & Noble, which has also announced a dedicated e-reader, has a similar iPhone app. So I assume that any general-purpose Apple tablet would likely be able to run such an app as well and function as an e-reader—along with performing other tasks."

He went on to say that it's possible Apple could enter the e-book business, but he has "zero hard evidence" to suggest it will actually happen.

Apple this week released version 1.6.1 of Waveburner, its professional application included with Logic Studio for assembling, mastering and burning audio CDs. The download, available from Apple, is 88.48MB. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later.

The update reportedly addresses a number of stability issues and provides fixes. With the new version, mastering notes are now properly saved to disk and Waveform display in the Mix Lane renders more consistently. The update is recommended for all users of Waveburner 1.6. Other fixes, according to Apple, include:

• WaveBurner no longer quits unexpectedly if Auto Render is running when a disc is burned.
  
  
• Changes to settings in AudioUnit plug-ins are now reliably maintained.
  
  
• It is now possible to enter a 12-digit UPC/EAN code.
  
  
• WaveBurner no longer sometimes quits unexpectedly if "Revert to saved" is used while a project is rendering.
  
  
• Changes to automation curves edited during playback are now immediately audible.
  
  
• The checkbox for the option to Save Rendering Data in the WaveBurner preferences is now accessible.
  
  
• WaveBurner now reliably adapts the GUI accurately for AudioUnit plug-ins that support resizing.
  
  
• Automation now reliably remains in sync with audio when projects are bounced or burned.
  
  
• Exported DDP images now include the UPC/EAN code.

U.K. wireless operator Orange announced its pricing for Apple's iPhone Monday, and the handset will cost essentially the same as it does on rival carrier O2 when it debuts on Nov. 10. With a new contract, Orange customers can get a 16GB iPhone 3GS for £184.50 with a service cost of £29.36 per month, for 18 months.

The entry-level 8GB iPhone 3G can be obtained for free with a £29.36 monthly plan for two years, while a commitment of £122.34 can get a free 32GB iPhone 3GS for two years. The plans offer advertised "unlimited Internet browsing," with an asterisk stating that the company's fair usage policy of 750MB per month applies.

Orange also offers pay-as-you-go plans where the handset can be purchased for an unsubsidized price. Without a contract, the 8GB iPhone 3G costs £343, while the 32GB iPhone 3GS is £539. Pay-as-you-go offers mobile Internet browsing with a 250MB cap.

Apple this week released updates for its Pro line of Final Cut Studio Applications, as well as a new version of Server Diagnostics.

Weighing in at 243.23MB, Pro Applications Update 2009-01 is a revision to the 2009 release of Final Cut Studio. It includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1, Color 1.5.1, and Compressor 3.5.1. Apple said the update addresses general compatibility issues, improves stability, and addresses a number of minor issues. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 and QuickTime 7.6.2 or later, and can be downloaded direct from Apple.

Apple Server Diagnostics 3X106 tests Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server for hardware issues. It is compatible with Apple's latest server operating system on the early 2009 and early 2008 Xserve machines, as well as the early 2009 Mac mini. The 20.20MB application is a replacement for Apple Server Diagnostics 3X104 and can be downloaded from Apple.

Among all of the new hardware debuts Tuesday, Apple also quietly updated its wireless keyboard with a more energy-efficient model. The latest iteration of the Bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard requires two AA batteries, down one from the previous model.

"And its intelligent power management system conserves battery life," Apple said. "So when you’re not using it, the keyboard automatically powers down. The instant you start typing, your keyboard turns on."

The new hardware requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer, Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later with the Aluminum Keyboard Software Update 2.0, and an existing keyboard and mouse for initial setup. It comes with two AA batteries and costs $69.



The new keyboard was first revealed in filings with the Federal Communications Commission earlier this month. It was approved at the same time as Apple's new Magic Mouse.

The official iPhone and iPod touch application for Wolfram Alpha, an answer engine from Wolfram Research, debuted on the App Store Monday with a $50 price tag. The math-oriented company's extensive search offers the ability to comb through curated, structured data, and aims to eventually "compute whatever can be computed about anything."

The application allows users to get expert answers to freeform questions, complete with visualizations, tables, and a wide range of data and information.

"Drawing on 20+ years of development, 50,000+ built-in algorithms, and 10+ trillion pieces of continually updated and curated data, the Wolfram|Alpha app is the ultimate replacement for almost any kind of calculator or reference book—and much more," the company said."

The application, built with the Wolfram Alpha API, features a native iPhone interface with a special notation keyboard, customized iPhone output, editable history, and integration with iPhone services such as maps.

Parallels confirmed Friday that a new version of their virtualization software for Mac OS X is in the works. Specific details on Parallels Desktop for Mac 5.0 are said to be forthcoming.

"Our relentless drive to delight customers fuels our ongoing effort to deliver innovative solutions to our customers, as can be seen in our award winning Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac and our more recently delivered Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition," said Stefan Prestele, senior director of Consumer Marketing for Parallels. "We haven’t stood still since the release of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac and are committed to delivering additional innovations in our upcoming releases."

In August, Parallels released a new bundle that aims to ease the switch from PC to Mac. Parallels Desktop Switch to a Mac Edition allows users to bring their files and familiar applications from a Microsoft Windows-based PC. It relies on the Parallels Desktop 4.0 software to give users the ability to run their PC applications within OS X without running Boot Camp. It is available for $99.99 direct from Parallels.



Earlier this month, competitor VMWare announced Fusion 3, with more than 50 new features.

This week Apple released an update for Intel-based systems running Mac OS X versions 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Performance Update 1.0 is available direct from Apple for Snow Leopard and Leopard. It can also be downloaded via Software Update.

According to Apple's support page, the update "addresses intermittent hard drive related pauses reported by a small number of customers." It requires Mac OS X 10.6.1 or Mac OS X 10.5.8.

The products affected include: MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Air (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), iMac (24-inch, Early 2009), iMac (20-inch, Early 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)

Originally scheduled to expire Tuesday, support for Office 2004 for Mac has been extended to Jan. 10, 2012, Microsoft's Mac Team announced. While most customers have moved on to Office 2008 for Mac, the latest version does not offer support for Visual Basic for Applications, meaning some users have stuck with the predecessor. As a result, Microsoft has decided to extend its "Mainstream Support" date to accommodate those customers.

"The date has been extended to 2012 specifically to ensure continuous cross-platform compatibility for Office 2004 customers reliant on VBA until support for VBA is released in the next version of Office for Mac," said Mike Tedesco, senior product manager with the Mac Business Unit at Microsoft. "This extension does not change the 5-year support policy for other Office for Mac products, including future versions. Nor does it affect any other Microsoft products, including Office on the Windows platform. With the additional support, we will continue delivering all the types of support associated with Mainstream Support, including security updates and non-security bug fixes."

When it ships late next year, Office 2010 for Mac will have support for VBA. The new version will mark the return of Outlook with a new version written from the ground up in Cocoa for the Mac platform.