Apple on Monday released iTunes 9.0.3 [90.82MB], which provides a number of important bug fixes, including:

• iTunes no longer ignores your "Remember password for purchases" setting. 


• Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod. 


• Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected. 


• Addresses issues that affect stability and performance.

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Apple this week released a firmware update for its 2007 Apple Wireless Keyboard. Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1 is a 1.52MB file available for download from Apple.

The update applies to when the device is used in combination with other Bluetooth devices, such as the Magic Mouse or some Bluetooth headsets. It also addresses an issue with both the 2007 aluminum wireless and wired keyboards where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing.

The update requires users to run Mac OS X 10.6.2 or Mac OS X 10.5.8. It will update the firmware version of the wireless keyboard to 321, and the wired keyboard to 0.69.

Rockstar Games' critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars was released Monday for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game, originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, has a number of improvements, including multi-touch controls, adjusted difficulty levels, and enhanced presentation with 480x320 pixel resolution graphics. Users can also access Independence Radio, a new station that allows use of custom iTunes playlists.

Chinatown Wars costs $9.99 (iTunes link) and is available for gamers ages 17 and up. The title is a 188MB download.



Rockstar first announced the port of the mobile game last August. The title was originally expected to arrive that fall. It is the latest in the long-running successful GTA series.

Chinatown Wars was one of the best-reviewed games for Nintendo's mobile device. After lackluster sales following the title's debut, Rockstar also announced its intentions to port the title to the Sony PlayStation Portable.

The client and server side software for Apple's Remote Desktop was updated to version 3.3.2 this week. The update is recommended for all Remote Desktop users. It addresses several issues related to overall reliability, usability and compatibility.

Apple Remote Desktop 3.3.2 Admin is a 51.41MB update available from Apple. Its counterpart, Remote Desktop 3.3.2 Client, weighs in at 4.21MB.

Specific improvements include:

• Improved handling of IP address and port changes for clients accessed behind a Network Address Translation (NAT) system
  
  
• Improved reliability when authenticating new client computers
  
  
• MacBook Air MAC address is now correctly reported
  
  
• Improved reliability of reporting systems configured with AirPort
  
  
• Improved mouse cursor tracking when controlling remote systems
  
  
• Improved reliability for drag-and-drop file copy
  
  
• Improved reliability when controlling client computers that have two displays

For a full list, visit Apple's support page for Remote Desktop 3.3.2.

Facebook this week issued two updates for its native iPhone App Store application. Version 3.1, released Wednesday, added push notifications for seven different categories, and included address book syncing. Thursday, a small update was issued in version 3.1.1, which includes bug fixes in address book syncing.

Push notifications can now be received for new messages, wall posts, friend requests, friend confirmations, photo tags, events and comments.

Version 3.0 of the popular Facebook application was released in August. It allows users to see upcoming events and friends' birthdays, post updates and photos, write notes and read friends' notes, upload videos from an iPhone 3GS, change their profile picture, zoom into photos, access the same news feed as the Web site, and more.

Vodafone U.K. customers will be able to buy the iPhone starting Jan. 14, 2010, the wireless provider announced Monday. The handset will be available with plans starting at £30 per month on a two-year contract.

"We started preparing our network over a year ago so that iPhone customers will really feel the advantage of being with Vodafone," said Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK. "We will offer an outstanding iPhone experience wherever our customers live, work and travel, delivering speed and reliability – something our customers have told us they really value."

The iPhone 3G will be free to customers who opt for the £35 post paid plan on a 24-month contract. The 16GB iPhone 3GS can also be had free for customers willing to pay £45 per month, on the plan that offers 1,200 minutes. Customers who opt for that two-year contract can also get a 32GB iPhone 3GS for £89. Data use on all plans is restricted to 1GB per month.

Prices include tariffs. For more information, visit vodafone.co.uk/iphone.

Apple this week released new printer drivers for Lexmark and Epson hardware on Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Lexmark Printer Drivers v2.2 is a 121MB download for Snow Leopard, while Epson Printer Drivers V2.2 weigh in at 546MB. Both are available via Software Update or for download direct from Apple.

An extensive list of compatible printers, scanners and faxes with Snow Leopard area available on Apple's support page. With Apple's latest operating system, Software Update will automatically provdid third-party printer software and updates. It also includes a list of available printers inside the printer dialog box with the "Nearby Printers" feature.

Users can also connect a USB printer and the print queue will automatically be created. PDF documents can also be created from any application, and have an automated workflow process it.

When an American woman recently traveled to Jerusalem, she was allegedly questioned by border security guards about content on her MacBook. Lily Sussman said her computer was confiscated, and returned to her with three bullet holes in it.

She documented the experience and provided photos on her personal blog. Although the MacBook was completely destroyed, Sussman said she was able to remove her hard drive in-tact and retrieve all of her personal data.

She said she was provided with a form that included phone numbers and addresses of Israeli government officials that might help her get a replacement for her destroyed laptop. Officials she reached said she could expect compensation deliverable only to an Israeli bank account within a month.

In a move to update the design and feel of the App Store's individual app pages in iTunes, Apple has made several key changes to the pages which are aimed at allowing for easier, more intuitive access.

Taking center stage in the new design are the app's icon and screenshots which are larger and more visible upon first glance. The app description has been shortened to take two lines by default and may be expanded to access the full description text.

The roll-out has been staggered over the course of Friday night so some pages have the new look and some will retain the old until updated.