A new Windows-only release of QuickTime was issued by Apple this week. Version 7.6.5 is a 30.99MB file available for download. It requires Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.

The minor update addresses a couple of issues: It fixes a problem where applications did not reliably load libraries required by QuickTime at startup, and it patches an error where movies embedded in a Web page were not properly displayed using custom scale attributes.

QuickTime 6 Pro users should know that installing QuickTime 7 or later will disable the "pro" functionality in previous versions. Those upgrading from version 6 will need to purchase a QuickTime 7 Pro registration code.

Friday, Apple released a firmware update for its latest iteration of the nano, aimed at fixing audiobook playback, Genius mixes with Nike + iPod Sport, accessibility settings for Mono Audio, and skipping of VoiceOver menu items when using headphone + and - volume buttons. This update can be downloaded through iTunes.

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.

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.

Apple this week released an incremental update to its Logic Pro suite. Version 9.0.2 is said to improve overall stability and provide numerous fixes and enhancements. The 183MB download is available direct from Apple or via Software Update. According to Apple, addressed issues include:

• Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes
  
  
• Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly
  
  
• The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency measurement
  
  
• TDM plug-ins now behave as expected. (Only affects users with Pro Tools HD audio hardware.)

Logic Pro 9.0.1 was released in September. The latest update requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later.

A marathon runner was disqualified from her victory after it was discovered she listened to music on her iPod for a portion of the race. According to the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, 27-year-old Jennifer Goebel was stripped of her victory time of just over three hours. She said she believes it was unfair.

"If they're going to disqualify me for having an iPod they should disqualify everyone who had one," Goebel said. "It's just a little ridiculous. I went there to have a fun race with my friends."

The race apparently had its share of problems: The first declared winner, 23-year-old Cassie Peller, had her run disqualified after it was revealed she accepted a water bottle from a friend outside the official water stations.

The Lakefront Marathon is the Wisconsin USA Track and Field marathon championship. USATF championship rules do not allow the use of electronic devices, though the rule was reportedly relaxed last year, giving individual events the opportunity to decide their stance on the rule.

Goebel said she put on her iPod in the latter part of the race to give her a boost.

"If you're bored, it pumps you up a little bit," she said. "Sometimes, on a long training run, I'll bring it along for the last half hour. When I run marathons sometimes I carry it and never put it on."

Apple on Friday announced it has updated its subscription MobileMe service with a new public folder page that will ease visitors' accessing and editing of files. The new service update has added public folder pages to iDisk, available at http://public.me.com/membername. The page matches the look of me.com and supports drag and drop files between folders, when enabled.

With the new feature, visitors can upload, move and delete files in the public folder. Permissions canb e set through me.com/idisk. At that page, users can also set a public folder password. Use of the generic username "public" is no longer required.

Other new features in MobileMe, according to Apple, include:

iDisk

• Adds ability to connect to another member's Public folder while viewing your own iDisk at me.com.

Find My iPhone

• Adds Find My iPHone icon to the MobileMe toolbar at me.com
  
  
• Adds new URL to go directly to Find My iPhone: http://www.me.com/findmyiphone

Contacts

• Resolves an issue where exporting multiple contacts may result in an incomplete set of contacts.

Apple this week released firmware version 1.1 for RAID cards. The 25.9MB file is recommended for all early 2009 Mac Pro and Xserve systems that utilize the company's RAID card. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 and can be downloaded direct from Apple.

The update, according to Apple, provides several fixes, including:

• Reliability improvements during boot and power fail recovery
  
  
• Improves handling of hard drives with bad blocks
  
  
• Improves RAID 1 read performance
  
  
• Improves hard drive compatibility with non-Apple drives
  
  
• Improves support for systems with 48GB or larger memory
  
  
• Improves battery handling and reporting

The software will update card firmware versions E-1.2.2.4, E-1.2.2.6 and E-1.2.7.0 to E-1.3.2.0. RAID card firmware versions that begin with M do not need this update. Users can determine their version by checking Apple's Mac Pro and Xserve RAID Card identification pages.