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MacRumors is reporting that it is highly probable Apple will use Core i7 mobile processors in MacBooks and MacBook Pros by Q4 2009. The new 32nm Arrandale Core i7s will still be dual core, but able to process 4 threads—saving more power thanks to the smaller fabrication process plus optimised processor features.

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Yesterday, Apple introduced a new feature to MobileMe: sharing large files with others through an iDisk. The service works like any regular file sharing website such as RapidShare, but instead of uploading a file, you simply use a file that’s already in your iDisk. MobileMe assigns a URL to the file in your iDisk and you can send the link in an e-mail through MobileMe. There are some useful options in this new feature, such as adding a password to secure the file, and adding an expiration date.

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Piracy is almost an unavoidable issue for PC and Mac developers, but even the App Store’s closed and protected environment hasn’t stopped hackers from “cracking” iPhone apps. Last week, Hackulous introduced Crackulous—a tool that makes it easier for iPhone apps to be cracked. Kali Anti-Piracy from Ripdev is a new service offering protection for iPhone developers worried about their apps being pirated.

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QuickTime Pro has long been Apple’s paid upgrade to the QuickTime media player software, unlocking some minor features in the software such as video encoding, iSight / mic recording, and the ability to save videos from the Internet. It currently costs $29.99 for either the Windows or Mac version. The latest seeds of of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard are suggesting that Apple may in fact be eliminating the QuickTime Pro upgrade entirely

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AppleInsider reports that new MacBook and MacBook Pro models have been spotted by their sources, reassuring the fact that updates to the MacBook line are imminent. The upcoming MacBooks are said to have the same screen sizes as the current ones: 13, 15 and 17 inches. They apparently share a similar aluminium design—“as if they were members of the same product family”—unlike the current MacBooks and MacBook Pros, which have distinctive looks.

As previously stated, the new designs are described as a combination of the 13-inch MacBook Air from January this year and the iMacs that were released summer 2007. Back in April, AppleInsider reported that the edges of the new MacBook line would be trimmed and tapered, and instances of a black material would be used to contrast the aluminium. The FireWire 400 port and the 28-pin DVI-I port have said to have been removed from the MacBook Pro, and replaced with a smaller FireWire 800 port and a mini-DVI port.

Read [AppleInsider] Via [MacRumors]

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Rumor has it that new MacBooks are expedcted to be unveiled on October 14th (yes, that’s an Apple Tuesday). Seth Weintraub of Computerworld noted that a re-design of the MacBook Pro is needed, and he took some educated guesses as to what the next-gen MacBook Pros may look like…

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If you’re a student in the UK and are looking to buy a new Mac, you’re in luck. The same Back to School promotion that ran in the US is now in the UK, but instead, Apple are including the new 4th gen iPod nano and 2nd Gen iPod touch—the ones that were released in last week’s “Let’s Rock” event.

The promotion allows up to a £95 rebate cheque on any new Mac, iPod nano or iPod touch purchased. To be qualified for this promotion, you must be a student at a higher education institution, or a lecturer or teacher. The deal will end October 31, 2008. This date could be when the MacBook (Pro)s come to an end, and new ones are released—it would seem strange for Apple to release new notebooks half-way through a promotion.

If you’re interested, visit Apple’s UK website.

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A number of Windows Vista users are having problems with iTunes 8, causing the operating system to display a “Blue Screen of Death” when an iPod/iPhone is connected for syncing. Apple yesterday released a technical note suggesting that Windows Vista users should uninstall Apple Mobile Device Support, then restart their computer, and finally re-install iTunes 8. At the time of writing, it’s unknown what the exact error within Apple Mobile Device Support was causing the BSOD.

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Kevin Rose’s spy shots turned out to be correct! The 4th generation iPod Nano is exactly like the spy shots we’ve seen in the last week or two — it has an aluminum oval design, with a longer screen. Jobs claims it’s the “Thinnest iPod we’ve ever made”, and “You’ll be blown away by how thin it is”. As for new features, the 4th-gen Nano will have an enhanced UI, accelerometer from the iPhone and iPod Touch for CoverFlow — and, support for the new iTunes 8 Genius function.

Details after the break.

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After his rumours of iTunes 8.0, Kevin Rose has published a mockup of the soon-to-be iTunes interface. The annotated screenshot above shows an area of the iTunes sidebar, currently used for smart playlists, replaced by Genius Playlists. There is also a new Genius sidebar on the right-hand side, which is expected to recommend music from the iTunes Store. A button on the bottom right will start/stop the genius feature.

More after the break.

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