Appletell

While we were all busy updating our iPhones and iPod Touches to the iPhone firmware 2.0.2 on Monday, Apple seeded OS X 10.5.5 build 9F17 to developers.

According to AppleInsider, this build brings five new updates, pushing the grand total of code fixes to 120.

Problems addressed include issues with iCal, Back to My Mac, Mail Syncing, and CoreAnimation.

This update is reported to have no known issues. This was also the case with the last update, build 9F15. So, it seems that Apple is tying up loose ends and preparing to release the update to us all. You can expect the release of Mac OS X 10.5.5 to happen in the next few weeks.

Via [AppleInsider]

A number of years back (or even more recently), you might have heard of XBMC (XBox Media Center). XBMC was a way for XBox owners to mod their units into a fully capable media center. That project has continued to progress, and has moved on since its XBox roots. While XBMC is still available, there is an interesting offshoot based on it’s code called Boxee and it’s making its way to a Mac near you soon.

Why soon? Well, that’s because Boxee is still in Alpha, so there are still some wrinkles to iron out here. But that’s not to say it’s not already shaping up to be an awesome application. More on the program, and how you can participate in the alpha testing, after the break.

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More and more people are switching to the Mac these days. I, myself, am a “Windows refugee” who came over to the Mac camp in 2006. I am very happy with my decision to do so, as the Mac is so much more intuitive, easy to use, and secure than Windows.

The learning curve is certainly minimal, especially for tech savvy folks. In fact, I’ve found that the most common problem switchers have is that they overthink the issue—generally, solving problems and performing everyday tasks on the Mac is far more intuitive than the average Windows user is used to.

For those of you who are thinking of making the switch, Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal has put together a nice “switcher’s guide” on his All Things Digital blog. You’ll probably find that switching to the Mac is a lot easier than you may have thought.

Via [All Things Digital]

If you are thinking about signing up for .Mac in anticipation of the release of MobileMe, don’t be too trigger happy and shell out your $99 to Apple just yet. Instead, check out some of these third party vendors for much better deals on Apple’s revamped online application suite. Amazon is probably the best deal because they offer free shipping, saving you up to $22 on the package.

These .Mac retail boxes will still work to activate MobileMe accounts even after .Mac has been discontinued, but if you hurry, you’ll be able to get your coveted @mac.com e-mail address while you still can.

UPDATE: Macworld seems to have removed Amazon’s listing from its site. To see Amazon’s listing for .Mac as well as customer reviews, click here.

Regardless, it seems as though you can get a slightly better deal from CompuDirect.

Via [Macworld]

Have you ever wished you could create your own cookbook using the same software you use to create your delicious cooking recipes? I have, and now I can. Mariner Software has released MacGourmet Deluxe 1.0. This application allows you to keep track of your recipes and wine collection in one convenient application. But what I really like is the fact that “create your own cookbook” feature.

I love cooking, so naturally I downloaded the software to my 17” MacBook Pro. I’ve used many recipe applications in the past, and it’s similar to a few of them I have used. MacGourmet Deluxe allows you to whip up your own recipes, edit them, share them with your friends and family, and post them on the web. Free recipes are also included with this application. If you’re a meal planner, MacGourmet has you covered. Not only do you have the option of creating your own meal plans, you also are able to integrate them with iCal.

More features after the break.

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Opera has just released version 9.5 of its operating system for Mac and PC. It’s a free download, weighing in at 15.6MB.

Some of the features include…

• “QuickFind" options for customizing the browser
• Improved security with “Fraud Filter” and content blocking
• Tabs and Sessions

The browser scores an 83/100 on the Acid3 test. You can download the browser here if you’re interested in giving it a spin. Opera is also available for your Mobile phone or PDA.

Product [Opera]

Although I enjoy playing video games, I really don’t get a chance to play them as much as I would like. Priorities such as family, work, and life in general always get in the way. But when I have a chance for some personal time, one of my luxuries is to completely immerse myself in a game. I normally play FPS on my Xbox 360 (Gears of War, Bioshock, and Mass Effect are some of my favorites) and occasionally I’ll play them on my 17” MacBook Pro. I recently heard about a new Mac gaming portal, as TransGaming has recently launched GameTree.

There are a lot of Windows based PC gaming websites online, and now GameTree Online is planning to offer similar features for Mac users. We already have Mac gaming websites that offer similar services, but I’m always happy to see more. Mac gamers will have the chance to download Mac games and write reviews about them. Also, Mac gamers will have the chance to check up on the latest gaming news and participate in a variety of promotional activities.

Details after the break.

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Are you finding the traditional keyboard uncomfortable? Or, perhaps you are looking for something a little different for your iMac, MacPro, MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro. If so, you might want to check out Kinesis Corporation innovate keyboard.

Recently, Kinesis unveiled the Kinesis Freestyle Convertible Keyboard. It’s not your traditional keyboard; it actually separates. It’s the first fully separating keyboard designed for Mac users. With the revolutionary Freestyle Solo Keyboard, the user has two accessory options the Freestyle Incline Accessory and the Freestyle VIP accessory.

Details after the break.

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According to the Taiwan area newspaper Economic Daily News, every MacBook released in 2009 will use an LED backlight. Backlight manufacturer Kenmos Technology was Apple’s chief supplier of the more color-accurate and efficient screen hardware for 2007, and is expected to have an even more dominant role next year as Apple switches its consumer models to LED lights. Kenmos is said to be shipping as many as five times more LEDs this year, at 1.5 million, although it is not known what number of these are destined for Apple or other customers.

The Mac designer’s chief executive, Steve Jobs, has promised as part of an environmental initiative that Apple’s computer line will switch to all LEDs when possible, but hasn’t set out a specific date for the transition. Recent reports have suggested that the next revision of the MacBook will undergo a major redesign that will transform the notebook from plastic to aluminum, and should also introduce a number of other technical improvements, such as Intel’s Centrino 2 platform and accompanying Core 2 Duo processors.

Read [Gizmodo]

The blogsphere is alive with speculation about Apple’s next operating system, Mac OS v10.6. It just got a little more interesting. Following upon rumors that Apple was prepping a 10.6 release for January 2009 comes even more information, this time by Ars Technica, that Apple has code named the operating system “Snow Leopard.”

As well as the code name, they also say the OS will indeed drop support for PPC Macs and provide “stability and security” without adding new features. Apple’s goal is speed and performance, and since they’re spending a lot of time developing devices like the iPhone and the Macbook Air, it’s no wonder. Battery life has said to be one of the main reasons for the upgrade.

There is much speculation that Apple had chosen the name Snow Leopard to signify a release that isn’t major. Apple may also choose to charge less for the operating system or even give it away for free due to the nature of the upgrade; at least, I have my fingers crossed.

Of course this is all rumor and speculation, so don’t go throwing out your PPC Mac quite yet. I still find it hard to believe that Apple would throw away all PPC support so suddenly when they’ve been so great with backwards compatibility in the past. Still, Apple has been known to surprise.

Via [Ars Technica]