Today has been a day of surprises for Apple aficionados. We’ve already seen the Magic Mouse (yes I know another awful name), but Apple also unleashed bumps and changes to the iMac, Mac Mini and MacBook lines.

First up we’ve got the white polycarbonate (marketing speak for plain old plastic) MacBook, which has gone all ‘unibody’ on us with an integrated ‘7 hour’ battery, LED backlit screen, a multitouch glass trackpad and DDR3. Nothing to shake a stick at, but nothing revolutionary either. I’m suprised anyone still buys these polycarbs considering the ever so appetising 13″ MacBook Pro isn’t all that much more, still each to their own I guess. Next we now have a Mac Mini server, something people have been using the Mini for ever since it’s release, which loses the optical drive in favour of more HDD space and dons OSX server. Aimed at those who aren’t big enough to need an Xserve but still want the Apple server experience, the Mac Mini server I think could do very well. The Mac Mini itself also got a speed bump and storage upgrades so those using it as a media player/server should be happy.

Last but certainly not least for the major upgrades, Apple’s range of consumer desktops got some love. The iMac now encorporates some much more desirable features including an SD card reader (yes, that’s not a typo) and HD+ displays. Gone are the 20″ and 24″ models and in are the 21.5″ and 27″ iMacs. The line can now be configured with a 3.06Ghz Core2Duo (yawn), a 2.66Ghz Core i5 (quad core) or a Core i7, which is where the real fun will be. Still lacking Blu-Ray, the iMacs now feature an optional HDMI input allowing you to use that HD screen for gaming etc. A nice bump if you were about to buy one, but you’re not really missing something if you’ve just bought one.

In other news, the Apple remote got replaced for an aluminium one, which I’m not sure about but I guess it matches all the aluminium used across the rest of the line. The top of the line MacBook Pro got a price cut with the highest spec machine now $1000 cheaper. The Airport Extreme and Time Capsule got full WiFi N certification with 50% improved signal quality and 25% increased range thanks to a new antenna design. Whether the update to the Time Capsule will stop them dropping dead just after warranty is anyone’s guess and we’ll see in a year I suppose.

So if you’re interested in any of the new kit, head on over to your local Apple Store or if you’re in the UK, you might have to wait till tomorrow.

[Via TUAW]

Apple loves their multi-touch technology.  Welcome their newest mouse. Just as I suspected, the age of Apple nipple foundling type mice are gone.  While kind of fun to play with, for some, it had to leave.  Now, scrolling is done just like a trackpad on MacBooks. The mouse also has gesture capabilities for swiping back and forth. It connects via Bluetooth, requires (2) two AA batteries, and costs $69 (by itself or free with a new Mac Mini).  It will be available at the end of this month and would be a great gift to me when I walk up to your door with my candy bag saying “Trick or Apple Multi-Touch Mouse!”

More info at http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/

[via Gizmodo]

Full press release after the break.

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The iPhone Dev-Team have just unleashed their latest update to the custom firmware creation tool for Pwnage Tool 3.1.4. It’s now compatible with iPhone 3.1.2 and supports iPhone 2G/3G/3Gs as well as iPod touch 1G/2G but unfortunately not 3G for all you lucky enough to have the newest touch in your claws. Pwnage Tool is however Mac only and that’s the way it’s going to stay according to the Dev Team, but for all those on Windows boxes there’s always Blackra1n or a mate to help you out.

From the team:

SUMMARY:

The iPhone 3GS is now supported out of the box in PwnageTool 3.1.4 (or if you have upgraded to 3.1.x in iTunes)

The iPod 2G is still supported in PwnageTool 3.1.4 but you must already be jailbroken (we’ll update this if there’s a big demand from non-jailbroken ipt2G owners)

The iPod touch 3G is NOT supported

DETAILS:

GOLDEN RULE: If you are using a iPhone 3G or iPhone 3G(S) with ultrasn0w and rely on ultrasn0w to obtain cellular service then you should only update your device with an .ipsw that is made with the new PwnageTool. There are no second chances with this. You need to remember that PwnageTool will provide an upgrade path to newer versions of the iPhone software in the future.

Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools.

Read items 1, 2 and 3 again and again.

At the bottom of this post are the bittorrent files for the 3.1.4 capable version of PwnageTool.

PwnageTool will work for the iPhone 3GS

PwnageTool will work for the iPod touch 2G

PwnageTool WILL work for Original iPhone (1st Generation), the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G(S) and the iPod touch (1st Generation and 2nd Generation) but NOT the iPod touch 3rd generation.

For 3G and 3G(S) users who are Pwned, PwnageTool is your key to updating in the future, just remember to never install an update directly from Apple, always use an .ipsw that has been created with PwnageTool.

There is no Windows version of PwnageTool it is a Mac OS X tool only, we are not developing a Windows version of PwnageTool.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the iPhone Dev-Team and go get your jailbreak/updating on.

In just a short time, Apple has released an iPhone update.  I didn’t know that some iPhones went into a deep sleep.  I haven’t had much trouble with my iPhone 3GS since I bought it.  Well, maybe some freezing, some audio issues, but nothing a good reboot didn’t fix. I’m glad my phone is working well, because I have still yet to update it from version 3.0.  Like I’ve told my friends and family, I’m not sacrificing my internet tethering ability for some MMS featured that I’ve learned to live without.

If you need/want to upgrade your iPhone’s OS, you now how to do it. If not, open your iTunes, plug in your iPhone and click the iPhone icon.

[via TUAW]

Australia’s largest supermarket chain just got a new logo.  The new look is an apple with a shape of the letter “W”.  If you were to see that logo by itself, would you think “oh, this company sells computers.” In my opinion, no.  But, Apple is the big bully in this story because they are gearing up to sue Woolworths because it looks too much like their own logo.

Really, Apple?! Would you be more happier if the leaf was pointed the other direction? I mean, give them a break.  The artist probably spent a great deal of time getting that logo done.  The logo doesn’t even have a piece of it already eaten.  As much as I love Apple products, (I’m using a MacBook Pro to post this) it sucks to see people getting bullied around for no good reason. So, Apple.  Just stop it. You’re making yourself look bad.

[via Gizmodo]

Along with some other bug fixes and tie-ins to the new features in iTunes 9, the iPhone 3.1 update brought with it some nasty surprises for some users. Reports have been coming in that Apple has enforced the Exchange requirement for on device encryption for those Exchange 2007 SP1 servers that have it enabled. This has meant that the iPhone 3G, which the lacks on device encryption and enhanced security measures implemented on the iPhone 3GS, can no longer connect to Exchange servers that require encryption. Although this looks like a bug to your average user, it’s actually a bug fix as the failure to enforce this on device requirement is actually a security loophole.

Another not so favourable feature of iPhone 3.1 is that it disables the free tethering that was possible with 3.0 and 3.0.1. Strictly it was a breach of terms of contract with your carrier, but many people were enjoying BT or USB tethering without having to fork over more money to the carriers.

So if you fall into either the Exchange 2007 SP1 or tethering group you might want to hold off on 3.1, at least for now. Jailbreakers should also sit tight as updated tools will be required for 3Gers. 3GSers might have a difficult time of it if you don’t have your ECID,iBEC & iBSS files already.

So as you all know, or at least those who are interested know, today held an Apple music event. Rumours were rife, with everything from an iTablet (not yet), Beatles on iTunes, cameras in touches/nanos and the death of the iPod classic amongst other things. As noted before, certain market analysts were speculating about Steve Jobs return to the stage. Well they were spot on as a clearly emotional Steve Jobs addressed an equally emotional audience to talk about his health and the donor register (of which I’ve been a member for years thanks to a special someone in a past life). After the two-way loving was done, Jobs proceeded to confirm and dash rumours and bust out a couple of surprises. (more…)

Coming straight from Steve Job’s mouth (YAY! HES BACK!) during today’s Apple Keynote, the rumors have been confirmed.  To compete against the growing Flip video camera market, Apple has added video recording to their new iPod Nanos as well as FM tuning, a Pedometer (not PEDO – Meter), and Voice recording. Starting today, the 8GB nano will cost $150 while the 16GB comes in at $180. More photos from the keynote after the break. (more…)

Something tells me new iPods are coming later today, you know, maybe with cameras and crazy things like that.

Those who read PG regularly might know by now, that I have a bit of a soft spot for id software and am a massive fan of almost all their games. Out of all of the games franchises id have produced over the years, Wolfenstein has to be my favourite. It all started with Wolfenstein 3D which recently got a port to the iPhone which we loved. Those of you with phones other than an iPhone maybe familiar with the most recent edition to the Wolfenstein family on the iPhone, Wolfenstein RPG, as it started life as a mobile java game. Now having gone through a spruce up including graphics, sounds and controls, Wolfenstein RPG is back and better than ever. (more…)