Apple just released updates to both iTunes and iPhoto… well there is also a Canon Printer Software Update but that seems rather irrelevant. As usual Apple is keeping tight lipped about what the updates bring but recommends all iPhoto and iTunes users to tun the update.

So go ahead and run Software Update NOW!

iTunes 9.1

iTunes 9.1 comes with several new features and improvements, including:

• Sync with iPad to enjoy your favorite music, movies, TV shows, books and more on the go
• Organize and sync books you’ve downloaded from iBooks on iPad or added to your iTunes library
• Rename, rearrange, or remove Genius Mixes

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

iPhoto 8.1.2

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4052

This update addresses minor issues in the area of import and syncing to iPhone, iPod or Apple TV.

• The update is recommended for all users of iPhoto ’09.

OS X 10.6.3 out now!

Apple just released OS X 10.6.3 their latest update for Snow Leopard. Get your copy either at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1018 or use Software Update to load this beast (730MB!!) of an update.

The 10.6.3 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

• improve the reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X
• address compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
• address an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail
• resolve an issue that prevented files with the # or & characters in their names from opening in Rosetta applications
• resolve an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows file servers
• improve performance of Logic Pro 9 and Main Stage 2 when running in 64-bit mode
• improve sleep and wake reliability when using Bonjour wake on demand
• address a color issue in iMovie with HD content
• improve printing reliability
• resolve issues with recurring events in iCal when connected to an Exchange server
• improve the reliability of 3rd party USB input devices
• fix glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4014

Make sure to share your thoughts and feedback in our comments section below.

Happy downloading! (and don’t forget to backup any crucial data first!!)

Join us for our March meetup at The Montagu Pyke in Soho, entrance at both 105 Charring Cross Road & 20 Greek Street, WC2H 0BP (Map).

An informal gathering for anyone into Apple Mac & iPhone OS, a full range of beers, lagers and ciders, and JD Wetherspoon’s bargain food if you’re hungry.

7pm until late

Come and join us for our February Meetup at The Metropolitan Bar (7 Station Approach, Marylebone, London, London, NW1 5LD) next to Baker Street tube station [map].

An informal gathering for anyone into Mac & iPhone OS, a full range of beers, lagers and ciders, and JD Wetherspoon’s bargain food if you’re hungry.

7pm till late

Looks like the rumors were true…. well sort of. Turns out instead of the January 26th Apple is holding their special event on January 27th showing off their “latest creation.” The event will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, and will get underway at 10AM Pacific (6PM GMT)

Come and join us for our very first London Mac Geeks meetup.

We’ll be meeting at the Globe opposite Baker Street station. (43-47, Marylebone Rd, London, NW1 5JY / map)

See you there!

There are 3 subscription options and a Pay As You Go option.  I normally prefer PAYG but with WiFi it seems far too expensive (almost as much for 1 hour as you would pay for a whole month!) so I am going to be discussing the subscription options here:

• Cloud Unlimited Music – £3.99
  Despite the name it’s not just for music.  It offers unlimited* Internet usage for any purpose, but is restricted to users of the Apple iPod Touch (you have to register the MAC Address of your iPod Touch when you sign up for the service). This is great value for money if you only intend to use this one device on the move.
• Cloud Unlimited Single – £6.99
  This option allows you to use any single WiFi device (again it is restricted to the registered device when you sign up for the service).
• Cloud Unlimited Multi – £9.99
  If you have more than one device (eg Laptop & iPod Touch) that you would like use on the go, then this option is the one for you.  Like the name suggests it offers Internet access from multiple devices.

You don’t even need a Username & Password as they know your MAC Address(es), once you have been connected to a “Wi-Fi Zone – The Cloud” Hotspot you will automagically connect anytime a Hotspot is within range.  It is best to check the coverage for the area you intend to use your device in, you can view their Hotspot availability here.

*  As with all “unlimited” Internet services there is always an acceptable usage cap on use of the service.

Alternatively, the tablet(s) may be held over for a January event.

On the introduction of OS X 10.6, Apple have adopted the convention used by hard disk manufacturers, as explained by Apple at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2419, updated the day before Snow Leopard became publicly available. This clouds the issue of space being recovered by installation of Snow Leopard, though that is undoubtedly true.

The difference increases to almost 10% when measuring terabytes. Confusion will surely ensue when comparing file sizes between Leopard and Snow Leopard Macs, not to mention Windows and Linux PCs. I sense that this has something to do with the previous legal cases over iPod capacities.

When will this device be with us?
http://www.9to5mac.com/snow-leopard-soft-keyboard