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Apple's example Mac app prices land around $15-20
Reader Shane did a little zoom and enhance on Apple's promo image for the Mac App Store, and divined some potential prices for Apple's official apps. These same apps are the ones that set the pricing bar on the iPad, and so if these are real (and not just photoshopped in), then they're the first official indication we've gotten of just where Apple imagines pricing should be on the App Store. And where is that? Turns out they're pretty close to current software prices -- the iLife apps are priced out at $15, while the iWork apps are priced at $20, and when you add them all up, they cost about the same as the bundles you can buy in the Apple retail store. There's also a few other titles (which appear to be just placeholders, not official Apple software, unless they're going to premiere some new apps with the App Store) at various prices. There's a dice game called Roll 'Em which is priced for free, an app called Color Studio at $29.99, and another game called Fast Lane priced at just $4.99. So as you might expect, there will be prices all over the place. Just like the iOS App Store, developers will probably come up with all sorts of ways to fund and profit from their apps, so I'm sure we'll see some popular free games as well as premium specialized apps. But it sounds like Apple is aiming to hit about $15-20 for a standard full-featured Mac app. The question, then, will be what customers are willing to pay -- obviously each app is different, and each customer has their own priorities, but it'll be very interesting to see, as the Mac App Store debuts, just what happens to prices on this software.
Installing iMovie HD 6 without iLife '08
When iLife '08 and '09 came out, I was pretty happy about all of the new bells and whistles -- except for iMovie, that is. As much as I wanted to like the completely revamped iMovie, to me it was as tasty as "New Coke" when compared to Coca-Cola Classic. When Apple released iLife '08, it provided a free download (which is no longer available, so I hope that you saved it) of iMovie HD 6, and it could live alongside of iMovie '08 harmoniously. However, let's say that you've just completed a fresh install of Mac OS X, and you want to install both iMovie HD 6 and the latest version of iLife, iLife '09. That's not the most straightforward of tasks. First, you'll have to install iLife '08, because the Apple-provided, free download of iMovie HD 6 does a check to see if you have iLife '08 installed; if you don't have it, you can't proceed. Your next step is to install iMovie HD 6 and then install iLife '09. With this little tip, you can save 10 minutes of your life and install iMovie HD 6 without iLife '08. First, mount the .dmg file of the iMovie HD 6 download that Apple provided (I hope you kept it). After it's mounted, right-click on the installation package and select "show package contents." In the "Contents" folder, double-click on this file: "Archive.pax.gz." This archive will extract its contents to a folder named "Archive," which you'll need to locate. Inside the Archive folder, you'll find a folder named "Applications," and living in this Applications folder, you'll find the "iMovie HD" app. Just drag it over to your Applications folder, and you're all set. Readers, tell us what you think. Did it take you a while to fully embrace the '08 and '09 versions of iMovie, or do you still wholeheartedly prefer iMovie HD 6?
iLife '09 gets the Software Update treatment
Apple just released some updates for iLife '09 via Software Update. In a very un-Apple fashion, the release notes are actually sort of descriptive!Here's the breakdown: iLife Support -- this is for iLife '09, iWork '09 and Aperture 2 users and it addresses some memory leaks, custom folder issues with Media Browser and maintaining the correct image date when importing from iPhoto to Aperture. iDVD gets an update to fix an issue where iDVD is unable to add a title/comment to an image. Recommended for all iDVD 7 users. iMovie now supports 720p AVCHD Lite cameras and camcorders and some other issues. iPhoto -- some fixes to publishing to MobileMe, Flickr and Facebook, slideshow playback and location GPS in emailed and exported JPEGs See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3532 Digital Camera RAW update -- RAW support for iPhoto '08, iPhoto '09 and Aperture 2 for various Canon, Nikon and Olympus cameras. This all looks like good stuff. I'm off to install/restart. Head to Software Update on your computer or hit up Apple Downloads to get the individual installers.
iLife and iDVD 7.0.3 updates available
Apple just released two new updates for both iLife and iDVD. The iLife Media Browser Update will "improve overall stability and address a number of other minor issues," according to the update page.In addition to the iLife update, Apple also updated the iDVD authoring software. iDVD 7.0.3 "improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues." Both of these updates are available to iLife '08 users. You can update using Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the two installer packages from Apple's Support Downloads site. Note that these updates do not affect the newly released iLife '09.Thanks to Tarun for the tip!
iPhoto update 7.1.5 released
Tonight, Apple released iPhoto update 7.1.5. According to Apple, this update "Improves the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered via the iPhoto printing service." A welcome change for many iPhoto users who use Apple's print services. This update is reminiscent of the Aperture update that showed up last week. You can update iPhoto by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update), or by downloading the installer package from the Apple website.Thanks for the Tips, Tony and others!
Freeware Find: Karelia iMedia Browser 1.1.1
It's easy to get spoiled using Apple's Media Browser, that little tool that pops up in many of the iLife and iWork applications and provides access to photos, music, graphics, and movies. But what about those cases where you want to use Media Browser and the application you're in doesn't support it?Karelia Software, makers of the popular website creation tool Sandvox, has just shipped an update to iMedia Browser. iMedia Browser 1.1.1 works with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard). It provides all of the functionality of Media Browser, but for just about any application on your Mac. This update adds international support and new media sources.iMedia Browser now supports the following media (information from Karelia's website): Browse Photos: iPhoto / Aperture / Lightroom library, Pictures folder, and other predefined folders. Browse Music: iTunes library, GarageBand songs, Music folder, etc. Browse Movies: iTunes and iPhoto libraries, Movies folder, etc. Browse Links: Bookmarks from Safari, Camino, OmniWeb, etc. Drag and drop any folder into the source list to add to your library. As the really old song says, "the best things in life are free", and iMedia Browser is no exception. Download it and start enjoying your media in almost every application you use.
iLife '08 update adds MobileMe support
As Scott already posted, iLife '08 just released a slew of updates. Although Software Update says that over performance and general compatibility issues were addressed in most products, the biggest change is MobileMe support for all iLife '08 applications.iPhoto, iWeb and iMovie are now properly linked with the MobileMe service. This should be welcome news to iWeb customers who have been unable to maintain or update elements of their MobileMe (nee .Mac) pages since the transition earlier this month.Likewise, galleries and movie can now be published directly to the newly branded mobile offering. You know, assuming you can get the service to work.
Apple releases iLife '08 update
Lots of folks are writing in to let us know about the iLife '08 update waiting in Software Update. The iLife Support 8.3 update, 'provides system software components shared by all iLife '08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife '08.'At the moment this update is only available via Software Update, but we'll update this post when Apple posts the update on their site.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.Update: You can grab the installer here.
Take back your iWeb galleries in Firefox 3
Just as Firefox users were upgrading to version 3 last week, many people started to miss their iWeb-created galleries as they just disappeared. Well, one iWeb user has been doing extra work to fix Apple's? (erm... Mozilla's?) problem. Joshua Ochs has posted an in-depth article on his site describing exactly what is going on -- he also provides a fix in the form of a script to patch iWeb. Joshua says that the problem is neither with Apple nor Mozilla, but with a JavaScript library called "Prototype" which is used by iWeb. Right now there are two ways to fix the problem (neither of which are supported by Apple): you can use the information on Apple's Discussion Board, or you can download Joshua's script -- both seem to work and are free.[via ArsTechnica]
iMovie 7.1.2 and iDVD 7.0.2 updates
Apple just released updates for iMovie and iDVD. According to Software Update, the iMovie update "addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."The iDVD update "supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."You can download both of these updates via Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or download the installer packages by visiting Apple's Support Downloads website.
iMovie 7.1.1
Today, in the midst of total Macworld 2008 mayhem, Apple slipped-in an iMovie update. This update is for iMovie '08 (version 7). Here's what Software Update tells us: This update addresses issues when publishing movies to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.I am personally looking forward to this update, as I have experienced some bugs in the user interface that has caused me to restart occasionally. You can download this update for iMovie 08 by visiting the Apple downloads website, or by checking Software Update.
iLife Support 8.1
iLife '08 users, there is an update awaiting your attention. iLife Support 8.1 'supports system software components shared by all iLife '08 applications, improves overall stability, addresses a number of other minor issues, and supports general compatibility issues.'Sounds like a good deal to me. Update away!Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
iPhoto 7.0.2 update available
Seems like it was just yesterday we were updating to iPhoto 7.0.1... OK, it was August 9, but it feels like yesterday. It does appear that Apple's consumer photo app is the subject of much tweaking, as the 7.0.2 update is now downloadable. What's new:This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing to .Mac Web Gallery, rebuilding thumbnails, and editing books. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.The update is 10 MB and requires no rebooting.Thanks Dionysios
More on application access to the iPhoto '08 library
As noted last week, iPhoto '08 has changed its library format from a folder tree to a package, which has put a crimp in some folks' workflows. There were a number of helpful suggestions in the comments, starting with using the built-in features of iPhoto (external editor preference, drag-and-drop) to access the photo files, and continuing on to creating aliases of the hidden internal folders to get at the picture files when necessary.Now the fine folk at Mac OS X Hints have formalized the latter suggestion into a hint, specifically aimed at Adobe Bridge users who need folder-level access to the iPhoto library but equally useful for the rest of us. Just keep in mind that you should not ever manually remove files from your iPhoto library folders; the result will likely be quite unpleasant.
iWork '08 tutorials
We've already told you about the iLife '08 tutorials that are available, but now it is iWork's time to shine. That's right, Apple has created a bunch of tutorials for their newly refreshed, and beefed up, productivity suite. This is your chance to learn how to use that 30 day demo to the fullest.[via Daring Fireball]
Apple posts iLife '08 tutorials
Sure, it isn't a 30 day demo, but these iLife '08 tutorials give you a very nice overview of what the various apps can and can't do (and how they do and don't do 'em). The short videos are very task oriented, as you would expect with tutorials, and best of all they are free.Check them out, and see what iLife '08 has to offer.Oh, and can someone explain to me why I need to go to a store and buy physical CD's to get iLife? Apple is one of the world's largest distributors of digital music, and I am pretty sure they can handle digital distribution of software as well. Ah, another mystery of the universe.
Apple eager to let you know about iLife '08
Apple, it would seem, is eager to let you know about iLife '08. Several readers have emailed us, and I just experienced for myself, this lovely message that greats you when you fire up an app from iLife '06. I launched iPhoto 6 to make sure a feature I was blogging about wasn't in it (look for that iPhoto '08 post in a little bit) and I was greeted with the above message.At least you can turn it off, which is nice of Apple.
Video of Apple's press event is online
As usual, Apple have posted the video of today's press event for all to see. Marvel at the new iMac, iLife '08, iWork...and count the number of times Steve says, "Boom!"I know I've been eager to see those apps in action, but the demo videos have been getting slammed all day. Perhaps this will be better.You can watch it all here.
Garageband '08
As you may have seen, Apple released iLife '08 (so long, 2007!) earlier today. This post will examine GarageBand '08.Most interesting to me is Magic GarageBand. It's a quick way to set up a rhythm section (drums, bass and guitar) to play a simple chord progression while you play on top. Work out new riffs, a solo or compose a new song. Select the style (jazz, rock, etc.) for your "backing band" to play. That's pretty cool.Arrangements let you identify your parts, like chorus, verse, bridge and coda. While I'd like to make an actual chart, I guess that's what Pro Tools is for. Still, this is handy for at-a-glance organization.Multi-track recording will save every take, so you can quickly revert to a previous recording. That's pretty handy.There's also a new visual EQ and several new Jam Packs, but let's talk about automation. Change the tempo or volume of any song or instrument at any point. Best of all, GarageBand will remember your changes and reproduce them at another point in the song with a click. Very cool.We're eager to get our mits on GarageBand '08. Let's jam!
iLife '08 Hardware Up-To-Date offer
Let's say you bought a Mac... oh, I don't know, earlier today. iLife '06 was the hotness. You were going along happily putting up photocasts, and making podcasts with Garageband. Then Steve Jobs strikes! iLife '08 is announced and iLife '06 suddenly looks... boring.Well, thanks to the iLife '08 Hardware Up-To-Date offer you can get an upgrade to iLife '08 for $9.95 (if the computer you bought on, or after, Aug 7th is on this list).I think Apple should give you a free upgrade if you buy a Mac with iLife '06 on it after today, but that's just me (of course I would make sure before I buy a Mac any time soon that it comes with iLife '08 pre-installed. Why spend another 10 bucks?).
