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Apple releases MainStage 2.1.3 for Logic Studio users
Apple today released an update to MainStage, an application that is part of the paid upgrade to Logic Studio (2009). Version 2.1.3 brings a host of bug fixes and improvements to the pro tool, all of which are detailed in the release notes. The update includes performance enhancements and fixes to issues related to MIDI processing and compatibility with third-party plug-ins and keyboards. Stability of the app under certain conditions has been improved, and a number of general issues dealing with the user interface and mappings are resolved. MainStage 2.1.3 is available through Software Update or can be downloaded through the Logic Studio download page (requires an Apple ID).
Rumor: Final Cut Studio update delayed until 2011
Those waiting on an update to Final Cut Studio may have to continue to do so, as a new rumor suggests it won't be released this year. Quoting a "source," Hardmac reports that the development of the next major update to Final Cut Studio has suffered "significant setbacks" and won't be available until 2011. Hardmac notes that the scope of the project has been reduced as well, and the unified interface is a casualty of that reduction. The source says that differences between the team responsible for Shake and the team working on Motion are partly responsible, and representative of the overall difficulty in uniting all of the suite's applications. Keep in mind that it's a rumor and not written in stone. If it turns out to be true, it's bad news for FCS users who are jonesing for something new. [Via MacDailyNews]
Steve Jobs responds to customer's email about Final Cut Pro
Steve Jobs has been surprising customers lately with personal replies to their emails. He's done it again this week with the longest message yet. According to Mac Soda, customer Alex J. felt that the recent updates of Final Cut Pro (FCP) have gotten the application off track. As do many zealots who feel their faith slipping away, he asked for a sign: "Steve, Getting worried about Apple's interest in Final Cut. Last updates were not stellar. I heard a bunch of engineers were dropped too – give us a sign you still care about Pro Video, not just the iPad. Thanks, Alex" Much to Alex's surprise, Jobs replied. Not only that, he was motivated enough to share three whole sentences. Steve's email reads: "We certainly do. Folks who left were in support, not engineering. Next release will be awesome." Now we're excited for the next "awesome" release of FCP. We like this new "chatty" Steve. [Via MacDailyNews]
Pro Applications Update 2008-02
Apple just released an update to their Pro Application support for Mac OS X. According to Apple, this update "improves reliability for Apple's professional applications." This update is recommended to all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server and Logic Studio. Final Cut Pro 6.0.4 and Compressor 3.0.3 are applications included in the update. You can download this update by opening Software Update (choosing Software Update from the Apple menu) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple Support Downloads site. You can visit the Pro Applications support note for more information about this update.
An Introduction to Apple Certification
I spent three days in a class last week learning about Leopard. It probably sounds a little strange that a guy who works day in and day out on "nothin' but Macs" would be taking a class to learn more about the Mac operating system, but I did it for a reason - I am an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) and I need to keep my certification current. Within a few weeks, I'll be taking a certification exam to prove that my brain absorbed some of the course content and my years of Mac experience really have turned me into a Mac guru.Not many people know about the certifications available to Apple professionals. Certification has a number of benefits to independent consultants and wage slaves alike, including recognition of professional competency, credibility with clients and employers, and the ability to publicize your certifications on Apple's website. For those of us who are Apple Consultant Network members, we can have clients referred to us by the Apple Stores.Over the next few weeks, I'll post several articles about the different types of certifications available to you, how to become certified, and why you might want to consider getting certified. Read more after the break.
Logic Express Update 8.0.2
In addition to the other updates released today, Apple has also released an update to Logic Express 8. Software update gives us the following information about the update: Logic Express 8.0.2 addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Express 8.0. This update is recommended for all Logic Express 8.0 users.You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple Support downloads website.
Pro Application Support 4.0.1
Nothing quickens the blood like a thrilling software update. Am I right, folks? Ok, perhaps that is a slight exaggeration, but it is a good feeling to have some bugs that have been bothering you squashed with a nice update. Apple has just released Pro Application Support 4.0.1 which, 'improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.'Fire up Software Update, or download it directly from Apple's website.
If MacBook Pros are ready, why aren't the Pro apps?
In Victor's post about sitting in on a TWiT recording, he mentions a 10 year old kid who asked the TWiT gang a blatantly obvious question most of us have so far missed: if the MacBook Pro books are truly ready, where are the pro apps? Quark has a beta available - for all three of their customers. Where are the big dogs like Adobe? Heck, why isn't Apple's own Final Cut Studio available?With questions about the general oddness of this year's keynote mounting, I think this is a huge one that needs to get added to the top of the pile. Some would say it's very un-Apple to release a new (pro) product like this without much of anything "pro" available to run on it. I would say at the least that it's just plain dumb to pull a stunt like this. So what gives?
