Apple releases more updates. Enter Logic Express and Digital Camera Raw Update

Apple has been a busy company on this Wednesday, May the 28th, 2008.

After releasing the much predicted Mac OS X 10.5.3 update, Apple also releases Logic Express 8.0.2 and Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.1.

Get it from Apple Software Update or Apple Support Downloads site.

05/28/2008
Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.12.4MB
This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for some cameras.

Logic Express Update 8.0.273.7MB
Logic Pro 8.0.2 addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Express 8.0.

Somewhat Related Update:

05/20/2008
Logic Pro 8.0.2139MB
This update addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Pro 8.0.

Tech Analyst Wanted, Brain is Not Required.

It is too obvious that many “Tech Analysts” are simply spewing gibberish and trying to present them as facts. One year soon will pass to the iPhone day, June 29th, 2008. In the meantime, the “interweb” is filled with more of the same things over and over again. In essence, one site is quoting the other while many bloggers simply did the “cut and paste” plus some personalization to the non-story. Some well known tech-blogs are simply making stuff up based on the available informations.

“The iPhone 2.0 is coming, The iPhone 2.0 is coming!”

Eventually, the “iPhone 2.0” will be released. It is the question of exactly when. Let’s make up a news item right now.

  • The iPhone was originally released on June 29th, 2007.
  • In general, 1 year is a good “round number” between product revisions.
  • This year Apple WWDC will be held in June; June 9th to 13th to be precise.
  • Steve Jobs said that iPhone SDK will be officially released sometimes in June 2008, including the iPhone Apps store.
  • Apparently the iPhone is not available in the Apple Store (Online and Retail locations).
  • People are claiming that they’ve found iPhone 2.0 proof more than Elvis sighting.

“Captain Obvious is calling!”

It doesn’t take genius to put together all the “signs” and come up with some crazy speculations that many people would believe.

In addition to that, there are some “tech-analysts” making some stupid statements regarding the product that does not officially exist yet.

Déjà vu!

It’s June 2007 all over again.

One particular idiotic “tech-analyst” was talking about the iPhone which he didn’t even have. Criticizing the iPhone for its material. Don’t you think that Apple engineers know more than you, Mr. “tech-analyst” extraordinaire. You haven’t had one logically sound statement since the day you called yourself a tech-analyst. In addition to that you are completely biased to the point where the masses believe that you are taking payola from companies. Please shut the ASDF up and get yourself a job at your local fast food establishment.

Then, there’s one or two or more “journalists” who are suffering from the “I know more than you because I’m always right” syndrome. We all know that you are in the pocket of certain corporations, even if you’re actually volunteering yourself to them. How can you say that everyone else is wrong and you know exactly what those companies are thinking. You always bragging that you got all the “internal for-your-eyes-only” memo. You are working for them, and please stop calling yourself a journalist. Call yourself as you are; spokeperson of that particular company.

The other type of “tech-journalist” that should stop whatever they’re doing right now are the ones don’t know anything about technology but pretending that hey do. Because you have some journalism degree? That doesn’t mean a thing. You have been contradicting yourself on record, and still won’t admit it. Being a journalist, you should have been taking a non-partisan stance when it comes to reporting the news. We don’t want to hear your opinions. You admitted that almost everything you touch (use) are somewhat having problems because you generate some kind of magnetic field that disrupts electronic devices. Even with such admissions, you singled out certain products (from certain companies) for being “turd” (pardon the language). You had not even use or even see it in person. Then, after you’re actually using it, you complained that the product was always broken because it’s simply “crappy”. Don’t you remember you said that you are the cause of all the failures in the electronic device you’re using? Please shut the ASDF up. I hope the big company who acquired your employer would fire you.

This rant is getting longer, and I still have a lot more ranting to do. To the point!

Just because you used to work for a huge technology-based company, doesn’t mean that you know everything. You’re a shill! I am not reading your blog, or anything that you’re saying. Please get a real job and stop thinking that you are so important.

I should end this rant because I need to get some sleep. Before that, let me say something that is completely made up:

The second generation iPhone is going on sale on June 27th 2008.

There I said it.

Bad Religion Tonight

I’m heading off to see Bad Religion again tonight, last night show was great. Tonight show is the last show of their Spring 2008 US tour.

After the show, lots of people walking backstage and it turned out to be some kind of mini High School reunion for Greg Hetson. Meanwhile, Bret Gurewitz quickly disappeared from the venue, taking out his gear and never came back. I didn’t see him for the rest of the night. Greg Graffin spent considerable amount of time with  fans, posing for pictures, etcetera, etcetera. Brooks Wackerman was talking to fans and somewhat packing his stuff. Jay Bentley was seen hanging out with the crews during the stage break-down. Brian Baker was “caught” using his iPhone while talking to some fans. One funny moment when one of the band’s acquaintances was caught taking the pizza that was supposed to be for the crew only.

That was the quick summary of what’s going on backstage with Bad Religion.

QuickTime 7.4.5

Apple releases QuickTime 7.4.5 in conjunction with iTunes 7.4.2.

QuickTime 7.4.5

QuickTime 7.4.5 includes fixes that enhance reliability, improve compatibility with third-party applications, and address security issues. This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798.

QuickTime is available for Mac OS X Panther, Tiger, and Leopard as well as Windows XP and Vista.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Apple Releases iTunes 7.6.2

iTunes Icon

Apple releases iTunes 7.6.2:

Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.

Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

iTunes 7.6.2 provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance.

iTunes is available for Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Panasonic HDC-SD9: The Trouble with Mac OS X

UPDATE (2008.04.11):
I finally get it to work with Final Cut Pro!!! just search for HDC-SD9 on this blog.

Panasonic HDC-SD9 is capable recording video in 1080p and 24 mode. This is one great feature on a compact camcorder. The quality of the video is amazing.

Unfortunately for Mac users, this camcorder is not fully compatible with iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6. The three applications crash during playback or import of videos recorded in non-“24p Digital Cinema” mode. When the “24p Digital Cinema” mode is turned on, iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6 can playback and import the recorded video. Even though the three applications can play and import the video, some problems persist.

To illustrate the problems, please check-out the following videos. Both videos were recorded at the same time, one is using Panasonic HDC-SD5 and the other is using Panasonic HDC-SD9. You’ll see how the HDC-SD9 video is playing faster than the actual recording.

Both videos are resized to 960×540 resolutions. This is done due to the sheer monstrosity of the 1920×1080 file size. QuickTime 7 is required for proper playback.

Recorded Using Panasonic HDC-SD5
Panasonic HDC-SD5 Recording (H.264 13.2MB)

Recorded using Panasonic HDC-SD9
Panasonic HDC-SD9 Recording (H.264 9.2MB)

The imported video plays faster while the audio plays at normal speed. Somehow the video and audio go out of sync during the import. By default iMovie ’08 transcoded the AVCHD video to Apple Intermediate Codec, while Final Cut Pro transcoded the AVCHD video to Apple ProRes 422. I will try importing the AVCHD video to another format using Final Cut Pro later.

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note: I blame Carrie for making me re-learn “Greensleeves