iTunes 9.1 and iPhoto 8.1.2 Updates

Another two new updates came today after yesterdays OS X 10.6.1 update. The iTunes update is for iPad sync feature mainly. iPad will be released in US on April 3, 2010, this coming Saturday. Based on Apple.ca web page, it'll be in Canada in late April. It is an exiting product which has already caused a lot of buzz. Here is the copy of the update details.

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

The following is the space difference between before and after:

Command: df -lak	Used(Kilobytes in 1024-blocks)
Before	...263,904
After	...377,420
Difference (A-B)	113,516

OS X 10.6.3 Update

Finally the Mac OS X 10.6.3 is released today. I did the update right away when I got home.

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

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4014.
For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

The following is the space difference between before and after:

Command: df -lak	Used(Kilobytes in 1024-blocks)
Before	...73,312
After	...24,680
Difference (A-B)	-48,632

iMove 8.0.6 Update

Today I got a update: iMovie 8.0.6. The following is the description:

• This update improves reliability when working with videos from Aperture.
• This update is recommended for all users of iMovie '09.

The following is the space difference between before and after:

Command: df -lak	Used(Kilobytes in 1024-blocks)
Before	...314,388
After	...278,736
Difference (A-B)	-35,652

Shortcut Keys for Front Row

Last night, I accidentally found a shortcut key for Mac's Front Row: Command+esc. By pressing this combination key, I entered the Front Row application, a nice way to access to my iTunes music, movies, photos, podcasts, and Apple's (new) Theatrical Trailers.

I remembered that when I got my iMac 24, the Remote controller was part of the whole package. Now you have to spend $20 to buy one(my iMac 27 did not include the Remote). For me it was OK since I got one. I found that some people complained about too many remote controllers since they got several Macs. It is good idea to not include the remote with new Mac. But many new Mac people would miss it. I recommended my friends to buy the remote since I did not know the shortcut key. I do occasionally use front row to watch trailers and movies, but I had to reach out to get my remote. Now by using keyboard, it is much convenient to jump in to my favorite front row right away without the remote.

Today I googled the phrase of "front row shortcut key" and I fount this summary of shortcut keys for the Front Row. Another convenient key to exit the front row: Command+option+esc.

One thing I realize is that the "Apple Theatrical Trailers" requires internet connection. Trailers are on demand from internet. I tried this function on my another MacBook Pro. I use AirPort wireless connection for the laptop. This morning it was slow to get up the trailer list.

With my figure dancing, I can get the new coming or most recent movies in theaters in seconds. I think I'll watch theatrical trailers more frequently. However, the trails I think are for North American movies, I would be nice if there were ways to configure it with the real local theatrical movies or other country movies.

Safari 4.0.5 Update

Today I got a update: Safari 4.0.5. The following is the description:

This update is recommended for all Safari users and includes improvements to performance, stability, and security including:

•  Performance improvements for Top Sites
• Stability improvements for 3rd-party plug-ins
• Stability improvements for websites with online forms and Scalable Vector Graphics
• Fixes an issue that prevented Safari from changing settings on some Linksys routers

For detailed information on the security content of this update, please visit this site: About Apple Security Updates.

The following is the space difference between before and after:

Command: df -lak	Used(Kilobytes in 1024-blocks)
Before	...7,596
After	...9,636
Difference (A-B)	2,040

ProKit Update 5.1

Today I got a update: ProKit Update 5.1. The following is the description:

This ProKit Update fixes issues with user interface software resources that are shared by Apple's professional applications. The issues addressed include:

• Corrected an issue with improper scrolling behavior.
• Resolved memory leaks for improved performance.
• Addressed layout of interface elements in certain application alert windows.

The update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.

The following is the space difference between before and after:

Command: df -lak	Used(Kilobytes in 1024-blocks)
Before	...297,100
After	...369,828
Difference (A-B)	72,728