os

3D desktop revealed in Apple patent filing

Are you ready for a 3D desktop?

Apple is working on such a project, according to patent filings unearthed by MacRumors this week. The "multidimensional desktop" applications suggest that Apple wants to take familiar parts of the Mac OS X desktop--such as the dock--and add depth, allowing you to stack documents or folders behind application icons on the "floor" of your desktop.

The idea of a 3D desktop is not new, but neither is it something that people are using in large numbers. When it comes to patent applications there's always a distinct chance that … Read more

Psystar shifts course, says Apple abusing copyright

Having run into a roadblock in its attempt to fire back at Apple, Psystar is changing tactics.

Court filings this week (click here for PDF) indicate that Psystar is dropping its argument that Apple is violating antitrust laws--which Judge William Alsup has already rejected--in favor of a new argument that Apple is abusing its copyright on Mac OS X to stifle competition. The Mac clone maker is attempting to stay in business against long legal odds by trying to convince a court that Apple's licensing policies for Mac OS X are unfair and illegal.

From the filing:… Read more

From Netvibes to Netbooks: Tariq Krim readying Jolicloud OS

Former Netvibes CEO Tariq Krim has his sights set on Netbooks. According to TechCrunch, Krim will launch a Linux-based OS for Netbooks next year called Jolicloud.

Unlike Good OS and its forthcoming Linux-based Cloud OS, which is meant to operate alongside Windows on Netbooks, Krim intends to provide Jolicloud as a download direct to users that would replace your current Netbook OS--Windows XP or another flavor of Linux.

TechCrunch likens the look of Jolicloud to that of the iPhone and reports that the OS will support touch screens. TechCrunch also reports that a third-party application platform is planned.

The Jolicloud … Read more

Speakerphone Not Working for Some iPhone OS 2.2 Users

Some users have reported an issue in which the speakerphone function does not work under iPhone OS 2.2. A sampling of reports from this Apple Discussions thread:

"After updating to 2.2, when I press the Speaker button while making a call, the audio vanishes. Yes, I have turned the volume all the way up. I have rebooted the phone. I have plugged in earbuds and removed them. Everything works as expected except the speaker-phone function." "I have the same problem. My speaker phone was fine, more than loud enough. Then, I installed 2.2 and … Read more

Other Minor Additions to iPhone OS 2.2

We continue to note minor, unodcumented enhancements in iPhone OS 2.2:

Better shift-key behavior iPhone OS 2.2 exhibits better behavior than its predecessors with regard to typing over capitalized letters. As described by one iPhone Atlas reader:

"I don't know if this was in 2.1 or not, but suppose you are typing and put a capitalized word in the sentence: example "I wanted to call Stuhlman" but you type the capitalized word incorrectly. If you delete the letters, when you delete the capitalized letter, the shift key on the keyboard engages, as the … Read more

iPhone OS 2.2 WiFi Issues Persist; Potential Fixes

Perhaps the most widely reported problem after disappearing applications is one in which WiFi connectivity fails after the iPhone OS 2.2 update. Users continue to report these problems with frequency. A sampling of reports from iPhone Atlas readers:

"Ever since this last update for the iPhone 3G, I've had a problem connecting to ALL WIFI hotspots, including my own secure router at home (linksys router). HELP!! My version is 2.2 (5G77) and modem firmware is 02.28.00 if this helps." "I have an iPhone 3g (unjailed) and after the release of firmware 2.… Read more

Google Earth browser plug-in arrives for Mac

Google has released a Mac OS X version of a plug-in that lets people use its Google Earth software as a browser plug-in.

The move means a smaller but significant crowd can rely on Web pages that employ the sophisticated aerial viewing options the software provides. But Mac fans should brace themselves for a 47MB download from the Google Earth API page.

The size is large because Google provided a universal binary file that runs on both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macs, a Google representative said in a forum posting about the availability of the Mac version. "There are also … Read more

Apple looking for Psystar's backers

Apple has amended its lawsuit against Psystar to allow for the possibility that other parties are backing the company.

When companies file lawsuits, they'll often tack something like "John Does 1-50" onto the list of defendants, in order to allow for the possibility that other parties to the case who have yet to be discovered could be added at a later date. Apple did not do that the first time it filed suit against Mac clone maker Psystar, but has tacked such a paragraph onto an amended copy of its lawsuit against the company, as noted by Groklaw.… Read more

iPhone OS 2.2 Re-Locking Some Legally Unlocked Phones?

While the issue is not universal, some users are reporting a problem in which the iPhone OS 2.2 update locks legally unlocked iPhones (sold in Hong Kong, certain countries in Europe and elsewhere). The issue may occur if a legally unlocked phone is bought in one country then updated to OS 2.2 in another country. Among the user reports from this Apple Discussions thread:

"Bought legally unlocked iPhone in Hong Kong. Updated to 2.2 in Germany. No my iPhone seems to be locked." "I bought my iPhone 3G legally unlocked from HK, and I … Read more