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[8/25] Hands-On Report--Apple MacBook Air Update (Software)

Late on Friday, Apple released a software update called MacBook Air Update. It is available via Software Update on a MacBook Air notebook or as a stand-alone file from this Apple Web page. All of 368KB, Apple states:

This update is recommended for all MacBook Air computers, and addresses issues with video playback and processor core idling.

Apple warns that:

Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.

My MacBook Air has been working flawlessly. I have not experienced the overheating and core shutdown issue that slows the performance of a MacBook Air that some have complained about but, given the warning, it is likely that this small file addresses that problem.

I downloaded and installed the update. In a couple of day's use I have not noticed any difference in operation, either in performance or in fan activity. [Bill Fox]

[8/25] NVIDIA's New CUDA 2.0 Development Kit Promises Better Graphics

Also on Friday, NVIDIA released CUDA 2.0, a development tool for applications that use many of NVIDIA's graphics processors (GPU). Fortunately, that includes the GeForce 8800GT, an upgrade graphics card in my Mac Pro. It also includes the GeForce 8600M GPU used in Apple's MacBook Pro notebooks. In addition, CUDA 2.0 works with Mac OS X as well as Windows XP and Vista and Linux.

The production release of CUDA 2.0, the latest version of NVIDIA's award-winning C language programming environment for GPUs, enables software developers to tap into the massively parallel architecture of the GPU for the acceleration of complex computational problems. This latest production release of the CUDA software suite includes support for Mac OS X as well as 3D textures and hardware interpolation to increase the efficiency of applications such as medical volume reconstruction and oil and gas seismic computing.

Also included in CUDA 2.0 is an Adobe Photoshop plug-in example for Mac versions of the software. The example allows developers to design plug-ins that move the most compute-intensive functions of Adobe Photoshop to the GPU, such as filtering and image manipulation, delivering dramatic performance improvements. The plug-in is available as source code so developers can easily develop advanced filters and imaging techniques that are available directly within Adobe Photoshop.

CUDA 2.0 also features additional source code examples and new compiler optimizations and is available today as a free download from this NVIDIA Web page. [Bill Fox]

[8/25] Cool Mac Software Updated--MacTracker 5.0.4 and SMARTReporter 2.3.8

Two of my favorite free utilities were updated last week and both are available via MacUpdate.com.

MacTracker 5.0.4 - This utility (donationware) by Ian Page is a must-have for all Macophiles. MacTracker has the details on virtually every Apple product ever made. Version 5.0.4

- Adds iPhone 3G
- Adds "iTunes Version" and "Machine ID" to iPhone models
- Updates Support Status for Apple's latest Vintage and Obsolete products
- Other minor changes and additions

SMARTReporter 2.3.8 - This utility (free) warns you of some hard disk drive failures before they actually happen. It does so by periodically polling the S.M.A.R.T. status of your hard disk drive. Version 2.3.8 is a bug fixer but it also drops automatic update checking for Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4.

[Bill Fox]

[8/25] Software Special of the Day: Data Backup 3.0.5 for 51% Off--$29

Data Backup 3 is a powerful utility that allows you to backup, restore and synchronize your valuable data with minimal effort. Whether you are a new computer user or a seasoned professional, Data Backup 3 offers you just the right amount of power, flexibility and ease-of-use to help you protect your files fast.

Normally $59, Data Backup 3.0.5 is offered today only for only $29--that's 51% off as MacUpdate's Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/6] [Updated] Hands-On Report--iPhone 2.0.1, Security Update 2008-005 and MobileMe

I've been off on travel and vacation so I haven't updated my blog for awhile--actually three weeks. A few significant things have happened recently so here are my experiences.

iPhone Software 2.0.1

Apple released iPhone Software 2.0.1 and it is available via iTunes 7.7.1. When I plugged in my original iPhone yesterday morning, I received notice of the update and immediately installed it. It's a little over 242MB so it took awhile to download but the installation went smoothly and my iPhone re-activated with no problems.

I haven't had any problems with iPhone Software 2.0 except that it seemed a little slow, especially at retrieving my contacts. Version 2.0.1 seems generally faster and is definitely faster at retrieving my contacts. So far I haven't found any glitches.

While on vacation, we visited San Francisco and I decided to upgrade my original 8GB iPhone to an 8GB iPhone 3G while my wife and daughter shopped. There was a short line of five people outside the Apple Store waiting to buy an iPhone 3G. When the staff member got to me, he said that it would take an hour and that I would not be able to use my original iPhone $100 Store Credit to buy an iPhone 3G. Whoa--this is the first I have heard of that restriction! I showed him the credit and noted that it had no restrictions to no avail.[Update: The manager of the San Diego Apple Store told me that I can use the credit to ugrade my iPhone.] I left without upgrading, partly because of the credit issue, partly because I didn't really have an hour and partly because I am still not convinced that I want to upgrade.

My original iPhone still does all I need it to do and does it well. Furthermore, I do not have the problem of very long backup times when syncing my iPhone that many iPhone 3G users have and I still get very good battery life. AT&T's EDGE network is fast enough for email and all other functions that I frequently use. Free Wi-Fi at Starbucks stores is expanding and the cell phone/Wi-Fi positioning is also good enough for what I would use GPS for. So if I decide to upgrade under pressure from my spouse, I'll argue about the $100 iPhone Store Credit with the Apple Store manager in San Diego where I spend my money. I should have used it on my MacBook Air. [Update: The manager of the San Diego Apple Store told me that I can use the credit to ugrade my iPhone.]

Security Update 2008-005

Last Thursday, Apple released Security Update 2008-005 for Leopard 10.5.4 and Tiger 10.4.11, both client and server editions of Mac OS X. It is available via Software Update or as a stand-alone file from this Apple Web page. Here are the details of the update:

Open Scripting Architecture--CVE-2008-2830--A design issue exists in the Open Scripting Architecture libraries when determining whether to load scripting addition plugins into applications running with elevated privileges. Sending scripting addition commands to a privileged application may allow the execution of arbitrary code with those privileges. This update addresses the issue by not loading scripting addition plugins into applications running with system privileges. The recently reported ARDAgent and SecurityAgent issues are addressed by this update. Credit to Charles Srstka for reporting this issue.

BIND--CVE-2008-1447--The Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) server is distributed with Mac OS X, and is not enabled by default. When enabled, the BIND server provides translation between host names and IP addresses. A weakness in the DNS protocol may allow remote attackers to perform DNS cache poisoning attacks. As a result, systems that rely on the BIND server for DNS may receive forged information. This update addresses the issue by implementing source port randomization to improve resilience against cache poisoning attacks. For Mac OS X v10.4.11 systems, BIND is updated to version 9.3.5-P1. For Mac OS X v10.5.4 systems, BIND is updated to version 9.4.2-P1. Credit to Dan Kaminsky of IOActive for reporting this issue.

CarbonCore--CVE-2008-2320--A stack buffer overflow exists in the handling of long filenames. Processing long filenames may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved bounds checking. Credit to Thomas Raffetseder of the International Secure Systems Lab and Sergio 'shadown' Alvarez of n.runs AG for reporting this issue.

CoreGraphics--CVE-2008-2321--CoreGraphics contains memory corruption issues in the processing of arguments. Passing untrusted input to CoreGraphics via an application, such as a web browser, may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved bounds checking. Credit to Michal Zalewski of Google for reporting this issue.

CoreGraphics--CVE-2008-2322--An integer overflow in the handling of PDF files may result in a heap buffer overflow. Viewing a maliciously crafted PDF file may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through additional validation of PDF files. Credit to Pariente Kobi working with the iDefense VCP for reporting this issue.

Data Detectors Engine--CVE-2008-2323--Data Detectors are used to extract reference information from textual content or archives. A resource consumption issue exists in Data Detectors' handling of textual content. Viewing maliciously crafted content in an application that uses Data Detectors may lead to a denial of service, but not arbitrary code execution. This issue does not affect systems prior to Mac OS X v10.5.

Disk Utility--CVE-2008-2324--The "Repair Permissions" tool in Disk Utility makes /usr/bin/emacs setuid. After the Repair Permissions tool has been run, a local user may use emacs to run commands with system privileges. This update addresses the issue by correcting the permissions applied to emacs in the Repair Permissions tool. This issue does not affect systems running Mac OS X v10.5 and later. Credit to Anton Rang and Brian Timares for reporting this issue.

OpenLDAP--CVE-2008-2952--An issue exists in OpenLDAP's ASN.1 BER decoding. Processing a maliciously crafted LDAP message may trigger an assertion and lead to an unexpected application termination of the OpenLDAP daemon, slapd. This update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of LDAP messages.

OpenSSL--CVE-2007-5135--A range checking issue exists in the SSL_get_shared_ciphers() utility function within OpenSSL. In an application using this function, processing maliciously crafted packets may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved bounds checking.

PHP--CVE-2008-2051, CVE-2008-2050, CVE-2007-4850, CVE-2008-0599, CVE-2008-0674--PHP is updated to version 5.2.6 to address multiple vulnerabilities, the most serious of which may lead to arbitrary code execution. Further information is available via the PHP website at http://www.php.net/ PHP version 5.2.x is only provided with Mac OS X v10.5 systems.

QuickLook--CVE-2008-2325--Multiple memory corruption issues exist in QuickLook's handling of Microsoft Office files. Downloading a maliciously crafted Microsoft Office file may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved bounds checking. This issue does not affect systems prior to Mac OS X v10.5.

rsync--CVE-2007-6199, CVE-2007-6200--Path validation issues exist in rsync's handling of symbolic links when running in daemon mode. Placing symbolic links in an rsync module may allow files outside of the module root to be accessed or overwritten. This update addresses the issue through improved handling of symbolic links. Further information on the patches applied is available via the rsync web site at http://rsync.samba.org/

I downloaded and installed the security updates on my MacBook Air, Mac Pro, Power Mac G4 Cube (client and server editions), PowerBook G4 and iMac Core 2 Duo--all running 10.5.4. No problems were encountered.

MobileMe

MobileMe seems to be working well now, nearly a month after its release. Apple CEO Steve Jobs issued a letter acknowledging that the simultaneous release of the iPhone 3G, iPhone Software 2.0 and MobileMe was was not up to Apple's standards (see this CNet article).

In the interim, I actually experienced the glitch I worried about in my 7/14 entry. Somehow my data disappeared on the MobileMe server and then it deleted my contacts and calendar on my MacBook Air and iPhone. Fortunately, my Mac Pro was turned off so the data on it was not lost and I didn't have to use Time Machine to re-populate my MobileMe "cloud," MacBook Air and iPhone. As a result of this experience, I now have my Mac Pro set to manually update. But I have not encountered any other such problems since.

My biggest gripe with MobileMe is that I can't log onto my .Mac ...er... MobileMe email account using whatever stripped-down web browser that many hotels use on their business center PCs. Attempting to do so produces an unapproved browser error message and a suggestion to use Safari or Firefox but no path to my MobileMe email. Unfortunately, the PCs in these business centers have neither Safari nor Firefox installed in my experience and are locked so that nothing may be downloaded to them. Fortunately, MobileMe works with Internet Explorer 7, although it complains.

[Bill Fox]

[7/14] Hands-On Report--MobileMe on an iPhone, Mac Pro and MacBook Air

I have been trying to use MobileMe since late Friday (see 7/12 reports below) and by Sunday it seemed to have been working nearly as well as it can. I write "nearly" because I still occasionally had some long pauses at Me.com when trying to view my iCal data.

First, I have a tip on getting the MobileMe software update if Mac OS X Update for MobileMe 1.1 still has not appeared in Software Update and you are running Leopard 10.5.4. Open System Preferences, click on the .Mac icon and log in. Doing so triggers a dialog box about MobileMe, then click on the Software Update button. Then manually open and run Software Update if it does not do so automatically. I had to do this on several Macs.

As I previously mentioned I had two .Mac accounts so I now have two MobileMe accounts. One I use for personal email and the other I use for business/work email. The latter receives my work email redirected from a Microsoft Exchange Server so that I can view it on my iPhone. As an aside, this is the best solution I've found since my work IT department refuses to enable IMAP "for security reasons." The only problem is that I do not get all of the header so I don't know if I am the primary addressee or have been copied nor do I get a list of all of the original addressees.

Of course, I wanted to set up MobileMe so that it pushes my work email. But I've used my personal .Mac address to set up all my Macs and to activate my iPhone. This may be why it is used as the default or primary .Mac address on my iPhone and is the only email account to have the "push" option. Short of reinstalling Mac OS X, reactivating my iPhone and deleting and reinstalling the accounts, I have tried and failed to get MobileMe and my iPhone to push the email from my work MobileMe email account instead of my personal account. So I gave up and set up MobileMe for my personal MobileMe account.

I set up MobileMe to work among my Mac Pro, MacBook Air and original iPhone. Initially, I got some double and triple entries in iCal but I edited them out in iCal on the Mac Pro. When MobileMe automatically updated my Me.com web site, iPhone and MacBook Air all iCal entrees were single again demonstrating the benefits of push. It was during this time that I had the problems with viewing my iCal data at my Me.com web site and that I learned that MobileMe updates entered from my Mac Pro (and MacBook Air) are not instantaneous unless I click the Sync Now button in the MobileMe pane of System Preferences. Apparently, push is only nearly instantaneous when entries are made on the iPhone or on the Me.com web site. Automatic updates from the Mac Pro or MacBook Air occur every 15 minutes according to this Apple Knowledge Base document.

Except for the curious 15-minute delay for entrees made on a Mac, MobileMe's push seemed to work well as I tried every permutation of data entry. It is a welcome addition to the Mac world.

I have only two concerns:

1. Apple needs to eventually modify MobileMe to accommodate those of us with multiple MobileMe accounts or at least provide some directions on how to switch the push capability from one account to another on the iPhone.

2. What happens if there is a server glitch in the MobileMe cloud and all of my contacts, iCal data and bookmarks are deleted? Will MobileMe blindly carry out these changes by deleting the data on my iPhone, Mac Pro and MacBook Air as well? Hopefully, Apple has built in some protection against this happening. But what happens if my iPhone goes on the fritz and my data are deleted? Fortunately, I have my Time Machine backups.

[Bill Fox]

[7/12] Brief Hands-On Report--iPhone Software 2.0

I have been using iPhone Software 2.0 (Build 5A347) since Thursday afternoon when I downloaded it off Apple's servers (link from AppleInsider) and manually installed it with iTunes 7.7 by clicking Check for Update button while holding down the Option key and navigating to the download. The whole process took only 15 minutes or so because I did it before Apple released the iPhone 3G and Apple's iTunes Store servers went down repeatedly under the activation load. Since installing iPhone Software 2.0 also involves activation through iTunes, the process leaves one's iPhone useless if the iTunes servers are down until one can connect and activate it.

iPhone Apps

App Store is a new application for downloading (free or purchased) other new applications from the iTunes App Store.

Contacts is the other new application that comes with iPhone Software 2.0. One no longer has the open the Phone application to view one's contacts, it can be done directly.

Settings has new menus.

• Fetch New Data turns on the "push" function and allows one to set the "fetch" function. Push is the new feature of MobileMe that allows almost instant updates of email, contacts and calendars on our iPhone and linked Macs. Fetch allows one to set periodic updates of the same applications or manual updates. The latter saves battery life. Unfortunately, it looks like only one MobileMe account can be set up with push and I have two accounts, one personal and one for business/work. It's not clear which contacts and calendars are associated with each account since I only have one Address Book and one iCal on my Macs.
• Mail, Contacts and Calendars integrates the preferences for each email account, contacts and calendars.

Maps does not appear to be changed for the original iPhone despite articles that appeared saying otherwise. It does not drop a blue pin on my location--I think that is reserved for the iPhone 3G with satellite GPS.

There are many changes on the sub-menus within the existing applications, most dealing with MobileMe settings.

iPhone iTunes App Store

I downloaded two applications off the new iPhone iTunes App Store, Remote and WeatherBug. Both are free. The downloads via my iPhone and installation went without a hitch.

Remote (Apple) allows one to use an iPhone as a remote controller of the iTunes application on a Mac or an Apple TV. Unfortunately, on Apple TV it only controls the play of photos, movies, videos, TV shows and songs that are also on your Mac but not the iTunes Store to rent movies. So don't misplace your Apple Remote.

WeatherBug shows a bit more details of the weather in a particular city, including a webcam and Doppler radar image. Unfortunately, the free version only allows one to use three cities.

I have not yet enabled MobileMe, partly because it is still not functioning well. I will write about my experience once I figure out how I want to set it up since push is only available for one MobileMe account and after I have used it for awhile. [Bill Fox]

[7/12] Brief Hands-On Report--Mac OS X Update for MobileMe 1.1

Apple released Mac OS X Update for MobileMe 1.1 to implement MobileMe for .Mac customers. It is available only via Software Update if you have a .Mac account.

According to Apple,

The Mac OS X Update For MobileMe is recommended for users running Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.4 and includes general system fixes that enhance your Mac for MobileMe.

The update installs a new icon in the System Preferences application for MobileMe that replaces the .Mac icon on the Internet & Network row (see above). MobileMe doubles a member's online storage from 10GB to 20GB but when I click on the MobileMe icon it still shows 5GB for Mail and 5GB for iDisk, the former amounts. If I click on the Account Details button, the correct 20GB is shown as 15GB for iDisk and 5GB for Mail.

MobileMe is setup using the instructions on this Apple web page. It is still pretty slow, reflecting the high load on Apple's servers due to the switchover from .Mac and the activation of iPhone 3G sales, so I have no real experience to relate just yet. Some things apparently didn't make the .Mac to MobileMe transition. My hosted web site, WWFOX.Com, constructed with iWeb did not make it intact. However, all of my older .Mac Homepages and Photo Galleries made the transition.

I have (had?) two .Mac accounts, one personal and the other that I use for business/work activities. Unfortunately, it is not easy to use both under MobileMe on the same Mac because MobileMe assumes I have only one account, the personal one. I can log on the business MobileMe account with the System Preferences icon but when I click the Account Details button I get the personal account's details in Safari. In order to fully access my business MobileMe account I have to use Camino as my web browser and deny use of my keychain. [Bill Fox]

[7/11] Why I won't be upgrading to an iPhone 3G--Yet

I usually pickup Apple's latest technology because I like to be on the cutting edge and, well, I'm an unabashed Apple fan boy and have been for years. For example, I got an iPhone the first full day they were available in June of 2007 plus a dual quad Mac Pro and a MacBook Air early this year. But after AT&T posted its rates and activation process I've agonized over the decision of whether or not to upgrade my iPhone to the 3G model. I've decided not to, at least not just yet, so I won't be among the throngs mobbing the Apple and AT&T stores today.

Why? It's partly because I am perfectly happy with my now year-old iPhone, partly because I don't have time to waste waiting unnecessarily in long lines, partly because of uncertainty and partly because I've concluded that AT&T is seriously gouging iPhone 3G customers.

My 8GB iPhone has served me extremely well for over a year. I use it for everything, i.e. travel alarm clock, GPS, email, web surfing, calendar, impromptu camera, iPod--and a cell phone. I haven't used my 5G 30GB iPod with video nor my original iPod shuffle for over a year and probably won't ever again unless my iPhone breaks--knock on wood. The only places I have been where I haven't used it for more than an alarm clock and iPod are Bangkok and Panama--there I used a company-supplied BlackBerry. I get my company Outlook email via redirection to my .Mac address and sync my Outlook Calendar with iCal via PocketMac for BlackBerry. Those functions will improve with iPhone 2.0 software and MobileMe for free.

The principal reasons for upgrading are to gain 3G speed for Web surfing, real GPS precision and, perhaps, a bit longer battery life. It would also allow me to fulfill a promise to my spouse, one that has already taken much longer to meet than I had expected. All of the reasons are nice to haves but only the latter is compelling.

As for wasting time, it's not so much waiting in line to purchase an iPhone 3G that bothers me. It's that the iPhone 3G will also have to be activated in the store which to me seems will make the whole purchase process mind-boggling long and frustrating if the crowds show up as I think they will. My activation process would be fairly complicated and I suspect there are many others in a similar boat. This huge inconvenience is all to protect AT&T from hacked iPhones.

Then, there's uncertainty in what AT&T can and will do with regard to upgrading or adding a 3G iPhone and the cost of doing so. I have an old AT&T family plan that includes my one-year old iPhone, my spouse's three-year old Moto RAZR and my daughter's three-year old RAZR. If I get an iPhone 3G, I want to give my iPhone to my spouse but keep the iPhone's number for the 3G model. She, in turn, would give up her pink Moto RAZR for the iPhone and keep her RAZR's number. My daughter is deciding whether she will keep her black RAZR or keep my spouse's pink RAZR and if she does the latter, she'll want to keep her number as well. It is not clear from AT&T's literature that we will be able to do this and, if so, it is not clear what the final cost will be.

Finally, there is the AT&T gouge. Apple dropped the price of the 8GB iPhone from $399 to $199. In addition, I have a $100 credit from the first iPhone so it would only cost me $99, a real bargain. Essentially, I would be getting two iPhones at roughly $349 each, i.e. the original for $599 and the new 3G model for $99. But AT&T raised the data plan from $20 per month for the iPhone to $30 per month for the iPhone 3G. Fair enough, I thought, since AT&T's 3G network is new and growing and the iPhone 3G will use lots more data per unit time. However, AT&T didn't stop there. It eliminated the 200 text messages in the data plan and charges $5 extra for the iPhone 3G so the equivalent data plan is not $30 but $35. Now, I don't text a lot but there have been a few times when I have needed to receive and send text messages. It's also not clear from AT&T's material that I can simply add an iPhone 3G to an existing family plan for $9.99 a month plus the $35 data charge per month and drop one of my existing phones saving its $9.99 cost for a net increase of only $35 per month. If I were simply upgrading my old iPhone, it seems that the old data plan ($20/mo) would still apply even for the 3G model. But I would be adding a 3G iPhone at $35/mo, surely, and newly activating the older iPhone but at $20/mo or $35/mo? It could be that I will end up paying for two $35 data plans and maybe more.

If the cost of adding the iPhone 3G is only plus $35/mo and I can move the numbers around among the three phones, then I will get an iPhone 3G. But it won't be today. With the mess I figured would happen today actually coming to pass, I'll wait awhile before I try. [Bill Fox]

[7/2] Brief Hands-On Report--Mac OS X 10.5.4 and Firmware 7.3.2 Update for the AirPort Extreme "N" Base Stations and Time Capsule

Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.4 late on Monday and it is available via Software Update or as a stand-alone file from these Apple Web page (client combo and server combo). If you are going to use a stand-alone file, we recommend the combo updaters even though they take more time to download. Using them again or after a Software Update frequently fixes problems that can crop up when updating.

According to Apple, 10.5.4 "includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac."

Apple also released a firmware update for AirPort Extreme "N" Base Stations and Time Capsule. Firmware 7.3.2 is available via AirPort Utility 5.3.2 in your Utilities folder. According to Apple, "Firmware 7.3.2 updates include bug fixes."

We updated numerous Macs running Mac OS X 10.5.3 (Mac Pro, MacBook Air, iMac Core 2 Duo, PowerBook G4, Power Mac G4 Cube), both client and server versions, to 10.5.4 using Software Update with no problems. After a day's use no Mac shows signs of any issues. The same with our AirPort Extreme "N" Base Station and Time Capsule. [Bill Fox]

[7/2] Micromat to Issue TechTool Pro 4.6.2 Update

Micromat sent a notice that it will be issuing an update to TechTool Pro 4. Version 4.6.2 will have the following features:

• Addressed -108 error in Directory Maintenance.
• Additional improvements to Volume Structures test.
• eDrive will now create a 12GB partition required by Mac OS X 10.5.
• Improvements to the File Structure test.
• Added new machine and video card information strings.
• Added Chinese localization.
• Added DVD compatibility for new Macintosh models up to Summer 2008.

Micromat also noted that version 4.6.2 will require Mac OS X 10.4 or greater and it should be available as a DVD by the end of July. [Bill Fox via Dana Baggett]

[7/1] New Apple Online Seminar--Mac for Hospitality Enterprise

Mac for Hospitality--This seminar addresses challenges often faced by the hospitality industry by exploring customized digital solutions from Apple and Nanonation. The seminar includes:

• Cutting-edge hospitality companies are tackling common challenges with integrated digital solutions
• Digital technologies address customer needs, including in-room experience, digital signage, and public-area interactive displays
• The iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, Xserve, and Mac OS X Leopard deliver unique and powerful capabilities
• Solutions based on Nanonation's Nanopoint and Commandpoint software offer services to empower guests that easily integrate with existing systems

Apple's online seminars are available 24/7 and are free. [Bill Fox]