It’s unclear as to whether these are shipping straight from Apple, or are been delivered from a depot / warehouse in Shanghai. The new iMacs we’re officially announced in October, and sport a new LED, 16:9 screen in either 21.5″ or 27″ configs. The upgrades also major hardware boosts - with all but the quad-core running 3.06 Dual core processors by Intel and each coming with 4GB ram from the factory (supporting up to 16B)t

Whether Apple made this move on purpose to discourage hackintoshing is not known, but probably likely. Many initially thought that support for the Intel Atom indicated Apple we’re working on a net book / budget device. With the removal of support, Apple have either stopped pursuing such a product or have switch processors.

Here’s whats in the new update:

What’s included?

General operating system fixes provided for:

• an issue that caused data to be deleted when using a guest account
• an issue that might cause your system to logout unexpectedly
• Spotlight search results not showing Exchange contacts
• the reliability of menu extras
• an issue in Dictionary when using Hebrew as the primary language
• shutter-click sound effect when taking a screenshot
• an issue with the four-finger swipe gesture
• an issue adding images to contacts in Address Book
• an issue in Front Row that could cause sluggish or slow frame rates while watching videos
• creation of mobile accounts for Active Directory users
• reliability and duration of VPN connections
• general reliability improvements for iWork, iLife, Aperture, Final Cut Studio, MobileMe, and iDisk
• overall improvements to VoiceOver performance
• this update addresses video playback and performance issues for iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers that may occur in some situations while AirPort is turned on

Fonts fixes provided for:

• an issue with font spacing
• an issue in which some Fonts are missing
• font duplication issues
• an issue with some PostScript Type 1 fonts not working properly

Graphics fixes provided for:

• an issue when connecting monitors to DVI and Mini DisplayPort adapters
• an issue in which the brightness setting may not be remembered on restart
• addresses functionality with specific display models
• general reliability and performance improvements when using some applications

Mail fixes provided for:

• a situation in which Mail’s unread count may not update properly as messages are read on another computer
• an issue in which deleted RSS feeds may return
• an issue in which Mail cannot preview or Quick Look attachments when composing a new message
• an issue that can cause Address Book and/or Mail to stop responding when opened
• an issue in which email messages received from an Exchange Server are not formatted correctly
• an issue in which Mail reports “Account exceeded bandwidth limits” for some Gmail accounts

MobileMe fixes provided for:

• performance when accessing files from iDisk via the Finder and syncing iDisk files
• an issue in which syncing iDisk files does not proceed beyond “checking items”
• reliability and performance when syncing contacts, calendars, and bookmarks with MobileMe (syncing with iTunes and iSync are also improved)
• an issue that prevents some users from logging into MobileMe via the MobileMe System Preference pane

Network file systems fixes provided for:

• compatibility with third-party AFP servers
• file synchronization for portable home directories

Printing and faxing fixes provided for:

• automatic printer updates improvements
• Print dialog allowing you to enter and send to more than one fax recipient

Safari fixes provided for:

• a graphics distortion issue in Safari Top Sites
• Safari plug-in reliability

Forbes - who broke the story - explain the malware.

The payload of that unwelcome program? Not a password-stealing key logger or spam sending software, but a switch of the user’s operating system wallpaper to Astley’s face, along with a message: “ikee is never gonna give you up.” (Astley’s 1987 song of a similar name has been at the center of a viral “rickrolling” Web phenom, in which users trick friends into clicking on a YouTube link to Astley’s hyper-cheesy music video.)

Since the release of the iPhone, security firms have warned that it could garner attention from Cyber criminals thanks to its runaway popularity. In July, Charlie Miller an Apple cyber security expert, managed to hack an iPhone by taking advantage of an SMS exploit. The hack allowed him to control that device and then gain control over other phones. The bug was patched the next day by Apple. [link]

This malware effects a limited number of iPhone users, currently those who have jail broken their iPhones and have not changed their default pass code for a SSH file transfer program.

Forbes discovered the following comment from the creator hidden in the source code:

“People are stupid, and this is to prove it so,” adding that users should read their phones’ manuals.

“It’s not that hard, guys,” ikex writes. “But hey who cares its only your bank details at stake.”

With the source code out in the wild, its almost certain that we’ll see more malware for the iPhone, at least jailbroken ones and most likely they’ll be much more serious. But for now at least official iPhone users need not worry.

Photo Credit: Johan Larsson

• First up, Tuesday Giveaway is back

  Tuesday Giveaway went away for a few weeks while we got a good backlog of goodies to giveaway. We have quite a lot of reviews coming up too so stay tuned for those, but in the meanwhile tomorrow we’ll be giving you the chance to win a copy….. well, just wait and see

• Second, we are having a bit of a restructuring

  We’re working on a restructure / interim tweaks to the site. These include improvements to how everything is displayed, some typographic improvements and improving the social element of our site.

• Thirdly, we’re working on a Podcast.

  We’ve decided to start a podcast which we hope to get up and running in the next few weeks. Please feel free to email us with any name suggestions you may have. Also we’re looking for iPhone developers to join us in the first show to talk all about the App Store and getting into iPhone developing. Email me, the editor and shortly host.

That’s alot to be going on. So stay tuned.

Incase is a company fueled by simple design for housing their products with durability to make it last. They understand the value of voiding the complexity that would normally interfere with performance with a goal to rise above conventions.

Incase provides iPhone protection in an eco-friendly and attractive way, with their Bamboo Slider, manufactured from 40% bamboo pulp. Created from bamboo leftovers, from items such as construction scaffolding and chopsticks, the material is repurposed into a slick holster to hold your smartphone.

Using bamboo complements their idea of simplicity. Bamboo is minimally harmful to the planet; it grows quickly, requires zero chemicals or irrigation, and can quickly biodegrade. And using this material replaces and reduces the amount of plastic used in their cases.

The Bamboo Slider provides easy access to all iPhone features, allows charging while in the case and direct access to the widescreen. All in one simple, sleek case that allows you to be a little more sustainable.

Bamboo Slider for iPhone 3G
$34.95

goincase.com

Unlike some headsets, the FLX70 has a closed, in-ear speaker, with reduces up to 70% of outside noise. The result? Crystalline conversations without any external disturbances to get in the way. The microphone is highly sensitive, ensuring that every word is relayed with ease.

The FLX70 is designed with your ear in mind; with its FlexiFit™ technology, the earpiece comfortably  fits in either ear, with or without an ear hook. It also includes three different ear bud sizes to guarantee a perfect fit. The optional lanyard allows you to have it ready without keeping it in your ear, but weighing in at just over a third of an ounce doesn’t make it a hindrance to keep it in place.

Regardless if you use it for a quick chat or need it to get you through the work day, talk time includes six hours of battery life with a standby time of 240, allowing ample time to get your conversations completed.

Designed for those in mind who want to combine function, comfort and convenience, we love the customizable headset and clear calls that the FLX70 has to offer.

Visit Sennheiser and check out their FLX70 Bluetooth 2.0 Headset to invest a new level in productivity.

This ultrathin keyboard uses Bluetooth technology to connect with your Mac, whether you’ve hooked it up to the television via your Mac Mini or want to lounge in a comfortable location away from your monitor and desk.

It’s luxe design features an anodized aluminum covering, with low-profile keys for added convenience. Basic performance functions, such as play, fast-forward and eject, are included, along with one-touch access to Expose and Dashboard.

The keyboard harbours up to nine months of battery life, thanks to an automatic on and off and because it can work up to 30 feet away, it’s also a great addition to any teacher’s classroom, presenter, or for use in office meetings.

We love the simplicity and feel of it, now ridden of the size of more wireless versions. The design is deceptive, surpassing any assumption of fragility and instead, leaving you with all you need without added girth.

It’s sleek, too, looking smooth among the decor, as an updated gadget that is aesthetically akin to any others that correspond with a modern decor.

Function meets fresh design in their newest addition to the Apple keyboard family.

Minimum System Requirements

• Mac computer with Bluetooth wireless technology
• Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later
• Keyboard software update
• Existing keyboard and mouse for initial setup
• Three AA batteries (included)

$79.00, Apple Store

Photo-editing app Juxtaposer gives you the ability to combine an aggregate of images to produce a newly furnished result. Make yourself brawny and buffed up with a few clicks, or send images to your brother and his wife with their heads attached on horse bodies (although they might not think it’s as funny as you do).

Juxtaposer lets you collaborate images, inserting a part from one photo on top of another in ease. Simply select your base image, choose one to top it, and erase parts the parts of the top one you no longer want to keep. With options allowing you to fine tune or Unerase, it’s easy to use to enhance previous photos or provide hours of mindless entertainment.

Juxtaposer is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch running the iPhone 2.x software update. A free version is available to test, but bear in mind it saves images at a lower resolution and does not provide the same amount of editing tools. We recommend that if you like it (and how can you not?) to go with the full version.

$3, visit Juxtaposer for more information

Image courtesy of Juxtaposer

But having it on your iPhone is even more convenient. Whether you’re in the middle of a meeting and trying to make sense of the overzealous vocabulary that you’re snarky co-workers are using, or your tackling the latest crossword puzzle over a coffee in Starbucks, it’s info in the palm of your hand.

That’s why with the release of the free Dictionary.com app last month, we are psyched.

The Dictionary.com app provides its popular reference content that we already are familiar with, as well as the added bonus of their Thesaurus.com content, too.  It also features audio pronunciations, so when you’re prepping to hack out some strong sentences in your business luncheon at noon, you know exactly what you’re saying (sort of).

It features over 275,000 definitions, 80,000 synonyms, similarly spelled words, example sentences, word history, and more; like a little teacher, in the palm of your hand.

And because it’s free, well, there’s no reason not to get it. That would be simply injudicious.

Check it out here.

Here’s what Associated Press said on the matter:

Unicom’s iPhones lack WiFi because it was temporarily banned by Beijing, which was promoting a rival Chinese system, according to BDA. The ban was relaxed in May after manufacturing had begun.

A Unicom spokesman, Yi Difei, said the company hopes to have WiFi in the next batch of phones.

“We are talking with Apple and expect the problem to be solved by the end of this year,” Yi said.

Ironically, due to the lack of Wifi and high price ($730 - $1,025) Apple are now competing with themselves. It appears as though most sensible Chinese will purchase an iPhone from abroad (or ask around at the local market) and pick up a 3GS, with Wifi and Video and save a 5th on official pricing. Some very smart number crunching people have hinted there could be as many 2 million “bootleg” iPhones in operation already. If that’s true, that is a lot of lost revenue.