10.7

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers. This week readers wrote in asking questions about the options for OS X 10.7 Lion recovery discs, CDs and DVDs automatically ejecting when inserted into the drive, and options for playing Flash media files in Keynote presentations. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present a few answers here, we welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

Question: Information on OS X 10.7 Lion's recovery disk options MacFixIt reader "Paul&… Read more

Apple prepares for Lion with OS X 10.6.8 update

Apple has released the anticipated version 10.6.8 update to OS X Snow Leopard. The key features of this update are that it gets the Mac App Store ready for the upgrade to OS X 10.7 Lion that is slated for release this summer. The update also improves support and addresses bugs with networking and Apple's Preview application. Additionally, it also adds more support for the removal of the recent MacDefender malware and its variants.

The update specifically addresses the following issues:

Enhancements to the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac … Read more

Quicken 2007 may run in OS X Lion sooner or later

With rumor and speculation about Apple's removal of Rosetta support from OS X, one of the communities most concerned is the people who have become accustomed to using Quicken 2007 for Mac. Quicken was developed with PowerPC-specific instructions for core components of the software, which has made it a daunting and practically impossible task for Intuit to get running on the Intel architecture. As a result, when Apple drops PowerPC support altogether, Quicken will no longer run. However, there are some new developments that may shed some light on the problem for Quicken 2007 users.

According to The Mac Observer, … Read more

Considering OS X Server for home users

Since the initial releases of OS X, Apple has developed a Server variant of the operating system, which has until now been a rather expensive option. With the end of the Xserve line and options like the Mac Mini server, Apple has made its Server software cheaper and cheaper, to the point where in OS X Lion it will be a $49 upgrade purchase from the Mac App Store. As a result some people may be wondering what OS X Server is all about and how it may benefit them.

MacFixIt reader "John" recently wrote in with such … Read more

Testing for Rosetta use in OS X

With speculation and rumor suggesting (possibly accurately) that OS X Lion will be issued without the "Rosetta" dynamic translator that allows PowerPC code to run on Intel-based Macs, a number of people are undoubtedly concerned about their readiness to use a platform without any form of PowerPC support. Over the years, people have accumulated applications, tools, and utilities that use either Intel or PowerPC, or both, and while numerous developers have updated their software to work natively on Intel Macs, with Rosetta being so transparent, people may be unsure whether their software requires PowerPC.

Another factor that plays … Read more

Report: OS X Lion to be offered via Mac App Store

Apple has been pushing out preview builds of its upcoming Mac OS X "Lion" update through the Mac App Store since late February, and that distribution method could remain when the software is released to the public later this year, according to a new report.

Citing "people familiar with the matter," AppleInsider reports that Apple plans to offer Lion as an update through the Mac App Store, giving those upgrading a chance to skip buying a disc from Apple or another retailer to get the new software.

Apple has already taken numerous steps at cutting optical discs out of the world, both through digital content offerings on iTunes, and the full-on removal of optical drives in notebooks like the MacBook Air series. More recently, the company has been scaling back boxed software in its retail stores--including its own applications--favoring Mac App Store placement and distribution instead. The company pushed a similar, though more drastic strategy in phasing out floppy drives in the 1990s.

AppleInsider's source says the company still plans to offer discs for those on slower connections. The company is also likely to offer such an option for those on Leopard, who therefore aren't able to run and install the Snow Leopard exclusive Mac App Store to grab the update.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. … Read more

Rumor: New MacBook Pro case design coming

A new rumor pegs Apple as preparing a new MacBook Pro case design to replace the current unibody aluminum case. The new case design should be present on the next revision of the MacBook Pro, which just saw an update back in February. According to the sources of the rumor, the early 2011 MacBook Pro update is the last with the current case design.

MacRumors claims that its source is reliably confirming the updated design, first leaked on iLounge just before February's MacBook Pro update.

As noted by MacRumors, the unibody design currently used for MacBook Pro models was … Read more

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion close to Golden Master release

According to tech news site TechCrunch, Apple may be ready to deploy the first Golden Master (GM1) of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. The release will be a major update since last month's developer preview, which many thought, according to the report, wasn't as smooth as it could have been.

"Apple has been working through many OS X Lion bugs and performance issues as they move towards the stated Summer release date. Given that GM candidates are already nearing, they definitely appear to be on schedule."

This is good news for those of us patiently … Read more

Apple seeding seventh beta of Mac OS X 10.6.7 to developers, public release imminent

Apple is seeding the seventh beta of Mac OS X 10.6.7 to developers for testing. This version, build 10J868, like the last few builds, contains no known issues, suggesting that Apple may be prepared for a public release of the update.

Similar to the previous build of 10.6.7 beta, the applications and functionality under scrutiny include the Mac App Store, Bonjour, SMB, and Safari. Graphics performance is also a focus for developers testing their software against the operating system.

Though Mac OS X 10.6.7 will provide some much-needed updates and enhancements for current features … Read more