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Posts Tagged ‘Apple’

Apple blocks Java 7 Plug-In for the second time

Update: Since publishing this article last week, Java 7u13 has been released, with important fixes included. We’ll post a follow-up article once the blacklisting has been removed.

For the second time since the beginning of 2013, Apple has blocked the latest release of the Java plug-in, effectively preventing it from being loaded into machines running OS X — as it did once before, in January of this year.

While it’s not immediately clear why Apple blocked this release of the Java 7 web plug-in, it’s likely that they are responding to reports that began over the weekend that this new release had some security issues and was allowing unsigned computer code to run on machine running the new plug-in.

Apple isn’t the only group with concerns about this latest release of Java. In a Vulnerability Note updated January 24, the US Department of Homeland Security recommends “(u)nless it is absolutely necessary to run Java in web browsers, disable it… even after updating to 7u11 (the latest release).”

Since users of OS X were victimized by the Flashback Trojan malware in 2011, Apple has been slowly moving away from integrating Java into its operating systems. Later versions of the software rely less and less on Java, even going so far as to disable the plug-in in the 2012 version of OS X Lion.

To find out how to disable Java in your machine, see the Homeland Security Vulnerablity note or this article in ZDNET.

If you think you might be a victim of a computer virus or malware, we have Agents standing by 24/7 at 1-800 Geek Squad, or chat with an Agent online here.

Breaking News: 1st Gen iPod Nano recall issued by Apple

Recently it was discovered certain 1st Generation iPod Nano’s may have a defective battery.  This can lead to problems with the device.  If you have a 1st Generation iPod Nano purchased between September 2005 and December 2006 you may be affected.

According to Apple:

“Apple has determined that, in very rare cases, the battery in the iPod nano (1st generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk. Affected iPod nanos were sold between September 2005 and December 2006.

This issue has been traced to a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect. While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages.

Apple recommends that you stop using your iPod nano (1st gen) and follow the process noted below to order a replacement unit, free of charge.”

The 1st Generation iPod Nano can be identified by its White or Black plastic front, and silver metal back.  You can check to see if your 1st Generation iPod is affected by the recall by visiting Apple.com and entering the Serial Number on the back of the iPod.  Apple is replacing the affected units with a 1st Generation iPod Nano that does not have the defective battery.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact 1-800-Geek-Squad, visit Http://www.GeekSquad.com to chat with an Agent, or tweet us at Http://twitter.com/Twelpforce.

-Agent Patrick B.

Steve Jobs: The Passing of a Legend

 Steve Jobs is gone. The founder and father figure of Apple has died, leaving us all wondering what will happen in the wake of his passing.

Steve’s impact on modern computing is incalculable. When you look at technology (MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, and laptop/desktops) in pop culture, hardly a segment of it doesn’t have Steve’s handwriting all over it.

Steve had a unique vision. It didn’t always buy him friends. He was a perfectionist in every sense of the word.  “Good enough” wasn’t in his lexicon — and aren’t we glad for that! He was an uncompromising visionary, and his vision & drive brought a true marriage of form and function together in Apple products that first delighted print and design professionals, and then the rest of the world.

Each Apple Keynote with Steve was a magical event, looked forward to with great anticipation. “What new piece of technological wizardry will he unveil now?”, we’d ask, sitting on the edge of our seats. And like the master showman that he was, Steve would spin it out like a well-crafted yarn — releasing tidbits slowly, bit by bit, until — with a final flourish — he’d unveil the final bit of magic. Whether it be a new iPod, new iPad, Macbook or the like, he did it with style — and the people voted with their pocketbooks, gobbling up the new technology and cementing his impact on the world.

The loss of Steve came like a blow yesterday. Yes, we all knew it would happen eventually — and when he stepped down as CEO, I figured it would be sooner rather than later. That still didn’t lessen the impact when I heard he was gone.

Steve: you walked the land as a giant. You showed us the power of true belief, what happens when you aren’t afraid to dream, and are willing to follow thought with action. You showed that it is possible to marry form and function, creative design and excellence in performance — all with class and style. You inspired a new generation of dreamers, and left your mark upon the land.

You will be remembered.

Farewell, Steve.

iPad 2 – Faster, Stronger, Lighter?

 What rumored features made the cut, and how will they affect performance of the device when it hits shelves next week? Let’s take a look.

The first thing you might notice about this new iPad is that it is thinner and lighter.  Compared to the 1^st iPad, the 2^nd generation device is only a third of an inch thick, making it 33% thinner.  The weight has also been reduced from 1.5 to 1.3 pounds.  The overall screen size and shape hasn’t changed, however, with the same 10 inch screen found on the original iPad, with the same resolution as well.

Another change to the iPad 2 is the addition of two cameras to the device. The front facing camera will support VGA resolutions at 30 frames per second.  Most users will use this camera with the iPad Photobooth and Facetime apps that will be available with iOS 4.3.  The iPad’s version of Facetime will allow video calls to be made between iPad 2s, as well as iPhone 4s and Macs running the app.  The rear facing camera will record 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, or take still shots with a 5x digital zoom.  Apple will also be releasing a new iPad iMovie app for purchase on the app store to edit these videos while on the go.

Under the hood, the iPad 2 has been upgraded to a 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor.  Apple claims this new processor will provide 2 times the processor power for apps and multitasking, along with a 9 times increase in graphics processing for when you want to take time out for some portable gaming. Equally important is that Apple states that the new processor won’t impact battery life, with a reported 10 hour battery life, the same as the original iPad.

Just like the original, the iPad 2 will come with options of 16, 32 and 64GB storage, along with both WiFi-only and 3G mobile + WiFi models.  A key difference, though, is that the iPad 2 3G will be like the iPhone 4, and will be available in either a GSM model compatible with AT&T, or a CDMA model supporting Verizon.  This will allow a choice in which mobile broadband provider the iPad 2 can be used with, but it does present a buying decision that will need to be made by potential owners.

The announcement also held news about iOS 4.3, which will be available on the same day as the iPad 2.   With this update, Apple has improved performance with their mobile Safari web browser, added features to AirPlay to allow wireless streaming of videos shot on the iPad 2 with an Apple TV, and included the ability to access the music and video library stored on your computer via your wireless network with iTunes Sharing.

How will these changes impact the average iPad user?  The thinner and lighter design will certainly make the already portable tablet even more so, but the screen size and resolution will still be familiar to those who already own the original.  Storage sizes remain the same, but the improved processor will certainly help with web browsing and regular app use, while the improved graphics speed will help the iPad 2 compete in the portable gaming market dominated by Nintendo and Sony.  Overall, the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, but Apple does get credit for sparking the latest tablet revolution with their original iPad last April.

 The iPad 2 and iOS 4.3 will be available on Friday, March 11^th.  The 2011 tablet wars just got a little more interesting.

Geek Squad 2MM: How to Upgrade an Apple OS

Geek Squad 2MM: How to Upgrade your Operating System

Don’t Forget, It’s Time to “Spring Forward”

The weather is getting warmer and the days longer as Spring approaches, which also means that Daylight Saving Time is nearly upon us. In fact, the DST changeover is coming this Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 am. For most people, this means a trip throughout the house, hunting down every piece of electronics with a clock.

For computer users, if you have Windows Vista (or even Windows 7), you’re all set. For Windows XP users, if your system has all its updates current, you won’t have any problems. However, if you have not updated your computer – please do that today by the way! – or you want to be sure you’re ok, you can download the update that addresses the issue here. Apple users, head here.

This Sunday also provides an excellent opportunity to do a few other bi-annual tasks, such as checking the batteries in your smoke alarms, confirming that your PC’s antivirus and antispyware programs are up to date, and making a backup of all your important data if you aren’t already doing so.