Tom's Macs Blog

Apple has released a new technical support bulletin that addresses an issue with MagSafe adapters becoming frayed or damaged. MagSafe adapters are the power supplies used in MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Until now, Apple replaced damaged MagSafe adapters in Apple portables that were still under warranty. With the new support bulletin, Apple is instructing its service centers to replace any MagSafe adapter that shows cracks or is fraying, regardless of the state of the warranty.

If you have a MagSafe connector that is showing discoloration or any breaks or deformities in the rubber molding, you can take it to any Apple-authorized service center or retail Apple Store for evaluation and possible replacement.

It’s been a while since we've seen any new versions of the Mac ads featuring John Hodgman and Justin Long. Apple has been flooding the airwaves with iPhone ads lately, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the return of the Mac ads.

In his latest role, PC hides in a pizza box to try to ensnare college students when they shop for a notebook for school. Free pizza and college students seems like a natural match to me.

You can see the new ads at Apple's web site.

Apple is giving current MobileMe subscribers a free 60-day extension to their subscription.

Courtesy of Apple

In the email it sent to subscribers, Apple explains:

“The transition from .Mac to MobileMe was rockier than we had hoped. While we are making a lot of improvements, the MobileMe service is still not up to our standards. We are extending subscriptions 60 days free of charge to express appreciation for our members’ patience as we continue to improve the service.”

The 60-day extension is in addition to any other extension Apple has offered. That means some MobileMe users may receive up to 120 days of free service. Quite a deal.

On the other hand, I think most users would be satisfied with a more robust MobileMe service. I know I would.

Apple today released iPhone and iPod touch firmware v.2.0.2. As is typical of many Apple updates, the description of what the update includes is somewhat sketchy; it's listed as 'Bug Fixes.'

Courtesy of Apple

We've been expecting an update to address the iPhone 3G connectivity issues that some users in the U.S. and around the world have been reporting. Apple hasn't explicitly said that this update addresses those issues; perhaps some of you readers out there can let us know whether or not this update corrects any 3G connectivity issues you've been experiencing.

The iPhone 2.0.2 update is available via iTunes. To download the update, connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch iTunes. Click the iPhone listing under 'Devices' to check for the firmware update, and then follow the installation instructions.

Stop by the special iPhone topic in the Macs forum and let us know how the update works for you.

If you've been hearing about (or experiencing) the iPhone 3G's connectivity issues, specifically dropped calls and the inability to make connections at the higher 3G speeds, you may have wondered whether the problem was AT&T's 3G network or the iPhone itself.

Courtesy of Apple

Most of the anecdotal reports are from customers in the U.S., which would limit any network culpability to AT&T. But the same connectivity issues are popping up in all iPhone 3G markets, which pretty much lets AT&T off the hook.

The worldwide nature of the problem means there are two likely suspects. The first, and the one that some say is the mostly likely, is a hardware issue. Specifically, the 3G chip set designed and manufactured by Infineon. This chip set is used for the transmission and reception of data at the higher 3G speeds. A different chip set is used for connecting to the slower Edge network, which is currently working just fine.

The second possibility is software, or to be more technically correct, firmware. Apple's firmware could be misdiagnosing 3G signal strength or quality, and forcing a drop to the Edge network to compensate.

Both problems may be fixable with new firmware, but if it turns out to be strictly a hardware issue, there's a small chance that no easy fix is possible, and that Apple may have to replace or repair the current generation iPhone 3G.

I expect Apple to attempt a firmware fix in the near future, maybe as soon as next week. So, plug your iPhone into your Mac and check the iTunes Store for firmware updates. I'll also keep you posted if any updates come down the line.

Stop by the forums and let us know how your iPhone is working.

The Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.2 update combines multiple bug fixes, enhancements, and security improvements in a single package.

Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation

The security vulnerability affects Excel, and could allow someone to execute code remotely if you download and open a specially-crafted Excel document. Microsoft rates this security issue as important, because an attacker could take complete control of your computer, including the ability to install programs, view data, and delete files. The rating level may be "important" rather than "critical" because you must be enticed to download and open an Excel spreadsheet. My take on this is that in today's budget-challenging world, we download many finance-related spreadsheets, to check on mortgage costs, auto loans, and other such concerns. In my opinion, this raises the security issue to critical, so I recommend that all readers download and install the Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.2 update.

The update also includes a welcome fix for Word's sometimes slow launch, improved text display in tables, and an overall improvement in reliability.

You can download the update from the Microsoft web site, or by selecting 'Check for updates' from the Help menu in any Office application.

According to PhoneNews, Apple is getting ready to release an update to the MacBook Air. By itself this isn't really noteworthy, because an updated MacBook Air is to be expected, sooner or later.

Courtesy of Apple

What is noteworthy is that PhoneNews is reporting hardware specifics, and saying that Apple is quietly telling retailers to expect the update very soon. If true, I'd expect available stock of current MacBook Air models to be depleted, and shipping estimates at the Apple Store to begin to show long lead times. A quick check of the Apple Store shows the 1.6 GHz model shipping in 24 hours, and the 1.8 GHz model shipping in one to three days. These are pretty normal shipping estimates for products that aren't built to order. If these estimates start to show longer lead times, then PhoneNews may be on to something.

More interesting than the 'very soon' claim is the hardware the updated MacBook Air is purported to have: Penryn-class Core 2 Duo processors with speeds of 2 GHz and up, and larger hard drive options, with 120 GB and 160 GB 1.8-inch hard drives and SSD (Solid State Drive) options remaining available.

PhoneNews claims that a 60-watt charger will be included, to power the new processors and larger hard drives. This is the same size charger that current MacBooks use. If true, then Apple will have to provide a larger battery as well, to run a more power-hungry MacBook Air.

We'll have to wait and see, but many PhoneNews claims have the ring of truth.

Best Buy has announced it will begin selling the iPhone 3G in 970 of its full-size stores, and 16 of its specialty stores, Best Buy Mobile.

Courtesy of Apple

Over the last two years, Best Buy has been working to modernize and upgrade its in-store cellular department. It looks like all the hard work has paid off. Best Buy will be the first major retailer, other than Apple and AT&T, to get its hands on the hot iPhone 3G.

Best Buy will be able to both sell and activate the iPhone with AT&T service. The company expects to have product in many of its stores by September 7.

An interesting point that neither Best Buy nor Apple has mentioned so far is the possibility that the expanded sales channel may lead Apple to consider other retailers who have working relationships with AT&T. If that happens, you might someday see iPhones at your local Radio Shack or even the local mom-and-pop mobile phone store. Time will tell.

Microsoft is offering a discount of up to 30% on Office 2008 for the Mac. The promotion requires purchasing a new Mac and one of the three versions of Office 2008 for the Mac from specific retailers. The Mac and Office 2008 must be purchased from the same retailer, on the same receipt. The retailer will provide the Office discount at the time of the purchase; no rebate processing is required.

Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation

Participating retailers include:

• Apple Store
• CDW
• MacConnection
• Amazon
• MacMall

Purchases must be made by September 8, 2008.

Think twice before you respond to an email that appears to be from Apple or the iTunes Store. Recent phishing scams are using MobileMe, iTunes, and the Apple Store as bait. The email claims that there is a billing problem, and asks you to click a link to verify or correct your account information.

The current fake email making the rounds has 'iTunes Store (do_not_reply@apple.com)' or just 'do_not_reply@apple.com' in the 'From' field, and 'Important: Billing Problem' in the 'Subject' field.

The rest of the email is a typical HTML message, asking you to update your billing information by clicking a link in the email. The link doesn't take you to the iTunes Store or the Apple Store, but to a site that attempts to look like the Apple Store. If you click the link and provide your credit card information, you'll send the scammers on an all-expenses-paid spending spree, with you paying the expenses.

To protect yourself from this type of scam, first remember that Apple - and for that matter, most businesses – will never initiate an email contact to resolve a billing question. Second, never click a link in an unsolicited email. If you think the email might be legitimate, go to the subject web site directly by entering its URL in your browser, not by clicking the link in the email.

The following links will take you to Apple's real support sites:

iTunes:
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/

The Apple Store:
http://store.apple.com/us/help

MobileMe:
http://www.apple.com/support/mobileme/