Reprinted from TidBITS#829/15-May-06 with permission. Copyright (C) 2006, TidBITS. All rights reserved. http://www.tidbits.com/ MailBITS/15-May-06 ------------------ **Four iLife Apps Receive Updates** -- Apple released minor updates to four of the iLife '06 applications today - iWeb, iPhoto, iMovie HD, and iDVD - both via Software Update and as stand-alone downloads. As usual, the updates all include unspecified minor bug fixes and stability improvements. Beyond that, iPhoto 6.0.3 (a 14.1 MB download) reportedly solves problems with sharing iPhoto libraries (though we can't tell how, since iPhoto 6.0.3 still creates thumbnails with read-only permissions that prevent complete sharing of iPhoto libraries in the Shared folder), as well as issues relating to photocasting of smart albums and creating calendars and books. iMovie HD 6.0.2 (7.0 MB) resolves PAL audio problems and can now correctly display iLife Sound Effects in its Media Browser. iDVD 6.0.2 (5.6 MB) "addresses issues with burning some 16:9 projects," according to Apple. Somewhat bigger news, and a much bigger download, is iWeb 1.1 (95.3 MB), which adds support for two heavily requested features: comments (which can even include attachments up to 5 MB) and search fields for blogs and podcasts that are published to .Mac. It also contains "image management fixes to improve site load performance." [JK] **Security Update 2006-003 Released** -- Apple posted the latest security update last week, which patches vulnerabilities in many major Mac OS X components, such as Finder, Mail, Preview, Safari, CoreGraphics, AppKit, Keychain, and Launch Services. Several fixes prevent malformed image files from causing crashes or executing code, while others focus on specific security holes. The update is available via Software Update, or as separate downloads for Mac OS X 10.4.6 Client (in a 12 MB PowerPC or 23.5 MB Intel version) and Server (a 13.1 MB download); or Mac OS X 10.3.9 Client (a 28 MB download) and Server (a 41.6 MB update). [JLC] **QuickTime 7.1, Front Row 1.2.2 Released** -- Apple improved two of its media-centric products last week. QuickTime 7.1, a 49.1 MB download, delivers "numerous bug fixes," improves H.264 performance, and adds unspecified support for iLife '06. The media playback application Front Row 1.2.2, a 4 MB download, adds song shuffling in playlists, and fixes bugs related to preventing Audible audiobooks from playing, DVD compatibility issues, and more. Software Update has the updates as well, of course, and beware - as always - that QuickTime 7.1 will overwrite QuickTime Pro 6 licenses. [JLC] **NetNewsWire 2.1 Released** -- The final version of RSS news aggregator and reader NetNewsWire 2.1 shipped last week from NewsGator, the company that acquired the product and hired developer Brent Simmons last year (see "NewsGator Acquires NetNewsWire"). NetNewsWire 2.1 dramatically improves synchronization across multiple computers, enabling you to maintain the same set of subscriptions and not view the same news items you've already marked as read on one computer. It also enables viewing news items and modifying subscriptions via the NewsGator Web site, as well as a "sort by attention" option, which pushes subscriptions to the top that the program believes you have more interest in. Performance is also much faster in practically every way. NetNewsWire costs $30, which includes a one-year subscription to NewsGator Online Premium. The program also synchronizes, with less speed, efficiency, and cleverness, via .Mac or an FTP server, so the NewsGator subscription isn't absolutely necessary for synchronization benefits. The application requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, and is a universal binary. NewsGator continues to develop NetNewsWire Lite (still in beta), which is available at no cost. It does not include a number of interface features, but does handle synchronization. [GF] **Fox TV Shows Hit iTunes** -- In the largest single network debut to date, Apple has added another passel of television programming to its iTunes Music Store, this time from Fox Entertainment. The 16 new shows available via iTunes include current series 24, Prison Break, and fX Network's The Shield; Whedon-verse favorites Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; reality shows 30 Days and Unan1mous, and shows from Fox's SPEED and FUEL TV outlets including Pinks and the First Hand sports diary. As always, episodes are available in an advertising-free format for $2 apiece and may be viewed on a computer or on a video-capable iPod; some discounts are available for purchasing (or gifting) entire seasons. Fox's move to put television episodes on iTunes comes just a few weeks after the network announced a revenue-sharing agreement with its network affiliate stations. Although terms of the agreement haven't been published, the Wall Street Journal reported it enables Fox to make 60 percent of its prime time lineup available via the Internet the morning after the shows air, with stations receiving a 12.5 percent cut of the earnings after costs. [GD] .