Apple News Weekly

Apple has updated its flagship video editing software, Final Cut Pro [Mac App Store], to version 10.0.4. The update is a minor one, adding some performance improvements, bug fixes, and language support for Simplified Chinese. Final Cut Pro can be updated via the Mac App Store.

Final Cut Pro X version 10.0.4 improves overall stability, performance, and compatibility including:

- Improves image quality and responsiveness of broadcast monitoring with compatible third-party PCIe and Thunderbolt I/O devices.
- Improves performance of multicam syncing and editing.
- Adds language support for Simplified Chinese.
- Adds a Share option for 1080p video on compatible iOS devices.

Final Cut Pro version 10.0.4 also addresses the following issues:

- Assigns default audio channel setting for new projects to stereo.
- Includes multicam metadata in XML project export.
- Fixes an issue in which video superimposed over a background with an alpha channel could appear differently in Viewer before and after render.
- Fixes an issue that caused some titles to be rendered again after each application launch.

This update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro is available on the Mac App Store for $299.99. The 10.0.4 update is free for current owners of FCP. [Direct Link]

The update to Motion 5.0.3 doesn't add any specific features, but offers "stability and performance" improvements.

Motion 5.0.3 improves overall stability and performance including:

- Improves loading time for projects.
- Improves performance of text editing in the Canvas.
- Fixes issues with Fill Opaque enabled in images converted to Drop Zones.
- Resolves a stability issue that occurred when deleting all characters with the Transform Glyph tool.
- Corrects the pixel aspect ratio display of Anamorphic clips.
- Improves speed of Save Current Frame.
- Resolves a stability issue when adjusting motion blur controls in the Project Properties Inspector.
- Resolves a stability issue when modifying media files while Motion is running in the background.

Motion is $49.99 on the Mac App Store. The 5.0.3 update is free for current Motion owners. [Direct Link]

Just a day after media reports pointed out the outdated billboard atop the West 14th Street flagship Apple Store in New York City, it has been replaced with an updated sign.

SplatF's Dan Frommer snapped a picture of the updated billboard showing a shot from the new iPad television ad with the iPad being used to make a painting.

The timing of the updated billboard so soon after the media's commentary on it yesterday is most likely a simple coincidence.

FileMaker, Inc. today announced the release of the FileMaker 12 database software line — including FileMaker Pro 12, FileMaker Go 12, and FileMaker Server 12 — which offers powerful new ways to create custom database apps for iPad, iPhone, Mac, Windows, and the web. New professionally designed themes and the ability to customize every detail make it easy to create databases for managing contacts, projects, digital content, and more. All FileMaker 12 products are available starting today.

Though the new iPad was announced on March 7, Apple continues to advertise the iPad 2 in prime advertising real estate on top of the West 14th Street Apple Retail Store, as noticed by AdAge.

The billboards on top of the store, a flagship in the middle of the trendy Meatpacking District in New York City, were apparently included in the lease for the location. The billboards have always been advertising Apple products, since the opening of the store.

Though the 16GB iPad 2 is still for sale, it seems odd that Apple wouldn't be advertising its newest tablet on some of New York City's best advertising real estate. Click through to AdAge to see the full picture.

Apple has released an update to Java for OS X, updating Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_31. The update, called Java for OS X Lion 2012-001, "delivers improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6".

Apple hasn't updated its security page with details of the fixes in the update, but it may fix the vulnerability detailed across the web in recent days.

Apple released the same update for Snow Leopard, as well. The downloads can be acquired from Apple's support downloads page, or via Software Update.

Feral Interactive is serving up BioShock 2 to Mac users via the Mac App Store, two years after it arrived on the PC. It costs $30.99 on the Mac App Store, or via Feral directly. The game does include a multiplayer component as well.

Feral is dedicated to bringing major game titles to the Mac, and has taken to the Mac App Store in a big way. The company already sells a Mac version of BioShock 1, amongst a number of other titles.

Welcome back to Rapture. Paradise reborn.

Deep within the ruined undersea city of Rapture, your beloved Little Sister, Eleanor, awaits your return. As her Big Daddy, you protected her from a world of insanely selfish adults, now you must shield her again from those who demand that everything must be shared.

Ten years after the events of BioShock, Rapture has fallen under the control of a collectivist cult who plan to transform Eleanor into a genetically-engineered messiah, who will put an end to individuality forever. To save her, you must deploy a unique combination of shooting, role-play and stealth as you rampage through Rapture’s leaking halls to confront her captors.

Whether you choose to forgive those who threaten Eleanor or wreak vengeance upon them, remember, she is always watching and will follow your example.

Minimum system requirements for the game are a bit steep, unsurprisingly: Processor: 2.0 GHz, RAM: 4GB, Graphics: 256MB, Free Space: 10GB. The following graphics cards are not supported: ATI X1xxx series, ATI HD2xxx series, NVIDIA 9400, NVIDIA 7xxx series and Intel GMA series.

BioShock 2 is available for $30.99 on the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]

BioShock 1 is also available for $29.99. [Direct Link]

A new job listing on Apple's site indicates that the company is developing a "significant growth plan" for its network of Apple Premium Resellers (APRs) in India, seeking a new national manager to oversee expansion of the program.

The Apple Premium Reseller (APR) program was designed by Apple to expand and improve the market coverage and customer experience. Apple Premium Resellers offer the complete range of Macs, iPods and iPhones, along with a full complement of software and accessories.

There are currently 49 APRs in India with a significant growth plan for the future.

The NM [National Manager] will lead the expansion of the APR coverage as per plan

The new position will be based in Bangalore, where Apple has a minor existing presence.

Earlier this year, rumors surfaced suggesting that Apple was considering opening its own retail stores in India after the government relaxed laws that had required significant domestic ownership of single-brand stores. It is unclear whether Apple's planned expansion of its APR network in India means that it has decided against opening its own stores in the country, but any such Apple retail plan appears to have been a long-term project in any case.


India is one of the four "BRIC" countries whose developing economies are seen as major growth markets, with Brazil, Russia, and China also being included in that group. Apple has clearly focused its initial efforts for this group on China, although Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in an interview last month that the company has also been increasing its efforts in Brazil and Russia. Consequently, India appears to be Apple's lowest priority among emerging markets, but the company is undoubtedly keeping a keen eye on developments there and building its APR network as an interim measure to increase its presence.

At Lowe’s stores around the country, iPhone is changing customer service for the better. Using custom iPhone apps, store employees have key product information on hand, so they can check pricing, inventory, and location of items within the store, anytime, from their iPhones. And the free consumer app features how-to videos, prices and reviews, store locations, and gift card balances. “iPhone, iPad, and the iOS platform are enterprise solutions that we can build on for the future,” says Lowe’s Executive Vice President and CIO Mike Brown.

Apple has released an update to iPhoto, the photo-management and editing app that comes on every Mac. iPhoto 9.2.3 is a minor update that weighs in at 354.55MB.

About iPhoto 9.2.3

-Improves overall stability

-Addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly on systems with multiple user accounts

It can be downloaded from Apple's software downloads page, or via Software Update.

One week after the public beta launch of Photoshop CS6, Adobe today announced that the software has already hit 500,000 downloads.

We’ve been blown away by the response to the Photoshop CS6 beta. In less than one week of its release, we’ve seen over half a million downloads and counting!! Download it for free today!

It’s not often that we provide an advance preview of the next release of Photoshop and we’re grateful for all the support and buzz the beta has received. We’re glad you’re as excited as we are to see all of YOUR requests come to life.

Adobe has yet to announce final pricing for Photoshop CS6, but has indicated that it will launch sometime in the first half of this year.


Users of older Macs should note that Photoshop CS6 drops support for 32-bit Macs, leaving out systems utilizing Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processors. Intel Core 2 Duo processors and later offer 64-bit support required for Photoshop CS6.