O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: utility

  • Apple AirPort Utility 5.5.3 update may point towards next-gen AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule devices


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    It may be a small update, but it could mean something more.

    Per AppleInsider, a routine update to Apple’s Airport Utility application contains references to new 4th generation Time Capsule and 5th generation AirPort Extreme devices, according to a new report.

    After Apple released the AirPort Utility 5.5.3 update for Windows and Mac on Monday, device listings were uncovered in the update’s binary, MacRumors reports. Apple’s documentation for the 10MB downloads lists only that it “resolves an issue that caused the AirPort Utitlity to unexpectedly quit during setup.”

    Of particular interest are listings for “K31 K30B Time Capsule (Simultaneous Dual-Band, Gen3)” and “K10B Apple AirPort Extreme (Simultaneous Dual-Band, Gen3).” Elsewhere in the code for the utility, the rumored devices are reportedly listed as “Time Capsule 802.11n (4th Generation)” and “AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Generation).”

    Apple’s current simultaneous dual-band AirPort products, which were last updated in October 2009, are described as “Gen2.”

    Recent reports have suggested that available stock of Apple’s AirPort and Time Capsule wireless base stations has dwindled ahead of a product update. The latest rumors claim Apple may shift the base stations to run iOS.

    iOS-based AirPort base stations could allow for more robust features, such as print and media streaming services, integration with iCloud, and cached wireless software updates. Code references in AirPort Utility seem to support the likelihood of software update caching, according to people familiar with the matter.

    Also, indications that Apple is working on wireless drivers for non-Intel CPUs may point to the possibility that Apple plans to enable iOS devices to setup and configure new AirPort or Time Capsule devices without the help of a Mac or Windows PC. Such a move could align with Apple’s Post PC strategy, as the company recently revealed that the forthcoming iOS 5 has been designed to be “PC Free” by way of wireless activation, syncing and backup.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

  • Onyx 2.2.7 released

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    Onyx, Titanium Software’s popular freeware multifunction utility for Mac OS X, has been updated to version 2.2.7. The new version, a 15.8 megabyte download (courtesy of MacUpdate), adds the following fixes and changes:

    – Deleting the System Archived logs in the Maintenance > Scripts panel.

    – Deleting Temporary Items improved.

    – Deleting Logs improved.

    – Deleting User Cache improved.

    Onyx 2.2.7 requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later to install and run.

  • Cocktail 4.7.7 (Snow Leopard Edition) Released

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    Over the weekend, shareware developer Maintain released version 4.7.7 of Cocktail (Snow Leopard Edition), Cocktail, the popular shareware utility program that allows for additional Mac OS X system tests. The new version, a 2 megabyte download, adds the following fixes and features:

    – Added Mac OS X 10.6.5 compatibility.

    – Fixed compatibility issues with Safari 5 extensions.

    – Fixed compatibility issues with iTunes 10.

    – Added ability to restore horizontal window controls in iTunes 10 (Interface – Misc).

    – Added Dock menu.

    – Minor user interface improvements.

    – Updated Automator actions.

    Cocktail 4.7.7 retails for a US$14.95 shareware registration fee and requires Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later to install and run.

  • Microsoft releases Office 2004 11.6, Office 2008 12.2.6, Open XML Converter 1.6 updates

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    Late Tuesday, Microsoft released version 11.6.0 of its Microsoft Office 2004 suite and version 12.2.6 of its Microsoft Office 2008 suite as well as version 1.6 of its XML Converter utility. The Office updates, which weigh in at 192 and 332 megabytes, respectively, focus on improving security for both suites, fixing vulnerabilities that could allow malicious code to overwrite portions of your Mac’s memory and run arbitrary commands.

    The updates are free and available through the AutoUpdate programs and require Mac OS X 10.2 or later to run Office 2004 and Mac OS X 10.4 or later to run Office 2008.

    If you’ve installed the updates and have any feedback to offer, let us know.

  • Apple releases AirPort Utility 5.5.1, updated firmware for Time Capsule, late 2009 AirPort Extreme units


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    Late Wednesday, Apple released AirPort Utility 5.5.1, a 10.2 megabyte download which offers the following fixes to the AirPort Utility software:

    – Not importing all settings when importing a configuration.

    – Not propagating MAC address control lists when using an extended network.

    The company also released a firmware update for its Time Capsule and late 2009 AirPort Extreme Base Station devices. The updated firmware repairs a problem with wireless performance in the 5GHz band and an issue with creating a Guest Network in that same band.

    Both updates require Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later to install and run and the AirPort Utility update can be located, snagged and installed via Mac OS X’s Software Update feature or via the update feature in Airport Utility itself.