iOS, Lion, and Apple TV Updated

Apple rolled out quite a few updates today. Though only an iOS and Lion update were expected, Apple also updated the Apple TV, iCloud.com, and released a number of apps for iOS.

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Apple Updates Malware Definitions

Remember that PDF based trojan I reported on just 3 days ago? If not, there's a link, I recommend reading that story first, getting mildly frightened, and then coming back here for comfort.

Okay, don't be frightened, Apple has already issued an update to the built in malware definitions in Mac OS. That means, without knowing it, your Mac has already updated and protected itself against this trojan. Of course, this is only available to users of Mac OS Snow Leopard or Lion. But that's just another reason to upgrade. Lion has far better security than it's predecessors, even Snow Leopard. So, if you're really worried about security, upgrading to Lion would be your best bet.
via tuaw

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Change Login Background in Lion

Yesterday, I showed how you could change the background of the Dashboard, Mission Control, and the folders in Launchpad. There's one more default background that you could change, the one behind the login window. Changing it is as easy as changing the other backgrounds. Just create a copy of the original file, and replace it with your own PNG image.

You'll want to navigate to the folder location below. Just copy the path, go into Finder, and press Command + Shift + G, and paste that path in.
/System/Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/Resources

The file you'll be replacing is called NSTexturedFullScreenBackgroundColor.png

You may have to play around until you find a background you like. A few things to remember:

• It must be a PNG image


• 72PPI resolution (most images will fit this requirement)


• And create a backup of the original!

Again, if you're not comfortable changing system files, this isn't for you. Honestly, it's not too hard, and as long as you make backups of the originals, it's safe to do. So if you don't like Apple's backgrounds, why not make a few of your own?

via AskDaveTaylor

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Customize Lion Backgrounds

Did you know you could customize the backgrounds of Dashboard, Mission Control, and even the Folders in Launchpad? You'll be working with system files, but if you're willing to do so, try it out.

First off, you may want to make a backup. Use Time Machine, or make a copy of the files you'll be editing. Before replacing the images, you should copy them, even if you've use Time Machine to make a backup.

More below.

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Change Hidden Lion Features With This App

Lion is great, the new features are incredibly useful. But, to some people, a few of the new changes are more annoyances than fun new features. Among them, are the hidden scroll bars, animations, hidden folders, autocorrect, and much more. The app Lion Tweaks allows users to edit these features, some of which can't be edited throughout the system.

You can download Lion Tweaks here. Although if you're only problem with Lion is the autocorrect, you can actually turn this off from the Language and Text pane of System preferences, from the Text tab.

Lion can be purchased from the Mac App Store for $29.
via CultOfMac

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Apple Updates Lion

The first update for Mac OS Lion is out. If you're running Lion, head on up to the Apple menu and select Software Update to get it.
The update fixes the following problems:

• Address an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari. 


• Resolve an issue that may cause system audio to stop working when using HDMI or optical audio out. 


• Improve the reliability of Wi-Fi connections. 


• Resolve an issue that prevents transfer of your data, settings, and compatible applications to a new Mac running OS X Lion. 

I hadn't experienced any of these issues, but it's good to know I won't know. If you were waiting for the first update to make the upgrade to Lion, now your chance. 

via MacRumors

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Get System-Wide Zoom in Lion

If you frequently use the system wide zoom feature in Mac OS (Ctrl+Scroll), you may be a bit disappointed to find that it has been disabled in Lion. This is because applications such as Safari now feature more intuitive zooming using the pinch gesture. However, this won't work for all applications, and it doesn't zoom the full screen. If you have vision issues, or frequently show of a section of your screen to others, this could be a problem.

But, fear not, it's actuality very easy to add the functionality back into Lion. How to, along with screen shots below.

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Create Full Screen Shortcuts in Lion

Lion adds great support for full screen apps, but one feature you may like is a keyboard shortcut to enter and exit full screen. Fortunately, Mac OS makes it easy to create your own keyboard shortcuts.
Cult of Mac has created a guide for adding new keyboard shortcuts for full screen. The step-by-step instructions are below.

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Modify Lion Features with Terminal

You may be aware that you can customize Mac OS features with the Terminal. Apple keeps certain, more complex options out of the System Preferences app. But, if you'd like to change the behavior of Lion more than System Preferences allows, check out these four terminal commands, compiled by MacWorld.

As a reminder, to open the Terminal application, go into Applications -> Utilities. From here you can enter commands. Terminal is an incredibly useful Application, but most users will never use it. However, if you want to customize features not found within an application, it's a great tool. All of these customizations are reversible, just re-enter the command with true instead of false (or vise versa).

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Resize Windows Like a Pro in Lion

With Lion, you can resize windows by clicking and dragging on any edge of a window. It looks great and works seamlessly, without the need of displeasing window borders like other operating systems use.

But, did you know you could use modifier keys while resizing to preform different types of resizing actions? By holding shift, the entire window will resize, with the opposite side staying in place. Holding option will move and resize the opposite side of the window proportionally to the side you're dragging. You can also combine the two to proportionally resize the entire window when holding both shift and option.

It's great to know Lion offers so many new features, and it's been fun discovering each new one.
Apple claims there's over 250+ new features in Lion, and I believe them.
via tuaw

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Lion Introduces Recovery Mode

Normally when you're having an issue with your Mac, such as a hard drive acting up, or bad permissions, you use the install disc for your current version of Mac OS to use repair and diagnostics utilities. However, Lion is a download through the Mac App Store, so how will users solve diagnostic issues?

That's where the new Recovery mode in Lion comes in. Just boot up your Mac while holding Command and R to enter recovery. Here you'll find all the same diagnostics and repair tools that were offered on your install disc. If you're working with a blank drive, one that doesn't have a recovery partition from the install of Lion, then you can expect your Mac to download the utilities from the internet.

With Lion, even troubleshooting has gotten easier. You can read Apple's official page on Lion Recovery here.
via tuaw

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10 Secret Features of Lion

10? I'm still discovering new features. Still, Lifehacker has made a list of their 10 favorite new features, and some of them were news to me. Click read more below to see the full list.

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No Room for Lions in the Front Row

Or perhaps it's the other way around. Yes, there's no room for Front Row in Lion. Apple has done away with an old Mac OS standby by removing the application from their latest OS. Front Row, a media hub application built into Mac OS, united the music and movies you had on your computer, or even over your network. It was easy to use, and looked great. However, Front Row must not have been very popular, because Apple decided to axe it.

Now, I've got some good news and some bad news. Normally I'd offer you a choice, but I don't feel like writing a "choose your own adventure" blog post. So, click read more for the good and bad news.

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Xcode 4.1 Available for Free, Some Issues With Installation

Yesterday, Apple released Xcode 4.1, and now it's available for free. Lion developers will need to upgrade to the latest version of Xcode to continue using it. It seems to have a few improvements, and add features for creating user interfaces.

However, some users (including myself) had issues installing Xcode. The installer reported that iTunes was running, when in fact the app was not open. A quick search in Activity Monitor revealed that the real issue was the iTunes helper process. Forcing it to quit should fix the problem. It's better to restart your computer before installing Xcode, that way there won't be any conflicting applications running.

However, after installing Xcode, the application crashed every time it was launched. Again, suspecting iTunes was the issue, I looked for a solution, and ended up reinstalling iTunes. This fixed the issue. Hopefully Apple releases an update to their installer to make it smoother in the future. As of now, the installation works perfectly, just know that there could be some issues. Most people didn't have any trouble installing Xcode, so you shouldn't be too worried. It's required for Lion anyway, so why not give it a shot? If you're a developer, you probably know how to troubleshoot this sort of problem anyway.

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Lion: Hands On

I couldn't begin to do an "all about Lion" article. Every few minutes I discover a new feature. So, instead here's a summarization of some of Lion's best (and worst) features.

First off, Lion changes a lot about your Mac. You'll notice small differences everywhere. Windows look a bit different, buttons are smaller, everything is more gray (in a classy way), quick look has been vastly improved, and the scroll bars are gone, only appearing when you're scrolling. Those are system wide changes, and so far, every single one has been a welcome change.

Another cool system wide change you'll notice is that autocorrect has found its way into Mac OS. If you type something that is commonly misspelled, it will be corrected, and a wavy blue line will appear beneath the corrected word, allowing you to choose a different correction, or revert it.  It quickly corrects many common typos and spelling errors and is seamless. I've been using Lion all day, and I wrote this article, and yet I haven't had a single issue with an incorrect replacement. It's just one of those many small improvements that you'll quickly wonder how you lived without it.
More after the jump.

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Mac OS Lion Available Now

Apple has made Lion available on the Mac App Store. You can download it here. The download is 3.74GB, and will take quite a while. I'm in the process of downloading it now, so expect more information later today.

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Upgrading to Lion Tomorrow? Here's a Simple To-Do List

There are a few things you can do to make installing a new OS go as quickly as possible. And fortunately, you still have time tonight to prepare your Mac for Lion. Below, I've created a list of preparations to make sure your installation of Lion goes quickly and smoothly.

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Mac OS Lion Will be Released Wednesday

No question mark in the title? Could it be because there's finally some certainty to this rumor?

Yes. Lion releases tomorrow. 

The evidence was mounting today, as third party retailers started receiving marketing materials for Lion. Then, it was discovered that Apple employees will be having another late night at the Apple store tonight. And yesterday, sources claimed that Lion would launch Wednesday, and that Apple stores had received hard drives with the operating system loaded on it. 

But the biggest clue? Apple announcing it. During the quarterly earning call today, Apple announced that yes, Lion will be releasing on Wednesday. 

So, back up your Mac tonight, because tomorrow Apple will release Lion on the Mac App Store for $29.99. Previously, a source mentioned a specific time: 8:30 AM eastern time. 

via AppleInsider MacRumors and BGR

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Apple Preparing for Lion Release

The latest rumor places the launch of Mac OS Lion this Wednesday, at 8:30AM Eastern Time. This is according to "reliable sources" who have apparently been correct with rumors in the past. However, previous rumors had the same "reliable sources" so it's hard not to be a bit pessimistic.

However, this rumor has actually gotten a bit more support recently. Apparently, Apple retail stores have been receiving new promotional materials, and, more importantly, hard drives with Lion already installed on them, allowing for quick installation in display models. This could be important, because on launch day, Apple's servers are going to be busy, and the retail stores will need Lion up and running when they open on release day.

There have been so many rumors about the release of Lion, it's hard not to be a bit skeptical. Still, I'll be anxiously sitting by my MacBook this Wednesday.
via CultOfMac

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Lion Apps Getting Approved

One of the many rumors surrounding the release of Mac OS Lion was that it was to be released today. Of course, it wasn't. Although, apps updated for Lion were released into the Mac App Store today. That's something, right?

Yes and no. Apple wouldn't hold back developers' updates just to fit their own update schedule. However, at the same time, Apple wouldn't have asked developers to submit their updated apps unless the release of Lion was immanent. 

The latest rumors say that Lion may be out on the 26th. This is from someone who claimed an Apple Genius let it slip during a conversation. However, at this point, I only feel confident in saying that Mac OS Lion will be released in July. That's all we knew weeks ago when Lion was announced, we're no better off. 

via CultOfMac 1 2

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