Leopard launch and assorted iNews
The lines won’t rival the iPhone launch, but there will be plenty folks of waiting to grab a copy of OS X Leopard, the Mac’s newest operating system, at the earliest opportunity, which we now know will be 6 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 26. In the meantime, you’ll have a chance to familiarize yourself with the more than 300 new features on the way. “Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we’ve ever released,” said CEO Steve Jobs in a press release, before delivering this zinger: “And everyone gets the ‘Ultimate’ version, packed with all the new innovative features, for just $129.”
Elsewhere in Apple-land:
* The iTunes Store is reportedly planning to drop its premium pricing for tunes unburdened by digital rights management restrictions and expanding that inventory as well, according to Ars Technica. The DRM-free tracks have been going for $1.29 a track vs. the usual 99 cents (see “Price of freedom: Eternal vigilance plus a 30% premium“). At introduction in May, the premium looked to be insurance for the record label against the risk of increased piracy, so perhaps that fear has not been borne out. Or perhaps the availability of DRM-free tracks for 99 cents at places like Amazon had some influence.
* BusinessWeek’s sources tell it that Apple is preparing an iPhone software development kit for third-party applications. The demand for a more open iPhone has been made clear in the persistent hacking efforts (see “IPhone hack update: Mice pull back into the lead“), so if the report is true (and depending on just how open Apple decides to be), expect to hear great rejoicing across the land. BusinessWeek says the kit may be released in early 2008, perhaps at Macworld.
* Responding to a Greenpeace report and a complaint alleging that the public is endangered by the presence of phthalates, reproductive toxins, in the plastic vinyl coating of the headphone cables of the iPhone, an Apple spokesperson told Macworld, “Like all Apple products worldwide, iPhone complies with RoHS [Restriction of Hazardous Substances], the world’s toughest restrictions on toxic substances in electronics.” Earlier this year, as part of a green agenda, Apple committed to eliminating the use of PVCs by the end of next year.
* It took a little longer than expected to go from “rumored” to “confirmed,” but Apple has indeed partnered with Orange as its exclusive iPhone carrier in France. The phones will go on sale there Nov. 29.
