Monday Morning News

[decryption]

From the streets of Hong Kong comes a dozen or so blurry pictures of what is reported to be the new 3rd Gen iPhone in action. There's not a lot new, but we can see a compass feature, as well as a really cool auto focus interface for the camera. Both of these screenshots tie into earlier rumours about the iPhone getting a digital compass and autofocus for its camera.

Someone slapped up a bunch of screenshots from the latest build of Snow Leopard (10A354). Someone also put up a video of trackpad handwriting recognition, a new feature for Snow Leopard.

Apple is extending the warranty on certain MacBook Pros with the nVidia GeForce 8600M GT. nVidia have admitted that the 8600M has faults with its soldering in the past. From Apple's support page: "If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within three years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty."

Everyone knows that Steve Jobs is the driving force behind many Apple products, but did you know the man has dozens of patents for things he has invented? Technologizer delve into the patents system and dig out Steve's work.

A gentleman from InfoWorld's Mobilze blog has taken it upon himself to ditch his laptop and try to use his iPhone as often as possible to replicate the tasks he would do on the laptop. He finds much joy.

Slow economy? Recession? Apple wants none of this. USA Today reports that Apple are renovating over 100 of their retail stores and will open 25 new stores this year.

Here's one for the beginners - how to reformat an external hard drive.

ZD Net Australia went to AusCERT and asked a bunch of security geeks about Mac OS X, security and whether Mac users need to run anti-virus software.

Remember that iPhone app that tethers to your digital SLR so you can use the iPhone as a remote for triggering the camera? Well it's out now. Nikon support coming soon too!

Apple have secretly pushed out updated LCD panels to the MacBooks. They look better now. Which is good, as the older ones didn't look too great.