So, you got a few Apple gift cards or some extra spending cash, and you’re about to burst with excitement over your upcoming Apple purchase, right?  But wait, MacWorld is just around the corner; could what you’re wanting to purchase become even shinier, prettier, nicer between now and January 15th?  The answer to your question is forthcoming.

That’s right, Apple will be releasing updated firmware for the iPhone very soon and there are a few surprises in store.  In all likelihood, the iPod Touch will receive new firmware shortly after the iPhone is updated.

Those of you that have the money to buy the full version of PhotoShop for Mac, great, for those of you that don’t there are a few cheaper options but why not go with something that’s completely free.

Apple’s meteoric ascent to $200 per share just this month have left many bewildered as to how the company that was, less than a decade ago, in shambles, has risen to the levels of success it currently enjoys.  Naysayers have consistently denied that Apple could reach each progressive plateau of success; however, is there really any chance that Apple could ever reach, say, $600 per share?

For the longest time now, those who have chosen to take the “unpaid” route for Apple software have been able to do so without repercussion; however, Apple submitted a patent earlier this month that might be looking to crack down on all those hapless pirates.

Though watching Apple’s ever-forthcoming patents can get a little disappointing, as many ideas go by the wayside, its latest patent suggests a delectable bit of innovation in the near future.  The newest patent describes a way for users to utilize an Apple mobile device to order something in-store remotely.

For many university students, adapting to Mr. Microsoft’s exchange server for sending and receiving mail has become a way of life.  What would be fantastic is if Mail app for OS X “just worked” with those confounded exchange servers; sadly, it isn’t quite that easy.For some reason, Microsoft-based exchange programs tend to allow OS X Mail to receive incoming mail, but not send outgoing; me, being the resourceful college student that I am, decided to consult my Frostburg State University computer help desk, as I was unable to come up with a solution.Let me tell you, do not think that all universities are fully staffed with Mac-savvy attendants, yet.  To be quite honest, the lady went through the same steps I did, and said she didn’t know; she recommended I just check my email via the web client.Unacceptable, frankly.  I shouldn’t have to check the web client; for most mail providers, OS X Mail “just works.”Most M$ supporters would say there is undoubtedly a problem with Mail app; the real answer is that, most obviously, we are still living in a Microsoft world.Here’s my duck taped-solution, and if anyone has any better ideas, please leave constructive comments:  I receive mail from the exchange server like normal in Mail app from my university, but also have my Gmail account linked to Mail, so I use Gmail for outgoing mail.It isn’t perfect, but it works.I’d love a sure-fire solution, but I haven’t been able to find one.  Update: my fellow writer Leslie Poston led me to a site that provides a fairly comprehensive fix, though I haven’t been able to wade through it yet.  Here’s the link; apparently part of the problem is an inconsistency with Office 2007 protocol.  Enjoy, and thanks Leslie!

Ever since the days of the first Walkman cassette player, people have been listening to their music at full blast at the cost of their long-term hearing. Well, it appears that Apple hopes to stop that trend with its new iPod which will include an automatic volume control.

Though the iPhone has swung the allegiances of many consumers from their old cell phone networks to AT&T, there are many still who are waiting patiently for the next generation iPhone to hit production so other service providers can host the revolutionary little phone.   Hopes may become realities at MacWorld this January, as some speculate that a surprise 2nd generation iPhone could be debuted.

Instead of buying an iPod Touch which has tons of awesome features, maybe you opted for more storage instead of said cool features and are thinking, “gee, this interface is lame, I wish it had the iPod Touch interface.”  Well, if you are, here is how you can get the iPod Touch interface on your 5G and 5.5G iPod Classics.  The mod will not brick your iPod if it fails but if it does, you will have to restore and try again.