iLounge is reporting that some people have received incorrect information when contacting AT&T about upgrading their 4GB or 8GB iPhones to the new 16GB iPhone. In a recent thread on the Apple Discussions, an Apple employee “Nathan C.” said that you can just replace the SIM with your current iPhone’s SIM. He later updated his post saying, “My apologies these steps may not work. You may need to activate it with the new SIM choosing the option to “replace” an existing phone on your account.”

Mark Siegel who is the Executive Director of Media and Analyst Relations with AT&T emailed iLounge to tell them that if you choose to upgrade your iPhone from 4 or 8GB to the new 16GB, your contract will be backdated to the starting point of your original iPhone’s activation date. He went on to say that iPhone customers should use the SIM that came with their iPhone.

[via iLounge]

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Today, Apple updated QuickTime to version 7.4.1. Apple says that this update fixes security issues and “improves compatibility with third-party applications.” They recommend this update to all QuickTime users. Ars Technica is reporting that this update also fixes some AfterEffects rendering issues that cropped up in the last QuickTime update.

This update is available for:

• Mac OS X Leopard (10.5)
• Mac OS X Tiger (10.4)
• Mac OS X Panther (10.3)
• Windows

You can get the update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by clicking one of the links above to download the software installer package from Apple’s support downloads website.

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Backpack by 37signals is a terrific online organization and collaboration tool (we’ve written about Backpack many times). Those wanting a desktop application that works with Backpack have used the popular Packrat. This week, Lars Steiger has offered a solution with more Macintosh style, called Backboard.

Aside from a Mac-like appearance, Backboard also adds a few features to Backpack, like the ability to attach dates and priorities, support for multiple accounts and a nice overview of tasks.

Backboard is currently in private beta, but if you ask nicely, perhaps Lars will put you in the queue.

[Via 37signals' product blog]

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iPhoto users in Australia and New Zealand can finally purchase iPhoto books, calendars and cards from Apple. You’ll need iLife ‘08 with iPhoto at version 7.1.2. Picture Books start from $39.99, calendars are $26.99 and postcards and greeting cards range from $1.99 to $2.69.

Now that you’ve got access, here are some cool things you can do

• Teach your students a foreign language
• Make a flip book
• Create killer gifts (grandparents especially go nuts for these)
• Demonstrate martial arts forms (Record with a video camera, export to frames with Quicktime Pro, import into iPhoto, make a flip book)

There’s more, of course. Now have fun.

[Via APC Magazine]

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As you probably know, I’m one of the people who, upon first opportunity after the Macworld Keynote ended a few weeks ago, exited the hall into the lobby of Moscone West and immediately ordered a MacBook Air — the 1.6 Ghz version with the 80GB hard drive, to be exact. I’ve already spelled out my reasons for ordering one and you’ve all had a chance to comment and otherwise make your views known, good or bad, regarding my decision.

Now, after waiting for Apple to ship my MacBook Air to me, its finally here and in my hands. In fact, I’m writing this very review on it. So, now that it’s here and I can examine it more closely, use it and otherwise put it through its paces, does it live up to my expectations? Will I really miss not having Firewire or more than one USB port? Will the MBA become my notebook of choice or now that I can actually use it, do I regret ordering? For those answers, and more, read on.

Size and Weight

First, let’s talk about what many people (particularly Apple) are talking about: how thin and light the MacBook Air is. At 3 pounds and .76″ thick, the MBA is the lightest and thinnest notebook I’ve ever used and for me, the weight in particular was a major deciding factor in getting the MacBook Air. Now that I have had a chance to carry it around in my bag for a day or so, I can say the lack of weight makes an even bigger difference than I originally thought.

To be sure, nobody has ever called me small or weak in the past so its not that I can’t carry a couple extra pounds around in the form of a notebook and associated peripherals. Its just that if I don’t have to, why should I? The MBA being this small and light and still feeling solid and very usable makes for a winning combination. And let’s not forget that the MBA’s power brick is very small and light as well.

The power brick for the MBA is even smaller and weighs less than the one used by the MacBook, so that makes a difference too, especially as I’m used to carrying the giant brick for the MacBook Pro. If you still can’t imagine how little 3 pounds is or how really small the power brick is, head to your local Apple store and heft one for yourself. Then, go pick up a MacBook Pro. The difference is pretty amazing…

Continue reading TUAW Reviews the MacBook Air

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