MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 - Random Shutdowns

Apple has released a new SMC firmware update for all MacBooks. This update improves the MacBook’s internal monitoring system and addresses issues with unexpected shutdowns. It’s recommended that all MacBook owners download and install the update, including those that received warranty repair for the random shutdowns.

More details about the update about Apple’s site.

Apple software update kills MacBook [Update]

[Update: Problem solved - Read solution at the bottom of the article]

Apple recently released an update for airport. The update is called “AirPort Update 2006-001” I decided to install it tonight on my 2.0GHz MacBook, when the auto updater popped up. After installation it asked to reboot.

I rebooted, but the system never came back up. Instead of the wonderful OS X desktop, all I saw was a white blank screen at first. It looked strange, and the longer I looked at it, I noticed that different colored vertical lines were starting to appear. After about a minute or so, there were hundreds of lines going down the screen.

I forced a shutdown by holding the power button, and booted up again. Same thing. Shit! So, knowing that the next step would be to reset the PRAM, I did just that. No luck.

MacBook users beware! The AIRPORT UPDATE 2006-001 could potentially kill your computer! Can anyone confirm if this has happened to anyone else?

Here are the screenshots

Ouch!

Update:

I called Apple this morning, and they were able to help me even without the extended AppleCare. They had me reset the MacBook’s PMU, which fixed the problem. The Apple tech said that this is a problem that Apple is now fully aware of. It’s been happening to people when they are rebooting or shutting down after updates, or even just completely randomly. It is a problem with the screen resolution, and currently, resetting the PMU is the only solution.

Here is the Apple article on resetting the MacBook PMU.

AOL fires customer rep from “nightmare” phone call

The AOL customer representative from the other side of “The nightmare of canceling AOL” phone call conversation, has been fired by the company. The phone call, which was released to the public, received a lot of attention in the blogosphere community, and even made front page at the newly launched Netscape Beta site.

AOL spokesperson Nicholas Graham issued the following statement:

“At AOL, we have zero-tolerance for customer care incidents like this - which is deeply regrettable and also absolutely inexcusable. The employee in question violated our customer service guidelines and practices, and everything that AOL believes to be important in customer care - chief among them being respect for the member, and swiftly honoring their requests. This matter was dealt with immediately and appropriately, and the employee cited here is no longer with the Company.”

Source BoingBoing

PerSecondPodcast Pricing Update

Over the weekend we wrote about PerSecondPodcast, a new project/service released this month, which sells audio time to be used for music, advertisements, blogs, stories, rants, or anything you want. The audio time purchased will then be played on the internet, college radio stations, and other media outlets. Read the full article here.

This morning, Joseph Citarrella, one of the people behind PerSecondPodcast emailed us to give up an update on their new and much lower pricing structure.

Here is the email with the updated pricing information.

Hello,

This is Joey from the PerSecondPodcast team. I read your blog on our site, and think it’s great! Thanks for your support.

I just wanted to fill you in on a correction. Our prices are currently BRONZE: $1/sec, SILVER:$2/sec, GOLD:$3/sec, PLATINUM: $4/sec, as opposed to the significantly higher prices we had earlier and which are posted on ibloggedthis.

Naturally, feel free to email us at any time and to encourage your guests to do the same. Thanks again!

Best,
Joey