Apple has posted a firmware update for its MacBook consumer-oriented laptops, the latest in a series of "fan behaviour" adjustments made to the company's Intel-based computers. The patch adjusts the machine's System Management Controller (SMC), a device that monitors and manages Intel-based Macs' power-related functions.

Apple provided just such an update for its 17in MacBook Pro in June, a month after it posted similar updates for the 15in MacBook Pro, the iMac and the Mac Mini. All these fixes, and the MacBook version, are believed to adjust the systems' cooling fan speed to eliminate or at least reduce the noises some users have complained that their Macs make.

Link : Patch
Full Story : RegHardware UK

Another Dell laptop has exploded, and it couldn't have been timed any worse it would seem.  This one's in the Netherlands and its a Latitude D510, one of the models Dell has listed in its recall program.  According to the article, Dell has responsibly enough offered the owner a new replacement.

Original story (in Dutch) here: nu.nl

Engadget post here.

As Dell gathers its customers affected by its massive recall, some questions remain about the nature of the defects and whether or not other companies are affected.

Sony also manufactures batteries for Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo, two other prominent laptop manufacturers.  Both have denied their batteries are affected.  A third company, Apple, are said to be investigating the issue.  Sony themselves have not commented on whether their own Vaio notebooks are affected.  

An article on e-Week quotes Lenovo as claiming their batteries are manufactured on different specifications, and Lenovo says "it uses a lower charge rate, which ensures the packs in its systems produce less heat and the longest possible operating life".  

So does the fault in fact lie with Dell?

Probably not.  A source familiar with Sony, as quoted by eWeek has this to say, effectively putting the blame squarely on Sony (which is also said to be sharing the recall financial bill):-

The difference between problematic and problem-free battery packs could come down to which battery-making lines the cells were produced on. Given that Sony produces battery cells on more than one line, those it produced for one manufacturer may have turned out fine even as others produced for Dell—which is said to take up enough production for one whole line—turn up with problems, the source said.

 

On the plus side for Dell, it has been responsible enough to recall its batteries, even if it took them 4 months, as Engadget frequently reminds us.  More to it, Dell says 'only' 6 out of over 22 million units shipped have exploded, the risk thus appears to be miniscule, almost negligible.  To be fair, HP, Apple and Dell themselves have recalled faulty batteries before.  In the Apple recall, its batteries were at risk of exploding as well, but were manufactured by LG.  

Time will tell if the story of the exploding battery continues. 

More Information: eWeek.com 

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., today announced its new line of Personal Media Players (PMPs). With its highly stylized design and ultra-slim form factor, K-PEX (Kingston Personal Entertainment eXperience) allows users to watch videos, listen to music, play video games and store/view photographs.  The Kingston K-PEX is currently available in the North America, Latin America and Asia/Pacific Rim.

Thank you for participating in the Dell recall of certain Sony batteries. Your replacement order has been received and you can expect to receive your new battery within 20 business days. You may continue to use your notebook computer safely by turning the system off, ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power your system until your replacement battery is received.

 

In a move expected to cost Dell USD$300million, Dell will begin a recall of 4 million batteries on its Inspiron, Latitude and Precision laptops, following extensive reports of 'exploding batteries'.  Ironically enough, the affected Dell's batteries are alleged to be made by Sony, but there hasn't been word yet if Sony themselves have batteries at risk of exploding.

Original articles of the first 3 exploding batteries are here, here and here.  I, for one, am glad to hear of this recall, even if it just means the end of those tired 'Dude, your Dell is on fire' headlines.

Affected dates were batteries sold between April 1, 2004 and July 18, 2006.  If your laptop is one of the following models, do check here for more information.  There is a discussion thread on our forums here.

Delivering a powerful mobile music experience, the Motorola ROKR E2 lets you switch seamlessly between phone calls and music play lists simply by touching a button. Based on a Linux operating system to enhance speed and flexibility, ROKR E2 also features a robust MP3 player compatible with a variety of different audio formats – making this mobile handset a powerful example of what it means to be “the device formerly known as the cell phone.”

Eric Chong, Country Manager, Mobile Devices Business, Motorola said that Motorola is driving the convergence of music and mobility by combining the device you never leave home without, with the entertainment that consumers love. “With the ROKR E2, consumers can enjoy the freedom and convenience of carrying their favourite music with them all the time. Motorola is giving people a seamless, mobile music experience with a portfolio of devices like the new ROKR E2 leading the way.”

The Motorola ROKR E2 is available in mid August at a recommended retail price of RM1,399. It is distributed by authorised distributors Brightstar Distribution Sdn Bhd, Mobile Distribution Sdn Bhd, and Samart I-Mobile (M) Sdn Bhd.

The Malaysia Championships of WCG 2006 is getting close! For those of you who haven't got your tickets, what are you waiting for? Tickets are available from In2 Marketing and Consulting's office at Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang. Just walk right up and get your ticket on the spot. We will even be open on this coming Saturday and Sunday (19 and 20th August) for your convenience.

Don't miss this chance to get a free trip to Monza, Italy for the World Cyber Games 2006 Grand Finals! See you there!

For more information, just call April at 03-48131988!

PIKOM's PC Fair is being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from August 11 till August 13, so if you haven't yet gone, what are you waiting for?

Waifaq, from our forums, has captured some of the great deals on offer on film:- 

Cyberspace, one of the last true havens of free speech in Malaysia, may soon fall victim to a squabble between the country's two most powerful politicians, with the government vowing to punish defamatory remarks on Web sites.

As in many Asian countries, Malaysia's mainstream media have long engaged in self-censorship. Now authorities are trying to get free-wheeling Web sites and blogs to adopt the practice in a country keenly alert to racial and religious sensitivities.

Newspapers are licensed and must follow strict publishing laws. But Web sites and blogs have mushroomed in the last decade, exploiting a government promise not to censor the Internet.

Malaysia's prime minister, facing a barrage of criticism from former premier Mahathir Mohamad -- who said a blackout by official media had forced him to turn to Web sites to publicize his views -- has warned bloggers to behave themselves.

Full Story : Reuters

Tomorrow, August 12,2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the Personal Computer.  First developed by IBM in 1981, the PC was touted as something "for just about everyone who has ever wanted a personal system in the office, on the university campus or at home".  

We couldn't agree more. 

A pity we can't all give our PCs a day off though!