Beginning next March Apple will require Apps sold through the Mac App store to be “Sandboxed”. Sandboxing keeps the app in it’s own space and restricts what it can do system wide. Apple does this on iOS to protect your phone from being hacked, taken over, etc… One side effect is that as far as things stand today you can’t use plug-ins. Obviously for musicians using sequencers this would have serious implications. Before you get into a huff we will still be able to install and use unsandboxed Apps and plug-ins as long they are not sold on the Mac App store. Two things could happen here. First, Apple could eventually require Macs to use the Mac App store. Imagine having to Jailbreak your Mac? A more likely scenario will be a new type of plug-in architecture will be implemented that works in a way Apple likes. What do you think?

“In computer security, a sandbox is a security mechanism for separating running programs. It is often used to execute untested code, or untrusted programs from unverified third-parties, suppliers, untrusted users and untrusted websites. The sandbox typically provides a tightly-controlled set of resources for guest programs to run in, such as scratch space on disk and memory. Network access, the ability to inspect the host system or read from input devices are usually disallowed or heavily restricted. In this sense, sandboxes are a specific example of virtualization.” – Wikipedia

For more info read this article: Why the Mac App Sandbox makes me sad

photo credit: Gilkata

The new iPhone is upon is. You shouldn’t care if the number five is part of it’s name because it’s a nifty upgrade. The thing that has me the most interested is Siri. If it works accurately and quickly it could be as big as a step as multi-touch was. Talking and touching think about it. The future is creeping up around us. Will we be saying, “Load sequencer. 4 bar loop…” soon?

“Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much, you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.” – Apple.com

For more info: apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html

With the Magma ExpressBox 3T there really is little reason to buy a Mac Pro. Use your PCIe cards with an iMac. This is great news for musicians wanting to upgrade old tower macs but keep their DSP and interface cards.

“ExpressBox 3T provides an ‘outside-the-box’ solution for using PCIe® cards with Thunderbolt-equipped computers. High-performance flows are possible by connecting a Thunderbolt equipped computer to a Magma ExpressBox 3T containing PCIe cards such as video capture, media transcoding, audio processing, and fast data storage. And because Thunderbolt is also based on DisplayPort technology, you can daisy chain a high-resolution display with your Magma ExpressBox 3T.” – prweb.com

For more info: magma.com/thunderbolt

Now I can upgrade to Lion.

“We’re pleased to announce the release of Live 8.2.5, the latest Ableton Live 8 version. Live 8.2.5 now officially supports Mac OS X 10.7 Lion – please make sure to check that all of your third-party plug-ins and audio/MIDI hardware are Lion-compatible before upgrading your OS.” – ableton.com

For more info: ableton.com/osx-10-7-lion…

Sometimes I make a post on this blog just to mark an event that happened. Surely I can’t add much more text to Steve Jobs resigning. The truth is no one really knows what Apple will look like in five years. I will say it’s been thrilling to watch his run. I hope the rest of his life no matter how long or short is peaceful and he gets to reflect on what he did.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” – Steve Jobs

For more info: www.apple.com/24Steve-Jobs-Resigns…

I recently bought a new Macbook Pro. The new Thunderbolt port wasn’t a feature that had me excited. The only reason was I had no idea how fast it was. I was listening to Andy Ihnatko speak on the Macbreak Weekly podcast and in passing he mentioned it was 15 times faster than Firewire 800. It’s so fast it’s similar to having a PCI card or chip directly inserted into the motherboard of your computer. I know we don’t need more power but now I am looking forward to a new UAD, RME and large external SSD all with Thunderbolt.

“Thunderbolt I/O technology gives you two channels on the same connector with 10 Gbps of throughput in both directions.” – apple.com

For more info: apple.com/thunderbolt

For some reason I should be more excited about the Mac App Store than I am right? I thought it was strange that it’s not integrated into iTunes. I looked for Mac apps there for 10 minutes before I figured out the new store launched from the Apple menu or dock. In a way I’m happy about that because iTunes is way too clunky already but the new Mac App Store’s home is inconsistant. Ok getting past that… the desktop SoundCloud app is the launch winner as far as music stuff goes. It’s nice, new and makes sense for some although I think I will simply keep using the website. The only music software I download after the big one (Ableton) are plug-ins and those are a no go so… I bought the update to iMovie which is the only thing I wanted out of new iLife. It’s a start.

“You can browse Mac apps by category, such as games, productivity, music, and more. Or do a quick search for something specific. Read developer descriptions and user reviews. Flip through screenshots. When you find an app you like, click to buy it.” – apple.com/mac/app-store/

For more info: apple.com/mac/app-store/

Derek Sivers is the man who created CD Baby. He posted an interesting article on his blog on some of what went on behind the scenes as Steve Jobs created iTunes. It shows another case of music industry battle. I think we are lucky that Tunecore was able to strike and promote a good way to get Independent music into the iTunes music store. I know there are other ways in but imagine if underground artists were locked out.

“I decided to refund everybody’s $40, with my deepest apologies. With 5000 musicians signed up, that meant I was refunding $200,000. Since we couldn’t promise anything, I couldn’t charge money in good conscience.” – sivers.org

Read the full article: http://sivers.org/itunes

This week Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music posted a great article on the upcoming full MIdi support in iOS 4.2. We are getting “WiFi Midi” which appears to be an Apple proprietary system for Apple devices to communicate wirelessly and official USB Midi support via the iPad Camera Connection Kit (Amazon link). It seems we will enter the next phase of music software and hardware on iOS devices once developers have the new Core MIDI goodness in their hands for a while. Is my Atari ST jealous yet? Read the full article on CDM here: createdigitalmusic.com/on-ipad-midi

“In iOS 4.2, best known for leveling the playing field between Apple’s handhelds and tablet, you’ll get full-blown MIDI support. It was clear in leaked details from earlier releases that Apple’s Core MIDI framework was finding new life on the mobile OS, but not directly what that would mean for hardware. Now, the hardware picture is clear.” – Peter Kirn

photo credit: ConfortModerne

So as usual Apple has released a bunch of new items and previewed some tasty things. I like the new Macbook Air in theory but until they get a bit more quick they are useless as live show machines. Facetime in OSX is a no brainer if you have an iPhone 4 and a spouse at home. iLife 11 seems to be just a minor feature bump. It’s still killer software that makes all Macs even nicer especially considering the price. With regards to this blog any music instruction is good so if you get a copy please watch a few piano lessons in Garage Band ok? Lion is what has me happy. The new Mac App store is going to be great and bringing much of the iOS stuff into OSX is a win. Don’t kid yourself and believe what Steve said today about touch screen Macs. He’s lying through his teeth… they are coming 100%.

“We took our best thinking from Mac OS X and brought it to the iPhone. Then we took our best thinking from the iPhone and brought it to iPad. And now we’re bringing it all back to the Mac with our eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system. Mac OS X Lion arrives in summer 2011.” – apple.com

For more info: apple.com