SaudiMac

Apple is offering free replacement for MagSafe power adapters with separation of the white insulation. According to Apple’s knowledge base article, “Whether your product is in or out-of-warranty, you can take your adapter (you don’t need to take the computer) to an Apple-Authorized Service Provider”. Some MacBook and MacBook Pro models are affected.

If you have problems with your MagSafe adapter then contact the Apple dealer that you bought your MacBook from. Or contact Arab Computers, Apple’s Distributor in Saudi Arabia.

Via MacUser.

Yesterday Apple sent an email to MobileMe subscribers. The email was titled “MobileMe Update” and offered a free extension of the MobileMe services for 60 additional days.

We have already made many improvements to MobileMe, but we still have many more to make. To recognize our users’ patience, we are giving every MobileMe subscriber as of today a free 60 day extension. This is in addition to the one month extension most subscribers have already received. We are working very hard to make MobileMe a great service we can all be proud of. We know that MobileMe’s launch has not been our finest hour, and we truly appreciate your patience as we turn this around.

More information and frequently asked questions are available at Apple’s knowledge base.

If you are interested in buying MobileMe (previously known as .Mac) in Saudi Arabia, you have the following options: buy it online directly from Apple (after the free trial) for $99, buy it from local Apple retailers at 460 SR (last I checked) or buy it from Amazon for $77 (and use Aramex or myus for shipping).

Apple released the 2.0.2 update for the iPod Touch (and the iPhone).
The update includes “bug fixes”.

Via MacDailyNews.

Google’s Translate service now added support for the iPhone, when visiting the site from an iPhone or iPod Touch you will have access to a version of the site optimized for the iPhone/iPod Touch interface. The Arabic however is not as it is supposed to be.

Since the iPhone/iPod Touch 2.0.1 lacks Arabic support the Arabic letters will appear unconnected and useless. And the Google Translate page doesn’t even offer the option to switch the interface language. Macworld also noted this:

the iPhone still does not correctly display Arabic script (it displays letters individually, without the connecting ligatures, which effectively makes it gibberish). This isn’t a fault of Google, of course; it’s a problem with the iPhone’s version of Safari (similar problems had existed in the OS X version of Safari, but seem to have finally been ironed out).

But the current iPhone Arabic display problem is system wide. The iPhone currently have no Arabic support as of iPhone 2.0.1 software.
Via Macworld

Apple released Security Update 2008-005. The update addresses many security issues including a DNS vulnerability.
We recommend installing this update as soon as possible using Apple Software Updater or download it from Apple’s download page.

Apple released the following updates:
AirPort Extreme Update 2008-002: improves the reliability of AirPort connections.
iLife Support 8.3: improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues.
iPhoto 7.1.4: addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. Also adds new postcards themes.
iMovie 7.1.4: addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.
iWeb 2.0.4: addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

Updates can reached from the Apple Software Updater or the Apple Support Downloads page.

Apple Computer Inc. will remove from its roll of authorized resellers Quezon City-based Ynzal Marketing Corp.—one of the largest Mac distributors in the Philippines—starting July 29. What caught my eyes for us Apple users in Saudi Arabia is this segment of the article:

Nonetheless, Apple said Ynzal committed warranty “irregularities” and unceremoniously stripped the company of its accreditation.

It would be interesting to see how will Apple react to local issues with the warranty.
You can read about it at Inquirer.net search for Forbidden fruit and this blog post. Ynzal’s press release can be found on their website. Special thanks to Mac OS Ken.

Egypt and Jordan, two of the 3 Arabic speaking countries to get an official iPhone release did not get their own iTunes App Store like Qatar.

This is a bit odd considering the fact that many other countries without the iPhone deal, like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait were given an iTunes App Store page.

Thanks, Ahmad for the information about the Jordan App Store, or lack of.

Apple released the iPod Touch 2.0 upgrade which is available for $9.99. The update includes support for iPhone/iPod Touch Applications which can be obtained from the new App Store available on the device or from iTunes 7.7.
Then you will be able to buy the upgrade even from Saudi Arabia by changing the county in the iTunes Store (at the bottom of the iTunes Store page) and signing up with a new iTunes Store account. Apparently it is working the UAE.

Apple released the latest version of iTunes, which can be downloaded from Apple’s site or from the Software Updater. iTunes 7.7 includes support for the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch App Store. The update also added many other countries in the iTunes Store list including Saudi Arabia! Choosing Saudi Arabia will show you the App Store for the iPod Touch/iPhone.

That will probably mean the iPod Touch owners in Saudi Arabia will have access to the 2.0 version of the iPod Touch OS and hopefully soon the official iPhone release for Saudi Arabia.
Also on the country list: United Arab Emirates, Qatar (not the European Qatar ) and Kuwait. Also missing from the list: Bahrain and Oman.