New and Noteworthy: Interview with makers of Rosetta (PowerPC code on Intel-based Mac) emulation technology; more

Interview with makers of Rosetta (PowerPC code on Intel-based Mac) emulation technology Wired News has an interview with the CEO of Transitive, the company behind the Rosetta emulation technology that will allow PowerPC-compiled code to run on Intel-based Macs. "The emulation module - which uses binary translation technology from Transitive of Los Gatos, California - will enable Macs built with chips from Intel (Apple's new supplier) to run software made for IBM PowerPC chips in older systems. Sounds simple, but no one's ever been able to cross platforms without crippling performance. Such inter-operability would be a big deal if it worked; tech makers profit from locking customers into one system. We asked Transitive's CEO Bob Wiederhold why he thinks Rosetta is different." More.

Windows Vista has a "Mac feel" The Associated Press takes a look at Windows Vista's more Mac-like features "Known for years by the code name Longhorn, the successor to Microsoft's Windows XP has been dubbed Longwait for its numerous delays. As features have been announced, Microsoft also has been accused of copying Apple Computer Inc.'s Mac OS X. And that was before most people had the chance to see -- let alone use -- what's now been christened Windows Vista. [...] Yes, it does have more of a Mac-like look and feel. But it also gives users hope that some of Windows' most serious annoyances and dangers might be mitigated just in time for the holidays of 2006, when the final version is expected." More.

A USB/Firewire Hub for What the Mac Mini Lacks Writing for PC World, Tracey Capan endorses a Belkin hub for Mac mini owners. "I love my Mac Mini, but it has one really dumb design flaw?it has just two USB ports. My solution was a cheap four-port USB hub, but I am not happy with having yet another small box sitting on my desk. Which is why I was really pleased when Belkin?a company that has many interesting computer accessories?sent me its new (take a breath) Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire 6-Port Hub for the Mac Mini (four ports are USB 2.0; two are FireWire). What makes this $59 hub better than most is its shape: It has the same footprint as the Mac Mini, and being only three-quarters of an inch high, tucks nicely underneath the Mac. This really seems like a no-brainer buy for Mac Mini owners." More.

What's another week for a $50 iBook The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports on the scene in Henrico County VA, where sometimes confused buyers seek US $50 iBooks. "Potential buyers came from as far as Florida and Michigan, but most people took the news well, said Mychael Dickerson, school spokesman. So, here again are the latest sale details: 1,000 laptops will go on sale to Henrico residents and taxpayers at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Richmond International Raceway. Gates will open at 7 a.m. Each machine costs $50, and cash and checks will be accepted." More.

Previously on MacFixIt:

• Mighty Mouse (#3): Solution for Firefox scroll-button conflict; Usability issues; more
• Mac OS X 10.4.2 user poll reveals increased stability in progressive Tiger releases
• Solving an issue where the Date/Time setting reverts to 1969
• Mac OS X 10.4.x: Minimize buttons will not work
• Petition for SuperDrives not burning at advertised speed
• Mac OS X 10.4.x: Fax sender ID not displayed in filename

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