IBM's partnership with Apple continues to grow stronger, and now the company is attempting to help other businesses make an easy transition to using Macs. In addition, Steve Jobs will be the focus of a new opera, and Apple claims it's going to get out a fix for two new Mac vulnerabilities soon.
IBM to Help Businesses Switch Operations Over to Macs
Just a few days after a video aimed at IBM employees claimed that IBM could end up purchasing as many as 200,000 Macs from Apple, the computing giant and former Apple rival has announced that it's initiating a new program to make it easier for businesses to get in on the Mac action as well.
With its new MobileFirst Managed Mobility Services, IBM will be able to send out business-ready Macs without the need for any additional setup or or configuration, and since almost all of the related enterprise apps are in the cloud, it will reportedly also work well for businesses who have older Macs or who have employees bring their own computing devices.
The service is aimed at clients who've been wanting to switch over to Macs but have shied away from the perceived cumbersome setup involved. With the new program, there should be minimal hassles, if any. Select IBM clients have reportedly already had access to similar services, but with the new program, they'll come as a part of IBM's standard enterprise deal.
Steve Jobs to be Focus of New Opera
In the wake of Steve Jobs' passing, we've seen the Apple co-founder's life explored in everything from books and documentaries to Hollywood movies. Now, as the LA Timesreports, we'll also be able to see it in opera form as well. It's called The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, and it's already been commissioned by New Mexico's prestigious Santa Fe Opera.
Above: The Santa Fe Opera
The work of composer Mason Bates and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell, the opera will reportedly focus on Jobs' relationships with people from his inner circle, and it will also explore his relationship with his adoptive parents. Much like Danny Boyle's upcoming film, it will also place an emphasis on Jobs' relationship with former girlfriend Chrisann Brennan and the pair's daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs.
The first workshop for the production will take place next month in San Francisco in collaboration with UC-Berkeley's Cal Performances, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music plans to help as well.
Apple Planning to Fix Latest Security Threats 'As Soon As Possible'
A mere two days after word got out about a new worm that could affect Apple firmware, Apple has already announced to The Guardian that it's attempting to get out a fix for the vulnerability and another Mac OS X problem "as soon as possible." The other problem is DLYD, a "privilege escalation" bug that allows a program to access files on your computer as though it has administrator access, thus eliminating the need to enter passwords.
While only a partial fix for the Thunderstrike 2 vulnerability has been issued, Apple is attempting a degree of damage control before releasing a full patch. As the report says, "Apple has taken interim measures to prevent further exploitation of the vulnerability, including revoking the credentials of developers who use it, and including any app which does so on the company’s regularly updated list of malware."
Until it's completely fixed, of course, be wary of any e-mails asking for personal information and make sure your computer is only physically handled by people you trust. In fact, that's a good idea even without these risks.
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