Mac|Life psystar RSS Feed

Podcast #116: Apple Takes Down Psystar and More Tablet Speculation

Mac|Life Staff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:04 -0600

Apple gets a major check in the win column with the recent ruling by a California judge. We're not surprised but Ray has an interesting idea concerning EULAs.

4,000 iPhones are stolen in Belgium just in time for the holidays and it's a slow news day as another Apple tablet article gets written.

Plus, we answer your hard-hitting Twitter and Facebook questions! Okay, they weren't that hard-hitting.

Got a question, but you're afraid to leave a voice message because of Witness Relocation Dept. rules? Drop us a question via Twitter twitter.com/maclife.

This week's Battlestar Applactica picks:

Jet Car Stunts - $1.99

Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor - $2.99

5 Minutes to Kill (Yourself) - $2.99

Transit Maps - Free

Don't forget, the Mac|Life staff would love to hear your thoughts, comments and ideas for the new podcast. Just leave a message on the Mac|Live question/comment line: (877) 404-1337, extension 622. Please limit the length of your messages to 1 minute max. We'll review these calls each week and feature our favorites, along with responses, on that week's podcast.

To subscribe to the Mac|Live podcast series through an RSS feed, click here; if you want to subscribe through the iTunes Store, click here.

Apple Massacres Psystar

Brian Proffit — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:43:03 -0600

Groklaw reports that the California version of Apple v. Psystar is over and in their words, “It’s a total massacre.” Psystar shocked the world in February 2008 with their announcement of pseudo Macs—essentially PC’s put together with off-the-shelf components, but with OS X preinstalled. By July 2008 Apple decided Psystar was getting enough attention to be worth suing, and the case has been making its way through the system since then.

Judge William Alsup’s ruling addressed Apple’s claims that Psystar was violating OS X distribution rights and violating DMCA were upheld, and Psystar’s countersuits were dismissed. In other words, the End User License Agreement we all agreed to when we began using OS X is legally valid and enforceable. There is a similar case making its way through the courts in Florida, but chances are good that the Florida courts will look at the California ruling.

The next step comes on December 14 when a hearing will be held to discuss remedies. Essentially, though, today’s ruling seems to put Psystar out of business—and undoubtedly stopped any other OEM that was considering producing their own Mac clones. There is no comment on the Psystar site, and they are still selling units there this afternoon, for those looking for a $599.99 hackintosh…though I wouldn’t expect much in the way of warranty support.

Psystar Enjoys Being Sued, Releases Software to Install OS X on any PC

Roberto Baldwin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:18:05 -0500

Psystar has begun selling Rebel EFI software on their site. The software allows users to install OS X on any old Intel-based PC for the low price of $50.

Well not any old Intel. You'll need a Core 2Duo, Core 2 Quad, i7 or Xeon Nehalem to run Snow Leopard. The software reportedly works with Windows 7.

Of course you could just save your money and check out the OSx86 project for free information on how to accomplish the same thing without dipping into your wallet.

Via The Loop

Apple v. Psystar Gets Ugly, Apple Asks For Key Evidence

Cory Bohon — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:38:59 -0500

New court documents tell us that Apple is looking to get key evidence from the clone rival Psystar, but the bootloader is no where to be found. MacNN reports that Psystar has removed the infringing portions of the bootloader software that was distributed to the clone customers. Psystar was legally required to preserve the original bootloader. (Oops!)

Apple started the lawsuit last year alleging that Psystar infringed upon the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) by changing code to allow Mac OS X Leopard to run on Psystar PCs. While it remains to be seen, the Psystar could be in hot water over the destruction of evidence.

Psystar is claiming that Apple infringed copyright law and blocked competition by not allowing Mac OS X to be installed on other computers like Linux and Windows can.

Psystar Bankruptcy Linked to Legal Battle

Florence Ion — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:33:57 -0500

Having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last month, Psystar has been forced to disclose what it owes and to whom. While the greatest amount of debt comes from a loan from the company’s founder, another chunk is owed to Carr & Ferrell, the lawfirm that has represented Psystar in its major battle with Apple over their Mac clone machines.

In its petition for Chapter 11, the Florida-based company does not cite legal costs as the main cause of bankruptcy, but instead attributes it to a “weakened economy”, which has lead to decreased sales of its Mac clone. Psystar has also blamed the effect of the recession on suppliers.

Regardless, Psystar is promising to come out of bankruptcy with increasing profits and paid off debt. The next chapter in Psystar’s bankruptcy proceedings will happen today, when the company will hand over its tax returns and financial statements for analysis.

Psystar Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Florence Ion — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:26:25 -0500

Psystar, the Florida-based manufacturers of the unauthorized Mac clones that have been the scrutiny of a long-time court battle, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The move is likely to delay the proceedings in the Apple case, though Psystar may not be able to finance its continuing defense against Apple.

The bankruptcy papers were filed with the Federal Courts in Florida on Thursday, and Apple’s legal team was most made aware of the situation over the weekend. The bankruptcy hearing scheduled for June 5th should reveal the names of any investors that have financially backed Psystar in its defiance of Apple. Apple suggested last December that there may be several anonymous individuals or corporations that helped fund Psystar’s part in the lengthy and costly legal battle.

Apple Accuses Psystar of Withholding Information

Florence Ion — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:42:19 -0500

The case between Apple and Psystar continues to unfold, and it’s getting a bit uglier as time passes on. Apple has filed a petition in federal court claiming that Psystar is failing to follow proper legal procedure by allegedly refusing to produce balance sheets, monthly statements and other financial documents. Additionally, Apple attorney James Gilliland also stated that Psystar’s CEO and founder, Rudy Pedraza, would not answer basic questions regarding Psystar’s financial reports.

During the March 20th deposition, Pedraza is said to have been unable to answer any questions regarding sales, costs, profits or prices. Apple further insists that Psystar refused to hand over any customer purchase or order documents, despite having sold the clone systems as far back as April of last year.

There has been limited financial information imparted from Psystar. The discovery period of the trial ends June 26th, and the case will go to trial on November 9th.

Psytar Launches Another Mac Clone, Despite Ongoing Lawsuit

Florence Ion — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:05:08 -0500

Psystar has launched another Mac Clone system. Dubbed the Open(3), the system packs a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 500GB harddrive, a DVD burner, and a GeForce 8400 GS, all contained in a slimline case. It can also be upgraded to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Quad processor as well as 4GB of memory, 2TB of storage and a GeForce 9500 GT graphics processor.

The stock model of the Open(3) costs just $600 and comes with options for 802.11n Wi-Fi as well as three FireWire 800 ports or a USB Bluetooth adapter.

Both systems ship today despite the ongoing lawsuit between the Florida-based Mac cloners and Apple, Inc.