Keyboard And QuickTime Updates Released [Archive]

MacRumors

Sep 11, 2007, 04:39 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Apple has released Keyboard Software Update 1.2 (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/keyboardsoftwareupdate12.html). Apple states that the update is intended to provide support for Apple's aluminum keyboard special features. The 35.3 MB update requires Mac OS 10.4.10.

In addition, Apple also released Compatibility Update for QuickTime 7.2 (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/compatibilityupdateforquicktime72.html), which promises increased compatibility with iLife. The 18.1 MB update requires Mac OS 10.3.9 or 10.4.9 or later and QuickTime 7.2.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2007/09/11/keyboard-and-quicktime-updates-released/)

Small White Car

Sep 11, 2007, 04:58 PM

Keyboard's special features?

Oh please oh please let it be a waffle iron! :p

InLikeALion

Sep 11, 2007, 05:00 PM

I can't believe it's taken them THIS long to release software to make the keyboard functional.

minik

Sep 11, 2007, 05:04 PM

hmm.. should I trust this Keyboard Software Update? The 1.1 release messed up my MDD G4. I guess Leopard should ship with the keyboard software right out of the box.

Yvan256

Sep 11, 2007, 05:33 PM

35MB for a Keyboard update? :eek:

vendettabass

Sep 11, 2007, 05:44 PM

does anyone know if the update lets us use USB 2.0 devices with any mac except the iMac?

drater

Sep 11, 2007, 05:46 PM

does anyone know if the update lets us use USB 2.0 devices with any mac except the iMac?

just says: "What’s New in this Version
Install this software to take advantage of your aluminum Apple Keyboard's special features."

someone will tell us shortly I assume.

cavemonkey50

Sep 11, 2007, 06:05 PM

Changes I've noticed in the keyboard update:

Command + F3 (Expose) now performs Expose Hide.
Control + F3 (Expose) now performs Application Expose.
Option + F3 (Expose) or Option + F4 (Dashboard) brings up the Dashboard and Expose preferences.

I believe this functionality was intended to be in the original keyboard update, but never worked for most people (including me).

Peace

Sep 11, 2007, 06:07 PM

35MB for a Keyboard update? :eek:

It's big because it has PPC and Intel stuff in it.

TC Schiller

Sep 11, 2007, 06:25 PM

Although the Exposé and Dashboard buttons work for me now, I still get a low-power notice when plugging my 2G iPod Nano into my keyboard's USB slot.

yetanotherdave

Sep 11, 2007, 06:27 PM

35MB for a Keyboard update? :eek:

oddly I just plugged a new alu keyboard into my macbook for the first time, and ran software update, it gave me version 1.2 but only 22.9Mb
So the full version is 22.9Mb, the update is 35?Mb?? :eek:

Yvan256

Sep 11, 2007, 06:38 PM

oddly I just plugged a new alu keyboard into my macbook for the first time, and ran software update, it gave me version 1.2 but only 22.9Mb
So the full version is 22.9Mb, the update is 35?Mb?? :eek:

I'm installing it now (Keyboard Software Update 1.2) and it's 19.4MB, not 35 or 23MB...

What's going on? Is there different versions of that 1.2 update or am I missing something?

zwida

Sep 11, 2007, 06:45 PM

Although the Exposé and Dashboard buttons work for me now, I still get a low-power notice when plugging my 2G iPod Nano into my keyboard's USB slot.

Same for me. :(

Making progress, but still not quite there.

zwida

Sep 11, 2007, 06:46 PM

I'm installing it now (Keyboard Software Update 1.2) and it's 19.4MB, not 35 or 23MB...

What's going on? Is there different versions of that 1.2 update or am I missing something?

Your machine is pulling the version from software update that it needs. It's a rather elegant solution on the back-end, frankly. Nothing to worry about. :)

**and sorry for the double post**

shamino

Sep 11, 2007, 06:55 PM

does anyone know if the update lets us use USB 2.0 devices with any mac except the iMac?
Why? You can't use them now?

I've never had a problem using USB 2.0 devices on any Mac, although one third-party PCI card I tried in my PMG4 was flaky.

If you think it will somehow make a 1.1 port run at 2.0 speeds, however, that's not going to happen. That would require new hardware.
Although the Exposé and Dashboard buttons work for me now, I still get a low-power notice when plugging my 2G iPod Nano into my keyboard's USB slot.
And you always will. Your keyboard has a non-powered hub in it. It can't provide the current needed to charge an iPod. If you don't want to attach your iPod directly to the computer, you'll have to buy a powered hub. (Unless you have the new aluminum keyboard attached to one of the new iMacs. ...)
oddly I just plugged a new alu keyboard into my macbook for the first time, and ran software update, it gave me version 1.2 but only 22.9Mb
So the full version is 22.9Mb, the update is 35?Mb?? :eek:
I would assume that you already had the previous keyboard update (1.1) installed. Mac OS updates are the same, with smaller updates for those upgrading from the previous version and large "combo" updaters for everybody else.

As for what this does, I'll see when I get home. Although I don't have one of the new keyboards, the previous keyboard updater allowed me to assign functions to the F13-F15 keys on my Apple Pro keyboard (the one that came with my PowerMac G4, not the keyboard from a Mac Pro, although they probably behave the same WRT this problem). Unfortunately, the settings don't persist after a reboot or logoff. Hopefully, this update will fix that.

UPDATE: This update didn't fix that. Apparently, when the Dashboard/Exposé keys are set via the keyboard shortcuts control panel, they don't survive a logout. They have to be changed via the Dashboard/Exposé control panel, which doesn't allow you to choose F14 or F15. Fortunately, I did find this article (http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/tips/remap_function_keys.html) which explains how to hack-in the mapping by editing the plist file, which worked, so I'm happy.

Peel

Sep 11, 2007, 07:19 PM

Although the Exposé and Dashboard buttons work for me now, I still get a low-power notice when plugging my 2G iPod Nano into my keyboard's USB slot.

You never will be able to charge your iPod from the keyboard usb port. The USB2 specs don't allow the keyboard to draw enough power to provide a powered port out of the keyboard.

Peel

Sep 11, 2007, 07:23 PM

Apple states that the update is intended to provide support for Apple's aluminum keyboard special features.

It's interesting that my iMac AL which shipped with the new AL keyboard, has been able to use all the special keyboard features from day one. I wonder if the system that shipped with these iMacs had code that wasn't in the 1.1 update.

mark88

Sep 11, 2007, 07:25 PM

Does the keyboard update fix the caps lock key unresponsiveness?

I bought one of the new keyboard and had to return it, all of the keyboards in the store had the same problem as well. Caps Lock key barely works(try pressing it fast)

overanalyzer

Sep 11, 2007, 09:15 PM

It's interesting that my iMac AL which shipped with the new AL keyboard, has been able to use all the special keyboard features from day one. I wonder if the system that shipped with these iMacs had code that wasn't in the 1.1 update.

I've been following this with confusion as well. My aluminum iMac is the same...never had any problems with the keyboard functionality, including the special keys.

Anyone know what's supposedly been fixed in each update? :confused:

overanalyzer

Sep 11, 2007, 09:17 PM

Does the keyboard update fix the caps lock key unresponsiveness?

Caps Lock key barely works(try pressing it fast)

You know, I never actually played with that. It does seem to require holding it for a half-second, probably to reduce accidentally turning it on with a stray finger press. I actually can't remember the last time I used the Caps Lock on a keyboard, so I actually prefer this (presumably intentional) behavior.

ashawley

Sep 11, 2007, 11:36 PM

You never will be able to charge your iPod from the keyboard usb port. The USB2 specs don't allow the keyboard to draw enough power to provide a powered port out of the keyboard.

That's strange..then why is my iPod flashing "Charging" right now. Are you saying it'll never reach a full charge through the keyboard? I could have sworn that it has before...

There's no reason why they couldn't simply add a hub built into the keyboard. Is there?

Fuchal

Sep 12, 2007, 12:06 AM

CRIIM44

Sep 12, 2007, 01:03 AM

my AL imac with the new keyboard charges my iphone all the time. I have seen a few threads about this feature not working on other macs using the new keyboard though

RedTomato

Sep 12, 2007, 05:31 AM

35MB for a Keyboard update? :eek:

That's to install the hidden flight simulator easteregg.

To activate it, click on the desktop, press Apple + Option + H, then turn your keyboard over, and press a hidden button located under one of the labels.

Enjoy! (only works with 10.4)

illitrate23

Sep 12, 2007, 09:03 AM

It's interesting that my iMac AL which shipped with the new AL keyboard, has been able to use all the special keyboard features from day one. I wonder if the system that shipped with these iMacs had code that wasn't in the 1.1 update.
mine worked just fine with my pre-Al iMac as well once i software updated (this was a couple of days after they were released). so i'm guessing i won't see any benefit from this update then (just less free disk space)

macleod199

Sep 12, 2007, 09:29 AM

You know, I never actually played with that. It does seem to require holding it for a half-second, probably to reduce accidentally turning it on with a stray finger press. I actually can't remember the last time I used the Caps Lock on a keyboard, so I actually prefer this (presumably intentional) behavior.

A similar half-second delay was added as a feature to the eject key in (I think) OS X 10.4.10. So it's quite possibly intentional.

tyr2

Sep 12, 2007, 10:48 AM

If the caps-lock delay is intentional then it should move when you swap the functionality with one of the other keys.

I use my caps lock key for 'control' and v.v. I don't get a delay activating caps-lock when pressing 'control' I do however get a delay when activating control by pressing caps-lock.

So the delay behavior seems to be related to the key and not it's function. Which is mighty annoying at times.

Edit: Not tried the 1.2 update yet, will later.

shamino

Sep 12, 2007, 11:02 AM

There's no reason why they couldn't simply add a hub built into the keyboard. Is there?
There is a hub in it - that's where the ports are attached. But it's not a powered hub, which is why it won't charge devices.

A powered hub would require attaching it to a power supply of some kind. I doubt very many people would appreciate needing yet another wall-wart, for the keyboard.

That being said, it would appear that they have done something in this keyboard to allow high-power devices, if the computer can provide enough current on its USB port. (See the description here (http://www.apple.com/keyboard/).) But that description also has a footnote saying that only the new iMacs can do this. (Presumably, other Macs will gain this support in the future.)

jettredmont

Sep 12, 2007, 02:12 PM

That's strange..then why is my iPod flashing "Charging" right now. Are you saying it'll never reach a full charge through the keyboard? I could have sworn that it has before...

There's no reason why they couldn't simply add a hub built into the keyboard. Is there?

If it's charging, it will reach a full charge, just like if you were to plug it into any other non-powered USB hub (pull the cord from the back of the hub that leads to the wall wart and you will generally get an unpowered USB hub). It will just take longer because it's not getting the full USB spec of power to it.

It's simple math:

The computer supplies X watts of power to the USB port. This amount is defined in the USB spec; if you supply more you are out of spec, and if you supply less you are a "low-power port".

The keyboard needs 'y' watts of power to run itself, including the USB hub electronics (a very small amount, but not 0).

Thus, the amount available to all USB ports off the keyboard (really, off the hub) is "X - y". If your mouse is taking up "z" watts, then what's available to the iPod is "X - y - z".

Now: "X - y - z < X" is true so long as "y" and "z" are both positive numbers (which is always true). Since anything less than "X" marks the port as "low-power" ... well, it's low power.

To get around this, a "powered" hub will have a plug into the wall, which supplies power "P" sufficient such that all hub ports will have "X" watts available at all times.

Apple apparently allows the iMac USB ports to go out of spec when the "new keyboard" is directly attached (presumably not when attached to a hub). The "P" power source is over the USB cable instead of through a separate power cord, but this allows the new keyboard to act like a powered hub.

Of course, this only works with a computer designed for it (with the logic to distinguish a directly-connected "powered" hub device from everything else, plus the electrical connections to supply the additional power to the port when so desired). Which is: the new iMacs.

Markleshark

Sep 12, 2007, 02:38 PM

Fixed my keyboard problems anyway. Hurrah.

awmazz

Sep 12, 2007, 02:48 PM

Control + F3 (Expose) now performs Application Expose.

Shift + F3 does it in slooooowwww motion.

Edit: Ditto Shift + F4 is dashboard in slow motion. I never knew that.

psychofreak

Sep 12, 2007, 02:50 PM

Shift + F3 does it in slooooowwww motion.
Shift does all the Apple effects in slow-mo, like minimizing to dock, opening something from the dock, opening Dashboard etc.

awmazz

Sep 12, 2007, 03:13 PM

Shift does all the Apple effects in slow-mo, like minimizing to dock, opening something from the dock, opening Dashboard etc.

Thanks for that. As I said I never knew that, so I thought I discovered something new! :D

Where can you learn all these keyboard combinations, including the supposed new features? Is there an official list somewhere?

tbealmear

Sep 12, 2007, 04:41 PM

I have been charging my new 6G iPod Classic throught the keyboard ports on my Aluminum iMac with the new keyboard. No problems what so ever.

psychofreak

Sep 12, 2007, 04:48 PM

Thanks for that. As I said I never knew that, so I thought I discovered something new! :D

Where can you learn all these keyboard combinations, including the supposed new features? Is there an official list somewhere?

System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts (for many of them). In a specific app, press help in the menubar and search for keyboard shortcuts :)

twoodcc

Sep 12, 2007, 04:57 PM

installing the quicktime update now. i'm surprised that there is no restart required

kzin

Sep 12, 2007, 05:00 PM

You never will be able to charge your iPod from the keyboard usb port. The USB2 specs don't allow the keyboard to draw enough power to provide a powered port out of the keyboard.

Huh. I'll never be able to do what I do all the time?

I charge and sync my iPod via the keyboard USB port on my igloo iMac.

kzin

Sep 12, 2007, 05:01 PM

kzin

Sep 12, 2007, 05:13 PM

From apple.com/keyboard:

*Devices that draw high power from the USB connection, such as iPods, hard drives and some flash drives, can only be used with the new keyboard when it is attached to the aluminum iMac.

Aah, didn't realize your comment was specific to the new keyboard.

shamino

Sep 12, 2007, 05:18 PM

Hrm. Does it only install the keyboard update if you have one of the new keyboards?

I installed the new quicktime both at work (10.3.x) and home (10.4.x), and neither were accompanied by a keyboard update.
The Software Update service will only install it if you have a new keyboard attached.

For everybody else, you can go and download the installer directly from Apple. It doesn't hurt anything (as it shouldn't - even owners of a new iMac may choose to use a different keyboard on occasion), but it may not do anything either.

I installed it on my Macs, thinking it might enable my F14/F15 keys, but I'm not sure it actually did any good - I ended up having to manually tweak a plist file in order to use them with Dashboard and Exposé anyway.

ashawley

Sep 12, 2007, 07:58 PM

From apple.com/keyboard:

*Devices that draw high power from the USB connection, such as iPods, hard drives and some flash drives, can only be used with the new keyboard when it is attached to the aluminum iMac.

Thanks Fuchal..that explains why it's been working all along for me (well, since I got the AL iMac :)

W/the ol' Mini I was always on a hub...

cliffjumper68

Sep 13, 2007, 02:16 PM

Buttons seem more responsive

Yvan256

Sep 13, 2007, 02:28 PM

Too bad that F1/F2 don't work with external monitors... Since everything is supposed to be drawn via OpenGL, I would guess it should be easy to add GUI/desktop brightness support?

shamino

Sep 13, 2007, 04:26 PM

Too bad that F1/F2 don't work with external monitors... Since everything is supposed to be drawn via OpenGL, I would guess it should be easy to add GUI/desktop brightness support?
You wouldn't want to do that.

DVI is a digital technology. As such, it has a fixed range of levels for each color component (8 bits per component). If you reduce the brightness via software, you'll end up reducing the usable range of color depth.

You always want this kind of control to adjust the monitor's internal brightness control, which will either adjust the brightness of the backlight, or will adjust the LCD elements after the digital signal has been decoded into analog voltage levels. This will allow you to dim/brighten the screen without reducing your color depth.

I think some displays have a separate USB data channel that the computer could theoretically use to adjust the backlight brightness. I think some of Apple's displays actually do this. But that doesn't appear to be a common feature.

Flobber88

Sep 15, 2007, 03:25 PM

I just got my keyboard for my 2.2 MBP and it charges my nano and GPS watch at the same time.

Pleased with it.:)

Orng

Sep 16, 2007, 05:36 PM

A similar half-second delay was added as a feature to the eject key in (I think) OS X 10.4.10. So it's quite possibly intentional.

You have GOT to be kidding me...
I noticed the eject button hanging over the last couple months, decided immediately that my old Apple Pro keyboard was about to go (the matching mouse went a few months back) so I went out and bought the Al keyboard because of that, three days ago.

I'm not complaining, mind you... just don't tell my wife that there was nothing wrong with my keyboard. :)

Sooo... anybody looking for a perfectly good Apple Pro keyboard, circa 2002? I'll throw in the matching mouse!

MikeTheC

Sep 18, 2007, 02:28 PM

I still say it's retarded that the wireless keyboard isn't the same as the wired one. Not that I intend to use bluetooth anyhow (I think that technology sucks to begin with), but still...

I also wish my local CompUSA would get off their butts and put them on display. It's true I could go to my nearest Apple store, but why should I have to drive 30-ish miles just to take a look at a keyboard that I probably wouldn't be buying anyhow? Grrr...

mrbrown

Sep 20, 2007, 07:15 PM

Did the QuickTime update break the option to display a movie full screen in iTunes for anybody?

Since updating, I can go into full screen mode, but the movie doesn't take up the whole screen... rather it is in its native resolution, surrounded by black.

trollking

Sep 21, 2007, 02:02 PM

shamino

Sep 22, 2007, 04:02 PM

I got one of the AL keyboards for my old MAc G4 and I like it a lot except for one little problem. I use Lightwave and now all the function key shortcuts don't work. Every time I go to render I am either changing tracks in iTunes or muting my sound. And I have not found a way in the Keyboard Shortcuts to change that function.... still looking though.
I don't have one of these keyboards, but your description sounds like a situation that laptop users have had for a long time.

By default, the top row of buttons are media keys, not F-keys. the "Fn" key (inconveniently located where the "help" key used to be, above the cursor keys, on the wired keyboard) should let you use their F-key functionality.

Assuming this can be configured the way laptop keyboards are, there should be a checkbox on the keyboard control panel somewhere to make the top row of keys behave as F-keys by default. If you do that, then you'll need to use the "Fn" key to get the media-key functionality.