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| Apple blows past other hardware web sites in May |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, Internet, Surveys and PollsWow. It isn't even close. Apple blew by HP, Dell and even MagicJack (!) with the most visits to a website in May. According to the people who compile such statistics at Nielsen, Apple drew 55.7 million unique viewers, more than double what next ranked HP did. Much of that may have been driven by anticipation of the new iPhone. Here's the chart.
Also interesting is that Nielsen computes the average visitor stayed on the Apple site an average of 1 hour and 14 minutes. That's a lot of reading and watching demo videos.Nielsen also took a look at blog mentions of the iPhone in early June, and the numbers are pretty striking there too. You can see the peak as the release date approached, with another peak on release day June 19.
They say if people are talking about you it's a good thing. By that measure things are really great at Apple.
TUAWApple blows past other hardware web sites in May originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/01/2009 1:16 AM (2d 56m ago) |
| Apple Confirms: Steve Jobs Back at Work |
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Bloomberg has received confirmation from Apple that Steve Jobs has returned to work at Apple following his liver transplant, currently working part-time at the company's headquarters in Cupertino and part-time from home. Jobs reportedly returned to ...
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| | 6/29/2009 5:55 PM (3d 8h 16m ago) |
| Methodist University Hospital confirms Steve's liver transplant |
| | Filed under: Steve JobsLate last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Steve Jobs had a liver transplant in April. As of this morning, however, we still hadn't received confirmation from either Apple or any of the hospitals at which the procedure might have been performed. That's changed. Earlier today, Methodist University Hospital in Memphis released a statement confirming the surgery, with Steve's permission: "I am pleased to confirm today, with the patient's permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with the University of Tennessee in Memphis ... Our one-year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs's choice of transplant centers." James D. Eason, M.D., Program Director at Methodist University Hospital's Transplant Institute, composed the statement and explained that Steve went through the typical transplant eligibility process; in order to receive a donor liver, he had to be the sickest person on the list when the matching organ became available. This statement stands in contrast to the theories considered in today's New York Times piece about Steve's surgery, which noted that past preferential treatment for celebrities and wealthy patients has largely been ended but there are still ways in which someone with Jobs's resources could try to game the system. The Memphis transplant center has one of the shortest waiting periods in the US for liver patients. Let us extend a "Well done" to the medical team and "Speedy recovery" to Steve.TUAWMethodist University Hospital confirms Steve's liver transplant originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/24/2009 6:14 PM (8d 7h 57m ago) |
| WSJ: Jobs had liver transplant, on schedule to return to work in June |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, AppleThe Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs had a liver transplant two months ago in Tennessee, but is still expected to return to work by the end of the month. Jobs, who went on a medical leave from Apple in January, has had continuing medical issues related to a bout with pancreatic cancer. The type of pancreatic cancer that Jobs has will often metastasize in other organs, particularly the liver. According to the WSJ article, it is expected that Jobs will work part-time upon his return to the company in order to speed his recovery. The 54 year-old Jobs missed the Apple shareholder meeting in February, and hasn't been flying in his corporate jet (one of the perks he receives along with his US$1 annual compensation) as much as he had in the past. The TUAW staff, along with many of our readers, is looking forward to the return of the Steve Jobs to the company he helped to create.TUAWWSJ: Jobs had liver transplant, on schedule to return to work in June originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/22/2009 8:39 PM (10d 5h 33m ago) |
| Apple moves one million iPhone 3G S units in a weekend -- just in time for Steve's return |
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Worried that Apple might not be doing so well? Concerned the company will have to start breaking open the collective piggy banks to keep the lights on? Well rest easy, friends, as the folks in Cupertino have just issued a compelling piece of PR that will surely put your mind at ease -- one stating it managed to move a million iPhone 3G S units over the weekend. That's right, in a fashion not completely dissimilar to last year's iPhone 3G launch (though with far less hiccups), bucketloads of happy buyers flooded Apple's coffers with sweet, delicious cash money for the new smartphone. The buying frenzy was apparently even exciting enough to rouse recovering CEO Steve Jobs from his convalescent state. The seemingly-now-returned honcho is quoted (for the first time in months) in the press release as saying "Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning." Winning indeed Steve... and welcome back.Filed under: CellphonesApple moves one million iPhone 3G S units in a weekend -- just in time for Steve's return originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/22/2009 8:32 PM (10d 5h 40m ago) |
| iPhone 3G S Launch Day: Photos from 5th Avenue |
| | Filed under: iPhoneGood morning! All day today we'll be updating with reports from iPhone 3G S purchasers around the country, both here and on Twitter. So far the lines seem modest and activation is reportedly going smoothly. Victor notes that AT&T store lines are short where he is and if you are not the primary account holder on your cell plan, you have to go to AT&T anyway to upgrade.
Morning schedules and slow subways kept me from the 7 am store open at 5th Avenue (since Apple moved it earlier from 8 am due to AT&T opening its stores at 7), but by 7:30 the line was still active and purchasers were beginning to emerge. NYPD reports that about half the barricaded area was full at 7 am.
Gallery: iPhone 3G S launch, 5th AveTUAWiPhone 3G S Launch Day: Photos from 5th Avenue originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/19/2009 6:07 PM (13d 8h 4m ago) |
| Video: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbuds |
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We know you haven't slept in the week since we first got wind of Sony's MDR-NC300D heaphones and while, sadly, there is (as of yet) still no domestic street date, we do have some more details and a fun little video to tide you over. Billed as the "world's first" digital noise canceling canal earphones (and we're inclined to agree) these guys boast 98.4% noise reduction, an integrated S-Master amplifier, 16mm diameter drivers for each bud, and three separate noise canceling modes. For those of you with a more technical bent, you'll be pleased to know that the 'phones sport a playback frequency of 6Hz ~ 24kHz, a sensitivity of 103dB/mW, and a 16Ω impedence. And it runs on AAA batteries -- meaning these aren't the iPod killers that we've seen in similar devices. This bad boy will hit the streets and shelves of Japan on June 21st for ¥30,975 (around $315).Video after the break.[Via Sony Insider]
Continue reading Video: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbudsFiled under: Portable AudioVideo: Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling canal earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/17/2009 4:14 PM (15d 9h 57m ago) |
| Safari 4 Tops 11 Million Downloads in First Three Days |
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Apple today announced that the final version of its Safari 4 browser, officially launched Monday after the company's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote address, has been downloaded over 11 million times in the first three days of release. Notab...
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| | 6/12/2009 3:35 PM (20d 10h 37m ago) |
| iPod touch: Always a bridesmaid ... |
| | Filed under: Other Events, WWDC, iPod touchWith all the fanfare this week surrounding the iPhone, let's not forget the famed handset's red-headed stepchild: the iPod touch.
Hardware updates to the line weren't exactly expected just now. Apple tends to save their iPod updates for special music events held every year since 2003. After Apple's education promo is done and dusted, we can probably expect a special event in September where we see updates for our favorite media device. What's in store for the new iPod touch? Setting aside for the moment rumors about a tablet-sized device, there are sure to be plenty of updates for the handheld iPod touch we've come to know and love.
As far as the operating system update is concerned, we'll gain all the features compatible with the iPod touch's hardware, like copy and paste, upgrades to the iTunes store, and the landscape keyboard. These updates, like those in the past, will come at a price: In an effort to adhere to strict accounting regulations, Apple charges iPod touch users about $10 to upgrade to the new operating system. iPhone users aren't charged similarly, because revenue from the handsets is accounted on a subscription basis, which has different rules about giving updates away for free. Like the iPhone, the update for iPod touch will be available June 17.
Compared to the iPhone, planned updates to the iPod touch's hardware remain largely unknown. iPod touch models have been generally close in specification to the iPhone, but each model is slightly different. In theory, if applications require the greater horsepower the iPhone 3G S provides, some high-performance games may be incompatible with existing iPod touch models, in addition to apps that take advantage of the iPhone's built-in GPS and camera.
Cameras, however, might be on the way: Mike noted rumors last month about iPod nanos with cameras built-in. If those are true, it stands to reason that iPod touch models could get the same functionality. I've opined... |
| | 6/11/2009 3:46 PM (21d 10h 26m ago) |
| Apple WWDC 2009: the good, the bad, and the ugly |
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Sure, Apple didn't really shock anyone with the announcement of the iPhone 3G S this morning at WWDC, but there was no shortage of news at the Moscone Center -- we also got new MacBooks, final Snow Leopard details, and a release date for iPhone OS 3.0. On the other hand, it wasn't all good news either: AT&T's iPhone upgrade pricing and service levels leave a lot to be desired, and Apple's unfortunate penchant for sealed-in batteries has finally hit the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Apple's posted its stream of the keynote if you want to relive things in real-time, but here's a quick rewind in case you missed anything:The good
Current iPhone owners will get iPhone OS 3.0 for free, although some features like video recording and voice control are limited to the iPhone 3G S. It's not perfect, but we don't really complain about free.
Snow Leopard upgrades will cost just $29, instead of the usual $129.
The original 8GB iPhone 3G is now only $99 for new AT&T subscribers. That's definitely going to make some waves in the smartphone market.
We'd have loved to see some external design improvements and maybe some more surprising features that weren't rumored, but overall the iPhone 3G S is definitely in the "good" column -- it's a solid set of improvements to an already very good platform.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (including the new 13-inch Pro) specs have increased while prices have come down, and glory be, FireWire is back on everything but the Air.
The bad
As usual, iPod touch owners are going to get dinged $9.95 for the iPhone OS 3.0 upgrade. Hey Apple -- maybe switch these guys over to subscription accounting as well?
Let's face it, "iPhone 3G S" is a pretty clunky name.
Sure, it's nice that the MacBook Pros now have an SD card slot, but losing ExpressCard hurts. And why not a multicard reader? Pro DSLRs still use CF.
The ugly
Sure, new customers and qualified upgraders are getting some sweet pricing on iPhone... |
| | 6/09/2009 8:45 PM (23d 5h 26m ago) |
| Apple releases Safari 4 |
| | Filed under: WWDC, Internet Tools, Software Update, Apple
One of the early announcements in this morning's keynote was that Safari 4 is now out of beta! You can download Safari 4 for yourself (Mac or Windows) from Apple's site. Apple is touting Safari 4 as the fastest web browser around, besting IE 8, Firefox and Chrome in speed tests.As with the Safari 4 betas, Safari 4 passes Acid 3 tests with a 100/100 -- the first (and only cross-platform) browser to achieve this level of standards compliance.The big news for users of the Safari 4 betas is that the tab orientation has been changed. In the beta, tabs were on the top of the application window, now they are below the URL field, just like in previous versions of Safari. I'm a fan! I also like the snazzy updates to the "loading" notification and the RSS indicator.Safari 4 has way too many features for me to list, so I'll just point you to Apple's page that details everything. The HTML 5 media and offline support, CSS 3 web fonts and CSS animations are some of my favorites. Safari 4 is fast, thanks to the new JavaScript engine. It also integrates with both your Mac or with Windows, and the new Cover Flow History View for viewing your web history, or Top Sites for seeing what sites you visit most are totally, totally slick.Download Safari 4 here and then come back and tell us what you think! Remember, any third-party InputManagers like Saft will need to be updated if you want to use them with Safari 4.
TUAWApple releases Safari 4 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/09/2009 8:43 PM (23d 5h 29m ago) |
| WSJ: Steve Jobs return is on track for end of June |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, Cult of Mac, Steve Jobs, Apple, One More ThingIn its sometime role as a broadsheet hybrid of Us magazine and the New England Journal of Medicine, we have an update tonight from The Wall Street Journal on the condition of everyone's favorite iCEO. Steve Jobs, according to the story (subscription required on the web, free to read on your iPhone), is recovered from his health crisis and on track to return by the end of June. While some speculate that he might choose to surprise the audience at WWDC with a One More Thing moment, two sources for the WSJ story say that the plan is to wait a bit longer.Steve's return is likely to be coordinated with a product launch or other public event later in June, say the sources. That event probably won't be the announcement of the next-gen iPhone, which the paper pinpoints for the keynote address on Monday with availability close to the two-year anniversary date for the original iPhone purchasers (pretty sensible; anyone who bought a first-gen for the premium price is a likely candidate to shell out for a replacement). The WSJ cites someone who has seen the new phone in person, reporting a faster processor and the expected video editing capabilities.Equally importantly, the story points out that the long Steveless months with Tim Cook at the helm have shown investors and customers that the Apple train is still on track. AAPL is up 68% since Steve announced his leave of absence in January, vs. a 24% uptick for the NASDAQ index. Granted, Apple stock took a bit of a hit around the announcement of the leave, dipping to a low of 78.20 on 1/20, but it's up at 143.74 as of today's close.[via Macrumors]TUAWWSJ: Steve Jobs return is on track for end of June originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/05/2009 3:48 PM (27d 10h 23m ago) |
| MobileMe control panel for Windows helps with proxy servers |
| | Filed under: Software Update, MobileMeYesterday, Apple released MobileMe Control Panel for Windows 1.4, recommended for users on corporate networks that use proxy servers.
Some users were reporting errors when trying to sync contacts and calendars, or were unable to log into the MobileMe control panel at all. This update sorts that out.
According to Apple technical note on the subject, supported proxy server types include:
Web proxy servers (HTTP)
Secure Web proxy (HTTPS)
SOCKS proxy servers (see note below)
HTTP/HTTPS proxy servers that require authentication
Proxy bypass lists
Proxy auto-configuration (PAC) files
The update is available on the MobileMe website, and is also included with iTunes 8.2 for Windows. TUAWMobileMe control panel for Windows helps with proxy servers originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/03/2009 4:20 PM (29d 9h 51m ago) |
| New York's flagship Apple Store doing great business |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, Retail, Apple FinancialNew York City's flagship Apple Store, located on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, is doing tremendous business. According to The New York Post, that store raked in $440 million in one year. Of course, the location doesn't hurt. It's right by Central Park and the huge, glass cube is a real tourist draw. The Post also notes that the SoHo store pulled in $100 million, but didn't provide any stats on the West 14th Street store. In the meantime, construction has begun on what's rumored to be a fourth NYC store, expected to open at the corner of 67th and Broadway on Manhattan's Upper West Side later this year. If that store and a rumored Brooklyn store are opened, NYC would boast six stores total (including the Staten Island store).Apple intends to open 25 new stores for fiscal year 2009, half of them outside the United States.[via AppleInsider]TUAWNew York's flagship Apple Store doing great business originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/03/2009 4:20 PM (29d 9h 52m ago) |
| Apple stores roll out revised One to One support & training program |
| | Filed under: Retail, AppleIf you have purchased a Mac from Apple's online or retail stores in recent years, then you probably were offered a membership in an exclusive club known as "ProCare." ProCare's most valuable assets were advanced placement in the in-store repair queue and initial setup for new Macs, as well as free hour-long training sessions. The service, which debuted in 2004, was changed in 2007 when "One to One" was introduced, effectively splitting ProCare's training benefits into a separate service.While ProCare is not changing, One to One is being beefed up to offer some new features as well as some new limitations. ProCare's complete Mac setup & data transfer is now included with One to One. Previously, One to One only included a "simple" setup.Other changes for One to One include exclusive workshops only available to One to One members as well as the new "Personal Projects" session for larger blocks of time. Now members can reserve a session for up to a three hour block of time to create, with an Apple trainer's assistance, "anything ... you can dream up." Similar to workshops, Personal Projects are a group activity in that several members will be present; while a workshop includes members working on the same topic, a project session includes members working on individual and unrelated tasks.One to One is also now only available with the purchase of a new Mac at an Apple store; this is in contrast to the previous One to One and current ProCare services which could be purchased at any time. One to One memberships are also now only renewable two times for a maximum membership duration of three years. Existing memberships (beginning prior to June 2, 2009) in One to One will be renewable only one time.You can purchase a new One to One membership along with a new Mac at any Apple Retail store now. According to Apple this service's availability will expand to Apple's online channel in the near future. The question, One to One members, is this: are you... |
| | 6/03/2009 4:19 PM (29d 9h 52m ago) |
| WaPo: DOJ preparing antitrust probe for Apple, among others |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, Bad AppleApple, Google, Yahoo! and Genentech are subjects of a fresh antitrust investigation surrounding hiring and recruiting practices among companies in the tech industry, according to Washington Post staff writer Cecilia Kang.
"By agreeing not to hire away top talent, the companies could be stifling competition and trying to maintain their market power unfairly," antitrust experts said in the article. Hiring and recruiting can sometimes be a touchy affair, as Apple found out late last year when trying to hire Mark Papermaster. The investigation may suggest some kind of written agreement among large tech firms to not hire away each other's top talent.
According to the New York Times, Justice has only requested documents for the ongoing investigation. Neither the Justice Department nor any of the companies mentioned in the story had any comment.
This comes in addition to another Justice investigation into ties between the boards of directors of Apple and Google, and whether or not having Google CEO Eric Schmidt on both (and Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson on all three) constitutes antitrust violations. Some consider Apple and Google to be competitors in certain areas such as phone handsets.
The Obama administration is stepping up efforts to investigate anti-competitive activity among high-tech companies, and is already investigating Google's deal with book authors to republish their work via Google Books.
[Via AppleInsider]TUAWWaPo: DOJ preparing antitrust probe for Apple, among others originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/03/2009 4:19 PM (29d 9h 53m ago) |
| iTunes 8.2 in Software Update, supports iPhone 3.0; QuickTime & GarageBand also patched |
| | Filed under: iTunes, Software Update, iPhone, iPod touchiTunes 8.2 just became available in Software Update. According to the update notes, "iTunes 8.2 now supports iPhone or iPod touch with the iPhone 3.0 Software Update. iTunes 8.2 also includes many accessibility improvements and bug fixes." The update weighs in at 79.3 MB.
QuickTime 7.6.2 and GarageBand Update 5.0.2 also became available at the same time. In keeping with Apple's policy of full disclosure, there's not much information for users about what's in either of the updates, although subscribers to Apple's security notification list got an email with a list of 10 fixed vulnerabilities in the QT update (soon to be posted at Apple's security site and reproduced in the second half of this post). The GarageBand update "addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and fixes a number of other minor issues [including] Improved purchasing experience for Artist Lessons in the GarageBand Lesson Store [&] Accessing installed Jam Packs in the loop browser." The update is required if you are purchasing lessons from the Lesson Store.The iTunes update is one more clear sign that iPhone 3.0 is just around the corner. Be sure to stay tuned to our coverage of the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference next week for all your iPhone news!Continue reading iTunes 8.2 in Software Update, supports iPhone 3.0; QuickTime & GarageBand also patchedTUAWiTunes 8.2 in Software Update, supports iPhone 3.0; QuickTime & GarageBand also patched originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/02/2009 5:04 PM (30d 9h 8m ago) |
| Apple Releases iTunes 8.2 and QuickTime 7.6.2 |
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Apple today released iTunes 8.2 via Software Update. The update adds support for iPhone OS 3.0, which is expected to be featured at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference next week and be released in the near future.iTunes 8.2 now ...
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| | 6/01/2009 8:44 PM (31d 5h 28m ago) |
| Spot the SPOD: Mac OS X rainbow cursor shows up in Pixar's "Up" |
| | Filed under: Humor, OS, Odds and endsBeing the Disney-Pixar fanatics that we are, my wife and I went to see Up Saturday night (in Disney Digital 3D, of course) at our local theater. Remembering the appearance of the Mac startup sound as Wall-E's waking noise in last year's Pixar epic, and the brief shot of an Apple-themed racer in Cars, I decided to look for Apple-themed Easter eggs in the movie. By the time we were at the end of the film, I was beginning to think that there weren't going to be any love letters to Apple in Up. The credits, featuring Russell's Wilderness Explorer merit badges floating by on a typed page, began to look somewhat promising. Sure enough, I spied a stylized and stationary "Spinning Pizza of Death," the dreaded Mac OS X wait cursor, on a merit badge just about at the end of the credits.
For those of you who are either Windows users or have been lucky enough to have never seen this infamous Mac icon (seen 3 times lifesize above), it's the Mac OS X equivalent of the hourglass in Windows. The SPOD (officially known as the Spinning Wait Cursor, A.K.A. the Beach Ball of Death or the Marble of Doom) appears when an application is not responding to events.
digg_url = 'http://www.tuaw.com/2009/05/31/spot-the-spod-in-up/';
If you go to see the movie (which you should; it's funny, action-filled, and great for absolutely any audience) be patient and sit through the credits. You'll be rewarded by the sight of a SPOD on the big screen (it's after the two nuclear merit badges). If you're an Up-aholic, you can also check out the Mac game or the $4.99US iPhone game (link opens iTunes).Update: Slashfilm has a photo of the SPOD (BBOD, MOD, take your pick...) merit badge in a detailed post about all of the Easter Eggs in Up.TUAWSpot the SPOD: Mac OS X rainbow cursor shows up in Pixar's "Up" originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sun, 31 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink ... |
| | 6/01/2009 4:33 PM (31d 9h 39m ago) |
| Businessweek puts Apple at top of Most Innovative list |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, Hardware, Odds and endsBusinessweek has posted a list of what they call the top 50 most innovative companies in 2009, and guess who is sitting right at the top of the list. Sure enough, it's our favorite computer maker -- according to the survey, taken by "senior executives around the world," Apple is number one, and the reason listed by 47% of respondents is the products. Not that surprising, no? From the iPhone to the unibody MacBooks right up to the new Shuffles, Apple's products ooze new concepts and features and ideas.
Then again, Microsoft comes in at number four, and Wal-Mart is not far behind at number 10, and I don't know too many non-executives who would call those companies out for being "innovative," necessarily. But then again, both of them are being recognized for their "process," not their actual products. In terms of product, Apple is followed by Nintendo (no arguments there), Blackberry's RIM, and then Nokia.
So maybe Businessweek is just asking the wrong people. At any rate, congrats to Apple for topping the list (for the second year in a row), and we can't wait to see what's new in the next year.TUAWBusinessweek puts Apple at top of Most Innovative list originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/28/2009 4:13 PM (35d 9h 59m ago) |
| Music Balloon: it's like a sound emitting afro for your iPod |
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Okay, so maybe this isn't actually for your iPod, per se, but Idea International's colorful audio afros just seem to click with Apple's vivid line of shuffles and nanos. Equipped with a 3.5-millimeter jack, a built-in battery good for around five hours and what appears to be a bendable cable (you know, for draping it over your handlebars), the Music Balloon could actually be mistaken for a plug-in microphone. Regrettably, the ¥3,990 ($42) price tag is likely too steep for most, but you can't deny that this would be hard to pass up if just so happen to end up in Japan.[Via FarEastGizmos]Filed under: Peripherals, Portable AudioMusic Balloon: it's like a sound emitting afro for your iPod originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/28/2009 4:08 PM (35d 10h 4m ago) |
| Apple building server farm, secret lair in North Carolina |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Odds and ends, Xserve, AppleAs Mike mentioned in the news roundup yesterday, word is going around that the corporate overlords at Apple are planning to build a massive server farm in the state of North Carolina within the next decade or so. How do we know? Because the company is working on getting a few nice tax breaks to go along with the deal, eventually worth about $46 million if Apple fulfills their end of the agreement. Their end of the agreement being a huge investment of a whopping $1 billion (that's over 333,000 Xserves, if that is indeed what they're installing -- and we bet not) into an economy that could probably use it. What exactly will go in there? We aren't sure -- lawmakers say the investment is worth it, and obviously Apple isn't showing their cards.
[Note: the $1B investment figure is not an upfront number, but rather a total investment over the first 9 years of operation. -Ed.]
But the facility, once up and running, will start by employing at least 100 people, so that's a nice start. Google has apparently gone through the same deal with North Carolina recently, though their deal was a little smaller: $600 million investment for a server farm that opened last year.
More backend for Mobile Me? More power for the App Store or a project like it? A giant building full of Cubes running 24 hours a day? Or something we haven't even dreamt of yet?TUAWApple building server farm, secret lair in North Carolina originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 25 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/27/2009 3:35 PM (36d 10h 36m ago) |
| Apple's back to school promo about the same as last year's |
| | Filed under: Education, DealsApple announced the details of its back to school promotion today, and it looks almost the same as its deal last year: A free iPod touch with the purchase of a qualifying Mac.
Every Mac except the Mac mini qualifies for the deal. Parents now can qualify for the promotion when buying for their children, as well.
Education pricing can save you up to $200, depending on the model you choose, which you can use to fill that iPod with tunes or put toward AppleCare. According to MacNN, qualified students can opt for other iPods as well with varying rebate amounts for each.
Apple is also running a similar promotion in Canada, and will probably offer the program in other countries later in the year, according to MacRumors' Eric Slivka.
Last year's promotion was the "largest ever," and expectations were high for this year, too. One rumor claimed Apple would offer free iPhones with a qualifying Mac purchase. Yet again, the Internet made promises that Apple couldn't keep.
This also starts the rumor mill going about what Apple is trying to clear out of inventory before the end of the fiscal year. New products are always just over the horizon: What's coming next?
The promotion ends September 8.
Thanks, Nicholas!TUAWApple's back to school promo about the same as last year's originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/27/2009 3:31 PM (36d 10h 40m ago) |
| Wintek pegged as panel supplier for rumored Apple tablet |
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We've always heard that most things come in packs of three, so just as soon as some other dodgy source affirms that Hulk Hogan will actually be replacing Steve Jobs in August, we'll be set. Shortly after seeing a 32GB iPhone placeholder over at T-Mobile Austria, we're now staring at a comically brief report from Digitimes that pegs Wintek as the "panel module supplier for Apple's upcoming e-book form factor netbook product." If you'll recall, Wintek was already independently confirmed as said panel supplier for said product back in March, but obviously Apple has remained tight-lipped on the whole netbook / tablet / e-reader thing. That said, we do find it interesting that this report clarifies that whatever's purportedly cooking in some dark, highly guarded lab in Cupertino looks more like a tablet with a netbook-sized display rather than a conventional netbook. Whatever the case, we wouldn't expect it at WWDC, but any Tuesday morning after that is fair game.Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCsWintek pegged as panel supplier for rumored Apple tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 06:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/22/2009 5:07 PM (41d 9h 5m ago) |
| Munster: Apple suppliers negotiating parts deals for sub-$700 tablet |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, RumorsIn a research note to clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster suggested that Apple is developing a 7-to-10-inch tablet priced at $500 to $700, perhaps ready for the public in 2010.
According to AppleInsider, Munster's contacts in the supply chain haven't seen a prototype of the device, but are in discussions with Apple to supply components for something at that size and price point.
Munster believes that Apple could adjust the iPhone SDK to allow for multiple display resolutions. Apps like Safari and Mail, he says, would benefit from the additional screen real estate. He also mentions that with the larger screen, more than one traditional iPhone app could be run at once.
As for timing, Munster suggests that the device could be ready next year, and possibly be subsidized by a wireless carrier.
As with most analysis of this kind, this is two parts hearsay, one part "interpretation of conference call statements," and seven parts wishful thinking. In providing technical details about a product that may not exist, Munster is writing checks that Apple might not be able to cash.
Is this something you'd buy? Is it even going to happen? Sound off in comments.TUAWMunster: Apple suppliers negotiating parts deals for sub-$700 tablet originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 21 May 2009 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 10:32 PM (42d 3h 40m ago) |
| Apple confirms WWDC keynote time, Phil Schiller leading the way |
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digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Steve_Jobs_will_NOT_keynote_WWDC'; The anticipation is palpable, sure, but those hoping for a Steve Jobs comeback at this year's WWDC should be prepared for disappointment. Apple just affirmed that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference will indeed kick off on Monday, June 8th, and the keynote address will be given at 10:00AM PT (so 1:00PM here on the right coast, and 7:00AM on the gorgeous isle of Maui). The big news, however, isn't that we'll be there live for every last word ('cause you already knew that, yes?) -- it's that Philip Schiller and company, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will be manning the address, offering devs an "in-depth" look at iPhone OS 3.0 and OS X Snow Leopard. In fact, attendees can expect a "final Developer Preview release" of the forthcoming OS, but you'll have to wait a few weeks yet to get details beyond that.Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, LaptopsApple confirms WWDC keynote time, Phil Schiller leading the way originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/13/2009 3:18 PM (50d 10h 54m ago) |
| Newton among "Biggest Cults in Tech" |
| | Filed under: Hardware, Portables, Apple HistoryI'm proud to count myself among InfoWorld's Tech cult No. 7: The Tao of Newton. I'll confess that my 2100 has seen less action since I bought my iPhone, but it'll never be relegated to my basement wasteland where various Palms, Visors and even a 3Com Audrey dream of more useful days.Newton ownership is definitely not for everyone. it's big and takes some doing to get it to cooperate with contemporary hardware and software. But for the faithful it's a terrific piece of hardware. For more Newton information, check out The NewtonTalk mailing list. People either have the love or they don't. You can have mine when you pull it from my cold, dead hands.TUAWNewton among "Biggest Cults in Tech" originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/06/2009 3:52 PM (57d 10h 20m ago) |
| iTunes Connect now lets developers see crash reports |
| | Filed under: Developer, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch Apple has offered developers a glimpse as crash reporting since the iPhone 2.0 firmware was released, however, it was a kludge to get users to email you the crash reports from their ~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/MobileDevice directory. Apple has a solution that will make this a lot easier.Enter iTunes Connect, where Apple recently added the ability for developers to view crash reports from users. iTunes connect is where developers can manage applications they have on the App Store, check their sales, and get promotional codes for their apps. When you log into iTunes Connect you will be presented with the following information regarding crash logs: Crash logs for applications are now available. To view them, go the Manage Your Applications Module below, click to view the desired application's details, then click View Crash Report.When you navigate to Manage Your Applications > your app details > View Crash Report, you will be presented with a few items that could help you debug apps. Namely, developers can view most frequent crashes, timeouts, and memory usage right from iTunes Connect. You can find out more about crash logs on the iPhone by going to Apple's Developer tech note.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!TUAWiTunes Connect now lets developers see crash reports originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 02 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/04/2009 4:41 PM (59d 9h 31m ago) |
| WWDC 09 is a sellout -- time to call your ticket scalper |
| | Filed under: WWDC, Apple, DeveloperLast year, the limited number of registrations to the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) sold out on May 14th. This year, the seats at Moscone Center didn't even last until May. A tweet from @polarbearfarm alerted TUAW to the sad/happy news that WWDC sold out today. It's sad news, because there are a lot of procrastinating developers who didn't even have a chance to register. But it's also happy news, because this once again shows the vibrant and active life in the Apple development community. As with last year's non-attendees, you'll be able to purchase session videos shortly after the conclusion of WWDC on June 12th, 2009. Next year, when you see our post saying that WWDC 2010 has opened for registration, get out there and get registered ASAP!TUAWWWDC 09 is a sellout -- time to call your ticket scalper originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/01/2009 4:27 PM (62d 9h 45m ago) |
| Reasons Behind Apple's Strategic Shift Into Chip Design |
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The Wall Street Journal explores the reasons why Apple has been moving towards designing their own chips rather than using off-the-shelf components. This strategic shift was first revealed when Apple acquired chip-designing company P.A. Semi last ...
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| | 4/30/2009 3:58 PM (63d 10h 14m ago) |
| Steve Jobs' Thoughts on Accepting Apple's CEO Position and More |
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Last week, Forbes published the full text of Steve Jobs' deposition to the Securities and Exchange Commission. While a number of stories have been circulating around the internet about Jobs' take on the stock options scandal, perhaps most interestin...
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| | 4/27/2009 4:30 PM (66d 9h 41m ago) |
| Apple Q2'09 results round-up |
| | Filed under: Apple Corporate, Apple FinancialToday was a landmark day for the good ol' boys (and girls) at 1 Infinite Loop as they again posted record-breaking quarterly results. Profit was a svelte $1.21 billion for a grand total of $8.16 billion in revenue; or, as the guys in Wallstreet see it: $1.33 per diluted share. All of this is apparently good news as after-hours trading has shares of AAPL up about 4 points from the days close of $121.51. If you haven't already, you can check out some of our highlights of what drove those numbers as well as the full press release from Apple here. Also, MacJournals did a fantastic job covering the call via their Twitter feed, which can be found here.One continuing theme through the course of the call was the economy's overall effect on Apple's numbers. One noticeable effect was that professional and education sales were down during the March quarter. Even with the release of an entirely refreshed line of Mac desktops, the quarter saw an overall decrease in Mac marketshare. It wasn't all bad for Apple, however, as iPod sales (particularly the iPod Touch) were up enough to seemingly offset the bulk of the lagging Mac sales.While the results themselves are always nice to hear, the most interesting section of the quarterly call is the question and answer section that follows. The answers, while somewhat scripted, give the listeners a chance to hear Apple execs think and speak on their feet regarding Apple's results and plans for the future. One of the more notable topics during this discussion was Apple's opinion on the netbook market. Tim Cook took the question and in an answer that was truly Apple said, that netbooks are "junky ... not a consumer experience that we would put the Mac brand on," while quickly following-up with a good, old-fashioned "If we can find a way to deliver an innovative product ... then we'll do that." If you remember the days before the video iPod, then this conversation should be very familiar to you. For... |
| | 4/26/2009 4:23 PM (67d 9h 49m ago) |
| Etymotic hf2 Custom Fit buds bundle ACS' customized ear-mould service |
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Eytmotic's $180 hf2 earbuds with in-line controller for iPods and iPhones have been around for awhile. In that time, they've racked up plenty of gold statues and plaques to backup their claim of delivering "the most accurate, unaltered sound of any earphone or headset today." Now Etymotic has teamed up with ACS (Advanced Communication Solutions) to deliver silicon sleeves custom-moulded for your inner-ear to ensure a perfect, comfy fit while further isolating you from the ambient noise around you; a trick that allows you to pickup audio detail at lower volumes and thus spare your hearing. Of course, ACS' 15 minute customization service is available for other buds as well, but offering it within the hf2 Custom Fit bundle as a £90 (about $130) voucher redeemable at any of 300 approved ear impression outlets in the UK is a pretty shrewd move.[Via Tech Digest] Read [Warning: PDF]Filed under: Portable AudioEtymotic hf2 Custom Fit buds bundle ACS' customized ear-mould service originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/24/2009 4:06 PM (69d 10h 6m ago) |
| Apple tops Forrester satisfaction survey |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Corporate, HardwareWhile Microsoft pushes a series of ads that prompt customers to focus on the in-store price (remember, the price is not the cost), Apple customers are expressing satisfaction with the ownership experience. Research firm Forrester conducted a survey of 4,600 people about their experiences with several brands, including Apple, HP, Dell and Gateway. Apple received a "Good" rating, meaning 80% of respondents rated their experience with the company's products highly (the actual measurement system isn't in the article's description). Gateway was next with an "Okay" rating (66% satisfaction), followed by HP at 63% (Lauren's choice!) and Dell bringing up the caboose at 58%.This illustrates the tough spot Microsoft is in. They don't manufacture the hardware that their product, the OS, requires. Yet, people use "PC" -- which actually stands for "Personal Computer" -- synonymously with "Windows." It's unclear the article's summary where those customers' dissatisfaction comes from, the hardware or the software. While it's easy to say that Microsoft should switch focus from price to quality, it would be very difficult for them to implement, as they only control half of the equation. [Via Electronista]TUAWApple tops Forrester satisfaction survey originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/20/2009 5:53 PM (73d 8h 19m ago) |
| Apple to Release Q2 2009 Financial Results on April 22nd |
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Apple today issued a media alert announcing details for the April 22nd release of its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The results will cover sales from December 28th, 2008 through March 27th, 2009, and will be released a...
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| | 4/20/2009 4:36 PM (73d 9h 35m ago) |
| Susan Boyle Hype Revitalizes 10-Year-Old Release of "Cry Me A River" |
| | The song title "Cry Me A River" brings Justin Timberlake to mind for Generation Y. But that is likely to change thanks to Susan Boyle, the Scottish singing sensation whose Britain's Got Talent appearance wooed millions of broadcast and online... more |
| | 4/18/2009 11:56 PM (75d 2h 16m ago) |
| CNBC: Apple beating recession |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple Financial, iPhone A panel on CNBC's Fast Money was recently remarking on AAPL's apparent invulnerability to the recession that's currently affecting the United States, noting that it's jumped 40% so far this year, outperforming the NASDAQ. J.P. Mark of Farmhouse Equity Research suggests that the excitement that persists among Apple's retail employees customers is a part of that performance.As for the stock's immediate future, the panel and Mr. Mark point to this summer's concurrent release of iPhone OS 3.0 and a likely new iPhone model as a powerful stimulus. Finally, Mr. Mark notes that it isn't often that an electronic gadget becomes more useful and valuable over time.I definitely agree with that. My iPhone is now almost two years old and it does much more than it did when I first opened its box. Also, if a new iPhone does appear this summer just as my current contract is expiring, I'll almost certainly buy it.TUAWCNBC: Apple beating recession originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/13/2009 4:48 PM (80d 9h 23m ago) |
| iTunes 8.1.1 showing in Software Update |
| | Filed under: iTS, iTunes, Software UpdateCheck the old Software Update, folks: there's a 68 MB iTunes 8.1.1 upgrade awaiting, or you can get it direct from Apple's site. The notes on the new version are as follows:iTunes 8.1.1 adds support for renting HD movies and provides a number of bug fixes, including addressing issues with VoiceOver and syncing with iPhone or iPod touch.The recent influx of HD movies onto the iTunes store (full list of titles here) promised but did not deliver rentals for HD titles; this update should take care of that detail. Let us know your mileage if you update.Thanks Bruce!TUAWiTunes 8.1.1 showing in Software Update originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/07/2009 4:42 PM (86d 9h 30m ago) |
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| | 4/07/2009 4:39 PM (86d 9h 33m ago) |
| Rob Janoff and how he made the Apple logo |
| | Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple, Apple History, Graphic DesignZLOK has re-posted an article (originally meant for the defunct Sync Magazine) about Rob Janoff, a designer who's credited with coming up with the iconic-as-they-come Apple logo. It's actually a really short piece, but he does talk pretty candidly about where he got the idea: by buying a bag of apples and slicing them up in different ways.And the original design was just a single color Apple (which, of course, Apple has used versions of since), but Jobs thought the design should be more colorful, so the logo got its familiar colored bands. Janoff says he just threw the colors in where he thought they might fit, which makes sense -- they don't match up with the physical spectrum at all, they're just sort of in there.Cool to see that something now so well known started off so simply. Janoff did the work for a design firm, and says that nowadays, he gets "not even a holiday card" for his invention. Apple does take their time recognizing inventors, though -- maybe the card's in the mail.[via Cult of Mac]TUAWRob Janoff and how he made the Apple logo originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 3/31/2009 4:01 PM (93d 10h 11m ago) |
| Apple announces WWDC 2009 dates; iPhone, Snow Leopard countdowns begin |
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digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_announces_WWDC_2009_dates_2'; Here we go: Apple's just announced that its Worldwide Developers Conference will take place June 8-12 in San Francisco. If you'll recall, last year's WWDC was where a little gadget called the iPhone 3G made its appearance, and we'd say chances are good we'll see new hardware this year as well -- especially since there'd be no bigger way for Steve Jobs to make his planned June return to the company. Also on the list of expected attendees? Snow Leopard, possibly with a revised interface. It should be a big one -- you know we'll be digging for all the info we can get in the leadup, so keep it locked.Update: Jobs said he'd be out until the "end of June," of course. Still, we've got a feeling he'd want to be involved in any iPhone hardware announcements. We'll see!Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, LaptopsApple announces WWDC 2009 dates; iPhone, Snow Leopard countdowns begin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 3/27/2009 4:02 PM (97d 10h 10m ago) |
| The price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7 |
| | Filed under: iTS, iTunes, AppleRemember in 2007 when Apple started selling "iTunes Plus" tracks as DRM-free and 256 kbps AAC files? Much later you were able to upgrade your songs on a per-track basis, if you were so inclined. Well, get ready for more pricing changes. The LA Times reports a date has been set for the kickoff of the variable pricing model Apple announced at Macworld this year: April 7. While I doubt most people care about a slightly better listening experience (seriously, have you used an FM transmitter to play music in your car?), I think simply paying more because a song is popular won't go over so well. I'm not alone in thinking there will be backlash against the policy of selling more popular songs at a higher price. Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails, a pretty vocal opponent to the labels' stranglehold on the industry, feels the increase in prices will only ramp up piracy -- again. I'm inclined to agree. Yes, we knew this was coming. But the average consumer embraced the iTunes Store not only because it was Apple, or the iPod, or iTunes itself, but also because the one-price-fits-all model is easy to understand. People don't pay taxes with Zune Points or Disney Dollars, they prefer to think "Hey, it's just a buck." The psychological impact of having a price point at $0.99US for everything makes impulse shopping a no-brainer. Just ask all those fart app devs.The only upside is that less popular songs will be priced lower. Essentially, it's the bargain bin of the iTunes store, featuring one-hit wonders and college radio flops and a random assortment of attic-dwelling musical pieces as low as $0.69. I only hope it doesn't play into the theory of perceived value, which Joel Spolsky noted when iTunes Plus tracks debuted. Apple also said at Macworld "many more songs" will be available at 69 cents versus the $1.29 price point. It'll be interesting to see what develops and if sales suffer as a result of the changes. The labels certainly love variable... |
| | 3/27/2009 3:44 PM (97d 10h 28m ago) |
| Apple WWDC 2009 Dates Set: June 8-12 [Apple] |
| | Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, where we're likely to see all of Snow Leopard's spots and maybe a new iPhone to go with iPhone 3.0 OS, will take place from June 8-12. [Apple - Thanks Justin!] |
| | 3/26/2009 6:23 PM (98d 7h 49m ago) |
| They've gone and done it. Apple updates iTunes |
| | Filed under: iLife, iTunes, Software UpdateApple this evening has updated iTunes from version 8.02 to version 8.1. Here is the read me information:iTunes 8.1 is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing.In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides many other improvements and bug fixes, including:- Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation)- Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ- Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows- Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs- Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods- Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus- Includes many accessibility improvements- Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental ControlsThe update should appear in 'software update'. I also received a Front Row update at the same time. Let us know if this new version of iTunes floats your boat.Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers for the tip.TUAWThey've gone and done it. Apple updates iTunes originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 3/12/2009 3:24 PM (112d 10h 48m ago) |
| Tuesday is upon us: new Apple hardware |
| | Filed under: iMac, Apple, Mac mini, Mac ProIt's been busy in the dwarven mines of Cupertino, we can tell: much new iron has arrived today, and the store is back up (though getting hammered at the moment)! We'll go into detail on each of the announcements in the next hour or so, but here's the basic scoop:All of Apple's consumer desktops have been updated, with new iMacs and new minis. The iMacs offer 'twice the memory, twice the storage' in the new $1499 base 24" model, and all have been updated with the GeForce 9400M graphics subsystem. BTO options on the 24" iMac include up to a 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, a 640GB or 1TB HD, and a rogues' gallery of graphics upgrade options: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 instead of the 9400M. Gamers, start your engines.
digg_url = 'http://www.tuaw.com/2009/03/03/tuesday-is-upon-us-new-apple-hardware/';
The mini... well, Dave and I have to eat our words on the mini, because the new models do indeed come with five frickin' USB ports, FW800 and both DVI and DisplayPort video-out, as well as the 9400M integrated graphics. The spy shots, the video and the box picture appear to have been spot-on (despite the 'scientific' scoffing analysis of Photoshop artifacts in the original shot). $599US gets you the base model with a 2GHz C2D and 120GB hard drive/1GB of RAM (really? 1GB?), $799 doubles the RAM to 2GB and bumps the HD to 320GB. The new mini also uses less power than before, only 13 watts at idle. For all of you that had 'five USB ports' in the pool, instead of 'sharks with lasers on their heads' -- congratulations. Who knew that Gillette was collaborating with the Onion and Apple on product design?The pro desktop has been revved with new Mac Pro hardware: shipping next week, the new models start $300US cheaper than before and now feature Intel's Nehalem chip, along with a redesigned interior, DisplayPort + DVI standard and more spec upgrades -- but no 16-core model.The Airport Extreme and Time Capsule... |
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