Macworld: “Based on Macworld Lab’s benchmark results, the new Mac mini models provide a great leap in processor performance over the previous generation.” James Galbraith reports that the new Mac mini beats the pants off its predecessor in most tests, … Continued
∞ iOS update fixes certificate validation
Apple on Monday released iOS 4.3.5. You can download the new update by connecting tethering your iPhone to your Mac, opening iTunes and clicking the Update button.
∞ Veteran developer Steve Lacey killed in driving incident
Geekwire: “Google engineer Steve Lacey, 43, a veteran of the Seattle region’s tech community who worked for more than a decade at Microsoft, died Sunday in a car crash in Kirkland.” Lacey, a British ex-pat worked on DirectX and Xbox-related … Continued
∞ Google Books exits App Store; Kobo, WSJ pull web links
Wall Street Journal: “In a pair of moves that suggest Apple Inc. is enforcing rules for selling content on its devices, Kobo Inc., the Canadian e-book retailer, and The Wall Street Journal said Sunday they will no longer sell content … Continued
∞ This week in podcasting on The Loop
Jim Dalrymple and Peter Cohen were featured on several podcasts this week. If you’re interested in hearing them share their opinions on various topics, here’s where you can find them.
∞ Microsoft sued over Kinect technology
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∞ Apple may surpass Exxon Mobil in market cap
Electronista: “Apple added $60 billion to its market cap during the month of June. The company may be able to leapfrog Exxon if several planned products prove enough of a catalyst…” Wow. And if it comes to pass, Apple will … Continued
∞ Microsoft Xbox profit doubles, shipments up
James Brightman, IndustryGamers: “Now, in Microsoft’s just released fourth-quarter and year-end earnings, we see that Xbox 360 shipped 13.7 million units (up from 10.3 million in 2010) and operating income more than doubled for the Entertainment and Devices Division from … Continued
∞ Sony insurer doesn't want to pay for data breach
Ben Berkowitz, Reuters: “One of Sony Corp’s insurers has asked a court to declare that it does not have to pay to defend the media and electronics conglomerate from mounting legal claims related to a massive data breach earlier this … Continued
∞ Freeverse axes Mac game support in Lion
Freeverse has announced that it’s discontinuing a number of Mac game titles because of the release of OS X Lion:
∞ Apple TV competitor Roku 2 plays games
Dan Moren at Macworld writes: “The top-of-the-line XS model also includes the Roku 2’s new Bluetooth motion-capable remote. In addition to using the buttons to control browsing and playback on your Roku 2, you can use the motion sensitivity to … Continued
∞ Just bought a new Mac with Snow Leopard? Get Lion for free
If you’ve purchased a new Mac any time since June 6, you can get a free copy of OS X Lion from Apple as part of their Lion Up to Date program. The deal also applies to companies or individuals … Continued
∞ Review: Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
The first measure of any professional audio product or instrument is its sound quality. Once you have that, the rest is often a matter of personal preference. In this instance, the hardware that is the vehicle bringing your audio into … Continued
∞ AirDrop only works with certain Macs
AirDrop is a new feature in OS X Lion that lets you wirelessly send files to other OS X Lion users, without Wi-Fi. But it only works on certain Macs. Apple has posted a KnowledgeBase article explaining which ones work:
∞ Anonymous, LulzSec, respond to FBI
“These governments and corporations are our enemy. And we will continue to fight them, with all methods we have at our disposal, and that certainly includes breaking into their websites and exposing their lies. “We are not scared any more. … Continued
∞ Common sense advice for people who have online communities
“So, I beseech you: Fix your communities. Stop allowing and excusing destructive and pointless conversations to be the fuel for your business. Advertisers, hold sites accountable if your advertising appears next to this hateful stuff. Take accountability for this medium … Continued
∞ Sid Meier's Pirates comes to iPad
2K Games on Thursday released Sid Meier’s Pirates for the iPad. It’s priced at $3.99 and is available for download from the App Store.
∞ Safari 5.1 for Snow Leopard touts new features
If you’re not ready to get Lion yet, you can still download the version of Safari included with Lion. Safari 5.1 is available for download for both Snow Leopard and Windows.
∞ iTunes, iWork updated for Lion
Apple has released updates to its iTunes and iWork software to make them compatible with Wednesday’s release of OS X Lion. The updates are available through the Software Update system preference.
∞ Counterfeit Apple stores popping up in China
We’re accustomed to stories about all sorts of counterfeit products popping up in China and elsewhere on the western side of the Pacific Rim – countries that don’t have nearly the same sort of intellectual property regulation that we take … Continued
∞ AAPL target price raised to price of original Apple I
“Brian White, Ticonderoga Securities: Reiterates a Buy rating and raises his price target from $612 to — Gasp! — $666! White raised his fiscal ’11 estimate to $109.1 billion in revenue and $27.58 from a prior $106.1 billion and $25.52 … Continued
∞ Apple offers Thunderbolt Display
Apple on Wednesday introduced the Thunderbolt Display, a 27-inch monitor with built-in Thunderbolt high-speed I/O interface, integrated FaceTime camera, audio, FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 interfaces. It’s designed specifically with Apple’s laptops in mind, and it’ll cost $999 … Continued
∞ Mac mini gets Thunderbolt, Lion
Apple on Wednesday refreshed its Mac mini desktop computer with new processors, Thunderbolt high-speed I/O technology and Mac OS X Lion. The new systems will be available beginning Thursday, starting at $599.
∞ MacBook Air gains Thunderbolt, backlit keyboard, Lion
Apple on Wednesday introduced new MacBook Air models with high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, a backlit keyboard and Mac OS X Lion pre-installed. It’s available in 11 and 13-inch models starting at $999.
∞ Gameloft Auckland accused of sweatshop conditions
“Some weeks I was work ing 100 to 120 hours a week”, says Glenn Watson, former Head Studio Programmer at Gameloft’s New Zealand arm. “Starting at 9:30 AM, going home at 2:30 AM, and then com ing back into the … Continued
∞ Google+ comes to iPhone
If you’ve hopped on the latest social networking bandwagon and gotten a Google+ account, you may be interested in the new Google+ app for iPhone. It’s available for free download from the App Store.
∞ Id Software co-founder pooh-poohs 'snooty' indie devs
“… So I am pretty down on people who take the sort of creative auteurs’ perspective. It’s like ‘Oh, we’re not being creative.’ But we’re creating value for people – that’s our job! It’s not to do something that nobody’s … Continued
∞ Borders to close all remaining stores
Borders, which employs about 10,700 people, scrapped a bankruptcy-court auction scheduled for Tuesday amid the dearth of bids. The chain said it will ask a judge Thursday to approve a sale to liquidators led by Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon … Continued
∞ OmniPlan 2.0 improves collaboration, scheduling
The Omni Group on Monday announced the release of OmniPlan 2.0, a new version of its project management software for Mac OS X. It costs $199; upgrades from the previous release are available.
∞ iOS 4.3.4 fixes PDF security issue
Apple on Friday released iOS 4.3.4 – new software for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It’s available for download and installation through iTunes.