July 27, 2011
∞ Review: 13-inch MacBook Air
With the release of the latest 13-inch MacBook, Apple has once again reduced the number of factors users have to consider when purchasing a laptop computer. (more…)
∞ Core i5 MacBook Airs sport big CPU boost, tepid graphics
“The results for the new $999 entry-level 11-inch MacBook Air with a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM, 64GB flash storage, and the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 (which is found across the new MacBook Air lineup), show the system to be more than twice as fast at many processing tasks than the previous entry-level 11-inch MacBook Air with a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor.”
Macworld found the new MacBook Airs – which come equipped with Intel integrated graphics – perform slower on graphics-intensive tests than last year’s models, which used speedier integrated graphics from Nvidia. But performance tests that emphasize the CPU were quite speedier, across the board.
∞ EA: Fastest growing platform is iPad
“We [EA] have a new hardware platform and we’re putting out software every 90 days. Our fastest growing platform is the iPad right now and that didn’t exist 18 months ago.”
The comment comes from Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello. He noted that in 2000, 80 percent of the game industry’s revenue came from consoles; in 2011, it’s 40 percent. That’s a major change, and Apple is center-stage in that transformation.
(Hat tip: TouchArcade)
∞ Pent up demand for MacBook Air seen boosting Apple financials
Now, with new MacBook Airs and Mac minis on the shelves and the Mac App Store serving up one million downloads of Lion in a single day, Apple is poised to reap the benefits of what up until last week was pent-up demand for those products, particularly the MacBook Air. According to Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes, Apple’s latest ultraslim laptops will give the company a nice little financial bump for the remainder of the year.
I agree. Rumors of the new MacBook Air were around for many weeks before they were released and I think people held off buying because of that. Couple that with the release of Lion and the flood gates opened on release day.
July 26, 2011
∞ Lion FireWire security issue misleading
Passware, a computer forensics and password discovery company, on Tuesday said it discovered a way to get passwords from a Mac running OS X Lion. However, it may not be as dire as it seems. (more…)
∞ HTC willing to negotiate end of patent dispute with Apple
HTC Corp., the Taiwanese smartphone maker locked in a patent battle with Apple Inc. (AAPL), says it’s willing to negotiate with the iPhone maker after both sides scored victories at the U.S. International Trade Commission.“We have to sit down and figure it out,” Winston Yung, chief financial officer of the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based company, said by phone today. “We’re open to having discussions.”
Perhaps HTC believes its purchase of S3 Graphics gives it a better bargaining position.
∞ US Veteran Affairs choose iPhone, iPad over PlayBook
The US Department of Veterans Affairs gave a big lift to Apple in government by starting up a pilot project to use iPads and iPhones. Staff are testing the use of iOS hardware for official business. If all went well with the trial, “thousands” will be bought for government use by October 1, the agency’s CIO Roger Baker said Monday.
Wait a minute, isn’t the government a RIM stronghold?
∞ The periodic table of heavy metal bands
Many thanks to Sarah Jones from Electronic Musician for sending this to me. (more…)
∞ Microsoft releases OneNote Mobile for iPhone 1.2
Microsoft on Tuesday updated its OneNote Mobile app for iPhone, adding new features and expanding the number of countries where the app is available. (more…)
∞ Garmin completes Navigon acquisition
<a href=http://www.garmin.com” target=”_blank”>Garmin Ltd. on Tuesday announced the completion of its acquisition of Navigon AG, the company behind its eponymous turn-by-turn navigation software for the iPhone. (more…)
∞ Twelve South offers BookBook for iPhone
Up to now, Apple peripheral maker Twelve South has offered devices for Macs and iPads, but the company is branching out into iPhone accessories as well with the introduction of BookBook for iPhone, a version of its book-looking case designed specifically for the iPhone 4. It costs $59.99. (more…)
∞ The Macalope takes on DealMac
The Macalope (Subscription required):
We are talking about the same Mac mini, right? The one from Apple? The company whose logo is an apple with a bite out of it? Because, reading this, one might get the impression that you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
The mythical beast is in a mood today.
The Macalope is referring to a scathing editorial posted at DealMac which talks about the new Mac mini. Jeff Somogyi knocks the Mac mini’s weight, its expandability, its use of an HDMI connector and makes a host of other complaints.
∞ RIM's management changes akin to moving deck chairs on the Titanic
RIM on Monday provided details on management changes and what it calls its “cost optimization program.” In other words, it is shuffling things around to make it look like they have a handle on things. They don’t. (more…)
∞ Legal issues stop Netflix/Facebook integration, says CEO
“Netflix says it will have a cool integration with Facebook up and running sometime in the next three months, but only for subscribers in Canada and Latin America (where it has yet to officially open for business).“Blame the government, says CEO Reed Hastings, citing a law I’ve never heard of.”
The law in question is called the Video Privacy Protection Act, and Hastings says that Netflix is hoping new legislation currently under consideration will clarify ambiguities about how user video viewing data can be shared – the issue that’s causing the holdup to begin with.
July 25, 2011
∞ Mac mini refresh posts impressive benchmarks
“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, though the integrated graphics in the low-end model were left wanting. People looking for maximum performance out of the little box may want to opt for the Mac mini that includes a discrete graphics chip from AMD instead.
∞ 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. (more…)
∞ Veteran developer Steve Lacey killed in driving incident
“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 software, including several iterations of the hugely popular Flight Simulator titles, Munch’s Oddysee, NFL Fever and Crimson Skies. Most recently he had been working at Google.
Lacey was apparently the victim of road rage, and not the intended victim, either. An imbecile (that authorities believe had been drinking) smashed into him in pursuit of another car. A tragic, senseless loss. Our thoughts are with Lacey’s family.
∞ Google Books exits App Store; Kobo, WSJ pull web links
“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 directly to customers through their apps for Apple devices.”
The article also notes that Google Books has been removed from the App Store – whether it’s a temporary change or permanent removal is unclear. A spokeswoman for the Journal quoted in the story said that the paper is concerned that Apple’s subscription rules “would create a poor experience for [the Wall Street Journal’s] readers.” Google wasn’t available for comment.
[Updated headline and article to reflect that Kobo app has not, in fact, been removed.]
∞ Why Google wants your real name
There’s a very simple business reason why Google cares if they have your real name. It means it’s possible to cross-relate your account with your buying behavior with their partners, who might be banks, retailers, supermarkets, hospitals, airlines. To connect with your use of cell phones that might be running their mobile operating system. To provide identity in a commerce-ready way. And to give them information about what you do on the Internet, without obfuscation of pseudonyms.
Follow the money.
∞ Windows vs. Mac summed up in a McDonald's flyer
Paul Baldovin posted this on Twitter this morning: (more…)
∞ AT&T preps for September iPhone 5 launch
AT&T is asking managers to finish training in order to have employees available for the influx of foot traffic expected in September.
I don’t think there’s been much doubt that the iPhone 5 would launch in the September timeframe.
∞ Dragon Dictate 2.5 adds support for Microsoft Word 2011
Nuance on Monday unveiled Dragon Dictate for Mac 2.5, the newest version of its speech recognition software for Mac users. (more…)
∞ Apple boosting retail staff from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15
We’ve now learned that at least some U.S. Apple Retail stores are also recruiting former employees to return as part time employees for Holidays, new Product Launches and Back to School time. A former employee received emails asking to return between August 15 and September 15th.
Could be nothing at all. As Mac Rumors points out, this is the back to school time, but it could also be the time for the iPhone 5. Only Steve knows for sure.
∞ Two fake Apple Stores in China ordered to close
Chinese officials in Kunming have ordered two fake Apple shops to close, not because of piracy or copyright concerns, but because the stores in the southwestern city did not have an official business permit.Five self-branded “Apple Stores” were found to be selling Apple products without authorization from the California-based company but only two were told to shut, officials said.
I must admit this went much quicker than I thought it would.
∞ RIM slashes 2,000 jobs
The hammer fell today at RIM as the company tries to bring costs in line with its falling sales. (more…)
July 24, 2011
∞ China to investigate fake Apple stores
The inspections will look into business licenses, authorized permits on brand use, and the purchase channel of each store, said a worker with the city’s industrial and commercial department.
I don’t think anyone was surprised when these fake stores first cropped up. We were all watching it like we watch a train wreck, wondering what was going to happen, but we weren’t surprised. Remember all of the fake iPods? I don’t know what will happen here.
∞ 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.
July 23, 2011
∞ Apple opening Grand Central retail store
The 23,000-square-foot store will take up Grand Central’s north and northeast balconies, displacing Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur restaurant, according to MTA documents.Apple will initially pay rent of $800,000 a year, nearly half a million more than Metrazur paid.
On top of the rent, Apple will also pay to renovate the space. You just know it’s going to be the major attraction… well, besides traveling.
∞ Amy Winehouse found dead
TMZ:
A press release from the Metropolitan Police, which doesn’t specifically name Winehouse, says:“Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Too bad.
∞ Apple launches iMac hard drive replacement program
Apple on Friday launched a program to replace the hard drive on certain of its iMac computers. (more…)