∞ Google blames software bug for lost emails on Gmail

Google’s Gmail service on Monday was affected by a software bug that deleted copies of some users email data. The good news is that they are getting the information back. (more…)

∞ Former Apple manager pleads guilty to accepting kickbacks

A former Apple manager on Monday plead guilt to accepting kickbacks in a scheme that netted the man over $2 million. (more…)

∞ Angry Birds CEO: "We really have Apple to thank"

Of the thousands of games available for download from the App Store, none has had the sustained popularity of Rovio’s Angry Birds, a 99 cent physics-based puzzler in which you use a slingshot to launch birds of various shapes and sizes at fortresses containing green pigs. Rovio CEO Peter Vesterbacka spoke to a large crowd at this week’s Game Developer Conference (GDC) to explain his company’s success. (more…)

∞ Picture: Apple puts finishing touches on iPad 2 event

It looks like Apple is pretty much ready for the crowd of reporters that will descend on San Francisco this Wednesday for the iPad 2 event. (more…)

∞ Man accused of iPad data theft released on bail

A man accused of stealing more than 100,000 email addresses of iPad users from AT&T’s servers has been released on bail. (more…)

∞ Gameloft to develop Unreal Engine 3 games for iOS

Gameloft announced Monday plans to develop four new games using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3. The games will be released in 2011 and 2012, coming to multiple platforms including iOS. (more…)

∞ Report: Apple may be working on prepaid iPhone

Apple’s iPhone has increased in popularity since it was first released a few years, but some see it as a expensive phone that’s not affordable for everyone. Apple may be working to fix that. (more…)

∞ Photography for Beginners: Spring is Springing

Okay, so maybe I’m being a little bit optimistic in hoping that Spring is around a (hopefully) short corner. But my optimism is due to all the great shooting opportunities Spring brings. (more…)

∞ Traveling with an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air

I’ve been traveling with a backpack full of electronics for more years than I care to remember, but with Apple’s recent offerings, things are getting a whole lot easier. (more…)

∞ iPad 2 could be available almost immediately

Apple will hold its iPad 2 event this week in San Francisco, Calif. and according to a new report the company may have almost immediate availability of the device. (more…)

∞ Apple’s Jonny Ive looking to return to the UK?

Apple’s product design guru Jonny Ive may be looking to return to the UK with his family. (more…)

∞ Macworld benchmarks new MacBook Pros

Apple’s new MacBook Pros are already out in the world, and Macworld Labs director James Galbraith has posted some benchmarks showing how they actually do.

“In testing conducted by Macworld Lab, the laptops released Thursday turned in Speedmark scores between 13 and 53 percent faster than the systems they replace.”

The benchmarks not only tell you how well the 13-, 15- and 17-inch models do, but how they fare against Apple’s latest iMac models.

Lab report: 2011 MacBook Pro benchmark results [Macworld]

∞ Verizon CEO says iPhone sales strong, hints at 4G future

Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel S. Mead told The Wall Street Journal that sales of the iPhone 4 were very strong, contrary to reports that the phone wasn’t selling as well as expected. The article, penned by Shayndi Raice, included some other tasty tidbits too (it’s behind a paywall). (more…)

∞ Consumer Reports can't recommend Verizon iPhone

Consumer Reports on Friday said it can’t recommend the Verizon iPhone, citing the same reasons it wouldn’t recommend the AT&T iPhone 4. (more…)

∞ Epic Games raises royalty threshold on UDK games

Epic Games made headlines in 2010 when it announced its Unreal Development Kit (UDK) for iOS – a major advance to bring spectacular-looking games to the iPhone and iPad. Now Epic is making things a bit easier for developers that license the UDK, by raising the royalty threshold from $5,000 to $50,000. (more…)

∞ Adobe Digital Publishing Suite will support Apple, Google subscriptions

Adobe Systems Inc. on Friday announced that its Digital Publishing Suite will support both Apple’s in-app subscriptions model and Google’s One Pass. Adobe DPS is currently available as “pre-release technology,” though Adobe says commercially shipping tools will be available shortly. (more…)

∞ Don't expect any changes to MobileMe anytime soon

Apple on Thursday notified resellers that boxed copies of its MobileMe service were being discontinued, but that doesn’t mean anything is happening to service. (more…)

∞ Opinion: Where parenting fails, the government will surely succeed

In the latest story illustrating the government’s insistence at sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong, Industrygamers reports that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is “investgating” Apple’s iOS in-app purchases to see if they pass muster with the Feds. (more…)

∞ Interview: Apple execs discuss MacBook Pro, Mac OS X Lion

Apple on Thursday released a new line of MacBook Pro laptops and a preview release of Mac OS X Lion, the next generation operating system. Apple executives sat down with The Loop to talk about the new products. (more…)

∞ Lion Server to be included with core Mac OS X Lion

When Mac OS X “Lion” debuts this summer, it will include something that, up to now, has cost Mac IT departments $499 extra: Mac OS X Server. The Loop has confirmed with Apple that Lion Server indeed will be included with the core operating system. (more…)

∞ Apple releases FaceTime app for Macs, for 99 cents

After an extensive public beta test Apple has released its FaceTime application for Macs, available for 99 cents from the Mac App Store. The new app is also included on Apple’s newly shipping MacBook Pro models, also announced Thursday. (more…)

∞ Apple offers Mac OS X Lion developer preview

Amidst the clamor of Apple’s new MacBook Pro release, the company also announced a developer preview of Mac OS X Lion. The new version of Mac OS X is expected to be released to the public this summer. (more…)

∞ Apple's new MacBook Pros feature 'Thunderbolt,' more capable processors

Apple on Thursday took the wraps off a refreshed line of MacBook Pro laptop computers that include a new “Thunderbolt” high-speed I/O port and more capable microprocessors based around Intel’s “Sandy Bridge” architecture. Availability starts today, with prices starting at $1,199. (more…)

∞ Thunderbolt for Macs and iOS devices?

Apple’s new MacBook Pro line-up hasn’t been introduced yet, but speculation on some of the features that are expected has already started. Among the biggest expectations is a technology called Thunderbolt, a rebranded version of Intel’s Light Peak. How far can Apple take Thunderbolt? I’m sure there will be lots of thoughts on this in the future.

In my opinion the Thunderbolt interface could also be a successor for the aged dock connector found on iOS devices, as it can carry anything from a simple data stream, a video signal, an audio signal and lastly power.

What Thunderbolt means for the MacBook line [mangochutney]

∞ Apple data center will run iTunes, MobileMe this spring

Apple executives said at the company’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday that its North Carolina data center is expected to open this spring. (more…)

∞ Apple Shareholders kill plan to force revealing of Jobs' succession plan

There can be no doubt that Apple has a succession plan in place for Steve Jobs’ retirement, whenever that may be. (more…)

∞ QuarkXPress 9 focuses on digital publishing

Quark on Wednesday introduced QuarkXPress 9, a major upgrade to its flagship desktop publishing software for Mac OS X and Windows. It’s priced at $799; upgrades from QuarkXPress 7 and 8 cost $299. QuarkXPress 9 ships in April. (more…)

∞ Apple announces iPad 2 event for March 2

Apple on Wednesday sent an invitation to media inviting them to a special event on March 2 in San Francisco, Calif. (more…)

∞ Square lowers credit card swipe fee

Square is the service that enables anyone to accept credit card payments using iPad, iPhone or Android smartphone. The company announced Tuesday that they are reducing their credit card swipe fee, eliminating a 15 cent per fee transaction. (more…)

∞ Valve to "simplify" Source SDK

The Source Software Development Kit (SDK) is Valve’s technology that’s been used to bring unforgettable games like Half-Life 2, Portal and Left 4 Dead — available for Mac, PC and other platforms, thanks to Valve’s introduction of Steam to the Mac in 2010. Valve founder Gabe Newell says that Valve is making Source easier to use.

Speaking in the latest Steamcast, Newell said: “We’re spending a tremendous amount of time on tools right now. Our current tools are very painful, so we probably are spending more time on tools development now than anything else, and when we’re ready to ship those I think everybody’s life will get a lot better.”

This is especially good news for third-party developers that license the technology, and it could have positive consequences for future Mac game development, now that Valve is supporting the platform (and actively encouraging its Steam licensing partners to do the same).

Valve Will “Simplify” Source SDK [Edge Magazine]