Apple to open Shenzhen, China store on Saturday
Apple will open a new retail store Shenzhen this Saturday at 9 am. It will be the seventh such store in China and will be located in Yitian Holiday Plaza at the Nanshan district of Shenzhen.
According to "M.I.C. Gadget" (http://macte.ch/TLtlr) the Shenzhen store is important to Apple and scalpers "because it’s the city where counterfeits and iProducts were assembled, and it is also the main point of entry for grey market products into China."
iPad mini sells out
Apple’s iPad mini shipping times have slipped to a minimum of two weeks for all models and both colors, including for Wi-Fi only versions.
The white version sold out fastest, with pre-order ship times dropped to two weeks just 20 minutes or so after pre-orders began Friday morning at 12 am (Eastern), notes "TechCrunch" (http://macte.ch/oYtq3). Last week Apple CEO Tim Cook said there were challenges in the manufacturing of the iPad mini. This could "indicate that we’ll see supply constraints early on, with demand outpacing supply," notes "TechCrunch."
Jobs family yacht sets sail
Steve Jobs' yacht has made what is believed to be its first public appearance in Aalsmeer, Holland, reports "Macworld UK" (http://macte.ch/GREC2).
The yacht, named "Venus," is reportedly made of lightweight aluminum and is up to 80 meters long. In his biography of the late Apple CEO, author Walter Isaacson said Jobs was working on the design of his yacht in the weeks before his death in October 2011.
Photographs, taken by One More Thing" (http://macte.ch/UVU9Z), of the inside of the yacht show seven 27-inch iMacs making up the helm. The interior is thought to have been designed by Phillippe Starck. "Macworld UK" says Jobs' widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, and their three children are believed to have been present at the yacht's unveiling.
Apple's East Coast stores preparing for Hurricane Sandy
Apple is one of several retailers preparing its East Coast stores against the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. "FrankenStorm" is bringing 85-mph winds and an 11-foot storm surge that forecasters called "life-threatening."
The 900-mile wide storm's front edge sent surges over boardwalks from Delaware to New York a full 12 hours before Sandy's eye was to make landfall. Apple has already closed some stores in New York and four other states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and is bracing for potential flooding and other damage, reports "ifoAppleStore" (www.ifoapplestore.com).
At least 35 Apple stores are within the hurricane's landfall zone as predicted by the National Weather Service. Another 15 are right outside the zone, including those in New York City and areas north of the city, notes "ifoAppleStore."
Pocket rolls out official Mac app
Pocket -- a "save-for-later service" with more than six million users on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and the web -- has launched Pocket for Mac. It can be downloaded for free from the Mac App Store or at getpocket.com/mac .
Pocket lets users save articles, videos, recipes and more, wherever they discover it-- on the web or from over 300 top apps including Flipboard, Twitter, Pulse and Zite. Once saved to Pocket, the content is accessible on any device.
Pocket for Mac brings the full feature set of the Pocket iOS and Android apps to the Mac. It also includes instant syncing across all devices, keyboard shortcuts, viewing of streaming video, the ability to share found content, and great organizing and search features.
Instamac brings Instagram to the Mac
TapMedia has introduced Instamac 1.0, an Instagram client for Mac OS X 10.7 and higher. It's being offered at an introductory price of $4.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide through the Mac App Store in the Social Networking category.
With Instamac users can highlight an image and press the spacebar to view an image in full resolution. The app allows you to set how often you want your feed to be updated with images from the people you follow. You can view the most popular images, just like you would with Instagram for the iPhone.
Instamac supports classic single image scrolling view or a new "grid view." It also sports multitouch gesture support, profile support, automatic updating and more. You can buy the app at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instamac/id536957808?mt=12 .
iFixit tears down the new Mac mini
The gang at iFixit has disassembled the new Mac mini that Apple last week.
"For the first time in a long time, we were able to give our plastic opening tools and pentalobe drivers a well-deserved day off," says Miroslav Djuric, chief information architect, iFixit. "A firm grip and a good twist is all it takes to get into the 2012 Mini. Inside, we found an empty extra SATA connection on the logic board perfect for adding a secondary hard drive, replaceable RAM and hard drive, and modular components -- just like in last year's model. Kudos to the Mini for receiving an excellent 8 out of 10 repairability score, and to Apple keeping it so fix-friendly. "
You can find the complete teardown at http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+Teardown/11262/1 .
iPad mini cases from XtremeMac available
XtremeMac has premiered premiered a new line of cases for the iPad mini.
The XtremeMac Micro Folio Pocket case offers total protection thanks to a structured contour back and denim-covered front. A multi-angle stand is designed for optimal viewing and, adopting the look of a pair of jeans, the case features a pocket fort storage. The Micro Folio Pocket is currently available in pink, orange, purple and denim blue for US$42.95.
The XtremeMac Micro Folio case automatically tells your iPad mini to go to sleep or wake up upon closing or opening. The ultra-thin folio style case combines a protective solid back cover with a bi-folding front cover. Available in an array of fun and vibrant colors including Cherry Bomb Red, Peacock Blue and Grape Jelly, the case’s soft-touch inner lining protects from scratches, dust and dirt. U.S. MSRP: $42.95
Sporting a military-inspired camouflage print cover, the $42.95 XtremeMac Micro Folio Digi Camo case provides protection both inside and out. Made...
Urbanears launches Plattan Tweed Edition headphones
Urbanears has introduced the Plattan Tweed Edition headphone. It's available at Urbanears retailers worldwide, and online at Urbanears.com for US$80.
The Plattan Tweed Edition is enveloped in hand-woven Harris Tweed, and made from 100% virgin wool. It features brown ear-caps, a brown textile cord with Kevlar core, and orange accents. On the inside of the headband you will find a hand sewn Harris Tweed label.
LifeProof offers proof of new iPad accessories
LifeProof (www.lifeproof.com) has announced the availability of the LifeProof nüüd case for the iPad. It's water, dirt, snow and shock proof, and features a totally "naked" screen that provides tactile response and visual clarity.
The LifeProof nüüd case is purportedly water proof, dirt proof, snow proof and shock proof, and features a "totally naked screen that provides a perfect tactile response and visual clarity." The LifeProof iPad case protects both iPad 2 and iPad 3 devices.
The LifeProof Shoulder Strap allows users to carry their iPad without the need for a bag, while keeping hands free for other tasks -- and it keeps the iPad close at hand between uses. The lightweight strap is adjustable and can be used to carry the iPad vertically or horizontally.
The LifeProof Hand Strap for iPad gives users a way to hold the iPad in one hand while on the job and gives kids a more secure way to hang on while playing a game or surfing the web. Rubberized dots add security by eliminating...
Watefield Design rolls out a dozen 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro...
WaterField Designs has announced 12 different MacBook Pro 13-inch Retina cases.
They are the SleeveCase (pictured), Outback Sleeve, Suede Jacket, Smart Case, CitySlicker, Wallet, Travel Express, Leather Muzetto, Outback Muzetto, Racer-X, HardCase Slim and the medium VertiGo. You can find the complete list at sfbags.com/products/macbookair-cases/macbookair-cases.php .
Capture One Pro 7 is new OS X compatible, digital imaging...
Phase One has released Capture One Pro 7, digital imaging software for professional photographers. It's now Mac OS X compatible and built on a new processing engine.
What's more, the advanced tethering shooting solution now includes Live View support for selected DSLRs. Advancements in the Capture One raw processing engine yield more accurate rendition of details and colors, according to Linda Poulsen, software marketing director, Phase One.
An advanced noise reduction algorithm has been added that gives stunning performance at even high ISO levels, she adds. Precision adjustment tools offer enhanced dynamic range for details in both shadows and highlights, reveal fine details and structure, reduce the effect of haze and give images a more three-dimensional look and add local contrast and saturation to images
Phase One Capture One Pro 7 is available for Mac OS X and Windows online at www.phaseone.com/store and from Phase One Partners. The price is US$299. Owners of Capture One Pro 3...
Formula One roars back onto the Mac later this year
Feral Interactive says F1 2012, the Formula One racing simulation game, will be released for the Mac later this year.
Developed by Codemasters Birmingham and published by Codemasters for consoles and PC, F1 2012 is the follow-up to F1 2011 and the BAFTA Award-winning F1 2010. It's the first new Formula One game to appear on the Mac in over 10 years.
Here's how the game is described: "The official game of the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship™, F1 2012 features all the teams, drivers and circuits from this most hotly contested season. All 20 tracks are recreated in meticulous detail, including classics such as Silverstone, Monaco, Hockenheim and Monza, along with more recent arrivals such as Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit and the brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
"F1 2012 offers thrilling gameplay that, in an intense and extensive Career Mode, accurately simulates motorsports’ most demanding competition. Players get to pursue a Formula One career and battle...
Shade 3D for Unity coming to the Mac
Publisher Mirye Software and developer E Frontier say the free 3D game content development system for indie developers and professionals will be available for developers on Mac OS X in mid-November at the Mac App Store.
Shade 3D for Unity is based on the professional 3D modeling, animation and rendering tool set Shade, a product available for over 27 years and used worldwide by illustrators and designers. Shade 3D for Unity enables designers and game developers to build animated project content that integrates with Unity 3D, the game development system for Mac OS X, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Workflow integration makes it is easy to share project assets (Configuration Files) of Unity in Shade 3D for Unity and easily transfer content between them, according to the folks at E Frontier. Gmes created and developed with Unity and Shade 3D for Unity can be distributed through the Apple App Store for iPhone, iPod and iPad, Google Play for Android Devices, and distribution systems like Steam.
Ableton announces Live 9 and Push
Ableton (www.ableton.com) has announced new music products: Live 9 for music creation and Push, the company's first hardware instrument for Live.
Live 9 -- due in the first quarter of 2013 -- features include: session automation; a new browser puts all instruments, effects, samples, and plug-ins in one view; a selection (3,500 in the Suite edition) of production-ready sounds; the ability to extra music from samples; and more. Prices start at US$99.
Push provides direct, hands-on control of melody and harmony, beats, sounds and structure, powered by Ableton Live running on your computer. Dynamic pads, buttons, encoders and display combined with a workflow allow you to play and compose musical ideas without the need to look at or touch your computer -- and without interrupting the musical flow.
Push will also be available in the first quarter of 2013 for $599. It includes Ableton Live 9 Intro and works with any edition of Ableton Live 9 (Intro, Standard, Suite).
Joy Factory takes joy in new iPad mini cases
The Joy Factory has unveiled a product suite of cases and stands that support the 7.9-inch form factor of the new iPad mini.
The new products include enhancements to the company’s SmartSuit and SmartFit line along with the debut of new ultra-slim snap-on shells and colorful lightweight cases. For details go to www.thejoyfactory.com .
Apple sued over Mac OS X's Quick Look feature
Another day, another lawsuit. As pointed out by "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com), "non-practicing" entity WhitServe on Friday filed a complaint against Apple, claiming that the Mac OS X's Quick Look function infringes on its file viewing patent from 2011.
Quick Look lets you browse files-- photos, Pages documents, Keynote presentations, QuickTime movies, Microsoft Word and Excel files -- without having to open an application.
In its claim, filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, WhitServe alleges that Quick Look violates the company's U.S. Patent No. 7,921,139 for a "System for sequentially opening and displaying files in a directory," which was applied for in 2006 and granted in April of 2011.
Apple points out that Samsung products 'not as cool'...
As ordered by a U.K. judge, Apple has updated its UK website saying that Samsung didn't infringe on its patented iPad design.
Apple also included the judge's determination that Samsung devices are "not as cool." A link to the text-only addition to Apple's website can be found in the footer of its U.K. page. The link is entitled "Samsung/Apple UK judgement."
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Apple sells 26.9 million smartphones in third quarter
Mobile analyst firm Juniper Research (www.juniperresearch.com) estimates that the number of smartphone shipments exceeded 157 million in the third quarter (Q3) this year, with Samsung increasing its lead in terms of unit shipments.
In the third quarter of 2012, the Korean-based company shipped a record 56.3 million smartphones, representing almost double the market share of its rival Apple, which sold 26.9 million. Samsung’s flagship device, the Galaxy S3, played a key role, with estimated sales of 18 million in the third quarter.
However, with the festive season still to come, and with a new and refreshed product line, including the iPhone 5, Apple is expected to better its sales in the fourth quarter, according to Juniper Research.
iPad mini a big deal for education
Apple's announcement of the iPad mini -- and updates for iBooks 3 and iBooks Author -- are as significant as Gutenbergs development of the printing press and will continue to change the way children of all ages learn around the world, Dallas publisher Donald Claxton said Thursday on Dallas talk radio station KLIF.
Claxton -- whose company (www.claxtoncreative.com) has published a 179-page interactive book about the ancient Maya with a San Diego Mayan scholar, and is completing a children's book entitled "There's A Zombie In My Treehouse" -- said the updates are real game changers as Apple pursues a strategy to get iPad technology into more and more classrooms worldwide.
With iBooks Author, which was released in late January, Apple has been able to change the way books are made with the inclusion of hours of video, 3-D animations, interactive graphs, charts and drawings, in-chapter quizzes and moreweve even argued that the word book is no longer applicable, Claxton said. With Tuesday's...
Fifteen percent of online buyers intend to purchase the iPad...
Fifteen percent of online buyers intend to purchase the iPad mini immediately after its launch, according to the latest poll by Bizrate Insights (www.bizrateinsights.com), a company that tracks consumer sentiment across its network of online buyers.
The top reason cited for not purchasing is a lack of a defined need, as reported by over 39% of respondents. Bizrate Insights launched questions on purchase intent of and primary reason for not purchasing the iPad mini. The survey is being conducted via the Bizrate Insights survey platform and offered to online buyers immediately after purchasing from the Bizrate Insights Network of over 5,200 ecommerce retailers in the US and Canada. The purchase intent question was answered by 705 online buyers and the reason for not purchasing question by 582 online buyers as of 5:15 pm (Pacific) on Oct. 24.
"Some have interpreted the initial percent of intended iPad mini buyers as low and others as high," says Hayley Silver, vice president of Bizrate...
iHS: iPad mini to help double 7-inch tablet market
The arrival of the iPad mini will turbocharge the market for 7-inch tablets, helping the market to approximately double in 2012 and 2013, according to the "IHS iSuppli Display Materials & Systems Service" report from analytics provider IHS (www.isuppli.com).
Global sales of tablets with displays in the 7-inch size range are expected to boom by about 100% this year to 34 million units, up from 17 million in 2011, as presented in the figure below. Sales will nearly double again in 2013, rising 96% to 67 million.
"Just as Apple has dominated the market for 9.7-inch tablets with its iPad, iPad 2 and new iPad models, the company is poised to rule the market for 7.x-inch products, driving rapid growth of the segment in 2012 and 2013," says Rhoda Alexander, director, tablet and monitor research for IHS. "The battle in the 7-inch space is highly spirited, with most of the other leading vendors already offering price-competitive products in this size range. IHS predicts Apple will...
iFixit tears down the 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro
The gang at iFixit have torn down the 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro. You can find the complete teardown at http://macte.ch/2ZcE5 .
"The 13-inch MacBook Retina is slightly more recyclable than the 15-inch Retina," says Miroslav Djuric, chief information architect, iFixit. "Once inside, it took us only 15 minutes of prying to remove the battery, and we didn't puncture the battery cells. It was definitely a doable feat (compared to nearly impossible for the 15-inch Retina), but still a far cry from the no-adhesive, non-Retina MacBook Pros."
He adds that the 13-inch Retina's design is a step in the right direction, but it's a very small step: the RAM is still not upgradeable, the exterior screws are still proprietary, and replacing the display will still cost an arm and a leg. Accordingly, it earned a 2/10 repairability score from iFixit -- a meager one point higher than its 15-inch sibling.
M-Edge launches new iPad, iPad mini cases
M-Edge has released new cases for the iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad. They're available at medgestore.com and retailers nationwide including Best Buy. The cases include:
° Incline 360° (US$44.99) -- Available in red and purple, this microfiber leather case offers 360° rotation and four stand angles.
° Profile Case ($39.99) -- This ultra-thin case features a fiberglass core and microsuction technology that keeps the case securely closed and provides "infinite" stand angles.
° Hampton 360° ($39.99) -- Coming soon in pinstripe black, this case's microfiber leather design includes 360° rotation and three interior stand angles.
° Latitude 360° ($34.99) -- This sporty, full-coverage case is constructed of ballistic nylon, double zip-around closure, 360° rotation and two stand angles.
° Trip 360° ($34.99) -- This twill case features 360° rotation and three stand angles with an elastic strap to keep the cover securely closed.
° SuperShell ($34.99) -- Made from closed-cell foam, this...
Connect four extra USB devices with Satechi devices
Satechi has announced the 4-Port USB Strip and Pocket Hubs. The 2.0 4-Port USB Strip and Pocket Hubs offer users a compact solution to support additional USB devices.
They require no software or complicated installation process. The plug and play 4-Port USB Strip and Pocket Hubs can transfer or back-up MP3s, digital photos, videos and more, with rates up to 480Mbps. The Strip and Pocket Hubs’ overvoltage protection prevents damage to the user’s computer in the event the peripheral USB devices short circuits, according to the folks at Satechi.
The 4-Port USB Strip Hub features a slim (0.7 x 0.7 x 3.3 inches), rectangular design, and the lightweight (1.4 oz.) 4-Port USB Pocket Hub sports a square design. Both USB devices take up little to no desktop space and fit into a pocket, bag or purse. Additionally, the hubs can be used with game consoles in order to expand the number of connections available for controllers.
The Satechi 4-Port USB Strip and Pocket Hubs are available for US...
Harman Kardon BTA 10 provides Bluetooth streaming
Harman International Industries (www.harmankardon.com) has announced the Harman Kardon BTA 10, a Bluetooth adapter that brings wireless audio streaming to any sound system. It measures 2x2 inches and has a retail price of US$59.
For the audiophile with a traditional receiver powering a home entertainment center, the music lover who wants to stream audio from a smartphone into a speaker dock, or even the analog audio inputs on a television, the Harman Kardon BTA 10 streams music to any source with analog connections from up to eight different Bluetooth equipped devices, says Sachin Lawande, executive vice president of Harman and co-president of Harman Lifestyle and Infotainment. It will stream audio content from Apple, Android or Windows-mobile smartphones and tablets.
The Harman Kardon BTA 10 includes connection cables for both the standard RCA left/right jacks on conventional audio products and the 3.5mm input connections found on portable and desktop docking products. It doesn’t...
Epson gives us the Expression Photo XP-850 Small-in-One
Epson America has announced the Expression Photo XP-850 Small-in-One printer. Designed for photo enthusiasts and families, it prints photos with Claria Photo HD six-color inks for smooth gradations and true-to-life skin tones, according to Stacey Tieu, product manager, consumer ink jets, Epson America.
Plus, it includes wireless features for mobile printing from an iPad, iPhone, tablet, or smartphone. The Expression XP-850 can purportedly bring 4x6-inch photos iin as fast as 10 seconds. It sports a dedicated photo tray, direct CD/DVD printing, and a rear paper feed for card stock, envelopes and more.
The Expression XP-850 offers productivity features such as automatic two-sided printing, copying and scanning, a 3.5-inch LCD with intuitive navigation, and a 30-page Automatic Document Feeder with color fax. There's also an auto-extend output paper tray.
The Expression XP-850 includes Ethernet networking and built-in Wi-Fi certified n3 for multiple users to share one printer or print...
Jarre Technologies serves up the Aeroskull speaker
Just in time for Halloween, Jarre Technologies (www.jarre.com) has unveiled the Aeroskull speaker system. It's available in 11 colors for approximately US$452.
The Aeroskull boasts two 15-watt speakers hidden behind sunglasses with a 40-watt sub woofer that covers the entire back side of the skull. Jean Michel Jarre, the founder of Jarre Technologies, used the image of the skull in 1976 on his albume, "Oxygen," which sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
The Aeroskull is compatible with all generations of iPhone and iPods. A jack cable can also be connected to an MP3 player, computer or DC/DVD player. Bluetooth connectivity simplifies connection to any smartphone.
Marware unveils new iPad mini cases
Marware has announced its new lineup of iPad mini cases and accessories. Marware's leather C.E.O. Hybrid case, which allows users to stand their iPad mini at three viewing angles, will start shipping Nov. 2.
The Axis, MicroShell Folio, and Vibe are available now for pre-order on www.Marware.com and will begin shipping mid-to-late November. Marware also introduced a brand new case design, the US$S54.99 DoubleTake (pictured), which will be available later this year. To see the complete lineup of designs for the iPad mini, visit http://www.marware.com/ipad-mini-cases .
Mobile shopping to grow (and grow) this holiday season
Mobile shopping continues to grow with more than 110 million smartphone users in the U.S. and thousands of shopping apps available to consumers free of charge, according to PriceGrabber (www.pricegrabber.com), an online shopping comparison site.
As the holiday season approaches consumers are looking for ways to improve the shopping experience using mobile devices. PriceGrabber has released results of its second winter holiday survey, revealing how consumers plan to use mobile shopping applications this holiday season.
According to the survey, 31% of consumers already have shopping-related apps on their smartphone, and 82% of those consumers plan to use those apps to help save money when purchasing holidays gifts. With the ever-increasing shopping app marketplace, it's no surprise that 32% of respondents with smartphones said they plan to download new shopping apps in preparation for the upcoming 2012 holiday season. Conducted from Sept. 14 to Sept. 27, the survey includes responses...
MacMate takes on Google, Dropbox, Microsoft with MacMate Disk
MacMate (http://www.macmate.me), which launched as an Apple MobileMe replacement, has announced its first major update since June: adding Calendar sharing, an iOS App, introducing two new packages and increasing the storage on its current Pro version to a 25GB.
The changes are designed to offer an alternative for users looking at cloud-disk services like Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft's SkyDrive services. MacMate Disk costs US$39 per year featuring 5GB of online cloud storage, 1x email with domain support and unlimited calendar hosting.
MacMate Classic -- at $59 per year -- features double the storage at 10GB and galleries support (albeit with limited themes).
MacMate Pro -- at $85 per year -- features 25GB of cloud storage, galleries, three email accounts, unlimited calendars and web hosting.
harmon.ie offers Connect for SharePoint
Collaboration with SharePoint has gotten a bit easier. harmon.ie has created a way to bridge the gap between Apple and Microsoft to create a unified social user experience for the enterprise across the iPad, iPhone and desktop with harmon.ie Connect for SharePoint (http://harmon.ie/harmonie-connect).
Building on the one million plus harmon.ie enterprise users who now find it easy to share SharePoint documents and interact with colleagues, harmon.ie Connect for SharePoint now unifies the collaboration experience, wherever people spend their workday -- on email and mobile devices, according to Yaacov Cohen, CEO of harmon.ie.
"Apple and Microsoft are completely missing the boat when it comes to closing the gap between the desktop and mobile devices in the enterprise," he adds. "This is leaving enterprises in the lurch, particularly when it comes to collaboration on SharePoint. The bridge harmon.ie has created takes existing applications, unifies them across all platforms and makes...
Mac OS X software updates for Oct. 26
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Recosoft Corp. (www.recosoft.com) has released ID2Office 1.5 for Mac and Windows. The software converts the text, associated fonts & styles, paragraph structure, corresponding property information, frames linking information, tables, graphics and other InDesign object & document properties to the matching Microsoft Word/PowerPoint object and file properties. Version 1.5 now adds support for InDesign CS6 and has been enhanced to provide even more accurate InDesign-to-Word and InDesign-to-PowerPoint conversion.
2KB Games (www.2kbgames.com) has announced version 1.4.7 of Masters of Backgammon, a computer board game for iOS, Mac OS X and Android devices. The application allows players to compete with each other via the Internet. The game now supports backgammon styles to play and offers a wide range of social and web communication options.
Zevrix Solutions (www.zevrix.com) has rolled out Output Factory 1.3.8, a maintenance update to...
Apple announces record fourth quarter revenue, profit
Apple has announced its financial results for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter that ended Sept. 29. The company posted quarterly revenue of US$30 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.2 billion, or $8.67 per diluted share.
These results compare to revenue of $28.3 billion and net profit of $6.6 billion, or $7.05 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 40% compared to 40.3% in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 60% of the quarter’s revenue.
Apple sold 26.9 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 58% unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 14.0 million iPads during the quarter, a 26% unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The company sold 4.9 million Macs during the quarter, a 1% unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 5.3 million iPods, a 19% unit decline from the year-ago quarter.
Apple’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $2.65 per share of the company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on Nov...
Judge recuses himself from Siri lawsuit
New York District Court Judge Gary Sharpe has recused himself from a lawsuit involving Apple as he has an "interest" in the technology firm, although he didn't clarify what that was, reports "CNET."
Dynamic Advances, a limited liability company based in Texas, has sued Apple for allegedly infringing on a voice recognition technology patent. The company didn't actually invent the patent but has exclusively licensed it from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute -- where the inventors work, notes "CNET."
For details go to http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57539759-37/judge-steps-down-in-patent... .
Sprint activates 1.5 million iPhones in 3Q 2012
In announcing its latest financial results, Sprint Nextel says it activated 1.5 million iPhones in the third quarter of 2012. The number has remained pretty much consistent for three consecutive quarters.
Sprint says that 40% of the Apple smartphones sold were to new customers. The wireless carrier say it's surpassed the one million LTE smartphone mark before the launch of the iPhone 5 -- but didn't say how many units of the latest Apple smartphone it sold during the third quarter.
Sprint reported wireless service revenues of nearly US$7.3 billion during the quarter, an increase of nearly 6% year-over-year. Wireless service revenues for the Sprint platform grew 14% year-over-year driven by postpaid ARPU [average revenue per user] growth of $3.01 and continued subscriber growth.
The company reported a net loss of $767 million and a diluted net loss of $.26 per share for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to a net loss of $301 million and a diluted net loss of $.10 per share in the...
Samsung to appeal ITC's Apple-favorable ruling
Samsung says it will appeal a preliminary ruling by the U.S. trade commission in favor of Apple’s patent infringement claims, reports "The Korea Times" (http://macte.ch/utO7a). The move came after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled Wednesday that some Samsung mobile devices infringed upon four Apple patents.
In the preliminary ruling, the ITC Judge Thomas Pender found Samsung Electronics in violation of four Apple patents, including intellectual property for touch-screen technology.
“Samsung plans to ask the trade commission in the United States to review the initial determination, immediately. We believe that a review will overturn the decision,” spokesman Park Han-yong told "The Korea Times."
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
Apple releases software updates
Apple has released several software updates. Mac OS X 10.8.2 Update is for the new 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro, the new iMac and the Mac mini.
It offers single sign-on support for FaceBook, support for shared Reminders lists, better USB 3.0 support, enhanced graphics performance, the ability discard changes in an original document when using the Save As command, and more.
Apple has updated Logic, its software for musicians, to version 9.1.8. The upgrade fixes an issue that causes an Airport dialog box to appear and re-appear. It also fixes performance issues when using certain plug-ins.
Finally, Apple has posted Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 4.01 for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. It adds support for new Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony cameras.
Apple to announce fourth quarter financial results today
Apple will announce its fourth quarter financial results today. The company will hold a conference call for analysts and the media this afternoon; "MacTech" and "MacNews" will be covering the meeting.
Apple will provide live audio streaming of its fourth quarter Results conference call using QuickTime. The live webcast will begin at 2 today at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq412 and will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter.
The webcast is available on any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 4.2 or above, any Mac running OS X 10.5 or above or any PC running QuickTime 7 or later. If you don't have QuickTime installed on your Windows PC, it's available at www.apple.com/quicktime .
Apple users feel 'cheated' by fourth gen iPad...
A flash poll of more than 1,400 Apple users has found that the majority are unhappy with the short life cycle of Apple’s products, especially in regards to the fourth gen iPad, which was released yesterday following the third gen iPad roll-out in March.
The team at coupon code website CouponCodes4u.com conducted a flash poll to ask Apple product owners what they thought of the announcements. Of the 1,427 people that responded to the survey, more than three quarters, 76%, believe that Apple releases products "too regularly."
Forty-one percent of the respondents, who all stated that they owned at least one Apple product, said they had bought the third generation iPad. Of these, 83% said they felt "cheated" by the announcement of the fourth gen tablet. Despite the majority stating their discontent, more than half, 52%, of respondents said they would be likely to buy the iPad mini or fourth generation iPad.
Supply issues to initially limit iPad mini
Supply issues will initially limit the availability of the new iPad min, according to the DisplaySearch research group (www.displaysearch.com).
"As is typical, we expect the iPads to be supply constrained initially, especially the iPad mini with its $329 price," says analyst Richard Shim. "The new low price point is expected to appeal to a wider audience and drive up demand. However, panel supply chain indications point to an even more than typical tightness in the market for the iPad mini."
Apple is expanding its supplier base with new partners for the smaller tablet. The company Apple will continue to work with LG Display who is supplying panels to Foxconn for the finished product, and is adding AUO, who will supply panels to Pegatron.
However, AUO is having yield issues with the 7.9-inch panel, which is limiting their supply to Pegatron, and in September, AUO shipped just over 100,000 units, according to DisplaySearch. The production plan is reach 400,000 units in October, 800,000...
JixiPix announces Portrait Painter for the Mac
JixiPix Software has introduced Portrait Painter 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.6 and higher). It costs US$9.99 and is available at the Mac App Store and the JixiPix web site (www.jixipix.com).
Portrait Painter is a pro-consumer natural media photo and creative design solution for photographers, artists and hobbyists. It's designed for anyone who wants to produce gallery-style portraits and professional works of art.
Portrait Painter automatically creates a finely painted gallery-style portrait from any image or snapshot then adds color, light and texture. According to the folks t JixiPix, its algorithm identifies every aspect of the image and discerns between the background and fine details such as hair and skin, then applies millions of strokes to the image that very closely simulate the look of a real portrait painting.
Charging/syncing/storage solution rolls out for iPad minis
With Apple’s announcement of its new iPad mini, schools and institutional technology users are looking at small form factor devices as a mobile alternative to full-sized tablets. Datamation Systems has announced a storage and security cabinet that is purpose-built for the iPad Mini and other 7-inch tablets.
The cabinet will store and secure up to 16 devices -- Minis, Kindles, Nooks, Nexus 7, Galaxy Tab and other 7-inch tablets -- and will be provided in both charge and sync-charge versions. Its compact design is both space-efficient and secure, providing an economical alternative to larger cabinets and carts designed for notebooks and full-sized tablets, says Joe Mazza, Datamation vice president.
The sync-charge version of the DS-Netsafe7 will include an USB hub created by Cambrionix. The hub will sync through iTunes, Apple Configurator and other USB programs. It will also act as a universal USB charger and is "future-proof," having user-updatable firmware.
The new DS-Netsafe7 and...
Belkin unveils new sleeves, covers for the iPad mini
Belkin has unveiled its line of new sleeves and covers for the iPad mini. Featuring an array of fabrics, patterns and features, Belkin’s new designs offer maximum style, functionality, and protection for people on the go, says Patrick Sullivan, director of product management for Belkin.
"With all the buzz surrounding the iPad mini, we wanted to offer stylish yet protective solutions that complement the device’s design and enhance the variety of ways in which people will use it," he says. "The new design innovations like no-slip stands and convenient magnetic tabs make it easier to read, watch movies, listen to music or play games on your tablet. Additionally, new materials like chambray, metallics and leather provide more choices for individual tastes and style."
Prices range from US$19.99 to $49.99. For details on Belkin’s new iPad mini line-up go to www.belkin.com .
ZAGG introduces new accessories for the iPad mini
ZAGG has released a line of products to protect, personalize and enhance the new iPad mini. The new products include keyboards, cases, and protective films.
"We are excited about these new versions of our award-winning accessories designed for the iPad mini, including our invisibleSHIELD products, iFrogz cases, and ZAGG keyboards," says Kent Wuthrich, executive vice president of marketing for ZAGG. "As one of the only keyboard accessories designed specifically for iPad mini, the ZAGGkeys MINI 7 and MINI 9 will offer the proven utility and convenience that our customers have come to expect from the ZAGGkeys line."
The ZAGGkeys MINI 7 and ZAGGkeys MINI 9 feature a folio designed specifically around the iPad mini and highlighted with ZAGG’s keyboard technology. The Bluetooth 3.0 keyboard of the ZAGGkeys MINI 7 is custom designed to fit the smaller iPad.
The ZAGGkeys MINI 9 offers a similar keyboard with a carefully engineered layout to provide the same spacing as ZAGG’s traditional...
LaCie rolls out thinner Porsche design drive for Apple fans
LaCie, together with Porsche Design, has announced the P’9223 Slim SSD. This product is the latest extension of the Porsche Design portfolio and the fastest LaCie USB hard drive to date.
It combines USB 3.0 speeds with an optional SSD to maximize performance. Its form factor echoes the aluminum exterior of Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
The folks at LaCie say P’9223 Slim is the thinnest 2.5-inch storage device from LaCie yet -- 30% thinner than the previous edition. The slim design, sturdy aluminum and SSD technology allow creative professionals to slip the drive in a laptop bag without worrying about accidental drops.
The Porsche Design Slim P’9223 is available in 120GB SSD and 500GB HDD through the LaCie Online Store (www.lacie.com). Pricing starts at US$99.99.
OtterBox announces cases for the iPad mini
OtterBox has announced the Defender Series case for iPad mini, available for pre-order today. The US$69.99 case completely surrounds the tablet with multiple layers.
A clear, polycarbonate membrane is built into the case to prevent scratches to the screen. A solid polycarbonate inner layer protects from drops and damage. The exterior layer is made of strong silicone to withstand heavy use and random accidents.
A silicone plug on the Defender covers block dust, lint and dirt from collecting and damaging ports and jacks. When installed over the screen, the shield stand provides additional protection during transport. The internal stand built into the shield stand accommodates landscape viewing and offers a natural typing angle.
A custom opening on the iPad mini case isolates the camera to preserve picture image quality. For more info go to www.otterbox.com/ipad-mini .
WaterField announces iPad mini cases
WaterField Designs has announced the new Outback Sleeve (pictured) for the iPad mini, plus a bevy of other custom-sized, protective cases for Apple's smaller tablet.
Each of the eight cases is also available in custom sizes for the new, fourth gen, full-sized iPad. The all new US53 Outback Sleeve features a brown waxed-canvas and neoprene shell with grizzly or chocolate leather trim combine for a protective custom-fit. Snap closure and a distressed finish lend a vintage feel.
The $59 Ultimate SleeveCase is a water-resistant, black ballistic nylon shell with enveloping, shock-absorbing neoprene and an Ultrasuede liner. Similar to the Ultimate, but sized to protect the iPad Mini when it's in a third-party case, the $53 EXO SleeveCase is made with a neoprene liner and ballistic nylon shell.
The $27 Slip Case sports a water-resistant, fabric exterior that surrounds a plush interior including an impact-resistant screen insert and a screen-cleaning Ultrasuede liner. The $57 Smart Case...
eMedia Music releases Singing for Dummies software
eMedia Music Corp. has released Singing For Dummies software for those wishing to learn to sing better. Its Interactive Feedback technology listens as you sing and tells you whether you are too high, too low, or right in tune.
"We're excited about Singing For Dummies. eMedia has taken voice training traditions developed over centuries and, for the first time, enhanced them with cutting-edge, interactive technology that gives voice students feedback on their singing. Singing For Dummies is keeping the brand's promise of making everything easier by providing a fun new way to learn these techniques for singing well," says Marc J Mikulich, vice president, Brand Management and International Rights, Wiley Publishing.
The lessons show you how to sing in time and in tune, use proper singing technique, and develop and project your voice. Professional voice instructor Ory Brown, M.M., guides you through over 80 step-by-step lessons with over 30 full-motion videos and animations.
The 35-plus...
Coupons.com adds Passbook integration
Coupons.com, a company that specializes in digital coupons, has announced a new Apple Passbook integration feature that allows shoppers to save coupons from leading national retailers directly to Passbook.
Dozens of coupons are available from top national retail chains, including Barnes & Noble, Macy’s, Michael’s, Old Navy, and PETCO. These coupons are usually clipped out or printed out prior to shopping -- now, shoppers simply browse available offers, tap on the coupons they want to save to Passbook and show them on their phone at check out. No app download is needed, and consumers don't have to pay anything for the capability.
"Passbook is yet another leading example of how digital delivery is all about convenience and on-demand consumer availability," says Steven Boal, CEO of Coupons.com . "Consumers, retailers and manufacturers are converging on the best user experience across the digital shopping domain, and Coupons.com is leading and unifying the experience across the...
