In a note to clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (tech.fortune.com), Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says the expected announcement of a new iPhone next month adds 6-10 million to Apple smartphone sales during the fourth quarter. "We believe that a September launch could result in the final 10 days of the month generating 6-10 million iPhone 5 unit sales, which would likely shift out of December," he writes. "We believe if the iPhone 5 launches in September, Apple could sell 26-28 million units in the quarter (this takes into account iPhone sales slowing dramatically from September 12-20, which is announcement to availability). The Street is currently expecting Apple to sell 23 million iPhones in the fourth quarter, not 27.19 million.

Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the OWC Mercury Aura Pro, the first high-performance Solid State Drive upgrade for the 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina display (rMBP). Available in 480GB capacity, the 6G (6Gb/s) SandForce Driven Mercury Aura Pro offers rMBP owners 87.5% more capacity than the factory 256GB model that comes with the base unit rMPB. Additionally, customers buying the US$579.99 MSRP Aura Pro direct from OWC until Sept. 30 will later receive the OWC Envoy Pro USB 3.0 bus-powered portable enclosure (a $59.95 value) for re-tasking the rMBP's factory flash module as an external drive at no additional cost. 

 For more information on the Mercury Aura Pro for 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina display, go to ohttp://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_Retina_2012/ .


In an blog note (http://macte.ch/ZSLei), the Office for Mac team at Microsoft says that Office for Mac 2011 is compatible with Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. However, it doesn't support full screen mode, iCloud or Macs with Retina display. Regarding the latter, only Outlook for Mac 2011 will be able to take advantage of the higher resolution. That said, if you do use Office on Mountain Lion, Microsoft says you should note the following: ° Make sure you have Office for Mac’s AutoUpdate enabled – some updates will be needed to make the most of the upgrade to Mountain Lion. Initiate AutoUpdate in any Office for Mac application by going to your toolbar, then selecting “Help” and then “Check for Updates.” ° Mountain Lion ships with a new feature called Gatekeeper. Gatekeeper helps protect users by allowing you to choose to only download and install software from known developers, like Microsoft. Please note that due to the Gatekeeper architecture, updates will not run when you download and...

Coffee Stain Studios says its PC FPS/tower-defense game, Sanctum, is now available on the Mac. Mac gamers can download the hybrid shooter exclusively through Valve’s Steam Store currently for US$8.99 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/91600/), 10% off the regular price. Here's how the game is described: "Sanctum is a fresh take on the tower defense genre and places the player right into the frenetic fray with tight first-person shooter gameplay mechanics. Gamers take the role as Skye, an elite soldier sent out to protect her home town, Elysion One, from hordes of mysterious alien creatures. "To successfully defend land, players must construct and upgrade a labyrinth of defensive structures and towers. When the havoc starts and the wave of baddies is unleashed, gamers jump right into the action with fully-upgradeable weapons to play a key role in the defense. Sanctum has taken the best features from FPSs and tower defense games to create something totally unique."

ZooGue has released the Case Genius Pro for the iPad. The US$49.99 case boasts adjustable angles and a headrest mount, as well as access to all cameras, speakers and ports.  ZooGue has adjusted the dimensions of the new Pro case, extending the border an additional 5mm to help protect the corners of the Apple tablet.  The upgraded border is designed to help amplify the sound directing it back towards the user. In an effort to secure the cover of the case and enhance a tighter closure, additional magnets have been inserted to guarantee the case remains closed when not in use. The Case Genius Pro has an interior made of an ultra-thin microfiber. The handmade genuine leather case is available in black and pink and is available at www.ZooGue.com .

Klipsch (www.klipsch.com), has launched the Image S4, Image S4i and Image S4A headphone models that serve as updated versions to the already in-market products. They present flat cabling for added strength and tangle resistance, a more streamlined shape and overall improvements in product durability, according to the folks at Klipsch. The Image S4 is available in a piano black or white finish and comes complete with four different-sized oval ear tips, a protective carrying case and two-year warranty. The in-ear headphone is compatible with any portable device that features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The updated Image S4 retails for US$79.99. In addition to its audio functionality with any device housing a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Image S4i features a three-button remote that houses a directional mic, granting Apple device users call and music control, as well as clear conversations. Also available in a black or white finish, the headset carries a two-year warranty and includes...

ATTO Technology says its Desklink category of products designed to allow all-in-ones, laptops and Ultrabooks to utilize high- performance storage and networks is now shipping. The first two offerings the ThunderLink and ThunderStream devices.  These solutions allow customers to use high-end, data-intensive applications on ThunderboltTM-enabled portable computers in highly mobile environments, according to Wayne Arvidson, vice president of marketing at ATTO Technology. ThunderLink and ThunderStream products allow portable devices that, in the past incorporated interfaces such as FireWire and USB connections, access to external 6Gb SAS/SATA storage, 8Gb Fibre Channel and 10Gb Ethernet networks via Thunderbolt at performance levels not previously attainable, says Arvidson. They're the only Thunderbolt-enabled connectivity products on the market that incorporate the versatility to handle any protocol and any host while addressing the demands of rapidly evolving work environments and...

Apple is ready to issue its first quarterly dividend to shareholders in 17 years. Shareholders of record as of Aug. 13 will be paid dividends on Thursday, according to "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com). Apple announced its plans for a new dividend program in March, alongside an US$10 billion share buyback program. Each quarter, the company plans to pay shareholders a $2.65 per share dividend.

According to new data from the Nielsen research group (http://www.nielsen.com), radio is still the dominant way people discover music (48%) -- followed by tips from friends/relatives (10%), and YouTube (7%). However, more teens listen to music through YouTube than through any other source (64%) -- followed by radio (56%) and iTunes (53% ) and CDs (50%), according to results from a Nielsen study of consumer interaction with music in the United States, the "Music 360." "The accessibility of music has seen tremendous expansion and diversification,” says David Bakula, senior vice president, Client Development, Nielsen. "While younger listeners opt for technologically advanced methods , traditional methods of discovery like radio and word-of-mouth continue to be strong drivers.  With so many ways to purchase, consume and discover great new music, it’s no wonder that the consumer continues to access and enjoy music in greater numbers."

The Millard Brown research group says Apple is the world's most valuable global brand with a value of about US$183 billion. However, the Interbrand research group (www.interbrand.com) disagrees, saying that Coca-Cola is in the number one spot with a value of approximately US$71 billion. According to Interbrand, Apple is worth $33 billion and is in fifth place among global brands when it comes to value. This study has the company preceded by, in addition to Coca-Cola, McDonald's ($36 billion), Google ($55 billion), Microsoft ($59 billion) and IBM ($70 billion). How can two different studies be so different? According to TechnBuffalo (www.technobuffalo.com), Millward Brown adopts various models that include total economic value, brand contribution and brand risk. And Interbrand studies financial performance over five years, role of brand and brand strength.

The Apple-Samsung patent battle/trial is underway. Following is some of the latest highlights and where you can find more info. "A new internal Apple document made public Monday in its ongoing patent fight with Samsung shows that the number one reason mobile phone customers chose Android over iOS was in order to stay with their current carrier. Samsung introduced the evidence to counter Apple’s claim that Samsung smartphone purchasers were simply confused by the Korean company’s allegedly infringing designs and thought they were buying Apple products." -- "The Mac Observer" (www.macobserver.com) "Apple Inc is claiming that more than a quarter of Samsung Electronics' $30.4 billion in U.S. smartphone and tablet sales result from copying of the iPhone and iPad or infringe on other patents, a damages expert for the U.S. company said on Monday." -- "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/4WnPZ) "Samsung ... mounted its defense in the ongoing Apple v. Samsung patent trial, with the pair of 'fact...

The late Steve Jobs' home on Waverley Street in Palo Alto was burglarized on July 17, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Tom Flattery told the "Silicon Valley Mercury News" (http://macte.ch/b20cf). More than US$60,000 worth of "computers and personal items" were allegedly stolen, though Flattery didn't they if they belonged to Jobs, who died last year, or another family member. On Aug. 2, authorities arrested Kariem McFarlin, 35, of Alameda in connection with the crime, Flattery said. He was arraigned five days later on one count of residential burglary and selling stolen property, reports the "Mercury News."

Worldwide sales of mobile phones to end users reached 419 million units in the second quarter of 2012, a 2.3% decline from the second quarter (2Q) of 2011, according to Gartner (www.gartner.com). Smartphone sales accounted for 36.7% of total mobile phone sales and grew 42.7% in the second quarter of 2012, according to the research groupo. Demand slowed further in the second quarter of 2012, says Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner. The challenging economic environment and users postponing upgrades to take advantage of high-profile device launches and promotions available later in the year slowed demand across markets, he added.  "High-profile smartphone launches from key manufacturers such as the anticipated Apple iPhone 5, along with Chinese manufacturers pushing 3G and preparing for major device launches in the second half of 2012, will drive the smartphone market upward," Gupta says. "However, feature phones will continue to see pressure." In the second quarter of...

HEX has released the announced the arrival of the Axis Wallet for the iPhone 4/4S. It provides protection and wallet essentials in one, while providing a camera cut-out for "iPhonographers."   The Axis Wallet also features a texturized, genuine leather exterior with a cover flap, elastic band to hold belongings in place, custom polycarbonate device bed, three slots for cards and I.D.’s, and an internal cash pocket. Plus, it includes a reinforced design, is available in two colors (Torino Blnow at www.shophex.com for US$49.95.

Senomix Software. has released Senomix Timesheets, a "software as a service" solution for their time and expense tracking system. It blends features of desktop software and cloud-based web apps. Senomix Timesheets runs directly from a user's Mac, Windows or Linux PC and connects all staff together to a central, cloud-based internet server regardless of whether they're located in the same building or operating from satellite offices around the world. Timesheets works with Microsoft Excel to enable managers to create reports in a spreadsheet workspace. Senomix Timesheets is available through a hosted service from US$9.50 per-user per-month, or can be installed on a customer's own office network as a stand-alone system with a one-time server licensing charge. Both options can be purchased online through the Senomix web site (www.senomix.com), with a 30-day free trial available for immediate use.

Judge Barbara B. Crabb, the federal judge who is presiding over an "Apple v. Motorola Mobility" FRAND enforcement lawsuit in the Western District of Wisconsin filed in March 2011 as a set of counterclaims to an ITC case, entered an order on Friday granting the antitrust-related part of a Motorola Mobility motion for partial summary judgment "only because of an immunity rule that protects lawsuits and ITC complaints, and then granting all of Apple's partial summary judgment requests that were still relevant after the dismissal of its antitrust claims," reports "FOSS Patents." Apple has alleged that Motorola infringes 24 of its patents (21 of them with Android-based phones, the remaining three with set-top boxes and DVRs), while Motorola previously asserted 18 patents against a variety of Apple products (mostly but not exclusively iPhone, iPad and iPod). In November 2010 Apple sued Motorola, alleging that the company's smartphone lineup and the operating software it uses infringe on the...

While in San Francisco, TUAW and MacTech Magazine teamed up to speak to developers at Apple's WWDC 2012 about the keynote and how Apple's new technologies will help them and their customers. In the weeks following the event, we'll bring you those videos on TUAW, MacTech and MacNews. If you aren't currently a reader of MacTech Magazine, check out the special WWDC free MacTech on iPad issues for MacTech Magazine here. This video features Neil Ticktin (Editor-in-Chief, MacTech Magazine) and Helmut Tschemernjak of Helios Software GmbH at WWDC. Helmut was kind enough to tell us about their thoughts on the announcements on WWDC, and how it will affect their plans moving forward.

Immunity Studios has debuted Ninja Guy 1.0 for Mac OS X (10.6.6 or higher). It's available an an introductory price of US$0.99 D (normally $2.99), and it is available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Games category. Here's how the game is described: "Ninja Guy is a Mac version of theiOS game where players become Ninja Guy, an arrogant Ninja assassin, last student of the Holy Cow Sensei. Ever ready with a quick verbal taunt or a dose of cheesy and dim-witted Ninja wisdom, the hero battles many foes and epic bosses in this 1-player action game. Comical dialogue is central to the experience, and it is a fast-paced game for those ready to enter a bizarre and funny storyline to prove their Ninjaness. "In its graphics & animation, game physics, and controls Ninja Guy is a console-like, action adventure game that allows players to battle up to 60 enemies simultaneously. According to Mel Georgiou of Immunity Studios, "Ninja Guy for OS X has been designed to merge...

ThreatMetrix, a provider of integrated cybercrime prevention solutions, has released a report outlining code-level details on how new strains of malware penetrate the once-secure walls of Apple's Mac OS X operating system. This malware trend, the most recent of which is known as "Crisis" or "OSX/Morcut-A," is judged to be significantly more sophisticated than past strains, and should serve as a warning to Apple users of further malware developments to come, according to ThreatMetrix. The ThreatMetrix Labs "Professional OS X Malware -- A Reality" report outlines in detail the elegance and sophistication of the Crisis Trojan's programming code. ThreatMetrix Labs also identified numerous potential helper agent classes enabling Crisis to disrupt, disable and completely take over everything from stealing address book information to uploading and downloading files to accessing full file systems and camera snooping. The report also explores the continued trend of fraudsters turning their...

Acase has unveiled the F1 for the new iPad and iPad2, a folio with the ability to adjust angles for easy viewing and typing. The F1’s design utilizes a folding leather cover and a protective polycarbonate back with a non-slip edge to give users the ability to angle the Apple tablet. It adjusts to all viewing angles when used in landscape mode. The F1 sports a jet black leather cover highlighted with red stitching and a "devil red" leather interior, resembling the style of an Italian race car. Designed for both the new iPad and iPad 2, the F1 has built-in auto magnetic on and off closure, and weighs only 420 grams. It's available for US$39.90 and mazon and www.apluscase.com.tw .

The Apple-Samsung patent battle/trial is underway. Following is some of the latest highlights and where you can find more info. "A court document filed by Samsung on Thursday revealed the company's smartphone and tablet sales numbers from June 2010 to June 2012, metrics that have been kept strictly confidential until now." -- "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com) "Apple and Samsung's courtroom patent melee had outed sales figures for the two companies' mobile devices. Both firms have been trying to hold back as much of their performance data as possible from the public during the legal scuffle, in which Samsung is accused of copying the Apple iPhone design for its own products." -- "The Register" (http://macte.ch/mSD6R) "Samsung just brought a motion for a court order to "to label joint exhibit devices in a manner not obscuring trade dress". Apple apparently has custody over those joint exhibit devices, most of which are Samsung devices. According to Samsung's representation, Apple...

Blizzard says its security team found an unauthorized and illegal access into their internal network here at Blizzard. Some data was illegally accessed, including a list of email addresses for global Battle.net users, outside of China. For players on North American servers (which generally includes players from North America, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia) the answer to the personal security question, and information relating to Mobile and Dial-In Authenticators were also accessed. Based on what they currently know, this information alone isn't enough for anyone to gain access to Battle.net accounts, says Mike Morhalme of Blizzard. "We quickly took steps to close off this access and began working with law enforcement and security experts to investigate what happened," he adds. Read more about it at http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/securityupdate.html .

AViiQ has released Quick Change, a 3-in-1 universal USB cable designed to make charging and transferring to and from any Micro USB, Mini USB and Apple device easy. Dsigned with the traveler in mind, it features a swivel head multi-connector that switches between Micro USB, Mini USB and Apple connectors, a bendable body weighing 1.5 ounces and an integrated clip. The AViiQ Quick Change is available for US$29.99 at www.AViiQ.com . 

Dukane has announced a new RF wireless microphone. The US$249 Dukane WM1C1 is a RF based wireless microphone system that includes receiver, transmitter, two microphones, lavalier and charging device.  It has 80 separate RF channels so school buildings will be able to install the wireless mic without fear of cross talk.  The WM1C1 can be installed in an existing projector with a mic in port and larger speakers. For more info go to http://www.dukane.com/av/products/documents/specs/WM1C1.pdf .