Tuesday July 9
12:10
Apple and Amazon end ‘app store’ lawsuit
Apple and Amazon have both decided to end their lawsuit over the rights to use of the term “app store,” according to Reuters. Following an initial ruling that suggested Amazon would prevail in the case, a spokeswoman for Apple said that the company no longer needed to pursue the…
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10:55
iOS 7 beta 3 Installation Animation [VIDEO]
On Monday, we noted that Apple added a new installation animation for apps in iOS 7 Seed 3, the third beta release for developers. We had a screenshot showing the animation at work, but YouTube member Patrick Kelleher has posted a video that offers a far better look at the effect. Apple could, of course, change it before iOS 7 is officially released, but we think it's a solid beginning that tells a better story (i.e. makes it more clear precisely what is happening). We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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09:44
CableJive debuts dockBoss5 30-pin adapter
CableJive has introduced dockBoss5 ($30), an adapter that converts a 30-pin Apple-compatible dock into a universal charging station, complete with audio output. The adapter uses a full-sized USB port, allowing for non-Dock Connector devices to charge or play audio. CableJive’s…
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09:16
iWork, iLife apps could go free in iOS 7
A change in iOS 7 beta 3 may allude to Apple making its iWork and iLife apps free in iOS 7. The recommended free Apple apps screen in the third beta now includes Apple’s iWork suite, as well as iPhoto and iMovie, though not GarageBand. This could be changed before…
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08:27
Apple faces suit on default HD video downloads
Apple has been targeted in a class action suit for selling iTunes customers HD video downloads even when the customers had older devices that didn’t support HD. The suit was reportedly filed by a Florida lawyer who claimed Apple deceived him into paying an extra $1 for an HD version…
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08:19
Beats Taps AT&T for Music Streaming Service
Beats Electronics is making a jump into the online streaming music market, and is hoping to get AT&T on board as a marketing partner. The company is pushing for a deal where AT&T bundles the music service with its mobile wireless data packages.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Getting into the streaming music market isn't easy, but Beats founder Jimmy Iovine has strong ties to the recording industry. His in will no doubt help swing the music deals the Beats Daisy streaming music service needs, and a deal with AT&T would go a long way towards getting it in front of -- or around -- consumer's ears.
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07:27
Wrap Your Head Around the Scale of Time with Here Is...
Grasping the scale of time can be a pretty difficult concept, especially when waiting in line for your morning coffee can feel like forever. Here Is Today is an amazingly cool website that makes it a little easier to see how much time has passed and just how short our presence in the universe has been. HIT offers up a a slick timeline visual that shows today in comparison to this month, this year, the century, epochs, and more. It doesn't make your latté wait feel any shorter, but it does put it into perspective.
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06:36
Apple Celebrates App Store 5 Year Anniversary
Apple's App Store for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch opened its virtual doors five years ago and the company is celebrating the event with a special iTunes Store page highlighting popular apps and App Store milestones. As The Mac Observer noted yesterday, before the celebration started, Apple is offering several popular iOS apps and games for free.
The Mac Observer Spin:
We listed the apps Apple is offering for free yesterday before they were officially announced. Check out our list with links to each. The apps are all cool and free is an awesome, yet temporary, price.
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05:39
OS X Mavericks Beta 3 Adds iCloud Keychain, More
Along with iOS 7 beta 3, Apple released OS X Mavericks beta 3 to developers on Monday. The update for the prerelease version of the next Mac operating system added support for the new iCloud Keychain password syncing feature and also addressed several bugs along with compatibility issues.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Apple seems to be making good progress with OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Each beta adds new features and fixes issues. That said, it is still very much beta software, so don't install it on mission critical Macs.
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Monday July 8
14:54
DigiTimes Says Next iPad Set for September, iPad...
Taiwanese newspaper DigiTimes reported that Apple had finalized the full size 9.7-inch iPad as it looks towards a September release. The iPad mini, on the other hand, has not been set and could face further changes before ramping up full production. Bryan Chaffin looks at the available info.
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13:03
Apple Seeds 3rd iOS 7 Beta to Developers with Bug...
Apple released the third seed for developers beta testing iOS 7 on Monday. iOS 7 Seed 3 includes a number of bug fixes and improvements, as well as new features and tweaks to many of Apple's built-in apps and services.
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12:45
If You Could See your MacBook’s Electromagnetic...
Luke Sturgeon explains how, in his Experimental Imaging workshop at CIID, he and collaborators set out to make the invisible visible. In this video we see a photographic rendition of the electromagnetic fields surrounding a MacBook. As Mr. Sturgeon explains, "No retouching or digital manipulation was allowed and every image you see must be captured directly." The shimmering, colorful glow of these EM fields coming from the MacBook reminds one of the Earth's Aurora. They're mesmerizing. And very cool.
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11:10
OWC’s Larry O’Connor: the New Mac Pro is Both...
Larry O'Connor is the president of Other World Computing, legedary for sales of Apple storage, upgrades and Mac and iOS device acessories. We thought it would be interesting to get Mr. O’Connor’s take on Apple’s WWDC announcement of the new Mac Pro. Here are the hottest questions that were on on our mind in a Skype chat.
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11:08
Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3
Apple has released the third beta of iOS 7 to registered developers. The company released the second beta two weeks ago, and the first beta of iOS 7 two weeks before that. The third beta is now available through Software Update in iOS settings, and “contains bug fixes and…
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10:30
Digital Treasurers PocketPro Case - Convenience for...
With the PocketPro Padfolio Case, Digital Treasurers has produced a work station and carrying case all-in-one for either the MacBook Air or the 13-inch MacBook Pro that combines security and convenience -- a mini desk on the go.
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10:24
Olloclip Adds Telephoto, Polarized Lenses to iPhone
Olloclip is already popular for its three-in-one lens macro, wide angle and fisheye attachment for the iPhone. What's been missing is a telephoto lens, and now Olloclip has answered our pleas by introducing just that: A 2x telephoto lens that also includes a snap-on polarized lens filter. Even better, the polarized lens is also compatible with the three-in-one lens kit that's already available. For many of us, the iPhone is the best camera because it's the one that's always with us. Olloclip made our iPhones more versatile with its three-in-one lens kit, and now we'll be able to bring images in even closer with a telephoto lens. Versions for the iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5 will be available in Apple stores by the end of July for US$99.99.
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08:19
Microsoft Killing MSN TV isn’t an Apple TV Win
There's one less console in the living room now that Microsoft has officially announced the demise of MSN TV. The device started life as WebTV and was a hardware package that turned user's televisions into simple Web surfing and email systems while also offering up online entertainment, and even though it will soon be gone, Apple doesn't have much to celebrate.
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07:39
Top apps go free before App Store anniversary
07:27
SoftBank Sprint Merger Set to Close July 10
Japan's SoftBank cell service provider expects to complete its US$21.6 billion deal to buy 78 percent of Sprint on July 10, 2013. The deal was first announced last October and finally won FCC approval last Friday and originally included a 70 percent stake in Sprint.
The Mac Observer Spin:
With AT&T and Verizon firmly holding the top two spots in the U.S. cell service market, SoftBank's investment will help lock Sprint in the third place slot. It's a good thing T-Mobile is already used to being in fourth place.
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06:36
Garmin HUD Turns Your iPhone into a GPS Heads Up...
Garmin has a new spin on using your iPhone as an in-car GPS system with its HUD. Like the name implies, the HUD is a heads up display that projects navigation information onto your car's windshield. It gets the data from Garmin's StreetPilot or NAVIGON iPhone apps via Bluetooth and automatically adjusts its brightness so your directions are readable in sunlight or at night. Since HUD gets data in real time from your iPhone, it displays current traffic conditions, speed warnings, maps, and more. It includes its own power cable and a USB port so you can keep your iPhone charged up, and works as a hands-free phone system, too. This is especially cool in places like California where dashboard smartphone mounts are forbidden. HUD is priced at US$129.99 and will be available some time this summer.
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05:40
Popular iOS Apps Go Free Ahead of App Store...
Apple has quietly dropped the price of several top iPhone and iPad apps and games to free ahead of the App Store's fifth anniversary. That price drop is pretty substantial in the case of some apps like Traktor DJ which is normally US$19.99.
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Sunday July 7
08:45
MGG 457: Cool Stuff Found on a Sunday Morning
Dave's back from vacation (just barely!) and he and John dig in DEEP with a show packed full of Cool Stuff Found. Hang on tight, it's always a fast ride through all the great stuff that John, Dave, and you, the listening audience, have found!
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Saturday July 6
07:30
How to Make Awesome Images with Your iPhone
Don't be quick to pooh-pooh iPhone photography! Sandro Cuccia presents several tips on how to make awe-inspiring images with your iPhone. All you need is to know some photographic principles, correct technique, and some truly incredible apps.
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Friday July 5
15:30
Instagram & Vine, 2 Free iOS Apps for Making...
Shooting video with your iPhone just got a lot more fun with Vine and now Instagram. Vern Seward takes a look at both in this week's Free on iTunes.
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14:49
How to Fix Spotlight Indexing in OS X
For the most part, Spotlight on our Macs is fast, and its accurate. It almost always "just works." In this article, Sandro Cuccia discusses how and what Spotlight indexes, and how you can apply a fix the rare times that Spotlight fails.
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12:37
Apple patent application reveals flexible battery...
A recently published Apple patent application details flexible battery packs for use in electronic devices. Apple’s application focuses on battery packs that may consist of multiple cells, which could be connected by laminate layers. The arrangement allows “the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the…
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10:47
AT&T Plans on Selling Your Data to Advertisers,...
AT&T recently announced plans to start selling anonymized customer data to advertisers. Heck, if the government gets it, why shouldn't advertisers have it too, amiright? Badabing! Bryan Chaffin explains how to opt out of the program and goes on a little rant about privacy in the U.S.
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10:40
Apple Maps: Waze Exit Up Ahead
Apple looks like it's pushing for even more independence in its Maps venture. First was starting it's own Google-free maps alternative, and now the company is hoping to patent its own version of Waze's crowd sourced mapping and traffic service -- a service that Apple currently uses.
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09:11
Apps: Angry Birds 3.2, Limbo, Vine 1.3 + Yahoo!...
Rovio’s original Angry Birds ($1) now features a brand new episode, Red’s Mighty Feathers, in which the Red Bird gains new powers from the Mighty Eagle. Instead of seeking to defeat the pigs, Red Bird is defending his eggs in this episode, making for a shift in gameplay. The…
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08:51
iOS: iCloud Backup on Demand
Apple made it easy to use iCloud to backup the data and settings on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and the process is automatic so you don't have to remember to start the backup process yourself. But what if you need a backup to happen right now? No problem. It's easy, and we'll show you how.
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08:00
Mac & iOS Basics: Play Next & Previous...
Apple has sold earbuds with a wired remote for many years now, and if you've purchased an iPod touch, iPhone, or a pair on their own, you might not realize how much you can do with that little bar of plastic hanging from your ears. Of course you can play and pause music with the center button, and, if you have them, you can use the top and bottom buttons to control your volume. However, there are several other things you can do with that center button, and Michael Johnston shows you how.
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06:24
Ireland Drops Apple Tax Investigation Plans
Ireland's finance committee has decided against questioning Apple about its tax practices in the country despite a similar inquiry recently held in the United States. The parliament's decision extends beyond questioning Apple to include other large multi-national companies, too.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Ireland's decision to drop plans to question companies about their tax practices sends a pretty strong message: They like things just the way they are, and it's up to other countries to change if they want more tax revenue from multi-national corporations.
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05:37
iOS: Enlarging (Some) Tiny Text
If you find reading teeny text within emails, Messages, or Notes on your iPhone or iPad frustrating, then check out this tip. We'll go over a little-used setting that will allow you to increase some font sizes, making peering at a small screen a bit easier. And you know we here at TMO like making things easier!
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Thursday July 4
06:44
Just Mobile debuts Gum++ Backup Battery
Just Mobile has released the Gum++ ($90), a new stylish high-capacity backup battery for smartphones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices. The Gum++ incorporates a 6000mAh battery encased in a glossy, durable hard ABS shell, and provides enough capacity to recharge an iPhone up to 3 times or add additional charge…
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06:15
Happy Independence Day from iLounge!
As our U.S.-based editors are celebrating Independence Day with our families, iLounge will be on a limited publishing schedule today, July 4, 2013. Happy Fourth of July to our U.S. readers—we’ll be back in full force tomorrow!
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05:00
Happy U.S. Independence Day
In honor of Independence Day — a U.S. holiday — The Mac Observer is taking off Thursday, July 4th. We will return on Friday, July 5th, with our regularly-scheduled coverage of Apple, Mac, iPad and iPhone news.
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Wednesday July 3
21:39
Douglas Engelbart, Inventor of Computer Mouse, Dies...
Douglas Engelbart, the man who invented the computer mouse, died on Wednesday. Mr. Engelbart was 88 and died of kidney failure. We have more information on Mr. Engelbart and his contributions to Apple and computing in the full story.
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16:53
ACM 211: The BlackBerry Conundrum, the Microsoft...
BlackBerry has all but killed its tablet business and Jeff and Bryan have different thoughts on where the company is headed, which leads them both down a Microsoft-filled rabbit hole. They also have some thoughts on the entertainment industry and how Time Warner fits into the Apple TV strategy. Plus Bryan tries to burn down the ACM studio.
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14:13
CEO Cook emphasizing iPhone sales in Apple stores
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently spoke to Apple Retail Store Leaders about selling more iPhones in Apple Retail Stores, according to a report. During a summit that lasted for about three hours, Cook mentioned that Macs and iPads have sold well in Apple’s stores, but 80 percent of iPhones are…
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13:30
The New Mac Pro: What if the Aluminum Were Glass?
Martin Hajek has conjured up a very cool alternative design concept for Apple's recently announced Mac Pro. What if, say, the outer casing were glass instead of aluminum? Also, what if the aluminum came in bright anodized aluminum colors? What if naked aluminum had thousands of pinholes? The possibilities are tantalizing.
In fact, a glass or plastic case, showing off the innards of a computer, is a time-honored concept. We don't know if the thermal properties would be right, but hey, it's just a very cool idea, beautifully rendered. To see more, check out Mr. Hajek's website. (All photos used with permission.)
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11:02
A Working Star Trek Hand Phaser
It's a red LED laser pointer to be precise. Think Geek is selling a Star Trek, Original Series, officially licensed, "Phaser Laser Pointer" that will set your "corporate presentation skills to stun." The acrylic tip glows when the laser is on. For the geeks: Class IIIA laser, 640 nm wavelength, less than 5 milliwatts. Note, however, that it's smaller than it looks, keychain sized, and is only 4.4 inches long.
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10:43
Boston University Hits Apple with Patent...
Apple is facing another patent infringement lawsuit, although this time it's from Boston University instead of a company. The University is alleging that the iPhone 5, iPad, and MacBook Air use a semiconductor it received a patent for in 1997, and is asking for a ban on selling some Apple products as well as a slice of the company's profits.
The Mac Observer Spin:
With so many patent infringement cases happening we can only assume Apple's legal team is using something a little more robust that the Calendar app. Oh, and Boston University, welcome to the party. You're going to be here for a while.
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10:00
The Source of Craving for Apple’s Next BIG Thing
There can be too much of a good thing. When immersed in apps and technology and products, it's all too easy to grow listless. John Martellaro suggests that the effect on writers is not very different from another not so surprising effect in society. The wealthy.
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09:04
Boston Univ. sues Apple for patent infringement
Boston University has filed a lawsuit alleging Apple has infringed upon a patent held by computer engineering professor Theodore D. Moustakas. The 1997 patent for highly insulating mono crystalline gallium nitride thin films is alleged to be infringed upon in the iPhone 5, iPad, and MacBook Air. BU has…
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08:28
SoftBank’s Sprint Buyout Lands FCC Approval
The Federal Communications Commission has approved SoftBank's plan to buy U.S. cell service provider Sprint Nextel, according to insider sources. The approval means SoftBank can move forward with its US$21.6 billion deal, and also gives Sprint the greenlight to complete its purchase of the remaining part of Clearwire that it currently doesn't own.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Getting a boost from Japan's SoftBank looks like good news for Sprint and ultimately for consumers, too, since part of the deal includes more LTE expansion for Sprint's customers.
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07:46
Budget iPhone leak reveals white, blue shells?
After alleged photos of Apple’s budget iPhone were leaked earlier this week, new images have appeared. These additional photos show a white shell and the sides and inside of a blue shell, while the previous photos showed yellow, red, and green shells.
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07:21
Apple hires Yves Saint Laurent CEO for ‘special...
Apple has hired Paul Deneve, former CEO of French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent. Deneve will report to CEO Tim Cook as a vice president working on “special projects,” according to Bloomberg. He previously worked for Apple in Europe in the 1990s. Considering Deneve’s fashion background, it’s possible those…
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07:16
50 Years of Sci-Fi Computer Interfaces
Computers are a big part of the sci-fi world and the interfaces writers, movie makers, and special effects artists for those thinking machines have led to some pretty prescient designs over the past 50 years. Infographic Journal has a great visual representation of some of the most popular interfaces from movies and TV shows that list both their vision and how they later appeared in the real world. It starts with Lost in Space, leads into Star Trek, Star Wars and Alien, looks at Iron Man, Tron, and Blade Runner, and even shows what smeggin' Red Dwarf got right.
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06:23
Apple’s Fashionable Move: Hiring Yves St Laurent’s...
Apple has yet another new senior executive in its ranks: Paul Deneve from Yves St Laurent. With some time at Apple during the 1990s and his extensive retail background you'd think he'd be in charge of the company's retail stores. Guess what? He isn't.
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05:33
Pages: Linking Text Boxes
One of the ways that Apple has made their built-in Pages templates look so nice is by using linked boxes to flow text from one part of a document to another. Need to have a column on page one continue on page three? No problem, and we're here to walk you through how easy it is.
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Tuesday July 2
16:44
An iPod Classic Visualized as a Vinyl LP Collection
"It's about the music, stupid," Steve Jobs once said (channeling Bill Clinton). He was talking about the iPod at the time, but for many people that's just as true for the iPhone. A site called ConcertHotels.com has put up a nifty (somewhat-)interactive graphic that visualizes what the music on a 160GB iPod classic would look like as a vinyl LP collection. It's pretty darned cool, at least to those of us old enough to remember the hassles of managing vinyl. We have a teaser image in the standalone article, or you click right on through in the link above. Check it out!
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16:02
Apple Reportedly Makes TV Headway with Time Warner,...
Apple is reportedly close to a deal with Time Warner Cable that would allow the company to offer the cable provider's content through the Apple TV. The company has also hired Pete Distad, formerly senior vice president in charge of marketing and distribution at Hulu, to help with industry negotiations. Bryan Chaffin looks at the implications.
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14:46
The Vaja Ivo Top SP Case Encloses Your iPhone 5 in...
I've been a Vaja fan for a long time. I had a Vaja case for my Motorola RAZR, my original iPhone, and my iPhone 3G. I'll probably get one for my next iPhone, too, but they're a little pricey. That's because they're handmade from leather, and they're insanely cool. On Tuesday, the company launched the Ivo Top SP case for iPhone 5. The case encloses your iPhone when you're not using it—protecting the front, too—and the company designed it so that it offers protection to all four corners. You can customize it with more than a score of colors, and the racing stripe is customizable, too. Check out the different pictures on Vaja's site. It's sexy, and it's priced at US$120.
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14:44
Apple nearing Time Warner deal for TV programs
Apple is close to a deal with Time Warner Cable that would give Time Warner subscribers access to channels on Apple TV, Bloomberg reports. An agreement between the two companies could be announced “within a few months,” according to sources. A recent Apple TV update added HBO GO…
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14:37
Apple Releases Security Update 2013-003 for Mountain...
Apple released Security Update 2013-003 for Mountain Lion. The patch notes offer nothing specific, saying that the update is, "recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X."
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12:47
Apps: Press Here, Procreate 1.8, Reeder 3.2 +...
Based on the acclaimed kids’ book by Herve Tullet, Press Here: The App from Chronicle Books is available for iPad ($2) and iPhone ($1) — the latter as a “small version.” The app features 15 simple games and activities, focused on the three colored dots featured in the…
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12:06
The Lollipop Stand for iPad (Featuring a Cocktail...
Mimika Theater has posted a great video showing creative use of popsicle sticks to make an adjustable stand for your iPad. Oh, and the stand also features "a little bit of a cocktail stick." The video was made using stop motion photography, and it's pretty cool. The stand is cool, too. Check it out! While you're at it, check out the other work the theater does.
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11:48
Samsung Gets Cranky Over Apple Patent Damages Retrial
Apple and Samsung are scheduled to square off in court this November to redetermine part of the damages the iPhone and iPad maker is owed in its big patent infringement win last August, but Samsung is crying foul and claiming Apple is using the new trial to push the damages even higher. A jury awarded Apple over US$1 billion in damages, but part of that was thrown out because the values assigned to some of Samsung's infringing devices was improperly calculated, and now Samsung is fighting to stall the new trial.
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11:25
The Most Bizarre Steve Ballmerism Ever is a Doozy
Every once in awhile, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer outdoes himself with a doozy of a Ballmerism. That's when he makes a statement that departs so far from known facts that we just shake our head and wonder who buys the nonsense. John Martellaro takes a look.
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09:24
Lifeproof intros Frē case for iPod touch 5G
Lifeproof has announced its Frē ($50) case for the fifth-generation iPod touch. Recently acquired by OtterBox, the company is known for waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof, and shock proof cases; Frē is a design with integrated screen protection. Lifeproof recently released…
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08:21
Apple granted patent for touch-sensitive bezel
Apple was granted a patent for a touch-sensitive bezel that could act as another form of input on a device. The filing details a method in which a display screen would be accompanied by a bezel that covers “a second portion of the active area.”
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07:26
Apple files ‘iWatch’ trademark in more countries
It has been discovered that Apple has filed for an “iWatch” trademark in Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey, and Colombia, just one day after learning the company filed for the same trademark in Japan. Apple has also apparently filed for the trademark in Russia. The easily found, widely reported trademark…
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07:06
SelfControl: Block Time Wasting Sites While You Work
Staying on task while every distraction the Web has to offer is just a mouse click away might not be difficult for some of you, but for me it's a challenge. It's especially bad if you're a student or a knowledge worker who's office isn't shared with others who are also getting things done. So I set out to find a way to keep myself from tasting temptation and avoiding the work I had to do. The answer is the aptly named SelfControl.
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06:12
Apple Back to School Promo Includes $100 Gift Card...
Apple kicked off its annual Back to School deals on Tuesday for educational buyers and includes iTunes Store, App Store and iBookstore gift cards worth up to US$100 with new Mac, iPhone and iPad purchases. The special deals are available now and run through September 6, 2013.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Apple's $50 and $100 iTunes gift cards are nice perks on top of the Macs, iPhones and iPads you were already planning on buying for the new school year. Break out your credit cards!
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05:39
Apple Q3 2013 Earnings Report Set for July 23
Apple will host its 2013 third fiscal quarter earnings conference call on Tuesday, July 23, after the stock market closes. The Mac, iPhone and iPad maker said during its second quarter earnings report that it is expecting this quarter's revenue to come in between US$33.5 billion and $35.5 billion with gross margins between 27 and 36 percent.
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Monday July 1
16:43
A Video Compilation of ‘Steve Jobs’s Funniest...
Hey, this is cool: it's a video compilation of what YouTube user EverySteveJobsVideo thinks are the funniest moments from Steve Jobs keynote events, product announcements, and interviews from 1978 to 2011. It's a great look back at the lighter side of Mr. Jobs's public appearances throughout the years. The description says there are some 53 clips in the video from about 20 events, including a 1978 interview with a very young and bearded Steve Jobs working at some upstart wannabe computer company called Apple Computer. Check it out, it's very cool (with thanks to Reddit for the heads up).
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16:15
ISO Bluetooth Stereo Headphones: Small, Light and...
The ISO in-ear, active noise canceling Bluetooth stereo headphones from Antec Mobile Products weigh 24 grams, including the control unit. It includes a lapel clip, internal Lithium-ion battery and charging cable. While the sound is crisp, the noise cancellation is less than spectacular.
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15:35
Kreyos Meteor Smartwatch on Indiegogo Offers Voice...
Kreyos has launched the Meteor smartwatch on Indiegogo, a project that has already garnered $418,000 in pledges with 38 days to go, more than four times the initial goal of $100,000. In addition to being a connected smartwatch, the Kreyos Meteor adds the ability to use voice commands and gestures to control the device. Voice commands work through an on-board microphone, while data from a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer allows you to use gestures as commands. It offers control of your smartphone, health monitoring, two-way text messaging, social media and other notifications, a clock, and more. Check it out.
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14:44
‘iWatch’ Trademark & Raymond James Upgrade Push...
Apple's stock jumped more than 3 percent Monday, helped by news that the company filed for a trademark for "iWatch" in Japan and an upgrade from Raymond James Equity Research. Shares of $AAPL closed at US$409.22, a gain of $12.69 (+3.20 percent), on moderate volume of 14 million shares trading hands.
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13:14
Behold Ye, Google & Apple, the $90 Firefox Phone...
You've heard it threatened for more than a year, and now it's here—the first Firefox OS-based "smartphone" will be released on Tuesday in Spain. The ZTE Open will be priced at €69 (roughly US$90), and that includes €30 (roughly $39) in pre-paid credit. Is this something Google and Apple should be concerned about? Bryan Chaffin says the answers are yes and no, in that order.
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12:59
Apple’s Back to School promo likely this week
Apple is likely to launch its annual Back to School promotion this week — and possibly tomorrow — according to a report. Eligible students will receive an iTunes/App Store gift card with the purchase of a Mac, iPad, and now, an iPhone. While $100 gift cards come with a Mac…
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11:31
It’s a USB-to-Lightning Cable on Your Keychain
If you've got an iPhone 5, iPad 4, or iPad mini and you're on the go a lot, you should check out the Kero Nomad Cable. It's a USB-to-Lightning cable small enough to fit on your keychain. Originally funded through KickStarter, the Kero Nomad Cable is shipping for US$24.99 (with free shipping). It's a clever idea that many will find very convenient—you never know when you might need a charge.
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09:05
Budget iPhone leak reveals shell colors?
Alleged photos of Apple’s budget iPhone have surfaced on WeiPhone.com, with back plastic shells pictured in shades of yellow, red, and green. While it’s been widely rumored that Apple’s new low-cost iPhone will come in a variety of different colors, the poor image quality and off-looking colors make…
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08:40
France Raids Apple Offices in Retail Probe
French authorities have conducted a raid on Apple's local offices as part of an investigation into whether or not the Mac, iPhone and iPad maker was unfairly blocking competition by holding back on product shipments to other retailers. Government agents seized documents linked to complaints about Apple's pricing practices.
The Mac Observer Spin:
If Apple was improperly engaging in practices that made it difficult for partner retailers to compete, shame on them. But complaints about not being able to transfer app purchases to other platforms? Really?
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08:34
Apple eyes LTE-Advanced iPhone 5S for S. Korea
Apple is reportedly negotiating with South Korea’s SK Telecom to release an LTE-Advanced iPhone 5S in “the coming months” in South Korea. An SK Telecom official said the company approached Apple to include LTE-A technology. “We are in the middle of negotiations,” the official said. It’s unclear if Apple has…
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08:26
Report: Apple paid no UK corporation tax in 2012
Recent U.K. tax filings have revealed Apple paid no corporation tax last year, despite making about $103 million in pre-tax profits. A report states, “Tax deductions from share awards to employees helped wipe out the corporate tax liabilities of the UK subsidiaries in the year to September 2012.” Apple paid…
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07:55
Apple raided by French authorities in investigation
France’s Competition Authority recently searched Apple’s French headquarters, in addition to Apple wholesalers and retailers, according to a report. A 24-hour search was conducted, and documents were seized by investigators. The Competition Authority confirmed the searches, which appear to be based on anti-competitive issues. Among details noted in the report,…
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07:42
It’s a Pedometer, it’s a Heart Rate Monitor:...
Fitness tracking is a great way to help find and then stick with a healthy lifestyle, and the Withings team has added to their fitness tech lineup with the Pulse. The Pulse is a wearable fitness monitor that tracks how many steps you take each day, calories burned, elevation, and sleep patterns, and also auto-detects when you're running, plus it also monitors your heart rate. It sends your activity data wirelessly to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and includes a clip so you can attach it to your clothes. The Pulse is priced at US$99.95 anbd is shipping now in the United States.
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07:18
Apple files trademark for ‘iWatch’ in Japan
Apple is looking to trademark “iWatch” in Japan, according to Bloomberg. The company filed for the trademark with the Japan Patent Office on June 3. A prior report noted Apple filed for “iWatch” in Russia, though that report could not be independently confirmed. The name of Apple’s
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06:17
Japan iWatch Trademark Means Apple’s Smartwatch is...
Apple hasn't confirmed that it is working on a smartwatch, or that the rumored device will be called "iWatch," but it has filed for a trademark on the name in Japan. That, in and of itself, isn't confirmation that Apple really does have a smartwatch in the works, but it sure does make the idea more plausible.
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05:25
How to Create “Out of Office” Auto Email Replies...
Like lots of computer users, Mac Geek Gab listener Michael wants to spend his summer vacation away from his email inbox, but he doesn't want his contacts to think he's ignoring them. We show him how to use Apple's Mail app to set up an "out of the office" automatic reply message so that Michael's contacts will know when to expect his return.
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Sunday June 30
08:31
MGG 456: Action-Packed and Chock-Full-o-Tips
Sneaking in time for a show before Dave leaves on vacation, he and John push out a show absolutely packed with great tips, answers, and info! Download today, press play, and enjoy. Why not? It's free!
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Saturday June 29
07:30
How to Use the Image Histogram in iPhoto
Back in high school we all learned about graphing and plotting data. Perhaps you never quite understood why you needed to learn this. Until now! Sandro Cuccia shows you how a photo's Histogram in iPhoto helps you evaluate the image and bring about tonality adjustments that make your photo stand out above all the rest.
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Friday June 28
15:13
You Won’t be Able to Afford Apple’s New Mac Pro
When we pined away for a new Mac Pro from Apple, we used the halo car metaphor to suggest that we wanted the best Mac that money could buy. It would be something that would be significantly better and faster than a prosumer iMac. But what we need to brace for now is the price.
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14:30
3 Free iPhone App to Trick Out Your Text Messages
Those who text (who doesn't these days?) often want to punctuate their words with images. If you want that then read on. Vern Seward points out three freebie iOS apps that'll glam up your messages in this week's Free on iTunes. Emoji New Style Free, SMS Rage Faces, and Pimp My Text.
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14:03
Apple Forbids Users from Using iTunes to Make...
This has been a good day for the funnies: Jim Dalrymple noted at The Loop that Apple's end-user license agreement (EULA) for iTunes forbids people from using iTunes to make nuclear bombs. Seriously, and you agreed to this when you clicked "I agree." Now what are you going to do, Evil Scientist™? The passage in question reads:
You also agree that you will not use these products for any purposes prohibited by United States law, including, without limitation, the development, design, manufacture or production of nuclear, missiles, or chemical or biological weapons.
That's pretty darned funny. (Thanks to TMO member mrmwebmax for the heads up.)
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13:46
Connect the Dots from Apple’s Rainbow Logo and iOS 7...
Much has been made of the color palette in Apple's new iOS 7. It's been called girly in a misogynist rant, ugly, beautiful, striking, and designed with Asia in mind. Some pieces have even covered most of the full gamut in one go. Reddit user Matt-Irwin, however, has done some thinking and sleuthing on the topic, and we like his thoughts.
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13:37
iLounge Weekly arrives Monday, last chance for...
The latest edition of iLounge Weekly, our weekly newsletter covering all things iLounge, will be arriving in subscribers’ inboxes early next week. iLounge Weekly is a summary of the week’s best news, reviews, and feature articles we’ve published, and it also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies.…
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13:07
Heisenberg & Schrödinger Get Pulled Over…
Mac Geek Gab listener Chad sent us a note on Friday with a joke. It's a funny one about Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger, chock full of nerdy humor. Two physicists speeding in a car? What could go wrong, right?
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12:25
Top grossing apps make $47k daily; new international...
A new report from app analytics company Distimo claims that an app must make an average of $47,000 per day to crack the App Store’s top ten in top grossing apps. The report also notes a top ten paid app generally averages about 4,000 downloads per day, while a…
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12:08
Steve Wozniak Talks Video Games (and Fun-with-Lasers)
Gaming site GameInformer has posted a raw 45 minute video interview with Apple cofounder Steve "The Woz" Wozniak. It's pretty entertaining, with The Woz telling us about his history with gaming, including some comments about making Breakout for Steve Jobs (for Atari). That's some pre-Apple lore for you that you'll find very interesting if you don't already know the tale. At the beginning of the video, The Woz—an infamous prankster—also talks about some of the pranks he has played with lasers in the early days of handheld consumer lasers. Fun stuff.
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11:34
BlackBerry Reneges on Promise to Update PlayBook to...
BlackBerry announced on Friday that it will not be upgrading BlackBerry PlayBook tablets to BlackBerry 10 operating system, the company's newest mobile OS. BlackBerry 10 has won accolades from users and many reviewers, and in January, the company had committed to bringing it to its not-very successful tablets.
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08:49
Radio Shack Selling Virgin Mobile iPhone 5
Following Virgin Mobile's announcement that it will offer Apple's iPhone 5 contract-free, Radio Shack has stepped up as as the first retailer to offer the Virgin deals. Shoppers can pick up the 16GB iPhone 5 off contract for US$549.99, the 32GB version for $649.99, and the 64GB model for $749.99.
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08:41
Foxconn shows iPhone-compatible smart watch
Foxconn has demonstrated an iPhone-compatible smart watch, which it plans to release on its own as an iOS accessory. The watch can measure vital signs, as well as check phone calls and Facebook posts. Though other iOS-compatible Bluetooth smart watches have already been released — such as Martian’s Passport…
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07:31
BlackBerry PlayBook on its Death Bed
BlackBerry's PlayBook is all but dead now that the company has announced that it won't be migrating the tablet to the new BlackBerry 10 operating system. The PlayBook suffered from dismal sales, and by leaving the device behind as BlackBerry's other products move to the newest version of the its operating system, the writing is on the wall: PlayBook is on death row.
The Mac Observer Spin:
The big surprise isn't that BlackBerry is all but killing its PlayBook tablet now; it's that the device was still on the market.
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06:13
Hon Hai Shows Off its Own Smartwatch for iPhone
Hon Hai, which is well known as the company that builds the iPhone for Apple through its Foxconn factories, has crafted its own smartwatch designed to connect to the iPhone. The watch displays alerts and other notifications, and tracks fitness-related data like heart rate and respiration, and are looking to add fingerprint ID to future models.
The Mac Observer Spin:
The wearable tech market today is mostly a collection of health trackers and wrist top displays for smartphones. If Apple jumps into the game, get ready for big changes, and good luck keeping up. Even if Hon Hia's own smartwatch fizzles out, the company will still win since it'll most likely be making whatever Apple unleashes on the market.
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05:29
Terminal: Searching Your Command History
Did you know that you can use keywords to search through the past commands you've typed into Terminal? This makes it much easier and faster to re-execute what you've done without having to type the entire thing in again. In this tip, Melissa Holt will show off this handy feature for all you Terminal mavens out there.
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Thursday June 27
16:25
A Developer’s Thoughts on Designing for iOS 7
Jeremy Olson, founder of Tapity, has posted a fantastic blog entry on approaching iOS 7 as an app designer. Apple's shift from skeuomorphism to a flat, minimalist design means that hundreds of thousands of developers are going to have to think differently about their apps if they want them to fit with the new iOS. Mr. Olson lays out the challenges for developers, as well as the lessons to be learned about great app design. He does so by showing the evolution of Hours—a time-tracking app the company is preparing to release—and contrasts the iOS 6 design to the iOS 7 design. Mr. Olson believes that the transition to iOS 7 offers developers tremendous opportunity. We thought his piece was a very good read. Informative, interesting, well written...check it out.
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15:55
When Apple Maps Glitches Get Viewed as Art
What happens when you see glitches in Apple Maps not as a bug, but as art? Perry Norrby of Trapcode has done just that, gathering a lot of images from Apple Maps that look more like surrealist art than a screenshots from a mapping app (see below). Better yet, the folk at WebUrbanist spotted the collection of images on Flickr. They also added a couple of images from Google Maps. Check it out. Thanks to TMO member Lee Dronick for the heads up.
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14:41
Apple Death Knell #62: Apple Isn’t Just Dying, It’s...
Apple is dead! So sayeth Rocco Pendola writing for TheStreet.com. "There's No Question Now," Mr. Pendola wrote in the title, "Apple is Dead." Whoa. That's a doozy of a death knell that goes beyond the usual mantra that Apple is dying by jumping right to the post-mortem pronouncement that Apple is actually dead. Bryan Chaffin explains.
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