Type of Article: MacTech Blog

So when will we see Sandy Bridge Macs?

Posted by | Feb 9, 2011 | , |

I was expecting to see Macs packing Sandy Bridge processors pretty soon, but that timetable is almost certainly pushed back slightly due to Intel’s problems with the Sandy Bridge chip.

To be more specific, I was expecting a Sandy Bridge refresh of the MacBook Pro line in late February/early March and an update of the iMac line in late March/early April. Now it seems those launches will be delayed at least a couple of weeks. Assuming of course, I’m right in guessing Apple’s timetable.

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Greg’s bite: Zoom, PlayBook killer features

Greg’s bite: Zoom, PlayBook killer features

Posted by | Feb 8, 2011 | , |

By Greg Mills

According to several articles I have read, the Zoom slate computer Motorola is launching has yet another serious problem I missed for yesterday’s article. For what ever reason, Motorola didn’t make a Wi-Fi only version of Zoom.  

What makes the situation even more of a problem for them is that you have to pay for 3G to get the WiFi to work. I thought someone had some wires crossed, but this appears to be true. Sell Motorola stock, as it is going to take a beating.

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Apple wins patents for Ping, more

Apple wins patents for Ping, more

Posted by | Feb 8, 2011 | , |

Apple has been granted patents for its “Ping” service and more by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Patent number 7886072 involves network-assisted remote media listening. In other words, Ping. Introduced with iTunes 10, Ping is a music-oriented social network for following your favorite artists and friends to discover what music they’re talking about, listening to and downloading.

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Is there a need for a 7-inch iOS device?

Posted by | Feb 8, 2011 | , |

In the past I’ve expressed doubts that there’s a need for a 7-inch iPad — and Apple CEO Steve Jobs has said as much (though the rumors still abound). However, my buddy and idea guy, J. Scott Anderson, thinks there’s room for a 7-inch iPod touch.

Scott says the main reason isn’t for consumers — though there are possibilities there. And perhaps seven inches isn’t the right size, but a device situated between the iPad and the iPhone is needed, he says. Perhaps this is something that is sold as a VAR [value added reseller] device or even directly to manufacturers.

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Greg’s bite: Verizon dual band iPhone 4.5

Greg’s bite: Verizon dual band iPhone 4.5

Posted by | Feb 8, 2011 | , |

By Greg Mills

While everyone knew the Verizon iPhone was going to have a different radio chip than the AT&T iPhone, the new dual band chip set they used wasn’t expected until the iPhone 5 by most observers.  

The Qualcomm MD6600dual band chips were available and apparently Apple got a good enough deal on them to use in the new Verizon iPhone. That chip has GPS built in, which reduces the cost and complications for including location services.

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