MacRumors

Speculation about Apple's plans for its massive new data center in North Carolina has been running rampant for quite some time, and we're always hesitant to place too much emphasis on claims of research analysts, but one report from Jefferies analyst Peter Misek is gaining some attention today for its claim that Apple may be preparing to take on Netflix in the streaming video subscription market.

Apple is on the cusp of launching a "a new far reaching cloud-based service" focused on video, writes Jefferies analyst Peter Misek in a big report this morning.

Misek says Apple will use its new massive data center in North Carolina to offer an advanced web-based video subscription product that rivals Netflix.

Last week, a report surfaced claiming that Apple had locked in as much as 12 petabytes of storage purportedly set to support video download content. While Apple has been said to be preparing to roll out a cloud-based MobileMe revamp that would allow users to store video, music, and photos on Apple's servers, Misek argues that Apple will further use the capacity to launch a Netflix-like service that would serve to further drive sales of Apple hardware.

Misek sees Apple's plans to potentially double the size of its new data center in the future as the first step towards a massive expansion of its server capacity that could see the company rolling out multiple such sites around the world in the years to come in order to support massive storage and streaming capabilities for such services.

With increasing rumblings that Apple is planning to release its fifth-generation iPhone sometime later than its usual June-July timeframe, including fresh analyst comments claiming that the device won't even begin production until September, All Things Digital's John Paczkowski now reports that he is hearing that Apple may use its traditional September media event to stage the introduction.

As I've reported here before, Apple doesn't plan to unveil a new iPhone at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which this year will be largely software-focused. And increasingly, I'm hearing speculation about the company possibly commandeering its annual September media event to launch the device instead. Which seems plausible.

While Paczkowski refers to the rumor as "speculation", his history of demonstrating solid connections providing insight into Apple's plans suggests that the idea is likely more than simple speculation.

Packzowski goes on to note that the iPod line has lost a fair amount of its luster in recent years as the iPhone and now the iPad have surpassed it in consumer awareness and the company's long-running efforts to enhance the line have already come close to "perfecting" the various models, making annual incremental improvements less exciting than in past years. That decline in importance for the iPod could allow Apple to use the iPhone to spice up its fall media event while allowing it to focus its Worldwide Developer Conference in June more squarely on software and developers.

Earlier this year, rumors had suggested that we might be getting two iPad revisions this year. The iPad 2 was launched in March but whispers had suggested that the iPad 3 might not be that far behind, possibly by September of 2011.

Digitimes. however, is now citing component partner sources that Apple has yet to provide any information about manufacturing the iPad 3. This leads them to conclude that the iPad 3 won't be shipping until next year at the earliest:

The sources pointed out that they have not yet received any notice for next generation iPad products and do not believe iPad 2 is a transitional product. With iPad 2's strong shipment order forecast from Apple, the sources believe iPad 3 will not appear in the short term.

MacStories points to an interesting use of the iPad's front facing camera to provide a convincing 3D effect on the iPad. Jeremie Francone and Laurence Nigay from the Laboratory of Informatics of Grenoble put together this demo video showing how user tracking can be used:

We track the head of the user with the front facing camera in order to create a glasses-free monocular 3D display. Such spatially-aware mobile display enables to improve the possibilities of interaction. It does not use the accelerometers and relies only on the front camera.

Francone and Nigay were inspired by the work of Johnny Lee who built a similar system using a Wii system. The app does not yet appear to be available for download. We had previously reported that Apple was also exploring this type of 3d "hyper reality" displays for the Mac desktop based on a patent application published in 2009.

The user could then move their head left and right to look around a 3D object as shown in the example image above. Apple also suggests that it could also be applied to 2D objects like windows to provide some added depth to traditionally flat objects.

As with all patent applications, we don't know if Apple will ever deliver these technologies to market, but 3D has become a trendy topic once again, so there's been a lot of renewed interest in this field.

The 2011 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show is underway. While the event is primarily targeted at Audio/Video/Film professionals, Apple fans will be interested to see that companies are finally starting introduce Thunderbolt-compatible devices into the market. Jigsaw Broadcast posts a brief summary of the some of Thunderbolt solutions introduced so far. They include products from AJA, Blackmagic, Promise, and Matrox. All are targeted at video professionals, but finally shows some industry adoption of the new connectivity standard.

Apple and Intel launched Thunderbolt alongside the new MacBook Pro revisions in February. Thunderbolt promises faster connectivity than USB 3.0 and FireWire and we expect it to be included in all future Mac products.

Promise was one of the first companies that announced support for RAID Thunderbolt drive enclosures back in February. Those enclosures aren't yet shipping, but at least a couple of early prototypes are being demoed on the NAB floor. @sforde reports on one at the Adobe booth:

Wow! We have 1 of only 2 promise raids in world with thunderbolt at the Adobe booth at #NAB. CS5.5 screams on it.

The other must be at the Blackmagic booth which is pictured above. Meanwhile, the big anticipated news from NAB is Apple's announcement of a new version of Final Cut Pro. That news should arrive tomorrow night if rumors prove true.

BusinessInsider relays an analyst report from Avian Securities which claims that the iPhone 5 won't start production until September and that this suggests that next generation iPhone won't make it to the market until the end of the year or even early next.

Supporting out comments over the last month, conversations with yet another key component supplier indicates that production for iPhone-5 will begin in September. This is consistent with Avian findings in the supply chain in recent months and we believe the consensus view is moving towards this scenario.

Avian cites "key component suppliers" as the source of the information. They also revive the possibility of a cheaper/lower cost iPhone also in the works, but no new details.

While some may tire of the on-again/off-again nature of these rumors, the information from Avian is consistent with previous claims that no new iPhone hardware would be coming in June as well as claims that due to part production timelines, the iPhone 5 won't be shipping until Fiscal 2012 (after September 2011).

BGR has managed to obtain an early copy of the iOS 4.3.2 update and claims it is due in the next week or so.

One of our Apple sources has just let us know that Apples iOS 4.3.2, due within the next week or so, will fix the issues weve been hearing about with some Verizon iPad 2 models. Additionally, the new update is said to contain a fix for FaceTime in addition to security fixes for things like WebKit vulnerabilities and other minor changes.

BGR has reportedly installed it on their phone and we'll update this post if they find any other changes. Apple had previously stated they were looking into the Verizon connectivity issue which was causing some customers problems connecting on 3G.

Shawn Welch posted a short video showing off a sample iPad app utilizing Adobe's newly announced Photoshop Touch SDK. While Adobe had already announced several official iPad-companion apps for Photoshop, the opening of the SDK will open the door for 3rd party developers to offer their own tools.

The Photoshop Remote app shows how you can access all active Photoshop installations on your network. The images on the iPad reflect close-to-realtime the changes made on the running copies of Photoshop on the local network. Images can also be manipulated on the iPad itself.

Photoshop Remote is a heads-up-display for all of the Photoshop CS 5.5 installations on your local network. The dashboard gives you a live thumbnail of each connected client while giving you the ability to perform global actions on all connected clients like saving open images to your iPad photo library, opening the same image on all connected computers, or sending a message to all connected computers. When you drill down to an individual screen, you have even more functionality such as tool selection, color selection, filters, adjustment layers, and more.

This app is expected to be released in May, and there will certainly be others from other 3rd party developers.

Developer James Laird has reverse engineered the Airport Express private key and published an open source AirPort Express emulator called Shareport.

This program emulates an Airport Express for the purpose of streaming music from iTunes and compatible iPods. It implements a server for the Apple RAOP protocol.

Previously, the private key was unknown, which meant that only Apple's Airport Express or official 3rd party solutions could wirelessly stream music from iTunes or equivalent. Many existing solutions such as Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil have long been able to stream music to AirPort Express or other AirPlay devices, but not the other way around. A Hacker News commenter illumin8 spells it out:

Previously you could do this:
iTunes -- stream to --> Apple Airport Express
3rd party software -- stream to --> Apple Airport Express

Now you can do this:
iTunes -- stream to --> 3rd party software/hardware

Now, it seems unlikely that any hardware manufacturers will use the unauthorized information to create AirPlay-compatible hardware products, especially when it is possible to be an officially licensed AirPlay partner. However, this does open the door to software solutions. iTunes music , for example, could be streamed to other Macs, non-Macs, customized consoles (Xbox 360), or mobile devices with the right software. The developer originally posted the key to the VideoLan developer mailing list in case there was interest in adding that feature to a future version of VLC.

Alongside Creative Suite 5.5, Adobe has also announced the Photoshop Touch Software Development Kit that allows developers to create mobile and tablet applications that interact with Adobe Photoshop CS5.

As an example, Adobe has developed three initial Photoshop CS5 companian apps for the Apple iPad. The apps will be priced from $1.99 to $4.99 and will be available in early May. They include:

Adobe Eazel

With Adobe Eazel, you can use your iPad and your fingertips to paint beautiful works of art. Paint across your entire iPad screen, and easily access the tools you need. Send your artwork directly to Photoshop CS5 from any locationall you need is a network connection between your iPad and computer. Or do all your painting in the app, and share via email.

Adobe Nav

With Adobe Nav and a network connection between your iPad and computer, you can customize the Photoshop CS5 toolbar on iPad to easily access the tools you use most. Browse, reorder, view, and zoom in on up to 200 open Photoshop documents on iPad. Tap a document on iPad to make it the active document in Photoshop CS5. Disconnect from the network and use iPad to easily share files in person with others.

Adobe Color Lava

With Adobe Color Lava, you can use your fingertips to mix colors on your iPad and create custom swatches and five-swatch themes. Instantly access them in Photoshop CS5all you need is a network connection between your iPad and computer. Or use the app wherever inspiration strikes, and then bring your colors into Photoshop CS5 when you're connected. Share colors via email, too.

Macworld offers a quick first look at these apps, which are not yet available on the App Store.

Adobe has introduced Creative Suite 5.5 with substantial upgrades to InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Also included is a new SDK for Photoshop CS5. This release is new strategy for Adobe which targets mid-cycle releases every 12 months and major releases every 24 months.

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the new Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 product line (see separate releases), enabling designers and developers to target popular and emerging smartphone and tablet platforms, as the revolution in mobile communications fundamentally changes the way content is distributed and consumed. Substantive advances to HTML5, Flash authoring, digital publishing and video tools as well as new capabilities that kick-start the integration of tablets into creative workflows, anchor the new Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 product family.

Alongside Creative Suite 5.5, Adobe has also introduced a subscription model for companies who wish to stay up to date with Creative Suite releases. For example, Adobe Photoshop can be used for $35/month, Adobe Design Premium CS5.5 for US$95 per month, Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection for US$129 per month. MobileBeat explains further:

For one thing, as an alternative to the traditionally-priced version of Creative Suite, Adobe customers can now purchase CS5.5 through a subscription model. Those subscriptions arent exactly cheap (Photoshop costs $35 per month, while the full suite costs $129 per month), and this isnt a full-on embrace of the online software model either. Subscription customers still buy the software in a box they just pay for the license one month at a time.

Dave Burkett, vice president and general manager of Adobe Creative Suite, explains that many freelancers coming on and off a project would enjoy the flexibility a month to month plan offers. Macworld details the different pricing options which include discounts for year-long commitments.

Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 will begin shipping in the next 30 days. A full listing of new features are detailed on Adobe's website.

Apple has long been rumored to be experimenting with carbon-fiber enclosures for their future laptops and iOS devices. The benefits of carbon fiber over traditional materials has included high tensile strength, low weight and low thermal expansion.

Back in November 2008, reports suggested Apple would replace aluminum parts in the MacBook Air with carbon fiber in order to further drop the weight of the ultra-thin laptop. Then in 2009, a patent application was published also revealing that Apple had been researching the use of carbon-fiber composites for use in the exterior shells of electronic devices. In that document, Apple was specifically working on improving the cosmetic appearance of carbon fiber which it described as "often being black, [providing] a narrow range of surface appearance to the molded article and therefore may give a 'tired', unexciting look."

Finally, this past year, two separate reports indicated that Apple had been working on prototype iPad 2s with carbon fiber backings (2).

Now, a relatively recent hire of Senior Composites Engineer Kevin Kenney (via 9to5Mac) seems to indicate more of the same. Kenney had previously worked at Kestrel Bicycles which is credited with being the pioneer of the carbon fiber frame design with the world's first all-carbon bicycle frame in 1986.

Apple has always paid special attention to the aesthetics of its consumer products, seemingly trying to always shave off a few millimeters of thickness or ounces of weight off of its latest products. Exploring alternative materials is a natural area of research. Late last year, Apple acquired exclusive rights for Liquidmetal's alloys in the field of consumer electronics. Apple has yet to release any designs on any of these new materials.

ABC News reports that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has agreed to participate in a book about his life.

Simon & Schuster announced Sunday that Walter Isaacson's "iSteve: The Book of Jobs" will be published in early 2012. Isaacson has been working on the long-rumored biography since 2009 and has interviewed Jobs, members of his family, colleagues at Apple and competitors.

The official biography will be called "iSteve: The Book of Jobs" and is written by Walter Isaacson. While many books have been published about Jobs' life, this is the first with his official approval. Isaacson has previously written best-selling biographies of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein.

While it had previously been revealed that Jobs was allowing Isaacson to work on the book, the name and 2012 release date are newly announced today.

Apple is rumored to be launching a dramatic new version of Final Cut Pro next week during NAB. The rumored venue for the launch is, surprisingly enough, a Final Cut Pro User Group SuperMeet on April 12th. The early rumors claimed that several speakers and sponsors had been shuffled around at the last minute to accommodate Apple.

Philip Bloom just confirmed with me that Canon has canceled his appearance at the Supermeet, though he still may present (possibly as a guest of Apple.) At present he doesnt know if he will speak or not. Canon was told last night that Apple has demanded ALL lecturn or stage time exclusively.
....UPDATE: Avid confirmed that Supermeet (Michael Horton) told them last night that their sponsorship had been canceled. According to Avid, Apple doesnt want anyone to have stage time but them.

The SuperMeet website has been updated with the removal of many sponsor logos and a teaser about a special guest that you won't want to miss:

The Final Cut Pro User Group Network is excited to have a very special guest presentation at the 10th Annual Las Vegas FCPUG SuperMeet. Come to see a surprise sneak peek at something very special - you really do not want to miss this one!

FilmMakerMagazine collects some reaction about the possibilities and also points to this pre-NAB panel discussion with Mark Raudonis, head of post production at Bunim/Murray Productions. Raudonis was actually invited to Apple's preview event for industry leaders and shares some hints about the new product:

Raudonis's part talking about Final Cut Pro begins at 3 minutes into it and he starts off saying that he can't get into details and says this is as specific as he can get: "I was there, many other industry pros were also there, it was 'awesome'". But Roudonis does goes on to use some metaphors to describe Apple and the new Final Cut Pro.

What's Wayne Gretsky got to do with Final Cut Pro? If anyone knows the great one. If people asked him what was the secret to his success, his answer was "Skate to where the puck will be". And that really exemplifies Apple's philosophy, their attitude, their approach to what Final Cut will be.
....
I would say to you that there are few companies in the world that are as good at skating as [Apple is]. Your next question is probably... What the "puck"? Where is the puck headed? Again, I can't speak specifically, but I think the rest of the time here will be very interesting. Filebased workflows, Thunderbolt, iPad, Competition, it's a moving target. Adobe, Avid, Lightworks. There's a lot of other stuff out there. And they are certainly not ignorant of what's going on in the market at the moment.

I would also end with. Henry Ford "If I asked people what they wanted, they'd tell me they wanted a faster horse". So, Apple is very good at going their own way and figuring out where things will be. They may not ask you what you want. They are going to tell you 'we're going to invent something different.' And that's kind of my take away from it. I was very impressed, it was awesome and look out, I believe they say it will be available in Spring 2011. So, that goes all the way up to June 20th. So, that's what I know, that's what I can say, and if there's anyone from Apple out there, I hope you don't sue me."

MCV reports that Apple has poached two major public relations executives from Nintendo and Activision, respectively. (via MacNN)

Apple has poached not one but two of the games industry's best PR execs - with Activision's Nick Grange set to join Nintendo's Rob Saunders at the manufacturer.

Nintendo's Rob Saunders left the company after seven years and is said to have played a key role in the launches of the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. Meanwhile, Nick Grange has a long history in the games industry at Electronic Arts, Microsoft and most recently Activision. Saunders will reportedly be working at Apple on PR for apps across all iOS devices, while Grange will be focused on iPad hardware.

The gaming cross-over with the iOS devices is not a new phenomenon. In fact, Apple even embraced it by advertising the iPod Touch as a gaming device. The move also reinforces the fact that Apple's iOS devices are increasingly competitive to handheld gaming devices from Sony and Nintendo. Nintendo described Apple as the "enemy of the future" and Sony has been making efforts to better compete with Apple's mobile devices.

Apple is investigating an issue that seems to be affecting Verizon 3G iPad 2 owners.

The Apple Support Discussion boards list five pages discussing the problem. Wi-Fi functions work well enough, but 3G connections either take several minutes or never occur at all. While there's no clear evidence that all Verizon iPad 2 users face the same problem, the complaints coming in from those affected are very similar. When the Verizon iPad 2's 3G function is deactivated, it will not reactivate or connect without a reboot. Switching the device in and out airplane mode has no effect.

Apple issued a statement to All Things D about the issue and write "We are aware that a small number of iPad 2 customers have experienced connectivity issues with the Verizon 3G network and we are investigating it."

While it seems reports that Best Buy was holding iPad 2 stock were true, it was apparently not due to a contract dispute with Apple. Best Buy released this statement to BGR:

"Best Buy continues to receive iPad 2 inventory from Apple on a regular basis. As we've said previously, we are fulfilling customer reservations first. Our stores have been asked to temporarily hold non-reserved iPad 2 inventory for an upcoming promotion. This is a customary practice for us when there are supply constraints. Best Buy enjoys a great partnership with Apple, and we're delighted by customer response to iPad 2."

The above screenshot does show that Best Buy asked employees to hold sales of the iPad 2 at this time, but no other details are provided. A CrunchGear reader even received an email reply from Apple acting-CEO Tim Cook who denied any knowledge of any issue.