Apple hosted their media event today and announced a number of new products and updates. For a summary of those announcements, see our previous coverage:
Here are some notes and observations about today's announcements.
- The iPod Classic is still for sale but with no changes. - According to the tech specs, the new iPod Touch's back camera takes still photos at a disappointingly low 960x720 resolution. - The new Apple TV is running an A4 processor. Previously it used a low end Intel chip. This means the Apple TV is running on the same hardware as the iOS devices, though Apple has not revealed any other connections. - Apple's iTunes 10 Open/Minimize/Close buttons are vertically oriented (see screenshot above) - The impressive game demo by Epic Games is now available on the App Store as a free download. - The new iPod nano has no camera and apparently can't play video any longer. - PING Golf has announced that it has entered into a trademark agreement with Apple to allow for the use of the "Ping" name in the new social networking feature of iTunes. - Live Nation has acknowledged that it is powering the concert listing included in Ping. Ping's concert listings offer links to purchase tickets directly through Live Nation. - The golden master build of iOS 4.1 has been seeded to developers ahead of its public release apparently scheduled for next Wednesday.
At today's keynote event, Steve Jobs announced the upcoming availability of iOS 4.1 for the iPhone and iPod touch. Jobs noted that the long running proximity sensor, Bluetooth, and iPhone 3G performance bugs that have been raised by users will be fixed in this update.
New features to iOS 4.1 include High Dynamic Range photos, HD video upload over Wi-Fi, TV show rentals, and Apple's Game Center will make its official debut.
High Dynamic Range photos are photos created using 3 separate photos captured in quick succession at varying exposure levels. The photos are then combined using some complex algorithms to create an enhanced composite photo. Game Center, which was first introduced earlier this year, will officially be included in iOS 4.1 and allows gamers to invite others to play, post scores to online leaderboards, and more.
iOS 4.1 will be available next week for iPhone and iPod touch and will be a free update.
Jobs also revealed that iOS 4.2 will be released in November, finally bringing iOS 4.x support to the iPad. The free update will include wireless printing as well as a new feature called AirPlay, which replaces AirTunes. AirPlay will offer streaming of video, music, and photos. iOS 4.2 will be compatible with the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone.
Update: While Apple's U.S. and many other sites simply states that iOS 4.1 is coming soon, some international sites such as the Spanish one, as well as the company's press release announcing the new iPod touch note that iOS 4.1 will become available next Wednesday, September 8th.
Existing second and third generation iPod touch users can update to iOS 4.1 free of charge on September 8 to enjoy new features including Game Center.
As hinted early in the keynote with the mention of TV show rentals, Steve Jobs today announced the second generation of Apple TV hardware, a significant redesign for the device. At one-fourth the size of the original Apple TV, the new device features HDMI and digital audio outputs, as well as Ethernet and 802.11n Wi-Fi and will offer only rentals from the iTunes Store.
Unlike the previous Apple TV, the new model will not have any significant internal storage, relying on streaming content only. Additionally, media can no longer be purchased but only rented. First-run HD movies can be rented for $4.99 on the day the DVD is released. Renting HD TV shows will cost $.99. At launch, only ABC and Fox will offer their HD shows for rental at this price.
Apple today announced the new Apple TV which offers the simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows on your HD TV for the breakthrough price of just $99. Apple TV users can choose from the largest online selection of HD movies to rent, including first run movies for just $4.99, and the largest online selection of HD TV show episodes to rent from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America for just 99 cents.
Apple TV also streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe, as well as music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs to your HD TV. Enjoy gorgeous slideshows of your photos on your HD TV using Apple TV's selection of built-in slideshows. Apple TV has built-in HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and an internal power supply for easy set-up, and features silent, cool, very low power operation in an enclosure that's less than four inches square - 80 percent smaller than the previous generation.
The new Apple TV's support for Netflix's streaming service allows subscribers on a DVD rental plan costing $8.99 or more per month to access streaming content for no additional charge. Apple TV users will also be able to stream content from YouTube, Flickr, and MobileMe.
Apple's new AirPlay, which replaces AirTunes, will allow the streaming of content from an iOS device to an Apple TV. During the keynote, Jobs demonstrated streaming a movie from an iPad to an Apple TV over a Wi-Fi network.
Apple TV content will be available in six countries to start, with more coming later this year. The new Apple TV, priced at $99, comes with a remote control and will be available starting in about four weeks, with pre-orders starting today.
Alongside new iPod models, Apple today introduced a new version of iTunes, dubbed iTunes 10. The new version of the media management application features a streamlined interface and a new networking feature called Ping, along with a new, more modern icon.
Ping is a social network for music that will help users discover new music, allowing users to follow favorite artists and friends. Ping will also create a custom chart showing music selections based on those followed. Users can choose to allow others to follow them automatically or by approval. There are over 160 million iTunes users, all of whom will be able to sign up for the new Ping service immediately.
Apple today introduced iTunes 10 with Ping, a new music-oriented social network for following your favorite artists and friends to discover what music they're talking about, listening to and downloading. iTunes Ping lets you post your thoughts and opinions, your favorite albums and songs, the music you've downloaded from iTunes, plus view concert listings and tell your friends which concerts you plan to attend. iTunes 10 also features HD TV show rentals for just 99 cents an episode and AirPlay wireless music playback.
In a demonstration, Jobs showed how users can post videos and photos to the service, as well as search concert information and tag concerts attended. Ping will be included in the iTunes app on the iPhone and iPod touch.
iTunes 10 will be available later today as a free download.
Along with announcing iOS 4.1 and the forthcoming iOS 4.2 for the iPad, Apple announced all-new iPod models at today's keynote event.
The new iPod shuffle will see the return of buttons and will still include the VoiceOver feature that debuted in the last Shuffle model. It also has playlists capability and will take advantage of the Genius Playlists recently introduced. It will have 15 hours of battery life and will come in 5 colors: silver, pink, gold, blue, and green. The 2 GB Shuffle will cost $49.
The iPod nano has also been updated, removing the click wheel and adding a multi-touch interface to reduce the device's overall size. The new nano is 46% smaller than its predecessor and will have 24-hour battery life.
The nano's new touch interface is similar to that of other iOS devices with a home screen populated with icons to access photos, artists, playlists, control playback, and more. The display's orientation can be manually rotated to accommodate the device's position when clipped to clothing. The nano will come in graphite, pink, blue, silver, green, gold, and a Product Red version will also be offered. It will cost $149 for 8 GB and $179 for 16 GB.
Finally, the next generation of the iPod touch includes the Retina Display with 324 pixels per inch that made its debut on the iPhone 4. The new iPod touch will also get Apple's A4 chip, a 3-axis gyroscope, a rear-facing camera that can record HD video, and a front-facing camera that will work with Facetime. The iPod touch will have iOS 4.1 with Apple's Game Center and will offer 40 hours of music playback battery life. The iPod touch will cost $229 for the 8 GB model, $299 for 32 GB, and $399 for 64 GB.
All new iPod models will be available starting next week and are available for pre-order on Apple's site today.
Outside Apple's media event in San Francisco (Source: CrunchGear)
Apple today is holding its traditional fall media event where it is expected to introduce several new and updated products and services, with iPods, iTunes, and Apple TV serving as the most frequent topics of rumor and speculation. The event is scheduled to kick off at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time, or just about one hour from now.
Just yesterday, Apple announced that it will be offering live video streaming of the event on limited platforms. In addition to Apple's video stream, we will be updating this article with coverage as the media event unfolds. We will also be issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account.
Apple's online stores around the world are currently down in advance of the event.
- Apple's live feed is now active and available through this link. For users on non-compatible systems, this stream appears to be working well. - Announcer notes the event will begin in a few minutes and asks attendees to silence electronic devices.
- Steve Jobs on stage, points out "partner in crime" Steve Wozniak in the audience. Thanks audience for coming. "Really cool stuff" to show you. - Apple retail update: Showing off new stores in Paris, Shanghai, Covent Garden (London). Now 300 stores in ten countries with Spain coming soon. Some days see over 1 million visitors to retail stores. 80,000 One to One classes per week. Over half of Mac purchasers in retail stores are new to Mac. - iOS update: Have now shipped 120 million iOS devices. Activating 230,000 new iOS devices per day. We think some of our friends are counting upgrades in their numbers, but we think strictly new activations is a better metric. Over 6.5 billion app downloads, 200 per second. 250,000 apps in App Store - 25,000 for iPad. - Introducing iOS 4.1: Fixes bugs (proximity, Bluetooth, iPhone 3G performance), Adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos, HD video upload over Wi-Fi, TV show rentals, Game Center - Showing off HDR photo quality. Both regular and HDR photos saved on device...choose which you prefer. Showing examples of how HDR can pull out details that are typically washed out. - Game Center: Standalone app, as well as APIs for developers. For multi-player games, allows you to challenge friends. Showing off screenshots. - Mike Capps of Epic Games on stage to show off Game Center on new iOS RPG game codenamed "Project Sword". Showing off 3D virtual world in high detail. Showing Game Center-mediated multi-player action. - iOS 4.1 due next week for iPhone and iPod touch - Sneak peek at iOS 4.2 - "all about iPad". Brings everything to iPad....multitasking, folders, Game Center, HDR photos, wireless printing, AirPlay - Showing off wireless printing in Pages. "Print Center" app now shows up in multi-tasking tray to manage jobs. - AirPlay: Formerly known as AirTunes, now allows streaming of audio, video, and photos. - Demoing iOS 4.2 on iPad with multitasking, folders - iOS 4.2 set for November release. Free for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. - iPods: "Our entree" for the day. We've sold 275 million iPods. All-new designs for every model of iPod this year. Biggest change ever. - iPod shuffle: Highlighting history of the device. New model now has buttons, VoiceOver, and playlists, rear clip. 15 hours of music, five different colors, $49 for 2 GB.
- iOS-like interface with four icons on home screen, multiple home screens with ability to reorganize icons. Album art, photos, etc. Rotatable home screen using pinch gesture. - Same colors as shuffle, plus graphite and Product RED. $149 for 8 GB, $179 for 16 GB. - iPod touch: In the last year, has become most popular iPod. "iPhone without the phone, and the contract". #1 portable game player...outsells Nintendo and Sony combined. - New iPod touch is even thinner, Retina display, A4 chip, gyroscope, iOS 4.1, front-facing camera with FaceTime, rear-facing camera with HD video recording. - Can run iMovie on iPod touch, can FaceTime between iPod touches and iPhone 4s. - Three models: 8 GB $229, 32 GB $299, 64 GB $399
- All iPod models (shuffle, nano, touch) available for pre-order today, shipping next week. - Now showing new iPod nano and iPod touch ads - iTunes: 11.7 billion songs downloaded, 450 million TV episodes, 100 million movies, 35 million books, 160 million accounts with credit cards. #1 online media store in the world. - iTunes 10. With iTunes set to surpass physical CD sales next year, so new icon with no CD.
- New "hybrid" view. With albums of at least five songs, now shows album art right in list view. - Social features: New feature called Ping. Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes...social network for music. Follow favorite artists and friends, find out what they're listening to and talking about. Customized top-ten songs and albums lists based on the people you follow. Showing off artist page for Lady Gaga with posts, favorite songs, concerts, etc. - Discussing how to be followed: can allow anyone to follow, can have approved followers, create "circle of friends"...as private or public as you want. - Demo of Ping
- Ping available in iTunes and on iPhone, iPod touch...new button in iTunes Store app. - iTunes 10 available today...free download at apple.com - One more thing...no, one more hobby. - Apple TV: Never been a huge hit, but no one has made a hit in this sector. Users love the Apple TV though, so what have we learned? - Users want Hollywood movies and TV shows whenever they want them, everything in HD, lower prices, no computer on the TV. Don't want to manage storage or deal with syncing. Want hardware to be silent, cool, and small. - New Apple TV...one-fourth the size of the previous model. Back has power cord, one HDMI connector, optical audio out, and Ethernet. Wi-Fi 802.11n built-in.
- Movies, TV show, and music, all HD when available. All rentals, no purchases, so no storage management. Can stream from computers, no syncing required. Photo slideshows. - Can rent first-run HD movies for $4.99. Prices drop over time. HD TV show rentals at $0.99...commercial-free. Big step for the studios, so ABC and Fox at first. Rest of them will see the light and follow along. - Netflix streaming included for subscribers. YouTube integration, including HD content, photos from Flickr, video and photos from MobileMe, stream from Mac or PC. - Apple TV interface similar to existing, but simplified somewhat.
- Demoing browsing and rental process...showing off "Iron Man 2". - TV shows: Can list favorite shows, with icons showing how many unwatched episodes from the current season there are. Showing off "Glee". - Netflix: Showing Instant Queue..."by far the best implementation of Netflix". - Demoing streaming photos from a networked Mac. - AirPlay coming to iOS 4.2 in November. Can stream content from an iOS device to an Apple TV. Demoing streaming Pixar's "Up" from iPad to Apple TV...audio is quickly and easily pushed to the Apple TV. - New Apple TV priced at $99. Available in 4 weeks, pre-order today. - Recapping today's topics: iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iTunes 10 with Ping, iOS 4.2, Apple TV - Talking about philosophy of music focus. A lot of people at Apple love music, and we like to remind ourselves of why we do this. Special guest: Chris Martin of Coldplay. 50 million albums sold, 7 Grammy Awards. On stage to play a song. "We'll keep goin' until you feel like lunch." - End of event.
iLounge offers a number of details regarding the fourth-generation iPod touch rumored for introduction today that it believes to be correct. While much of the information regarding the physical features of the device is essentially the same as that detailed in an earlier report and supported by leaked case designs, one new detail is a claim that the device is actually even thinner than the current iPod touch models.
It is slightly thinner than the second- and third-generation iPod touch. The rear casing has corner and side radiuses that are, as we previously noted, MacBook Pro lid-like, and the center does not bulge, so it can rest flat on a table like the first-generation iPod touch. What used to be a soft curve of the rear shell that wrapped around to surround the front glass is gone.
The current iPod touch measures in at 0.33 inches deep at its thickest point, while the iPhone 4 is essentially of uniform thickness at 0.37 inches. There have been questions about how Apple might be able to fit a high-quality rear-facing camera into the existing iPod touch form factor given the depth of the camera modules used in devices like the iPhone 3GS and 4. While we still do not know the spec of the next-generation iPod touch's camera, Apple seems to have found away to squeeze a camera in while reducing thickness even further.
Questionable screenshot of purported VoIP application for next-generation iPod touch
iLounge also shares some unconfirmed claims from an "untested" source regarding a possible 3G-enabled version of the iPod touch. Another claim suggests that Apple will deploy a VoIP application to allow for calling on the iPod touch, although the source's screenshots supporting the claim appear to have been Photoshopped. Consequently, these claims should be considered unreliable but obviously of interest.
In an interview on the Fox Business Network earlier this week, Intel CEO Paul Otellini claims that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is "very happy" with Intel's deal to acquire Infineon's wireless chip unit. Infineon has provided components, including baseband controllers for cellular connectivity, for every generation of the iPhone.
Steve was very happy. The industry was abuzz that this unit was on the market and there were a number of competing companies for it. I think they're very happy that Intel won the bid.
When asked whether gaining foothold in the iPhone was a "driving factor" in Intel's pursuit of the Infineon unit, Otellini noted that it wasn't the "overwhelming" factor and instead cited Infineon's strong revenue stream and the potential for bringing 3G, LTE, and GPS technology directly to their chipsets.
Otellini famously appeared on-stage during Jobs' Macworld San Francisco 2006 keynote wearing a "bunny suit" (used by chip manufacturing workers in cleanroom environments) to deliver a silicon wafer to Jobs, signifying Apple's transition to Intel processors for its Macs. Apple has not, however, embraced Intel's solutions for its growing line of iOS devices, although the two companies will now likely work together via Apple's existing relationship with the Infineon wireless chip unit.
According to a pair of tweets from Australian Macworld, a revised Apple TV should be introduced today with its current name rather than being rebranded as "iTV," and none of the products set for introduction today will see immediate availability.
The first tweet offers a model number of MC572LL/A for the U.S. version of the new Apple TV and claims that it will not ship immediately.
Our sources say new Apple TV (not iTV) is coming, but not shipping yet. Product code is Apple TV - USA MC572 LL/A.
The second tweet claims confirmation that a revised iPod touch will debut today but that none of the new products are expected to ship immediately.
The source also said that it doesn't look like anything will be shipping immediately, and 4th gen touches are definitely coming too.
No word on when Apple plans to begin shipping the new products is given, although the company has been known to pre-announce products by anywhere from a few days to several weeks or more.
Australian Macworldcorrectly predicted the date of the most recent MacBook Pro refresh in April. A month later, the site also shared information from the same source offering a model number for an expected MacBook Air refresh, although the site hedged a bit on firm identification of the product associated with the model number by suggesting that it could be an LCD display. While the source's model number information did turn out to be correct, it was in fact a revised MacBook that was released the following week.
It came as a surprise to everyone tonight when Apple announced that they would be live streaming video of their September media event across the web. The news, however, was somewhat dulled by the fact that Apple announced that the stream will only be viewable on an OS X 10.6 Mac or an iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad). The reason for the limitation isn't entirely arbitrary, as Apple is using a new streaming technology called HTTP Live Streaming which was introduced alongside Snow Leopard's QuickTime X and iOS 3.0.
While the protocol has been proposed as a standard, so far Apple is one of a few companies who has implemented it. As a result, the video will only be easily viewable on the specified platforms. There seem to be some advantages to the system over existing streaming technologies. Notably, there should be no router/firewall issues as the stream is sent over standard HTTP protocols.
If you're not sure you will be able to view stream, you can try loading this HTTP Live sample stream that Apple has provided.
For non-supported readers who are desperate to watch the stream close to live, it seems likely that you will be able to watch it -- at least in stops and starts. The HTTP Live Stream protocol is based on very standard technologies. The stream is simply provided in an MPEG2 playlist (m3u file) that is added to as the stream continues. These standard playlists will load in VLC for both Mac and Windows. VLC, for example, will play the above sample stream using this url (Note: the url will be different for the actual stream):
VLC will load all parts of the stream into its own playlist. It works fine for this pre-recorded stream as the entire playlist is already constructed. The catch for tomorrow's live transmission is that VLC doesn't know that more will be coming, so it looks like you'll have to repeatedly reload the playlist manually to get the next few segments. It's not an elegant solution, but with some persistence, it seems like it will work.
Of course, if you're not so desperate, you can watch our text coverage here, on Twitter, or wait for the official stream to be posted later in the day.
Update: VLC does not work with the live stream. This UStream account is rebroadcasting the video, however.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts prepped for Apple's media event
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple will launch its 99-cent TV show rentals through the iTunes Store tomorrow, with Fox and ABC set to serve as launch partners for delivering content. A report earlier today had indicated that Walt Disney (which owns ABC) was on board with that plan and that News Corp. (which owns Fox) was undecided but leaning toward participating.
As part of the Apple event Wednesday, News Corp.'s Fox and Walt Disney's ABC networks are slated to be announced as offering 99-cent rentals of television shows through the iTunes store, according to people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Fox's participation will be limited in duration, at least to start, and will be limited to shows such as Glee, Bones, and Lie to Me for which it owns both the production and broadcasting rights.
Echoing the report from earlier today, the new article claims that a number of News Corp. executives are uneasy about Apple's plan, fearing a disruption of the traditional television business. The company ultimately agreed to go along with Apple, however, as an experiment in alternative means for delivering content to consumers and in order to win goodwill with Apple to set stage for partnerships in other digital content ventures.
Satellite broadcasting truck outside Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Apple announced this evening that they will be broadcasting their media event live over the internet.
Apple will broadcast its September 1 event online using Apple's industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming, which is based on open standards. Viewing requires either a Mac running Safari on Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard, an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or higher, or an iPad. The live broadcast will begin at 10:00 a.m. PDT on September 1, 2010 at www.apple.com.
This is the first time for many years that Apple has decided to offer a live video stream of their media events.
We will continue to offer Twitter updates at @MacRumorsLive.
Bloomberg reports that Apple will be introducing a revamped Apple TV at tomorrow's media event, and that the new device will offer Netflix movie streaming. Netflix offers a subscription service allowing customers to receive DVDs and Blu-ray discs by mail while also accessing a library of streaming content through an increasing array of compatible devices such as TiVos, DVD players, and gaming consoles. Netflix currently offers free applications for other iOS devices to allow subscribers to access streaming content on the go.
Apple Inc., preparing to announce a new set-top box that delivers TV to consumers, will include movies from Netflix Inc., according to three people with knowledge of the plans.
The streaming service would be available on the revamped version of Apple TV, due to be introduced tomorrow in San Francisco, said two of the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been made public. Users would pay a subscription fee to Netflix for the service, the people said.
According to the report, the revamped Apple TV will carry the $99 price tag that has been rumored for some time.
In addition to the Apple TV, Bloomberg's sources claim that Apple tomorrow will introduce updated iTunes functionality, as well as a new iPod touch with higher-resolution display, presumably matching the iPhone 4's Retina display.
9 to 5 Mac shares a video discovered on YouTube showing a brief clip of the 3 cm x 3 cm touch screen supposedly destined for the next-generation iPod nano rumored for introduction at tomorrow's media event. While we've already seen the small touch screen in photos, the video provides a good demonstration of how the screen (and consequently the device, as rumors have the device being essentially the size of the screen) would look in the hand.
The video also briefly shows off black and white iPhone 4s, while the video and a second one posted on the same account also show the purported next-generation iPod touch digitizer carrying a hole near the top center, presumably to accommodate a front-facing FaceTime camera. Such parts have been well-documented over the last several months.
3 cm x 3 cm touch screen expected to be used in new iPod nano
AppleInsider reports that it has received information claiming that Apple's next-generation iPod nano, rumored to carry a smaller form factor and touch screen, will maintain the existing price range for the line. And despite the significant decrease in size, pricing at current iPod nano levels of $149 for 8 GB and $179 for 16 GB will leave the door open for Apple's diminutive iPod shuffle to continue to exist at its much lower price point.
Sixth-generation iPod nanos on deck for an introduction by Apple on Wednesday will reportedly be priced in-line with existing models and will not replace the company's other diminutive media player, the iPod shuffle.
Although the new nano, built around a 1.7-inch display, is expected to sport similar dimensions to the second-generation clip-on iPod shuffle, people familiar with Apple's plans say the company will continue to market its button-less iPod shuffle as an entry-level player.
In addition, the report's sources claim that while the new iPod nano will be introduced at tomorrow media event, it will not begin shipping immediately. No information on when shipments are expected to begin has been divulged.
Engadget yesterday reported on an Apple customer service survey going around in recent days that specifically addresses the ability to "instantly" watch iTunes Store video on the iPad, a feature not currently available.
. . .it lists "Titles are available to watch instantly" as a reason you might totally love watching video on the iPad. Of course, you can't watch iTunes videos "instantly" right now -- the iPad requires the entire video file to download before playback begins, and the current Apple TV requires a fair bit of buffering -- so this could be a big hint that instant streaming is coming quite soon.
With Apple's media event scheduled for tomorrow, speculation of course tends to surface about whether Apple might announce a new streaming video service for iTunes.
Customer service and market research surveys are typically poor sources for such information, as those in charge of the surveys are generally far removed from any product development processes. Consequently, it seems more likely that this is item is simply an error or unclear wording on the part of the survey staff, but given that the source is Apple itself, it bears noting.
Most of the rumors regarding a cloud-based streaming service for iTunes have centered around music, but sources have indicated that Apple has yet to even formally approach music labels about making licensing deals to allow the service to be implemented. Rumors of video streaming have, however, occasionally cropped up, including claims that the Lala Media team that was expected to work on music streaming has been diverted to tackle an unknown video feature. A focus on video streaming would also play into the rumored Apple TV/iTV revamp.
AMD announced yesterday (via IDG News/Businessweek) that it will be dropping the ATI brand and will attach the AMD name to the Radeon, FirePro and Eyefinity offerings.
ATI's graphics products have long been used in Apple's Macintosh line, most recently with the 2010 Mac Pro and the Radeon HD 5870 Card. AMD acquired ATI in 2006, but has kept the ATI brand until now.
The company says the change in brand name won't affect any graphics product offerings or plans. The brand transition should be completed by the end of the year.
CanalMX reports [Google translation] on comments from an executive at Mexican carrier Telcel claiming that Apple is set to release a revised version of the iPhone 4 by the end of September to address the highly-publicized antenna issue. Telcel began offering the iPhone 4 in Mexico last Friday as part of a quiet expansion that saw the device also come to the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia.
According to Marco Quatorze, Telcel's Director of Value Added Services, the iPhone 4 sold in Mexico will initially be the same hardware as that sold in the U.S. and elsewhere, with Apple offering a free case to address potential issues with antenna performance. But he also noted that as of September 30th, when the free case program expires, revised hardware without the reception issues will become available.
The veracity of Quatorze's claim is unknown, as it is unclear whether a carrier executive at his level would even be privy to such information, and it is possible that he may simply be mistaken in his understanding of Apple's September 30th expiration date for the free case program. At Apple's iPhone 4 press conference last month, Steve Jobs noted that the free case program was launched with an initial expiration date of September 30th to provide the company with time to continue its investigation of the antenna issue and perhaps come up with a better solution for future customers.
