MacRumors

Archives
Older Posts Previous Page

Low-End Mac Mini Shipping Date Slips Slightly, Additional Reports of iMac Shortages Surface

by

122417 mac mini shipping date

The shipping window for Apple's low-end Mac mini in the company's U.S. and Canadian online stores has slipped today to "1-3 business days" from the usual "Within 24hrs" timeframe, adding further hints of supply constraints and a possible refresh for Apple's diminutive desktop computer. The move comes on the heels of reports that Apple has notified its retail stores of shortages of the low-end Mac mini, as well as all four iMac configurations.

TUAW today also adds additional detail on desktop shortage claims, noting that an employee at one Apple retail store has reported only four iMacs in stock at that location, far below usual stock levels.

Several of our tipsters work for Apple Authorized re-sellers who are running very low on desktop supplies, even an Apple Store tip says they have 4 iMacs in stock. When I worked at the Apple Store, there were always 40+ iMacs in stock. Having 4 in a store is just unheard of -- unless there's something in the works.

Another source reports that they placed an order for a Mac mini earlier this month and initially received indication that the machine would ship in a timely manner, only to have the shipping date recently adjusted to October 9th.

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that iMac and MacBook updates are due in the near future, and while details on a potential Mac mini upgrade have been scarce, mounting evidence suggests that Apple has changes in store for the line of budget desktops as well.

Related Roundups: iMac, Mac mini
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), Mac Mini (Neutral)
Related Forums: iMac, Mac mini
Show Full Article

Intuit Announces QuickBooks 2010 for Mac

by

Intuit today announced the introduction of the Mac version of QuickBooks 2010, an update to the company's small business accounting software. Scheduled for launch on October 19th at a suggested price of $199.95, QuickBooks 2010 brings a number of enhancements to the software package.

Available in late October, QuickBooks 2010 for Mac, from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), helps business owners:

* Save time - Gets users up and running quickly, with a faster setup process, and helps them save time on routine tasks such as e-mailing and printing.
* Make money - Gives users key insights to make smart business decisions with customizable, at-a-glance financial reports and graphs.
* Get Paid - Makes it easier to process credit card payments and track billable hours with integrated add-on services.

QuickBooks 2010, which requires Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later or 10.6, reportedly includes over forty enhancements and will be compatible with several add-on services, including Intuit Merchant Service (starting at $19.95/month), My Time (free), and Intuit QuickBooks Payroll (starting at $25.00/month).

Show Full Article

BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac to Launch October 2nd

by

Research in Motion today announced that it will be launching BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac on October 2nd, bringing an integrated syncing and device management tool for BlackBerry users to the Mac OS X platform. Plans for the software were announced earlier this year.

The new BlackBerry Desktop Manager software allows Mac users to smoothly and seamlessly sync data from Mac applications like iCal, Address Book, Microsoft Entourage and others, as well as add and remove applications, schedule automatic backups, encrypt backup files and install software updates for their BlackBerry smartphone.

BlackBerry Desktop Manager Software also integrates BlackBerry Media Sync, enabling Mac users to sync their iTunes music collections with their BlackBerry smartphone. From within the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software, users simply select the desired iTunes playlists and the music, including song information and album art, is quickly transferred onto their BlackBerry smartphone.

BlackBerry Desktop Manager, which will be a free download available beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 2nd, requires Mac OS X 10.5.5 or later and supports BlackBerry phones running BlackBerry OS 4.2 and higher.

Show Full Article

Apple's Tablet Effort Aiming to Redefine Print Media?

by

Gizmodo reports on a number of different tips and tidbits it has received in recent months that together paint a picture of Apple's goals for its much-rumored tablet computer. Building on a report yesterday claiming that the new device will have a focus on translating print media to an electronic platform, Gizmodo cites sources claiming that Apple has talked to The New York Times and several textbook and magazine publishers about various aspects of moving their content into the digital realm.

Multiple sources associated with The New York Times reportedly claim that Apple approached the newspaper in June about translating its content for use on a "new device", an extension of the newspapers currently digital efforts on the iPhone and other platforms. On the textbook front, another source indicated several months ago that publishers McGraw Hill and Oberlin Press have been working to bring their content into the iTunes ecosystem, a concept that appears to be similar to that employed by CourseSmart with its eTextbook offerings for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Finally, Apple reportedly recently met with magazine executives to pitch its vision of the future of that industry, showing off mockups of interactive content as an early step in what have presumably been continued talks. Together, these claims suggest that Apple is aggressively pursuing a digital evolution of print media, with its tablet computer as a key element of the push.

Some I've talked to believe the initial content will be mere translations of text to tablet form. But while the idea of print on the Tablet is enticing, it's nothing the Kindle or any E-Ink device couldn't do. The eventual goal is to have publishers create hybridized content that draws from audio, video, interactive graphics in books, magazines and newspapers, where paper layouts would be static. And with release dates for Microsoft's Courier set to be quite far away and Kindle stuck with relatively static e-ink, it appears that Apple is moving towards a pole position in distribution of this next-generation print content. First, it'll get its feet wet with more basic repurposing of the stuff found on dead trees today.

Show Full Article

AT&T Dropped Call Rate of 30% Considered Normal in New York City

by

Gizmodo reports that one of its readers recently visited the Genius Bar at the SoHo Apple retail store in New York City complaining that 30% of his attempted calls were being dropped, and was informed after testing that such performance was considered normal by AT&T's standards for the area. The reader provided Gizmodo with a copy of the Genius Bar work authorization form noting the technician's assessment of the situation.

Issue Description: dropped calls, poor signal
Steps to Reproduce: plugged into behavior scan, report concludes that phone has dropped over 22 percent of the phone calls made. customer states that the percentage is a bit higher but does not register to the phone due to the fact that when a call begins to fail he manually disconnects the call.
Issue Verified: Yes
Proposed Resolution: this is a basic trouble shooting case so that the customer may report back to ATT to show that the phone is fully functional and the problem is consistent with the service provided by ATT

AT&T has acknowledged that it has struggled with service performance in areas of high iPhone density such as the New York City and San Francisco Bay areas, and has recently taken steps to enhance 3G service in those and other markets.

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

DoubleTwist Turns The Tables on Apple in '1984' Commercial Remake

by

TechCrunch today noted that doubleTwist, the iTunes competitor launched last year by famed digital rights management hacker Jon Lech Johansen ("DVD Jon"), is preparing to launch a significant update to its software. As part of the promotional material for the release, which is scheduled for October 6th, doubleTwist has remade Apple's classic '1984' television commercial with a twist: a Steve Jobs-like character plays the role of Big Brother speaking to an assembly of iPod-wearing followers.

What a difference 25 years can make. Now Apple has grown from underdog to a tyrant in its own right, preventing other devices from tapping into its iTunes software and restricting what users can install on the iPhones that they've purchased. And doubleTwist, which makes software that lets you use iTunes seamlessly with other devices, is calling it out in spectacular fashion. They've just unveiled their new commercial (embedded below) that's nearly a shot-for-shot remake, featuring an army of iPod-wearing clones sitting in silence as their master -- sporting Steve Jobs' familiar round glasses -- commands that "no other choices shall distract from our glory".

The ad closes with the statement that "on October 6th, doubleTwist brings you Choice". The company says that a major new release will be coming out that day for Mac users (followed a week later for Windows), but said that the new feature they're unveiling is a surprise. doubleTwist is also exploring showing the ad in movie theaters before previews begin.

Show Full Article

Dropbox for iPhone Hits the App Store

by

201138 dropbox 1 201138 dropbox 2

Popular document syncing and sharing service Dropbox has released its much-anticipated iPhone application [App Store, Free]. The application, which requires iPhone OS 3.1, offers several basic features to allow users to access their Dropbox accounts on the go.

App features:

* Access your Dropbox on the go
* View your files
* Download files for offline viewing
* Take photos and videos and sync them to your Dropbox
* Share links to files in your Dropbox
* Photo galleries
* Sync downloaded files so they're up-to-date

Dropbox offers three levels of service with varying amounts of storage space: Basic (2 GB, Free), Pro 50 (50 GB, $9.99/month), and Pro 100 (100 GB, $19.99/month).

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

Apple Expands 'Apps for Everything' Categories

by

165542 apps for everything

The Loop notes that Apple has unveiled a redesigned Apps for Everything section of its web site devoted to iPhone and iPod touch applications featured by category. While the "Apps for Everything" listings have been around for a while, today's update nearly doubles the number of featured categories.

Once you discover the App Store, you'll see how applications can make your iPhone do just about anything. There are thousands of iPhone apps to choose from. Here are a few that will help you get the most out your iPhone, wherever you go.

Apple has recognized that the increasing number of applications in the App Store and the "race to the bottom" in pricing has made it difficult for high-quality applications to stand out from the crowd and gain notice among iPhone and iPod touch users. The company has taken a number of steps to address this issue, including the addition of keywords to App Store application descriptions to facilitate searching and new "top grossing" application lists to provide increased visibility for more expensive applications.

The inclusion of new categories on its Apps for Everything page, when combined with the Staff Picks feature of the Apps for iPhone page, provides additional incremental improvements in Apple tools for drawing to attention to worthwhile apps.

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

EyeTV App Debuts in App Store

by

153840 eyetv 1 153840 eyetv 2

Elgato Systems, the maker of TV software and tuners for the Mac, has announced that its EyeTV app is now available in the App Store. The app is made to work in conjunction with a Mac running the EyeTV software and its features are as follows:

- Watch live TV and change channels anywhere (Wi-Fi connection required)
- Watch your EyeTV recordings
- Browse the comprehensive Program Guide
- Start recordings back home on your Mac immediately or schedule them for later.
- View and edit your recording schedules

153840 eyetv 3 153840 eyetv 4

The companion Mac used with the app must be running the EyeTV software, version 3.2 - which was just released today - or higher and it must have a compatible TV tuner connected to it. In order to view streaming live TV on an iPhone with the EyeTV app, the companion Mac must have an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better.

The EyeTV app costs $4.99 and can be found in the App Store here (link opens iTunes).

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

'AP Stylebook' Now Available for iPhone and iPod Touch

by

152808 ap stylebook 1 152808 ap stylebook 2

The Associated Press yesterday announced the release of AP Stylebook [App Store, $28.99], an iPhone and iPod touch version of the famous style guide for writers and editors.

"AP Stylebook fans have been asking for a mobile application so they can have style guidance wherever they go," said Colleen Newvine, who manages the AP Stylebook product group. "Journalists never know when they will need to run out the door to chase a story, so as long as they have an iPhone in their pockets when they go, the Stylebook can go with them."

The 2009 AP Stylebook app features searchable listings for the main, sports, business and punctuation sections, along with the ability to add custom entries and personalized notes on AP listings. Stylebook app users are able to mark any entry as a favorite for easy access.

The iPhone version of the Stylebook will be updated on an annual basis coordinated with updates to the print version, which typically occur in June of each year. iPhone and iPod touch users who purchase the 2009 edition will receive a free update to the 2010 version when it is released next year.

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

'CNN Mobile' Appears in App Store

by

151612 cnn news browsing

CNN today announced that it has launched a new iPhone application, CNN Mobile [App Store, $1.99], bringing print and video news coverage, as well as integration with the news network's iReport feature that allows users to record and submit their own eyewitness accounts of news stories.

Maximizing the revolutionary features of iPhone OS 3.1, the new CNN App showcases news of the day through text, video and photos. It also features live breaking news video, push notification, localization and personalization tools, user-generated content capture and upload functionality through iReport, and more.

"The CNN App has what we think is one of the best user experiences around, and will quickly become an essential daily news source for many iPhone and iPod touch users,"said Louis Gump, vice president of CNN Mobile. "We tailored the best of CNN specifically for them, whether they check in from the beach, the airport or the ballpark."

The video streaming feature of CNN Mobile offers pre-recorded clips, but also allows CNN to send news alerts and provide live coverage when breaking news strikes. Personalization allows users to customize their application to deliver local news, weather, and traffic alongside world and national news, and the application also allows users to save text articles for offline viewing.

Integration with iReport allows users to not only browse user-generated content, but also to submit photos and video directly to the service. And finally, users are able to easily share stories with others via e-mail, SMS, Twitter and Facebook integration.

151612 cnn weather 151612 cnn ireport

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

mSpot Now Offering Streaming Movie Rentals on iPhone

by

112022 mspot 1 112022 mspot 5

TechCrunch reports that mSpot, a company that provides ringtones, music, and video for mobile devices in the U.S. and Canada, is now offering streaming movie rentals that are viewable on the iPhone and other mobile devices. Movies are accessed via mSpot's mobile site and payment can be made via credit card to rent movies individually or sign up for a monthly subscription plan. At launch, mSpot offers 350 movies for streaming from major production companies including Paramount and Universal.

Individual movie rentals cost $4.99 and rental periods vary from movie to movie, though they are at least 24 hours and movies can be watched an unlimited number of times within the rental period. While browsing available movies, trailers can be viewed easily. A rental savings Club is available that offers a variety of monthly subscription levels, starting at $9.99 per month for 20 credits, which will purchase 4 movie rentals, up to $15.99 per month for 40 credits, which will purchase 8 movie rentals. Not all movies currently available can be rented through a Club subscription - these can only be rented la carte. mSpot is currently offering a special of 15 free extra credits in the first month of Club membership. Credits expire if they are unused one month after purchase and there is no cancellation fee to leave the Club.

112022 mspot 4 112022 mspot 3

mSpot recommends that users have an unlimited data plan with their cellular service provider given the large amount of data required to stream a full-length movie. Movies are viewed using the iPhone's native video player, which is launched automatically from Safari and the current connection type (3G or Wi-Fi) can be selected before viewing a movie to provide the appropriate level of buffering. Movie rentals are only available to iPhone and other mobile device users in the United States. mSpot has beat Netflix, who has stated that it will offer its services directly on the iPhone "eventually," to the market in providing this service to iPhone users in the U.S.

112022 mspot 2
Viewing a streaming movie rental

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

iPhone Developers Accessing Users' Telephone Numbers for Telemarketing?

by

110236 iphone mobile number collection

French site Mac4Ever reports that a number of users of a free Swiss traffic application for the iPhone have received telemarketing calls from callers who claim that they received the users' telephone numbers from Apple after making the application purchase.

Since Apple's privacy policy would preclude Apple from providing such information, Mac4Ever dug into the issue and discovered that an iPhone application is capable of accessing a device's mobile telephone number with just a single line of code and can then send that information back to the developer without notifying the user that their personal information has been obtained. Mac4Ever confirmed this ability by creating its own proof-of-concept iPhone application and obtaining the phone number of one of its editors' iPhones.

From a client's side, Apple is the unique entiy you can deal with (except for the support). For a developer, it's quite the same : you can only deal with Apple, who never give you an access to the client's information. But it appears that this behaviour is available since firmware 2.1! So, how can't Cupertino be aware of such a thing? And how many apps are involved?

We contacted Apple about this issue and we will keep you posted as soon as we'll receive a complete answer.

It remains unclear whether other iPhone developers beyond those behind the application cited in the report have resorted to such tactics.

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

Apple Tablet to Run iPhone OS and Launch in May or June 2010?

by

iLounge reports that it has received a number of tips about Apple's much rumored tablet computer from the same source who tipped off the site about the fifth-generation iPod nano. The source claims that the tablet device will sport a 10.7" screen offering a resolution in the neighborhood of 720p, will run iPhone OS rather than Mac OS X, and should be announced on or before January 19th, 2010 for release in May or June of 2010.

The report also claims that the device will be very iPhone-like in appearance, complete with a curved back, and that it will come in two varieties, one with 3G wireless connectivity and one without. Not designed to compete with low-cost netbooks, the tablet is reportedly being targeted to provide substantial book and magazine reading functionality along with an enhanced experience for the traditional functions of the iPhone and iPod touch.

Finally, the report notes that Steve Jobs, who has been reported to be almost exclusively focused on the project, has not yet given the device final approval and that the source places the likelihood of a release at approximately 80% at this point in time.

Show Full Article

Apple Warning Retail Stores of iMac and Mac Mini Supply Constraints?

by

AppleInsider reports that Apple issued a note to its retail stores yesterday stating that no further orders for a number of the company's desktop computers would be accepted, suggesting that supplies of the machines are running dry ahead of product updates. The note refers to all iMac configurations and the low-end Mac mini as being affected.

For example, Apple Retail on Monday issued an advisory to its stateside brick-and-mortar shops in which it noted that further orders for many of its existing desktop SKUs would go unhonored and that stores should not expect those models to be restocked.

More specifically, the Mac maker made the remarks in respect to all four retail configurations of its all-in-one aluminum iMac line and the low-end $599 Mac mini, which sports half the memory and roughly one-third the storage capacity of its pricier cousin.

The report also notes that Amazon has recently run out of all configurations of both the iMac and Mac mini for direct shipment and is now only offering the machines for sale through its third-party affiliate sellers.

Recent reports have suggested that iMac and MacBook updates are due in the near future, although little information about upgrades to the Mac mini, which is approaching the end of its typical lifecycle, has surfaced in recent months.

Related Roundups: iMac, Mac mini
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), Mac Mini (Neutral)
Related Forums: iMac, Mac mini
Show Full Article

Touchscreen Remote for Apple TV?

by

095748 touchscreen apple tv remote

Boy Genius Report claims that it has received an image of a product mockup for a forthcoming touchscreen remote that may be launched alongside an updated Apple TV. While the mockup appears to show a rather sophisticated (and likely costly) device that initially seems hard to believe, the report notes that the source providing the image is the same one who accurately offered information on iTunes 9's iPhone home screen organization and social networking features.

It seems a little far-fetched that this unit's only purpose would be to control an Apple TV, and you can even see a Safari option on the mockup. To be honest, it looks like a touch screen iPod nano, just longer. We're going to dig a little bit and see what we can find, but we figured we'd run this with a high dose of caution for informational purposes.

Apple earlier this month reconfigured its Apple TV offerings, eliminating the 40 GB model and dropping the price of the 160 GB model to $229.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater
Show Full Article

iPhone Hardware Accessories Prompt App Downloads

by

094511 iphone accessory app download
Image from iLounge

iLounge reports that authorized hardware accessories for the iPhone and iPod touch now possess the ability to prompt users upon connection if a companion App Store application is required for the device to function and link the user directly to the App Store listing for the required application.

When connecting such an accessory to an iPhone or iPod touch for the first time, an alert box labeled "Application Not Installed" appears, informing users that the accessory requires an application which is not currently installed, and asking if they would like to install the application from the App Store. Upon acceptance, the iPhone or iPod touch then takes users to a new "For This Accessory" page on the App Store, with a direct link to the necessary app's listing, from which they can download and install the application.

iLounge notes that the feature was most likely introduced as part of iPhone OS 3.0 earlier this year, but accessories supporting it appear to just now be coming available.

Related Forum: iPhone
Show Full Article

Filemaker Releases Bento 3 Personal Database Software

by

Apple subsidiary FIlemaker today announced the release of Bento 3, a significant update to the company's personal database software. Priced at $49 for a single-user license or $99 for a five-user family pack, Bento 3 adds integration with iPhoto, sharing of libraries over local networks, and new options for viewing information.

"Think of Bento 3 as a powerful, easy way to bring together all of your key Mac information and photos," said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc. "With Bento 3, we're providing new ways for you to view and interact with your information so you can organize contacts, projects, events and even more details of your life."

Filemaker is offering a $20 instant rebate through January 28th, 2010 for users upgrading from Bento 1 or Bento 2, and is offering a free upgrade to any customers who purchased Bento 2 between August 30th, 2009 and October 14th, 2009.

Bento was introduced in November 2007, and a companion iPhone application was launched earlier this year. An update to the iPhone application is due to be released today, bringing compatibility with Bento 3.

Show Full Article
Archives
Older Posts Previous Page