Eric Slivka
Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2008.
An avid swimmer and former biophysicist, Eric has been using Apple products for over 35 years and has been interviewed for pieces by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Reuters, BBC, CNBC, and other publications.
Eric's current primary role involves day-to-day oversight of the editorial operations at MacRumors, but he also contributes occasional news and review articles while handling various other duties related to the site's operation.
An avid swimmer and former biophysicist, Eric has been using Apple products for over 35 years and has been interviewed for pieces by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Reuters, BBC, CNBC, and other publications.
Eric's current primary role involves day-to-day oversight of the editorial operations at MacRumors, but he also contributes occasional news and review articles while handling various other duties related to the site's operation.
Eric Slivka's Articles
Tweaked Trojan Disables Automatic Updating of OS X Anti-Malware Tools
Last month, we noted as part of a report on an update to the anti-malware tools in OS X that a new trojan horse threat known as Flashback.A had surfaced, with the malware masquerading as a Flash Player installer. While Apple has continued to update its XProtect.plist to detect Flashback.A, security firm F-Secure now reports (via ZDNet) that a revised version of the trojan which disables the...
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Apple Expands iPhone 4S GPS Capabilities with GLONASS Support
Apple yesterday quietly updated its iPhone 4S tech specs page to note that the device offers not only Assisted GPS but also GLONASS, the Russian version of GPS.
Just two weeks ago, Russia launched the last of 24 satellites required for global location coverage, setting the stage to restore GLONASS to its full operational status that had been lost amid economic turmoil in the country during...
iPhone 4S Coming to U.S. Regional Carrier C Spire Wireless
While Sprint made waves in becoming the third U.S. carrier to offer the iPhone with the launch of the iPhone 4S, it appears that Apple will be broadening distribution even further to include smaller carriers as well. Regional carrier C Spire Wireless, formerly known as Cellular South, today announced that it will begin offering the iPhone 4S in the coming weeks.C Spire Wireless announced today ...
Samsung and Apple Executives Discuss Long-Term Component Supply Relationships
Amid an ever-increasing intellectual property dispute involving Apple's mobile devices and Samsung's Android-based hardware products, rumors have claimed that Apple has been seeking to reduce its reliance on Samsung as the major component supplier for iOS devices. But even if Apple does switch to new suppliers for some components, such as TSMC for future A-series chips, Samsung will almost...
Apple's Record Mac Quarter 'Almost Unbelievable' in Face of iPad Cannibalization
One of the high points of Apple's earnings for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 was Mac sales, which came in well above expectations at a record 4.89 million units. On the earnings conference call, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that the strong sales were "almost unbelievable" considering continued growth in the iPad market.
Cook noted that some customers are undoubtedly electing to purchase...
Apple Blames Rumors for iPhone Sales Drop, Confident in Record Sales for Holiday Quarter
While Apple's iPhone sales for the fourth fiscal quarter fell short of expectations at 17.07 million units, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted during the company's conference call that it expects to hit all-time record iPhone sales in the current quarter on the strength of the iPhone 4S.
Cook noted that iPhone sales declined somewhat sequentially as rumors regarding a new model circulated. iPhone...
Apple Still Working on Allowing Merging of Apple IDs
Last month, we noted that Apple was aware of and working on the issue of users having multiple Apple IDs and seeking to merge them into a single account. MobileMe users in particular have been affected by the issue, as many of them had one ID for their MobileMe account and a separate account for iTunes Store purchases.
With the transition to iCloud for cross-device syncing and deeper...
Sprint Denies Widespread Issues with Slow iPhone Data Speeds
Since the iPhone 4S debuted on Sprint on Friday, a number of the carrier's customers have been complaining of slow data speeds. While the issues are not universal for iPhone users on Sprint, they do seem to be affecting a substantial number of customers.
PCMag.com now reports that Sprint has issued a statement on the issue, characterizing the complaints as a "small number of reports" that...
'iPad Mini' Rumors Revived with Claims of 7.85-Inch Screen
Taiwan's United Daily News reports [Google translation] that Apple has received samples of 7.85-inch screens carrying the same 1024x768 resolution of the current iPad. The report (via Unwired View) claims that AU Optronics and LG Display have sent samples of the display to Apple, which is reportedly targeting a launch for the "iPad mini" early next year.
Previous mockup of a 7-inch "iPad ...
Dropbox Indeed Balked at Major Acquisition Offer from Apple
Last month, word surfaced that popular file storage and sharing service Dropbox may have declined an $800 million acquisition offer from Apple, instead deciding to remain independent and raise its own financing.
A new profile of Dropbox appearing as the cover story for a forthcoming issue of Forbes reveals that Apple did indeed pursue Dropbox, with Steve Jobs personally meeting with Dropbox...
Apple Issues Bug Fix with Apple TV 4.4.1 Software Update [Updated x2]
Less than a week after releasing a significant 4.4 software update for the second-generation Apple TV, Apple has now released a 4.4.1 bug fix update for the device.
According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses an issue affecting a "small number" of units to have to connect to iTunes.Software update: Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected...
Memorial Service for Steve Jobs Brings Tributes from Family and Friends
Memorial services for Steve Jobs continued over the weekend, with one arranged for family and friends at Stanford University's Memorial Church drawing a number of high-profile personalities to celebrate Jobs' life. According to The Wall Street Journal, the service included remarks from a number of Jobs' family members, as well as close friend and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Apple design guru...
iPhone 4S Sales Now Reservation-Only at Apple Retail Stores in U.S. and Canada
Apple has updated its "how to buy" page for the iPhone 4S to note that Apple retail stores in the United States and Canada are now selling the device on a reservation-only basis. Customers will need to visit Apple's site after 9:00 PM each evening to reserve a phone for the following day.iPhone 4S is available in store by reservation only. Reserve yours after 9:00 p.m. tonight for pickup...
Apple to Stick with Samsung for A6 Chip Production After All?
Last month, word surfaced that Apple had signed on with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for production of the next-generation A6 and A7 chips destined for future iOS devices. Samsung has been Apple's manufacturing partner for the A4 and A5 chips, but several reports have been claiming that Apple has been trying to shift to TSMC in part because of strained relations between...
iPhone 4S Sales Top 4 Million as 25 Million Users Move to iOS 5
Apple today announced that opening weekend sales of the iPhone 4S topped four million units, easily surpassing the 1.7 million iPhone 4 units sold during that device's debut weekend last year.“iPhone 4S is off to a great start with more than four million sold in its first weekend—the most ever for a phone and more than double the iPhone 4 launch during its first three days,” said Philip...
First iPhone 4S Image Sensor to Be Identified Comes from Sony
Sony markings on iPhone 4S camera sensor die
While iFixit performed the first thorough teardown of the iPhone 4S yesterday, Chipworks has now turned its more powerful equipment on the chips themselves, notably identifying Sony as the manufacturer of the 8-megapixel camera sensor in the first iPhone 4S they examined.In order to get our readers the device manufacturer as soon as possible, rather ...
Speed Comparison Video of iPhone 4S and iPhone 4
YouTube user Eurosausage posts a comparison video highlighting how much faster the iPhone 4S is than the iPhone 4 at launching apps.
While app launching is a basic task that doesn't show off high-performance graphics and other capabilities, it is one of the most common tasks initiated by users that forces users to wait for the system. The video offers comparison of a significant number of...
Siri Allows Transcription Corrections by Keyboard
With Siri on the new iPhone 4S having some problems recognizing speakers with heavy accents, it's important to note that users are able to tap Siri's transcriptions of their voice input and edit them to correct errors or change parameters. The tip is gaining some publicity from App Advice, who picked up on it from @mattgemmell.For example, let’s say you want to know where the nearest Italian ...
Survey of Regent Street iPhone 4S Line Reveals Record Crowd and Other Tidbits
UK insurance firm Protect Your Bubble today conducted a survey of the iPhone 4S line at Apple's Regent Street retail store in London, finding a record line of 778 people just as the store opened for sales.Analysis of the data, comparing against previous Regent St exit polls on the iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2 launches, shows that the crowd of 778 people for the iPhone 4S comfortably beats the...
Samsung Lawyers Also Struggle to Tell iPad and Galaxy Tab Apart
Developments continue in the wide-ranging patent dispute between Apple and Samsung, with judges in both the United States and the Netherlands making statements in favor of Apple although questions still remain.
Reuters reports that U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh yesterday ruled that Samsung's Galaxy Tab devices do infringe upon Apple's iPad patents, but noted that Apple must still show...
