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
AirPlay Functionality Apparently Removed From iPhone 3G
9 to 5 Mac reports that iPhone 3G owners have been struck with yet another blow, this time with the apparent removal of AirPlay functionality in the golden master version of iOS 4.2. The feature had been functional on the iPhone 3G in earlier developer builds, but appears to have been removed in the homestretch. After speaking to multiple developers and users testing out the iOS 4.2 betas, we...
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China Mobile Offers Instructions and SIM-Cutting Service for iPhone 4 Owners
The Wall Street Journal reports that China Mobile, the country's largest mobile phone carrier, is taking steps to assist customers who wish to use the iPhone on its network, despite official distribution being limited to China Unicom for the time being. The steps include instructions for setting up the iPhone to operate on China Mobile's network and in-store service to trim down China Mobile...
Apple and Oracle Announce Plans for OpenJDK Java Implementation
Apple and Oracle today announced a partnership to bring Oracle's OpenJDK project, and thus a Java SE 7 implementation, to Mac OS X. Oracle and Apple today announced the OpenJDK project for Mac OS X. Apple will contribute most of the key components, tools and technology required for a Java SE 7 implementation on Mac OS X, including a 32-bit and 64-bit HotSpot-based Java virtual machine, class...
iOS 4.2 Not Coming Until November 16th? [Updated]
Contradicting a report from earlier this week that correctly predicted the release of Mac OS X 10.6.5 yesterday and also claimed that iOS 4.2 will be released tomorrow, iPhoneHellas reports [Google translation] that iOS 4.2 will not launch tomorrow and may debut next Tuesday, November 16th.
iPhoneHellas has offered correct information on iOS releases several times in the past, including...
Apple-Owned 'iTun.es' Domain Could Be Used as iTunes Link Shortener
With today's announcement of integration between Twitter and Apple's social networking service Ping, some observers have noted that the Tweets being generated from Ping are including awkwardly-long URLs.
Example of Tweet generated from Ping
One MacRumors reader realized that the new integration with Twitter could make a good opportunity for Apple to deploy its own link shortener to help fit ...
Mac OS X 10.6.5 Notes: exFAT Support, AirPrint, Flash Player Vulnerability Fixes
Since yesterday's release of Mac OS X 10.6.5, users have been testing out the updated version of Snow Leopard to find out what has changed, and we've collected a few notes on what has been found.
- exFAT Support: Apple began including support for the exFAT file system in builds of Mac OS X 10.6.4 shipping on some of the company's latest iMacs and Mac minis with SDXC card slots, but Mac OS X...
Steve Jobs Phones Developer of Rejected iPad Application
Economy for iPad
Apple CEO Steve Jobs' responses to customer emails are well-known and given great attention as official "from the horse's mouth" statements regarding Apple's products and plans, despite the fact that many of his statements are brief and vague enough to give away little information. According to The Seattle Times, however, Jobs has gone a step further and telephoned a...
Twitter and Apple Team Up on Ping Integration
Screenshot of iTunes integration on Twitter.com
Twitter today announced new integration with Apple's "Ping" music-focused social networking service, allowing users to easily share music and convenient previewing and purchasing links. Starting today Ping, iTunes' new social network for music, and Twitter are making it even easier for people to share music discoveries with their friends by...
Apple Now Selling iBooks Gift Cards
iLounge noted yesterday that Apple has begun selling gift cards specifically for its iBookstore, offering convenient $25 and $50 options for gift givers. While existing iTunes Store gift cards can reportedly be used in the iBookstore, the new iBooks-specific cards offer a new option for those looking to focus their gifts on books as opposed to other iTunes Store content. Based on an Apple...
'Freemium' iPhone Apps Growing as Successful Business Model
GigaOM takes a look at so-called "freemium" iPhone apps: applications that are free to download and offer basic functionality but generate revenue through the use of In App Purchase content. According to the report, freemium apps are becoming increasing popular with developers, who are finding it a viable business model, and the number of such apps generating sufficient revenue to rank among...
Jobs Reportedly Says Final Cut Update 'Coming Early Next Year'
As noted by 9 to 5 Mac, television postproduction consultant Dustyn Gobler reportedly emailed Apple CEO Steve Jobs to argue the need for Apple to disclose its roadmap for professional applications so that customers making long-term spending commitments have a better idea of where things are going.
Jobs allegedly replied, saying that a revamped version of the company's Final Cut video...
Apple Releases Digital Camera RAW and MainStage Updates
While Mac OS X 10.6.5 was the big software update news for the day, Apple also released a pair of other updates targeting users working with cameras shooting in RAW format and users of the company's professional live performance software, MainStage.
Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.4 brings compatibility for a number of cameras to iPhoto and Aperture. This update extends RAW image...
Apple Debuts New Apple TV and iTunes Movie Content in Japan
Apple today announced the launch of iTunes Store movie rentals and sales in Japan, offering over 1,000 movies in the initial catalog. Apple today announced that movies are now available on the iTunes Store in Japan giving customers an incredible way to enjoy movies on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC, or with the new Apple TV on their HD TV. Starting today, there are over 1,000 movies...
Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.6.5 and Security Update 2010-007
Apple today released Mac OS X 10.6.5, the fifth maintenance update for Snow Leopard, via Software Update. The update offers a number of fixes implemented since the release of Mac OS X 10.6.4 in mid-June. The 10.6.5 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac,...
'The Incident' to Turn Paired iPad and iPhone Into TV-Focused Gaming System
In a blog post yesterday, Big Bucket Software revealed that a forthcoming update to its retro iOS game The Incident will allow the iPad to output the game display to a television while also allowing an iPhone or iPod touch to serve as a game controller. No seriously, this is totally real and totally awesome.
This is a beta of The Incident 1.3 running my TV. Here's how it works:
1. Plug...
Wi-Gear Not Purchased by Apple
Citing an email from the company's CEO, Barron's reports that yesterday's claim that Bluetooth headphone company Wi-Gear has been acquired by Apple is incorrect. "The rumor is false," Wi-Gear CEO Mark Pundsack said via e-mail in response to an inquiry from Tech Trader Daily. "Wi-Gear and its IP are still available for sale."The confusion appears to have stemmed from a source offering inaccurate...
Skyfire Rakes in Nearly $1 Million in First Weekend
Last week, we reported on the launch of Skyfire Web Browser, a new browser for iOS that enables viewing of Flash video content. The app, priced at $2.99, was quickly yanked from the App Store due to its popularity overwhelming Skyfire's servers used to convert Flash content to HTML5 format, but has since returned in limited "batches" as capacity allows.
MobileCrunch notes that Skyfire pulled...
Apple's New MacBook Air Tops 'Consumer Reports' Ratings
The Loop reports that popular ratings and reviews magazine Consumer Reports has released its latest ratings of notebook computers, and Apple's new 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models have topped their respective categories.
The 11-inch MacBook Air scored 67 points out of a possible 100, easily outdistancing the second-place Toshiba Satellite and its 51-point score. The 11-inch model...
Steve Jobs Replies Regarding Rumors of AirPrint Issues
After yesterday's report that support for using Apple's AirPrint feature in iOS 4.2 to print to shared printers connected to Macs and Windows PCs appears to have been scrapped at the last minute, one MacRumors forum member emailed Steve Jobs to inquire about the fate of the feature. Jobs reportedly replied, noting that AirPrint has not been canceled. Q: As a release-day purchaser of an iPad, I...
iTunes Connect to Shutter Over Christmas, Apparently Still Open Over Thanksgiving
Apple yesterday notified members of its iOS Developer Program that the company will be shutting down the iTunes Connect interface for the App Store over Christmas, preventing developers from accessing their app listings and scheduling releases during the December 23-28 window. iTunes Connect will be temporarily unavailable from Thursday, December 23 through Tuesday, December 28 for the winter...
