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
Review: 2019 Ram 1500 Offers a Gorgeous 12.3-Inch Portrait Display With CarPlay Support
Back in November, I took a look at Fiat Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system and CarPlay integration in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan, discovering a quite positive user experience that nearly seamlessly incorporates CarPlay into Uconnect. That seamlessness comes thanks to an 8.4-inch Uconnect display that keeps a top status bar and a bottom menu bar visible at all times for easy...
Read Full Article • 82 comments
Apple Extends iPod Touch Trademark to Include Gaming Devices
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office earlier this month approved for publication a trademark application from Apple for the term "iPod touch" that would extend protection to cover "Hand-held units for playing electronic games; Handheld game consoles" under International Class 28 (games, toys, and sporting goods).
Apple has held a trademark for the iPod touch name since 2008 under International ...
CES 2019: Linksys Debuts New MR8300 Wi-Fi Router With Velop Mesh Technology
With Apple having discontinued its AirPort lineup last year and mesh Wi-Fi becoming more and more popular due to its robust coverage and performance, the company's users are increasingly looking to third-party networking options. Belkin-owned Linksys has been one of the leaders in the mesh Wi-Fi market with its Velop lineup, and it's the only brand of Wi-Fi system Apple now carries in its stores...
CES 2019: U by Moen Smart Shower Set to Gain Long-Promised HomeKit Update
Moen today announced that its U by Moen smart shower system is receiving several upgrades for compatibility with voice assistants, making it easy to turn on and adjust your shower simply by speaking.
The most notable addition for Apple users is HomeKit support, which will reportedly come to U by Moen this quarter, to be followed by Google Assistant integration. U by Moen is already...
2019 iPhone's Triple-Lens Rear Camera Design Allegedly Showing in New Renderings
Serial phone leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer has partnered with Indian tech site Digit to release some new renderings claimed to be of the next-generation iPhone, presumably scheduled to launch around September of this year.
The distinguishing feature of the renderings is the rear camera, which is a large, unusual-looking patch housing three lenses in a triangular configuration, a flash, and a...
AirPlay 2 on Smart TVs: Other Brands Coming, Lock Screen Controls, Siri, and More
Following today's news that Samsung and Apple have worked together to bring an iTunes Movies & TV app and AirPlay 2 support to 2018 and 2019 Samsung smart TVs, Apple has updated its AirPlay page with additional info on how that feature will be implemented on TVs. Among the details described as coming soon:
- Apple says "leading TV manufacturers" will be including AirPlay 2 support in their...
Samsung Smart TVs Adding Support for iTunes Video Content and AirPlay 2
Samsung today announced that it has worked with Apple to integrate iTunes movies and TV shows, as well as AirPlay 2 support, into its latest smart TVs. The features will roll out to 2018 models via a firmware update this spring and will be included on new 2019 models. iTunes movie and TV show access will come via a new dedicated app for Samsung's TV platform, available in over 100 countries.
Wi...
OWC Acquires Popular Thunderbolt 3 Accessory Maker Akitio
Longtime Mac accessory vendor OWC today announced that it has acquired Akitio, maker of popular professional-level external storage solutions focused on Thunderbolt 3. Akitio also offers a number of other Thunderbolt 3 accessories including docks, eGPU boxes, and more.
"This acquisition gives us the opportunity to strengthen our core prosumer lineup and market reach with photography, video and ...
Mophie Introduces New 18-Watt Powerstation PD Batteries for Fast Charging
Mophie, Apple's retail and online store partner for external batteries, today announced a pair of new Powerstation PD batteries supporting 18-watt fast charging over USB-C to charge your phone to 50 percent in as little as 30 minutes.
Just a few months ago, the company launched a high-capacity 45-watt USB-C PD battery aimed at providing power for MacBooks, but the new Powerstation PD and PD...
2018's Biggest Apple Leaks: iPhone XS and XR, iPad Pro, Macs, and More
As 2018 comes to a close, it's a great opportunity to take a look back at the year that was. Yesterday we shared our review of everything Apple announced during the year, and today we're taking a look at the rumors and leaks that gave us details on Apple's plans ahead of those announcements.
This year saw the typical iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch updates, although there were a few wrinkles...
Apple Releases New 'Color Flood' iPhone XR Ad
Apple today shared a new iPhone XR ad entitled 'Color Flood' on its YouTube channel. With Cosmo Sheldrake's "Come Along" as the soundtrack, the ad features a cast of hundreds dressed in colorful jumpsuits running through an otherwise empty town.
In one easily missed touch, there's a quick glimpse of purple-suited cast members pouring out of the back of a van that sports the license plate...
Review: 2019 Lexus ES Features Optional Widescreen CarPlay, but Remote Touch Trackpad Interface Is Cumbersome
A few months ago, the 2019 Lexus ES became the first vehicle from Toyota's luxury brand to add support for CarPlay, built on top of the brand's Enform 2.0 infotainment system, and Lexus now has a half dozen 2019 models announced with CarPlay support.
I've had a chance to spend some time with a Lexus ES 300h Ultra Luxury hybrid model that includes a number of technology features, so here's a...
Apple Warns Chinese iPhone Ban Would Force a Settlement With Qualcomm, Result in 'Irreparable Harm' to Apple and Others [Updated]
In a court filing related to the ongoing dispute with Qualcomm that has resulted in a partial ban on iPhone sales in China, Apple this week warned that upholding the ban would cause "truly irreparable harm" to Apple, other companies, and consumers if Apple is forced to withdraw its devices from the market, according to Bloomberg.
The ban would cost Apple millions of dollars a day and affect...
Australia's Commonwealth Bank to Support Apple Pay Starting Next Month
Commonwealth Bank (CBA) today announced that next month it will become the second of Australia's "Big Four" banks to support Apple Pay, ceding to customer demand after a multi-year dispute with Apple over fees and access to the NFC chip in iPhones. CBA is the largest retail bank in Australia and has long been a notable holdout from Apple Pay.
Angus Sullivan, Group Executive of Retail Banking...
Algoriddim's djay for iOS Goes Free With Optional Pro Subscription, Updated With New Live Performance Tools and More
Algoriddim's djay apps for iOS and Mac have long been among Apple's favorite apps to show off at keynote events and in annual "best of" lists, with slick designs, demo-friendly interfaces, and utility that supports both fun and creativity with music and video.
Given djay's visibility as a popular premium app, it's a significant development that with today's introduction of djay 3 for iOS,...
Hands-On With the iPhone XR Clear Case From Apple
It took nearly two months following the on-sale date for the iPhone XR, but Apple's highly anticipated clear case for the colorful device is now available. We're not entirely sure what the delay was in launching it, and it's currently the only first-party case available for the iPhone XR, so we went hands-on with the new case to see how it stacks up.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
Review: 2018 Accord Hybrid Offers Honda's Quality Display Audio Infotainment System With Sensible CarPlay Integration
Honda consistently ranks as a top five best-selling car brand in the United States, so it's worth taking a look at the company's Display Audio infotainment system and how well it works with CarPlay.
Honda was one of the first car brands to support CarPlay, starting in late 2015 with the 2016 Accord, and the company has since expanded support across nearly its entire lineup. I had the...
Qualcomm Says Every Android Manufacturer Will Have 5G Flagship Phone by End of 2019
Apple is reportedly waiting until at least 2020 to roll out next-generation 5G cellular data technology in its iPhone lineup, but according to Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon, "every" Android handset manufacturer will have a flagship phone with 5G support across U.S. carriers by the end of next year, reports CNET.
By the holidays next year, every flagship handset -- at least when it comes to ...
Mac Developers Reminded to Have Their Apps Notarized as Apple Tightens Security
Apple today reminded Mac developers that it is encouraging them to have their apps notarized, meaning that the apps have been scanned by Apple and checked for malware and other security issues.
Notarization is not currently a requirement for apps distributed outside of the Mac App Store, but Apple says it will "more prominently highlight notarization status" starting in the spring of 2019....
Review: Volvo's 2019 S60 Sedan Offers a Striking Sensus Infotainment Display and CarPlay, but Usability Needs Some Work
As car infotainment systems go, Volvo's Sensus system is certainly an eye-catcher with its gorgeous 9-inch portrait display dominating the center stack, so I was excited to have an opportunity to go hands-on with Sensus to see how it works and how well it integrates with CarPlay, which is broadly supported in Volvo's lineup.
My test vehicle was a new 2019 S60 T6 AWD R-Design sedan, and the...
