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
Chrome Beta for Mac Nearly Ready for Launch, But Some Features Postponed
In a report posted yesterday, TechCrunch points to a Twitter posting from Mike Pinkerton of the Chrome for Mac team noting that there were only eight bugs remaining to be addressed before the Mac beta of Chrome is ready for its launch expected for some time in the next month. "8 remaining M4 Mac beta blockers! Go team! #chrome"
This means that there are only 8 things standing in the way of...
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Apple Accused of Manipulating Flash Memory Prices
The Korea Times reports on growing complaints within the flash memory industry that Apple, which holds a dominant position due to its extensive use of flash in the iPhone and iPods, is using its increasing leverage to inappropriately manipulate the market to its advantage. The summary of the arguments goes as this -- Apple is contributing to the suppression in flash memory prices by ordering more...
Apple Offers iTunes LP and iTunes Extras Documentation for Developers
TUAW notes that Apple has posted a set of documents providing developers with information for creating and distributing iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras, bonus interactive material for music and video content available through the company's iTunes Store.
According to Apple, an automated, electronic system for submitting iTunes LPs and Extras will be rolled out early next year, but until that time, ...
Apple Black Friday Sales Begin in Australia and New Zealand [Updatedx2]
Apple has launched its "Black Friday" one-day sales in Australia and New Zealand, with other countries set to follow at the appropriate times. As expected, Apple is offering only modest discounts compared to the deals offered by many other retailers for the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.
The only Macs seeing discounts in Apple's sales are the iMac and MacBook Pro, with...
Apple Records Nearly Half of U.S. PC Desktop Retail Industry Revenue
Betanews reports (via The Loop) on data from market research firm NPD showing that Apple garnered 48% of the U.S. PC industry's retail revenue last month. In October, Mac US retail desktop computer revenue share was 47.71, percent up from 33.44 percent a year earlier, according to NPD. It's a stunning number, given just how many Windows PC companies combined command so much more market share,...
Apple Files Patent Infringement Suit Over 'Knock-Off' Power Adapters
InformationWeek reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against an Anaheim, California company selling "knock-off" power adapters for Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro models. Apple claims that the company sells third-party power adapters that infringe upon an Apple patent filed in 2001 and granted in 2003 for the design of Apple's laptop power supplies. Apple's...
Tesco to Begin Selling iPhone in UK
BBC News reports that supermarket and retail chain Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, will begin offering the iPhone 3G and 3GS through its Tesco Mobile arm, a joint venture with wireless provider O2. A spokesperson for the firm said that it hoped to offer the phone "in time for Christmas".
Although Tesco has not revealed tariffs, the spokesperson said that its prices were "competitive".Tesco...
Apple Releases Final Cut Server 1.5.1
Apple today released Final Cut Server 1.5.1, bringing a number of improvements to the company's back-end package for managing Final Cut video production tasks. Final Cut Server 1.5.1 is a revision to Final Cut Server 1.5. This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. This update is recommended for all users of Final...
Apple Addresses 'Faces' Bugs and Other Minor Issues With iPhoto 8.1.1 Update
Apple today released iPhoto 8.1.1, an update to the photo management portion of the company's iLife suite of applications. The update addresses a pair of issues related to the "Faces" feature of iPhoto, including slow performance when displaying suggested matches and incorrect matching of faces. The update also fixes an issue with the book ordering panel not appearing correctly with some...
Rumors Revisited: Next-Generation iWork and iLife Plans? Apple Tablet Design Surprise?
Nearly a month before Apple updated its iMac line, French site Mac4Ever published a wide-ranging article revealing a number of tidbits on various topics obtained from its sources. At the time, the report was simply one of many circulating rumors about Apple's upcoming product announcements.
Mac4Ever's details, however, proved to be remarkably accurate once Apple made public its new products. ...
'eBay Deals' Alerts Users to Best Auction Bargains
eBay today announced the release of eBay Deals [App Store, Free], a new iPhone application highlighting the best bargains available on the popular auction site. The new eBay Deals app for iPhone presents a constantly changing view of deals across ebay.com, highlighting must-have products in popular categories, such as apparel and games; all listings in the eBay Deals app have less than four...
Apple and Live Nation Launch New Concert Downloads Via iTunes
Concert promoter Live Nation today announced that it has partnered with Apple to launch a new initiative focused on audio and video recording of live concert events for distribution via Apple's iTunes Store. Apple has also launched a dedicated section of the iTunes Store to feature the content. Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, has joined with the iTunes Store...
27" Core i7 iMacs Arriving DOA or With Cracked Screens?
Engadget reports on a growing number of complaints from purchasers of Apple's high-end 27" Intel Core i7-based iMac who have received new machines that either refuse to power on or arrive with cracked screens directly out of the box. Apple's new Core i7-based iMac might be a performance monster, but it looks like the whole family's having some problems getting out of the gate: in addition to the...
Magazine Publishers Teaming Up for Digital Publishing
The New York Observer reports that a number of major magazine publishers are nearing an agreement to launch a joint venture that would be focused on digital distribution of their content, aiming to create a digital storefront similar to Apple's iTunes Store. The company would make up one of the biggest alliances among rival publishers ever formed in print media, with Time Inc., Cond Nast and...
Apple's Share of Worldwide Smartphone Ad Requests Hits 50%
Mobile advertising firm AdMob today released its October 2009 Mobile Metrics Report, detailing the devices and platforms requesting ads from its network. While much of this month's report focuses on the breakdown of devices using Research in Motion and Android devices, one interesting tidbit revealed in the data is that Apple has finally reached a 50% share of the global smartphone ad request...
'Airfoil Speakers Touch' Update Restores Disputed Icons
Earlier this month, we mentioned Rogue Amoeba's run-in with Apple over the use of "Apple-owned" images in Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil Speakers Touch [App Store, Free] iPhone application. The incident involved an over-three-month App Store review process for an update to the application that was held up due to the inclusion of the Apple-owned images, despite Rogue Amoeba's assertion that the images...
Apple to Enter Verizon-AT&T Spat With Two New iPhone Ads
BusinessWeek reports that Apple is stepping into the Verizon-AT&T spat with two new ads to be released tonight touting the iPhone's ability to handle voice and data connections simultaneously via 3G. That ability has been featured as one of AT&T's talking points to differentiate itself from Verizon's 3G network in an attempt to counter Verizon's ads attacking AT&T's 3G network coverage. The ads...
AT&T iPhone Exclusivity to Expire in June 2010?
Fortune reports on comments last Friday from Broadpoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall that have been receiving a fair amount of attention today. The primary item of interest has been Marshall's claim that AT&T's exclusive agreement to distribute the iPhone in the U.S. will expire in June 2010, opening the door for other carriers to begin offering the device. Marshall's comments specifically...
New Apple Black Friday Sale Leak?
Boy Genius Report posts a supposed leak of Apple's forthcoming Black Friday sale items. Among the discounted items are iMacs ($101 off), MacBook Pros ($51-$101 off), iPod nanos ($11 off), and iPod touches ($21-$41 off). Also included are the Apple TV, AirPort products, Magic Mouse, iWork, and several other Apple and third-party accessories.
Last week, Boy Genius Report posted a possible...
China Mobile Strong-Arming Vendors Not to Sell iPhone?
iPhonAsia reports on an article [Google translation] from Chinese web portal Sina.com noting that a number of retailers that had reached agreements with China Unicom to offer the iPhone there have received threatening letters from rival China Mobile warning them that offering the iPhone is not permitted. Many cell phone distributors received formal notification that "Selling iPhones is not...
