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
China Unicom Reports Only 5,000 New iPhone Users Since Launch
Reuters reports that China Unicom has signed up only 5,000 iPhone users since the device's official launch there late last week. Despite the apparent poor performance of the iPhone, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiobing remains upbeat about the iPhone, as well as the broader rollout of it 3G network, which has already signed up 1 million customers. "We are satisified with iPhone sales so far, and...
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Adobe Points Finger at Apple on 'Get Flash' Page for iPhone
GearDiary reports on a recent change to Adobe's "Get Flash" download page for Flash Player that appears when visited by iPhone users. iPhone users are linked to the page when attempting to load Flash video and have traditionally been greeted with a simple message informing them that Flash was not available for their platform.
The updated text clearly passes the blame for lack of Flash...
Apple Pitching iTunes Subscriptions to TV Networks?
MediaMemo reports that Apple has approached a number of TV networks in recent weeks to pitch its vision of a monthly subscription service that would allow the networks to deliver their content to consumers via iTunes with the idea of replacing consumers' cable packages. Apple isn't tying the proposed service to a specific piece of hardware, like its underwhelming Apple TV box, or its long-rumored...
Orange Announces UK iPhone Pricing
UK wireless carrier Orange today revealed pricing plans for the iPhone, which will launch on the carrier on November 10th. iPhone pricing ranges from free with certain plan prices and term commitments up to 539 for the 32 GB iPhone 3GS on a contract-free pay as you go plan.
Monthly consumer plans begin at 29.36 for 150 minutes of talk time and 250 text messages. All plans include "unlimited" ...
Apple Disabling Support for Intel Atom Processor in Latest 10.6.2 Build?
OS X Daily reports on a discovery that Apple's latest developer build of Mac OS X 10.6.2 disables support for Intel's Atom processor. While Apple's exact motive for the change is unknown, the result is that users who have modified their Atom-powered netbooks to run OS X will be unable to easily apply the 10.6.2 update should the change remain in effect for its public launch. You can't help but...
Apple's New 27-Inch iMacs Experiencing Performance Issues?
Engadget reports that Apple's discussion forums are starting to see reports of poor performance on the company's new 27-inch iMacs introduced last week. While users have reported several issues, including inappropriate spinning down of the hard drive and corrupted Snow Leopard installations, the primary complaint seems to be poor Flash performance. The most common symptom seems to be incredibly...
Marvel Comics Come to the iPhone
Macworld reports that the developers of three iPhone comics applications have struck deals to bring Marvel Comics to the iPhone via in-app purchasing. Comics [App Store], iVerse Comics [App Store], and Panelfly Comics [App Store] are all participating in the releases. The Marvel comics available initially from Comixology are Joss Whedon's 24-issue run on Astonishing X-Men, Robert Kirkman's...
Analyst: Apple Executives Share Thoughts on e-Book Market, iPhone Profits
RBC Capital analyst Mike Abramsky published a research note today regarding a meeting with several Apple executives, including Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, iTunes VP Eddy Cue, and Mac Marketing VP David Moody, covering a number of topics related to Apple's business.
While the executives were tight-lipped as usual about the company's plans for the future, one interesting tidbit...
iPhone Launches Today in China
The Associated Press reports on today's launch of the iPhone in China, noting several hurdles faced by the Apple as it attempts to tap into the world's largest market.
Among those hurdles is a lack of Wi-Fi functionality, a restriction that had been imposed by the Chinese government. The restriction was lifted earlier this year, but not until after the Chinese-specific iPhone lacking Wi-Fi...
'NBA League Pass Mobile' Brings Live NBA Basketball to iPhone
The NBA today launched NBA League Pass Mobile [App Store, $39.99] for the iPhone and Android operating systems, bringing live video of over 40 NBA basketball games per week for the 2009-2010 season to users via Wi-Fi and 3G. Features include: - Watch over 40 LIVE NBA games a week
- View full game replays for up to 48 hours after the game Local market, national blackout and other restrictions...
Apple Launches Apple TV 3.0 Software and iTunes 9.0.2 [Updated]
Apple today announced the launch of Apple TV 3.0 software, offering a redesigned user interface and compatibility with Apple's iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras, as well as Genius Mixes and Internet radio. "The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favorite content," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of Internet Services. "HD...
WordPress 2 for iPhone Now Available
Blog software publisher WordPress today announced that WordPress for iPhone 2 [App Store, Free] is now available. The new version, which is a separate application from the original WordPress app and thus can not be obtained via the App Store's update mechanism, brings a number of new features for those looking to administer their WordPress-based blogs on the go. The most notable changes...
Apple Revamping Retail Store Staffing and Checkout Tools
ifoAppleStore reports that Apple is tweaking several aspects of its retail store operations as it moves into the holiday sales season. Among the changes are an adjustment to color-coded t-shirts for various types of employees and a shift from using Windows CE-based EasyPay mobile checkout devices to iPod touches using barcode scanner accessories and custom point-of-sale software.
According to ...
New iTunes Store Terms Suggest Impending Apple TV 3.0 Software Update
Users attempting to make purchases in Apple's iTunes Store today are being presented with updated Terms and Conditions that they must agree to before conducting their purchases. While such updates are fairly routine, today's changes include mention of Apple TV software version 3.0, which is yet to be released. The Terms of Sale have been revised to clarify that you can now use iTunes LPs and...
Apple Engineers Increasing Trips to Asia Ahead of Tablet Launch?
Silicon Alley Insider issued a brief report yesterday sharing secondhand information of an Apple engineer's increased trips to Asia of late and apparent additional upcoming trips during the usually-slow holiday season. Indeed, a source tells us a system integration engineer friend of his at Apple has been ramping up his travels back and forth between China lately, broadcasting word of his travels...
Apple Seeds Mac OS X 10.6.2 Build 10C535 to Developers
Apple today seeded Build 10C535 of Mac OS X 10.6.2 to developers. The release comes one week after the previous build was pushed to the developer community for testing.
The new 10C535 build reportedly focuses on graphics drivers, trackpad preferences and virtual machine creation while continuing to list no remaining known issues. This suggests that Apple is putting the finishing touches on...
Apple Releases Bluetooth Update 1.0 for Windows
Apple today released Bluetooth Update 1.0 for Windows, bringing improved Bluetooth support to Windows XP and Vista running under Apple's Boot Camp. The update, which weighs in at 6.27 MB, applies only to Apple's new 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac models. This update improves the performance of the Apple Bluetooth devices when running Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista on a Mac computer using Boot ...
Apple's Multi-Touch Magic Mouse Now Shipping
Several MacRumors readers have reported receiving shipping notices from Apple indicating that their Magic Mouse orders have been shipped. At its introduction, Apple announced that while the new multi-touch Magic Mouse is bundled with Apple's new iMac models, the mouse would not be available for standalone purchase until the end of October. The new shipping notices suggest that Apple will be...
No TomTom Car Kit Compatibility for iPod Touch? [Updated]
AppleInsider has received word from TomTom that the company's iPhone Car Kit, just now starting to become available, will not be compatible with the iPod touch or first-generation iPhone. There is some uncertainty, however, over the exact status of the situation. Since it appeared for order on the Apple Store last week, the hardware's Web page has read: "Note: The TomTom app for iPhone is not...
Apple to 'Vigorously' Defend Itself in Nokia Lawsuit
In its 10-K annual report (PDF) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and posted yesterday, Apple notes that it plans to "vigorously" defend itself from a lawsuit filed last week by Nokia claiming infringement of multiple cellular and Wi-Fi patents by Apple's iPhone. The complaint alleges that these patents are essential to one or more of the GSM, UMTS and 802.11 wireless...
