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
Surveys Point to Mac and iPhone Sales Momentum, Strong Tablet Interest
In a note to clients issued today, research analyst Mike Abramsky reported on the results of several recent RBC IQ/ChangeWave survey questions demonstrating surging Mac and iPhone sales momentum, as well as significant interest in a potential Apple tablet computer.
In a survey of customers who had purchased a computer within the past 90 days, 25% of respondents reported purchasing a Mac...
Read Full Article • 43 comments
Apple Releases Logic Pro 9.0.1, Logic Express 9.0.1, and MainStage 2.0.1
Apple today released a trio of updates for its professional-level audio applications, bringing stability improvements and a number of bug fixes.
- Logic Pro 9.0.1 weighs in at 183 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later. This update improves overall stability and provides numerous fixes and enhancements.
Issues addressed include:
* Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes
*...
iPhone to Launch in China on October 15th?
Unwired View reports on news from China Business Times [Google translation] that China Unicom is internally targeting a launch date of October 15th for the iPhone. Pricing will reportedly be set at 1,999 yuan (US$293) for the 8 GB model and 2,999 yuan (US$439) for the 16 GB model. Both models will require two-year contracts with pricing beginning at 186 yuan (US$27) per month. We still don't...
USB Compliance Organization Sides With Apple in Palm Pre Syncing Dispute
Digital Daily reports that the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has responded to Apple and Palm regarding the two companies' ongoing spat over Palm's attempts to allow its Pre smartphone to sync media directly via iTunes. Despite Palm's apparent misuse of Apple USB Vendor ID codes, Palm reported Apple to the USB-IF for improper use of its own Vendor ID to shut out the Pre. Palm had argued that...
Apple Releases iTunes 9.0.1
Apple today released iTunes 9.0.1 via Software Update and the iTunes download site, offering a number of bug fixes. iTunes 9.0.1 provides a number of important bug fixes, including:
- Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store.
- Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive.
- Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit.
- Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in...
AT&T Weighs In Against Net Neutrality Regulations for Wireless Industry
CNET reports that AT&T and other wireless carriers and wireless trade associations are expressing concern over recent comments from U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski regarding his support for "Net neutrality", fearing that the current focus on wired Internet service will be expanded to included wireless networks.
The principles of Net neutrality include the...
Lynwood, Washington Apple Retail Store Employees May Stage Walk-Out
ifoAppleStore reports that employees of the Seattle-area Alderwood Mall Apple retail store in Lynwood, Washington are planning to stage a walk-out on October 3rd to protest employees' treatment by management and an unwillingness by higher-level Apple executives to appropriately address the "abusive" situation. Now, staffers at the Alderwood Mall (Wash.) retail store say their complaints about...
AT&T Deactivating 'View My Message' Service for iPhone Users Ahead of MMS Launch
Several AT&T iPhone users have reported today receiving text messages from the wireless carrier informing them that the company's View My Message workaround for receiving multimedia messages will be deactivated as accounts are prepared for MMS activation on September 25th. AT&T Free Msg: Picture & video messaging (MMS) will be available for iPhone on 9/25. While we prepare your account for MMS...
Google Adds Push Gmail for iPhone and iPod Touch Via Google Sync
Google today announced that it has expanded its Google Sync service to include push e-mail for the iPhone and iPod touch, as well as Windows Mobile devices. Google Sync, launched earlier this year, also provides synchronization of contacts and calendar entries. When we launched Google Sync for Contacts and Google Calendar earlier this year, an over-the-air, always-on connection to sync mail was...
'Layar' Augmented Reality Platform to Gain 3D Capabilities
MobileCrunch reports that Layar, one of the earliest and highest-profile augmented reality platforms for mobile devices, is in the process of adding 3D capabilities to its Android tools, opening the door for developers to offer new levels of immersive experiences. With 3D, third-party developers can now tag real-life objects with three-dimensional text, place 3D objects on top of real-world space...
Apple Releases Three New iPhone Ads: 'Dine', ' Nature', and 'Pass'
Apple today released three new iPhone commercials, airing them on U.S. prime time television and posting them to the company's iPhone ad gallery. The ads mark a departure from the company's recent theme of highlighting three App Store applications per commercial and instead feature six applications per ad. All three commercials also mention that there are now 75,000 applications available in...
Microsoft Attempting to Lure Away Apple Retail Store Staff?
The Loop reports that Microsoft, which is preparing to open the first of its retail stores, has been contacting Apple retail store managers and attempting to lure them away with increased salaries to run its own stores. People that have spoken to The Loop on condition of anonymity confirm that Microsoft has contacted a number of Apple's retail store managers to work in their stores. In addition to ...
No Netflix Streaming to iPhone in Near Future?
In a Q&A with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, Reuters reveals that the company does not have any "short term" plans to bring video viewing and/or streaming to the iPhone and iPod touch. Netflix is instead continuing to focus its efforts on its core TV-based business and consumer electronics such as Blu-ray players and video game systems associated with that medium. Reuters: Any plans to work in...
Apple 'iPhone Activation Zones' Rolled Out in Retail Stores
Last week, we reported that Apple was about to roll out dedicated "iPhone Activation Zones" in its retail stores in order to provide dedicated points of contact for new customers looking to purchase, activate and receive initial set-up assistance with iPhone purchases.
Apple has in fact now reconfigured a number of its stores to set aside these dedicated spaces and has begun mentioning their...
Apple Releases HP Printer Drivers for Snow Leopard Version 2.2
Apple today released Version 2.2 of HP Printer Drivers for Mac OS X v10.6, updating drivers for a small handful of previously-supported models and adding support for several new models. The complete package of drivers, which weighs in at 383 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.1, comes ten days after the last update for HP drivers.
A quick glance at Apple's support document listing supported...
Apple Approved Nearly 1400 iPhone Apps Last Friday
AppShopper notes that Apple approved nearly 1400 iPhone and iPod touch applications last Friday, by far the largest number approved in a single day in the past few months. Over 300 of the approved applications were games, creating a host of new selections for consumers to choose from and continuing to feed Apple's emphasis on gaming for its mobile devices. At the end of last week we saw a...
Apple Moves Up to #20 on 'Best Global Brands' List
Macsimum News notes that Apple has moved up to #20 on market research firm Interbrand's annual 'Best Global Brands' list. Interbrand pegged Apple's "brand" at a value of $US15.4 billion, up 12% from 2008 and enough to boost Apple to #20 from #24 in the rankings. The recession won't take a bite out of this Apple. Declining Mac sales and fears for the company's future without brand visionary Steve...
AT&T 3G MicroCell Site Goes Live, Monthly Fees to Be Up to $19.99? [Updatedx2]
Engadget Mobile reports that AT&T's 3G MicroCell site has gone live as the company is apparently preparing to launch its service that will allow wireless subscribers to utilize their home Internet connection for enhanced voice and data coverage. The news comes on the heels of an anonymous report that service for the new device will cost up to $19.99 per month for unlimited minutes, although...
Apple Investigating Reports of Poor Battery Life for iPhone OS 3.1 Users
The iPhone Blog reports that Apple is taking steps to investigate numerous reports of reduced battery life from iPhone OS 3.1 users. The company's AppleCare division has reportedly begun contacting users complaining about the problem in its support forums, asking users a series of 11 questions about their battery life issues. An undisclosed number of users who have posted on Apple's discussion...
Apple Introduces App Store Resource Center for iPhone Developers
In an e-mail sent today to registered iPhone developers, Apple announced the introduction of the App Store Resource Center (iPhone developer membership required), a new site within the iPhone Dev Center dedicated to assisting developers with the App Store application process. We are pleased to introduce the App Store Resource Center, a single destination designed to make it easier for you to find...
