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
iPhone Firmware 2.0.2 Due Today? [Released]
The iPhone Blog reports that iPhone firmware 2.0.2 will be released at 5:00 PM Eastern time, just a few minutes from now. According to their source, AT&T has said that "the results of this software release will improve the customers experience while operating on our network." While details of the update remain unknown, it may address the 3G connectivity issues being experienced by 2% of iPhone...
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iPhone 3G Connection Issues Related to Software or Hardware?
According to a new article from BusinessWeek.com, additional sources have corroborated an analyst's claim that recent iPhone 3G connection issues are the result of issues with the Infineon chipset used to provide 3G connectivity in the iPhone. The sources indicate that Apple plans to address the issue through a software update rather than a hardware recall. Two sources say Apple will likely issue...
Microsoft Updates Office 2008 and Office 2004
Microsoft today issued updates for both Office 2008 and Office 2004. The updates provide improvements to "stability and performance" and "address vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code."
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.2 Update weighs in at 159.6 MB and addresses security vulnerabilities and AppleScript reliability...
Steve Jobs Acknowledges MobileMe Missteps [Updated]
Ars Technica reports that Steve Jobs sent an internal e-mail to Apple employees this evening admitting mistakes in launching MobileMe. "It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store," he says. "We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence."In particular, Jobs suggested that Apple should have...
AT&T to Remain Sole US iPhone Carrier into 2010?
USA Today has published an article highlighting AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson's contributions to the Apple-AT&T relationship. Of particular note, the article cites unnamed sources who claim that in exchange for offering Apple subsidies of up to $300 per iPhone, AT&T has been awarded an extra year of iPhone exclusivity in the United States, extending into 2010. In exchange for its...
Next-Generation iPod nano to be Taller (Zune-Like)?
Zune on left, artist rendition of Nano on right. From iLounge
iLounge reports that the next generation of iPod nano may sport a taller screen, matching the iPhone and iPod touch's screen aspect ratio of 1.5:1 and up from the 1.33:1 aspect ratio found in the current iPod nano display. To fit the screen and Click Wheel neatly together, the new nano will adopt a form factor that shifts away from...
Apple Releases Lexmark Printer Driver Update 1.1
Continuing a recent trend of releasing third-party printer driver updates via Software Update, Apple today released Lexmark Printer Driver 1.1. The update requires OS X 10.5.3 or later and weighs in at 71 MB. About Lexmark Printer Driver 1.1
The Lexmark Printer Driver Update includes the latest drivers for printers you have used on your system.
This update is available via Software Update...
Apple Releases Aperture 2.1.1
Apple today released Aperture 2.1.1. Whats New in this Version
This update supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.The update is free for Aperture 2 users, requires a minimum of OS X 10.4.11 or 10.5.2, and weighs in at 48...
Apple Releases AirPort Extreme Update 2008-002
Apple today released AirPort Extreme Update 2008-002. Whats New in this Version
This update is recommended for all Intel-based Macintosh computers and improves the reliability of AirPort connections.The update requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 and weighs in at 1.96...
Apple Getting Closer to Launching iPhone in South Korea?
The Chosun Ilbo reports that Apple has posted a job listing for a "Korea iPhone Account Manager" based out of Seoul, suggesting that Apple may be getting closer to launching the iPhone 3G in South Korea. According to the listing, the responsibilities of the position are to "manage the day to day issues of our chosen carrier, ensure healthy relationship and help develop the market."
The Chosun ...
Apple's U.S. Market Share Continues to Grow
A pair of quarterly research reports released today reveal that Apple is continuing to experience growing U.S. market share among PC shipments.
Gartner's report pegs Apple's share of U.S. PC shipments for the second quarter of 2008 at 8.5%, up from 6.4% in the second quarter of 2007. Apple's U.S. shipments increased 38.1% year-over-year, far outpacing the total industry shipment growth of...
Apple Posts iPhone Enterprise Information and Configuration Utilities
Apple has posted an iPhone Enterprise support page to assist corporate customers looking to take advantage of the new capabilities of the iPhone 2.0 software. The page includes a link to a detailed Enterprise Deployment Guide (PDF) providing setup assistance for these enterprise users.
Apple has also released a configuration utility to assist system administrators with creating configuration...
Apple's 5th Avenue Store to Close for iPhone 3G Launch Preparation
Apple's flagship Fifth Avenue retail store in Manhattan, normally open 24 hours a day, will be closed from midnight until 8:00 a.m. on July 11th in order to prepare for the iPhone 3G launch. To get ready for the iPhone 3G launch, we will be closing at midnight on July 10 and will re-open at 8 a.m. on July 11.The store has closed only a handful of times since its opening in May 2006, with the most...
iPhone 3G Commercial Airing on U.S. Television
Numerous readers have reported that Apple's iPhone 3G commercial has begun appearing on a wide variety of U.S. television stations. The commercial, entitled Hallway, debuted during Steve Jobs' keynote speech at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9th and was posted to Apple's site soon after. However, the commercial has remained conspicuously absent from television broadcasts until...
Best Buy and Radio Shack to Sell iPhone 3G?
The Boy Genius Report suggests that the iPhone 3G may be made available for purchase in Best Buy and Radio Shack retail stores in the U.S. While the report stresses that this is an unconfirmed rumor, they do claim that their source has a good track record.
There is no word on whether the iPhone 3G would be available in these stores on the July 11th launch date or if there would be a delay...
Apple Releases Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station Firmware Update
In addition to other updates detailed earlier, Apple today released Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station (802.11n) Firmware 7.3.2. Apple provides no details on the update, specifying only that it includes "bug fixes." The firmware update requires AirPort Utility 5.3.2 or later and weighs in at 4...
Apple Releases Final Cut Server and Pro Applications Updates
Apple has released two software updates related to their professional creative packages.
Final Cut Server Update 1.1 requires Mac OS X 10.5.3 and weighs in at 50.1 MB. This update addresses issues with the check in/check out process for Final Cut Pro projects, fixes issues with double-byte character sets, and improves the general reliability of the software.
It is recommended for all Final...
Apple Releases Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1
Apple today released Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1. About Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of Xserve computers.
To complete the firmware update process, perform the following steps:
1) Locate Xserve EFI Firmware Update.app in /Applications/Utilities and double click on it.
2) Follow the onscreen instructions.
If you will be doing...
iPhone 3G Manufacturing Cost of $100?
EETimes.com reports that technology teardown experts Portelligent have estimated that the bill of materials (BOM) cost to Apple for the iPhone 3G could be as low as $100. While merely an estimate based on assumed components used in the new model, this is significantly lower than the $170 BOM cost at launch for the original iPhone that Portelligent estimated based on their actual teardown of the...
Apple Releases Xsan 2.1 Updates
Apple today released several updates for Xsan, their enterprise-class storage area network (SAN) solution.
Xsan Filesystem Update 2.1 About Xsan Filesystem Update 2.1
The 2.1 update is recommended for all systems running Xsan 2. This update includes general file system fixes, as well as specific fixes for:
- metadata controller reliability
- using and validating file system Access Control...
