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
Apple Seeds iOS 6.1.3 Beta 2 to Developers with Fix for Passcode Lock Bug
As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple has seeded iOS 6.1.3 beta 2 to developers. In line with our suspicions following the launches of iOS 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 emergency bug fixes released over the past two weeks, the original iOS 6.1.1 beta track has now been relabeled as iOS 6.1.3 with this second beta.
Release notes for the original beta version had indicated that it focused on Maps improvements for...
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Possible Photos of Second-Generation iPad Mini Rear Shell Surface
Mobiles Pie points to a forum thread [Google translation] at Chinese site WeiPhone sharing a number of photos of what may be the rear shell of the second-generation iPad mini.
The photos show a shell very similar to that of the current iPad mini, although from some angles it does appear to be slightly thicker. It is difficult to tell, however, whether the apparent increased thickness is a...
Apple Hit with 'Planned Obsolescence' Lawsuit in Brazil over Fourth-Generation iPad
Brazilian newspaper Jornal do Comércio reports [Google translation, via MacMagazine.com.br] that Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit over its introduction of the fourth-generation iPad in the country. The lawsuit, led by the Institute of Politics and Law Software (IBDI), reportedly alleges that Apple's deviation from its usual yearly product update cycle amounts to "planned...
Foxconn Says Current Hiring Freeze Due to Strong Returning Workforce, Not Waning iPhone 5 Demand
Financial Times reported earlier today that Foxconn has enacted a hiring freeze at most of its Chinese facilities due to reduced demand for the iPhone 5.“Currently, none of the plants in mainland China have hiring plans,” said Liu Kun, a company spokesman at Foxconn’s largest manufacturing facility, in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen across the border from Hong Kong.
Human...
Apple Releases iOS 6.1.2 to Address Exchange Calendar Bug
In line with a report from last week, Apple has just released iOS 6.1.2. According to Apple, the update addresses a Microsoft Exchange bug but sources had indicated that it also addresses a lock screen passcode issue.
Fixes and Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life.The update arrives as Build 10B146 for most devices, with the exception...
Apple Catches Up to Demand for iPad Mini, Now 'In Stock' in Many Countries
Apple appears to have finally achieved supply-demand balance on its popular iPad mini, with the company's online stores for the United States, Canada, Australia, and a number of other countries now showing all models as "in stock" for immediate shipment. European customers are still being quoted 1-3 business days for new orders, although these will likely move to "in stock" relatively shortly.
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Try the 5-Inch iPhone Experience with this Printable Papercraft Model
There have been a growing number of reports that Apple is working on a larger form factor iPhone, presumably to better compete with the wide variety of Android devices currently available. Based on those rumors, there have been also been a number of speculative articles on exactly how Apple might adapt iOS to handle the increase in screen size.
The predominant theory suggests that Apple...
Apple Hiring Software Manager and Engineer to Build 'Next Generation Features' for Apple TV
As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple has posted a job listing seeking a new software engineering manager focused on "next generation features for Apple TV".The Apple TV team is looking for an experienced engineering manager to help deliver the next generation features for Apple TV. Bring your creative energy and engineering discipline, and help us bring the Apple experience to the Living Room. [...]
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Claims of Apple Putting New Hires to Work on 'Fake' Projects Questioned, Found Unlikely
Just over a year ago, a LinkedIn Q&A session with Inside Apple author Adam Lashinsky generated some attention for an exchange with a former Apple employee in the audience who reported that new Apple hires are sometimes placed on "fake" projects during a probationary period. The audience member's comment was sparked by Lashinsky's discussion of employees being hired into "dummy positions" where...
iOS 6.1.2 to Address Exchange and Passcode Bugs Reportedly Coming Early Next Week
German site iPhone-Ticker reports [Google translation] that Apple is planning to release iOS 6.1.2 early next week to address both the Exchange bug and lock screen passcode issue affecting iOS 6.1 users. According to the report, iOS 6.1.2 is likely to arrive before Wednesday, February 20.
Like iOS 6.1.1 released for the iPhone 4S earlier this week, iOS 6.1.2 will be a limited update...
Apple's New TV Effort May Kick Off This Fall with Focus on Third-Party Apps
TechCrunch's MG Siegler reports that Apple indeed appears to be moving closer to making a major push into television, perhaps leveraging the existing iOS-based Apple TV to pursue gaming as a focus point for the initiative.
Xbox founding engineer Nat Brown had noted earlier this week that he believes Apple could destroy the traditional console gaming business by opening up the Apple TV platform ...
Apple Acknowledges iOS 6.1 Passcode Bug, Fix Coming in Future Software Update
Following today's significant publicity surrounding a bug in iOS 6.1 that allows users to bypass the iPhone's passcode lock to access the device's phone functions and contacts, Apple has issued a brief statement to AllThingsD acknowledging the issue and promising a fix for it.Reached for comment, Apple said it is hard at work on a fix. “Apple takes user security very seriously” spokeswoman...
Apple Releases Shorter 0.5-Meter Lightning to USB Cable, Tweaks In-Ear Headphones
Following its move to introduce a shorter Thunderbolt cable last month, Apple has made a similar move in launching a new 0.5-meter Lightning to USB cable.
The new cable is half the length of the standard Lightning to USB cable and provides an option for users looking for less cable clutter in more confined spaces. Interestingly, there is no price difference between the two cable lengths,...
iOS 6.1 Bug Enables Bypassing Passcode Lock to Access Phone and Contacts
Yesterday, Jailbreak Nation highlighted a bug with iOS 6.1 that allows users to bypass a passcode lock on an iPhone to access the phone function and contacts on the device. While the bug allows only limited access to the device and can require several attempts to achieve the correct timing to exploit, it is gaining significant attention today.1. Lock device
2. Slide to unlock
3. Tap emergency...
No Apple Television-Related Event Scheduled for Next Month
Following today's report from Jefferies analyst Peter Misek claiming that Apple will be holding a television-related product event in March, perhaps to introduce developer tools for the Apple TV and a future television set lineup, The Loop's Jim Dalyrmple has weighed in with one of his typical one-word answers to refute the claim: "Nope."
Dalrymple has impeccable accuracy with such comments, ...
Xbox Founding Engineer Says Apple TV Could Destroy Console Gaming with Third-Party Apps
Earlier this month, we highlighted some comments from Valve founder Gabe Newell noting his view that Apple had the potential to take over the traditional gaming market by leveraging its existing ecosystem to deliver a "dumbed down living room platform" more quickly and efficiently than others can transition from the console to streaming via PC as Newell believes is the future.Nat Brown, one of...
Apple Officially Loses 'iPhone' Trademark Dispute in Brazil, Appeals and Lawsuits Coming
BBC News reports that Apple has officially lost a trademark ruling in Brazil over the "iPhone" name, with officials declaring that a company now selling Android phones under the name is the rightful owner of the term based on its trademark application from 2000.
The impact on Apple appears to be limited for the time being, however, as Apple is reportedly pursuing an appeal and can continue...
Apple's 4.8-Inch iPhone 6 Reportedly Not Launching Until Mid-2014
Amid circulating rumors of a larger display for the iPhone, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today reported that he does not see the device launching until mid-2014. Misek argues that problems with display yield and substantial other changes for the iPhone 6 will make a 2013 launch unlikely. Some rumors had suggested that Apple might be able to launch an iPhone 5S and a lower-cost iPhone in...
Apple Planning March Special Event to Introduce Developer Tools for TV?
Citing "channel checks", Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today reported in a research note that Apple appears to be preparing for a television-related product event next month. While Misek does not believe that Apple's rumored television set will be making an appearance at the event, he does suggest that Apple might begin setting the stage for the future product by launching developer tools that...
Apple Updates Retina MacBook Pro with New Processors, Drops Pricing on 13-Inch Models and High-End MacBook Air
Apple today announced that it has updated its Retina MacBook Pro lineup with new processors, also moving to lower pricing across the board on the 13-inch models.The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now starts at $1,499 for 128GB of flash, and $1,699 for a new 2.6 GHz processor and 256GB of flash. The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now features a faster 2.4 GHz quad-core processor, ...
