-
Apple readies revamped 15-inch MacBook Pro: Retina Display, ultra-thin design, and super-fast...
-
iOS 6: Apple drops Google Maps, debuts in-house ‘Maps’ with incredible 3D mode
New MacBook Pros will get Samsung’s fast 830 series SSD too
In January, following a meeting with Samsung Storage solutions at CES 2012, we told you that Apple’s next-gen MacBook Air would likely make the switch to the speedier 830 series SSDs from Samsung alongside an update to Ivy Bridge. This was of course before we revealed some major changes coming to Apple’s new MacBook and iMac lineups. In addition to Retina displays for almost the entire new lineup, the new ultra-thin 15-inch MacBook Pro will be getting a complete redesign, losing the optical drive, and bringing it closer to to the thin design of current Airs. Like the new MacBook Airs, we have been told that at least some of Apple’s prototype MacBook Pros have used Samsung’s 830 series SSDs…
Read more
Apple to reject Mac App Store apps using hotkeys starting June 1?
According to a report from TUAW, Apple will soon begin rejecting OS X apps submitted to the Mac App Store that utilize hotkey functionality. The report does not cite a specific source, and app developers we have talked to seem to be unaware of the change. TUAW claimed Apple will only allow existing “hotkey apps”, and those released before June 1, to issue future bug fixes. New apps and existing apps that are releasing updates with new features will apparently not be permitted to use hotkeys:
TUAW has been told that Apple will be rejecting all apps with hotkey functionality starting June 1, regardless of whether the new features are hotkey related or not. Basically, if you’re developing one of those apps, an app that assumes you can still add hotkeys, don’t bother submitting it to the Mac App Store.
The June 1 deadline lines up with the latest deadline Apple set for sandboxing Mac App Store apps, which is a new requirement that limits an app’s access to certain areas of the operating system. Apple is pushing sandboxing as “a great way to protect systems and users by limiting the resources apps can access and making it more difficult for malicious software to compromise users’ systems.” It appears it will also prevent apps from using hotkeys.
Rumor: LCD suppliers for 7.85-inch iPad Mini certified with production ready to ramp up
Taiwan-based publication Liberty Times (translated, via Macotakara) shared an interesting bit of information this evening about the rumored 7.85-inch “iPad Mini.” The publication reported that LG and AU Optronics were certified to supply the LCD panel for the iPad Mini. Furthermore, it goes on to claim that both manufacturers are working to ship the panels for production and for a release sometime during the latter half of 2012. The target-shipping amount for the iPad Mini is said to reach 6 million (which was previously reported), but I think there would be a need for more due to the influx of holiday sales.
Other news about iPad Mini parts include: TPK Holding will produce 4 million backlight modules; Chemi Innolux will produce 2 million; and Nissha Printing will produce the touch film sensor.
Rumors of the iPad Mini have really ramped up over the last few months, because Apple is said to take on Amazon and other competitors with a smaller 7.85-inch offering priced cheaper for customers just entering the tablet market. Many are skeptical that this product would see the light of day from Apple, but the biggest argument against it comes from late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He asserted one would need super-small fingers to navigate smaller 7-inch tablets.
According to rumors, the 7.85-inch iPad will not feature a Retina display as one would certainly hope. Instead, Apple may include the pixel dimensions that were featured on the original iPad (1024-by-768). This type of display will help Apple cut costs, and then it can sell the tablet at a low price.
Apple teases hardware-specific “special features” in upcoming OS X Mountain Lion builds
Apple has long had a program called “AppleSeed” that seeds upcoming versions of Apple software (both iOS and OS X related) to customers. These seeds typically come to this select group of customers even before they are provided to Apple’s paid and registered developers. Today, the company sent an atypical email to this customer group, informing them to register the different pieces of Apple hardware available to them for software testing. The company says that they need this information for “exclusive seeds” for future versions of OS X Mountain Lion. Even more exciting is that the company teases hardware-tied special features:
We are preparing for possible hardware specific software updates on OS X Mountain Lion. These contain hardware-specific bug fixes or even special features! In order to make sure you can participate in these exclusive seeds, we need your most up-to-date machine configuration information. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is with Feedback Assistant.
The first type of special feature that comes to mind is the upcoming Mac Retina Display. According to our sources, Apple will rollout this display first in the new, thinner, faster MacBook Pro line at WWDC in mid-June. Apple says that Mountain Lion is launching in late summer, which probably means the new MacBook Pros will ship with OS X Lion. This also likely means that Apple will continue to seed pre-release versions of Mountain Lion after the new MacBook Pros launch. Since Retina Display technology is a combination of both hardware and software, it is possible that Apple is referring to pre-release Mountain Lion versions that support the next-generation MacBook Pro Retina Display.
Apple rolls out another update to OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview 3 (update: Safari beta update)
Apple has sent out a second update to the third developer preview of OS X Mountain Lion. Changes are currently unknown, but the update is available via software update in the Mac App Store. Let us know if you find anything new! Apple sent the following email regarding the new build:
Facebook rolling out new “Pages Manager” app for iPhone
Facebook has just broken out another feature of their main app and released Pages Manager for the iPhone. The app appears to function just like the main Facebook app, but with all of the features dedicated to fan pages. It also features some new features like access to Facebook’s Insights for tracking analytics data, such as the number of people sharing your page and the total number of people who have been exposed to your brand through the page. Pages Manager available right now in New Zealand, and will be out in the US soon.
More screenshots after the break.
Thanks Daniel!
Best Comments