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Mark Gurman

Mark is an award-winning journalist who worked at 9to5Mac for over six years. He covers Apple and other topics related to the consumer technology industry.

Mark is regarded as one of the go-to reporters for all Apple-related matters, one of Wired‘s top 16 people to follow in technology, and one of TIME Magazine‘s top 25 bloggers of 2013Mark has also been profiled by CNN Fortune multiple times, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, the Huffington PostBusiness Insider, Columbia Journalism Review, MarketplaceHaaretz, and USA TodayMark was also recently named to the 2015 Forbes 30 under 30 List.

In 2012, Mark published the first photos of the iPhone 5, broke the news about Apple’s switch to an in-house Maps application, revealed the first 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, forecasted that Apple would update the iPad’s software with Siri support, and accurately revealed the iPad mini’s higher-than expected price point.

In 2013, Mark published the first photos of the original iPad Air, provided the first details about Jony Ive’s end-to-end iPhone and iPad software update called iOS 7, provided information about OS X Mavericks, and detailed Apple’s early work on the Apple Watch.

In 2014, Mark revealed Apple’s work on a new Health application for iOS 8 and the Apple Watch, Ive’s redesign of OS X called Yosemite, and details about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Mark started out 2015 with a significant scoop detailing Apple’s yet-to-be-released 12-inch MacBook with a Retina display, thinner design, and more advanced trackpad and keyboard. He has continued the year by reporting on several details about iOS 9, including the new Proactive Assistant, redesigned Siri, upgraded Maps with transit functionality, new system font, split-screen iPad apps, Swift 2.0, as well as predicting a performance focus for both that software upgrade and OS X El Capitan. Mark finished the year by reporting the majority of the details about the new Apple TV, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple Watch updates, the iPad Pro, the iPad mini 4, and iMacs.

Mark started out 2016 with exclusive reports on Apple’s work on a pair of completely wireless Beats headphones for the iPhone 7, details on the iPhone SE, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, Apple Watch updates, Apple’s March product event, new Apple retail initiatives, and Tim Cook’s Town Hall meeting with Apple employees.

Mark has also written long-form features on “Apple Anonymous,” a group of retail employees who discuss work over Twitter and the fascination of watches by Apple executives. Most significantly, in fall 2014, Mark published an extensive profile of Apple’s PR and Communications department that was compiled over two months into nine chapters. Mark also provides analysis on relevant technology industry topics, such as Apple’s recent executive shakeup. Mark kicked off his writing career at the end of 2009, and he had his first significant break in 2011 with a story detailing Siri and the iPhone 4S.

You can follow him on Twitter.

Signal app gives jailbreakers more mobile data than many knew existed

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJD4svkU_ss&w=480&h=385]

Work continues on a rather handy app which helps you find your local mobile phone/cell phone masts and check their power and coverage, though you’ll need to unlock your iPhone to use the tower power app.

In development via the iPhone Dev team, the app will let you unravel which towers you are connecting to and at what power they operate. This could for instance be useful if you are trying to find the best available signal in a poor signal area.

Technical users will probably get a kick out of the breadth of technical data they’ll get from Signal. Lots of numbers and a nice chance to see where on the map the towers are, you may even find some disguised towers.

The app’s called Signal and it costs $5, sold in the Cydia store. It is currently being tweaked to version 1.1, and will include what the iPhone Dev Team describe as “an awesome Easter Egg”.

Signal’ works in any country, impress your friends on any continent, show your inner geek in any language. Are you receiving??

 

Apple Store Pranks: Display iPhones get Jailbroken

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A loyal (some would say awesome) reader sent in their experience of jailbreaking an iPhone 4 at an Apple retail store and captured the event on video. He obviously used www.jailbreakme.com to do the job which opens the door for 3G FaceTime and hotspots and customizations.

http://www.twitvid.com/player/KDQOH

While jailbreaking is fun, but a pain for store employees to have to re-image every night, a more fruitful prank would be to set all the Mac web browser home pages to 9to5mac.com.  Video or it didn’t happen!

Thank you, Ethan for the video!

Here's how much data 3G FaceTime uses

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Many people are curious to know how much data FaceTime over 3G actually uses. We put two iPhone 4s to the test, one running FaceTime over 3G, and took before and after screenshots of the data. As you will see, if you do the math, a 5 minute FaceTime call with lots of movement used 14.7 MB of data. — That’s about 3 MB per minute. 

Before 3G FaceTime Call

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After 3G FaceTime Call

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FaceTime over 3G [Video]

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As MuscleNerd called it, “killer-app.” — It truly is. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kq7Ckcgp0o&w=640&h=385]

Seth couldn’t tell the difference between the 3G FaceTime call and a WiFi FaceTime call; the quality is that good. 

Setup Instructions:

1) Jailbreak your iPhone 4 via www.jailbreakme.com.

2) Download and upgrade to the latest Cydia package.

3) Open Cydia, Go to Manage then Sources.

4) Click Sources, Edit then add: http://apt.modmyi.com

5) Search for “My3G” — download, and install it.

6) Go through the Rock setup process with a username and password. Open My3G and leave all settings on the default. 

7) FaceTime should now work over 3G! — Make sure to “Forget” the WiFi network you are on (via iOS settings) if you want to test it. 

Intel holding back Redmond's copy machines

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Business Insider reports the iPad won’t be seeing any competition from Microsoft this year, as the Redmond company is waiting on Intel. Steve Ballmer states that making an iPad-competitor/killer/terminator… is “Job one” at Microsoft. This “Job one” won’t be done this year as they are waiting for the upcoming Intel “Oak Trail” processor chip.

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This new chip is constructed for tablet-devices as it is very power efficient like Apple’s A4 chip. Microsoft is reportedly waiting on chip which will be released in early 2011 to move forward. From this knowledge, it’s pretty dead-on that a Microsoft tablet will be launching during iPad 2’s prime with that “blow-away” (Forstall) retina display, FaceTime integration, and some other juicy item. 

Thank you, Spencer for fixing up Wayne Ballmer!

Need to Re-Jailbreak: 3G FaceTime is a go [Updated]

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I went on record on Twitter that I unjailbroke yesterday, and the only reason I would re-jailbreak would be for 3G FaceTime; I guess the time has come. A jailbreak-only app, My3G, has just been updated to support the FaceTime feature. My3G takes your 3G connection and coverts it so the iPhone thinks it’s WiFi.

To get the app you must download “Rock” from Cydia, then download My3G from Rock. The catch is the Rock version will cost you $3.99. The app is also now available directly in Cydia for $2.79 via the ModMyi repo. The app is identical, the price is the only difference; which one will you get? 

Update: You can check out 3G FaceTime on video here and see how much data is actually used here. 

via Mac Stories

JailbreakMe FaceTime and MMS fix out, Unlock available in 48 hours

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Earlier we reported the JailbreakMe’s jailbreak system breaks the FaceTime and MMS features on many user’s devices. Since then, the Dev-Team has worked closely with the creator of Cydia, Jay Freeman aka Saurik, to issue a fix. New JailbreakMe users should simply proceed normally and a new version of the jailbreak will be installed that will not remove FaceTime or MMS from the iPhone.

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Users who already installed JailbreakMe get an easy fix as well. They should simply navigate to Cydia and upgrade to the latest software. Additionally, PlanetBeing announced on his Twitter profile that a compatible unlock will be available in 48 hours. They are reportedly amidst internal testing of the unlock software. 

JailBreakMe 2.0 (iOS Jailbreak via Safari) on Video [Updated]

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Here’s the video of JailBreakMe on an iPhone 3G:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeeHureLUiU&w=480&h=385]

Here’s the video of JailBreakMe on an iPhone 4 (faster!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=injJTTb9EWw&w=640&h=385]

Feel free to ask some questions in the comments. And yes, FaceTime still works. 

Update: We’ve been told by Chronic Dev-Team that FaceTime and MMS may not work properly on some devices. To fix, do a fresh restore and re-jailbreak — that may do the trick. Let us know. 

Update 2x: We’ve installed the jailbreak on 4 iPhone 4s and both FaceTime and MMS still work flawlessly on all devices. 

Update 3x: One of our devices lost FaceTime and MMS after restarting. 

Update 4x: An official fix for the FaceTime and MMS issues is now available, and a compatible carrier unlock will reportedly become available in 48 hours.  

iOS Jailbreak via Mobile Safari is here

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The iPhone Dev Team (Comex) has just unleashed a new jailbreak tool for all iOS devices and it’s done through Mobile Safari! Head to www.jailbreakme.com from Safari on your iDevice and get going! This is the “JailBreakMe 2.0 star” jailbreak for this into all the codewords. 

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The servers are definitely stumped right now so try www.jailbreakme.modmyi.com — that worked for us. 

We can verify that this jailbreak is meant to run on all iOS devices including iPad and iPhone 4 with iOS 4.0 and 4.01. It will not work on iOS devices running iOS 4.1 beta. 

Update: We’ve got video on iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G!

Google search gets fully blocked in China [Update]

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The Associated Press is reporting that Google search today is completely blocked in Mainland China. Google is reportedly “still trying to gather information about the situation in China.” For those wondering, Gmail is still kicking it but all things search are currently blocked except images are partially blocked. 

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Update: Google says this issue is just a glitch. False alarm, folks. 

Future Mac OS to have revolutionary core feature that will "truly amaze everyone"

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Apple has posted a very interesting job position to their jobs website which details the future of Mac OS. Apple is looking for a skilled senior software engineer to be apart of a team which is creating the core of Mac OS’s future. This core is totally new and revolutionary, as described by Apple, and has “never been done before.”

“Are you looking to help create something totally new? Something that has never been done before and will truly amaze everyone? Are you excited by the prospect that what you helped create would be used every day by millions of Apple customers? Then come and work on with the Mac OS X software engineering team to help build a new and revolutionary feature for Mac OS X.”

“We are looking for a senior software engineer to help us create a revolutionary new feature in the very foundations of Mac OS X. We have something truly revolutionary and really exciting in progress and it is going to require your most creative and focused efforts ever.”

“An ideal candidate will have a degree in Computer Science (or equivalent), five years of professional experience developing C / C++ / Objective-C libraries or frameworks for use on end user systems, experience with developing for Internet technologies and services, and a passion for doing

Otterbox Cases Review: Defender for iPhone 4 and iPad, Commuter for iPad

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Otterbox Defender Series for iPhone 4:

The Otterbox Defender for the iPhone 4 isn’t just a mini version of the iPad version, it’s packed with the best protection on the planet for your iPhone 4. The case brings three-layers of protection. An inner plastic cover which protects dings, drops and the other usuals, and a silicon sleeve to go over it. On top of that you have a tough plastic membrane to keep everything in place as well as a belt clip.

All ports are covered so you are good to go on all ends. The case comes with a thickish plastic sheet that goes over the screen. This acts as a screen protector but is actually fused to the case so you don

Top 5 Favorite Safari Extensions

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Here’s out top 5 list of Safari Extensions and why. It’s not any particular order so don’t worry about that, and if you think we missed the best extension in the gallery, you know what to do. 

Exposer: Exposer puts a button that looks like 4 squares on your toolbar. Press it and it will show previews off all your tabs and you click one to open it. There’s also an Option-T keyboard shortcut which you can customize. Great time saver!

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Twitter for Safari: This is Twitter’s official Safari extension which is meant to highlight Twitter’s trending topics. You can also quickly tweet the webpage you’re on, and search through tweets.

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YouTube Wide: 

Developers: Don't change your price until Apple fixes new iTunes connect bug

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It has just come to our attention that the App Store is suffering from a detrimental bug this morning which greatly affects developers. The bug removes all your screenshots from the App Store for iPhone (iTunes and iPad not affected) when you update your app’s metadata in iTunes Connect. Specifically, we have noticed this occurring due to price changes. iOS developers who are 9to5mac readers have informed us of this situation and we did additional investigation by viewing apps that have gone through price changes today. The screenshots of these apps turn into this:

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One can imagine the impact to developers due to revenue loss. People like seeing the app in action before buying, and now that privilege is gone due to this bug. We strongly recommend developers not to update their app’s metadata unless they must, and even more importantly do not change your app’s price. We will update when/if we learn more.

Thanks Jesse!

iOS 4.1 Beta 2 fixes iPhone 4 proximity sensor?

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It’s known that some iPhone 4 users are experiencing issues with its proximity sensor, including myself. People find themselves inadvertently ending and muting calls, punching in keys, and sending FaceTime requests. Jobs and company promised a fix to this, and it seems iOS 4.1 might just be the magical savior of the proximity sensor. This is based on non-scientific tests on two iPhone 4s as well as reader submissions. 

Let us know in the comments if iOS 4.1 beta 2 solved your proximity sensor issues. 

iOS 4.1 Beta 2 Brings Retina Support to Game Center

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Apple really seems to be getting Game Center ready for prime time. They first gave the application an all new look in beta 1, and beta 2 brings support for the iPhone 4’s Retina Display to the table. The image below is not full-resolution, but you can download the full-resolution version here from beta 2 and here from beta 1

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Retina support on top, not so much on the bottom, and oh.. they moved the status and account bars up a bit, Yes!

Next iPod touch with camera in the wild, just another 3rd-gen prototype?

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Supposedly picked up at some “recycling place” in California, this appears to be another “next-gen” iPod touch in the wild. It looks the same as the ones we see almost bi/tri-monthly with the iPod touch 2nd and 3rd generation design, camera, and hundreds of scratches. 

The device is said to still be in working condition, and it is apparently running iOS 3.1.3. There is no front-facing camera and there does not appear to be a higher-resolution display, faster processor chip, or a camera application. This seems to definitely be a third-gen prototype, but hey.. who knows? We’ll update with more once we get. 

via RazorianFly

Apple selling 24 inch LED Display for $799 until stock depletes

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This morning’s announcement of the stunning 27 inch LED Display not only brought along a great new product, but ended production of the 30 inch Cinema Display and the 24 inch LED Display. Apple surely still has some of those obsolete monitors in their warehouses so they’ll be selling them until they’re out of them. On a mission to get these older screens to sell like hotcakes, Apple has lowered price of the LED 24 inch-er a whole Benjamin to $799. — That’s way cheaper than Dell’s competing offering.

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As for the 30 inch Cinema Display, it’s still hanging at that *great* deal of $1799. Either way, the 27 inch LED is taking over town and Apple’s older display offerings will be gone soon. 

Apple Announces 27 inch LED Display for $999

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Apple today announced the release of the 27 inch LED Display. It comes packed with the same features of the 24 inch LED display but brings the iMac’s 2560 x 1440 display to the table. It has speakers, USB ports, and iSight camera so its the perfect display for your Mac notebook. It’ll set you back at $999 and will be available in September.

CUPERTINO, California