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 2013. Mark has also been profiled by CNN Fortune multiple times, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, the Huffington Post, Business Insider, Columbia Journalism Review, Marketplace, Haaretz, and USA Today. Mark 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.
<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/09/colorful-banners-go-up-at-apple-town-hall-ahead-of-tomorrows-iphone-event/">Image</a> via <a href="http://www.igen.fr"><em>iGen</em></a>
With Apple’s media event scheduled for tomorrow, we have rounded up what Apple is likely due to introduce. We previously published a round-table of 9to5Mac author hopes for the event, but this roundup will focus on our specific expectations for the keynote address. You can find our roundup below:
Ahead of tomorrow’s iPhone-relate media event on Apple’s Campus, banners promoting the proceedings have gone up at Apple’s 4 Infinite Loop Town Hall. The banners are nearly identical in design to the event’s official invitation, and some have interpreted the colors to indicate that the iPhone 5C (in multiple colors) will be announced at the event.
Also expected tomorrow is an iPhone 5S, an upgraded version of the iPhone 5 that includes a faster processor, improved camera system, and fingerprint sensor for login authentication. We’ll be covering the event live on 9to5Mac.com, and the event begins at 10 AM Pacific/1 PM Eastern. Another photo below (Thanks, iGen.fr):
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Apple is looking to double the amount of personnel on its in-house marketing and advertising team, according to a report from AdAge. Currently, according to the report, the team includes 300 employees, but Apple is said to be looking to increase that number to between 500 and 600 people.
Apple, in recent years, has reportedly been resilient to growing the team because of a philosophy created by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs:
Similar in style to the previous purported iPhone 5C hands-on video, website CTech has uploaded a new video claiming to show the light blue/cyan iPhone 5C in action.
It’s unclear if the video is legitimate, but it certainly looks plausible. The video shows no new information, but the leak of the device is notable as it likely means that the product will be shipping sooner than later. The user interface on the low-cost device running iOS 7 appears smooth in the video.
The video shows the Lock screen, Home screen, and a bit of tab organization in the Safari app. The iPhone 5C will be announced at the Apple event tomorrow, and it will launch alongside the higher-end iPhone 5S, which will sport a faster processor, fingerprint scanner, and come in a gold color option.
Apple’s annual Back to School promotion was supposed to end yesterday, Friday, September 6, but we understand that the cut-off date has been slightly extended by Apple. The promotion offers a $100 iTunes gift card with the purchase of a new Mac or a $50 gift card with the purchase of an iPhone or iPad.
The promotion will be extended until the end of the weekend through Apple’s Online Store, and we’re told that the extension is also occurring at Apple’s retail stores. It’s unclear when the promotion will end in Apple’s brick-and-mortar chain, but we are told that Apple Store employees have been instructed to keep the 2013 promotion alive until further notice.
Apple has not updated its promotional materials to reflect the slight extension.
Image via <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/02/25/galaxy-s3-vs-galaxy-note-2-vs-iphone-5-size-comparison/"><em>GottaBeMobile</em></a>
According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo, Apple’s 2014 iPhone update is set to include a model with a larger display. Kuo pinpoints the screen increase to be between 4.5 and 5 inches. He also says that the display will continue to be based off of the in-cell touch screen technology. This display configuration, introduced with the iPhone 5, allows Apple to install thinner displays, and this means overall svelter phones.
Today’s claim is not surprising given that we have heard several indications that Apple is looking to boost the size of the iPhone’s display. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Apple is exploring larger display sizes for the iPhone, particularly in the 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch “phablet” range. The aforementioned 4.7-inch Apple displays in testing would fit the claims of Kuo. Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was testing displays up to 6-inches in size…
VideoLAN’s VLC application for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch has been updated with some significant enhancements. Notably, the version 2.1 release includes improved international support. This includes subtitle options for non-western languages, and localization to the following languages: Bosnian, Catalan, Galician, Greek, Marathi, Portuguese, Slovenian.
Improvements are present for subtitles, VoiceOver, Accessibility, video output, and password locking.
In terms of new features, audio-only playback is now supported. Additionally, FTP server discovery for streaming and downloading, UPNP network compatibility, and improved Bonjour featured are present in the update.
VideoLAN tells us that the launch version had 2.5 million downloads during the first week of availability. The update is available for free on the App Store.
Apple won’t announce a new piece of Apple TV hardware next week (as had been previously rumored), but AllThingsD says that Apple will debut some new software for the existing device. Of course, an Apple TV software update is already expected, but ATD says that there could be some neat new AirPlay-related functionality:
Sources say that one new feature in the works will let people who’ve bought content from Apple play that stuff on other users’ Apple TVs, via Apple’s Airplay system. So if you’ve bought a TV show or movie from Apple’s iTunes store, you could watch it at a friend’s house, by calling it up on your iPhone, and telling your friend’s Apple TV to start streaming it.
The new Apple TV software update will also unlock iTunes Radio, the ability to setup an Apple TV over Bluetooth 4.0, and OS X Mavericks multi-display support.
We’ve heard that Apple has some Apple TV related announcements up its sleeves for the coming months, but major hardware changes aren’t expected until at least next year. Sources say that Apple has been working on ways to control the Apple TV (whether that be a full on display – or just a box) via motion…
Following some adjusted wording on iBooks Textbook pages inside of iTunes that ignited speculation of iBooks Textbooks finally becoming compatible with the iPhone, a new iBooks Textbooks category has begun populating on the iOS 7 App Store for iPhone. The section is currently accessible via the Education category of the store.
As you can see in the screenshots above and below, the category is not currently populated or fully functional. However, there is promotional imagery for several categories (including Life Sciences, Humanities, and a High School Core Curriculum) that is fully optimized for the size of the iPhone’s display…
BlackBerry’s Messenger (BBM) app for the iPhone and iPod touch was submitted to the App Store two weeks ago, according to a Tweet from a BlackBerry Senior Manager who is working on the software.
Earlier this year, BlackBerry announced that it would be bringing its popular messaging platform beyond its own devices and onto the application stores for both iOS and Android…
Apple plans to release its next Mac operating system, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, at the end of October, according to sources with knowledge of the launch plans.
This comes despite claims and speculation that Apple will release OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 in tandem this month. iOS 7 is set to ship alongside the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C later in September. There has also been chatter about Apple holding the iPad iOS 7 release back until October.
For the launch of both OS X Lion and OS X Mountain Lion, Apple released the new operating systems the day following an earning results release. Apple traditionally shares its Q4 earnings numbers during the second half of October, so perhaps Apple will release Mavericks the day following its Q4 results announcement…
Japan’s largest mobile carrier, DoCoMo, will finally begin selling the iPhone this fall, according to Nikkei. Apple and DoCoMo reportedly recently came to an agreement, and reports regarding the discussions emerged late last month.
With Apple announcing two new iPhones next week, it is likely that DoCoMo will carry the new devices. Apple will be announcing a successor to the iPhone 5 (the iPhone 5S) as well as a lower-cost, plastic backed iPhone 5 geared towards emerging markets.
Earlier today, chatter increased regarding other next-generation iPhone launches in China, including debuts on China Telecom and China Mobile…
“Gold” iPhone 5S backplate
China Telecom, one of the carriers in China to carry Apple’s iPhone, posted a message on microblogging website Weibo indicating that it will soon carry both of Apple’s upcoming iPhones: the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. The message has since been deleted.
With Apple holding a satellite stream of the September 10th media event in China, it is already likely that the country will see a promoted launch of both of the new iPhones. However, the information from China Telecom seems to indicate that the launch will occur early in Apple’s new iPhone release cycle. With past iPhone launches, Apple saved the China debut for weeks or months after the device’s first hit countries like the United States, Germany, and Australia.
A post on Sina indicates a September 20th launch, a date forecasted by some reports.
Perhaps corroborating a launch soon after the unveiling, major China-based retailer Dixintong is said to begin carrying the new iPhones on September 25th. It’s unclear if this is a general launch date for China, or just the date that this specific retailer has chosen.
In addition to seeing the device early-on in the release plan, recent chatter seems to indicate that China Mobile, the largest mobile carrier in the country, will gain the iPhone with the launches of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. The lower-cost, plastic backed iPhone 5C seems to have been developed with markets such as China in mind…
Google has redesigned its Google Drive application for iPad, and iPhone, and iPod touch to appear more in-line with the designs of the company’s other apps on iOS. The new design focuses on improved previewing of files, and it also includes improved management and sorting of files.
Also new is improved landscape editing support, copying links to files, and the overall sharing of files with other people.
The update also brings an enhanced focus on searching through files:
And last, we brought search to the forefront of the app so you can find the exact file you’re looking for, whether you’re on a small iPhone or a larger iPad. And remember, Drive search recognizes objects in your images and text in scanned documents. So the next time you’re looking for photos of that trip to the Statue of Liberty, just enter the phrase “Statue of Liberty” and your photos will appear – voilà!
The update is available for free on the App Store.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRdRwyFceJY
Today, PayPal has announced a significant update to its iPhone app. Ahead of iOS 7, the application has been completely redesigned with a simpler, flatter user-interface.
Feature-wise, the app update focuses around mobile payments. With a new “Shop” tab, users of the new PayPal app can find restaurants, shops, and venues that support paying with PayPal. On top of that, some of these shops even support purchasing and paying for food or another item before walking into the store.
As explained to TechCrunch, some of these shops even support coupons. Ordering ahead includes the nice benefit of skipping the line. Another feature that goes nice with the “Shop” feature is the ability to pay a restaurant bill via the app.
A bill-me-later option has also been added. The new update for iPhone is expected to arrive on the App Store today.
Electronic Arts has updated its popular Real Racing 3 car-racing game for iOS with a significant car expansion. This update’s additions focus on the Porsche 911, adding several generations of the iconic car and a new game mode:
Today, Apple has seeded OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5 build 12F36 to developers. The update is available via Software Update in the Mac App Store and it is available on the Mac Dev Center. The update comes a day following the release of OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 7 and nearly a month following the previous 10.8.5 seed. A new Safari 6.1 seed is also available for developers. Thanks, D!
A couple of weeks following the previous seed, Apple has released OS X 10.9 Mavericks Developer Preview 7 to registered developers. The update is available via Software Update in the Mac App Store. If you find anything new, you can let us know at tips@9to5mac.com. We’ll be updating this post as changes are discovered. A new Apple Remote Desktop 3.7 seed has also been issued.
Apple has updated its iLife suite of iOS apps, which includes iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband, with fixes related to compatibility and stability. With iOS 7’s launch right around the corner, perhaps these updates include improved compatibility with the revamped operating system. Apple has released compatibility updates for its App Store apps ahead of major iOS updates in the past. Thanks @preshit!
Verizon Wireless and Vodafone have announced that Verizon has acquired Vodafone’s 45% stake in Verizon. This means that Verizon now owns 100% of its Wireless company. The cash and stock deal is worth $130 billion, and the deal is expected to close in Q1 2014.
Verizon says that it feels 100% ownership of Verizon Wireless will make them “better equipped to take advantage of the changing competitive dynamics in the market and capitalize on the continuing evolution of consumer demand for wireless, video and broadband services.”
Both Verizon Wireless and Vodafone carry Apple’s wireless products, like the iPhone and iPad. Perhaps now that Verizon is no longer in a material partnership with Vodafone, this could open up the door to enhanced international roaming capabilities for Verizon-optimized iPhones and iPads.
Press release below:
As Apple’s September 10th iPhone event approaches, a few new photos claiming to show packaged “iPhone 5Cs” and accompanying materials have surfaced online. The first photo comes from website iApps.im, and it purports to show several “iPhone 5C” units in packaging. The “iPhone 5C” is what many are calling Apple’s upcoming lower-cost, plastic-backed iPhone. The packaging in these photos appears to line up with a purported packaging leak from earlier this year…
Some iOS and OS X app developers may remember that a shiny new bug reporter tool (known by some as Radar) briefly went live before this year’s WWDC. The bug reporter allows users to submit bugs to Apple that are found in Apple’s operating systems, applications, and services.
The new design was faster and a much needed new coat of paint. However, it was bound with several bugs and pulled after a couple of days. Now, the new bug reporter tool is live once again, and developers have noted that it seems to now exist without the omissions and bugs found in the early June version.
Developers tell us that the new design opens up the door for Apple to add new functionality. Additionally, the updated reporter more intuitively informs developers if their bug report has already been submitted. Other new features include improved searching of filed bug reports, more intuitive attaching of files, and the auto-saving (every five minutes) of bug report write-ups.
In line with a rumor from earlier this week, we’ve heard from our sources that AppleCare+ is indeed set to soon launch in Europe. AppleCare+ is Apple’s premium support service, and it provides customers with technical support for both the iPhone and iPad for two years from the original purchase date. AppleCare+ also provides support for up to two instances of accidental damage.
We understand that the launch is “imminent,” but no formal launch date has been announced internally. Apple, this week, has begun training its AppleCare support and Apple Store Genius Bar employees on the upcoming launch of the support initiative. At first, the European launch will occur in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and Switzerland…
Ahead of Apple’s iOS 7 launch (presumably alongside the new iPhones in September), Apple seems to be asking developers to submit larger app icons. As part of iOS 7’s dramatic interface changes, the Home screen icons have been slightly enlarged compared to the iOS 6 icons.
For example, as shown in the image above, the non-iOS 7-optimized Netflix icon has a small white border compared to Apple’s icons.
In order to avoid this interface issue, developers will need to include larger icons in their applications. iOS 6 icons on the iPhone come in at 114 x 114 pixel resolutions, while iOS 7 icons are slightly larger at 120 x 120 pixel resolutions. For the iPad, iOS 6 icons are at resolutions of 144 x 144, and on iOS 7 they come in at a resolution of 152 x 152: