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.
As Apple’s September 10th iPhone unveiling approaches, we’ve heard that Verizon Wireless is blocking its retail employees from requesting vacations between Wednesday, September 18th and Sunday, September 22nd. Based on Apple historically shipping new versions of the iPhone about a week and half following the unveiling, it would make sense for the new iPhones to arrive for customers on Friday, September 20th.
Ahead of this Sunday’s kickoff of Apple’s iTunes Festival concerts, Apple has updated its iTunes Festival iOS app with the ability to conduct video streaming. It is plausible that this video streaming feature will allow customers who are not attending the concerts to watch the events live. The Festival is also available to watch via Apple TV and iTunes. Yesterday, Apple started offering free songs from the Festival via its Apple Store iOS app.
Photo from trade-in program training
In line with our reports from earlier this week, Apple has announced that its Apple Store iPhone trade-in-program has launched today. The confirmation comes by way of comment to CNBC.
The trade-in-program is officially called the “iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program” and it is available in Apple Stores across the United States. It is powered in-part by BrightStar…
Apple has informed AppleCare representatives and Apple Retail that it has updated the Safari web browser’s built-in plugin blocker to disable older versions of Oracle’s Java 6 and 7 software.
In recent days, a new Java vulnerability was discovered. The latest issue is described on the National Vulnerability Database:
Hawaiian Airlines, beginning September 1st, will replace its in-flight entertainment systems on some of its routes with iPad minis. This marks the first time that a United States-based airline will offer iPads as in-flight entertainment solutions.
The change will take place on all 767-300 aircraft. Across 14 planes and 14 routes ranging between Hawaii, the continental United States, and countries in Asia, 1500 iPad minis will be deployed:
Apple has given employees in some divisions (including AppleCare) a small gift: a bag (which comes in several different colors) and a small metal flashlight. The reasoning behind the gift is unclear, but it is a nice, small perk nonetheless. A couple of years ago, Apple began giving employees sweaters during the holiday season to keep warm. Other recent Apple employee perks include paid Thanksgiving vacations, free apps, free books, and significant product discounts.
After multiple years without the ability to ship to Puerto Rico, Apple’s Online Store has been updated with the ability to ship to the United States territory. The option became active this week, and is noted on Apple’s shipping and delivery webpage.
Apple notes on its website that average transit time is 2-5 days, and carrier deliveries occur twice a week in Culebra and Vieques (major islands off of mainland Puerto Rico). Overnight shipping is also an option for certain regions in Puerto Rico for an extra cost.
We’re receiving multiple reports from readers indicating that the TV Shows feature on Apple TV and on iTunes on Mac in the United States is seeing an outage. So, it’s not just you. Apple is yet to comment on the downtime on its official status page.
TV Shows icon disappeared from Apple TV? #frustrating
— Klifton Keplinger (@klifk) August 29, 2013
https://twitter.com/cmm6501/status/373129216117575680
https://twitter.com/HarleyQuinn7123/status/372927860270698496
https://twitter.com/jasonsandmeyer/status/373130575118630912
Update: We’re getting reports that TV shows are starting to come back for some users.
Apple has started training its AppleCare technical support staff on the changes and feature-set of iOS 7, according to multiple AppleCare employees. These people say that training began today, and AppleCare employees are required to complete the iOS 7 training by the second week of September.
Following yesterday’s addition of several new content partners to the Apple TV, including The Weather Channel, Smithsonian, Vevo, and Disney, the Apple TV has been updated with new ESPN Sports content. In June, the WatchESPN service made its way to the Apple TV, and as Apple notes on its website, this allows Apple TV users to access some of ESPN’s different channels:
Enjoy live sports coverage and original programming from the entire family of ESPN channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, Buzzer Beater, and Goal Line.
Today, WatchESPN on Apple TV has added ESPNNews and ESPN Deportes. The new content should also be available via ESPN’s WatchESPN app on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. ESPN says that other devices that offer the WatchESPN service will also be able to access to the new content:
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Gold iPhone image created by <a href="http://www.shoplemonde.de">Shop Le Monde</a>
Ahead of next month’s iPhone launches, TmoNews reports that T-Mobile stores in the United States are apparently blacking out Friday, September 20th through Sunday September 22nd as days that its retail employees cannot take vacations…
Twitter has updated its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application with a redesigned timeline and conversation view. The new conversation view inputs a blue line to indicate a conversation between people on Twitter that you follow.
Conversations have a new look! They’re easier to find and fun to join.
• A blue line indicates a conversation between people you follow
• The first Tweet in the conversation now appears above the most recent reply
• Tap to see all of the repliesThis release also includes various other improvements:
• New notification settings
• Bug fixes for direct messages, login verification and mor
User can also now more easily tap to see replies to a tweet and instantly Reply, Retweet, or Favorite a Tweet. The Twitter website and Android apps are seeing a complementing update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnRmayAuB4M
Twitter also says that improved notifications and bug fixes are included in the update. The update is version 5.10 and it is available for free on the App Store.
This morning, news is circulating regarding claims of a September iPad launch, gold iPhone 5S scratch tests, Apple products being allowed to be imported into Iran, and Apple potentially disrupting the way that mobile carriers work. Let’s take a look at each of these claims…
Yesterday, we reported that Apple is gearing up to launch its iPhone trade-in program in September. The program will allow an iPhone user to exchange an older iPhone model for a new iPhone at a discounted price. Today, we’ve learned several new details about the program, including how it works, the official name, and information about the launch.
The trade-in program will be marketed as the “iPhone Reuse and Recycle Program.” It will begin rolling out in select Apple Stores this upcoming Friday, August 30th. Like we previously reported, a larger-scale rollout will occur during the month of September.
The program is applicable to both standard customers and business customers that want to purchase a new iPhone.
Here’s how it will work:
Today, Apple has issued an over-the-air update to the Apple TV that brings several new content apps. Notably, in line with expectations, an app for the Vevo Music Video service has arrived. Also new are Disney Channel and Disney XD apps.
With Apple’s deep partnership with Disney, it is about time that Disney has been fully integrated into the Apple TV. Apple TV users will now also be able to access Weather information via a new app from The Weather Channel. An app for the Smithsonian is also now present.
The Disney apps require cable provider authentication, while The Weather Channel, Smithsonian, and Vevo are available immediately for all users.
Earlier this year, the Apple TV was updated with ESPN, HBO Go, and SkyNews. Time Warner Cable integration is reportedly in the works for later this year.
Images of the new content offerings below:
Twelve South today debuted a new stand for Apple’s MacBook laptops. The GhostStand has a unique design – a major departure from Twelve South’s HiRise stand (full review here) – that is completely transparent.
GhostStand is a transparent, ultra-modern platform–and a brilliant work of art– that elevates MacBook to a more comfortable viewing height. Pair your MacBook with a full-size keyboard and mouse, then set it on GhostStand to enjoy desktop style comfort at home or work. While GhostStand makes it look like your MacBook is floating in midair, two sets of soft silicone rails keep your Mac safely grounded to this affordable lucite stand.
The accessory is built to somewhat turn a laptop into a desktop by raising your MacBook’s display about 6 inches from your desk. This gives a user space to attach a keyboard and mouse. The GhostStand costs $34.99 and we will have a review in the coming days.
Google has released a new application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to make it easier for users to setup and manage the Chromecast TV device.
• Set up your Chromecast to work with your Wi-Fi network
• Manage your Chromecast settings (such as changing your device name, Wi-Fi password, etc.)
The application is free on the App Store. The Google Chromecast is a device that plugs into a TV set via an HDMI port and allows users to stream content, such as YouTube and Netflix, from devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Update: Chromecast is currently available at Best Buy for $35 including the 3 months of Netflix (value $27)
Earlier this month, we reported that Apple would soon introduce significant changes to its online AppleCare support portals. In line with our report, Apple has begun rolling out a redesigned AppleCare website to provide support and has also begun rolling out 24/7 live chat support.
Apple is beginning final preparations to launch an iPhone trade-in program in its retail stores by next month, according to sources with knowledge of the initiative. This trade-in program will allow customers that own earlier versions of the iPhone, such as the iPhone 4S, to bring the phone into an Apple Store and exchange it for a new iPhone model, like the iPhone 5, at a discounted price…
As Apple’s iPhone 5S event approaches, some new details about the new device’s internals are emerging. Clayton Morris has claimed on Twitter that the iPhone 5S’s A7 processor is “running at about 31% faster” than the iPhone 5’s A6 chip. The iPhone 5’s A6 chip is dual-core, and it seems like the iPhone 5S will also remain dual-core.
However, there could be a major differentiator: 64-bit. We’ve independently heard claims that some of the iPhone 5S internal prototypes include 64-bit processors.
It’s unclear if 64-bit will make the cut, but it’s been in testing. We’re told that the 64-bit processing will assist the A7 chip in making animations, transparencies, and other iOS 7 graphical effects appear much more smoothly than on existing iOS Devices…
Apple has seeded the sixth Developer Preview of the upcoming OS X Mavericks. The new preview is available via Software Update in the Mac App Store. This preview comes a few weeks after Developer Preview 5. Preview 5 added iBooks to Mavericks.
Also available today for developers are updated Remote Desktop apps, an updated SDK, and a new Safari 6.1 seed for OS X Mountain Lion.
Mavericks will be available for the general public this fall. We will be updating this post as changes in the new preview are discovered.
iPhone 5S/5C physical mockups
Both of Apple’s next-generation iPhones will rollout in Japan on Friday, September 20th, according to a report from Nikkei. With the “iPhone 5S” and plastic iPhone scheduled to be introduced at a September 10th media event, a September 20th launch is not a bit surprising based on past history.
For previous iOS Device launches, Apple has released their new devices on the Friday of the week following the media event. Corroborating Nikkei‘s claim is Greece-based Techmaniacs.
The iPhone 5S will retain the same design as the iPhone 5, but come in a gold color option. Also likely in the cards is a biometric fingerprint scanner, improved camera software, and a dual-LED flash. As for the plastic iPhone, this device will likely come in a flurry of colors and be flavored for international markets such as China.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir1xdtIb-g0&feature=player_embedded
Google has announced an update for its YouTube for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application that brings multiple new features. Notably, the app will now allow users to watch a video in the corner of the display while browsing and searching for other videos.
The app also gains support for viewing playlists and more content on mobile. Also new is deep integration with the ChromeCast:
The Cast button on YouTube already lets you send YouTube videos from your phone or tablet to your connected TV, like on Chromecast, Google TV, Playstation 3 and other TVs. To make it easier to choose what to watch next, you’ll see a preview screen when your devices are connected and you select a video, with options to play the video to queue it up to watch next.
The app update is available now on iTunes for iOS and is also available for Android.