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.
Yesterday we reported that Apple is discounting select HP printers models in its stores for $50. This is an instant $50 savings and no rebate is required. We also reported that Apple would be heavily promoting Epson printers in its stores for the summer, but there had not been any indication of a similar sale for that brand. However, we’ve now learned that select Epson models will be reduced in price by $20 (image above). The sale runs until September 6th.
Microsoft is continuing its Windows 8 vs iPad TV commercial series by airing a new ad squarely focused on the multitasking capabilities in Windows 8 (via Tom Warren). On Windows 8 tablet devices, users can work in two apps side-by-side. Microsoft demonstrates this comparison in terms of work: agents communicating about baseball player prospects to their offices. Interestingly, MLB.com digital head said this earlier this year: “There’s no other [mobile platform]. It’s Apple and it’s Android.”
As the launch of the next iPhone approaches, rumor and speculation about what Apple’s latest and greatest smartphone could bring to the highly-competitive mobile marketplace is increasing. Based on the latest chatter, a reasonable snapshot of the new iPhone seems to be an “iPhone 5S” with the same design as the iPhone 5, a stronger processor, and an improved camera system.
But what about a “cool factor?” Apple’s previous “S-iPhone” upgrades” both included unique features to set it apart from either previous iPhones or other devices on the market. The iPhone 3GS included new Video Camera and Voice Control hardware and software to differentiate itself from its predecessor, while the iPhone 4S introduced Siri.
At a time where the marketshare of Apple’s competitors like Samsung and Google is consistently growing, the answer to what the next iPhone’s “surprise” feature will be is not so clear. There has been some chatter regarding a fingerprint sensor system, but nothing absolutely concrete.
Perhaps more likely than a new hardware-based feature is something related to camera software.
Over the past few years, Apple has attempted to innovate in the mobile camera department. The iPhone 3GS brought advanced video recording and face detection, the iPhone 4 brought 720P video recording, the iPhone 4S introduced an advanced optics system and 1080P recording, and the iPhone 5 introduced a glitzy, simple-to-use Panorama tool. With no sign of a new camera feature (other than filter effects) in the already-announced iOS 7, what camera improvements can we expect in the new iPhone?
Other notable executive attendees include Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Sergey Bring and Larry Page, Disney CEO and Apple Directory Bob Iger, and News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch.
The conference is well-known as being a place where major deals, acquisitions, and partnerships will be formed. Time will tell if Cook plans to make any deals at this year’s event.
Two weeks following the release of iOS 7 beta 2 to developers, Apple has seeded a third beta to developers for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The update is available via the Software Update function in the iOS 7 Settings application. It will be available soon to download from the iOS Developer Portal.
This third beta likely includes performance and bug fixes. We will update this post with a running list of changes discovered by users. If you spot anything new, you can reach us at tips@9to5mac.com.
Find our running list of the iOS 7 beta 3 changes below:
In its weekly ad, retailer Target is heavily promoting big gift card bonuses for those who purchase an iPhone 5, iPad with Retina Display, iPad mini, 5th-generation iPod touch, or Apple TV. Here are the deals:
The AluDisc is a high-quality, seemingly well-built pedestal that allows you to easily and quickly rotate your display. During my daily workflow, I need to consistently pull USB and Thunderbolt cables out and in of the back of my Thunderbolt Display. Usually, to accomplish this task, I need to manually rotate my display. This is not a truly complex task, but the AluDisc actually makes this process extremely quick and easy. The disc can spins 360 degrees, making it simple to rotate my display.
Apple is testing a local, offline version of Dictation voice input for iOS devices, according to strings of code found inside of the iOS 7 beta. The code, which was discovered by Hamza Sood, is located inside of both iOS 7 betas, but it is not present in iOS 6. Currently, when an iOS user uses their voice to input text using Dictation, the iOS device will use software that uploads your speech to the cloud to be converted into text. Because this relies on an internet connection and a cloud backend, this could sometimes mean errors and long-loading times, as well as some unwanted data usage…
Jack Dorsey’s Square payments company has teamed up with Apple to sell the new Square Stand point-of-sale system through Apple’s large chain of retail stores, according to multiple sources. The Square Stand is an iPad accessory that works with the Square Register app to turn in the iPad into a tool that can run a business. The Square Stand’s main feature is its ability to connect to several devices like cash registers, barcode scanners, and printers. Additionally, the device includes a built-in credit card reader…
One week after the second beta seed of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5, Apple has issued OS X 10.8.5 build 12F17 to registered developers. The new update, again, includes no known issues and is available for developers via the Mac Developer Center and the Mac App Store Software Update function.
Apple asks testers to focus on WiFi, Graphics, Wake from Sleep, PDF viewing and Accessibility, and Mobile Device Management during their testing. Apple has also been providing 10.8.5 beta updates to its retail staff for testing. Thanks, D!
Apple CEO Tim Cook and his leadership team are moving to implement sweeping changes to the way iPhones are sold and marketed in order to deflect competition from smartphones running Google’s Android operating system. Hints of the new iPhones sales push were described at a secretive summit at San Francisco’s Fort Mason for Apple Retail Store Leaders from across the globe, according to multiple people familiar with the internal event…
In celebration of the iOS App Store’s upcoming 5th anniversary, Apple has created a timeline of notable events in the App Store’s history.
This timeline has been sent to members of the media, including The Financial Times’ Tim Bradshaw, and Apple has created similar promotions in the past.
Earlier this year, Apple sent out a similar celebratory memento for the iTunes Store’s 10th anniversary of existence. Coupled with the note to press, Apple launched a public-facing website to honor the date.
Perhaps Apple will launch a similar site for the App Store’s 5th anniversary on July 10th. Full image and a Vine below:
Like some other applications of the same category, users will need to authenticate the application with their credentials for their home TV provider. If a user does not subscribe to USA on their home TV setup, they can still watch some exclusive content via the application. Besides TV shows, the application can access behind-the-scenes clips, a full programming guide, interviews, and more.
Confirming a claim from earlier today, Bloomberg‘s Adam Satariano reports that Apple has confirmed the hire of former Yves Saint Laurent CEO Paul Deneve. According to Apple, Deneve will report as a Vice President to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Yves Saint Laurent is a high-profile global fashion brand and retailer.
Contrary to earlier speculation, Apple says that Deneve will work on “special projects,” not in retail. Apple has been without a de-facto Head of Retail since John Browett’s departure last fall. It is unclear what projects Deneve will be developing specifically…
Apple presents itself as a company that ships hardware, software, and services that integrate together elegantly. While Apple makes the majority of its money from its hardware, Apple makes use of its free, popular internet services and software to sell their hardware. For example, the iLife suite of Mac apps that are included for free with new Mac purchases is a common reason that people choose to buy a Mac. On the iOS side, Apple offers free services like iCloud, iBooks, iMessage, Game Center, and later this year, iTunes Radio.
But on both the Mac and iOS Device side, one particular Apple service has stuck out as being a paid offering: Apple’s iWork suite that includes the Pages word processor, Numbers spreadsheet maker, and Keynote presentation creator. For years, Apple has sold iWork for Mac as a bundled suite, but with the Mac App Store, the company split the three programs into separate $19.99 downloads. On the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch side, the three apps are distinct $9.99 downloads. Apple, thus far, has kept iWork as a premium priced suite, but this fall, the company will introduce a free tier: iWork for iCloud…
As we reported would occur, Apple has just launched its annual Back to School promotion for students. The program launched in January for students in Australia, and today, the new program was opened up for students in the United States and several other nations across the world.
Like we reported, the program offers students a $100 Mac App Store/iTunes Store/iBookstore gift card with purchase of a new Mac computer. $50 gift cards of the same kind are offered for iPad and iPhone (for the first time) purchases…
In addition to filing a trademark for the name “iWatch” in Russia and Japan, Apple has requested a trademark for “iWatch” with Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property. The Mexico-based filing was made public in recent days, but the request was originally filed on June 3rd. Apple filed the iWatch trademark under two categories relating to the hardware and software of mobile devices, according to the submitted documents. Apple’s submitted “iWatch” graphic in the filing:
Apple will hold a conference call on Tuesday, July 23rd to announce Q3 2013 financial results, according to a note on Apple’s Investor website. The call will begin at 2PM Pacific / 5 PM Eastern time. Apple typically presents prepared statements from Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer…
At least some Best Buy retail stores in the United States will begin selling the Pebble smart watch this weekend, according to claims from two Best Buy employees. Both of these people say that they were briefed by management that their stores will begin selling the smart watch. Additionally, one source provided the above image which purportedly shows the Pebble smart watch in Best Buy’s internal inventory system. The inventory system classifies the product as a “digital communication appcessory,” which we feel is an apt description of the Pebble…
Apple will likely begin its annual Back to School promotion this week (perhaps as soon as tomorrow), according to Apple retail sources. The promotion will give eligible students an iTunes/App Store gift card with the purchase of a Mac, iPad, and for the first time, an iPhone. The gift cards that come with Mac purchases will be worth 100$ while the cards accompanying the iOS Devices will be worth $50…
Yahoo has updated its official app for iPhone and iPod touch with a refreshed interface that is easier to navigate. The new update also includes improved integration with Yahoo’s own Mail service and the ability to conduct multi-tap gestures to navigate through the application.
The new update also is more visual, includes new, simpler content sharing functionality, and improved accessibility options for searching the web. Also included are “sponsored stories” in the stream, which seems to be Yahoo’s method of monetizing its main iPhone app.
Yahoo’s iPhone app includes summarized versions of stories, based on Summly technology, and works to provide users with stories of interest based on what the user has read and accessed in the app in the past. Today’s update is free on the App Store.
According to several Apple Retail employees, Apple management is cracking down on employee usage of the current iOS 7 betas. These people say that store managers and Apple’s Human Resources representatives are contacting employees that are discovered to be using the iOS 7 beta. Apple would like to make sure that these employees obtained the iOS 7 beta via official Developer channels, not third-party websites.
However, the larger concern is that some Apple managers feel that Apple Retail employees are purchasing developer accounts and distributing the iOS 7 beta to colleagues. Apple Human Resources, we’re told, has reminded employees of the official iOS Development rules via the RetailMe internal app. These rules, which employees agree to when they become an Apple retail employee, state that employees cannot install an iOS beta unless they are a registered member of the developer program:
