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Mark Gurman

@markgurman

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.

Connect with Mark Gurman

Leaked SKUs likely point to MacBook refresh at WWDC as inventory tightens

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Current Airs + Retina Pros

Current Airs + Retina Pros

According to a set of leaked part codes for upcoming Apple products, Apple will likely debut a refresh to at least one of its MacBook lines at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple will kickoff WWDC 2013 with a keynote address on Monday, June 10th. Last year, Apple introduced new Macs at the WWDC 2012 keynote, so it seems likely that the impending MacBook refresh will occur at this year’s keynote rather than during another time over the course of the week.

The first series of codes that we have received are:


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Apple again plans AirDrop wireless file-sharing for iOS

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Apple is currently testing versions of iOS 7 internally that include the AirDrop WiFi-direct file sharing tool from the Mac, according to people familiar with the software.

Like with the Flickr and Vimeo integration that we previously reported on, it is very simple for Apple to remove any single feature from the new operating system ahead of the mid-June unveiling. 

Additionally, Apple has scrapped AirDrop late in software development from iOS before. Last year, we reported that Apple was developing an AirDrop tool to take advantage of the new WiFi hardware inside of Apple’s latest iOS devices. Because Apple has postponed the feature before, we believe it is possible that the feature could be pushed back again…


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iPad and iPod pricing increased in Japan, reportedly due to weaker Yen

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Today, Apple’s online store for Japan was updated with a slew of new prices for models of the iPad, iPad mini, and the various iPods. The pricing is higher than before today’s update. The price hikes are reportedly due to a weaker Yen (Japan’s currency). For example, as shown in the above image, both the iPad mini and 4th generation iPad prices have been escalated. A similar transformation has occurred for the iPod touch:


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Apple announces 100M iPod touches sold since inception in 2007

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Steve Jobs announcing the first iPod touch

Steve Jobs announcing the first iPod touch (<a href="http://obamapacman.com/2010/11/ipod-evolution-whats-in-steve-jobs-pocket/2007-ipod-touch-steve-jobs-pocket-ipod-evolution/'">via</a>)

In addition to announcing a stripped-down, lower-cost fifth-generation iPod touch, Apple told The Loop that 100 million iPod touch units have been sold since the device’s introduction in 2007.

In addition to launching a new model of its iPod touch on Thursday, Apple told me this morning that it has sold more than 100 million units of the iPod touch since its introduction.

The first iPod touch launched a few months after the original iPhone, and it has since seen several major hardware and software updates that have made the product into a true iPhone “without the phone/contract” device.


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Apple announces September iTunes Festival in London starring Justin Timberlake, Thirty Seconds to Mars, others

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Apple has announced that it will hold its annual iTunes Festival in London during the month of September. The event will occur nightly during that month at the Roadhouse in London. Apple says that popular artists Justin Timberlake, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson and Jessie J will headline the event. The event will be streamed nightly to iOS devices, iTunes on computers, and the Apple TV:


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‘August’ iPhone-connected digital door lock system announced for $199, designed by Jawbone’s Yves Behar

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At the D11 Conference, Jason Johnson and Yves Bahar have unveiled a new digital lock system for home doors called “August.” The iPhone app allows users to send virtual keys to doors to other users. The system installs as a deadbolt with two screws into modern doors. The company says that installation is seamless…


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Twitter refreshes iPhone app interface, adds new Tweet composer, notifications when friends sign up

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Twitter has updated its application for the iPhone and iPod touch with a refreshed user-interface for the Tweets timeline.

Additionally, the updated application features a new Tweet composer interface that actually allows users to preview what a posted Tweet will look like in the timeline. Also notable is the new ability to receive notifications when friends join Twitter.

Improvements and fixes for the Lists functionality are also present in this 5.7 update. 


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Live blog: Apple CEO Tim Cook’s interview at the D11 Conference

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Tim Cook ATD

Image via AllThingsD

We are here on the scene at Tim Cook’s interview at AllThingsD‘s D11 Conference in Palas Verdes, California. The proceedings will begin at 6 PM Pacific / 9 PM Eastern, and we’ll be noting both Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher’s questions and Tim Cook’s answers in this post.

At last year’s D10 conference, Cook gave insight into improved relations with Facebook (which forecasted iOS 6 integration), hints at the demise of Ping, insight into his first few months as taking over the reigns from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and more.

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This year’s interview will follow Apple’s improved transparency with manufacturing partners, several major product launches, the Apple Maps debacle, the departing of two top Apple executives, and comes amidst a time in which Apple’s competition is heating up and new Apple product categories are rumored to be brewing.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see both AllThingsD‘s questions and Cook’s responses. Find our complete live blog below:


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Apple CEO Tim Cook being interviewed tonight at D11 Conference, we’ll be there live

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Image via <a href="http://allthingsd.com/20120611/apples-tim-cook-says-hello-the-full-d10-interview-video/"><em>AllThingsD</em></a>

As announced in April, Apple CEO Tim Cook will be returning to the stage for an interview with AllThingsD‘s Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the D11 conference. The event begins today, and the interview of Tim Cook starts at 6PM Pacific/ 9PM Eastern time. We will be at the event live and we’ll be providing full coverage during the interview.


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Just Mobile’s aluminum AluBase, HeadStand, and AluRack reviewed

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As we previously noted, Just Mobile sells a series of accessories, mainly for Apple products, made out of carefully crafted aluminum designs. These designs and materials are akin to what Apple builds for its own products, therefore Just Mobile accessories are at the top of the wish lists for many Apple product design fans. For the past few weeks, we have been testing out Just Mobile’s latest accessories. Find our reviews below:


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Jony Ive’s new look for iOS 7: black, white, and flat all over

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With the grand unveiling of Apple’s next operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch approaching, sources have provided detailed descriptions of what users and developers alike could expect from the software’s fresh look.

As we reported in April, Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design Jony Ive has been leading a thorough overhaul for iOS 7 that focuses on the look and feel of the iOS device software rather than on several new features.

Sources have described iOS 7 as “black, white, and flat all over.” This refers to the dropping of heavy textures and the addition of several new black and white user interface elements.

Sources say that over the past few months, Apple has re-architected iOS 7’s new interface several times, so until the new software is announced at WWDC, interface elements could dramatically change from what Apple has been testing internally in recent weeks.

Nonetheless, you can find what we have been hearing about iOS 7’s new user experience below:


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Apple confirms WWDC keynote address scheduled for Monday, June 10th

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Apple has confirmed to AllThingsD that this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will kickoff with a keynote address on Monday, June 10th. Apple typically kicks off its WWDCs with keynotes.

Apple previously said that it would debut new versions of iOS and OS X at WWDC. The conference runs from June 10th until June 15th. We’re expecting Apple to debut a redesigned iOS 7 with improved in-car integration, more social network connectivity and OS X 10.9 with an improved Finder and power-user features.

We will have live coverage from Moscone in San Francisco during the keynote.


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Microsoft hits iPad again, this time about hardware specs, multitasking, printing

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgu9uo2UpPg?rel=0]

Following up on its ad from yesterday claiming that the iPad is not a productivity device, Microsoft has posted a new ad pitting Windows 8 tablets against the iPad. Today’s ad focuses on expressing that Windows 8 tablets are better productivity devices with the full Microsoft Office suite rather than just OneNote and multitasking capibilities. Additionally, the Redmond-based company pits a single ASUS tablet’s weight and thinness against the iPad. Additionally, Microsoft shows how that single ASUS tablet includes an SD card reader, and the company claims that Windows 8 printing is more versatile than Apple’s AirPrint. Thanks, Matthew!


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Smule ships free, collaborative, interactive ‘Guitar!’ game for iPhone

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLl8-eJfVME?rel=0]

Smule, one of the early high-profile developers for Apple’s App Store, has launched a new app to follow-up on its taste for music software. The company, today, launched a new free game called “Guitar!” The app sources music from its own with the company’s “Sing!” karaoke app, and this new guitar app works as a virtual guitar for the iPhone’s display. As you improve in your gaming skills, your awarded points will increase in the game.


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Latest Windows 8 tablet commercial uses Siri to mock iPad ads, pricing, capabilities

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86JMcy5OqZA?rel=0]

Microsoft’s latest television commercial for Windows 8 tablets uses a Siri voice-over to mock the iPad’s pricing and capabilities. The ad appears to frame Windows 8 tablets as more capable for productivity and more valuable for the price (via The Verge). What’s somewhat comical here is that one of the few advantages Microsoft touts for its tablets is the ability to run PowerPoint, something Microsoft has clearly been holding back from the iPad for some time now. Would it surprise anyone to see another couple of ads in this series focusing on Word and Excel?

Oh, and how much of that 64GB of space on the Windows tablet at the end is free for media? You’re lucky to get half of the space.

Microsoft’s ad is in similar style to Apple’s late 2012 advertisement to introduce the iPad mini. Apple’s ad below:


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Analyst claims Apple ‘iWatch’ wrist-device is over a year away, explains why watch more practical than glasses

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‘iWatch’ Concept (<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/12/more-interesting-iwatch-concepts-imagine-ios-on-the-smaller-screen-curved-displays/">many more here</a>)

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has provided seemingly accurate information about previous Apple hardware releases (timing non-withstanding), claims that Apple’s much-rumored wearable wrist device will not arrive until late 2014. The analyst pinpoints production to begin sometime in the second half of the year:


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As expected, Otterbox acquires fellow case maker LifeProof

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Otterbox and LifeProof executives announcing the deal at CTIA

At CTIA, notable case maker Otterbox announced that it has closed an acquisition deal for competing iPhone case maker LifeProof. Both companies offer similar cases with a focus on durability.

During a question and answer session, executives from both companies revealed that the deal was 120 days in the making.While LifeProof will be embedded into Otterbox, the companies shared that the LifeProof branding is well-known and will be retained in some yet-to-be determined fashion.

We’ve been hearing rumblings of this acquisition for several weeks.


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Developer hacks iOS to route notifications through Google Glass (video)

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An iMessage sent to Glass

An iMessage notification sent to Glass

Adam Bell (@b3ll), a well-known developer for many software platforms, has figured out a way to route all notifications from an iOS device through Google Glass. The implementation, even in its early stage, seems to work quite well. Bell notes that all notifications, such as iMessages and Tweets automatically are shown via the Google Glass interface. Video and more details below:


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Flickr, Vimeo integration likely to bolster social ties in iOS 7

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Flickr:Vimeo Image

Flickr/Vimeo iOS Apps

In the upcoming overhaul of its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch operating system, iOS 7, Apple plans to include an increased presence of third-party social networks, including Flickr and Vimeo, according to a person familiar with the software. Since the new software is yet to be even officially announced, there is a very real possibility that any feature in testing could be removed prior to the announcement, this person said (much like Facebook integration was removed from iOS 4). More details below:


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Apple CEO Tim Cook says Made-in-USA Mac will be assembled in Texas

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During this morning’s Senate hearing regarding Apple’s tax strategies, Apple CEO Tim Cook provided opening statements regarding Apple’s perspective on the issues. Notably, during a time in which Cook was discussing Apple’s United States-based operations and strategies, the Apple CEO said that Apple’s upcoming Made-in-the-USA Mac line will be assembled in Texas…


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Apple strikes content deal with CW Network for ad-supported Apple TV app

CW's Xbox app

CW’s Xbox app

During a presentation with advertisers, CW Network president Mark Pedowitz announced that the network would be expanding its content offerings to new multimedia devices. This strategy will include a spot as an app on the Apple TV set-top-box’s home screen.

The network confirmed this to MacRumors:

It’s a dedicated CW app that will work like our Xbox and mobile and tablet apps – no cable authentication required, full episodes of our shows available next day after air, ad-supported.

Notably, as noted in the above quote, the CW content will be ad-supported.

CW currently streams its content to software on Microsoft Windows devices such as the Xbox. Apple recently added Hulu Plus and sports content to the Apple TV, and the current generation Apple set-top-box has sported YouTube and Netflix integration since launch.

Apple is also rumored to be nearing a content deal for Apple TV with HBO.

CW currently hosts various TV episodes in addition to some original content. The network lists its show offerings on its website. 


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eBay’s iPhone app gets new interface, quick sign-up with Drivers License scanning, iPad app gets enhancements

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eBay’s iPhone application has received a significant update that affects both the user-interface and some core features.

Notably, the application’s interface has been tweaked for simplicity and features an improved bidding process for soon-to-be-ending auctions, larger photo views, and the ability to checkout multiple items simultaneously in the United States and United Kingdom.

Perhaps the most interesting and handy feature, though, is the ability to quickly sign-up for an eBay account by scanning your Drivers License with the iPhone’s camera. eBay owns high-profile barcode scanning technology, so perhaps that is used to make that new feature a reality. The free update is available on iTunes. 

eBay’s (separate) iPad app also got a notable update today: release notes below.


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