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.
Apple’s new iCloud.com web portal has come out of beta. The new website adds iPad-like Reminders and Notes web applications. In addition, the new website adds improvements to Mail such as VIPs. It also includes a revamped Find my iPhone application.
Apple’s iOS device UDIDs are commonly used for advertising and application user tracking in iOS. Earlier this year, Apple announced that iOS 6 will no longer support UDIDs. Instead, UDIDs will apparently be replaced, for advertisers at least, with a new feature called the Advertising Identifier. This identifier, unlike the UDID, does not tie personal device information to the ID. It is also non-permanent. Apple explains in the iOS 6 settings:
iOS 6 introduces the Advertising Identifier, a non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier, that advertising networks will use to give you more control over advertisers’ ability to use tracking methods. If you choose to limit ad tracking, advertising networks using the Advertising Identifier may no longer gather information to serve you targeted ads. In the future all advertising networks will be required to use the Advertising Identifier. However, until advertising networks transition to using the Advertising Identifier you may still receive targeted ads from other networks.
Along with this new identifier, Apple allows users to limit ad tracking in iOS 6. Apple says that some advertising systems used by App Store applications may still track information until they are updated to support the new ID system.
Well, there you go.
Oh, there is an Apple event today? Well check back here before 1PM ET as we’ll be covering it live. Until then, get a preview by heading south – we’ve got just about everything covered. We’ll also be tweeting out the big stuff with our normal batch of analysis and commentary.
Spoiler free coverage? You are in the wrong place, amigo.
Here we go!
Apple has seeded OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 build 12C50 to developers. This new build comes less than a week after 10.8.2 build 12C43. 10.8.2 includes phone number syncing for iMessage and Facebook integration, making it the iOS 6 compatibility release. Tomorrow, Apple will unveil a new iPhone and provide final iOS 6 details. 10.8.2 will likely be released later this month alongside iOS 6. OS X Lion 10.7.5 build 11G54 was also seeded to developers.
This new 10.8.2 build includes release notes, making it likely that this build is either the final or close to final 10.8.2 build.
The 10.8.2 update is recommended for all OS X Mountain Lion users and includes new features and fixes. New features include:
Browett at an Apple Store opening (IFO Apple Store on Flickr)
John Browett, Apple’s new Senior Vice President of Retail, has been the source of controversy in the Apple retail space as of late. Last month, news broke out that Apple retail store employees were seeing cuts into their work hours, furthermore reducing their paychecks. Other rumors of the sort included the termination of select part-time employees and general store budget cuts. Apple soon responded to these reports by saying that its new Apple retail staffing “formula” will be reversed.
However, some reports are adamant that budget cuts and other apparently negative changes still exist.
While this controversy has been present, Browett has been successfully leading Apple retail to new heights by opening up amazing new stores across the globe, issuing pay bonus advances, overseeing new retail employee perks like increased iCloud storage, and by initiating new programs such as Pathways, an employee program that will better prepare Apple retail workers for their time in the Apple Store.
Last night, at Apple’s quarterly meeting for every Apple Store, Browett has the opportunity to intimately address his employees via a video stream. Following the aforementioned controversies, Browett seems to have used this opportunity to rally his troops and share how truly proud he is of Apple’s retail workers.
9to5Mac has received an audio copy of Browett’s transcript from an anonymous source:
The WSJ reports that, as widely expected, the iPhone 5 will support ultra-fast LTE network. But the newspaper says that, unlike with the third-generation iPad, the new iPhone will support global versions of LTE for Asia and Europe in addition to the United States. The report’s sources say that it is “unlikely” that all carriers will support the LTE feature, though.
Apple Inc.’s AAPL +0.62% next iPhone will work on the fastest wireless networks around the world—including in the U.S., Europe and Asia—though it is unlikely to be available on every carrier, people familiar with the matter said.
The technical compatibility with so-called LTE networks removes a big competitive danger for Apple and gives carriers a chance to sell their fastest data services to Apple’s huge base of iPhone customers.
We previously discussed new LTE chipsets that could be in this new iPhone which may even include support for the 600M+ subscribers on China Mobile’s network which runs TD-LTE.
The new iPhone will be announced at a press event on Wednesday September 12th at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center. In addition to LTE, the iPhone 5 will feature a taller, 1136 x 640 display, improved internals, a thinner design, and more. Apple’s new iPhone is codenamed N42 and will ship at the same price points at the iPhone 4S. Apple will also debut a slew of refreshed iPods at its event next week.
Earlier this week, we reported that the iPhone 5 (codenamed N42) will share the stage with a string of new iPod announcements on September 12th. At that time, we believed Apple would introduce two-to-three iPod refreshes next week, and now, we’ve received some more information on the matter. Based on the information we’ve received, Apple will be introducing a tweaked iPod shuffle, new iPod nano, and new iPod touches.
iPod shuffle:
According to our sources, a new iPod shuffle will be announced next week at or around the current $49 price point. We’re currently unsure of capacity. We’re also told that the changes to this new iPod shuffle will not be major changes. We’re also told that the new iPod shuffle will come in eight colors. That is up from the current line of five iPod shuffle colors.
iPod nano:
A new iPod nano is also said to be announced next week, but we’re currently unsure of technical specifics. The new iPod nano is said to have a completely new codename from last year’s model, which may point to some design and internal changes. Last year’s iPod nano update had the same design as the 2010 model, and its codename was the same as the 2010 iPod nano codename plus an “A.”
A taller iPod nano with WiFi has been rumored. ^
This new iPod nano, like the Shuffle, will come in eight colors. It appears that Apple may only have the higher-priced, higher configuration iPod nano this year. The current high-end of the iPod nano line is a 16GB player for $149. The price and capacity for this year’s model is still unconfirmed, though, but the price will likely not differ by much, if at all.
iPod touch:
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Our sources have pinpointed that Apple will be announcing a single next-generation iPhone model codenamed “N42” at the September 12th iPhone media event. This new iPhone N42 model is the iPhone 5 that we reported on back in May.
In May, we said that this iPhone contains a taller, 1136 x 640 resolution 4 inch display, improved internals, and more.
Back in May, we also learned that Apple was working on an iPhone 5 codenamed N41, but it appears Apple selected the N42 over the N41. This N41 iPhone also had NFC, which is reportedly not coming in the shipping N42.
Following our early reports, we posted several images of back metal casings for the new iPhone that also point to its thinner design and smaller dock connector.
Here is the part codes matrix for the new iPhone launch from a source at a well-known U.S. retail chain: N42A-USA -$199, N42B-USA-$199, N42A-USA-$299, N42B-USA-$299, N42A-USA-$399, N42B-USA-$399. A + B signify black and white.
We also understand that this new iPhone N42 will come in the same prices as the iPhone 4S. With this, we speculate that the configurations will remain at the iPhone 4S’s 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities.
We also are led to believe that pre-orders will begin soon after next week’s announcement. The new iPhone will not ship immediately in all countries.
We’ve also been told that there are several new accessories (which may be comprised of cases, cables, and adapters) ready to ship alongside this new iPhone N42. We previously reported that Apple would also showcase a string of new iPods at its event next Wednesday.
Thanks to reader Andrew Stern, we’ve got some photos that indicate Apple is already preparing San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for its September 12th iPhone 5 media event. While it appears that the exterior banners will be going up tomorrow (based on Cherry Pickers being prepped outside the front), Apple has already put up its logos inside of Yerba Buena.
Update: Andrew Stern has shot several more high-resolution photos showing banner installation and more:
Reuters reports that Apple is reducing orders from Samsung for internal iPhone 5 components. While Samsung is said to still supply some components for the next-generation Apple smartphone, Apple is still trying to lessen its reliance on the South Korean technology firm.
It seems that Apple’s latest supply chain move is an effort to widen its supply chain as the Reuters report denies that the move is not in response to Apple and Samsung’s global patent disputes.
The Korea Economic Daily first reported that Samsung component orders would be down for the new iPhone. According to the newspaper, Samsung displays, memory chips, and batteries are excluded from the iPhone 5’s initial production run. LG Display, and other Japanese and Chinese companies (including Sanyo) are said to be the suppliers of those critical iPhone elements.
Apple’s iPhone 5 will be announced at a September 12th media event.
Last week, we reported on iPhone 3GS shortages, and now, according to The Telegraph, next week, Apple will discontinue the 8GB iPhone 3GS and add a new 8GB iPhone 4S. In this case, the current 8GB iPhone 4 would replace the 3GS as the entry-level (probably free on contract) iPhone. A new 8GB 4S is said to come in at the current 8GB iPhone 4’s spot in the lineup, and Apple will sell the new iPhone 5 models in the higher configurations replacing the current iPhone 4S capacities.
Late last month, Apple released OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 build 12C35 to developers, and today, Apple has followed up with build 12C43. The quick turnaround of new beta releases indicates that Apple is moving quickly to have 10.8.2 ready for a public release. 10.8.2 includes Facebook integration and iMessage phone number merging, making it the iOS 6 compatibility release. With Apple’s event happening on September 12th, and the iPhone 5/iOS 6 launch tracking a launch later this month, 10.8.2 will probably launch around that time as well.
According to iLounge, Apple will be the exclusive distributor for adapters for Apple’s new smaller dock connector. These new adapters would open up support for 30-pin Apple device dock connectors for devices with the new, smaller connector. These new adapters are said to come in both one and three packs: $10 for a one pack, and $29 for a three pack. Additionally, Apple’s new USB cables are said to cost $19. iMore previously said that Apple would ship a dock adapter. We previously reported that the new dock connector would contain 9 pins, not the rumored 8 or 16 pins.
Photo of Lumia 820 (left) and 920 (right) via Engadget.
Ahead of Apple’s iPhone 5 event next week, Nokia and Microsoft have officially taken the wraps off of new Lumia phone hardware and software. The companies announced two new handsets today, starting with Nokia’s new flagship device: the Lumia 920. The Lumia 920 takes many of the physical design elements from previous generations of Lumia handsets, but vastly improves on internal hardware and display technology. Some of the new tech specs via Engadget:
While the new iPhone will likely not share the stage with a smaller iPad at next week’s Apple event (the smaller iPad is rumored to be launching in October), a string of new iPods will likely be present. Details on the changes coming in these new iPods are currently scarce, but we believe that there will be at least two new/updated iPod lines and possibly a third.
All these new lines will come in multiple colors, one of the lines will come in two size capacities, and the other two lines will come in a single storage capacity.
With the current iPod nanos and iPod shuffles both available in multiple colors (and with the nano currently available in two capacities and the shuffle in one), we think it is likely that new iPod nanos and iPod shuffles are launching next week.
However, it is possible that there is a third line as well (that, too, comes in multiple colors). With the iPod touch currently available in two colors and three capacities (black/white, 8GB, 32GB, 64GB), we don’t believe the iPod touch is the third line that comes in multiple colors.
Following weeks and rumors of speculation, Apple has announced a media event for Wednesday, September 12th. Above is the invitation that reads “it’s almost here” (via Peter Ha). Obviously, the huge ‘5’ shadow seems to indicate that the new iPhone will be called the ‘iPhone 5’.
Apple will be demoing a new version of its iPhone at this event. The new iPhone is rumored to include a thinner design, a taller, four-inch display, improved internal hardware, and more. Apple will also likely detail the final pieces of iOS 6 at this event. An event for a smaller iPad is rumored for sometime in October.
iOS 6 includes several new features including an all new Maps application with an Apple mapping database, Facebook integration, Shared Photo Streams, Siri for iPad, new Siri functionality, an improved Phone app, and more.
Ahead of Apple’s apparent October event to show off its upcoming “iPad mini,” two reports are showing physical mockups of the device. These mockups appear to both be identical to the iPad mini design information and previously leaked iPad design schematics that we reported on. The smaller iPad physical shown above comes by way of Apple.Pro, and it is sourced from online commerce website Taobao. The physical mockups show the skinnier side bezels – that we previously reported on – in addition to a very-thin design, a smaller dock connector and more. Additionally, this particular mockup features cutouts for a SIM-card slot and an an antenna cutout at the top of the device.
Earlier today, Giga.de posted its own series of photos of a physical iPad mini mockup. Unlike the first mockup above, this physical mockup is constructed of pure metal. However, these photos give an idea of size compared to an iPhone.
Full image gallery after the break:
Apple has a portal for developers to file complaints about other App Store apps infringing their intellectual property (IP) rights. This form says that Apple will follow-up via email, and put the two developers in contact.
Apps on the App Store are made available by third party providers. Once you have identified the app and described the alleged infringement on the following pages, we will respond via email with a reference number and will put you in direct contact with the provider of the disputed app. Any further contact with the App Store Legal team should be made via email and should include the reference number in the subject line.
Yesterday, developer Benjamin Mayo noted that Apple may have begun rejecting apps that violate other’s intellectual property. For example, an app that mimicked the popular to-list software Clear, was apparently rejected because it could mislead people looking for the original Clear app.
For those affected prior to Apple’s apparently new rejection policies, this form should be of some help for you.
As the September 12th Apple iPhone media event approaches, new images show an interesting new look at how the rumored next-generation iPhone design compares to both an iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS. iColorOS (via NoWhereElse) appears to have assemled exterior next-generation iPhone pieces to build these comparisons. Notice how much thinner this new iPhone design is in comparison to the iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS. In addition, these new photos showcase how much taller the new iPhone design is in comparison to older models. More photos are after the break.
In June, Apple announced that its longtime Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Bob Mansfield, would be retiring after transitioning the role to iPad Hardware VP Dan Riccio over several months. However, earlier this week Apple announced that Mansfield would not be leaving the company.
While Riccio was named SVP of Hardware Engineering, Apple said that Mansfield would stay at Apple to “work on future products” under Apple CEO Tim Cook’s direction. With Riccio’s promotion to Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Mansfield was still noted as a Senior Vice President of Hardware, meaning that Apple had two hardware chiefs. Apple’s other major divisions are governed solely by a single Senior Vice President, making this transition all the more interesting.
However, today, Apple has updated its Executive Profiles webpage to note that Mansfield is still a Senior Vice President, but not of Hardware Engineering. He, unlike every other member of Apple’s executive team, is simply noted as an SVP, but not of any specific division within Apple.
Before and After
There’s been some speculation that Apple CEO Tim Cook wanted to keep Mansfield on Apple’s payroll rather than let a competitor hire the longtime Apple hardware leader as a consultant in his “retirement”. The amount of knowledge of the inner-workings of Apple’s magical hardware building process that Mansfield had would be a goldmine to competitors like Samsung or HP among others.
Recent Apple Mac OSX head Bertrand Serlet recently joined Parallel’s board after “retiring”, though that move probably didn’t ruffle too many feathers at Apple. Parallels makes the most popular OS virtualization software for Mac, including a recent update, and is considered ally to Apple as far as we know.
Just one week after Samsung’s patent trial loss against Apple in the United States, a Tokyo-based court ruled in favor of Samsung in regards a media syncing patent. According to Bloomberg, the Tokyo court ruled that Samsung does not infringe an Apple patent “related to synchronizing music and video data in devices to servers.” (Image: AllThingsD)
AT&T has announced the upcoming opening of its new flagship retail store in Chicago. The store, located in the Magnificent Mile district, features 10,000 square feet of store place and lots of advanced new technologies. The store has an 18 foot high “Connect Wall” that showcases AT&T’s latest news and product details to both people inside and outside of the store.
As you can see in the image above, the store has displays throughout: over 100, according to AT&T. This new flagship store is spread into a few sections, including an apps lounge and lifestyle boutiques. Here’s AT&T’s video guided tour of the store:
On September 1st, Apple’s annual iTunes Festival program will begin, and ahead of the kickoff, Apple has launched an iTunes Festival app on the Apple TV. Much like Hulu did, this iTunes Festival section comes over the air. Users do not need to update their Apple TV to get iTunes Festival, but a quick restart might be required for some. Thanks, Jimit!
An image detailing daily scheduling is after the break: