Mark Gurman

Fast Company summarizes comments made by Apple board member Mickey Drexler regarding Steve Jobs vision beyond Apple’s current product lineup. According to the board member, Steve Jobs dream before he passed away was to design a car. He calls this an “iCar.” While Jobs never got around to actually designing this automobile, it is definitely fun to speculate what the maker of the iPad and Mac would dream up in terms of innovation for the road.

On something that we will actually likely see coming out of Apple’s labs, Drexler commented on Apple’s approach to the living room. Apple has long said that the living room has been a hobby to them with the Apple TV set-top-box, but Drexler commented: “the living room they’re dealing with at some point in the near future.” This of course ramps up the long-running speculation about an Apple Television set.

Rumors range from a 2013 launch to Siri-based input. Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he also would have liked to reinvent photography. (Image: Jalopnik)

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Apple has long had a program called “AppleSeed” that seeds upcoming versions of Apple software (both iOS and OS X related) to customers. These seeds typically come to this select group of customers even before they are provided to Apple’s paid and registered developers. Today, the company sent an atypical email to this customer group, informing them to register the different pieces of Apple hardware available to them for software testing. The company says that they need this information for “exclusive seeds” for future versions of OS X Mountain Lion. Even more exciting is that the company teases hardware-tied special features:

We are preparing for possible hardware specific software updates on OS X Mountain Lion.  These contain hardware-specific bug fixes or even special features! In order to make sure you can participate in these exclusive seeds, we need your most up-to-date machine configuration information.  The easiest and most efficient way to do this is with Feedback Assistant.

The first type of special feature that comes to mind is the upcoming Mac Retina Display. According to our sources, Apple will rollout this display first in the new, thinner, faster MacBook Pro line at WWDC in mid-June. Apple says that Mountain Lion is launching in late summer, which probably means the new MacBook Pros will ship with OS X Lion. This also likely means that Apple will continue to seed pre-release versions of Mountain Lion after the new MacBook Pros launch. Since Retina Display technology is a combination of both hardware and software, it is possible that Apple is referring to pre-release Mountain Lion versions that support the next-generation MacBook Pro Retina Display.

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Apple has sent out a second update to the third developer preview of OS X Mountain Lion. Changes are currently unknown, but the update is available via software update in the Mac App Store. Let us know if you find anything new! Apple sent the following email regarding the new build:

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Fierce Wireless reports on comments from Verizon Wireless CFO Fran Shammo regarding the carrier’s future LTE plans. A topic most notable for users planning on moving to the much-rumored LTE iPhone this fall is that Verizon plans to drop grandfathered-in unlimited data plans for users who move to 4G LTE handsets. This will affect iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S owners on Verizon Wireless with unlimited data plans who move to the rumored LTE iPhone. Instead of unlimited data plans, CFO Shammo says that Verizon will push their upcoming shared-data plan system:

When asked how Verizon will drive customers to this new data share plan, Shammo said that LTE will be the anchor for the new plan and that as customers upgrade from 3G to LTE, they will have to be on a data share plan, allowing the company to sunset its unlimited 3G data plan. “A lot of our 3G base is on unlimited,” Shammo said. “When they migrate off 3G they will have to go to data share. That is beneficial to us.”

Verizon Wireless says that shared data plans will begin rolling in mid-summer, but the company is yet to release any details regarding pricing or shared data plan usage packages. The company says that shared data plans will not only benefit the company in the long-term, but will also benefit families with multiple devices on their account. The current Verizon unlimited data plan costs individual users $30 per month on top of their normal calling bill charges.

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Mockup showing Retina Display 11 and 13 inch MacBook Airs

On Monday we broke the news that Apple is readying a brand-new 15-inch MacBook Pro with cornerstone features like an ultra-thin design and USB 3 ports for incredibly fast data transfers. The headline feature of the new notebook, as we described, though, is its super-high-resolution Retina Display. According to sources, the MacBook Retina Display that will debut at WWDC will not stay exclusive to Apple’s Pro notebook, but it will come down to the MacBook Air family as well.

Read on for all of the details!

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Mockup: New, thinner MacBook Pro on the left. Current model on the right. 

Apple is putting the finishing touches on an entirely new 15-inch MacBook Pro that is the outcome of years of research and development in ultra-thin mobile computing and super-high-resolution displays. According to trusted sources in Apple’s supply chain, who have handled prototype components and casings for the new Apple notebook, the computer is currently undergoing test production rounds. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is coming this summer, and it features an ultra-thin design, a “jaw-dropping” Retina Display, and super-fast USB 3.

Read on for all of the details! 
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Top image was taken today, bottom image from May 9th (Apple Online Store)

Following a string of complaints across the globe (notably in Australia and the United Kingdom) regarding Apple’s branding of the 4G-LTE compatible iPads, Apple has tweaked the name of their cellular-connecting iPad in some regions. The new name is simply “iPad WiFi + Cellular,” and this is a shift from the former “iPad WiFi + 4G” branding. All first-generation iPad and iPad 2 models with 3G-data connections were referred to as “iPad WiFi + 3G,” and the 3G model of the 16GB iPad 2 that Apple still sells is still called “iPad 2 WiFi + 3G.”

The source of the criticism of the 4G third-generation iPad models is the fact that the 4G LTE only functions in the U.S. and Canada, on a total of five carriers. The third-generation iPad can still connect to any 3G bands worldwide below the LTE level, but Apple still formerly advertised 4G capabilities in non-iPad-4G LTE- supported regions. Apple dropped that marketing weeks ago, but this new iPad name change marks Apple’s full point of not trying to fool customers. Apple did not simply make this iPad name change in the affected Australia and UK regions, but they changed it in the UK, Australia, the U.S., Canada, UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Ireland, and Hong Kong. Not every country (yet?).

On the Apple Online Store for Australia, the country where Apple has arguably taken the most heat regarding their former 4G iPad branding, Apple has long had the following explicit message:

This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks. For service from a wireless carrier, sign up for a simple, month-by-month plan on your iPad and cancel anytime without penalty.

The new iPad name of “iPad WiFi + Cellular” can now be seen across Apple.com, and the changes were officially made within the last 24-48 hours. Apple retail stores have begun changing out their signage to new “WiFi + Cellular” marketing.

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We know that Apple has been busy tweaking their iCloud.com website and testing new features like iOS 5-like notification banners, and now it appears that Apple is expanding the website’s web-application library. If you head to beta.icloud.com, you will see a beta-version of the iCloud.com website that includes new Reminders and Notes applications. Currently, we are unable to login, but we have been able to load the new icon grid. It is hard to tell if these new apps are something Apple trashed for the original iCloud website release or if Apple is planning on bringing them to the site. The 2012 marking on the bottom may support the latter.  Thanks, Steven Troughton-Smith! 

Update: It looks like Apple is showing and hiding the iCloud.com beta website sporadically. But we’ve got some more screenshots after the break. Let us know if you spot anything new.

Update 2: Reader Tom K. has discovered direct references to an upcoming iOS 6 beta in the code strings for this iCloud beta. From what we assume, it looks like Apple is going to unleash a new beta version of iCloud.com at WWDC and require the iOS 6 beta to run it:

Update 3: There is also a developer.icloud.com page.

This morning we broke the news that iOS 6 will include an all new Maps app, dropping the Google Maps backend.

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Rough mockup showing the user-enabled 3D mode (on the right)

According to trusted sources, Apple has an incredible headline feature in development for iOS 6: a completely in-house maps application. Apple will drop the Google Maps program running on iOS since 2007 in favor for a new Maps app with an Apple backend. The application design is said to be fairly similar to the current Google Maps program on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, but it is described as a much cleaner, faster, and more reliable experience.

Read on after the break for all of the details!

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T-Mobile has announced plans for an expansion of their current 4G network programs. The company says that they have struck a $4 billion deal with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks in order to improve 4G reception in the United States this year. In addition, T-Mobile says they will conduct their 4G LTE rollout in 2013. Perhaps more important for those looking to use the iPhone on T-Mobile, the company says that they will rollout iPhone-compatible HSPA+ (known as 4G on AT&T) networks bands by the end of this year.

These new iPhone-compatible HSPA+ networks will launch in a “large number of markets,” and these bands are the 1900 MHz spectrum. While T-Mobile says that the Apple iPhone will be technically supported, no deal between Apple and T-Mobile for T-Mobile to officially carry the handset has been announced. Prior to today’s announcement, the last we heard on T-Mobile/iPhone compatibility was from T-Mobile CTO in March of this year. He said:

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In mid-April we reported that due to constraints of replacement units for the discontinued white 16GB GSM iPhone 4, Apple Store Genius Bars were told to swap out these devices for a 16GB white iPhone 4S. Users facing hardware related problems with their 16GB iPhone 4s were essentially given free upgrades to the Siri, A5-chip, 8MP camera-packing iPhone 4S. This was until earlier this week: Apple has almost completely caught up with demand for the constrained white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units.

While Apple has caught up with that SKU, Apple is now facing constraints of the black 16GB iPhone 4 and black 32GB iPhone 4 (GSM/CDMA unit breakdown is unclear). Like with the 16GB white iPhone 4 constraint situation of mid-late April, Genius Bars without stock of the black 16GB iPhone 4 and black 32GB iPhone 4 replacements units have been instructed to provide customers with comparable iPhone 4S replacements. Not all Apple Stores are facing these constraints (but many are), and these constraints should clear up within a few weeks if the white iPhone 4 16GB constraint process follows suit here.

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The iPad application

AT&T has announced plans for a consumer home automation and security suite of services that will begin trials this summer. The services, which exist under the “AT&T Digital Life” naming umbrella, can be controlled via mobile devices (including iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches) and on the web. The system allows users to control home features such as thermostats (even individually by room), power outlets, garage doors, lighting, and more. The service also allows users to keep an eye on their home’s security, and the software allows users away from home to turn on security features.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOt-liKNHlM]

A headline feature of the Digital Life services suite is the ability to detect water leaks. AT&T says that their service is unique in that a user can “take action” to turn off their home’s water supply in order to halt a leak. While AT&T manages and custom-installers the service for customers, non-AT&T customers are fully supported. All of the software tied to the home-automation and security suite can run on any carrier. AT&T provides their own 24/7 security center to augment a user’s ability to check their home’s security from the web-based or smartphone/tablet applications. Trials for the service will kickoff this summer in both Dallas and Atlanta.

Screenshots of the iPhone application are after the break.

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Apple has long had a $99 program called One to One that provides setup assistance, training, project help, and more to Apple product users. The program began with a focus on assisting new Mac owners, but with Apple’s recent iOS device push, the One to One program has expanded to cover iPhone, iPad, iCloud and more product lines. While not completely revamping the program, Apple will unveil a series of important changes to the program later this month:

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Apple’s update to OS X Lion Preview 3 adds a very helpful new “Do Not Disturb” feature for notifications. The feature is a toggle accessible at the top of Notification Center that allows users to block incoming alerts and banners. The feature is very important for those who look to focus entirely on the content they are currently working on and do not want to be bothered by new emails, iMessages, calendar alerts, or other types of alerts.

The OS notes that the feature is activated with a moon logo on the top right of the menu bar. This feature makes a lot of sense in Mountain Lion, and it would not be a stretch to expect an iOS-variant with iOS 6. OS X Mountain Lion’s Notification Center is accessible with a swipe to left on a Multi-Touch trackpad or with a mouse button click on the top right of the OS X menu bar. Mountain Lion also adds other iOS-inspired features like AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center, Notes, and Reminders.

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Apple has released software updates to both of their already acknowledged, unreleased Mac OS X updates: Mountain Lion and Lion 10.7.4. The OS X Mountain Lion is a not a full new Developer Preview, but is simply an update to the already released Developer Preview 3. Changes are currently unknown, but please send in anything you find to tips@9to5mac.com. The update weighs in at 1.45GB on a MacBook Air, but that may vary on other machines. Similiarly, Apple released a few minor developer preview updates during the OS X Lion beta period.

In addition, Apple has seeded a new build of 10.7.4 to developers. The build number is 11E53, and this is notable as this is only a single build shift from last week’s release of 10.7.4 build 11E52. A slow down in build number changes often means an imminent release of whatever OS X update is being tested. Augmenting this possibility is that Apple has added the 10.7.4 change log to the installer application for the beta. Apple says the build has no known issues but asks developers to focus their testing on graphics, iCal, Mail, Printing, and Time Machine.

Apple has also released Developer Preview 4 of Xcode 4.4. The Xcode preview requires either OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Lion.

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John Browett starting work as Apple’s Senior Vice President is now as official as possible: the former Dixons Retail CEO has finally made his way onto Apple’s Executive Leadership website. This Leadership page features biographies for all of Apple’s top executives: the CEO, CFO, and all Senior Vice Presidents. Apple notes that Browett reports to Apple CEO Tim Cook, and here is his biography in its entirety:

John Browett is Apple’s senior vice president of retail, reporting to CEO Tim Cook. Browett serves on the company’s executive team and oversees Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world. John joined Apple in April 2012 from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he was CEO since 2007. Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Browett is responsible for Apple’s worldwide retail operations and replaces Ron Johnson. Johnson, along with Steve Jobs, pioneered the original Apple Store concept, and he left Apple late last year to take on the CEO role at JC Penney. In January, Apple announced that Browett would join as the new SVP of Retail by the end of April. Peter Oppenheimer oversaw retail operations, with the assistance of retail executives Jerry McDougal, Bob Bridger, and Steve Cano, during the time between Johnson’s departure and Browett’s succession.

Apple has released minor software updates for iLife for iOS. The suite received major updates on March 7, the day of the new iPad announcement, and today’s updates focus on slight enhancements and bug fixes.

iMovie 1.3.1: 

This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of minor issues, including the following:
• Adds the ability to access Help when editing a project on iPad
• Resolves an issue where the incorrect frame was shown after splitting a clip

iPhoto: 1.0.1:

• When publishing a journal to iCloud, the URL of the journal can now be copied using a Copy Link button
• Addresses an issue that could cause duplicate photos to appear in Photos view
• Includes stability improvements

Garageband 1.2.1: 

What’s New in Version 1.2.1
• Fixes an issue that could lead to crashing or missing songs when sharing to iCloud
• Resolves an error when logging into SoundCloud using a Facebook account
• Addresses minor issues related to performance and stability

Cards and iTunes U also saw minor bug fix updates.

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According to sources, Apple is planning a major new addition to their Apple Store Genius Bars; an addition that will change the way the company handles Genius Bar support. When an iOS device user comes to the Genius Bar with advanced hardware issues that are deemed unrepairable via software, these users commonly find Apple willing to replace their device with a working unit.

With users typically keeping so much important content on their devices like contacts, calendars, text message conversations, media data, apps, application content, and more; the need for device backups is critical. So critical that Apple warns users that they should backup their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch prior to the aforementioned iOS device Genius Bar exchange process. However, many users find themselves in situations where they are unable to backup their device prior to their Genius Bar appointment. Whether the reason be time, location, or something else, Apple is planning a solution for this issue.

Currently being prototyped inside of Apple’s top-secret “future” Apple Store labs near the company’s headquarters, a place where peaks into Apple’s retail future have leaked from in the past, is a wireless server system for Genius Bars that will automatically, securely, and temporarily store user content.

The concept is best explained through an example…

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Prior to the Final Cut Pro X unveiling and release last year, Apple showcased some of the new features to a small group of professional videos editors. This was in order to prepare these editors for Apple’s drastic change in their direction for professional video editing. Those meetings were off the record, but today, Apple held on-the-record meetings with some of the industry’s noted professional video editors in order to describe more new features coming to Final Cut Pro X. According to video editor Larry Jordan, Apple has provided him some background on Final Cut Pro X’s performance thus far, and a look into the future.

One of the major changes with the initial release of Final Cut Pro X was its exclusivity to the Mac App Store. Jordan asked Apple why the App Store provides a better expierience over boxed software, and Apple’s response covers security and flexibility:

I asked what the benefits were to using the Mac App Store for distribution, and was told that it provided a wider end-user license, greater distribution flexibility, and supported Apple’s focus on security through “sandboxing” applications. Apple wants customers to feel secure purchasing software through the Mac App Store.

Apple then told Jordan that they have an update coming later this year with new features and enhancements. While none of the new features were actually demoed to Jordan, Apple is planning to include Multichannel Audio Editing Tools, Dual Viewers, MXF Plug-in Support, and RED camera support. Jordan says that the current audio editing tools in Final Cut Pro X are “weak” so he is “excited” to see what Apple will add to the software later this year. Dual-viewers will be an important feature that allows video editors to easily compare two clips. Jordan describes how Apple will improve MFX support:

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Due to atypical inventory shortages of white 16GB iPhone 4 replacement units, 16GB white iPhone 4 customers seeking hardware replacements at Apple Store Genius Bars may get a free upgrade to the newer iPhone 4S. According to multiple sources, Apple has notified Apple Store Genius Bars that inventory of white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units is heavily constrained, and until further notice, stores lacking white iPhone 4 16GB replacements units should upgrade customers seeking a replacement phone to an iPhone 4S.

This iPhone 4S would be a refurbished white iPhone 4S 16GB. This situation will not affect all customers and Apple Stores, but it seems like many white iPhone 4 16GB owners seeking hardware replacements may get Siri, an A5 chip, and an eight megapixel camera out of their next Genius Bar appointment. Sources specifically said that the issue pertains to Apple Stores in the United States and Canada, but the sources did not mention other countries or regions.

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In order to bring 1080P video playing to the new Apple TV, Apple included what they called a single-core A5 processors. Many industry watchers noted that this A5 was a new A5 chip specifically designed for the new Apple TV, as it is Apple’s only single-core A5. The A5 SoC from the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 is a dual-core variant. While Apple calls it a single-core A5, Chipworks reveals that, while the chip runs as a single-core unit, the chip is actually dual-core based. Chipworks provides a possible explanation:

Either Apple is only utilizing one core or they are binning parts. Parts binning is a common process in semiconductors where devices are segregated (binned) based on meeting a subset of the overall requirements,  in this case they could disable the “bad” core, this increases the usable die per wafer, lowering the cost.

Additionally, the teardown firm says this new A5 chip for the new Apple TV is 41% smaller than the A5 processors found in Apple’s other A5-driven devices. The reasoning is quite important for a small, TV-based product: the smaller architecture offers cost-savings to Apple (important for the retention of the $99 pricing), improved power efficiency, and even better performance. Chipworks believes that this new type of A5 chip may be a peak into Apple’s future chips. Earier this week, we reported that Apple is working on a variant of the A5X iPad processor for the sixth-generation iPhone.

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