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.
Apple has announced this morning that CEO Steve Jobs and other executives will take the stage on June 6th to talk next-generation software. Specifically, Apple will introduce their cloud-services – with an official header name of iCloud – in addition to iOS 5 and Mac OS 10.7 Lion.
Apple® CEO Steve Jobs and a team of Apple executives will kick off the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with a keynote address on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. At the keynote, Apple will unveil its next generation software – Lion, the eighth major release of Mac OS® X; iOS 5, the next version of Apple’s advanced mobile operating system which powers the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®; and iCloud®, Apple’s upcoming cloud services offering.
Apple is also, of course, promising over 100 technical sessions, but have to yet to actually announce those details. The full press release is after the break.
Sources around the globe have informed 9to5Mac that supplies and shipments of the MacBook Air are constrained ahead of the product’s rumored June-July refresh. The latest rumors peg the update to to be fairly minor – like this year’s iMac and MacBook Pro upgrades – with internal specification bumps and new I/O options. Specifically, the new MacBook Air family should feature Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt ports. Backing up these constraints is Apple’s own website – which is featuring refurbished MacBook Airs at an all-time low of $829. Best Buy has also dropped prices significantly and now start at $938 for the base model 11.6″.
Backing up claims of a next-generation iPhone with an iPhone 4-like form factor, Macotakara claims that Apple is set to debut an iPhone 4S with an ARM Cortex-A9 and an 8 megapixel camera. The ARM Cortex-A9 is the CPU foundation for Apple’s customized A5 processor in the iPad 2. The iPad 2’s A5 is a dual-core chip, but the report is unsure if the iPhone 4S version is dual core. Sources told 9to5Maclast month that Apple is already testing an iPhone 4 with an A5 chip with high-profile game developers and it is likely that the iPhone 4S’s A5 will be dual-core.
The report also says backs up claims of an iPhone with dual-mode support for CDMA and GSM networks. This has long been expected since our discovery that the Verizon iPhone 4 carries a Qualcomm Gobi chip; a chip that supports both CDMA and GSM networks. The unique part about the report’s claim is that it says the iPhone 4S will feature an integrated SIM card system. That means the card is not user replacable. Apple was rumored to be working on an integrated SIM feature for future devices, but this claim has since been shot down.
The report also adds that a full iPhone revamp – iPhone 5 – is expected in spring 2012. This may mean that Apple has not just changed their iPhone release cycles to September; the September new iPhone thing could just be a 2011 thing. That’s great news for anyone holding out for an all-new design. (Image: TiPb)
We’ve been testing out a prototype version of the Hive Dock for iPhone for the last few days and here’s our review and overview of the product. For those unfamiliar, the Hive Dock is a dock for the iPhone 4 that provides the phone with clearer audio output and uses a magnifying plate to provide a 4X zoom for anything your iPhone displays on its screen. The product is actually pretty slick for movie watchers and the audio actually does sound crisper than iPhone 4 audio without the dock.
The iPhone can sit in either portrait or landscape and is incredibly easy to place in the Hive Dock. You just drop your iPhone 4 into the fitting slot with the device’s speaker in the speaker placement portion of the slot. The home button is always open when the iPhone is in landscape orientation and there is an opening in the Hive Dock if you want to use the device in portrait mode. The Hive Dock is not only for movie watchers, but does wonders for those who want to type without squinting. Using an iPhone text editor, the Hive Dock, and a wireless keyboard is a great expierience.
The magnification portion actually works great and is perfect for movies, games, web browsing, and really anything else you would use your iPhone for. One of the great parts about the dock is that it enhances your audio and iPhone screen without any electricity. The dock itself is also very light – so it’s very easy to carry and travel with. The iPhone is also still easy to use when in the dock, just wrap your hands around the magnification plate. Another plus for portablity is that the magnification lens actually can be stored in the bottom of the Hive Dock. The Hive Dock we tested is a prototype unit and the actually unit will be thinner and feature feet on the bottom for rotation. If you have any questions we’ll answer them in the comments.
With Apple’s purchase of two mapping companies over the last couple of years – Poly9 and Placebase – many have speculated that iOS 5 will finally be the iOS release where Apple moves from a Google Maps backend to an Apple backend. Multiple job postings on Apple’s official site backed up this speculation and even Apple promised some under-the-hood maps tweeks for their next-generation iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch operating system.
Now, sources have told 9to5Google that although Apple is working to improve the iOS Maps application, iOS 5 will not bring an Apple developed maps service and Google Maps is still in. Besides Apple’s purchase of both Placebase and Poly9, some speculated that Apple is building their own maps service to either compete with Google or step away from their input into iOS.
Apple began the process of distancing themselves from Google when former Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned over “conflict of interest.” Apple has also added Microsoft’s Bing as a Safari search option and will be competing with Google head-to-head with their upcoming cloud-based music service. Those who enjoy Google Maps should not fear iOS 5, though, and hopefully Apple is working to implement turn-by-turn directions or something else to improve their maps application without changing the backend.
A reader sent in the awesome N97 mockup above and we wanted to share it. Notice the touch home button, nicely proportioned display and full bars on AT&T. (Thanks Ds51A!)
Apple has announced in a new support document that an update to Mac OS X will be issued in “the coming days” to find and squash malware. This malware comes through supposed anti-virus software that is actually built to steal private information like credit card numbers.
In the coming days, Apple will deliver a Mac OS X software update that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants. The update will also help protect users by providing an explicit warning if they download this malware.
In the meantime, Apple is now offering a manual resolution for users who wish to remove and find malware as soon as possible. The solution is pasted after the break. This upcoming software update may be a simple security patch or may even be a part of Mac OS X 10.6.8, which Apple has already seeded twice to developers.
In an interview with AllThingsD, France Telecom/Orange CEO Stephane Richard discussed a smaller SIM card that Apple is developing with their global carriers for future versions of their mobile devices. Besides confirming that carriers, including Orange, are working with Apple on the new initiative, Richard said that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will be smaller and thinner.
Richard’s comment specifically says the “next” iPhone, meaning the fifth-generation iPhone – rumored for a September launch – but we think his comment could simply be an assumption based on the smaller SIM card developments. Another possibility, since we have no time frame on these smaller cards, is that the next iPhone is actually an all new, thinner, smaller design.
Another possibility is that these smaller SIM cards are for the “iPhone nano,” which the Wall Street Journal discussed earlier this year. The device, codenamed N97, is said to be smaller, lighter, cheaper and feature an edge-to-edge display. Smaller SIM cards would be perfect for this device, so perhaps Orange’s CEO just dropped a hint of that.
The person who saw the prototype of the new iPhone said the device was significantly lighter than the iPhone 4 and had an edge-to-edge screen that could be manipulated by touch, as well as a virtual keyboard and voice-based navigation
It’s necessary to mention that Richard is the same person who “confirmed” an Apple tablet – with 3G -announcement in late January, but said it would include a webcam. As we all know, the Apple tablet only got a webcam two months ago with the iPad 2.
Our sources nailed it. What is being referred to as Apple Store 2.0 internally has officially launched Down Under. Australia is close to a day ahead of us in the United States. Just like we told you, paper signs and information cards have been swiped from Apple’s wood tables and have been replaced with super-interactive iPad 2s. These specially equipped tablets provide a simple and easy-use-view into the product right beside it.
Additionally, the iPads feature a button to call an Apple representative for assistance – sort of like an airplane call button.That’s all we’ve been able to find so far, but given that our sources nailed that part 100% – it won’t be too long until we see the other changes. Another picture after the break courtesy of Mac Prices.
Email us at tips@9to5mac.com with your Apple Store 2.0 pictures!
A source has just dropped a load of unconfirmed information on us for what is being internally referred to as “Apple Store 2.0.” Apple Store 2.0 is a major makeover for the Apple retail store experience. Apple has been working on this new type of Apple store for a while now and the development’s ceiling does not only reach Apple’s Senior VP of Retail Ron Johnson, but was led by Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Apple design chief Jony Ive.
Like we reported before, Apple is taking their personal setup service very seriously. Even more so in Apple Store 2.0. Personal Setup will have new dedicated areas in stores called “Startup Sessions.” The new bars are said to be even more interactive. Another major change at Apple Stores has to do with their signage. Today, next to each Mac and many products are paper signs. With Apple Store 2.0, those signs will be replaced with interactive iPads.
Next, these new Apple Stores – at least in some locations – will feature beefed up displays, which are described as “huge,” in addition to brand-new sound systems. Besides those in-store changes, Apple is set to release a brand-new Apple Store iOS application – possibly on Sunday – that is even more interactive. For example, a user with the app can walk into the store and the app will know which location the user is at. The app can even ask the user if they’d like to speak to a specialist, for example.
Update: Additional sources have let us know that stores have received some boxes today that are only to be opened by the store’s visual manager. The sources speculate that these boxes are for new store or window displays. Other sources have said that Apple will be doing some more employee training on iPads.
Right on time… Digitimes reports that Apple has lowered GSM and CDMA iPhone 4 production ahead of the September launch for the fifth-generation iPhone – “iPhone 4S.” The report says that “Apple has lowered its expected shipment volume of iPhone 4 for the second quarter of 2011 from 20 million units, to 17.5-18 million units consisting of 16 million units of the 3G version and 1.5-2 million units of the CDMA version.”
The report also says that the “iPhone 4S” will include an 8 megapixel camera developed by OmniVision and Largan Precision. Production of this new iPhone is said to begin in August, which is not far off from Reuters’ late July claims from a few weeks back. The iPhone 4S will also include an A5 dual-core processor, as we reported last month. The phone might also include T-Mobile and Sprint support – but will lack any major design changes. Another report says that the 4S is unlikely to carry LTE – that’s likely coming in 2012.
As expected, new MacBooks Airs are going into production later this month for a June or July launch month. The news from Digitimes says that Apple’s updated ultra-thin notebooks will pack Sandy Bridge processors – that recently launched in the new MacBook Pros and iMacs – in addition to Apple and Intel’s new Thunderbolt I/O platform. Apple’s current line of MacBooks Airs include both 11.6 and 13.3 inch models. Because the current design was released late last year, we believe that the new models will simply be an internal specification upgrade and nothing more.
We could lie to you and say that some secret source told us that Apple’s back to school promotion will be announced in the next week or two, or we could just say that Apple has launched their Back to School promotion either the last week of May or first week of June since at least 2006 (‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ‘10).
Anyway. If you are a qualified student who is looking to get some discounts – and a free iPod – you might want to wait a few weeks to pick up your new kit.
The purported iPhone 5 case that gained popularity over the last few days has been removed from trading site Alibaba. The case obviously brought a large amount of attention to its manufacter so we don’t think the case was removed by choice. Prior to the iPad 2’s official announcement in March, many iPad 2 cases found on Alibaba revealed key features like its thinner design and FaceTime video cameras.
Those iPad 2 cases ended up being removed from Alibaba with the help of Apple’s legal team. We’re not going to say for sure that Apple was behind the removal of the above iPhone 5 case, but it makes sense. Adding evidence to the legitimacy of this iPhone 5 case are purported iPhone 5 camera parts. These camera parts demonstrate a relocated LED camera flash, which is also noted on the above iPhone 5 case sample image.
Following the discovery that Mac OS X Lion includes a new Reading List feature in Safari – similar to the popular Instapaper service – Instapaper’s creator went on record to say that the feature won’t be a competitor until it syncs with iOS devices. Well, it looks like Safari’s Reading List feature is going to be a competitor. Reader iBrokedk has discovered that Macs running the latest build of Lion will actually sync their Safari reading lists with iOS Safari.
The same Reading List shown on a Mac
Our tipster claims that he was able to view his Reading List on his iPad via a MobileMe bookmark sync. Additionally, we have been able to confirm that Reading List sync is also an option through iOS’s standard iOS sync process. To access your Reading List on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you need to head over to the bookmarks tab in Safari. Your Reading List should come up as a folder named, obviously a place holder, com.Apple.ReadingList.
Just off the heels of rumors pointing to Apple repositioning the iPhone LED flash to the top-right side of the next-generation iPhone, purported iPhone 5 camera parts have appeared online. The above image shows the iPhone 5’s front-facing camera sensor in addition to the rear-camera sensor. The front-facing camera piece is re-designed, but we can’t tell any technical details, but the juicy information comes from the rear-facing camera…
A purported fifth-generation iPhone case emerged last night with an iPhone 4-shape fit and a relocated LED camera flash. The flash hole is located on the top-right side of the iPhone’s back, and Apple might be doing this to mend iPhone 4 camera flash issues, which a small percentage of users have been experiencing. Now, we have a conveniently timed tip from Tobi in Germany who sends in an image of a “prototype next-generation” iPhone (aka Photoshopped iPhone 4) that demonstrates what a repositioned LED flash would like on an iPhone.
Update: A commenter below thinks this might be real. He’s done an inversion and changed the levels to find nothing to indicate photoshopping.
Apple and Nuance’s rumored partnership is all but official at this point: Apple’s upcoming Mac OS X Lion uses Nuance’s speech technology. A quick look in Lion’s system preferences application reveals several new voice options (shown above) with accents ranging from French to Romanian to Thai. This might seem like some fancy new voice technology that Apple decided to craft up for Lion but it’s actually something that Nuance created for their RealSpeak text-to-speech software.
From Nuance RealSpeak website
Each voice preference costs $45 directly from Nuance, so it’s a safe bet that Apple made some agreement with Nuance for the technology. With the rumors that Apple and Nuance will be making some joint announcements at WWDC, we think this new Lion feature is pretty much confirmation of that. Look for something like this in iOS 5 – hopefully with some Siri technology mixed in as well. (via NetPuting)
Mac OS X Lion developer preview 3 features some new enhancements including a redesigned login screen, the previously detailed Reading List feature in Safari, some new wallpapers, and other minor tweaks. The redesigned login screen above has an iOS-like feel to it with a silver-gradient backdrop and new icons across the bottom for sleep mode, restart, and shut down. (Thanks, Daniel). For those interested, we have a video of the new login screen and boot animation in action.
The previously detailed Reading List feature in Safari is also present with a eyeglasses icon on the left side of Safari (location is possibly user customizable). Click the small icon and the fairly-intutive user interface, shown above, will appear. The Reading List displays items you have read and have yet to read, in an iOS style box format.
We have also been told that the new Lion developer release packs in some brand-new wallpapers including an actual lion. We’ve put screenshots of a few of the new wallpapers after the break, check it!
According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support.
The iPhone 4S is rumored to launch in September and is said to feature T-Mobile, Sprint, and China Mobile compatibility. BGR posted photos of a T-Mobile iPhone in testing, that we quickly learned is actually the iPhone 4S with an A5 chip inside.
Apple has just pushed out a software update to the Apple TV and it’s version 4.2.2 build number 8F305. The update is likely bug fix related and we’ll update with more details when they are available.
Apple has long used the proxy of iTunes to push updates to its iOS devices: when a new software update is available, users need to plug their device in via USB, click update, and the new software version is downloaded and installed.
Smartphone competitors have long offered a different, more direct method for software updates that happens over-the-air. Specifically, when an update to Google’s Android operating system or HP/Palm’s webOS is released, users are provided an update notification and can update the software right on their phone. No computer required.
Now, Apple wants to provide the same convenience to their iPhone users and is preparing to provide over-the-air iOS updates, starting this fall.
Multiple sources (one as far back as March) say the new feature will debut in iOS 5, meaning iOS 5 will not come over-the-air but following point updates to it will. Just like tethering in iOS 3, Apple has the technology but cannot just unleash it everywhere. Apple and Verizon Wireless are said to have been in talks over these wireless software updates since early this year. Sources could not comment on whether or not Apple is negotiating similar deals with AT&T or international iPhone carriers.
The iOS-based AppleTV has been able to update itself without iTunes intervention so the hooks are obviously in iOS. Two things to note:
Updates are now over 600MB. Apple would have to make these smaller to get the carriers to agree to push these things as they are. We believe that Apple will make the updates much smaller by using incremental patches rather than full OS downloads
iTunes provides the backup to the iOS device so a failed update would need some sort of backup. We think there will be a Cloud-based backup system.
Obviously, if this is a feature in iOS 5, it should conceivably make its way to iPad and iPod touches as well. That means iTunes may no longer be a needed conduit for updating iOS devices in the future. It would also mean that the iPad could finally be a stand alone device.
The Hive Dock is a new Kick Starter project that we have come across, and it looks awesome. The Hive Dock uses special sound channeling engineering to amplify the sound coming out of your iPhone 4, with no extra electricity. Even cooler, the Hive Dock has a front magnifying panel that magnifies your iPhone screen to twice its normal size.
Requiring no electronics or power, Hive amplifies the iPhone’s onboard speaker in either landscape or portrait orientation. It does this by channeling the sound into a concave chamber that projects the sound upward and outward toward the listener’s ears. A Fresnel lens stands parallel to the iPhone’s Retina Display at a set distance of 4 inches, providing crystal clear 2X magnification.*
Following the news that the white iPhone 4 is slightly thicker than its black variant, 9to5Mac reader Ernesto Barron tweeted Apple Senior Vice President of Product Marketing Phil Schiller to see if the news is really true. After sending Schiller a public tweet with a URL to the above image, which is from our previous post, Schiller responded to him through a Twitter direct message. We’re not sure why Schiller, who has been tweeting publicly for months now, decided to answer through a direct message.
It is not thicker, don’t believe all the junk that you read
