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 that Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will include a brand new feature called ‘AirDrop.’ AirDrop sounds pretty simply but also very helpful for those with multiple computers or for those who need to constantly share files with others around them. They only catch, obviously, is that everyone needs to be on the same local WiFi network. The interface also sounds very cool judging by Apple’s description.
With AirDrop in Mac OS X Lion, you can send files to anyone around you — wirelessly. AirDrop doesn’t require setup or special settings. Just click the AirDrop icon in the Finder sidebar, and your Mac automatically discovers other people nearby who are using AirDrop. You’ll even see contact photos for those who are already in your Address Book. To share a file, simply drag it to someone’s name. Once accepted, the file transfers directly to the person’s Downloads folder. When you’re done with AirDrop, close the Finder and your Mac is no longer visible to others.
Apple has announced that their upcoming Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will include an all new Mail application and it looks just like the one you can find on an iPad. A new mail bar is also present with easier access to some new tools. The new Mail.app also works with the new full-screen feature in Lion, and we have to say that it looks pretty awesome.
Just like Mail on iPad, Mail 5 in Mac OS X Lion features a new layout that takes advantage of the widescreen display on your Mac. You see the messages in your inbox as well as a full-height preview of the selected message. The new Mailbox bar gives you one-click access to your favorite folders. Mail 5 also includes a powerful new way to search that makes finding what you’re looking for quick and easy, even in the largest of inboxes.
Mail 5 also brings a new “Conversations” feature to the Mac. This feature organizes your inbox to be more natural and the concept looks remarkable.
Mail 5 also introduces Conversations, a natural new way to read and manage email that automatically groups messages from the same conversation — even if the subject changes along the way. Just click a conversation in your inbox to reveal a streamlined feed of individual messages in chronological order, and easily file or delete an entire conversation.
Apple has announced that Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will include a new feature, similar to the popular Time Machine tool, called Versions. Versions essentially makes a copy of a document/file every time you save it. If you are looking for a respective file and want to see what it looked like you can now do that.
Versions records the evolution of a document as you create it. Mac OS X Lion automatically creates a version of the document each time you open it and every hour while you’re working on it. If you need to revert to an older version or retrieve part of a document, Versions shows you the current document next to a cascade of previous versions — in an interface similar to that of Time Machine — so you can see how your work looked at any given time. You can revert with a click, or quickly copy and paste work from a previous version into the current version.*
Apple today took the wraps off a developer preview version of their upcoming 10.7 Lion operating system. The new operating systems takes pointers from iOS and will be officially released Summer 2011. Apple also announced some new features that we will be covering this morning.
Last night we heard the first concrete details about Apple’s all new Final Cut Pro coming during Spring this year, and tonight some new information has come to light. Final Cut Studio expert Larry Jordan was one of the people at Apple’s meeting, demonstrating the upcoming upgrade to the professional film-making software.
Jordan can’t say much about the upgrade, due to an NDA with Apple, but he did say it is a “jaw-dropper.” Besides the “jaw-dropper” part, the thing we are taking most from his blog post is the fact that Apple allowed him to write it up. It appears that Apple already considers the software public knowledge. Afterall, Apple CEO Steve Jobs did tell a 9to5mac reader to buckle up for it.
We know it’s coming Spring 2011, but when exactly? We’re thinking the NAB 2011 digital media industry event. Apple has used this event to announce products like Final Cut Pro and the April 9-14th dates do happen to fall during the Spring season. Thanks, Laura P!
Apple has just started dressing up the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco for the iPad 2 launch event on March 2nd. The design is very similar to that of last year’s iPad event. Who’s excited?! Thanks, Astern
…and we got more pictures! Check them out after the break.
iLounge claims that tomorrow’s new MacBook Pro will be a modest upgrade, like we’ve seen so far, and will look just like the aluminum unibody models of today. They report also claims that Apple is already working on an all new MacBook Pro family for launch next year. iLounge calls this new MacBook Pro family a “milestone” so this may be what Apple was talking about when they said “next-generation of notebooks.”
Next is the second generation iPad. iLounge claims that the new iPad we will be seeing on March 2nd may be a “modest,” incremental upgrade versus a feature-packed redesign. They say this might be due to the production issues we have been hearing about lately. iLounge says we may be seeing another new iPad this year, which mirrors earlier reports, but we have our doubts. iLounge has a good track record when it comes to these types of rumors so take it for what it’s worth.
According to Digitimes, due to some last minute device changes and supply shortages at manufacturing plants, Apple has reduced their mass production target volume for the iPad 2 from “400,000-600,000 units originally to only 300,000-400,000 units.”
The sources pointed out that Apple still maintains its plans to mass produce the iPad 2 by the end of February; however, affected by low touch panel yields and an adjustment in specifications, Apple’s production volume forecast for the first quarter is expected to drop from 400,000-600,000 units originally to only 300,000-400,000 units.
Apple is also said to have already lowered the production and shipments of the first generation iPad. According to our own sources around the world, iPad inventory at many different stores is much lower than usual.
A source has sent us updated MacBook Pro part numbers that corroborate with the ones we posted a few days ago. Even better is that these part numbers have come with some new prices. The price conversions don’t really work out too well with the American Dollar but in terms of the Australian Dollar, both new 13 inch models will be $100 cheaper ($1399 and $1699 AU). Apple’s pricing points seem to go by $100s no matter where you are on the map, so we’re thinking the U.S. will see price drops by the $100s, too.
On to the 15 inch models, this new information backs up earlier rumors pointing to Apple dropping one of the 15 inch SKUs. The entry level 15 inch model will supposedly stick to the current $2099 AU pricing point but the interesting thing going on here is that Apple’s dropping the current $2399 and $2699 AU priced-models in favor of a single $2499 AU 15 inch MacBook Pro. That makes two MacBook Pro 15-inch configurations.
The situation with the granddaddy of Apple notebooks is even more interesting as it looks like the price is going up. Apple currently sells one 17 inch MacBook Pro standard configuration and it costs $2798 AU. The new model is said to cost $2899 AU. The current 17 inch MacBook Pro comes with an i5 processor, but you can get a built-to-order version with an i7 for $3088 AU. We’re thinking Apple’s dropping the i5 from the 17 inch model and making the 17 inch a standard i7-equipped machine. That would be a $200 price drop, and that’s fantastic.
Update: We have been told by two separate sources that the white 13 inch MacBooks are not on the brink of discontinuation. We’ll have to see how the new Apple notebook lineup works out… seems too cozy at this point.
Jobs wasn’t kidding when he told a 9to5mac reader to “buckle up” for a brand new version of Final Cut Pro with 64 bit compatibility. According to TechCrunch Apple reportedly invited a “small group of video editors” to the Cupertino, California campus recently to test drive the new video editing product. Apple is supposedly glittering some last minute magic on the professional video editing suite of applications and is tracking a Spring 2011 launch date.
This new version of Final Cut Pro is said to be a “major overhaul” complete with a brand new user interface, 64-bit compatibility, and architectural enhancements. Randy Ubillos and Co. have surely been working on making the product even speedier and easier to use. With Final Cut Pro 8 Apple is going to make it clear that they have not dropped the professional video editing space in favor of the consumer space. This has been a concern for many with the lack of a Final Cut Pro update recently and due to the two iMovie-related presentations during iKeynotes in 2010.
The second generation iPad is rumored to be announced by Apple on March 2nd at an event in San Francisco but there has still been no word on when it will ship.
Sources have told us that the second generation iPad will be announced in the next 7-14 days (backs up the rumored March 2nd date) and will be available towards the end of March. This fits with Apple’s usual annual announce/update for iOS products.
The sometimes reliable MacGeneration claims that Apple’s new MacBook Pros will feature higher resolution displays, better battery life, a lighter design, in addition to the rumored separate SSDs to store the operating system.
They also claim that the 13-inch MacBook Pro will gain a 3rd USB port, a matter screen option, and an i3 processor. They also say there will be an option to replace the superdrive on the 15 and 17 inch models with another SSD drive. Perhaps that explains the rumor from yesterday.
The new MacBook Pros are said to adopt new, higher-resolution screens: 1440×900 on the 13″, 1680×1050 on the 15″. The new notebooks will also be 200-300 grams lighter and feature better battery life (also from yesterday). 12 hours of wireless productivity on the 13 inch and 10 hours on the 15 inch.
They also claim the 17 inch MacBook Pro will be equipped with 8 GB of RAM as standard. Finally, the report says the white 13 inch MacBook will be dropped from the lineup. This makes sense with the 13 inch MacBook Airs’ current success/prices and the new 13 inch MacBook Pro.
We can’t confirm this new information but we’ll surely know all this Thursday, February 24th.
CNET reports that Intel is holding an event to roll out their Light Peak connector technology on Thursday. Intel also says that Light Peak enabled products are “about to appear on the market.” Any guesses as to what products they are talking about? How about new MacBook Pros that Thursday, February 24th? Possibly some new iMacs, too.
According to a research note from Yuanta Securities Co. today, Apple initially planned to launch the iPad 2 during April of this year, but due to a number of reasons this launch may be delayed until June. This possible delay is said to be due to “production bottlenecks” at Apple’s sourced manufacturing plant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. These “bottlenecks” are said to be occurring since Apple made last minute design changes to their second generation iPad right before the Chinese New Year; that would be around 3 weeks ago.
This June release date seems a bit odd as this is the month that Apple typically releases a new version of their iPhone handset. On the other hand, Apple could possibly introduce the new touch-screen tablet at a May event with an early June release date. Apple will then hold their annual WWDC conference during the first two weeks of June (possibly the 5th-9th) and the fifth-generation iPhone will then probably launch in late June or early July.
Apple’s second generation iPad is rumored to be thinner, lighter, faster and will reportedly sport more memory and faster graphics hardware. The iPad 2 is rumored to have gone into production during the first week of February with a rumored release date during March or April.
In recent weeks, rumors have emerged that an iPad 3 was planned for later this year with a “Retina display.” Perhaps Apple chose to wait until those displays are ready? Perhaps they saw something at CES or MWC that they didn’t like (not likely). Perhaps they will implement those fancy Super PLS displays from Samsung?
We are not completely sure who to believe at this point, but shipping delays due to last minute changes from Apple are certainly possible.
We just got our own hands on a case for the yet to be announced second generation iPad (weird, right?) and from the top, it’s crazy thin. It’s difficult to explain how thin this thing is and, if it is legit, props to Apple for being able to make a tablet as thin as they did.
Our case is silicon and has all the new iPad 2 fixings we’ve heard so far, except the magical top port. The bottom of the case has space for the standard 30-pin dock connector and a larger speaker with a meshed grill. The case also has room for the now standard mute/screen lock switch and volume rocker on the right. We’re thinking, due to the tapering, that the mute/screen lock switch will slide like the iPhone 4’s.
The left side has that super mysterious port and the top has the standard earphone jack and the sleep/wake power button. Oh, and the back? It has a camera hole, slightly larger than the one’s found on iPhone 4 cases (which might allow for movement/alignment issues). Back to the left-side port: there are a few things people think it’s for. The rumor mill has been filled with speculation that it might be an SD card slot, a full USB port, or most recently for a Light Peak port.
We went ahead and tried stuffing an SD card through the port and it’s just too wide. So that SD card reader? It won’t be on the left side, probably no where on the iPad 2 at this point. Next, is USB 2.0 and Light Peak. Although we would like to believe the iPad 2 will sport a USB port, the caps on those two cables are just to tall and wide to fit through the port. The only logical cable at this point is a micro-USB port, and this fits great with Europe’s new micro-USB port regulation. Knowing Apple, it might not be that either. Maybe a new port scratched at the last moment? A mini/micro-SD card?
Be sure to check our video above to truly see how thin the device could possibly be.
The second-generation iPad is approaching and will most likely hit sometime next month. Usually, a good hint at an upcoming refresh for an Apple product is when the respective item becomes sold out or on sale at some retailers. Today it looks like this process has begun at some official iPad resellers in Europe.
First, official reseller Carphone Warehouse in the UK is now sold out of the 64 GB WiFi-only iPad. Even more interesting is the iPad 3G’s situation: all models are sold out at Carphone Wearhouse.
Next, official iPad 3G carriers in Europe Orange and T-Mobile have both slashed their iPad 3G prices in half for customers who sign 2 year contracts. That means you can now get an iPad 3G in Europe for only £99.99.
There is no doubt that a new iPad is coming soon from Apple and we think this is just another good indication of that. Thanks, Nathan.
Update: Major European product distributor Ingram Micro is now sold out of the 16 GB WiFi-only model, 64 GB WiFi-only model, and 64 GB WiFi + 3G model. They are also very low on stock of the 32 GB WiFi-only model, 32 GB WiFi+3G model, and 16 GB WiFi+3G model.
Update 2: Some iPad models are also sold out or low on stock at some Future Shop (major reseller) locations in Canada. Thanks, XianNewman
CNET reports that Apple will soon unveil a new high-speed connection technology for their devices based on Intel’s Light Peak technology. Intel has said that Light Peak-enabled products will begin making their way to shelves during the first half of 2011 making the time of this report perfect. Although Apple’s new connector will be based on Light Peak, Apple will reportedly brand it under their own name.
Light Peak is significantly faster than any of the other connection technology currently on the market. For comparison, Firewire 400 is 400 Mbps, Firewire 800 is 800 Mbps, USB2 is 480 Mbps, and USB3 (which never appeared on a Mac) is 3.2 Gbps. Light Peak comes in at a whopping 10 Gbps making it close to three times faster than USB 3, and over 10 times faster than Firewire 800. Although this won’t matter too much for Mac users, Light Peak can transfer an entire Blu-Ray movie in under 30 seconds.
Apple is also expected to be updating their iMac line of desktop computers, so if USB3 does not come included with the new MacBook Pro line, perhaps it will make its Mac debut sometime in the first half of this year in the refreshed iMacs. Be sure to watch the video above showing everything this promising Light Peak technology has to offer.
M.I.C. Gadget has gotten their hands on a leather iPad 2 case that has reportedly been testing against an actual iPad 2, not a mold, mockup, or prototype. Above is a video of their hands-on with the case. The case is not only the first upscale, leather one we have seen but does present a couple new pieces of information about the iPad 2’s design. The camera hole present on this new case not only reaffirms our SDK findings that the iPad 2 will include a back camera, but does show the lens to be roughly the same size as the iPhone 4’s. This does not really mean the iPad 2 will have the same camera as the iPhone 4, though.
Even more interesting, this new case shows that the iPad 2 could potentially have a slightly smaller design. This goes well with our iPad 2 screen protectors that show a slightly narrower design for the device. This case also reaffirms what we have heard about the iPad 2’s design thus far. It shows tapered edges, a flat back, and space for what many have determined as a larger speaker grill.
Perhaps the most interesting piece of information from the report is that 120,000 of these cases have been shipped to the United States for sale by a “famous case company.” We think a “famous” case company would only order 120,000 pieces if they were 100% confident in the designs. Check out some of the case company’s promotional images of the case, after the break, to get a feel for the iPad 2’s tapered design.
Recently, multiple reports emerged claiming that Apple is hard at work at a MobileMe revamp, which includes a “locker” to store your personal files like music, pictures, and videos. Well today, Patently Apple reports that Apple has patented a new feature for Mac OS X called “Safe Deposit Box.” This “Safe Deposit Box” is a new feature on the Mac OS X desktop that allows you drag a file you want to keep super-secure to the box and it will be uploaded to the cloud with encryption.
We speculate that this upcoming feature will tie right in with iOS and whichever files you put in your “Safe Deposit Box” will show up in a new app made by Apple for MobileMe members and if the user uploads any media (music, videos, and pictures) it will automatically show up their respective iOS applications. This service will surely replace Apple’s long-existing iDisk feature as they are essentially the same thing, but “Safe Deposit Box” seems more intuitive and more secure.
This new service from Apple could even be a replacement for external hard drives. People use external hard drives for computer backups in case the information on their computer is lost or stolen. If that information is stolen, the chances of your external hard drive being stolen are pretty high as well. This new solution would allow users to use Apple’s new giant data center in North Carolina. Perhaps this will be “another reason to own a Mac.”
The well informed John Gruber over at Daring Fireball even heard that Apple is working on a “Dropbox killer” for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, so perhaps this ties in directly with that, too. For the technical side of this new patent be sure to check out Patently Apple‘s full rundown.
Following the reports from this morning claiming that Apple will be launching an update to the MacBook Pro line late next week, MacRumors has independently sourced that this update will occur on Thursday, February 24th. Get your plastic ready!
Of course there is also the notion that Apple will bring the design and style from their latest MacBook Airs to the new MacBook Pros. Apple is calling the latest MacBook Air line the “next generation of MacBooks,” so it makes sense that the new Pros will follow the trend.
Apple’s “next generation of notebooks” have fast solid-state storage drives (flash storage) placed right on the motherboard, higher-resolution displays, bigger batteries, thinner and lighter designs, faster graphics, more connectivity options, and speedy processors.
Update: We’ve been told to expect the following Best Buy part numbers and prices:
MC724LL/A-SKU# 9755395 – $1499 – 13 inch
MC700LL/A-SKU# 9755322 – $1199 – 13 inch
MC725LL/A-SKU# 1535918 – $2499 – 17 inch
MC723LL/A-SKU# 1535845 – $2199 – 15 inch
MC721LL/A-SKU# 1535836 – $1799 – 15 inch
Constantly updating with more refresh evidence:
Also, one of Europe’s biggest distributors of electronics is showing 0 in stock for all the current MacBook Pros. They are getting new ones in next week, though. Thanks, Anonymous
One of Germany’s largest Apple resellers, Cyberport, appears to be sold out of every MacBook Pro model the “delivery date is unknown.” Thanks, DonTed
Many MacBook Pro models are unavailable for reservation at most stores in the UK. Thanks, Mark R.
A major Apple reseller in Greece called Public is almost dry on MacBook Pros and is expected new shipments with 2-3 weeks. It’s an Apple reseller so they probably won’t have them on release day. Thanks, Christos N.
UK reseller John Lewis is also out of MacBook Pros with new shipments coming in soon. Thanks, Anonymous
Most Future Shop’s (Best Buy in Canada) are completely sold out of MacBook Pros. Thanks, XianNewman
Not the Apple TV, but an Apple television. Apple has posted a new job position looking for people to work on next-generation power supply technology. Apple needs people to to “work on the forefront of new power management designs and technologies with the exemplary company consistently bringing innovations in the industry.” Although some mind find that fascinating, we find what Apple needs this new power management technology to power even more interesting… TVs!
Apple separates “TV” from “standalone displays” making it clear these are actual televisions, not Apple’s regular LED displays. Apple does have a television accessory called Apple TV and the job posting does not note this being that product. We are certainty speculating a little bit here, but we do feel this is very interesting either way. Over the years a number of reports emerged Apple was working on an actual TV, including reports from analyst Gene Munster in 2009 and a few weeks ago.
The last week has been filled with talk about Apple opening their largest retail store in Grand Central Terminal in New York, and now the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple’s largest retail store in China will be opening in Shanghai Summer 2011. According to Apple retail executive Ron Johnson, Apple stores in China are home to over 40,000 visitors each day and because of this Apple is looking for bigger retail spaces.
Apple has said that they plan to open 25 stores in China this year, but the end result could be fewer stores but larger locations. This store in Shanghai will be Apple’s fifth and is said to be located on the popular Nanjing Road. Reports out of China do not specify the store’s actual size but claim the store will have a “very, very compelling” design. The store is said to follow the unique design of the area.
You know those in-flight magazines that every airline gives you? Well the time has come that these magazines won’t only be in the pocket in front of you but will be available for passengers with iPads. Malaysia Airlines has launched their in-flight magazine, Going Places, as an application on the iTunes App Store. The experience of using the in-flight magazine is much more interactive on the iPad and even includes more features like in-flight entertainment information.
Here’s what a Malaysia Airlines Senior Vice President had to say about the move:
MAS chose the iPad because of the phenomenal growth of users in such a short time. As a platform, the iPad allows us to increase our range and reach new customers. It also allows our users a more comfortable, portable, convenient access to our magazine and some insight into our in-flight offerings, for their next trip.
SuperApple.cz claims that even though Apple has been reluctant about releasing a smaller iPad, Apple is still working on two models with screen sizes close to 6 inches. Specifically, the report claims that Apple is working on a 5.7-inch model and another model just below 6 inches. They claim that this information comes from two separate sources so the minimal size difference might really not be a difference at all.
Apple has been known to explore multiple screen sizes before releasing their final products and an example of this is the iPad. In an earnings call last year Steve Jobs said that Apple worked to get the display size just right before deciding on the 9.7 inch size. Although the report about a new 6 inch device for 2011 is calling this device an iPad, we think this could be a larger iPod touch. Apple has said that they are not going to release a mini-tablet for various reasons, so why would they?
A 6-inch iPod touch could make sense for better gaming, a bit more productivity, and would help Apple go head-to-head with some of the upcoming pocket game consoles with 4-5-6-inch displays. Apple could even throw some 3D action onto the thing. The report speculates that we’ll see this 6-inch iPad in the middle of 2011, but we like to think we will be seeing a 6-inch iPod touch debut at Apple’s annual Fall event.
This device would be ideal for the holiday shopping season and this is around the time that Sony will be unleashing their PSP 2 called NGP with a very large display and touch interface. According to two reports, Apple has something tablet/touch related in the works for a Fall 2011 launch, with one report even calling it a “Fall surprise.” A report from China in late 2010 also claimed that Apple was still working on a smaller iPad and they said it looks like an iPhone. With minimal design variation between the iPhone and iPod touches of today, it is all starting to make sense.
Earlier this month a report from iLounge (who has accurate sources for product sizes) claimed that Apple is in fact still working on a smaller iPad. What do you think? Will it happen? Will it be an iPad nano? An iPod touch XL?
Apple has announced that Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will include a brand new feature called ‘AirDrop.’ AirDrop sounds pretty simply but also very helpful for those with multiple computers or for those who need to constantly share files with others around them. They only catch, obviously, is that everyone needs to be on the same local WiFi network. The interface also sounds very cool judging by Apple’s description.
