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.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2H-3Gf_fL8&w=640&h=385]
Verizon has released another commercial showcasing the CDMA iPhone 4. The “can you hear me now guy” makes an appearance (Woo!), and they decided to show the actual phone this time, too. Watch out for the clear hit at AT&T when he picks up the call.
Apple and Verizon have officially sold out of iPhone 4 pre-orders. If you didn’t snatch one today, you’ll still be able to grab the CDMA iPhone model online at 3:01 AM on February 9th and when stores open up on the 10th. Did you manage to get one?
Mac Stories reports that developers can now create promo codes for their Mac App Store applications. You can redeem these codes through the redeem tab on the Mac App Store.
You can now generate promo codes for your Mac apps in iTunes Connect. These promo codes can be redeemed in any Mac App Store worldwide. For each version of your app, you can request up to 50 promo codes.
A developer named Chris Galzerano has claimed on his blog that the iPad 2 will not have a one-megpixel camera, but in fact a three megapixel camera. This report has obviously caused some excitement in the Apple-news community as three megapixels is better than the one megapixel camera we claimed the iPad 2 will have. Now, let’s examine the evidence so you can make a judgement for yourself.
Here’s Chris Galzerano’s: Chris opened up the “N88” file in the SDK and found the “AVFoundation.framework” folder. This folder displays the camera information for all of Apple’s iOS devices in the SDK, and this folder says that “N88” has a three megapixel camera. Now, Chris’s report would be probably be correct if “N88” is in fact the codename for Apple’s upcoming iPad 2. The fact is, “N88” is the internal codename for Apple’s iPhone 3GS. That is fact known by us and a quick Geek Bench reading concurs:
Back to why we are claiming the iPad 2 will have a one megapixel back camera: we got the information from the “K94” file. “K94” is an internal codename for one of the iPad 2 models as proven by the device’s feature plist. This plist says “K94” is a device with FaceTime.app, Camera.app, and PhotoBooth.app (in that order). MacRumors already found the iPad 2’s homescreen in the SDK, and this all matches up.
As for ‘DisplayPort’, every iOS device made has a reference to that which is the 30-pin adapter at the bottom.
Apple has just updated their iTunes terms and conditions to reflect their new “In-App-Subscriptions” service. As just announced by Apple executive Eddy Cue, this will tie in directly with the Daily. No word yet if this will be a third-party API available to all developers. Apple just said in the Q/A session that an announcement will be coming soon regarding the API for all publishers.
Thanks, Chris
With the help of the iFixYouri iPhone 4 repair shop, we have been able to acquire what we believe is an iPad 2 LCD, fresh out of China. At this point, we cannot tell if the resolution is higher (or “Retina”) but it is definitely higher quality in terms of its build. The iPad 2’s display is also lighter, and over a mm thinner than the current iPad’s display with a smaller surrounding frame. This is a dream for a product designer like Jony Ive who now has some more tapering options for what looks to be a significantly lighter iPad 2.
After the break, we have pictures comparing the LCD of the iPad 1 and iPad 2 in addition to several close up shots.
AT&T has sent a nice little e-mail to their customers explaining that the Verizon iPhone won’t be able to talk and surf the web simaltaniously. Oh, and they included a nice 25% off an accessory coupon as a nice gesture, too.
Pocket-lint claims that a source has told them the white iPhone 4 will be launching in the UK in “late March”. That’s in the UK which is sometimes a little behind the US. We’ll see.
We have silently observed over a critical bug in the iOS 4.3 betas, and now that a third beta has launched, with the bug present, we think it’s a good time to share it. When you go to update your applications through the App Store update tool, you are prompted to put in your password to confirm. In iOS 4.3, when you click the cancel button on the password input popup, your homescreen layout will often revert to Apple’s default layout, and you will lose all of your folders. Sux.
This is a critical bug and we’ve heard from some other readers who have experienced it. So here’s a warning for everybody reading this, and hopefully iOS 4.3 does not drop for the public tomorrow with the bug present.
Apple has updated its Developers page with information and download links to the latest iOS 4.3 firmware beta.
No visible changes have been discovered in this beta, but AppAdvice is reporting that iOS 4.3 will allow users to cancel App Store downloads right from their iOS devices.
According to the NYTimes, Apple has rejected Sony’s ‘Sony Reader’ ebook app for inclusion in the iOS App Store. Sony Reader is similar to Apple’s own iBooks and Amazon Kindle apps in that it would allow users to purchase and read books in the app (though Kindle does this through the web). Apple says they rejected the application because they are not allowing developers to sell content within their applications, without going through the App Store’s actual in-app-purchase feature.
This recent change could signal the launch of Apple’s rumored app subscription service. There is no word on whether or not Apple will begin removing applications such as the Amazon Kindle app, but if they did, there would most likely be an extreme backlash from successful developers like Amazon.
It looks like Apple made some tweaks to the iOS 4.2.5 we saw at the Verizon iPhone’s launch event, and is now upgrading it to iOS 4.2.6. The firmware is available for you to download and mess around with, if you’re into that sort of thing that is.
The firmware weighs in a 652mb which is 28mb more than the iPhone 4 GSM’s latest release. We are assuming that 4.3 is going to be ready pretty quickly after launch, with its hotspot features being one of the prime Verizon advantages over AT&T’s service.
Verizon iPhone are now probably in the wild with last minute testing going on and store users and insiders using them. Mossberg probably has one and Woz two. And maybe even some of the guys at Best Buy? Nah.
Job listings mentioning the LTE wireless data technology have appeared in Apple’s database before, but none of these listings have been like what we have just found. Those jobs listings mentioned LTE technology-familiarity as a skill, but now we have discovered a job that lists the integration of LTE in iOS devices as a “specific duty.”
Specific Duties
– Implementation, Integration, customization, enhancement and maintenance of L1-3 Protocols for one or more of the following air interface: GSM/UMTS, CDMA (1x/EVDO), LTE etc.
Apple’s job listings are usually a good indication of what’s to come, and Apple listing the integration of LTE in their iOS devices as a specific duty, is definitely an indication that they are building and potentially planning to sell devices with an LTE 4G data connection. Many were surprised that Apple’s CDMA-version of the iPhone does not support LTE, but there is the possibility that a new iPhone in June will support this technology.
Best Buy has just reduced the price of the iPad WiFi + 3G by $30. That’s for all storage capacities: 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. The 16 GB 3G model is now $599, the 32 GB is $699, and the 64 GB is $799. Maybe this is a to clear some inventory for the new iPad 2? It’s interesting that the WiFi-only models are not discounted, and the iPad 3G is not discounted at Apple’s online store. Get them here:
Apple iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G – 16GB: $599
Apple iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G – 32GB: $699
Apple iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G – 64GB : $799
Best Buy recently showed three new iPad SKUs on their website, but it is unclear as to what they may be placeholders for. We’ve heard through the grapevine that Best Buy will soon be selling the Verizon iPad + MiFi bundle, but this may change with the impending launch of an iPad 2 with built-in CDMA functionality.
The iPad 2 is set to adopt two cameras that both shoot pictures and video. The front camera will be 0.3 megapixels with the back being an 720P HD video recording capable one megapixel sensor. The iPad 2 has been rumored to adopt a Retina Display, but evidence we found in the SDK, and a report from an analyst state that the iPad 2’s display will keep the current version’s 1024 x 768 resolution.
PayPal has hired Apple’s Creative Director Sarah Brody as a user experience designer. Brody worked on the original iPhone, original iPod nano, and was a critical aspect in the design of Apple’s MobileMe service. Just to be clear, Brody was a major part of the UI design team, not hardware design. She also designed the product boxes you see above. LinkedIn via AllThingsD
Google has finally brought their helpful ‘Instant Previews’ feature from the desktop browser, down to the mobile experience. ‘Instant Previews’ let you tap the accompanying magnifying glass for a pop-up preview of the website. This saves you time, as now you can get a quick glance at the site without actually having to load up the page. The neat part about Google’s implementation in iOS Safari is that you can flick through the previews of a particular search query, like you flick through iOS’s native Safari tabs function.
At this time, Google’s ‘Instant Previews’ feature for iOS has not hit all user devices, as the feature is yet to appear on our iPhone 4 or iPad. Google is yet to announce the ‘Instant Previews’ feature for mobile, so this could be an early and/or limited rollout. Google has been releasing new features for the Google mobile website lately, with the most recent additions being ‘Google Instant’ and enhanced Google Docs editing in the iPad‘s browser. Let us know if the new ‘Instant Previews’ feature is present for you, in the comments. Thanks, Jimit!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrVgvTgyUs8&w=560&h=340]
Chpwn has posted a video of his latest jailbreak-only app, VoiceActivator. VoiceActivator picks up where the native iOS Voice Control leaves off, and adds system-wide, customizable commands. VoiceActivator lets you open webpages, launch applications, and other actions like taking screen shots. The video above gives you a good look at what you can expect from the tweak launching next week. Chpwn hasn’t said anything about pricing at this point, but we speculate it will either be cheap, if not free.
In case you are not familier, the built-in iOS voice control application lets you dial phone numbers, initiate FaceTime calls, ask for the time, and of course control your music playback. VoiceActivator is an idea that Apple should incorporate in future versions of iOS. The tweak, itself, is somewhat similar to Android’s voice control features and this is something Apple has been exploring for some time. We may even see this functionality, along with new interface gestures, in iOS 5. An enhanced voice control and new gestures might even be the way of getting rid of the home button. (via Chpwn)
Every since Apple started allowing third-party companies to release applications to make iOS apps, Adobe has continued development of their ‘Packager for iPhone’ application. As Adobe says, the application “was created to enable Flash developers to quickly and easily deliver applications for iOS devices.”
Now, Macotakara reports that Adobe will be issuing an update to the software so it can create iPad apps. The update will also allow flash developers to implement gestures like pinching in their apps.
According to Digitimes, Foxconn subsidiary Cybermart has been granted retail permission from Apple and will begin selling Apple products in April of this year. Cybermart currently has 34 stores across the Greater China area, with 7-8 more stores planned for 2011. The report also states that Cybermast is planning to open as many as 500 stores, that will retail Apple products, in the future. This is significant news as Apple’s largest product manufacture will now be selling the products as well. This will surely grow Apple’s already-huge success in the Greater China area.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imbZN0ysMPI&w=640&h=385]
Our friend Jonathan Mann (iPhone 4 antenna song guy) is back at it and this time he made a song all about Apple patents (Where’s our song, Jonathan?!). As you may be able to tell, his images are from our friends at Patently Apple. As you know we love to cover these patents for the reasons Jonathan mentions in the video. Oh, and speaking of Jonathan Mann, he made a song all about John Gruber from Daring Fireball. It’s pretty awesome too and it’s after the break:
This 3D news stand – France only! – lets you download over 450 French newspapers and magazines. Grab it in iTunes… video demonstration after the break.
LAWeekly reports that a Los Angeles man has filed a class action lawsuit against Apple over the iPhone 4’s glass casing. He claims that his iPhone 4’s glass broke when his daughter dropped the device, three feet above the ground, while sending a text message. He says the iPhone 3GS he owns never had a glass breaking issue when dropped from similar heights.
The man even claims that Apple “knows about the design flaw and refuses to warn consumers that “normal” use leads essentially to a broken phone.” The lawsuit gets into the fact that Apple claims the iPhone 4’s glass casing is “20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic,” “ultra-durable” and is the same “glass used in helicopters and high-speed trains.”
The plaintiff is not the only one experiencing the issue as iPhone warranty-company Square Trade says the iPhone 4’s glass breaks 82% more than the iPhone 3GS’s glass.- This was from a survey of 20,000 damaged iPhone 4s. (via The Next Web)
Apple has just released iTunes 10.1.2 and it is available via Apple’s iTunes download page and the Mac and PC software update application. The update is required for iTunes to function with the Verizon iPhone 4. Apple specifically says the “CDMA iPhone 4,” so this may be a hint at a CDMA iPhone 4 hitting carriers other than Verizon Wireless in the United States. The update also brings many important stability and performance enhancements.
iTunes 10.1.2 syncs music, movies, and more with iPhone 4 (CDMA model) and provides a number of important stability and performance improvements.
iTunes 10.1 came with several new features and improvements, including:
• Use AirPlay to instantly and wirelessly stream videos from iTunes to the all-new Apple TV.
• Sync with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.
While the Xserve will be officially discontinued next week, Apple has updated the Xserve buy page to reflect an April shipping date. This could very well mean that the product’s final orders will only ship in April of this year, or could simply be an automated date based on the amount of units Apple has in stock. Apple is looking to replace the Xserve for business customers with their already existing Mac mini server product and the new Mac Pro server. Heh.
Recent rumors claim that Apple’s upcoming Mac OS X Lion Server will be the last Mac server operating system, and also claim the current versions of Final Cut Server and Xsan to be Apple’s last. Oh, and about that XServer replacement… here is what’s next…
We’ve heard that Apple has already begun recommending a product sold by ActiveStorage that will eventually replace Apple hardware XServes. It should be ready next week.