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Mike Beasley

WSJ: Apple planning multiple iWatch models with as many as 10 health-related sensors

Mike Beasley Jun 20 2014 - 12:31 am PT

19 Comments

iWatch concept: Espen Oxholm

The Wall Street Journal has published a new report claiming that Apple’s upcoming entry to the smartwatch market will sport ten or more sensors for collecting health data. The report also claims that the company is working on multiple versions for the wearable device, which is expected to be released later this year.

The iWatch is expected to be a health-focused device and will likely work with Apple’s new Health application, which it debuted earlier this month at its Worldwide Developer Conference. The application and its associated framework, called HealthKit, already have built-in support for certain types of devices without the need for a third-party application.

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Apple pushes OS X 10.9.4 beta build 13E19 to developers

Mike Beasley Jun 19 2014 - 4:42 pm PT

8 Comments

Apple has released another beta of the upcoming 10.9.4 release of its OS X operating system to developers. The new beta has a build number of 13E19. For now the update is only available through Software Update on 10.9.4 systems, but it’s expected to hit the developer center soon.

The previous build, 13E16, was released on June 11th along with pre-release versions of OS X Server 3.2 and Safari 6.1.5. The seed notes for this version aren’t online yet, but we’ll update this post when they become available.

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Police: iOS 7’s Activation Lock has helped reduce iPhone theft in some cities

Mike Beasley Jun 18 2014 - 9:22 pm PT

13 Comments

When Apple introduced the new Activation Lock anti-theft system with iOS 7 to help prevent the re-use of stolen iOS devices, some lawmakers saw it as the perfect way to help quell smartphone theft. In fact, many sought to make features like it standard on all mobile devices. Today, the New York Times has released some new numbers that shows a decrease in iPhone theft following the implementation of Activation Lock.

According to New York police, thefts involving Apple products have dropped by 19% in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. London and San Francisco authorities have seen even more impressive drops, with 24% and 38% reductions in iOS device thefts, respectively, in the six months following the feature’s release when compared to the six months immediately preceding it.

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iTunes Radio streaming is now free on T-Mobile, other services also included

Mike Beasley Jun 18 2014 - 6:43 pm PT

13 Comments

T-Mobile has just announced at its “Uncarrier 5.0” event (which apparently double as the Uncarrier 6.0 event) that all streaming music services will now be free to stream on T-Mobile, including iTunes Radio. This also applies to Pandora, iHeartRadio, Slacker Radio, and Spotify.

Any streaming you do will always be done over the company’s fastest available network, and won’t count towards your high-speed data limit.

Customers can visit T-Mobile’s website to request new services to be added to the “music freedom” selection. As streaming services gain votes, they will be added to the program.

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T-Mobile announces ‘Test Drive,’ offers free iPhone 5s for week-long network trial

Mike Beasley Jun 18 2014 - 6:19 pm PT

8 Comments

T-Mobile announced today that it has partnered with Apple to rent customers a brand-new iPhone 5s (“or whatever is the latest and great iPhone”) to test out the company’s network for one week as part of its “Uncarrier 5.0” event. The offer is part of the “un-carrier’s” new “Test Drive” program that attempts to lure away subscribers on competing networks. The program starts on June 23rd.

Users can sign up on T-Mobile’s website and will receive an iPhone 5s to use for one week on the T-Mobile wireless network. After the trial period ends, customers can drop the phone off at a T-Mobile store. The entire process costs nothing.

The company hopes that this will eliminate buyer’s remorse and give people a chance to see how well the network will work for them on a daily basis. The full press release is below:

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Kanye West rants, credits Samsung and Jay Z with Apple/Beats deal

Mike Beasley Jun 17 2014 - 4:23 pm PT

31 Comments

Noted marketing and branding genius Kanye West said in an Adweek interview published today that the recent deal between Apple and Beats Electronics only came about because Apple rival Samsung inked a deal with Jay Z. In Kanye’s view, this makes all the sense in the world.

According to West, who is a dedicated Apple fan and dislikes Samsung, the Korean phone maker earned substantial “cultural credibility” with the public when it signed a promotional deal with hip hop artist Jay Z last year. Oh, and that time Kanye joined Jay Z at a Samsung-funded concert a few months ago probably helped, too.

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Apple TV software beta brings iCloud Family Sharing and Photos to the big screen

Mike Beasley Jun 17 2014 - 3:22 pm PT

9 Comments

The latest beta software for the Apple TV brings one of iOS 8’s headline features to the (former) hobby device: iCloud Family Sharing. While the feature isn’t yet functional, it’s expected that users will be able to log into one account and access purchased music and movies, shared photos, and more from other devices on the same family sharing account…

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Nest Protect goes back on sale for $99 as company touts safety data

Mike Beasley Jun 16 2014 - 10:18 pm PT

8 Comments

Earlier this year, 440,000 Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were recalled following the discovery of a critical safety flaw that could accidentally deactive the system. Today, Nest has put the Protect back on sale at a reduced price of $99—previously $129. However, the “wave” feature that allowed the user to disable the alarm with a hand gesture has been removed.

In the blog post announcing the return of the Protect, the company boasted some of its safety statistics and recounted the story of one Nest Protect user who was alerted to the presence of carbon monoxide in his home by the device, which saved his life. Nest’s Doug Sweeny writes:

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Apple settles out of jury trial in $840 million e-books pricing suit

Mike Beasley Jun 16 2014 - 8:04 pm PT

13 Comments

Apple settled out of court in the latest e-books price-fixing suit brought against the company, allowing the company to dodge an $840 million bullet, as reported by Bloomberg. The case, brought against the Cupertino company by multiple states and consumers, was set to go before a jury next month, but that will no longer be necessary.

The terms of the settlement have not yet been revealed, and the opposing sides of the case have one month to request formal acceptable of their agreement by the court.

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Facebook Messenger updated with 15-second video messages, even bigger likes

Mike Beasley Jun 12 2014 - 7:46 pm PT

1 Comment

Facebook has updated its Messenger app with a new video messaging feature that allows users to shoot and send short, 15-second videos from with the app. It’s certainly an interesting addition, given the impending release of the company’s “Slingshot” messaging app. Also included in the update is the ability to send an even bigger thumbs-up icon as a reply to incoming messages by holding down the “like” button.

You can grab the Messenger update for free on the App Store. The change notes are below:

What’s New in Version 6.0

Instant Video Sending: Shoot and play 15-second video messages from the camera right in the app

Big Likes: Press and hold to send an even bigger thumbs up when you really, really like something.

Starbucks teams up with Duracell to place iPhone-compatible wireless chargers in coffee shops

Mike Beasley Jun 11 2014 - 9:56 pm PT

8 Comments

Starbucks, in partnership with Duracell, is starting a nationwide rollout of a wireless charging system for smartphones. The system is powered by Duracell’s Powermat technology, which we reviewed last July (starting at $3.50). The program will place 100,000 of the Duracell chargers at specially-marked tables in each Starbucks location. Users would then be able to charge any phone using a compatible wireless charging system.

So far the program has only rolled out in a few stores, but it’s scheduled to reach more markets by next year. There’s not a timetable yet for when the rollout will be complete.

While the program is only available in a few stores right now, a page on the website for the initiative lists locations where the service is currently offered.

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New app Audibly lets you share your music wirelessly to nearby iOS devices

Mike Beasley Jun 11 2014 - 8:05 pm PT

4 Comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_rLITnBzvk]

A brand new app created by three 2013 WWDC student scholarship winners— Nick Frey, Chris Galzerano, and Veeral Patel—launched on the App Store earlier this month. The app is called Audibly, and it allows users to stream music from one device to any others nearby. The music plays in sync across all devices, allowing everyone to listen in on the same playlist.

The app is fairly straightfoward. You simply pick a playlist to share, pair with a few nearby iOS devices, and hit play. The connection is made over Wi-Fi when there’s a network available, or through a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection if the devices aren’t connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

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Flickr for iOS updated with new sharing options, support for tags, and better group support

Mike Beasley Jun 11 2014 - 5:54 pm PT

1 Comment

Flickr updated its iOS app today to version 3.1.0. The update includes the ability to share albums on social networks like Twitter and Facebook, or through an email or SMS/iMessage. You can also add and edit tags and descriptions on your photos.

Finally, a few enhancements have been made to group support. Administrators can now invite photos to a group, and users can choose to get a notification when that happens. There are of course the usual “bug fixes” and “performance improvements” as well.

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Apple seeds new OS X 10.9.4, OS X Server, and Safari betas to developers

Mike Beasley Jun 11 2014 - 3:23 pm PT

2 Comments

Apple has just released several new beta seeds to developers today, including a build of OS X 10.9.4 (build number 13E16), a new version of Safari 6.1.5, and OS X Server 3.2 (build 13S5515).

The first beta build of OS X 10.9.4 was released at the end of last month, but so far there don’t seem to be any major new changes in the update. This is the first seed of Safari 6.1.5 that has been published, and it likely contains just a few bug fixes and improvements. This is also the first seed of OS X Server 3.2, which requires Mavericks 10.9.4 to install.

Registered Mac developers can get all of this software from the Mac Developer Center. None of these updates appear to be available to AppleSeed members yet. The Mavericks seed notes are below:

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Pocket Informant 4.0 released with iBeacon support, redesigned month view, and much more

Mike Beasley Jun 11 2014 - 3:03 pm PT

7 Comments

The free Pocket Informer app for iPhone and iPad has been updated today with a host of new features, including improved location support, iBeacon compatibility, a revamped month view, and much more.

The new update allows users to accomplish new types location-based tasks, such as automatically activating specific calendar filters based on location. iBeacon support allows more precise location-based reminders and alerts. The app can also edit Apple’s native location-based Reminders.

Improvements to repeated calendar events have also been made, allowing users to create new types of recurring events, and a redesigned month view provides a more complete overview of the weeks ahead. A new travel mode allows users to enter future travel plans so that the app can automatically do time zone conversions based on where the user will be on the date of that event.

Pocket Informant is available for free on the App Store, but many features are locked behind in-app purchases ranging from $.99 to $14.99. The complete list of changes in this update can be found below.

What’s New in Version 4.0

Informant 4.0 is a MAJOR FREE UPGRADE. We’ve added exciting new features that you won’t find in ANY other calendaring app as well as ton of other additions and improvements across the board.

Here some highlights of what’s new:

◉ NEW! TravelAssist™ is completely unique approach to automating Time Zone handling while traveling. Simply tell Informant about your travel plans and after that, all new events scheduled between those dates will automatically default to the proper time zone. Likewise, while you are traveling, all new events scheduled outside your travel dates will default to your “home” time zone (instead of your “current” travel time zone).

◉ NEW! iBeacon Support. If you haven’t heard about iBeacons, check out Apple’s website to learn more. In short, iBeacons allow you to create location notifications at a much more precise location than GPS can give you. Here are a few things Informant can do with iBeacons:
◉ Informant can act as an iBeacon itself! This allows you to set Informant to remind you to do something next time you are near a specific friend, co-worker or family member.
◉ Pre-order hardware Informant iBeacons on our website today! You can place these small, convenient hardware beacons in your car, a room in your house, a conference room, your desk at work or anywhere else where you’d like to have Informant remind you to do something.

◉ LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
◉ Calendar Filters can now be automatically tied to a specific location (including a specific iBeacon)! Create a saved calendar filter for home and one for work. Then set Informant to automatically change between them based on you current location.
◉ Task locations notifications now have a radius that you can now conveniently adjust in the map view
◉ We now support editing Apple Location Reminders directly in Informant

◉ YOU’LL LOVE THE NEW MONTH VIEW
◉ Month View is now a vertically scrolling “Rolling Month View”
◉ Double-tap on a day to slide up a graphical day view
◉ Timed multi-day events now appear similar to “All Day” events in the Month View
◉ iPad now uses the “slide up” detail view instead of popovers when tapping on a day

◉ YOU’LL LOVE ALL THE OTHER VIEWS AS WELL
◉ We added support for iOS 7 Dynamic Text size and we added additional large text size options
◉ Details of events & tasks are now displayed in a convenient popover
◉ Informant now opens the contact card when you tap on a Birthday event
◉ Event conflict detection can be enabled/disabled per calendar

◉ GET HOLIDAY AND OTHER CALENDARS: We’ve partnered with SchedJoules to offer you a huge selection of calendars that you can purchase from their calendar store (integrated into Informant): everything from Name Days, Holidays, Phases of the Moon, Sports Calendars, and more.
◉ SEARCH MORE: Informant now searches the past 15 years and all future Apple Events in addition to all Pocket Informant native events.
◉ PRINT MORE: You can now print individual events, tasks, or any task list that is available in the Task View.
◉ SMART TITLE: Informant now offers to auto-complete Template names or Contacts as you type the title of a new event or task.
◉ NEW RECURRENCE OPTION: You can now create recurring events on the “5th of the month”. Finally.
◉ BACKUPS: Daily backups are now completely automatic!
◉ MUCH MUCH MORE: We have a more complete list of what’s new on our website.

By the way, did we mention this is a FREE upgrade to all of our amazing Informant Premium customers? If you haven’t purchased Informant Premium yet, it’s a great time to upgrade. And if you have – thank you so much for your support and don’t forget to tell your friends about your favorite calendaring app!!

As always, we recommend you back up your data before a major upgrade of any app (Informant will do this for you automatically). If you have any questions about what’s new, please contact our support team.

Synaptics reaches $475 million buyout deal with iPhone display chip manufacturer

Mike Beasley Jun 10 2014 - 11:19 pm PT

1 Comment

Synaptics Inc. has reached a deal to buy iPhone display chip maker Renesas after talks on a potential deal between Renesas and Apple fell through, Reuters reports. Synaptics is a former Apple supplier, but now provides parts for competitor Samsung’s flagship smartphones.

Analysts predict that Synaptics will integrate its own touchscreen technology with the display chips created by Renesas to cut manufacturing costs and create an all-in-one solution that is currently unrivaled in the market.

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iMac reportedly getting a spec bump next week, but no Retina model yet

Mike Beasley Jun 10 2014 - 10:47 pm PT

6 Comments

According to a new MacG report, Apple is planning to debut a spec bump for the iMac lineup next week. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear these will be the Retina iMacs that have appeared in recent OS X beta builds. Instead, it seems we’re only due for a slight processor speed increase, with each model gaining only 100 MHz.

The report speculates that the new models could include a new and improved Thunderbolt 2 connection, but there doesn’t seem to be any confirmation of that at this time. MacG accurately predicted the most recent MacBook Air refresh, so it’s a safe bet that these iMacs are coming next week. We’ve heard similar whispers at 9to5Mac as well.

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Hidden iOS 8 assets confirm Apple working on Maps feature to find your parked car

Mike Beasley Jun 9 2014 - 7:35 pm PT

31 Comments

Back in September we reported that Apple was developing a feature to help users find their parked cars for its in-house Maps app. While that feature wasn’t officially debuted during WWDC last week, new icons found inside the Maps application indicate that the feature was in development at some point and is likely still be worked on.

As we originally noted:

Sources say that Apple is testing a tool for its Maps app that, with the M7 chip, could analyze when your car is parked. When you park your car, the iPhone will register the car’s location. Now when you return to the parking lot, your iPhone will be able to help you assist with finding your car since it knows the vehicle’s location.

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Facebook’s Snapchat competitor arrives on the App Store, then appropriately disappears

Mike Beasley Jun 9 2014 - 5:13 pm PT

3 Comments

Screenshots via Engadget

As we noted a few weeks ago, Facebook is currently in the process of developing a new Snapchat-like chat service separate from its main Messenger/Facebook inbox offering, even though it just recently removed its Poke app from the App Store.

Today Facebook “accidentally” published an early version of the upcoming software, called Slingshot, to the iOS App Store in a few countries. The app allows users to share a photo (or video) with friends, but those friends are unable to view the photo until they respond with a photo of their own. A “react” button allows recipients to quickly snap their reaction to an incoming message and send it back as a response.

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OS X Yosemite introduces iMessage screen sharing, FaceTime Audio conference calls with iOS 8

Mike Beasley Jun 6 2014 - 9:56 pm PT

20 Comments

Apple has made a few new changes to its first-party voice and text services in the newest versions of its mobile and desktop operating systems. Some users are reporting that iOS 8 now features the ability to create conference FaceTime Audio calls. Previously FaceTime audio calls could only be made from one user to another, but now you can add additional users to a call in progress.

OS X Yosemite sports a new addition to its iMessage capabilities. While screen sharing has always been possible over alternative services like AIM, Apple now allows you to use the built-in screen sharing feature in the Messages app over an iMessage account. Unfortunately the feature seems to be broken in the first Yosemite beta, but it is expected to be functional by the time the software ships.

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Apple kicks in $2 million to help bring Super Bowl 50 to the Bay Area

Mike Beasley Jun 5 2014 - 6:02 pm PT

2 Comments

Super Bowl 50 may not be until 2016, but preparations are already underway for the landmark game, which will be held in the brand new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. To help pay for the costs of holding this massive event, several Silicon Valley companies, including Apple, Google, and Intel, have each pledged $2 million.

This money will go toward funding the public costs associated with bringing a throng of excited sports fans from across the nation into the same city, such as police overtime.

Earlier this year Apple was believed to be preparing an ad to air during the Super Bowl for the 30th anniversary of the Mac, though the ad was instead posted to the company’s website.

After trademark dispute, Mexican carriers can no longer use ‘iPhone’ name in ads

Mike Beasley Jun 5 2014 - 4:59 pm PT

6 Comments

Earlier this year, Apple (sort of) won a trademark lawsuit to Mexican telecommunications company iFone over the use of the phonetically-identical “iPhone” brand. The iFone trademark was originally filed in 2003, and in 2009 the company filed a suit against Apple. In March 2013 the case ended with the decision that Apple had in fact not infringed on the mark.

The logic behind the ruling was based on the difference in the two companies’ markets. While iFone sells telecommunications services, Apple sells smartphones (but not actual telecommunications service). Because of this, Apple would be allowed to continue using the name.

We say Apple only “sort of” won the case here, becuase unfortunately, the Cupertino company’s Mexican carrier partners were caught in the legal crossfire, as demonstrated by a ruling today that placed the burden of the infringement squarely on them [translation].

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PayPal reportedly planning to integrate iOS 8’s Touch ID API in mobile payment app

Mike Beasley Jun 5 2014 - 3:18 pm PT

12 Comments

When Apple unveiled the Touch ID API during its WWDC keynote earlier this week, users and developers alike immediately started considering possible uses. It seems PayPal was also quite interested in putting the fingerprint technology to work in its mobile app.

According to Business Insider, several PayPal developers attended a WWDC session on the new API and the company is actively considering its implementation. The idea here is likely to get a head-start on Apple, which is currently said to be working on its own mobile payment service in conjunction with several major payment processors.

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AAPL Company

LaCie announces upgraded Rugged external hard drive line with speeds of up to 387 MB/s

Mike Beasley Jun 5 2014 - 8:00 am PT

1 Comment

LaCie today announced upgraded versions of its popular Rugged lineup of external hard drives. The drives now support speeds of up to 387 MB/s, feature an improved exterior for enhanced durability, and more. The drives will be available mid-June, according to the company’s press release.

All that speed and durability won’t come cheap, though. The upgraded Rugged drive will be available in several configurations. The 1 TB model will sell for $219.99, with a 2 TB version also available at $299.99. However, if you want to reach that 387MB/s, you’ll want to grab one of the solid-stage models. The 250 GB SSD will cost $299.99, while the 500 GB version will go for $499.99.

The full LaCie press release is below.

LaCie Upgrades Iconic Rugged Hard Drive

Shocking speeds of up to 387 MB/s
USB 3.0 for universal connectivity
Bus powered for complete mobility
Shock, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
> Go to Product Page
> Download Image Set  Watch the Video:

Press Inquiries:
Kristin MacRostie press@lacie.com
+1 971.246.8210
www.lacie.com

CUPERTINO, CA – Today LaCie®, the premium brand from Seagate Technology (NASDAQ: STX), announced its latest Rugged hard drive that features faster speeds, a tougher design, and an integrated interface cable. Thunderbolt™ speeds of up to 387 MB/s* make the new LaCie Rugged one of the fastest bus-powered products on the market. It is tougher than ever before with improved shock, dust and water resistance. Plus, the integrated Thunderbolt cable stows neatly when not in use, to ensure that it will never get lost or left behind.

“My assignments take me to the top surf spots all over the world,” said Surfer Magazine staff photographer Zak Noyle. “So it’s imperative that my equipment is ready for any challenge. The LaCie Rugged’s speed allows me to deliver projects quickly, and its resilience to water, sand and drops make me confident that my photos are protected. From the beaches of Oahu to Tahiti, the LaCie Rugged has never let me down.”

NO-COMPROMISE SPEED
The LaCie Rugged features lightening-fast transfer speeds thanks to the Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 interfaces. With the SSD version, the LaCie Rugged delivers up to 387 MB/s*. With these speeds, photographers, videographers and other power users can transfer 100GB in less than five minutes, and enjoy zero lag when accessing files, viewing photos or editing videos. The hard disk version performs at speeds of up to 122 MB/s, which is a 35% improvement over FireWire 800.

UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY
With both Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 interfaces, the LaCie Rugged is an ideal match for Mac® and PC users. Because USB 3.0 is backward compatible, users can connect it to any standard computer. The LaCie Rugged is also fully bus-powered through the USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt cables.

ALL-TERRAIN Data PROTECTION 
The new LaCie Rugged is tougher than ever. It is MIL-compliant, which means that data is protected even during accidental drops of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet). During transit, users can attach the removable cover to provide IP 54-level protection against dust and water. Whether the LaCie Rugged falls off a desk or accidentally gets caught in the rain, the user can stay confident that their data is still accessible. The SSD version goes a step further with resilience against vibration and shock. Both versions are tough enough to be shipped for reliable delivery to clients or partners. Included software even protects files from prying eyes with AES 256-bit encryption.

See the LaCie Rugged hit the trails during a video shoot: http://youtu.be/c18vI-BYwrU

AVAILABILITY
The LaCie Rugged, design by Neil Poulton, will be broadly available mid-June through LaCie resellers in 1TB ($219.99) and 2TB ($299.99) capacities. The 250GB SSD ($299.99) and 500GB SSD ($499.99) capacities will be broadly available early-July.

WARRANTY
The LaCie Rugged is protected by a three-year limited warranty. The warranty includes comprehensive, complimentary web-based resources, expert in-house technical support, and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage. Warranty extensions and Advance Care Option can also be purchased. For details, see www.lacie.com/warranties.

ABOUT LACIE
LaCie, the premium brand from Seagate Technology (NASDAQ: STX), designs world-class external storage products for Apple®, Linux and PC users. LaCie differentiates itself with sleek design and unmatched technical performance. Find out more at www.lacie.com.

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* These transfer rates were achieved using AJA System Test with the SSD version connected to a Mac computer via the Thunderbolt interface. Actual data rates may vary depending on operating environment and other factors, such as chosen interface and disk capacity.

© 2014 Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved. LaCie and the LaCie logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Seagate Technology LLC or of its affiliated companies. Thunderbolt is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. When referring to hard drive capacity, one terabyte, or TB, equals one thousand billion bytes. Your computer’s operating system may use a different standard of measurement and report a lower capacity. In addition, some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions and will not be available for data storage. The export or re-export of hardware or software containing encryption may be regulated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (for more information, visit www.bis.doc.gov). Seagate reserves the right to change, without notice, product offerings or specifications.