Posted under Apple, Computing on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
The Apple iPad is finally going to get its own Skype application and, on first impressions, it looks every bit like the app we've all been waiting for.
The news, which was officially confirmed later, came in the form of a leaked promo video showcasing the iPad iteration in all its beautifully-designed glory.
Following the leak, TUAW called-up Skype VP of Consumer and Product Design Rick Osterloh who said the app was coming soon and is currently in the test phase.
No release date has been confirmed.
Similar success
Osterloh says the Skype app would offer the same functionality as the iPhone iteration, which experienced "a userbase that doubled in just a month's time."
He expects the iPad app to "experience similar success."
Until now iPad owners have been able to access the iPhone version of Skype, blowing it up to full the screen and dealing bad resolution and an over-sized iPhone keyboard.
An official Skype app, complete with video calls, voice calls and IM with a tablet-optimised design will be a massive bonus for the legions of Skype users who also rock and Apple iPad.
You can see the audio-less promo video, that some quick-on-the-draw YouTube user ripped from the web, below.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 6:32 am
Apple has fired-off another lawsuit against Samsung, once again claiming the manufacturer copied the iPhone and iPad designs for its own products.
In the latest round of the tit-for-tat legal battle, Apple has taken the fight to Samsung's home turf by filing suit at the Seoul District Court in South Korea.
The writ reiterates that it is "no coincidence that Samsung's latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging.
"This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple's intellectual property when companies steal our ideas," it read.
Escalating war
The disagreement focuses on Samsung's range of Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Tab tablets, which Apple claims are blatant iPhone and iPad rip-offs.
The new lawsuit replicates one already filed by Apple in San Francisco, which saw Samsung counter sue, alleging 5 patent infringements on its products by Apple.
The latest round of the escalating war saw Samsung fail in its bid to unsheathe the yet-to-be-announed iPhone 5 and iPad 3 to back up its case in court.
Despite the ongoing patent tussle, the pair actually have close business ties. Samsung is a major component manufacturer for the iPhone and is the Korean company's second largest client.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Apple has released what will surely be the final Mac OS X Snow Leopard upgrade before OS X Lion 10.7 arrives next month.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 appeared as a software update on Thursday evening promising some minor bug fixes and further protection against variants of the already-addressed Mac Defender malware.
However the headline change is an enhancement of the Mac App Store that prepares users for the forthcoming upgrade to Mac OS X Lion, which will arrive to download from the store during July.
Disc-less OS
OS X Lion (or version 10.7) is only available via the new App Store and will be the first disc-less version of the operating system.
Apple also pleased Mac users by once again offering the tweaked version of the operating system, which boasts over 250 new features, for a bargain basement £20.99.
Lion is heavily influenced by the success of iOS on the iPhone and the iPad with a full-screen app view and new multi-touch gestures among the new feature set.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Apple is likely to lose its court battle to prevent Amazon using the term Appstore for its mobile app offering, according to the judge presiding over the case.
Bloomberg reports that US District Judge Phillys Hamilton admitted that she is "probably" going to deny Apple's request following a hearing in Oakland, California on Tuesday.
Judge Hamilton says that Apple has been unable to demonstrate that Amazon's naming has created confusion among consumers.
No evidence of confusion
During the hearing, she said that Apple had so-far failed to offer "real evidence of actual confusion" among customers which is a "stumbling block" for the company
"I'm troubled by the showing that you've made so far, but that's where you're likely not to prevail at this early juncture," she added.
Amazon raised the ire of Apple back in March when it decided use the term Appstore for its Android app shop, claiming that its own App Store holds that trademark.
Windows win?
Amazon wants the trademark infringement case to be dismissed, clearing the way for them, and perhaps others, to use the term.
The court proceedings may have implications for Microsoft's ongoing battle to open up the name "Appstore" for its own Windows Phone platform.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 7:20 am
Printers can be frustrating devices.
If you're having issues with printing from your Mac, you're in the right place.
We've gathered together the most common printing issues experienced on Macs and attempted to solve them. Let's start the questions...
"Why can't my Mac detect my printer at all?"
Have you installed the driver software that came in the box? Also check the manufacturer's site and run Software Update to check for newer versions of the drivers.
Now plug the printer in using a USB lead – it should show up automatically in the Print & Fax pane. If not, click the + and you ought to see it in the Default tab. If you can't, check it's switched on and that the cabling isn't faulty, and try a different USB port (or better still, test it with a different computer).
If it's a wireless printer you've got, it needs to be connected to the same network as your Mac. Use the printer's control panel to make sure Wi-Fi is enabled and it's hooked up to the correct network – you can often print a network diagnostics page to get all the details at a glance.
If you recently altered the WPA key to get on your network, you'll need to change it on your printer as well. And try temporarily connecting your wireless printer to your Mac using a USB lead – does it appear in the Print & Fax pane now?
"Why am I getting these lines across my printouts?"
Blocked inkjet print heads are the likely culprit, so use the utility software that came with your printer to run the nozzle cleaning tasks (you'll find the software in your Applications or Utilities folder). It may take several goes, but run the nozzle clean until the test page prints out perfectly.
While you're in the printer utility, it may be worth checking the print head alignment, which can also have an impact on your printouts. Blocked nozzles are caused by ink drying out in the pipes when the printer isn't being used, so try to use your printer at least once a week to prevent blockages. Faint areas suggest your ink or toner is running out – time to buy some more.
"Is it possible to check ink or toner levels on my Mac?"
It depends if your printer supports this. Go to System Preferences > Print & Fax, select the printer, click Options & Supplies… and select the Supply Levels tab. Some printers may have a separate app that provides this info, so have a look in the Applications or Utilities folders to see what's there.
"Am I able to print from my iPhone or iPad?"
While AirPrint currently only works with a limited range of printers, there's a utility called Printopia that enables you to print to any printer connected up to your Mac.
While we expect AirPrint to be opened up to more printers over time, using Printopia is a really easy way to run off hard copies from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch in the interim. And at under £7, it won't break the bank.
How to print troublesome docs
We'll assume your printer's on, not flashing any error lights, there's paper in it and you're not out of ink or toner – but you'd checked that already, hadn't you?
Open the Print & Fax pane in System Preferences, select your printer and click Open Print Queue…. Check it's not paused – if it is, click Resume Printer at the top. There may be other documents in the print queue that are holding things up.
Have any error messages appeared in this window? If so, they should give you a clue as to what's not right. Type the exact message into a Google search to look for answers.
If there are print jobs waiting that won't roll off the press, delete the lot and try printing again. The problem could be linked to an individual file or app, so try printing a different document from a different app.
Should this not help, right-click the Printers column in Print & Fax and choose Reset printing system…
Quick tip
If you need to reinstall your printer drivers but you've lost the disc that came with it and can't find them online, Apple includes common ones with OS X. Pop in your Mac OS X DVD, run the Optional Installs app and choose the relevant drivers under Printer Support.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Thursday, June 16th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Facebook is finally preparing to release its official application for the Apple iPad after almost a year in development, according to reports.
The New York Times claims that the app has been through several different design iterations, but is now nearly ready to go, with founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg heavily involved in the process.
The app, which has been meticulously optimised for the the Apple tablet, completely revamps the Facebook Chat and Facebook Groups portions of the site, according to the NYT's inside source.
Photos will also appear full-screen and in high-resolution and iPad 2 owners will be able to use the device's camera in order to take and upload pictures directly to their profiles.
Nothing to see here
Facebook has refused to comment on the report, but was keen to play up its strong relationship with Apple.
"We have a great relationship with Apple that is exemplified by our iPhone application, but with regards to an iPad application we have nothing to announce now, and cannot comment on future Facebook products," said communications manager Jamie Schopflin.
Friendly
iPad owners have had to rely on third-party apps like the decent-but-unreliable Friendly, while also accessing Facebook through the Safari browser on the iPad.
The BlackBerry Playbook was the first device to boast a tablet-optimised official Facebook app and it now looks as though Apple fans will get their wish sooner rather than later.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Three men have been jailed in China after being convicted of stealing unreleased information about Apple's iPad 2.
The conspiracy involved the sale of images of the iPad 2's back cover from Apple's Foxconn supplier to enable a manufacturer to produce protective cases for the device.
The Chinese court said ruled that Xiao Chengsong, general manager of MacTop Electronics had paid $3,000 to former Foxconn employee Hou Pengna, in exchange for the top-secret images.
Pengna then enlisted the help of Foxconn R&D worker Lin Kecheng, who assisted in obtaining the images in September of 2010.
Accurate design
The images allowed Chengsong to begin selling cases in December 2010, which accurately predicted the position of speaker grill and camera on the device, which was not officially unveiled until March 2nd.
The cases saw Foxconn officials become suspicious and a police investigation was launched.
Changsong has been sentenced to 18 months in prison while Kecheng received a 14-month term and Pengna was given a year behind bars.Each of the guilty party was handed a sizable fine for their troubles also.
Perhaps iPad 3 and iPhone 5 leaks might be a little harder to come by from now on...
Posted under Apple, Computing on Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Apple retail store workers are bound to strict codes of conduct relating to how they interact with customers, a report in today's Wall Street Journal has revealed.
The financial bible has interviewed several current and former employees about how they are trained to understand customer needs rather than push products on the punters.
Former employee David Ambrose told the WSJ: "You were never trying to close a sale. It was about finding solutions for a customer and finding their pain points."
The report also pointed out that the philosophy means Apple Store employees do not receive commission or bonuses based on the sales they make.
Training manual
In a 2007 training manual obtained by the paper Apple Store employees are informed that: "Your job is to understand all of your customers' needs - some of which they may not even realise they have."
The manual also offers insight into a "steps of service" APPLE acronym that employees are encouraged to use when dealing with visitors to the store:
"Approach customers with a personalised warm welcome,"
"Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs,"
"Present a solution for the customer to take home today,"
"Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns," and
"End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return."
Unfortunately
In one slightly humorous revelation, workers at Apple's tech support 'Genius Bars' are not allowed to use the word 'unfortunately' to customers as it is considered to have negative connotations.
Instead they are encouraged to use phrases like "as it turns out."
One former employee interviewed by the WSJ says that he was forbidden from correcting, and hence patronising, customers when they mispronounced the names of Apple products.
Meanwhile, employees who don't sell enough Apple Care service packages with products sold are retrained or shipped out to another department.
Pay
Genius Bar employees are paid around $30-an-hour in the US, while sales staff earn between $9 and $15. The former are regularly retrained and retested on their knowledge.
One Apple employee has recently set about trying to arrange an Apple Store employee's union and is demanding higher wages.
There's plenty more interesting insight into the Apple Store world and it's worth heading over to the WSJ to check out the rest.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Sunday, June 12th, 2011 at 8:25 am
The expected 2011 refresh of the Apple MacBook Air may arrive as soon as this Wednesday.
The renowned Apple leak-artist known as Chronic claimed on Twitter that he's "100 per cent sure" that the new iteration of the ultra-thin laptop will be landing in Apple retail stores on Wednesday morning.
Meetings are thought to be happening at Apple Stores on Tuesday, which usually signals a new product will be hitting the shelves and Chronic is in no doubt that these will be the new Air laptops.
The new MacBook Air refresh is expected to remain identical in terms of size and build, but is thought to include Intel's Sandy Bridge processors and the super-fast Thunderbird I/O technology.
June production
The revelation came following reports that Apple has placed an order for almost 400,000 new MacBook Airs to be produced during the month of June.
Concord Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kou told the guys at AppleInsider that production of 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch models will be ongoing this month.
He also reckons that Cupertino has ordered a final production run of 80,000 existing dual-core MacBook Airs, so the arrival of the refresh might not be as imminent as Chronic suggests.
Another thing to note about this story is that, judging from his Twitter pic, Chronic is leading a double life as would-be Dragon King Vaseyrs Targerian from Game of Thrones.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Sunday, June 12th, 2011 at 12:00 am
What can you do if your Mac randomly crashes or kernel panics?
Random crashes and kernel panics (when the screen goes dark and you're told to restart) could be down to hardware going wrong. Check things aren't getting too hot - are any of the air vents filled with dust?
A utility such as iStat Menus will enable you to see how hot different parts of your Mac are running. Every model is different, but unless you're doing some really intensive work, it shouldn't be going above 80°C.
Next, check your RAM is seated properly by removing it and plugging it back in, and run the Apple Hardware Test by inserting your Applications Install DVD and restarting while holding down D.
If this finds no trouble, you could work through crash logs to pinpoint what might be causing it, but we suggest, you back up your hard drive, erase it and reinstall OS X.
"Everything's slowing down on my entire Mac!"
When you've experienced your Mac at its speedy best, slowdowns can be unbearable, but there are several things you can do.
Have a look in your Applications folder and see if there's anything there you no longer use Using an uninstaller app such as AppDelete, AppZapper or CleanMyMac, removes anything superfluous. This will also free up space for Mac OS X to use as virtual memory.
If your boot drive still has less than 10GB free, it's a good idea to move some files elsewhere to enable the OS to perform to its best. Why not put your media on an external drive?
Now press F3 to open Dashboard, hold down Option, hover over any widgets you don't use and click the x to get rid of them - they put strain on your Mac.
A more extreme way to get your Mac back to its best is to back it up and then reinstall OS X, but don't then use Migration Assistant, as this could bring the problem with it. You'll need to copy your files across manually.
Lastly, think about how old your Mac is. As software becomes more demanding, older machines will slow down when they run it.
"My keyboard has a faulty key. How can I fix it?"
If a key on your keyboard won't press down, it's likely there's something stuck under it. Every keyboard tends to be different, but with the recent Apple ones, you can prise the key off and give it a clean underneath, then clip it back in again.
However, if you do this, it is entirely at your own risk!
"My mouse doesn't track or scroll properly"
It probably needs a good clean! Dirt and grime can build up on the bottom of a mouse over time, so scrape it off gently. To clean the scroll ball in a Mouse (formerly Mighty Mouse), roll the ball over some sticky tape to clean it.
How to reset the SMC
If your Mac's been running slowly or refusing to start up, resetting the System Management Controller (SMC on Intel Macs) or Power Management Unit (PMU, on PowerPC machines) sometimes helps.
The SMC or PMU control the power given to components in your Mac, and resetting it can solve certain problems. However, it's not a universal fix and Apple has a list of specific conditions when an SMC/PMU reset may be appropriate. Even then, it's a last resort.
The way to do it differs between models. For Intel-based Macs, have a look at this page for instructions on when and how to reset your SMC. And for older ones, check out this page and this page.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
An extremely clever young Apple fan has discovered a way for iPhone owners to upgrade to iOS 5 now, without a developer account.
Apple announced the new mobile operating system at WWDC on Monday, and immediately launched a Beta copy for registered Apple developers, ahead of the autumn release for us regular Joes.
However, this didn't satisfy aspiring young developer, Mert Erdir who sent Gizmodo full instructions on how to download iOS 5 right now through a carefully-crafted back door - without the hint of a jailbreak.
Exploited flaw
His simple hack involves downloading the IPSW firmware file from the web and updating the software through some neat right-click trickery from within the iTunes 'check for new software' menu.
Mert then demonstrates how to activate the operating system on your iPhone, with a series of multi-touch moves that reminded us of Pai Mei's Five Point Palm Exploding Heart technique from Kill Bill: Volume 2.
The hack exploits an activation system flaw by using the Voice Over functionality on the iPhone.
Hey presto! A fully activated version of iOS 5 for the iPhone!
"I want to meet Steve"
Istanbul-based Mert says he wanted to get the attention of Apple, in the hope of meeting Steve Jobs and fulfilling his dream of becoming a developer for the company he loves.
He says: "My will is not to do something harmful to anyone, I just wanted to get the attention of Apple, the company I'm in love with; and maybe one day have a chance to talk to/meet Steve Jobs himself.
"I found this because I don't have much cash to get an IOS Developer account, so donations for a young developer will be appreciated."
Feel like rewarding him for getting iOS 5 a few months early? Contact him on Twitter.
And you can check out T3's video of iOS 5 from WWDC.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Monday, June 6th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Apple has announced the release date and pricing of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion at WWDC 2011 and it's surprised us all by making the operating system stupidly affordable.
With the launch of OS X 10.7 Lion, Apple has dragged itself into the 21 Century, by announcing that the OS will not be available on disc but through download only.
And that's not all, Jobs and co have knocked a massive $99 of the price of the OS – making it available for just $29.99.
250 new features
Originally shown off back in February, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion offers over 250 new features, with a good chunk of them inspired by Apple's mobile OS.
The OS uses gesture control and you can have applications at full screen, autosave your documents and even look at them back in time.
The Mac OS X 10.7 Lion UK release date is July 2011. As pricing is $30, expect to pay the same in pounds as that is how big companies do their conversions nowadays. And the good news is you can put it on five Apple devices!
Posted under Apple, Computing on Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 12:00 am
If your Mac won't switch on, what can you do?
If you have an iMac, Mac mini or Mac Pro, try another lead, a different power outlet or the lead with a different device and swap the fuse.
Also, check if it's your external screen that's not on as opposed to the Mac - If none of this helps, try resetting the System Management Controller.
If this fails, the power supply in your Mac could have failed. Apple may replace it under warranty or AppleCare. If you have a notebook, check the battery's charged or plugged in. If the light on the connector is not coming on, plug the adapter into a different socket. If the adapter's working, resetting the SMC may help.
Still no joy? The power adapter could have failed. If you have AppleCare, take it back to Apple - if that doesn't help, something may be wrong inside your Mac. That's one for Apple to look at.
"My Mac switches on but beeps at me or won't start up"
A beeping Mac suggests a RAM issue - have you recently upgraded? Are the chips slotted in correctly? Remove and reseat them. Unplug all but mouse and keyboard and restart. If your Mac boots normally, the external kit or its software may be at fault. Plug them in one at a time to identify the culprit.
When you have, uninstall its driver software, then reinstall it. If you're still having trouble, hold down Shift as you switch on your Mac to perform a Safe boot.
No luck? Turn off your Mac, hold Command+Option+P+R and switch on again. Release the keys when you hear the startup chime the second time.
Alternatively pop in the OS X install DVD, restart holding C and open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Run the disk and permissions repairs, repeatedly, until you get the all-clear.
If it still won't boot, restart with your Applications Install disc in the drive and hold down D. Run the Apple Hardware Test. If it finds problems and the component is removable, remove it and see if this helps.
If the hardware seems fine, reinstall Mac OS X, but before you do, back up files in Target Disk mode. Boot from the OS X DVD. A last resort is to boot from the OS X DVD, use Disk Utility to wipe your drive and install OS X on the clean disk.
"I've forgotten my Mac account password. How can I log in?"
The main administrator can change passwords in System Preferences > Accounts. If you are the main administrator, try the Forgot Password button on the login pane.
In FileVault this button is labelled Reset Password. If none of this helps, restart with the OS X DVD, holding down C. In the Installer's Utilities menu, choose Reset Password.
If your Home folder was encrypted with FileVault, and you don't have the password, your Home folder's contents will be gone.
Quick tip
To back up your files in Target Disk mode, hold down T as you switch on your Mac until the FireWire icon appears on your screen. Then plug a FireWire cable between your Mac and another - yours will appear on its desktop as a removable drive. You can then copy your files off it and back them up.
How to control your Mac
Hold down these buttons at startup for the following functions.
Mouse/trackpad button: Eject CD/DVD
C: Boot from CD/DVD
T: Enter FireWire Target Disk Mode
Option: Display startup disk selector
Shift: Safe boot
X: Force Mac OS X to boot (if you've got other OSes installed)
Command+V: Start in Verbose mode
Command+S: Start in single user mode
Command+Option+P+R: Reset the PRAM
Some of these won't work if you've enabled a firmware password. If you want to boot from another drive, hold Option at startup. Type the password and press Return. To remove the password, boot from the OS X DVD choosing Firmware Password Utility from Utilities.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Apple could be set to offer certain parts of the new iCloud service free to Mac users who upgrade to OS X 10.7 Lion, according to reports.
The iCloud brand is set to encompass Apple's existing MobileMe service, which includes e-mail and remote file storage as well as the syncing of bookmarks, contacts and the calendar.
AppleInsider sources claim that Cupertino is preparing to offer this portion of iCloud - currently worth $99 a year - to those who buy an "aggressively priced" version of the new Mac OS 10.7 Lion.
The report claims that Lion could be even cheaper than the £26 price-tag of its predecessor. Snow Leopard, especially if purchased from the Mac App Store
No free streaming
iCloud and Lion, as well as iOS 5, will be fully unveiled to a baying public at WWDC on Monday in San Francisco.
The AppleInsider report points out that the music streaming part iCloud brand will not come free with Lion, although their may be an introductory period which enables users to access the service for free.
All will be revealed on Monday.
Source: AppleInsider
Posted under Apple, Computing on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Apple has secured the rights to stream music from each of the four major record labels ahead of the launch of its iCloud service next week, according to reports.
Following today's surprise revelation from Apple that its music streaming service will arrive at WWDC, it appears that there'll be no restrictions on which artists users will be able to access.
With the Sony, Warner Bros and EMI deals already completed, Apple will ink an agreement with the last major label Universal later this week, according to the WSJ.
Record labels might control the right to the all-important recordings of songs, but there's one more big hurdle Steve Jobs and co. need to clear before next week's big launch.
Labels? Check. Publishers...
With the big-four labels seemingly in the bag, Apple's focus will be on agreeing deals with music publishers, which control the copyright to lyrics, tunes and melodies.
According to the WSJ report, talks with publishers aren't as advanced, leaving Apple facing a race against time to have everything completed in time for Steve Jobs' keynote on Monday.
Rumour killer
Apple took the unprecedented step of emailing the media today to announce what it'll be launching at the Worldwide Developers' Conference, almost a week before Jobs steps on stage.
As well as the iCloud streaming service, we'll get our first look at iOS 5 and the final version of Mac OS 10.7 Lion.
While there's always the hope that we'll see a surprise "One more thing" from Jobs, everything we've heard points to that not being a new iPhone.
Source: WSJ
Posted under Apple, Computing on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 11:47 am
Apple will offer a free replacement for faulty rubber bottoms on the cases of some MacBook laptops.
Many MacBook owners have reported that the rubber casing beneath the device has separated from the bottom of the laptop.
Apple is now offering three free fixes (try saying that five times after a few sherberts) to MacBook owners affected by the fault.
Three fixes
Users can take their laptop into an Apple Store where it'll be replaced by those wondrous magicians at the Genius Bar, or through an authorised Apple dealer.
If you can't get to the store yourself, you can call Apple and ask them to send you a replacement kit, which includes screws, a screwdriver, instructions, of course, a new case.
If you've been a little more pro-active and already bought and fitted a new case, Apple will refund your money. Can't say fairer than that.
To be eligible for the replacement programme, MacBook owners must have bought their laptop between October 2009 and April 2011.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 5:46 am
Apple has announced that it will indeed be releasing iCloud at this year's WWDC in June, although it looks like the launch of the iPhone 5 will be subject to delay.
In a rare email, which maps out what will be shown at WWDC, Apple explained:
"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 10:00am.
"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."
No iPhone 5
There's no word on the iPhone 5, so it seems that Apple is launching iOS 5 first and then focusing on the launch of the iPhone 5 at a later date.
The release continued: "WWDC will feature more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers. Mac developers will see and learn how to develop world-class Mac OS X Lion applications using its latest technologies and capabilities.
"Mobile developers will be able to explore the latest innovations and capabilities of iOS and learn how to greatly enhance the functionality, performance and design of their apps. All developers can bring their code to the labs and work with Apple engineers."
So, the rumour and conjecture over Apple's cloud plans is over - the Apple iCloud UK release date is set for 6 June at the WWDC.
There's been a lot of talk about Apple getting the majority of music labels to sign on to iCloud, a service that's set to take MobileMe and add music streaming and possibly movie streaming to the mix.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Apple has fired back at the company that has been demanding money from App Store application developers, alleging patent infringement.
Patent holding company Lodsys has been trolling app-makers whose creations feature in-app purchases, claiming that functionality infringes on its patented technology.
However, Apple has written to the company, requesting that it stop hassling developers saying there is zero grounds for the claims, as Apple has already licensed the technology on behalf of its iOS devs.
Expressly licensed
Part of the letter, which was sent on Monday by Apple Senior VP Bruce Sewell reads: "Apple is undisputedly licensed to these patents and the App Makers are protected by that license.
"Thus the technology that is targeted in your notice letters is technology that Apple is expressly licensed under the Lodsys patents to offer Apple's App Makers.
"These licensed products and services enable Apple's App Makers to communicate with end users through the use of Apple's own licensed hardware, software, APIs, memory, servers, and interfaces, including Apple's App Store.
"Because Apple is licensed under Lodsys' patents to offer such technology to its App Makers, the App Makers are entitled to use this technology free from any infringement claims by Lodsys."
Posted under Apple, Computing on Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 6:21 am
Apple's new 2011 iMac range retains the form factor of the 2010 models, but enjoys a very significant component upgrade. Second-generation quad core Intel Core i5 processors are used throughout the 2011 iMac lineup - which includes two 21.5-inch models and two 27-inch models - where previously all but the most expensive model had dual Core i3s.
New graphics give up to three times the power of the mid-2010 iMacs, and the Thunderbolt port could revolutionise I/O technology.
The 2011 21.5-inch iMac reviewed here is the new range's entry-level model, costing £999. It offers a quad core Intel 2.5GHz Core i5 processor, a great leap forward from the dual core 3.06GHz Core i3 used in the cheapest 2010 release.
Its discrete graphics chip is a powerful AMD Radeon HD 6750M, with 512MB of GDDR5 memory, up from an ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB of GDDR3 RAM.
The Mini DisplayPort has been replaced by a Thunderbolt port, Intel's exciting new I/O technology that can support up to six daisy-chained peripherals and data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps in both directions. It's over 20 times faster than USB 2.0 and 12 times quicker than FireWire 800.
Thunderbolt also supports video, and can be used to connect an external monitor. It can even function as a video-in port, allowing you to use the iMac's gorgeous 1920x1080 pixel 21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display as a screen for another device. The SD card reader is retained, but it now accepts SDXC cards for a theoretical maximum capacity of 2TB, with cards of up to 64GB already available.
For those who like video chat, the built-in webcam has been upgraded to a FaceTime HD camera, giving 720p resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and a much-improved low-light performance. Yet despite these improvements, the entire range is now cheaper than before. Not hugely so, but this particular model is £21 cheaper than its predecessor.
The 2011 refresh sees the entire Apple iMac range, including this 21.5-inch model, move over to Sandy Bridge processors, Intel's second generation of Core-i chips.
Based on Intel's 32-nanometer process technology, Sandy Bridge chips combine the processor, cache, memory controller and graphics engine on a single chip. This means data doesn't have to travel as far, making for increased performance and efficiency.
Sandy Bridge takes a new look at the Core-i chips' Turbo Boost technology. Turbo Boost 2.0 shifts core frequency in smaller increments than before, allowing the processor to better manage its performance without sacrificing efficiency.
Turbo Boost automatically shifts or reallocates CPU cores and processor graphics resources, tailoring a workload to the task in hand and giving immediate short-term performance acceleration when needed, by allowing the CPU to operate above its stated speed.
Unfortunately the Sandy Bridge processor used in the off-the-shelf iMac range lacks a Hyper Threading feature, which would've let each of the processor's cores run two threads at once.
All four standard 2011 iMac models use quad core Intel Core i5 processors, with a Core i7 (which does Hyper Thread) available as an Apple online store custom option for the more expensive release in each of the two sizes. The entry-level 21.5-inch 2011 iMac reviewed here has no processor upgrade option.
The new iMacs use AMD Radeon discrete GPUs throughout, for up to three times the performance offered by the previous generation. This entry-level 2011 iMac uses an AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor, with 512MB of on-board GDDR5 memory.
All the new 2011 iMacs have Thunderbolt ports, with the two 21.5-inch models (including this one) supporting a single port, and the 27-inch iMacs having two.
Unlike the previous generation, where only the larger all-in-ones could be used as a display for another video-out device, all iMacs in the 2011 range offer a Target Screen Mode, allowing you to connect a compatible product to the Thunderbolt port and use the iMac as a display.
At the moment, this feature requires a Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt connection, so it can only be used with one of the new 2011 MacBook Pros (at least until the next generation of Mac minis are released). However, we're assured that third-party manufacturers will be able to make adapters for other video-out protocols such as Mini DisplayPort and HDMI.
Maybe one day we'll be able to use our iMacs as screens for our PS3s, Xbox 360s and Blu-ray players.
The new FaceTime HD camera on the 21.5-inch 2011 iMac gives 720p resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. You can only use FaceTime in HD when you're chatting with another device that has an HD camera. You can still call people using older FaceTime cameras, such as those with older iMacs, but only at standard 640x480 definition.
The new camera has a much better low-light performance than the one it replaces on the 2010 iMacs, and because it uses the Sandy Bridge-integrated video encoder, it doesn't tax the CPU.
The 2011 21.5-inch iMac put in a stellar performance in our benchmarking tests, proving way ahead of the cheapest 2010 iMac, and even outperforming the last generation's top-of-the-range model in several key areas.
In our Xbench test, where we look at the CPU, memory and hard drive performance, it scored a comfortable, if unremarkable, 15.7% increase over its predecessor.
But its quad core processor really paid dividends in our Cinebench 3D rendering test.
Restricting the processor to only a single core, it was 18.8% behind the older model, as its 2.5GHz CPU was outpaced by the 2010 iMac's 3.06GHz chip. But with all cores in play, its quad core Intel Core i5 soundly beat the last-generation iMac's dual core Intel Core i3, recording an increase of over 56%.
Interestingly, in this multiple-core Cinebench test, this entry-level 2011 iMac also beat the most expensive off-the-shelf model in the 2010 iMac range – the £2,249 27-inch SSD performing just under 7% faster.
It's a similar story with our movie encoding test, where we time how long it takes QuickTime 7 Pro to encode a five minute, 720x480 sample video. The 2011 21.5-inch iMac did it in just 128 seconds – more than a minute faster than its predecessor.
The top-of-the-range mid-2010 iMac 27-inch SSD we tested last year, a 2.8GHz quad Core i5 with a solid-state drive added as a custom option, only managed 131 seconds.
In our gaming test, the 2011 21.5-inch iMac handled Doom 3 at 169.7 fps – 28.4% faster than the equivalent 2010 model, but not as fast as the previous generation top iMac's 178 fps.
We won't see the best of the Thunderbolt port until a significant quantity of peripherals are released, although a Mini DisplayPort display can be plugged directly into the Thunderbolt port. DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI or VGA displays are also compatible, using existing Mini DisplayPort adapters.
And remember, although capable of 10Gbps, the Thunderbolt port might not be the limiting factor for data transfer speeds. To get the most from Thunderbolt, it's best to use a RAID drive, streaming data from more than one HDD. But even a single external hard drive that can only manage maximum speeds of 3Gbps will prove almost four times as fast as a FireWire 800 connection.
Our iTunes encoding test produced disappointing, if entirely predictable, results. This 21.5-inch iMac encoded our test CD in six minutes and 13 seconds, an almost identical speed to all recent Macs other than the Mac Pro.
This is because the optical drive is proving the limiting factor. It really is time Apple gave us something faster than the current 8x SuperDrive. We're never going to get a Blu-ray drive due to Steve Jobs' much-publicised dislike of the format's licensing terms, but a faster DVD drive is long overdue.
Our only other complaint is the lack of custom options for those who order through the Apple online store. There's no way of improving the processor, the 21.5-inch is the only iMac in the current range that doesn't give you a solid state drive option and you can't even pick a higher-capacity hard drive.
Unlike the MacBook Pros, there's no matte screen option for those who dislike glossy displays.
Memory can only be boosted to 8GB, despite this iMac being quite capable of supporting 16GB as offered with the rest of the range. However, it's best not to buy extra memory from Apple anyway. It's easy to fit it yourself, and buying from third-party vendors is much cheaper.
On a positive note, all iMacs in the current range now let you dispense with the Magic Mouse in favour of a Magic Trackpad, if you wish.
The 2011 refresh represents a great leap forwards for the iMac range. Although the enclosure is unchanged (apart from the ports at the rear), the switch to new second-generation Sandy Bridge processors and powerful AMD graphics give the new 21.5-inch iMac a massive performance boost over the previous generation.
We liked
The entry-level 21.5-inch 2011 iMac's quad core 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor's Sandy Bridge architecture combines the processor, cache, memory controller and graphics engine on a single chip for improved efficiency.
Its Turbo Boost 2.0 function is also an improvement over that offered by the first generation of Core-i processors. When more processing power is needed, Turbo Boost takes the processor over its quoted clock speed for short periods. Turbo Boost 2.0 activates more often and keeps the processor working at higher speeds for longer.
In our benchmarking tests, the 21.5-inch 2011 iMac performed extremely well, belying its position as the entry-level model. In fact, in several significant tests, it outperformed the high-end model from the 2010 range – an incredible achievement considering less than a year has passed between updates.
The screen is gorgeous, with bright, vivid colours and excellent viewing angles, and the new Thunderbolt port will prove very useful over time, as compatible peripherals and adapters are released.
The SD card reader now supports higher-capacity SDXC cards, and the built-in camera has been improved, giving HD resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and better low-light performance.
We disliked
There's little to complain about here. The configuration options available to those who order from the Apple online store are disappointing.
There's no SSD option, no means of increasing your hard drive capacity and memory upgrades are limited to 8GB, even though this 21.5-inch iMac is quite capable of supporting 16GB.
The optical drive is slow too, and for all its strengths, the processor lacks the Hyper Threading feature offered by many Sandy Bridge processors.
Verdict
Even at just under £1,000, this 2011 entry-level 21.5-inch iMac is excellent value for money (and £21 cheaper than the previous generation's cheapest model).
A massive performance boost means it actually rivals the power offered by the high-end 2010 iMac 27-inch SSD from the previous generation, and its new Thunderbolt port will prove its worth over time.
It could use more configuration options, and the whole of the new iMac range would benefit from a faster optical drive and a matte screen option, but overall, it's a superb update to an already-popular machine.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 6:14 am
Although the form factor is unchanged, the 2011 Apple iMac refresh represents a significant step forwards for the popular all-in-one computer. Again consisting of two 21.5-inch models and two with 27-inch screens, the entire lineup has switched to Intel's Sandy Bridge processors, the second generation of the respected Core-i CPU series.
Quad core Intel Corei5s are used throughout, whereas the 2010 iMacs they replace used dual core Intel Core i3s in all but the most expensive model.
The 27-inch iMac under review here is the priciest in the 2011 range, but instead of the quad-core 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor offered in the standard configuration, ours was fitted with a quad core 3.4GHz Core i7 CPU. This is available as a configure-to-order option on the online Apple store, costing £1,809 rather than the £1,649 quoted for the top-end off the shelf offering.
It's otherwise identical to the top-of-the-range 27-inch 3.1GHz iMac in the 2011 range. Its graphics processor is an AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory, up from an ATI Radeon HD 5750 in the top 2010 version, the 27-inch SSD.
Storage remains unchanged – a 1TB 7200rpm hard drive is installed as standard, with configuration options offering a 2TB drive, a 256GB solid-state drive or a combination of SSD and HDD.
Once again, it has 4GB of 1333MHz DDR3 memory out of the box, which can be expanded to 16GB either as an online configuration option or a post-market modification by the end user.
The 27-inch 2011 iMac's Mini DisplayPort has been dropped in favour of two Thunderbolt ports, an exciting new I/O technology that can support video as well as data.
You can plug a Mini DisplayPort monitor directly into a Thunderbolt port for use as a second screen, and it also acts as a video-in port, allowing you to use the iMac's huge 2560x1440 pixel 27-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display as a screen for another device.
The FaceTime camera has been upgraded to HD, and the SD card reader now supports the SDXC format.
Like the rest of the mid-2011 range, this customised top-end 27-inch Apple iMac uses a Sandy Bridge processor, the second generation of Intel's Core-i CPUs.
Sandy Bridge chips, which are based on Intel's 32-nanometer process technology, combine the processor, cache, memory controller and graphics engine on a single chip. As data doesn't have to travel as far, performance and efficiency are increased.
Turbo Boost, a feature introduced with the first Core-i processors, gives the CPU an extra burst of speed at times of high needs, such as when using a processor-intensive application such as Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro.
It works by automatically shifting or reallocating processor cores and processor graphics resources, tailoring a workload to the task in hand and taking the processor above its core clock speed while power and temperature considerations allow.
This feature has been improved in the Sandy Bridge chips. Turbo Boost 2.0 shifts core frequency in smaller increments than before, allowing the processor to manage performance without sacrificing efficiency. As a result, it activates more often and stays active for longer.
A feature enjoyed by the Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor used in this customised 27-inch 2011 iMac, but not the Core i5s used in the off-the-shelf models, is Hyper Threading.
By allowing two threads to work each of the processor's cores, Hyper Threading effectively doubles the number of jobs it can tackle. As the processor we have here is a quad core, Hyper Threading gives it eight virtual cores, allowing processor-intensive tasks to be spread more evenly.
The 2011 27-inch iMacs have two Thunderbolt ports, replacing the Mini DisplayPort. Thunderbolt combines data transfer and video capabilities, so you can use it to connect a second (and even a third) monitor as well as external storage.
Mini DisplayPort screens plug directly into a Thunderbolt port, but you can also fit DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI or VGA displays by using existing Mini DisplayPort adapters. It also acts as a video-in port, so you can use your 2011 Apple iMac as a display for another device.
At the time of writing, this feature demands a Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt connection, so is currently restricted to using the 2011 range of iMacs as a screen for a MacBook Pro. But Apple assures us that third-party manufacturers will be able to make adapters for other video protocols such as Mini DisplayPort or HDMI, which is excellent news.
Being able to plug in a games console or Blu-ray player would make the 27-inch 2011 Apple iMac a great media machine.
As a data transfer solution, Thunderbolt is capable of speeds of up to 10Gbps in both directions, which is 20 faster than USB 2.0 and 12 times quicker than FireWire 800, though connected peripherals might not be capable of using the entire bandwidth.
Like all recent iMacs, such as 2010 top dog the 27-inch SSD, this new model has a built-in webcam. The FaceTime camera used in the last generation has been upgraded to FaceTime HD, boosting the resolution from 640x480 to 720p.
The aspect ratio is now 16:9 – a wider image that makes it easier for groups of people to chat over FaceTime – and it has much better low-light performance than before.
As you'd expect, this top-of-the-range 27-inch 2011 iMac augmented by a processor upgrade excelled in our benchmarking tests. But with the entry-level 2011 iMac putting a performance that rivals the previous generation's most expensive model, does the average home user really need this much power?
Our Cinebench rendering test looks at how well the computer copes with complicated 3D graphics. Restricting it to a single processing core, this 3.4GHz Core i7 iMac proved just under 33.5% faster than its top-of-the-range predecessor.
Yet the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac in the current range beat the most expensive 2010 model too, proving almost 15% faster.
When all cores are used, the Core i7 chip's Hyper Threading feature comes into its own. With the rendering tasks spread over eight virtual cores, it proved over 62% faster than the top 2010 iMac, the 27-inch SSD, while the entry-level model in the 2011 range was almost 7% ahead.
In our QuickTime encoding test, we time how long it takes QuickTime 7 Pro to encode a five-minute, 720x480 sample video. This 27-inch Core i7 iMac completed the task in a very impressive 98 seconds, over half a minute faster than its 2010 equivalent's 131 seconds.
But the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac also proved quicker, encoding in 128 seconds. When testing the frame rate offered by the popular Mac game Doom 3, the entry-level 2011 iMac's 169.7 frames per second couldn't match the best 2010 model's 178 fps, but both were significantly behind the Core i7 iMac under review here, which achieved an excellent 244.3 fps.
In our Xbench test, which looks at the computer's CPU, memory and hard drive performance, it scored a very respectable 196.54.
Although this customised top-of-the-range 27-inch 2011 Apple iMac puts in an impressive performance, with the £800-cheaper entry-level 21.5-inch 2011 iMac holding its own against even the best 2010 model, is this this one worth the extra money?
Naturally, the 27-incher has more to offer over the sub-£1,000 21.5-inch iMac than just raw power. Its gorgeous 27-inch, LED-backlit IPS screen will certainly endear it to professional designers and video editors, as long as they're happy with its glossy finish. Apple still doesn't offer a matte option.
The 27-inch iMacs also have two Thunderbolt ports, while the 21.5-inch models only have one, and it's much better served by online customisation options, allowing you to add a bigger hard drive, a solid state drive, a better graphics card or up to 16GB of memory.
However, ordering extra RAM as a custom-order option is unwise. It's much cheaper if you buy from third-party vendors, and easy to fit it yourself.
Given the performance of the entry-level 21.5-inch 2011 iMac, you have to ask whether it's worth paying so much more for this top-end model. Perhaps the cheaper iMacs are now so powerful, the pricier releases struggle to find their niche with the home user.
The 27-inch Apple iMac takes a huge leap forwards with the 2011 refresh. Although the only change to the enclosure is a minor revision to the ports at the rear, the switch to new second-generation Sandy Bridge processors and powerful AMD graphics give a massive performance boost over the previous generation of iMacs.
We liked
The new iMac range's Sandy Bridge processors offer greater efficiency and performance than the first generation of Core-i CPUs, and the Turbo Boost feature is enhanced and improved with the 2.0 release.
The quad core 3.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor – available only as a custom option for the top-of-the-range 27-inch iMac – also offers Hyper Threading, allowing its four cores to run two threads at once for eight virtual cores. This means applications that support multiple cores can spread their tasks more evenly, again giving an improved performance.
The new Thunderbolt port will really only come into its own when compatible peripherals are released, but it has the potential to revolutionise I/O technology.
The SD card reader now supports higher-capacity SDXC cards, and the built-in camera has been improved, giving HD resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and better low-light performance.
We disliked
Although the 2011 Apple iMac's 27-inch display is of a very high quality, we wish there was an option to fit an antiglare screen instead of the standard glossy finish. If you order a MacBook Pro on the Apple online store, you can opt for a matte display, so why doesn't the iMac range offer a similar choice? The optical drive is looking long in the tooth too.
Verdict
This top-of-the-range, 27-inch 2011 Apple iMac with a 3.4GHz Core i7 processor added as a custom option is an incredible machine, but it might be more than you actually need.
Creative professionals might welcome the larger screen and extra power, but for the average home user, a sub-£1,000 21.5-inch iMac could well prove more than good enough.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Apple's forthcoming cloud-based music streaming service could be faster than its rivals by storing small portions of songs locally on your device.
Based on a new information gleaned from a new patent, Apple's service will load songs faster by accessing the first portion of the track locally, while iOS scours the cloud for the rest of the song.
That would mean a portion of iPhone's hard-drive would be used to store the first few seconds of a track, but once it is loaded from the web, playback will sync perfectly.
This new means of streaming music would eliminate the need for the device to cache enough of the song for it to play all the way through without the risk of buffering.
Undesired pauses
The application reads: "When the electronic device is unaware of the next media item to play back, the electronic device can require undesired pauses between media items.
"Similarly, when a user skips to a different media item for playback, the electronic device can require a long pause during which no media item is played back as the new media item is streamed to the device."
So, the patent "Local Storage of a Portion of Streamed Media Items," could be the key to Apple providing a faster, more efficient cloud-service for its users.
With this new insight into the potential inner workings of the streaming service, and Wednesday's news that Apple has secured streaming deals with some major record labels, it seems that Cupertino is nearly good to go with this potentially industry-changing venture.
The smart money is on an unveiling at WWDC on June 7th.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
A team of British neuroscientists have shed light on the cult-like devotion of Apple fans by revealing that images of iPhones and iPads evoke a religious response from followers.
The comments arise from a BBC Three documentary, Secrets of the Superbrands, which investigates how different brands influence our lives.
The show focuses on the manic scenes from a London Apple launch.
After the Bishop of Buckingham admits that Apple is becoming a religion, the theory is put to the test by using an MRI scanner on the mind of an Apple fanboy when he is exposed to Apple-based stimulus.
Stimulating
Results showed that the same part of the brain was stimulated as when people of faith are greeted by religious imagery.
Series producers Alex Riley and Adam Boone wrote: "When a team of neuroscientists with an MRI scanner took a look inside the brain of an Apple fanatic, it seemed the bishop was on to something,
"The results suggested that Apple was actually stimulating the same parts of the brain as religious imagery does in people of faith."
The show's producers also referred to the frenzy of an Apple launch at London's Regent's Street store as being like an "evangelical prayer meeting."
Secrets of the Superbrands, which also shines the spotlight on Google, Microsoft and Nokia, can be viewed on the iPlayer for the next month.
Posted under Apple, Computing on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Speculation that Apple plans to launch a cloud-based music streaming service continues to gather pace following the latest job posting on the company's official website.
The advertisement for a "Media Streaming Engineering Manager" seems to confirm multiple reports that Apple has completed its work on the service and is preparing for launch.
The posting, first noticed by AppleInsider, is asks for "an excellent engineering manager to join our team and help develop our media streaming engine for our iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows products."
The successful candidate will join Apple's Interactive Media Group (IMG) in Santa Clara Valley, which works on QuickTime, Safari and iTunes among other pieces of Apple software.
Media streaming
The job posting requests applications from those who have experience designing media streaming systems.
Apple is thought to have finished building the cloud-based music streaming service and already has two of the main music labels signed-on.
It is believed that Apple's music storage service will, like Music Beta by Google, offer users the chance to store and stream their own music, while also offering a Spotify-like subscription service
The company is also rumoured to have bought-up, the iCloud.com demain name.
