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- Apple demos Passbook, a one-stop shop for tickets and boarding passes
- Apple's FaceTime finally goes cellular, says so long to WiFi restrictions
- Apple integrates Facebook into iOS 6, App Store, Macs
- iOS 6 offers Do Not Disturb feature, adds more Zs to your slumber
- Siri comes to the New iPad
- Apple teases Eyes Free, Siri car integration
- Apple updates Siri with sports stats, help from Yelp and Rotten Tomatoes, expanded local search
- Apple brags: sells 365 million iOS devices, 140 million iMessage users
- Apple unveils iOS 6 at WWDC, launch apps with Siri, Facebook integration
- OS X Mountain Lion: arrives on Macs next month, priced at $20
- Apple introduces Power Nap OS X feature that updates your Mac while it's sleeping
- Apple unveils new features for Safari: unified search, iCloud Tabs multi-device syncing and more
- Apple slips out new AirPort Express with simultaneous dual-band WiFi
- Apple brings Dictation to the Mac, tells Siri to stay in the car
- Apple: 26 million copies of Lion OS sold, 66 million Mac users
- Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Aperture, AutoCAD and more score Retina Display support
- Apple announces first Retina display in a MacBook, 220ppi with 2880 x 1800 resolution
- Apple announces next-generation MacBook Pro: Retina display, 0.71-inches thin, shipping today for $2,199
- Apple unveils new MacBook Pro with Ivy Bridge at WWDC
- Apple announces refreshed MacBook Air: Ivy Bridge processor, USB 3.0, shipping today
- App Store hits 650,000 apps, 30 billion downloads, $5 billion doled out to developers
- Apple WWDC 2012 liveblog!
- Sprint stops being Clearwire's majority owner
- ITC denies HTC chance to wield Google patents against Apple
- Twitter airs first TV spot during NASCAR, implores racing fans to discover the magic of hashtags
- Google brokers a deal with French publishers to immortalize out-of-print books
- Chameleon Android homescreen cancels Kickstarter funding due to account mix-up, new project coming soon
- Engadget's pre-WWDC live broadcast from San Francisco!
- Duracell Powermat announces 24-Hour Power System, we go hands-on (video)
- Intel's NUC mini-desktop said to cost around $400
- The Apple store is down... here we go
- Editorial: What we want to see in iOS 6
- Samsung announces GT-B9120 for Android flip phone fans in China
- Keio University democratizes facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere (video)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with Verizon LTE hits the FCC
- SmartKey TV HDMI dongle gives ICS brains to any boob tube (updated)
- China planning manned mission to its own space station, didn't want to be on the ISS anyway
- Microsoft revives free Windows desktop development tools, didn't mean to make you cry
- Noctua's noise-canceling PC fan gets tested, drops twenty decibels
- Nexus 7 tablet will arrive at end of June, says anonymous ASUS source
| Apple demos Passbook, a one-stop shop for tickets and boarding passes Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:36 AM PDT From airline and train boarding passes to concert tickets, we've seen a variety of tix make their way into the digital realm at venues around the world. With today's announcement of Passbook, the hard copy credential may soon be a thing of the past. Developing... For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Apple's FaceTime finally goes cellular, says so long to WiFi restrictions Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:31 AM PDT We all wanted it, and Apple took its sweet time to give it to us, but FaceTime has finally been let loose from its WiFi bonds, leaving us all free to video chat over cellular data. Great news for all your Apple fans to have resolutely refused to use similar services from Skype, Tango, or Google. Developing... For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, check out our liveblog! |
| Apple integrates Facebook into iOS 6, App Store, Macs Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:28 AM PDT The string of iOS 6 updates has brought one of the more heavily requested social networking features: Facebook integration. You can share from core apps like Maps, Photos and Safari, but it's woven even more deeply than Twitter was in iOS 5: you can use Siri to make your commands, and there's now a public API for Facebook so that other apps can do the same. The App Store gets its own share of integration, with app recommendations based on what friends are using, and contact syncing now makes sure your social network is all lined up. Best of all, the Facebook integration is coming to Macs as well -- so you'll have a consistent experience no matter what device you're on. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| iOS 6 offers Do Not Disturb feature, adds more Zs to your slumber Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:28 AM PDT Ever get annoyed when your sleep is interrupted by a call or message coming into your phone? As we were hoping, iOS 6 is getting the badly needed Do Not Disturb feature we first saw in Mountain Lion last month. The idea is simple: when activated, push notifications will be automatically muted and the screen won't light up. A whitelist option will be available so you won't miss important callers; you can also set up the feature so that if a person calls you more than once, the phone will allow the call to come through. This is an exciting option for anyone who is tired of waking up to a notification only to find out it's their turn in Draw Something. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:24 AM PDT Scott Forstall has just announced that Apple is bringing Siri to the new (2012-edition) iPad as part of iOS 6. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 Keynote, check out our liveblog! |
| Apple teases Eyes Free, Siri car integration Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:22 AM PDT Apple's VP of iOS Software Scott Forstall just demoed Eyes Free, Siri's new vehicle integration. The feature is being framed as a safety booster, letting you tap a steering wheel-mounted button to toggle Siri on your iOS device, rather than reaching around for your iPhone or iPad and taking precious seconds away from the road. This being Apple, there are already plenty of partners lined up -- BMW, GM, Mercedes, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Chrysler and Honda are all said to be on board, with Siri support making its way to vehicles within the next 12 months. It's certainly not the first example of smartphone/car integration we've seen, but it could soon end up being one of the most widely utilized, despite the years-long head-start competing technologies have enjoyed. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Apple updates Siri with sports stats, help from Yelp and Rotten Tomatoes, expanded local search Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:21 AM PDT As it's made clear with its recent ads, Apple is betting big on Siri, and the company has just now rolled out it's first big update to the personal assistant during its WWDC keynote. The service is now able to answer a variety of sports related questions, from scores and stats to game times, and it's added both Yelp and Rotten Tomatoes to its bag of tricks for dining and movie recommendations. What's more, Siri will now also let you launch apps if you're tired of tapping through folders, and Apple is finally expanding Siri's local search functionality from just the US to no less than 60 difference countries. The other big Siri news is that it's finally headed to the new iPad, and even to cars via Apple's new Eyes Free integration, although that is still a bit further off (within the next 12 months is the word). For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, check out our liveblog! |
| Apple brags: sells 365 million iOS devices, 140 million iMessage users Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:16 AM PDT Apple has never shied away from taking a few shots at Android during its WWDC keynotes, and why would 2012 be any different. Just before taking the wraps off iOS 6, Apple took some time to toss out a few numbers highlighting its spectacular sales and sizable user base. All told, by the end of March, the company had moved 365 million iOS devices, with the vast majority of them (80 percent) running iOS 5 -- a point they made sure to drive home with a graphic comparing the install base of Android 4.0. But, sales alone mean nothing without an active user community. Which is why Cupertino was so happy to report that 140 million iMessage users were sending more than one billion messages each day, for a grand total of 150 billion SMS and MMS missives. Push notifications have also clearly taken off in a big way, with 1.5 trillion having graced our notification screens. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Apple unveils iOS 6 at WWDC, launch apps with Siri, Facebook integration Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:12 AM PDT Looks like they didn't print the banner out for nothing -- as anticipated, it's not just refreshed MacBook Airs or Mountain Lion getting the red carpet treatment at today's World Wide Developer's Conference keynote. Cupertino has also taken the shiny cling wrap off of the latest version of iOS. What's new? Well at least 200 things! Most notably, Siri has gotten a little make over, including the ability to launch apps, more knowledge of sports, restaurants and movie times, it's also coming to iPad. There's better Facebook integration too, with photos, websites, maps and more getting the instant share option -- you can even "like" or share app from the Appstore. Other tweaks on the phone side of things let you dismiss incoming calls with a swipe, or send a pre-written SMS, even set it to give you a reminder once you change location. Other popular features will include "Do Not Disturb" to hold off all those notifications (from your new Facebook friends, we guess). You'll still get them, but the won't alert, or light up the screen. Face-timers will also be pleased to see that feature finally working over cellular. Sharing images also just got easier with shared Photo Streams -- choose the pictures, choose the friends. Done. Developing... For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, check out our liveblog |
| OS X Mountain Lion: arrives on Macs next month, priced at $20 Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:10 AM PDT You got it. The latest version of Mac OS X is coming in a matter of weeks, and will set you back just shy of twenty bucks. If any of those new beastly, Ivy Bridge-decked machines made you reconsider your bank balance, breathe a (small) sigh of relief -- you'll be treated to a free upgrade if you decide to buy one before Mountain Lion arrives in July. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! Mountain Lion Available in July From Mac App Store SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today announced that OS X® Mountain Lion, the ninth major release of the world's most advanced desktop operating system, will be available in July as a download from the Mac® App Store™. Mountain Lion introduces more than 200 innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, Facebook integration*, Dictation, Power Nap, AirPlay® Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud® built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices. "With iCloud built right in and the new Notification Center, Messages, Dictation, Facebook integration and more, this is the best OS X yet." "The pace of innovation on the Mac is amazing, OS X Mountain Lion comes just a year after the incredibly successful launch of Lion," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With iCloud built right in and the new Notification Center, Messages, Dictation, Facebook integration and more, this is the best OS X yet." Using your iCloud account, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to set up your Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Messages, Reminders and Notes. The new Reminders and Notes apps help you remember important tasks and jot down your thoughts quickly, while iCloud automatically keeps everything up to date. Documents in the Cloud works with iCloud-enabled apps including Apple's iWork® suite so you can always access and edit your documents on any device. The new Messages app replaces iChat® and brings iMessage™ to the Mac, so you can send messages to anyone with an iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® or another Mac. You can include attachments, high quality photos and HD video, and your iMessages appear on all your devices so you can pick up a conversation right where you left off. iMessage includes group messaging, delivery and read receipts, typing indicators and secure end-to-end encryption. The Messages app also supports traditional instant messaging services, including AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk and Jabber. Mountain Lion streamlines the presentation of notifications, and with Notification Center you can see all your notifications from OS X and third party apps in one convenient place. You can customize which apps send you notifications, the type of notification you receive, and how many items are shown in Notification Center. When you want to focus on your work or watch a movie, you can choose to temporarily suspend all notifications. New system-wide Sharing is built into Mountain Lion, making it easier than ever to share links, photos, videos and other files. Clicking the Share button allows you to share quickly without having to switch to another app, and you just need to sign in once to use third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Vimeo. Facebook and Twitter are integrated with Notification Center so you can receive notifications when someone sends you a message or mentions you in a post or Tweet. With built-in support for Facebook, you can post photos, links and comments with locations right from your apps. Once you've signed in, your Facebook friends automatically appear in Contacts with their profile photos. Your Facebook notifications work with Notification Center in Mountain Lion, and you can even update your Facebook status from within Notification Center. Dictation is built into Mountain Lion and allows you to dictate text anywhere you can type, whether you're using an app from Apple or a third party developer. Mountain Lion also introduces Power Nap, an innovative new feature that keeps your MacBook Pro with Retina™ display and MacBook Air (second and third generation) up to date while it sleeps. Power Nap automatically refreshes Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Photo Stream, Find My Mac and Documents in the Cloud, and when plugged in, downloads software updates and backs up your Mac using Time Machine®. The revolutionary new Gatekeeper feature makes downloading software from the Internet safer by giving you control over which apps can be installed on your Mac. You can choose to install apps from anywhere, just as you do today, or for maximum security you can set Gatekeeper to allow only apps from the Mac App Store. The default setting allows you to install apps from the Mac App Store and apps from developers that have a unique Developer ID from Apple. In addition to checking daily for security updates, Mountain Lion includes app sandboxing to keep misbehaving apps from compromising your system, and kernel ASLR for improved protection against buffer overflow attacks. Additional new features in Mountain Lion include: • AirPlay Mirroring, an easy way to wirelessly send an up-to-1080p secure stream of what's on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV®, or send audio to a receiver or speakers that use AirPlay; • Game Center, which brings the popular social gaming network from iOS to the Mac so you can enjoy live, multiplayer games with friends whether they're on a Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch; • a faster Safari® with a unified Smart Search Field, iCloud Tabs that present your open tabs across your devices, and a new Tab View to quickly swipe through them; • new features for China, including significantly improved text input, a new Chinese Dictionary, easy setup with popular email providers, Baidu search in Safari, built-in sharing to Sina Weibo and popular video websites Youku and Tudou; and • over 1,700 new APIs that give developers access to the latest core OS and web technologies, as well as the newest features of OS X, including Documents in the Cloud, Notifications, Sharing and Game Center. Pricing & Availability OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July from the Mac App Store for $19.99 (US). Mountain Lion requires Lion or Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6.8 or later), 2GB of memory and 8GB of available space. For a complete list of system requirements and compatible systems, please visit: apple.com/osx/specs/. OS X Server requires Mountain Lion and will be available in July from the Mac App Store for $19.99 (US). The OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 11, 2012. *Facebook integration will be available in an upcoming software update to Mountain Lion. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. |
| Apple introduces Power Nap OS X feature that updates your Mac while it's sleeping Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:07 AM PDT Apple just introduced a new OS X feature here at WWDC 2012 called Power Nap. It lets your Mac update email, notifications and photos in the background, as well as back itself up while charging. Whether or not Apple ever drops the word "Ultrabooks" (and trust us, it won't), this addition is a clear retort to all those Windows-based ultraportables that promise to keep web-based apps up to date. In addition to the new MacBook Pros announced today, the feature will work with the second-generation Air, which makes us think all other legacy Macs might be excluded. Supposedly, too, the technology goes easy on the battery and won't stir up the fans, though Apple claims they're quieter on the new Macs anyway. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Apple unveils new features for Safari: unified search, iCloud Tabs multi-device syncing and more Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:03 AM PDT Apple's fresh new hardware may have gotten the headlines thus far during Apple's WWDC keynote today, but there's also some good news for browser aficionados, too. Safari has taken a page out of Chrome's book by offering unified search for the web, your history and bookmarks. Additionally, Safari now syncs your web-browsing info across all your devices. Called iCloud Tabs, the feature lets you see the tabs you have open on any device simultaneously. That means you can surf the web on your iPhone while you're out and about, and continue your web session seamlessly on that shiny new MacBook Pro when you get home by clicking the new handy dandy iCloud button. Not only that, Safari's picked up some new multitouch tricks, letting you swipe all the way out to tab view, then pinch on the page you want to dive back in. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, check out our liveblog! |
| Apple slips out new AirPort Express with simultaneous dual-band WiFi Posted: 11 Jun 2012 11:03 AM PDT Tucked in amidst talk of new MacBook Air and conventional MacBook Pro updates, Apple has trotted out a new AirPort Express. The new pocket WiFi router has a reworked design as well as newfound support for simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless -- good news if you want separate public and private hotspots when you're online at the hotel. The audio-out jack and USB 2.0 port are still there to share your sound or printing, and there's an extra Ethernet jack to feed wired devices. We're still waiting on more details, but the $99 asking price certainly hits a sweet spot. |
| Apple brings Dictation to the Mac, tells Siri to stay in the car Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:55 AM PDT Apple has just announced that it's bringing new iPad-style dictation to Mountain Lion. In the same way that you can tap the button on the digital keyboard, hitting the microphone button will allow you to speak directly into native software, websites like Facebook and even third-party applications like Microsoft Word. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 Keynote, check out our liveblog! |
| Apple: 26 million copies of Lion OS sold, 66 million Mac users Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:48 AM PDT As we try to get to our feet after that tidal wave of hardware announcements, Apple's moved onto Mac OS, quoting with some impressive new figures. Over 26 million copies of OS X Lion have now been sold, making it Apple's "best-selling release ever." Meanwhile, Mac users now total over 66 million -- that's three times the number in 2007. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Aperture, AutoCAD and more score Retina Display support Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:36 AM PDT As we learned pretty quickly when the iPhone 4 introduced the Retina display to the world, all those pixels are pretty useless without apps that can truly take advantage. Thankfully, Apple wasn't about to leave the stage today without delivering the goods for its next gen MacBook Pros. In addition to all the stock apps being updated, Final Cut Pro and Aperture have also gotten the appropriate boost in pixel density, allowing them to be all they can be on that 220ppi display. Which, in the case of Final Cut, means full-res 1080p video docked in a corner of the interface with all the tools exposed to your itchy editing finger. If that isn't good enough for you, Adobe is hard at work on Photoshop and Autodesk will be delivering an update to AutoCAD as well. And, in case you're worried that all work and no play makes Tim Cook a dull boy, Diablo 3 has also been updated, instantly making the Mac our favorite platform to farm low level baddies for gold on. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Apple announces first Retina display in a MacBook, 220ppi with 2880 x 1800 resolution Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:30 AM PDT Apple just announced its next-generation MacBook Pro, and it comes equipped with a gorgeous 220 pixel-per-inch 2880 x 1800 display. That's quite a bit shy of the 326 ppi LCD on the iPhone 4S and the 264 ppi density of the new iPad's display, but it's still a massive improvement over the 1680 x 1050 pixels found on Apple's previous-generation clamshell. The new Retina is, as Apple marketing head Phil Shiller not-so-modestly pointed out during this morning's WWDC keynote, the "world's highest-resolution notebook display." It's also soon to be the highest-res LCD in any household, offering three million more pixels than your 1080p HDTV. It's a bit hard to determine just how impressive this next-gen tech is from where we're seated at the keynote, but we'll be back with more impressions just as soon as the presentation wraps. Or, if you have $2,199 to spare for a 2.3GHz model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, you can pick up your very own today. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:28 AM PDT Apple announced some new MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros early in its WWDC keynote today, but it had another surprise in store for its big hardware announcement: the next-generation MacBook Pro. It packs a Retina display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution (or 220ppi), and a casing that measures just 0.71-inch thin and weighs 4.46 pounds. In addition to that high resolution, Apple is also promising higher contrast ratios, better viewing angles and reduced glare compared to other laptop displays, and it's updated all of its stock apps to take advantage of those extra pixels, not to mention Aperture and Final Cut Pro -- "reading your mail is like reading fine print," according to Apple's Phil Schiller. As for the other specs, you'll get to 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA Kepler GT 650M graphics, up to a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i7 processor, a maximum 768GB of storage (SSD, naturally), and a promised seven hours of battery life with 30 days standby. One spec nowhere to be seen: an optical drive. Also on the outs are Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports, which you'll now need an optional Thunderbolt adapter to use. Making its debut on the laptop is a new, thinner MagSafe connector, as well as a new fan that's said to be "nearly imperceptible" to the user. Pricing starts at $2,199 for a 2.3GHz unit with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and it's shipping today. "It's without doubt the very best computer that we've ever built," says Schiller. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! Apple Introduces All New MacBook Pro with Retina Display SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today unveiled an all new 15-inch MacBook® Pro featuring a stunning Retina™ display, all flash storage and quad-core processors in a radically thin and light design. Measuring a mere 0.71 inches and weighing only 4.46 pounds, the completely redesigned MacBook Pro sets a new standard in performance and portability for pro users. The new MacBook Pro Retina display is the world's highest resolution notebook display with over 5 million pixels, 3 million more than an HD television. At 220 pixels-per-inch, the Retina display's pixel density is so high the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels from a normal viewing distance, so text and graphics look incredibly sharp. The Retina display uses IPS technology for a 178-degree wide viewing angle, and has 75 percent less reflection and 29 percent higher contrast than the previous generation. Featuring a precision engineered aluminum unibody design and an all flash storage architecture, the all new MacBook Pro is the lightest MacBook Pro ever and nearly as thin as a MacBook Air®. Flash storage that is up to four times faster than traditional notebook hard drives enables the all new MacBook Pro to play four simultaneous streams of uncompressed 1080p HD video from internal storage.* The flash storage architecture also delivers improved reliability, instant-on responsiveness and 30 days of standby time. The MacBook Pro with Retina display features the latest Intel Core i7 quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics, up to 16GB of faster 1600 MHz RAM and flash storage up to 768GB. Two Thunderbolt and two USB 3.0 ports allow pro users to connect to multiple displays and high performance devices, and a new HDMI port offers quick connectivity to HDTVs. The MacBook Pro battery delivers up to 7 hours of wireless productivity, and uses advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology to provide up to 1,000 recharges.** The MacBook Pro also features a FaceTime® HD camera, glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad, full-size backlit keyboard, dual microphones, enhanced speakers, 3-stream 802.11n Wi-Fi and a thinner MagSafe® 2 power port. OS X® Lion, iPhoto®, iMovie®, iTunes® and other Apple apps including Aperture® and Final Cut Pro® X have been updated to take full advantage of the new MacBook Pro with Retina display. The updated Aperture 3.3 also includes revolutionary new image adjustment features and now supports a unified photo library so photographers can move seamlessly between iPhoto and Aperture. The all new MacBook Pro ships with OS X Lion. Starting today, customers who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X Mountain Lion when it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay® Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud® built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices. Pricing & Availability The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz, 8GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage starting at $2,199 (US); and with a 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz, 8GB of memory and 512GB of flash storage starting at $2,799 (US). Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz, up to 16GB of memory and flash storage up to 768GB. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at apple.com/macbook-pro. *Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. For more information visit apple.com/macbook-pro/features/. **The Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit apple.com/macbook-pro/features/. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. |
| Apple unveils new MacBook Pro with Ivy Bridge at WWDC Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:23 AM PDT Apple is certainly making WWDC a hardware conference this year -- it just unveiled a refresh of the existing MacBook Pro running Intel's newer Ivy Bridge processors on the San Francisco gathering's opening day. The 13- and 15-inch portables run up to 2.7GHz quad Core i7s (turbo up to 3.7GHz), carry up to 8GB of RAM and have GeForce GT 650M-based graphics 60 percent faster than the previous generation. Like the new MacBook Air, they tout USB 3.0 ports. If you're more comfortable with Apple's conventional MacBook Pro design than the new variety, Apple will ask $1,099 for the base 13-inch version and $1,799 for a 15-inch version, with an upgraded 15-inch model going for $2,199. All of them are shipping today -- we're not seeing any mention of an updated 17-inch version, so it may have been cast aside. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! Apple Updates MacBook Air and Current Generation MacBook Pro with Latest Processors and New Graphics SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today updated MacBook Air® with the latest Intel Core processors, faster graphics and flash storage that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.* MacBook Air is the ultimate everyday notebook, and with new lower prices it is more affordable than ever. The current generation 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook® Pro have also been updated with the latest Intel Core processors and powerful discrete graphics from NVIDIA. Apple's popular AirPort Express® has been redesigned to include features previously available only in AirPort Extreme®. "Today we've updated the entire MacBook line with faster processors, graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "We've made the world's best portable family even better and we think users are going to love the performance advances in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro." Available in 11-inch and 13-inch designs, the new MacBook Air features the latest Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors and is perfect for browsing the web, making movies and managing photos. The new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 is up to 60 percent faster and gives the MacBook Air plenty of power to tackle games and videos.** MacBook Air features flash storage up to four times faster than traditional hard drives for instant-on performance and fast access to your apps and data. Now with 4GB of faster memory, configurable up to 8GB, you can run memory-intensive apps with ease. MacBook Air also features a new FaceTime® HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p. The 13-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz. The 15-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i7 quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro can be configured with a 1TB hard drive or SSDs up to 512GB that are up to twice as fast as the previous generation. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro both feature a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3.0 ports to easily connect to external displays and a wide variety of high performance peripherals. The 13-inch MacBook Air, and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro deliver up to 7 hours of wireless battery life, and the 11-inch MacBook Air delivers up to 5 hours. Mac® notebook batteries use advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology to provide up to 1,000 recharges.*** The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ship with OS X® Lion. Starting today, customers who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X Mountain Lion when it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay® Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud® built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices. Priced at just $99, the new AirPort Express features a completely redesigned compact enclosure and new wireless and connectivity capabilities. Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi allows users to easily create a network that delivers optimal performance and range. The AirPort Express also features an audio-out port to connect external powered speakers or an A/V receiver and use AirPlay to wirelessly stream from iTunes® on your Mac or iOS device. A USB 2.0 port allows you to share a printer wirelessly over your network, and an additional ethernet port lets you connect to other computers and network devices. Setup is built right into OS X and iOS and can be done in just a few simple steps, and with AirPort Utility 6.0 for OS X Lion and iOS you can access a visual map of your network for viewing and reconfiguring devices. |
| Apple announces refreshed MacBook Air: Ivy Bridge processor, USB 3.0, shipping today Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:20 AM PDT Apple's skinnier, lighter MacBook option checked in for another (irregular) hardware update at this year's WWDC. Just under a year since the last time the range was renovated, the move to Ivy Bridge processors wasn't the only thing that changed. First up, those processors will reach up to 2GHz Core i7, with Turbo Boost tipping these up to 3.2GHz. The FaceTime camera is now 720p, with the display on the 11-inch model now 1366 x 768 (and Intel's HD graphics 4000 doing the pushing). The 13-incher will house a 1440 x 900 screen and both will arrive with a pair of USB 3.0 ports and capacity for up to 8GB of RAM. Storage will now extend to 512GB, while prices will start at $999 for the most basic option, up to $1099 for the speediest offering. All of the new models look set to be $100 less than their comparable predecessor. The best part? They'll start shipping today. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! Apple Updates MacBook Air and Current Generation MacBook Pro with Latest Processors and New Graphics SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today updated MacBook Air® with the latest Intel Core processors, faster graphics and flash storage that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.* MacBook Air is the ultimate everyday notebook, and with new lower prices it is more affordable than ever. The current generation 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook® Pro have also been updated with the latest Intel Core processors and powerful discrete graphics from NVIDIA. Apple's popular AirPort Express® has been redesigned to include features previously available only in AirPort Extreme®. "Today we've updated the entire MacBook line with faster processors, graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "We've made the world's best portable family even better and we think users are going to love the performance advances in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro." Available in 11-inch and 13-inch designs, the new MacBook Air features the latest Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors and is perfect for browsing the web, making movies and managing photos. The new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 is up to 60 percent faster and gives the MacBook Air plenty of power to tackle games and videos.** MacBook Air features flash storage up to four times faster than traditional hard drives for instant-on performance and fast access to your apps and data. Now with 4GB of faster memory, configurable up to 8GB, you can run memory-intensive apps with ease. MacBook Air also features a new FaceTime® HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p. The 13-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz. The 15-inch MacBook Pro features the latest Intel Core i7 quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro can be configured with a 1TB hard drive or SSDs up to 512GB that are up to twice as fast as the previous generation. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro both feature a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3.0 ports to easily connect to external displays and a wide variety of high performance peripherals. The 13-inch MacBook Air, and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro deliver up to 7 hours of wireless battery life, and the 11-inch MacBook Air delivers up to 5 hours. Mac® notebook batteries use advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology to provide up to 1,000 recharges.*** The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ship with OS X® Lion. Starting today, customers who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X Mountain Lion when it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay® Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud® built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices. Priced at just $99, the new AirPort Express features a completely redesigned compact enclosure and new wireless and connectivity capabilities. Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi allows users to easily create a network that delivers optimal performance and range. The AirPort Express also features an audio-out port to connect external powered speakers or an A/V receiver and use AirPlay to wirelessly stream from iTunes® on your Mac or iOS device. A USB 2.0 port allows you to share a printer wirelessly over your network, and an additional ethernet port lets you connect to other computers and network devices. Setup is built right into OS X and iOS and can be done in just a few simple steps, and with AirPort Utility 6.0 for OS X Lion and iOS you can access a visual map of your network for viewing and reconfiguring devices. Pricing & Availability The 11-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.7 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 64GB of flash storage starting at $999 (US), and 128GB of flash storage starting at $1,099 (US). The 13-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.8 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at $1199 (US), and 256GB of flash storage starting at $1,499 (US). Configure-to-order options include a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 onboard memory and up to 512GB flash storage. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,199 (US), and with a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory and 750GB hard drive starting at $1,499 (US). The 15-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 (US); and with a 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199 (US). Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 1TB, up to 8GB of memory and solid state storage up to 512GB. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at apple.com/macbookair or apple.com/macbook-pro. The updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. *Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook Air configurations. For more information visit apple.com/macbookair/features.html. **Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook Air configurations. For more information visit apple.com/macbookair/features.html. ***The Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook Pro and MacBook Air configurations. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit apple.com/macbook-pro/features/. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (apple.com/pr), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042. © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, MacBook Air, MacBook, AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, FaceTime, OS X, AirPlay, iCloud and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. |
| App Store hits 650,000 apps, 30 billion downloads, $5 billion doled out to developers Posted: 11 Jun 2012 10:12 AM PDT One of the first pieces of news out of the gate at Apple's WWDC 2012 keynote is its success with mobile apps so far. The company has hit 650,000 apps in the App Store -- 225,000 of which are specific to the iPad. Customers have downloaded 30 billion of the apps since they became an option four years ago. Developers also have a good reason to salivate: there are now over 400 million iTunes accounts with credit cards, and they've been paid a total of $5 billion for all of their app sales. Whatever pressure exists to support other platforms, Apple wants its coders to know they're taken care of. For more coverage of the WWDC 2012 keynote, head over to our liveblog! |
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:35 AM PDT |
| Sprint stops being Clearwire's majority owner Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:18 AM PDT Sprint has declared that it's no longer Clearwire's majority owner in a move designed to shield the carrier should the worst happen to its troubled bedfellow. While Big Yellow is planning to supplement its own LTE network with Clearwire's TD-LTE backbone, it's looked to distance itself on the business side from a company that finds it very hard to make money -- requiring handouts from Sprint just to stay afloat. |
| ITC denies HTC chance to wield Google patents against Apple Posted: 11 Jun 2012 08:56 AM PDT HTC hasn't been having the best time bringing ITC disputes against Apple, and the situation just got a bit more glum. Administrative Law Judge Thomas Pender has ruled that HTC can't use the patents it borrowed from Google to challenge Apple's products, as the Taiwan phone maker hasn't properly acquired all the necessary rights. If the decision is upheld after the (possible) appeal, it cuts the amount of ammunition for HTC's second complaint by more than half: only three of the eight patents will hold up. The One X designer can still try to appeal or get Google involved, and Apple still can't rest easy knowing that just one patent infringement verdict would be bad news. Even so, the ruling does take a considerable amount of sting out of the ITC case as-is -- and at a time when Apple is ramping up its own complaints. |
| Twitter airs first TV spot during NASCAR, implores racing fans to discover the magic of hashtags Posted: 11 Jun 2012 08:34 AM PDT Given #thescope with which Twitter has #invadedpopularculture, it may come as a shock to realize that the company hasn't really ventured too far into the world of television advertising -- but then, it seems that it's been doing a pretty good job getting enough #freeadvertising as is. Clearly the folks at Twitter saw an untapped resource in the form of the #NASCAR audience, using the weekend's race to launch its first TV #adcampaign, revolving around fittingly pithy spots capped off with the TWITTER.COM/#NASCAR URL, which redirects to a landing page for the weekend's festivities. Relive the #thrilloftherace with a slew of Twitter ads #afterthebreak.
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| Google brokers a deal with French publishers to immortalize out-of-print books Posted: 11 Jun 2012 08:08 AM PDT Google has reached an agreement with France's publishers to scan thousands of out-of-print texts. From the terse explanation offered, it looks like Mountain View will digitize the books, but the publishers and authors will retain commercial use of them. It means those editions will presumably be sold over Google Play rather than being offered free -- but on the upside, will mean that you'll save plenty of time checking eBay for that copy of Fly Fishing by J.R. Hartley. |
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:41 AM PDT If you fell in love with Teknision's contextual Android skin, we've got some news that might break your heart. The Chameleon homescreen's Kickstarter project has been unceremoniously canceled, as its Amazon payments account-holder has left the company. With no easy way to transfer over $50,000 of earmarked money, the makers were left with no choice but to reboot the project. A new project is set to go live later this week, so hold on to those investment dollars. Anyone who pledged funds to the first project won't be charged, but they will have to restate their interest on the new project page. |
| Engadget's pre-WWDC live broadcast from San Francisco! Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:11 AM PDT We wish you were here, we really do, but we understand -- you're busy. That trip out to San Francisco takes ages and besides, getting a ticket into Apple's developer conference can be a tricky proposition. So, then, please do us the honor of being our guest at what is shaping up to be a bombastic show. The WWDC liveblog happens here, but before then Darren Murph and Tim Stevens have a special live video broadcast just for you, where they'll break down what you can expect from this year's keynote presentation. Click on through to get streaming. |
| Duracell Powermat announces 24-Hour Power System, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT Since Duracell and Powermat formed their wireless charging alliance late last year, we've seen the Powermat debut at CES and heard quite a bit about the company's vision for future battery tech. Today the company is unveiling a new charging system which, while not drastically different from the Powermat we've seen before, bundles a few useful products together. In addition to a Powermat for charging the iPhone or iPhone 4, the 24-Hour Power System includes a phone case (necessary for juicing a phone on the Powermat) and a portable backup battery with both microUSB and Apple connectors. The whole package will set you back $100, and it's available online and in NYC stores starting today. Though the system currently only supports the iPhone, the company says it will add compatibility with "an array of other leading smartphones" by this fall. Check out our hands-on demo with Duracell Powermat CEO Ron Rabinowitz below.
The City that Never Sleeps Duracell Powermat Wireless Charging Ensures Smartphone Batteries Keep Pace with New York Lifestyle NEW YORK, NY (June 11, 2012) – Duracell Powermat, LLC, the joint venture between Procter & Gamble's Duracell brand and Powermat Technologies, today launched a range of products that ensure New Yorkers will never again have to worry about their phone dying on them. Starting today, the Duracell Powermat 24 Hour Power System will be available at major retail outlets throughout New York City and select online retailers, as well as at www.duracellpowermat.us. The 24 Hour Power System The 24 Hour Power System contains three products that, together, give you everything you need to enjoy your smartphone without worrying about the life of your battery. Here's how it works: A sleek charging "mat" called the 'Powermat' serves as a wireless power transmitter. When you plug the mat into any wall outlet, you immediately hear the welcoming bleep, letting you know that your Powermat is up and running and ready to send power to all enabled devices that will be placed on top of it. To enable your device you simply insert it into the smartphone case and you are ready to receive wireless power from the Powermat. Simply drop your smartphone on the Powermat and it will charge. The Duracell Powermat case is both protective and decorative. Cases will be available in pink, black and white at retail and in a variety of colors online. The third component in the 24 Hour Power System is designed to let you take the power with you wherever you go, whenever you need it. The Duracell Powermat Portable Backup Battery serves as your personal portable charger, providing one full charge while on-the-go. Its compact size lets you carry it in your pocket, purse, or bag. The backup battery comes equipped with both micro USB and Apple connectors so it works with practically any smartphone. To recharge the backup battery, you simply drop it on the Powermat alongside your smartphone. What's more, unlike other standard chargers, the Duracell Powermat System is smart. It knows just the right amount of energy your phone needs and it stops sending power when your phone is fully charged, helping to eliminate energy waste. Starting today, the 24 Hour Power System will be available exclusively for the iPhone 4 and 4s both at major NY retail outlets and online. Beginning this fall, it will be available in retail outlets nationwide and will support not only the iPhone but also an array of other leading smartphones. "Today's smartphones are our right hand: evermore powerful, but at the same time ever quicker to run out of power, barely lasting through the afternoon. With The Duracell Powermat 24 Hour Power System, users can now fully utilize their phone throughout the day without having to worry about the battery life. ," said Ron Rabinowitz, Duracell Powermat CEO. "And, with our upcoming Wireless Power Nation, this will get even easier. People will be able to charge wirelessly on embedded 'wireless power hot spots' in public venues where they travel and interact throughout their day.All they will need to do is put their phone on the table, same thing they normally do. The only difference is that now, their smartphones will get charged from the table" Wireless Power Nation The Duracell Powermat vision, of creating a world where access to wireless power is widely available in places and settings frequented by consumers throughout their day, is also going to transform The Big Apple into a wireless charging showcase. Duracell Powermat has added extensively to its growing list of "ecosystem" partners. In addition to the previously announced partnerships with Madison Square Garden and General Motors, Duracell Powermat has made great strides in attracting best-in-category partners from public and private locations intended to surround consumers with wireless power. The initial list of wireless partners includes leaders in their category, known for providing their consumers with the best customer service and access to new and unique experiences. These first partners were chosen carefully so that people would have access to power throughout the day. The list of partners who have signed on to wireless charging continues to grow on a weekly basis. Partners with current plans underway include: · Sports/Entertainment: Barclays Center · At a Game/Concert: Madison Square Garden · Entertainment: The 40/40 Club · Traveling: Delta Sky Club · Shopping: Westfield Garden State Plaza · Driving: General Motors, starting with the 2013 Chevy Volt "Our goalis to create a Wireless Power Nation that enables the consumer to benefit from wireless charging in all areas and aspects of their lives. If they're snacking on their favorite sandwich then we want to offer them a charge in their local eatery; if they're cheering their favorite team then we'll be there for them in their sports arena; if they're traveling then they should have wireless charging in their cars and airports, and when they're shopping, we'll be right there in the mall with public charging spots." said Stassi Anastassov, Duracell Powermat Chairman. "The same is true for their offices when they're working hard and at their clubs and concert halls when they're not. At Procter & Gamble, we refer to this as 'innovation that touches and changes people's lives.'" "In today's society our mobile devices have become essential tools in business, entertainment and managing our social lives," said Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, an investor in Duracell Powermat and staunch advocate for wireless technology. "Duracell Powermat has recognized a real need in today's world. The '24 Hour Power System' is a way to keep connected without the worry of losing battery life. Being able to charge wirelessly is a necessary step into the future and Duracell Powermat is leading the way." In keeping with his strong commitment and belief in Duracell Powermat, Jay-Z has adopted the wireless power revolution and made it his own. Wireless charging has already been installed in his 40/40 Club and will soon come to Barclays Center, home to The Brooklyn Nets which he is part owner. "These days our devices are completely wireless yet we're still tied to the umbilical cord when it comes to charging them. Even while we rely on our devices to do so much more, battery power fails to keep pace with our needs...until today. From now on, mobile will mean truly mobile" said Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat Technologies, the developer of the technology behind Duracell Powermat's products. The 24-Hour Power System and the upcoming Wireless Power Nation are the first offerings in a long pipeline of innovation. This is just the beginning of revolutionary things to come from this brand and our strategic partners." |
| Intel's NUC mini-desktop said to cost around $400 Posted: 11 Jun 2012 06:34 AM PDT Intel's Next Unit of Computing mini-desktop is reportedly going to cost around $400 when it arrives in the third quarter of the year. Designed for kiosks and digital signage setups, the weeny box has attracted so much interest from solder-wielding modders that the company expects it to go on general sale. The initial unit will include a Sandy Bridge Core i3, 4GB RAM and a 40GB SSD, while on the outside it'll come with three USB 2.0 ports and dual HDMI outputs. That high price might dampen the spirits of those hoping for an Intel-powered Arduino / Raspberry Pi, but we still expect to see it crop up in plenty of brilliant mods next year. |
| The Apple store is down... here we go Posted: 11 Jun 2012 06:23 AM PDT Down goes the Apple store. Whatever the reason is, it'll be a few short hours until we know what new goodies have been added to Cupertino's boutique. Whatever happens, we'll be right there, detailing all the action in our liveblog -- in the meantime, you can check what we're hoping to see in iOS 6 right here. |
| Editorial: What we want to see in iOS 6 Posted: 11 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT We asked for third party apps, copy and paste, multitasking, wireless sync, data-only messaging and better notifications and year by year, they all arrived. iOS 5 may be one of the most mature, and popular mobile operating systems out there, but that doesn't mean Apple can take the day off. If you'd like to know what we're hoping Scott Forstall announces when he takes to the WWDC stage in a few short hours, head on past the break. More InfoTim: Open up the keyboardI'm quite confident this isn't going to happen, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: I'd like to see Apple open up the keyboard on iOS. I use SwiftKey on my Android device and have absolutely fallen in love with it. It learns my patterns and knows my habits. I can jerkily throw my thumbs at the screen as fast as possible yet still get meaningful sentences out the other end. Stepping back to the iOS keyboard on an iPhone or iPad feels like trading in your Ferrari for a tired Corolla that's seen 150,000 miles of hard use as a rental car.
I'd love to see Apple open things up so that third-parties (namely: SwiftKey) can plug in their own means of textual input. Short of that, Apple needs to take a big step forward with the stock keyboard. It needs to be customizable, it needs to be better about learning what I type and it needs to learn a few tricks from SwiftKey or RIM's slick new keyboard. I need gestures, I need personalization and I need something smart enough to figure out what I meant to type when my big fat thumbs are tapping fast and furious. Dan: Deeper integrationNot a big problem, but the lack of cross-device integration is a niggle, of the type which Cupertino generally believes in eliminating post-haste -- but so far it's been left to fester. Getting an iMessage on my phone, responding and then finding that it's still waiting for me on my desktop and iPad is pretty annoying. Having to start Angry Birds from fresh and clearing Twitter mentions makes me wonder why iCloud isn't doing more of the heavy lifting. The lack of cross-device integration is a niggle, the sort Cupertino believes in eliminating In a similar vein, I'd like to be able to push files between my devices without going through the rigmarole of synching or having to wait for iCloud. Sometimes I'll need an iPhone screenshot for a story and the fastest way of getting that image into my workflow is to email it to myself. Would it be too hard to bake a version of AirDrop (or WiFi Direct) into the OS that would enable me to push the picture straight to my desktop? Jon: Cameras, file systemsHTC and Samsung both upped the ante considerably in camera apps with the One series and Galaxy S III, and Apple will definitely want to equal or beat that in iOS 6. I'd like to see a rapid-fire, best shot camera mode (this may need a new iPhone) to make sure I never miss a shot. I'd also like to see more intelligent tagging and sharing. Samsung already has the ability to share posts with recognized faces to Facebook, but I'd like to see that happen with Twitter, too. Wouldn't it be great if you could upload to Flickr, 500px or Smugmug with tags for people, locations and more already filled in?
For that matter, I'd like Apple to offer a very simplified common file storage area. Not the overly complex file system you get when you plug in most Android phones -- just a "stuff goes here" space that apps can use to share content outside of their own confines. Ideally, you'd see this as a lone folder when you plug the device in or hop on the local WiFi network. It would go a long way towards quelling the gripes of Android fans who think drag-and-drop is a matter of life or death, or that apps need to be more than just islands. Ben: Notifications, messagingApple's yearly iOS refresh cycles aren't for everyone, but the day of WWDC has become something we look forward to with hope. As a prisoner of AT&T and the iPhone, the cost to switch to another platform deters me from looking over the fence too much -- but that doesn't mean I don't hope that Apple addresses my biggest gripes with its OS. Last year, I dreamed of a revamp of the notification system, this year I'm really hoping for glance-able information. It seems crazy to me that when I wake my phone, I'm only presented with the time and a picture -- assuming there aren't any notifications. Speaking of that picture, why not let it change automatically and load my latest photo stream addition instead?
Beyond being able to make better use of the lock screen, I'm really hoping for more APIs -- Siri integration is the most glaring, but the ability for a third party to build a better email program would be huge. If Apple can't do that, it could at least make conversations work right and finish off Exchange ActiveSync integration by adding Out Of Office, Sync Notes, Free Busy look up and GAL Photos support. While we're on the topic of communication, why can't iMessage interact with AIM, Yahoo or Live Messenger? The last item on my wish list is something I remember fondly from my BlackBerry days, which is the ability to schedule alert profiles. Getting woken up at 1am by a text is no fun, but remembering to enable audible alerts after I get up isn't gonna happen either. All in all, iOS has come a long way and serves me well enough, but for my money, iOS 6 can't get here fast enough. |
| Samsung announces GT-B9120 for Android flip phone fans in China Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:32 AM PDT The emergence of Android, and the decline of the flip-phone form factor happened as such, that the two aren't all that well acquainted. Samsung, however, wants to firm-up that relationship, bringing the two together once more. The GT-B9120 is the result. A flip phone with Google's Gingerbread operating system from the Galaxy-maker, headed for the Chinese market. There's dual 3.5-inch 480 x 800 screens, and a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 doing the business. A 5-megapixel camera will send photos off to the 16GB internal storage, and HSPA, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth make up the wireless options. Somewhere someone's dream has just been answered, we just hope that person is in China. |
| Keio University democratizes facial recognition technology for Avatars everywhere (video) Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:54 AM PDT If you liked the look of that facial recognition technology on its way to Everquest II, but aren't so sure on your Froglok allegiance, then a Keio University group may have you covered. A project led by Associate Professor Yasue Mitsukura has developed a similar technology using just an ordinary PC and webcam. The software uses an algorithm that updates in line with the motion of the face, which the makers claim make it very fast and precise. The researchers hope that this real-time, low hardware requirement, system could find its way into the hands of amateur CG animation creators, or -- like the SOEmote solution -- into game controls. So, expect a glut of pimped-out Numa Numa remakes in the not to distant future.
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| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with Verizon LTE hits the FCC Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:28 AM PDT Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 has mooched on through the FCC sporting a bundle of wireless radios that play nicely with Verizon's LTE. Given that it's the same Ice Cream Sandwich-running slate that has already passed through our own testing labs, there aren't any surprises to discover in the Government's report. Except to say that we can probably expect it to pop up at our local boutiques shortly. |
| SmartKey TV HDMI dongle gives ICS brains to any boob tube (updated) Posted: 11 Jun 2012 03:55 AM PDT How many similar devices have to come to light, until a new category is born? Screentop? USBPC? We're going with "Pendroid." Whatever you want to call it, here's another one, this time up the SmartKey TV from Italian firm LiquidTv. Inside its tiny housing are a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor, Mali 400MP GPU, 512MB RAM and 4GB flash storage. There's a USB host port, and one for power, along with a microSD (up to 32GB) card slot, plus wireless in b, g and n flavors. Unlike other products that leave the input solution up to you, this little guy has accessories and a smartphone app purpose-built for that. If you want a slice, it'll cost you €99 (about $125,) or €119 ($150) with a motion sensor remote control. Tune your browser to the Italian video after the break to see it in action. Update: Some people are pointing out the similarities between this product and a Kickstarter project, and it looks like there are some issues between the two. LiquidTv has now removed its existing video demo -- and Infinitec (the company behind a very similar-looking Pendroid project) have been quick to state that the SmartKey TV isn't related to its Pocket TV.
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| China planning manned mission to its own space station, didn't want to be on the ISS anyway Posted: 11 Jun 2012 03:27 AM PDT State news agency Xinhua is reporting that China is planning to launch a manned spacecraft later this month. A Shenzhou-9 capsule and rocket are already in place, and when it launches it'll manually dock with the nation's space station: Tiangong-1. The nation is moving quickly to capitalize on its successes last year, after learning how to dock two objects in high-speed orbit. Once both are linked up, the three astronauts on-board would move across to perform scientific experiments before returning to Earth in the craft, as you do. [Image Credit: China Daily] |
| Microsoft revives free Windows desktop development tools, didn't mean to make you cry Posted: 11 Jun 2012 02:49 AM PDT Microsoft has resuscitated Visual Studio Express for Windows Desktop, a few weeks after deciding to bump it off. The company had wanted to push developers onto the $400 professional edition of the software, but a volley of complaints forced the climbdown. When it arrives in the fall, it'll let hobbyists, beginners and open-source coders create desktop and command-line applications... for free! |
| Noctua's noise-canceling PC fan gets tested, drops twenty decibels Posted: 11 Jun 2012 02:09 AM PDT Having trouble tuning out the hum of your PC fans? Maybe it's time you took another look at Noctua's NF-F12 integrated noise cancellation fan. According to the firm, the Computex prototype kept things about 20dB quieter by utilizing a patented RotoSub ANC technology to emit anti-noise directly from the fan's own blades. Noctura hopes to dampen the cooler's 2,500 RPM hum to the overall noise level of a slower 1,500 RPM fan. Builders looking to piece together a quieter machine can look for the noise reducing cooler an the latter half of 2013. Your old fan? Well, you could always use as a makeshift turntable. Hit the break for a peek at a more silent tomorrow. |
| Nexus 7 tablet will arrive at end of June, says anonymous ASUS source Posted: 11 Jun 2012 01:32 AM PDT We reported the possibility of the ASUS building a 7-inch Nexus tablet earlier, but that rumor just jumped a notch with an unnamed rep confirming to Android Authority that it is indeed working with Google on a quad-core tab. Though the mole wasn't willing to divulge more specifics, previous speculation points to the Tegra-based MeMO 3270T with Jelly Bean, the next iteration of Android. The publicity-shy source also confirmed the device would be coming at the end of June -- putting it within reach of Google's upcoming big event. |
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