Apple updates all-in-one iMac line

Posted in Mac by Conner Flynn on July 27th, 2010

Apple has introduced a new range of all-in-one iMac models which run on your choice of Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors along with powerful new graphics capabilities. Prices start at $1,199 upwards. These are the fastest iMacs ever thanks to dual-core processor speeds of up to 3.6GHz, with quad-core speeds at 2.93GHz.

They are also eco-friendly with Energy Star 5.0 requirements and EPEAT Gold status. Some other specifications include an SD memory card slot in SDXC format, a 256GB solid state drive as a primary or secondary drive, LED-backlit display, and Mac OS X Snow Leopard as the operating system.

HyperMac iPad Stand is also a charger

Posted in iPad accessories by Conner Flynn on July 26th, 2010

We are always looking to minimize desk clutter, so we are always happy to see items like this. HyperShop’s latest iPad stand offers a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery for up to 16 hours of extra life.

Extra life is sweet, even outside of video games. The HyperMac stand has two slots at 18 and 45 degree angles, for superior viewing of movies and easier reading. It will also accept your iPad while it wears Apple’s official case.

iPhone 4 to arrive on T-Mobile on July 30th?

Posted in iPhone by Conner Flynn on July 26th, 2010

Take this one with the necessary grains of salt as it is just a rumor at the moment, but word is that the iPhone 4 might be arriving on T-Mobile’s network on July 30th. If the rumor turns out to be true, the iPhone 4 will be offered without a pay-as-you-go option.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors that T-Mobile would be getting the iPhone and as usual there’s nothing concrete to confirm it. We’ll leave it to you to decide if it’s true or not.

Mac Mini gets colorful thanks to Colorware

Posted in Mac by Conner Flynn on July 26th, 2010

No gadget shall be spared Colorware’s wrath. The Mac Mini is the latest to get it’s technicolor dream coat as the folks at Colorware have added Apple’s Mac Mini to their roster.

The $250 price tag is for the paintjob by itself and it’s $1,000 if you want them to provide the hardware as well. So, who is buying all these colorful gadgets anyway? Probably a handful of rich dudes with a very colorful rainbow home.

Samsung mocks Apple

Posted in Samsung by Conner Flynn on July 23rd, 2010

Samsung just couldn’t resist taking a shot at Apple over the whole Death Grip issue. As Apple is beginning to process the iPhone 4 bumper case refunds today, Samsung UK took a moment to gloat and have some fun by posting a Galaxy S ad.

The ad references the Death Grip and reminds users that the Galaxy S has strong cellular reception. Apple fanboys won’t like it, but it’s pretty funny. Nice one Samsung.

Apple delays white iPhone again

Posted in iPhone by Conner Flynn on July 23rd, 2010

Steve Jobs can’t be happy about this. Apple has another iPhone 4 problem. This time, the elusive white iPhone strikes again, by being delayed again. All we know is that it will arrive sometime “later this year.”

Here is their statement: “White models of Apple’s new iPhone® 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.”

LG can’t meet demand for iPhone and iPad screens from Apple

Posted in Apple by Shane McGlaun on July 23rd, 2010

I think that anyone who has tried to buy a new Apple product like the iPad or iPhone on launch day and the days and weeks thereafter knows that shortages are common. The main reason for shortages of Apple products like these is that Apple can’t get enough screens.

LG Display builds the screens for many of the Apple products including the iPad and iPhone. LG has stated that it will not be able to meet the demand that Apple has for screens.

Free iPhone 4 Bumper Cases will cost Apple $175 million

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on July 21st, 2010

Apple’s recent offer of free bumper cases for the iPhone 4 is generous. Not as generous as a well engineered phone, but still. The move will cost quite a bit. One analyst had previously speculated that a full hardware recall would set Apple back $1.5B. Apple has announced a figure that is a bit easier to swallow.

The free bumper cases for the iPhone 4 will cost the company $175 million. But one still has to ask, how does such an engineering snafu get past Apple in the first place? One wonders if they were trying to save money for some reason. This whole issue is very unlike Apple.

Apple engineer warned Jobs about iPhone antenna early on

Posted in iPhone Accessories by Conner Flynn on July 15th, 2010

Now we have more drama in the Apple antenna saga. Bloomberg says that someone “familiar with the matter” claims Apple’s own antenna expert, Ruben Caballero, told Apple management that the iPhone 4 antenna design could cause problems and dropped calls.

Caballero is a senior engineer for Apple who holds many antenna patents under his belt. We don’t know the whole story but it is the latest twist to this sorted tale and suggests that Steve Jobs had been alerted to this problem during the design phase.

Apple buys mapping company Poly9

Posted in Apple by Conner Flynn on July 14th, 2010

Apple has just purchased another mapping company, Canadian 3D mapping startup Poly9 Group. Poly9 makes a browser based 3D globe similar to that of Google Earth. Neither Apple or Poly9 have confirmed the acquisition yet, but a French Canadian News site states that two of the companies employees have now relocated in Silicon Valley and are bound by a non disclosure agreement.

Last year Apple purchased another mapping company called Placebase, which adds layers of data on top of maps. Looks like they are planning a Google Earth of their own.

Apple deletes mentions of Consumer Reports’ iPhone 4 piece on forums

Posted in Apple by Conner Flynn on July 13th, 2010

Consumer Reports stated that it “can’t recommend” the iPhone 4 until the antenna issues are fixed. It’s labs as well as others have verified the issue. Now it looks like Apple is trying to mind-wipe their users of the whole affair.

Apple has apparently deleted threads about the Consumer Reports article from its support forums. Keep in mind, this is nothing new; there’s moderation, plus the company regularly deletes discussion of hardware flaws that it’s not ready to confess to. Plus, Jobs was responsible for deleting R2-D2′s memory of Anakin building 3PO, so the prequels would make sense. Thank God Apple doesn’t own the internet.

Consumer Reports retracts iPhone 4 recommendation

Posted in iPhone by Conner Flynn on July 12th, 2010

This is not good news for Apple. After initially saying that the iPhone 4′s reception issues were no big deal, Consumer Reports has changed its stance, recognizing that the software fix won’t help matters, and retracting their recommendation. Apparently, they finally got around to testing the device.

And they’ve just discovered the phone’s reception problems, which we have known about since the beginning.

iPhone exclusive deal lawsuit granted class action status

Posted in Apple by Shane McGlaun on July 12th, 2010

There have been a number of lawsuits filed against Apple in the years since the iPhone debuted. Many of the suits were for alleged patent infringement. One of the early suits was against Apple and AT&T over the exclusive deal for the iPhone.

The suit was recently granted class action status, which means anyone who purchased an iPhone all the way back to June 29, 2007 is part of the suit. The core allegation is that consumers who entered into the 2-year agreement were actually in a five-year agreement due to the exclusive deal with AT&T.

Is this the new iPod Shuffle?

Posted in Apple by Conner Flynn on July 9th, 2010

The folks at tw.apple.pro say that this photo comes from “deep inside the throat”(Google Translate). So we are guessing they mean a deep throat like source within the company. It’s a 1.2inch x 1.2inch screen which could be the next iPod Shuffle.

The component is marked “Apple,” and there’s no reason to believe it isn’t legit. But just how would you operate a 1-inch touchscreen? What could you really accomplish on a screen so small?

iPhone 4 catches fire and burns owners hand

Posted in Apple by Shane McGlaun on July 9th, 2010

Apple has had its own share of trouble with its popular gadgets bursting into flames. The allegations resulted in an investigation in Europe. The iPhone 4 has had its share of complaints already with poor reception and other things.

A photo of an iPhone 4 has surfaced that reportedly caught fire as the owner was plugging the device in to charge with the Apple USB cable. The power reportedly burnt his hand.