The Macworld iWorld expo always hosts a number of unique products, and this year was no exception. MacNN was surprised to find no less than three iPhone cases that double as bottle openers. We checked out the Opena case, along with two 'Intoxicase' models offered by Spicebox....
Macintosh News Network, today 05:35
Despite not being able to sell the iPhone, a reportedly leaked employee memo reveals that T-Mobile will begin to offer official support for subscribers using unlocked versions of Apple's popular handset on its network.
Appleinsider, yesterday 23:39
A leaked memo shared online by TmoNews reveals T-Mobile will change its attitude toward its subscribers who use unlocked iPhones on their network. When the iPhone owners call in, T-Mobile staffers are being instructed to handle common procedures. These include information about features and specifications and other basic device questions....
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 22:25
Autodesk was at Macworld showing off a new product for the Mac called Autodesk Inventor Fusion. Autodesk Inventor Fusion is an existing 3D mechanical design software on Windows, but will soon become available for the Mac for the first time. Autodesk made headlines back in 2010 when they returned to the Mac platform after a two decade hiatus. Due to the success they've seen with their existing Mac products, the company will be bringing Inventor Fusion to the Mac. In the next few weeks, Autodesk will be releasing a free Technology Preview for the program which will allow Mac users to download an early version and provide feedback. The final release will come at some point later. Inventor Fusion is meant to be an easier to use tool focused on mechanical design which incorporates physical properties of objects. Autodesk® Inventor® Fusion is 3D modeling software that showcases intuitive direct manipulation capabilities for unrivaled ease of use. By uniting direct modeling and parametric workflows, Inventor Fusion offers the best of both worlds. Designers can freely explore complex shapes and forms while maintaining the underlying parametric history. Inventor Fusion makes it easy to open and edit 3D models from almost any source and incorporate them into your design, enabling rapid design changes without limitations. The software will include seamless cloud access for storage, collaboration and web viewing. Autodesk has a Facebook page set up for Inventor Fusion and will be announcing the Mac download in the near future. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • T-Mobile to Offer Additional Support for iPhone Users on Its Network • Apple Offers Statement on Warranty Disclosures to Italian Customers • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud
Macrumors, yesterday 21:46
Hewlett Packard is showing off a range of new printers at Macworld|iWorld 2012, largely aimed at the home office and small-to-medium business segments. However, a new feature of its latest printer models is what really caught our eye on the show floor. HP's Wireless Direct makes it possible to print documents and images from an iOS device via AirPrint without even knowing the name or password of the local wireless network. All of HP's printers now include the company's ePrint feature, which enables options like wireless printing, sending documents to print via e-mail from anywhere in the world, and directly accessing documents in the cloud. These ePrint capabilities also enable support for Apple's AirPrint standard, according to Marketing Manager Annamaria Pardini, which lets iPhones and iPads to print to a networked printer without any setup, configuration, or driver installation. Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, yesterday 20:05
A U.S. District Judge has ruled that an anti-trust case filed against a number of tech companies can continue, saying "they still have an antitrust claim" according to Bloomberg. [Judge] Koh didn?t take issue with the allegations about the agreements between individual companies, Joseph Saveri, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an interview after the hearing. Instead, Koh has questions about ?how it ties together,? or claims of an over-arching conspiracy between all the companies, he said.The case goes back more than 5 years, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that "no solicitation" agreements appeared in 2005 between Apple, Adobe, Google, Intel, Intuit, Lucasfilm, and Pixar. The agreements prevented companies from contacting employees at other companies who were party to the agreement, though employees were free to apply for jobs at other institutions. The agreements were investigated in 2010 by the Justice Department. The claims were eventually settled, with the companies agreeing not to form no-solicitation agreements for five years. The current lawsuit is a class-action civil suit brought by employees who said they were harmed by the anti-competitive actions of the defendant companies. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Apple Offers Statement on Warranty Disclosures to Italian Customers • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs
Macrumors, yesterday 19:30
Apple's record iPhone sales have led to Android shrinking for the first time in its over three-year history, ABI Research estimated Friday. Operating on the belief that next-closest Samsung shipped 33 million smartphones, it had Android's collective share drop from 52.5 percent in the summer to 47 percent this fall. Apart from the iPhone 4S' launch effect, Android had 'sagging midsection' where LG, Motorola, and Sony had been fighting just to become profitable....
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 17:10
Although there are currently several iPhone models on the market for new users to choose from, a new report points out that (unsurprisingly) 9 out of 10 choose the newer iPhone 4S. Read More: All Things D Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, yesterday 16:58
An exemption from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that has made iPhone "jailbreaking" legal is set to expire, and a digital rights advocacy group hopes the U.S. government will renew and expand that exemption.
Appleinsider, yesterday 16:54
Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly called recent reports on Apple's attitude toward its supply chain "patently false and offensive" in a new e-mail sent internally to Apple employees. Cook's remarks came the same day The New York Times published a lengthy feature about the "human cost" of our iPads, iPhones, and other gadgets. That report, based on sources and interviews conducted by the Times, made the assertion that many of Apple's executives are willing to look the other way when it comes to unsafe conditions and worker abuse because of the pressure to keep gadget costs down. Apple declined to comment for the Times story. In Cook's e-mail, which is published in full at 9to5Mac, Cook indirectly referenced the Times report by opening with, "some people are questioning Apple’s values today, and I’d like to address this with you directly." He went on to describe any accident that happens with Apple's suppliers as "deeply troubling," and addressed Apple's employees who work at supplier sites around the world by saying they're "as outraged by this as I am." The remainder of the letter describes Apple's supplier inspection initiatives and its recent relationship with the Fair Labor Association. "Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us," Cook wrote. "As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It’s not who we are." The Times report in question is worth reading in full; it's full of quotes sourced from former and current Apple executives about the company's view of supply chain problems in China and elsewhere. The prevailing message appears to be that Apple cares to a certain extent, but can pretend certain reports don't exist until there's a PR disaster to deal with (such as the aluminum dust explosion at a Foxconn plant that killed several workers in 2011). It's clear that Cook feels strongly about the new story, and he claims that Apple is committed to improving worker conditions overseas. "What we will not do—and never have done—is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain," he wrote. "On this you have my word." Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, yesterday 16:35
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 15:55
In the wake of yesterday's report regarding treatment of workers at the facilities of Apple's suppliers, Apple CEO Tim Cook has sent an email to company employees addressing the situation. As published by 9to5Mac, the email highlights Apple's efforts to oversee compliance with company standards for workers' rights and the transparency with which it has shared that information. From Cook's opening statement:As a company and as individuals, we are defined by our values. Unfortunately some people are questioning Apple?s values today, and I?d like to address this with you directly. We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain. Any accident is deeply troubling, and any issue with working conditions is cause for concern. Any suggestion that we don?t care is patently false and offensive to us. As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It?s not who we are.Cook thanks those Apple employees who are focused on these issues and notes that the company will continue to increase its efforts.We will continue to dig deeper, and we will undoubtedly find more issues. What we will not do ? and never have done ? is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain. On this you have my word.The New York Times has also highlighted responses from a number of Chinese readers, many of whom note that the issue is certainly not exclusive to Apple and should also be being addressed by government regulations designed to protect workers. Many readers note that China's cheap labor force has enabled the country's rapid economic expansion over the last several decades and the culture is so ingrained across all industries that it will be difficult to change. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs • iPhone 4S Coming to Indonesia, Costa Rica, and France's Free Mobile on January 27
Macrumors, yesterday 15:25
Separate IHS iSuppli and Strategy Analytics studies Friday have backed Apple's rapid return to the top of the smartphone space in the fall. Determining that Samsung had shipped 36 million smartphones, slightly higher than Samsung's preliminary estimates, IHS iSuppli put Apple's 37 million iPhones just on top. Although Samsung nearly quadrupled the amount of smartphones it shipped and moved more year-long, Apple's higher starting point meant it could just double its yearly shipments to stay competitive....
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 13:50
Even as Apple appears to have retaken the top spot among smartphone makers during the fourth quarter of 2011, a new analysis claims the iPhone made up 8.3 percent of the worldwide mobile phone market during the same period.
Appleinsider, yesterday 07:30
Research firm Strategy Analytics today announced its estimates of the global smartphone market for the fourth quarter of 2011, finding that Apple narrowly squeezed by Samsung to retake the title of world's largest smartphone vendor as measured by unit shipments. According to Strategy Analytics' numbers, Apple's 37 million iPhones narrowly eclipsed Samsung's quarterly smartphone shipments of 36.5 million units.Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, ?While Apple took the top spot in smartphones on a quarterly basis, Samsung became the market leader in annual terms for the first time with 20 percent global share during 2011. With global smartphone shipments nearing half a billion units in 2011, Samsung is now well positioned alongside Apple in a two-horse race at the forefront of one of the world?s largest and most valuable consumer electronics markets.?Strategy Analytics showed Apple first taking the title in the second quarter of 2011 as it passed Nokia and held off a surging Samsung to become the world's largest smartphone vendor. But Apple's reign at the top was short-lived as Samsung easily topped the list in the third quarter on continued growth paired with a pause in iPhone sales ahead of the iPhone 4S launch. With the iPhone 4S launch now fueling Apple's numbers, it was able to retake the lead from Samsung in the fourth quarter, although it was not able to top the charts for full-year 2011. One caveat for numbers released by Strategy Analytics and other research firms comes from the fact that Samsung no longer reports mobile phone sales numbers, ending the practice in mid-2010 for competitive reasons. Consequently, observers can only estimate Samsung's sales numbers based on the company's financial performance and other evidence. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs • iPhone 4S Coming to Indonesia, Costa Rica, and France's Free Mobile on January 27
Macrumors, yesterday 05:13
Apple overtook Samsung in the fourth quarter of 2011 to grab the top spot among global smartphone makers, earning 23.9 percent of the market with sales of 37 million iPhones, according to one set of estimates.
Appleinsider, yesterday 04:50
UK-based RealMac Software, known for titles like Rapidweaver and Little Snapper, will be releasing a new to-do app in the next few weeks called Clear. The app is a collaboration with MacHeist organizer Phill Ryu, engineer Milen Dzhumerov and artist David Lanham, and puts an iPhone-centric, gesture-oriented but minimalist spin on the idea of a to-do list, focusing on visual design rather than excessive features....
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 04:00
App publishers on Apple's App Store typically see a significant first-day revenue jump of 52 percent for iPad apps and 41 percent for iPhone apps and and 19 percent and 22 percent overall, respectively, when they put their software on sale, according to a new analysis.
Appleinsider, yesterday 03:45
Distimo has taken a fresh look at mobile app promos that has shown a sharp contrast in their effects on Android and iOS apps. Being featured in the official store has the most impact on Android, the research found. An Android developer typically jumps 42 spots in the popular rankings in the first three days after it's highlighted in Android Market, where iOS App Store titles jump a relatively small 27 spots on the iPad and just 15 on the iPhone....
Macintosh News Network, yesterday 01:25
Macworld | iWorld carries the usual collection of iPhone cases and accessories, not all of which are insanely great. But here are a few interesting ones that were on the show floor as I made my way through the masses. Opena Case and Intoxicase were both showing off iPhone cases with built in bottle openers. Intoxicase's even integrates with an app that counts the number of openings. Not sure the demand for such a thing, but here they are. WaveCradle is simple aluminum stand that amplifies the audio coming from your iPhone. The stand simple curves the audio towards the listener and they claim an 8 decibel increase. Cradles cost from $19.85 to $28.50. Nomad Brush sells capacitive tipped paint brushes for use on your iPad. The iPad can't sense pressure, so the use of these special brushes is primarily for feel. Artists may be more accustomed to using a brush than their finger. Brushes cost from $18 to $39. iLidiPhoneCase claims to be the thinnest iPhone wallet case. It's priced at $39.95 and is shipping in a few weeks. The floor model felt a bit plastic-y, however. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs • iPhone 4S Coming to Indonesia, Costa Rica, and France's Free Mobile on January 27
Macrumors, 26.01.12
We briefly mentioned WDC's press release that they would be showing their new MyBook Thunderbolt Duo at Macworld. Here are photos from the show floor of the unit. As expected, the new drive shares the same appearance as their previous two drive MyBook hardware. This new model, however, incorporates two Thunderbolt ports that allows the units to be daisy chained with each other to create a single logical drive. At the show, WDC was showing 4 devices daisy chained with Thunderbolt in a striped configuration. Each MyBook Thunderbolt Duo had two 3TB drives, giving a total capacity of 24TB that appeared on the desktop as one contiguous 24TB device. The individual drives within each unit are user serviceable/replaceable and can be configured in either RAID 0 or RAID 1 configurations. The product will be available this quarter with pricing to be announced then. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • Valve Releases Steam Companion App for iPhone • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs • iPhone 4S Coming to Indonesia, Costa Rica, and France's Free Mobile on January 27
Macrumors, 26.01.12
Despite the customary price drop of Apple's last generation iPhone 4 and the free-on-contract iPhone 3GS, the company's newest handset dominated sales and has seen strong numbers not only from early adopters, but "conventional" smartphone users as well.
Appleinsider, 26.01.12
On the heels of Apple's announcement of the biggest quarter in company history, two of the iPhone maker's rivals -- Nokia and Nintendo -- have reported significant losses.
Appleinsider, 26.01.12
Earlier this week, Apple reported its best quarterly earnings ever, taking in more than $46 billion over three months. 53% of that revenue was from the sale of 37 million iPhones, at an average selling price of nearly $660. This ASP is particularly impressive, considering this is the first quarter that Apple has sold a "free" iPhone in the U.S. -- the iPhone 3GS is available for free to new two-year contract signers on AT&T. Apple's iPhone ASP has remained fairly consistent, hovering between $622 and $660 for most of the phone's lifespan. With Apple offering their cheapest iPhones yet this quarter, some analysts wondered if that would have a negative effect on the iPhone's ASP. It seems that demand for the 64GB iPhone 4S -- the most expensive iPhone yet at $849 -- has easily offset the cheaper iPhone 3GS and 4 models. All Things D reports estimates from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners that claim 89% of iPhone purchases in the U.S. were for the iPhone 4S, with only 4% of buyers choosing the iPhone 3GS. More relevant for the discussion above, CIRP estimates that higher-end 4S models sold particularly well, with 21% of 4S purchasers opting for the 64GB model and 34% picking up the 32GB. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories • When iPhone Apps Are Reduced In Price, Sales Go Up 22% • Google Signs Off on Motorola Lawsuit Seeking Injunction Against iPhone 4S and iCloud • Stephen Fry Narrates The World of Dinosaurs • iPhone 4S Coming to Indonesia, Costa Rica, and France's Free Mobile on January 27 • Apple Seeds OS X 10.7.3 Build 11D50 to Developers
Macrumors, 26.01.12
The topic of Apple in the enterprise can often be a heated one—as we've learned over the years via our forums and story comments. But according to a newly published report from Forrester Research, Apple is indeed "infiltrating the enterprise." Apple products have become a growing presence in many workplaces, and as a result, says Forrester, vendors will need to change the way they deal with their clients. Forrester surveyed 9,912 workers in 17 countries to discover that 21 percent of "information workers" use one or more Apple products as part of their job (one percent reported using three Apple devices for work). The most common of those devices was an iPhone, followed closely by the iPad and then the Mac. Forrester says that close to 50 percent of firms in mature markets offer Macs at the office as well, but only 30 percent of survey respondents said their companies support them, "implying that a significant percentage of companies issue Macs but don’t officially support them." Read the comments on this post
Ars Technica, 26.01.12