Archive for Apple
Aug
19
Apple Releases MacBook Pro Firmware To Silence Those 7200 RPM HDDs
Posted by: | Comments
That new MacBook Pro’s 7200 RPM HDD singing you too many ballads lately? As promised, Apple today released a new firmware update to silence that troublemaker. If it doesn’t come up through automatic system update, you can obtain Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0 (catchy name, eh?) via the read link. Admit it, you’re gonna feel just a teensy bit lonelier once your laptop stops chirping so much.
Apple today also released Bluetooth Firmware Update 2.0.1, which alongside various bug fixes improves compatibility with the company’s wireless mouse and keyboards on all machines with the Broadcom chipset — that includes all unibody laptops and any Mac released in 2009.
Jun
21
Apple Giving $30 iTunes Credit For iPhone 3GS Activation Snafu
Posted by: | Comments
Following iPhone 3GS/AT&T activation delays that were in some cases 48 hours long, Apple has allegedly responded with a $30 “We’re sorry” gift that will be good at the iTunes Store on Monday.
Notification came by way of an email, which we’ve seen from Giz readers as well as around the Net this weekend:
Dear Apple Customer,
Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in your iPhone activation.
We are still resolving the issue that was encountered while activating your iPhone with AT&T. Unfortunately, due to system issues and continued high activation volumes, this could take us up to an additional 48 hours to complete.
On Monday, you’ll receive an email from Apple with an iTunes Store credit in the amount of $30. We hope you will enjoy this gift and accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this delay has caused.
Thank you for choosing Apple.
Sincerely,
Apple Online Store Team
So, on the one hand you’re going to get $30 in free stuff from Apple on Monday. On the other hand you could be one of the unlucky saps on the far end of this issue who’s about to experience 96 hours without a phone. Worse still, your new iPhone 3GS could be singing to you right now too.
Jun
17
Apple Responds To Pre’s iTunes Compatibility
Posted by: | Comments
Remember not that long ago when we let you know that the Pre would be able to sync with iTunes straight out of the box? Well we knew it was only a matter of time before Apple tried to do something about it. While the likely have no legal grounds to take action directly against Palm, they’ve already warned users that the functionality isn’t going to last. They released a support note that stated the following:
Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.
What this means is simply that they know of the Pre’s capabilities, and they’re going to make sure that it won’t work with a future version of iTunes. I love iTunes, and while I also am very happy with my iPhone, I don’t see any reason why those with a Pre shouldn’t be able to enjoy similar compatibility. So here’s my advice: Go to Apple’s site, download the latest version of iTunes. Now save the installation file somewhere safe. Now you’ll always have a version of iTunes that works with your Pre.
May
27
Ubisoft CEO Predicts New Apple Gaming Hardware
Posted by: | Comments
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot predicted today not just a coming generation of consoles and a gaming revolution in set-top boxes, but a bigger gaming play by Apple than just the iPhone.
Yves Guillemot crossed his name off the list of people who have yet to predict that Apple will become a bigger player in gaming hardware today. He did that as part of his explanation about how he thinks the home console market is going to transform gaming as we know it.
“There’s also a new entrant in the business,” he said, after riffing off the looming gaming potential of set-top boxes. “[That entrant is] Apple, with the iPhone. And we don’t think they will stop there.”
Guillemot made the comments about Apple during Ubisoft’s conference call to report the company’s finanicial results for its fiscal year ended in March. The head of the company behind hits such as Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell has repeatedly addresses the topic of the next generation of consoles in these earnings costs. He touched on it again, when asked by a financial analyst on the call: “We will see more customers coming to the video game industry .. they will start also to come under the boxes you see under the TV because those TV boxes will be more powerful.. We will see more consoles on which we will be able to put products. As for the next generation of consoles we can’t give you a date but from what we see there is a lot of energy to improve the consoles [that are out now.] We are already working on some of the elements that will appeal in the next generation.”
The allusion to the impending importance of gaming via set-top boxes prompted a follow-up question from an anlyst, and this produced more specificity about why the devices like cable boxes might begin to be discussed in the same breath as Xboxes and Wii: “You saw new interfaces with the Wiimote and also with the DS with the stylus,” Guillemot said. “What we see for the future is they will also be big announcement in interfaces. It will not only happen in consoles but also happen on those TV boxes as well.”
And right after that, Guillemot made his remark about Apple.
One of Guillemot’s older brothers, Michel, runs GameLoft, one of the most aggressive developers of games for Apple’s iPhone.
Apr
25
PSX-2 iPod A/V Dock,Enhanced,Media Center-Style Interface On Your TV
Posted by: | Comments
According to Universal Remote Control, the PSX-2 iPod dock offers UI functions other A/V docks don’t, letting you use your universal remote for things like alphabetical search and EQ adjustments. Plus, the UI looks nice.
URC says the distinct advantage to their “PSX-2 Personal Server” UI is that they don’t mimic the menu structure of the iPod, which uses more limited input options. Instead, the PSX-2 lets you use shortcut macros, and advanced metadata features that lets you create playlists on the fly, and sort music by specific categories with the press of a button. You can even use URC’s MX-6000 touchscreen universal remote to navigate the UI without a TV at all.
The PSX-2 also has an ethernet port, so you can connect to your network and sync your iPod to any local computer without directly tethering it.
The claim that the PSX-2 is server-like doesn’t seem entirely analogous—it only plays back on the device it’s wired to—but judging from the images and feature sheet, the UI will definitely give some non-networked media centers a run for their money. That said, being the niche home theater product that it is, it’s also pricey—the PSX-2 retails for $400.
UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL UNVEILS THE PSX-2 PERSONAL SERVER
The PSX-2 redefines the concept of the iPod dock, offering unprecedented and rich control, and turning the popular portable multimedia player into a fully integrated and highly functional source on a home media network.
Harrison, NY – April 2009 – Universal Remote Control®, Inc. (URC), the pioneer in control technology, today announces the PSX-2 Personal Server, which enables custom installers to deliver unmatched iPod docking functionality to consumers who seek truly integrated home entertainment experiences. With the PSX-2 Personal Server, users can control iPods like never before, all from the comfort and convenience of the same remote controls they use to control their TVs and home audio systems-and with a much higher and more customized level of control than is available on the iPod itself.
Apr
13
New Shuffle Costs Apple $21.77 to Build
Posted by: | Comments
According to a new teardown report by iSuppli, the $79, third generation iPod shuffle costs Apple a total of $21.77 to build and box. Here’s the cost per component:
Main Processing Chip (Samsung)
$5.98
4GB Flash Memory (Samsung)
$6
Lithium Ion Battery (Smallest iSuppli had ever seen)
$1.20
Various Capacitors and Resistors (Smallest iSupply had ever seen, a grain of salt a pop)
Less than a penny each
The prices of the headphones, body and case were unspecified, but apparently those components make up the other half of the shuffle’s component cost to Apple. And with the build price at just 28% of the sale price, the shuffle should be Apple’s most profitable iPod ever, even if iSuppli’s report doesn’t account for expenses like R&D.
Apr
12
Apple Working On Large Touch Tablet
Posted by: | Comments
Most of the WSJ article is dribble and a rehash of things we already know, but sources “familiar with the matter” are saying that Jobs is still leading the company from home. And that he has been instrumental in new product development and strategy like OS 3.0 for the iPhone.
Those same sources say that Apple is working on new iPhone and iPod Touch models (duh) as well as a tablet that’s bigger than the aforementioned but smaller than current laptops.
Apr
10
Apple Counts Down Up to 1 Billion Apps -The Contest
Posted by: | CommentsWin $10,000 iTunes Gift Card, MacBook Pro and More
Can you imagine? The App Store hit 500 million downloads just three months ago, and Apple’s already counting down to 1 billion. Crazier still, they’re giving away free stuff to celebrate.
It’s pretty easy—download any app from your computer, iPhone or iPod touch (or fill out this form) and you’re automatically entered to win. Every app download counts as an entry, though you’re limited to 25 entries a day.
The prize package includes a $10,000 iTunes Gift card, “fully loaded” MacBook Pro, 32GB iPod touch and Time Capsule. Which is actually a really conservative prize package—worth around $14,500. Where’s the $100,000 iTunes gift card? The titanium-plated MacBook Pro? The iPod touch polished with Steve Jobs’ tears? You only turn 1,000,000,000 once, you know.
With only about 70 million apps to go, we’ve got less than two weeks before the big 1-0 (0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0). What are you going to download? Apple
