* Price includes automatic 3% discount for AppleInsider readers when purchasing through the links above.
For savings on the remainder of Apple's Mac product family, see our full-fledged Mac Pricing Guide |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Samsung Galaxy Note Super Bowl ad takes more...
- Apple now worth more than Google and Microsoft...
- 2%-3% dividend suggested as best use of...
- Apple to disrupt notebook space with radically...
- Worker abuse petitions to be delivered...
- CNN investigates Foxconn iPad factory...
- Motorola seeking 2.25% of Apple's sales for...
- Workers' rights petitions delivered to Apple's...
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Amazon gets creative with focus on original video content
A set of job postings by Amazon for creative executives to oversee the production of original video series reflects the online retailer's interest in challenging the industry film and television studios with exclusive video content. ( 5 comments )
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs did serve on White House council in '90s
The U.S. Commerce Department has confirmed that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs did in fact serve on former President George H.W. Bush's Export Council during the 1990s. ( 12 comments )
Swiss company seeks iPhone, Apple TV ban over alleged patent infringement
Small Switzerland-based technology company SmartData looks to ban sales of the iPhone and Apple TV, claiming that when the devices are used together via Apple's Remote app, the combination infringes on the firm's "modular computer" patent. ( 29 comments )
Apple looks to end Motorola patent attack in Germany with U.S. suit
Apple stayed on the legal offensive Friday, filing a new lawsuit in a U.S. court that claims Motorola Mobility's recent patent barrage of patent claims in Germany is in breach of a licensing agreement between the RAZR maker and Qualcomm. ( 29 comments )
Apple now offers basic 13-in. $999 MacBook Air to education buyers
Apple has begun selling a less powerful version of its 13.3-inch MacBook Air to educational institutions buying in bulk for $999, filling the void left by the recently discontinued white MacBook. ( 23 comments )
Apple lodges new suit against Samsung over autocorrect, screen unlock
Apple this week filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. against rival Samsung, with the latest complaint related to autocorrection of spelling, as well as unlocking a device from its touchscreen. ( 45 comments )
Apple to disrupt notebook space with radically redesigned MacBook Pros
While most of its rivals are struggling to match innovations Apple pioneered with its first MacBook Airs over three years ago, the Mac maker this year is hoping to further distance itself from the competition with a pair of radically redesigned professional offerings that will set the tone for the next wave of notebook computing. ( 161 comments )
AT&T's 4G-compatible micro-SIM cards prompt speculation of LTE 'iPad 3'
AT&T stores have begun receiving new micro-SIM cards compatible with the carrier's LTE 4G network, prompting speculation that they could be compatible with a new third-generation iPad from Apple compatible with 4G LTE networks. ( 37 comments )
2%-3% dividend suggested as best use of Apple's $100B in cash
The best use of Apple's nearly $100 billion in cash and investments would be to issue shareholders a dividend yield of between 2 percent and 3 percent, a new analysis argues. ( 177 comments )
German court dismisses Motorola's 3G-related suit against Apple
A German court has ruled that Apple's wireless products do not infringe on inventions related to 3G/UMTS owned by rival Motorola Mobility. ( 20 comments )
Motorola puts blame on Google for lag on Android updates
A Motorola Mobility executive has said Google's practice of creating a flagship model for each software update for its Android mobile operating system is the reason that vendors have a hard time keeping their devices up to date. ( 45 comments )
Apple again highlights Siri with new 'Road Trip,' 'Rock God' iPhone 4S ads
Apple on Thursday posted two new video ads showcasing how the Siri virtual assistant on the iPhone 4S can help people achieve dreams like cross-country road trips and playing in a rock band. ( 34 comments )
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
iTunes customers facing mysterious account hacks, disappearing gift card money
Scattered reports from customers suggest that Apple continues to have a difficult time combating hackers who are draining iTunes account balances and changing account information. ( 64 comments )
Apple said to be in 'crunch mode' to ready 'iPad 3' apps for on-stage demos, ads
As evidence continues to point toward an early March launch for the next-generation iPad, a new report claims that Apple is now in "crunch mode" as it prepares for on-stage demonstrations and television commercials highlighting apps for the device. ( 55 comments )
Google reportedly working on wireless home entertainment system
Google's Android unit is rumored to be developing a wireless home entertainment system that is capable of streaming music throughout the home, and if launched would be the first consumer electronics product designed and marketed under the Google brand. ( 38 comments )
Samsung Galaxy 10.1N cleared for sale in Germany
One week after denying Apple an injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1N, a German court on Thursday officially cleared the reworked Samsung tablet for sale after the original was banned for copying the "look and feel" of the iPad. ( 37 comments )
Inside Sandboxing: how Apple plans to make the Mac App Store as secure as iOS
Apple is approaching its deadline for requiring that all apps sold in the Mac App Store be sandboxed for security, a policy that is drawing complaints from certain developers. ( 23 comments )
AT&T throttling unlimited data users starting at 2 GB per month based on location
The story of an AT&T customer having his bandwidth throttled after transferring only 2 GB of a so-called unlimited data plan has created a maelstrom of press, and has forced the company to detail exactly how it handles the increasingly overwhelming demand for data. ( 62 comments )
Apple employee says upcoming iPad 3 to have "truly amazing" screen
According to a source described as "an Apple employee," the next iPad will be released at an event in early March, with a faster processor and an improved, "truly amazing" display. ( 82 comments )
Workers' rights petitions delivered to Apple's Grand Central store
As promised, activists on Thursday hand-delivered signed petitions to Apple's store in Grand Central Terminal, which were politely accepted by retail employees. ( 133 comments )
US NOAA ditches BlackBerry, chooses Apple's iPhone and iPad
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the latest government organization to adopt Apple's iPhone and iPad after ditching Research in Motion's BlackBerry. ( 79 comments )
FBI file on Steve Jobs reveals he was considered for White House position
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has released its 191-page file on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, revealing he was considered for an appointment to the White House in 1991, and that there was a bomb threat against him in 1985. ( 45 comments )
Apple now worth more than Google and Microsoft combined [u]
First on AI: Apple's stock soared to new heights on Thursday, pushing the company's market capitalization to $456 billion, a number that is greater than the values of rivals Google and Microsoft combined. ( 188 comments )
Apple exploring 3D frame-of-reference iOS interface based on eye, light location
Apple has shown interest in creating a unique user interface for iOS, allowing new features like dynamic shadows based on the angle of light hitting an iPhone screen. ( 20 comments )
Apple said to hold 'iPad 3' event first week in March
Apple will reportedly hold a media event the first week in March in San Francisco to unveil its third-generation iPad, which is expected to go on sale soon after it is unveiled. ( 70 comments )
Pictured Sharp LCD panel claimed to be Retina Display for Apple's 'iPad 3'
Another leaked component photo shows an LCD panel manufactured by Sharp that is claimed to be a 9.7-inch Retina Display for Apple's anticipated third-generation iPad. ( 40 comments )
Leaked photo allegedly shows outside back cover of Apple's next iPad
On the heels of an earlier purported leak of the back panel of the third-generation iPad, new leaked photos have emerged showing an external view of the back panel of the rumored device, as well as magnets for an "iPad 3" Smart Cover. ( 16 comments )
Alleged Foxconn hack allowed bogus orders to be placed for vendors
A "Greyhat" hacking group announced this week that it had successfully hacked contract manufacturer Foxconn and released usernames and passwords for vendors that could be used to place fraudulent orders for companies like Apple and Microsoft. ( 9 comments )
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
White MacBook sales come to close as Apple ceases sales to education institutions
Apple has reportedly notified resellers that the white polycarbonate MacBook is now officially classified as "End of Life" and has been discontinued. ( 19 comments )
Google says it won't support fair licensing in open standards as Apple, Microsoft, Cisco have
In a distinct departure from the agreement voiced between Apple, Cisco and Microsoft regarding the need for fair, transparent, understandable and consistent licensing policy for open standards, Google has promised to continue to wage Motorola's increasingly hostile patent wars. ( 128 comments )
Cisco backs Apple's ETSI request for fair and open licensing of standards patents
Cisco Systems filed its own letter to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute last week, backing Apple's position calling for "more consistent and transparent application of FRAND" licensing commitments among the standards body's members. ( 9 comments )
Doubts cast on likelihood of quad-core A6 CPU in third-gen iPad
A new report has countered rumors that the processor expected to power Apple's third-generation iPad will be a quad-core model, noting instead that the chip will still be dual-core, though with a "significantly more powerful" graphics processor. ( 55 comments )
Path apologizes, offers opt-out for address book uploading
Social networking app Path issued an apology through its blog on Wednesday for the implementation of a back-end "feature" that uploaded a user's iPhone contacts list to the company's servers, and released an update to remedy the problem with new opt-in/opt-out settings. ( 27 comments )
iTunes Match generates 'magic money' for music copyright holders
As the first iTunes Match royalties trickle in, online music distribution company TuneCore says that the service created money "out of thin air" as it monetizes music whether pirated or not. ( 38 comments )
Siri rumored to gain support for Mandarin, Japanese and Russian in March
An Apple software engineer reportedly working on the Chinese-language version of the company's Siri voice assistant says support for Mandarin, Japanese and Russian will be added in March, as well as localized navigation and information services. ( 28 comments )
US Air Force may buy 18,000 Apple iPads for cargo aircraft
The U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command recently put out a notice that it plans to buy as many as 18,000 of Apple's iPad for use on cargo aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster. ( 27 comments )
Purported 'iPad 3' back panel shows space for larger battery, new LCD
A component claimed to be the back panel for Apple's anticipated third-generation iPad shows room for a larger battery, and also implies the display will be mounted differently. ( 30 comments )
Worker abuse petitions to be delivered Thursday at Apple's Grand Central store
An activist group plans to hold demonstrations at Apple retail stores around the world Thursday, with a main gathering held at Apple's Grand Central Terminal location, to highlight claims of worker abuse by the iPhone maker's overseas component suppliers. ( 153 comments )
Microsoft joins Apple in pledging support for injunction free, FRAND patent licensing
Microsoft has issued a public statement outlining its position regarding standards essential patents, committing itself "to always adhere to the promises it has made to standards organizations to make its standard essential patents available on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms." The move joins an effort initiated by Apple last fall, and begs for comment from Google to do the same. ( 31 comments )
iPhone best at retaining resale value and offers lowest total cost of ownership
A study by Priceonomics "indicates that Apple phones are a better value than smartphones on other platforms," adding, "the market has spoken, and Android and Blackberrys do not age well." ( 23 comments )
iTunes-sponsored live Paul McCartney concert to stream for free on Apple TV
A live concert from legendary artist Paul McCartney will be streamed live by Apple to iTunes and Apple TV set-top boxes on Thursday. ( 16 comments )
Mobile carriers hate not having iPhone, pay premiums to get it
A flurry of reports have insinuated that the larger upfront subsidies carriers pay to gain access to the iPhone are "not good for wireless carriers," with one blog claiming "carriers hate the iPhone," despite facts indicating the opposite. ( 21 comments )
Viacom deal brings MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon shows to Amazon Prime
Amazon on Wednesday confirmed that it has inked a deal with another major content provider — Viacom — to bring shows from networks like MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, TV Land VH1 to its Prime Instant Video subscription service. ( 30 comments )
European Apple resellers say lack of inventory is putting them out of business
Apple's network of authorized "Premium Resellers" across Europe have complained that they are no longer a priority since Apple began expanding its own retail locations. ( 79 comments )
Sprint sold 1.8M iPhones in holiday quarter, 40% to new subscribers
Sprint, the third-largest wireless carrier in the U.S., announced on Wednesday that it sold 1.8 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2011, with 40 percent of those to new subscribers. ( 33 comments )
Apple continues adding Lion Internet Recovery support to 2010 Macs
Apple on Tuesday released several EFI firmware updates for its 2010 Macs to enable the Lion Internet Recovery feature to the older machines. ( 21 comments )
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Amazon nears deal with Viacom as it readies standalone video subscriptions
Amazon is reportedly close to finalizing a Web video licensing agreement with Viacom and is nearly ready to launch a standalone video subscription service that would challenge Netflix. ( 10 comments )
Apple asks ETSI standards body to set rules for standards essential patents
Apple addressed the European Telecommunications Standards Institute in November, asking the organization to set clear polices governing how its member companies license their patents. ( 18 comments )
Path app under fire for unauthorized address book upload
Path, a popular social networking iPhone app, has come under heavy criticism after it was discovered that it uploads users' address books to its servers without asking for permission. ( 20 comments )
Google to continue Motorola's FRAND licensing that seeks to monopolize H.264, UMTS
Google's worst fears about greedy H.264 patent holders and "bogus patent" warfare involving Android are coming true, albeit at the hands of Motorola, a company it seeks to acquire. Google is now promising to continue this same behavior itself after it buys the increasingly unreasonable and (outside of patent claims) unprofitable Android licensee. ( 113 comments )
