We apologize if this is getting confusing. At first there were supposed to be updated MacBook Airs coming today with OS X Lion, then it was reported that we’d see new hardware from Apple on July 26th.
Now, it appears that new MacBook Airs with backlit keyboards and more storage could be coming as soon as next week!
Do you remember Apple’s OS X Downloads page? That page used to be a resource for many of the best apps and widgets on the Mac.
We say “used to” because the OS X Downloads page has actually been shut down and replaced with a pretty Mac App Store banner.
Apple has come a long way since the 1970s. While the Mac was seen for years as a niche product that would never appeal to a mass audience, Apple has just been declared the third largest PC vendor in the US.
Apple went from fifth place to third this business quarter with a 10.7% stake in the US PC market.
Lion is just around the corner, and there are already compatible apps showing up in the App Store. Apple asked developers to start submitting apps for Lion a couple of days ago, and Apple has already approved some Lion-compatible apps for the Mac.
The newest speculation is that Lion will drop on July 26th. That’s nearly two weeks for devs to get their apps submitted and ready.
While there’s still hope that OS X Lion will drop today, the chances are slim. Previous speculation was that Apple would announce Lion alongside new Mac hardware today, but that hasn’t seemed to pan out just yet.
So when is it coming? We’ve received a tip that claims a July 26th Lion launch date, seemingly confirming a similar report earlier today… and our tipster received his word straight from an Apple Store Genius’s mouth.
Poor Microsoft. While Apple’s sales and profits have been on the upward trend for the past several years, Microsoft hasn’t nearly as much growth in the computer or mobile business.
In an effort to expand the “Microsoft story,” the Redmond based company has launched the initiative to build 75 new US retail stores in the next 2-3 years. 75 stores hardly competes with Apple’s 300+ worldwide retail locations, but at least it’s something to start with for Microsoft.
Apple has finally bought the two domain names “iPhone4.com” and “WhiteiPhone.com.” It’s difficult to keep track of all the domains Apple actually owns (remember iCloud?), but it seems as though the company has finally ponied up the cash for two already-released products.
We’re not really sure why Apple is just now acquiring a domain for the iPhone 4 and white iPhone, but hey, it’s never too late.
It’s no secret that Apple retail stores have been a phenomenal success. In terms of sales growth, Apple is the fastest-growing retailer in the US.
Apple store sales have seen a staggering 80% increase since last year, and sales show no sign of slowing anytime soon.
Remember that new Mac hardware we told you about? Apple is planning on releasing some new Macbook Air, white Macbook, and Mac mini models tomorrow.
While that’s good news, there seems to be even better news for international customers: price cuts!
Netflix has introduced a new pricing structure that doesn’t bode well for those that still watch DVDs. Instead of the very reasonable price of $9.99 for unlimited DVDs and streaming content, you’ll now have to pay a nearly doubled price of $15.98/month for the same package.
You know what they say, ignorance is bliss. According to a study by Retrevo, 34% of iPhone users believe that they already have a ‘4G’ device. AT&T and Verizon are starting to aggressively market their 4G networks, and new, 4G-equipped smartphones are hitting the shelves from iPhone competitors, like Android.
The typical consumer can be easily confused by similar numbering and phrasing in marketing, and the iPhone “4” seems to be the reason for all of this 4G confusion.
The latest word on the street is that Apple will introduce a new iPod touch this Fall with the capability to run on a 3G network. This rumor has been built off previous reports that a cheaper iPhone “Nano” would be introduced alongside a new, flagship iPhone. Now there’s a render. What do you think?
You’ll soon be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard with the Apple TV, and there’s a good chance that devices like the iPad and iPhone will also serve as remotes for the set-top box in the near future.
Bluetooth support has been uncovered in the latest Apple TV model, and iOS 5 will also have this Bluetooth support when it’s released this Fall. Apple is clearly positioning the Apple TV as an all-in-one place for entertainment in the living room, and this Bluetooth discovery hints that the Apple TV will soon become a place for your favorite App Store apps.
Apple may have just released iOS 5 Beta 3 today, but the Dev Team never rests, and the beta has already been jailbroken using the popular tool, RedSn0w. The mouse hasn’t exactly gotten the cat by the tail this time around, though. If you jailbreak iOS 5 Beta 3, prepare to give up all of your third-party App Store apps as punishment.
We’ve been hearing that Apple’s next desktop operating system, OS X Lion, will be released on July 14th. Alongside Lion, there have also been rumors that Apple will release a new MacBook Air and Mac Pro model at the same time.
Apple is reportedly set to release new machines with Intel’s Sandy Bridge chips. The new MacBook Airs aren’t expected to have an exterior design change, but instead focus on improved internal hardware. The updated Mac Pros are rumored to have a rack-mountable, narrower enclosure.
As you probably know, Apple and Samsung have been battling each other in court over a heated “copycat” lawsuit for awhile now. Apple accused Samsung of stealing the iPhone’s design for Samsung’s own series of smartphones, and Samsung has been retaliating with counterclaims.
Pretty standard stuff. What makes the legal battle between Apple and Samsung more interesting is that Apple has been using Samsung as an internal parts provider for the iPhone. Now that’s about to end. In the midst of this copycat legal battle, it appears that Apple is looking to give Samsung a swift kick to the gut by taking its $5 billion/year parts order business elsewhere.