I’ve been using Apple’s Magic Trackpad for just over a week, and I can confidently say it’s replaced the mouse for me.
The Magic Trackpad is easier to use, much more functional than even a multibutton mouse, and possibly less prone to causing repetitive strain injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDp1MGlfGQ8
Talking of mobile phone companies in trouble, here’s a first look at Nokia’s upcoming mobile platform, MeeGo.
Still under development in partnership with Intel, MeeGo is a Linux-based mobile OS for a wide range of mobile devices, from pocket computers and smartphones to internet TVs and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
In the video above, you can see the user adding social networking contacts to the address book; buying an app; and playing a tune. Unfortunately, there’s no commentary, but it’s easy enough to follow along.
It looks pleasant enough, but nothing stunning. You can get all of this and more in well-made iOS apps.
Check out this fascinating chart from The Economist regarding IT industry revenues, profits, employees and so on. The two monsters of the space are HP and IBM, which both have double the revenues of Apple, and more than 10x the number of employees.
The story, The end of Wintel, compares the giants of the IT industry in terms of how vertically integrated they are.
The shift to mobile computing and data centres (also known as “cloud computing”) has speeded up the “verticalisation” of the IT industry. Imagine that the industry is a stack of pancakes, each representing a “layer” of technology: chips, hardware, operating systems, applications. Microsoft, Intel and other IT giants have long focused on one or two layers of the stack. But now firms are becoming more vertically integrated. For these new forms of computing to work well, the different layers must be closely intertwined.
Apple, whose products have always been more integrated, is building a huge data centre and also offering web-based services.
As I argued in Inside Steve’s Brain, Apple is ascendant these days because of its vertical integration. It’s into the whole stack, from chips to online advertising. And despite what the chart says, will also likely be into cloud computing.
Apple’s iPhone 4 is a smash hit and the latest Android handsets are getting rave reviews. Apple and Google are snapping at RIM’s heels, still the smartphone market leader. To counter the attacks, RIM has just released a new OS, Blackberry 6, and a new handset, the Blackberry Torch.
But early reviews of aren’t looking so good. The Torch touchscreen slider has a ridiculously low-res screen (360 × 480) and the software is described as “uninspired, old, clunky sometimes, and cluttered.” Ouch.
Boy Genius Report: “This is a stop gap device for current BlackBerry users… and that’s an issue. iPhone 4 or recent Android owners won’t be lusting after the 9800, and that’s never a good thing.”
Analyst Michael Gartenberg: “In [a] world where every vendor is working to up their game, raise the bar and drive new innovation in hardware and software, it felt RIM barely stepped up.”
Engadget: “… the OS overwhelms the hardware a little when it’s really cranking — for example, the phone basically locked up while it loaded Engadget in the new Webkit browser.”
Programmer Will Strafach has released an app to protect against the security hole in Mobile Safari that runs code embedded in PDF files. The security vulnerability came to light after hackers used it to jailbreak Apple’s latest iPhones and iPads.
PDF Loading Warner is now available for jailbroken iOS devices via Cydia, the unofficial app store. You will need a jailbroken iPhone or iPad to install it. Users who haven’t jailbroken their devices will have to wait for Apple to release a fix.
PDF Loading Warner displays a warning if Mobile Safari tries to load a PDF file. As previously reported, Mobile Safari allows code embedded in PDFs to run in the browser, bypassing all of the device’s security systems. This is a huge security hole that is present in all iOS devices, jailbroken or not. The hole is currently being used to jailbreak Apple’s devices, but could easily be exploited by hackers to install malicious software that steals identities, passwords and sensitive login details.
Note that PDF Loading Warner is a quick hack to provide a thin layer of protection until Apple releases a secure patch for the exploit.
PDF Loading Warner can be downloaded from Cydia for free.
Showing how easy it is to jailbreak the iPhone 4 by simply visiting the jailbreakme.com website, an anonymous prankster jailbroke all the display phones at one of Apple’s stores.
It’s not clear what store was targeted; nor how many iPhone 4s the mischief-maker was able to jailbreak. The only evidence is a picture posted to an online photo-sharing site and a comment submitted to Reddit: “I got bored, so I jailbroke apple store iPhone 4’s.”
Note: If you have an iPhone or iPad, be careful which websites you visit in Mobile Safari. There’s a huge security hole that allows the browser’s PDF viewer to execute code, bypassing all security mechanisms. It’s being used to jailbreak devices, but could easily be used by bad guys to install some very nasty, malicious software. Expect an emergency 4.0.2 iOS update from Apple very soon.
Via Reddit.
The iPhone 4 jailbreak is one of the easiest ever. You just visit the jailbreakme.com webpage in Mobile Safari, swipe the “Slide to Jailbreak” slider, and it installs the unofficial App Store Cydia on your device.
But it comes at a price. The jailbreak exploits a wide-open security hole that could easily be exploited by malicious hackers. Malicious sites that install malware could exploit the largely unkown, unpatched security hole.
Note: The security hole in Mobile Safari is not caused by jailbreaking the device. It is already there on all iOS devices, jailbroken or not.
Apple is sure to investigate the exploit and quickly issue an update. But in the meantime, here’s a quick patch you can install yourself:
We’d like to ask our Canadian readers for help with a story we’re working on about the iPhone 4.
The iPhone 4 just launched in Canada on Friday, and Canadian buyers are able to buy the device unlocked (if it’s bought from Apple rather than a carrier).
We’re looking for readers who are getting an unlocked iPhone 4 and can test it on Wind Mobile’s network to see if it can support 3G data speeds.
Why do we want to test the iPhone 4 on Wind Mobile’s network?
Wind Mobile is an up-and-coming carrier that uses the same GSM network technology as T-Mobile in the United States.
The iPhone is rumored to be coming to T-Mobile USA in the fall, breaking Apple’s exclusive deal with AT&T. However, it’s not clear whether the iPhone 4 has the right radio hardware to support T-Mobile’s 3G data network.
We’re told Wind Mobile in Canada has the same network infrastructure. If it works on Wind Mobile’s network, it should work on T-Mobile’s.
T-Mobile’s 3G data network operates on the 1700/2100 MHz bands. According to Apple’s specs, the iPhone 4 works on the 2100 UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA band, but not the 1700 band, which has led some to conclude that it is incompatible with T-Mobile’s 3G network.
However, there is some debate whether Apple simply didn’t list the 1700 band, which seems to be the convention when listing such specs. And no one has yet tested the iPhone 4 on T-Mobile’s network in the U.S. Despite the efforts of the Dev Team, there isn’t yet a publicly available unlock for the iPhone 4.
This is why we’d like help testing an unlocked iPhone 4 on Wind Mobile in Canada.
If you can help out, please email us at news (AT) cultofmac.com. In return, we’ll send you some goodies in the mail.
UPDATE: In the comments below, reader @Qorax tried a Wind Mobile SIM in a brand new, unlocked iPhone 4 he purchased over the weekend. Unfortunately, the SIM card didn’t work at all: no voice or data. We would have predicted he would have at least got voice. iPhone users here in the U.S. who unlock their phones and use T-Mobile SIM cards get voice and data — but Edge only.
But now that the iPhone 4 has been unlocked here in the U.S., we’re on the lookout for reports of usage on T-Mobile US’s network.
PS: @Qorax’s comment is worth reading to see how he beat the gigantic line for the iPhone 4 at his local Apple Store. Tricky!
We’ve received multiple reports from readers that their free iPhone 4 Bumper cases are already in the mail, despite initial delivery dates in August or September.
I just got an email from Apple saying my own free Bumper case is winging its way to San Francisco. It is due to be delivered August 3, according to the tracking data. Apple initially said the free case would be delivered in September.
Good work Apple: Underpromise and overdeliver.
With Office for Mac 2011 launching later this year, Microsoft is giving a sneak peek of the productivity suite.
Above is the first in a series of highlight videos, showing off several new features, including Outlook for Mac (with Conversation View and Spotlight integration), a new Template Gallery and the Ribbon UI nav scheme.
Mactopia: Office for Mac 2011 Behind-the-Scenes: Conversations, Templates and more!
Apple has just released iOS 4.1 Beta 2 to developers. We’re currently downloading it and will report what’s new ASAP.
The firmware is build 8B5091b. There’s also a new SDK, build 10M2305a. Both are available from the iPhone Developer Center.
The new 27-inch iMac launched today has room for two internal hard drives, including a solid state drive (SSD) that could halve boot times.
Apple suggests putting the operating system and key applications on the SSD, and everything else on a traditional Serial ATA drive, which come in 1 TB or 2 TB capacities.
The iMac’s product page says:
To give your iMac a real performance boost, configure your 27-inch iMac on the Apple Online Store with an optional 256GB solid-state drive. You can choose it as your only drive or have it installed in addition to the built-in hard drive, allowing you to store the operating system, critical applications, and important files on the solid-state drive and your other files on the hard drive. Because solid-state drives have no moving parts, the computer can access data at over twice the speed of hard drives. Which makes starting up your iMac and launching applications faster than you ever thought possible.
This is the first time the iMac has been offered with dual drives. It’s not cheap, however: A top-of-the-line 27-inch iMac with a 2 TB traditional drive and a 256 GB SSD costs $2,899 — a $900 premium over the base $1,999 price.
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Apple’s Magic Trackpad looks like an optional peripheral for now, but it’s much more than that. It’s several nails in the mouse’s coffin. It may even be a stake through its heart.
Apple’s intent for the Magic Trackpad is clear: it’s a replacement for the mouse that brings multitouch gestures to the desktop. As more and more people use multitouch on their mobile devices, it’ll become more natural to use them on the desktop also.
Doug Engelbart invented the mouse, but Apple’s first Macintosh brought it to market and popularized it. And now, after more than 26 years as the primary UI device for desktops, Apple is beginning to phase it out. The success of Apple’s iOS platform, which uses multitouch as its primary interface, shows the path of Apple’s trajectory — it’s multitouch all the way.
I just got a call from Apple’s PR department to discuss today’s historical DMCA exception ruling that makes iPhone jailbreaking legal.
Unfortunately, because of the legal issues involved, the Apple spokeswoman would only provide me with the following statement on the record:
“Apple’s goal has always been to insure that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience. As we’ve said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.”
Got a spare $170,000 lying around? If so, UK jeweler Stuart Hughes will sell you an iPad covered in solid gold that weighs a hefty 5.5lbs.
The 64GB 3G iPad is covered in 2.5 kilograms of solid 24ct gold. “A magnificent combination of top of the industry technology and unrivalled craftsmanship was involved in creating this masterpiece,” the jeweler says. The iPad will be limited to 25 units.
Stuart Hughes sells a bunch of other blinged-up gizmos, including a $33,000 iPhone 4 covered in 150 grams of 24ct gold. It’s a 32GB model without a SIM lock. The gold doubles its weight to about 290 grams. It includes a hand-finished wallet made from Ostrich foot.
No word on whether the gold improves reception, but investing in gold has never been hotter.
Back in the day the entertainment industry tried to stop consumers from videotaping TV shows to watch at a later time. But the courts and Congress said taping TV shows is a non-infringing use of copyrighted works: it is “fair use.”
Now, the Copyright Office has determined that Apple locking the iPhone to prevent it running unapproved apps is an unfair restriction on consumers’ fair use rights.
Consumers should be allowed to jailbreak their iPhones and install whatever applications they like: not just those approved by Apple. Unlocking your iPhone to install non-approved apps is a legal exemption to the DMCA, the Copyright Office has just ruled.
To reach this conclusion, the Copyright Office applied the four famous “fair use factors” to the case:
I just got an email notification from Apple about my free Bumper case, which I just ordered using the iPhone 4 app.
“That was quick,” I thought. But then I saw the estimated ship date: Aug 27. And the estimated arrival? September 1st.
Did anyone get an earlier ship date?
Even though Apple recorded record revenues earlier this week, it is still trailing Microsoft, which just reported its own record revenues.
There had been some speculation earlier this week that Apple might surpass Microsoft in revenues for the first time.
However, Microsoft is still one jump ahead: It just had its best Q4 ever with $16.04 billion in revenue.
Apple recorded $15.7 billion in revenue.
Microsoft made the haul on sales of its old stalwarts, the Windows and Office software lines. It’s online and entertainment divisions, which include its mobile efforts, lost $696 million and $172 million respectively.
It’s only a matter of time before Apple passes Microsoft in revenues, and will likely come next quarter. Apple is estimating $18 billion but may hit $20 billion: it routinely lowballs Wall St. Apple already passed Microsoft’s market capitalization in May.
To see how big Apple could get, check out this Macworld story: Think Apple is big now? You ain’t seen nothing yet, which argues that Apple’s iPad, iPhone and overseas businesses are just getting started, while the Mac goes from strength to strength.
Apple has started issuing $30 refunds to iPhone 4 customers who bought a Bumper, report members of MacRumors’ forums.
For customers who bought a Bumper with a credit card, the refunds are automatic; no need to do anything. One forum member reports:
Just got off the phone with Apple to ask if I could get Bumper purchase refunded and he informed me that Apple has begun crediting back credit cards today and will be doing them in batches throughout the week.
Would you like to ask Jason Fried, founder and CEO of 37 Signals, a question? Tomorrow is your chance.
Tune in at 11AM, Thursday, July 22, to a livestream of an interview with Fried, courtesy of HP’s Input|Output series.
Fried’s 37signals is behind the popular, Web-based workgroup services Basecamp, Highrise, and others. But in addition to Web apps, Fried is also an expert on the modern workplace, and how “the new workplace in the new normal.”
Fried is becoming well-known for his strong opinions about the inefficiencies of the typical workplace and how it’s designed for distractions. His ideas are spreading via his popular blog and Twitter feed. This story from Inc. magazine — The Way I Work: Jason Fried of 37Signals — serves as an introduction to Fried’s approach.
I’ve been invited to live tweet during the webcast with Fried, and would like to invite you to submit your questions. Fried will be discussing everything about the modern workplace, from physical layouts to management practices and what tech-tools are indispensable.
The interview will be livestreamed on Thursday at 11 AM PST or 2 PM EST. Tune in using this link.
To ask a Jason a question, post it in the comments below or on Twitter. Address your question to @lkahney with the hashtag #hpio, or do it yourself during the webcast using the #hpio hashtag.
HP’s Input|Output series has featured Chris Anderson of Wired; Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class; and John Battelle, Federated Media. Coming up soon is Clay Shirky, the renowned author and teacher.
Nice parody of an expensive Apple accessory (which makes a flaw into a feature) from designer Aaron Draczynski, aka @papermodelplane.
T-Mobile USA is very close to getting the iPhone in the fall, ending Apple’s exclusive relationship with AT&T, according to a highly placed source at the wireless company.
Talks between Apple and T-Mobile are at an advanced stage, our source says, and it’s 80 percent likely that the iPhone will be coming to T-Mobile in Q3.
The source works at T-Mobile but asked not to be quoted directly and to remain anonymous because they aren’t authorized to talk to the press.
T-Mobile’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom, which carries the iPhone in Germany, was able to influence, the source said. T-Mobile USA is the fourth-largest U.S. carrier with 33.7 million customers.
Apple’s massive data center in North Carolina will come online early next year, Apple execs said during an analyst conference call on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s on-schedule,” said Apple’s CFO Peter Oppenheimer. “We expect it completed by the end of the calendar year.”
The $1 billion center is as big as the world’s biggest data facilities, and has been the subject of much speculation since construction started in August 2009. Occupying 500,000 square feet, the data center is about five times the size of Apple’s data center in Newark, California.
Two months ago, Apple passed Microsoft as the most-valuable tech company. Soon, it may pass its rival in terms of revenues. Microsoft makes about $61.5 billion a year: Apple is on track to make $60 billion.
Question is: As Apple gets bigger and bigger, is it in danger of becoming the new Microsoft? Did you prefer the old, underdog Apple?
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