March 18, 2010

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Multitasking Coming in iPhone 4.0?

March 15, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

AppleInsider is reporting that they have received information that claims iPhone OS 4.0 will likely support multitasking, which is allowing multiple apps to run simultaneously. AppleInsider does not offer any technical details other than claiming it will take advantage of interfact technology used in Mac OS X.

People with a proven track record in predicting Apple’s technological advances tell AppleInsider that the Cupertino-based company has developed a “full-on solution” to multitasking on the iPhone OS but offered no specifics on how the technology would optimize resource conservation and battery life — two of the most critical issues surrounding the matter, alongside security.

From a user-facing perspective, Apple plans to deliver a multi-tasking manager that leverages interface technology already bundled with its Mac OS X operating system, according to those same people. It was requested that specifics be withheld at this time, as the iPhone Software 4.0 remains under development and reportedly has a quite ‘way to go’ before it’s ready for prime time.

There have been similar reports in the past that claimed iPhone OS 4.0 would have multitasking along with a revamped user interface.

I don’t buy into this entirely because it took Apple so long to implement their Push Notification system for developers. Why go through all that trouble and delayed release just to outdate it in a year’s time? That said, John Gruber believes it, and he almost always knows what he is talking about.

Filed Under All News, Rumors, Software

Apple to Release Hexacore Mac Pro Next Tuesday?

March 12, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

ZDNet is reporting on information they received claiming that Apple is set to release revised Mac Pro models while adding a hexacore Core i7-based model.

I’m getting tips in from sources who claim that Apple is set to revamp its high-end Mac Pro line, adding a ‘hexacore’ Core i7-980x model to the line up.

All information points to this happening next Tuesday, March 16th

I suspect the reason for these machines being released on Tuesday is due to the fact that Intel is set to release the Core i7-980X chip on that day. That said, Intel is also planning to release several other processors on that day, which leaves open the possibility for any of Intel’s new high-end processors making their way into the new Mac Pros.

Filed Under All News, Hardware, Rumors

Verizon Sees iPad as an Opportunity

March 11, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

Engadget is reporting on a leaked internal Verizon memo wherein the company states they are looking at the iPad as an “opportunity” to sell their MiFi data services.  The plan is to encourage customers to buy a Wi-Fi only iPad model and then pair it to Verizon’s services.

Verizon’s service would act as a trade off for the customer. Instead of paying the extra $130 up front to Apple for the 3G compatible iPad, the customer will instead buy a (as little as)$50 MiFi device and a two year contract at $39.99 a month for 250MB or $59.99 for 5GB. These offerings are priced higher than the contract-free plans offered by AT&T at $15 a month for 250MB and $30 for unlimited data for the iPad. The main difference (besides price) would be that Verizon’s option would allow for up to five different devices to connected to the MiFi device at once.

Pick your poison.

Filed Under All News, Rumors, iPad

More iPad Delay Reports Surface

March 8, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that research company ThinkEquity is claiming that Apple’s Taiwanese manufacturing partners have dropped the ball, and are experiencing iPad production delays.

Our checks in Taiwan indicate some minor delays on the iPad. The manufacturing of the iPads was supposed to pick up in February, but volumes even in March are still low. Current volumes are much lower than the market expected but most checks are indicating minor delays. The delays do not appear to be a glass or manufacturing process delays.

Other reports from earlier in the week have been claiming that iPad production delays may lead to shortages or even a delay in launch for Apple’s upcoming tablet device.

That said, there have been plenty of rumors claiming that the iPad will launch within Apple’s “60 days” (from the announcement date) timeframe. Some have specifically pegged the date at March 26th.

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iPad To Be Available for Purchase on March 26th?

March 3, 2010 By Alex Jordan 2 Comments

A rumor is circulating around the web claiming that the iPad will go on sale March 26th around 6p.m.

Additionally, a blog post from Examiner makes the claim that Apple store employees will begin receiving training for the device on March 10th, and those who camp out for the launch will receive a “special gift”. Lastly, television ads will begin airing on March 15th.

All of this information pertains to the non-3G model. The 3G model is expected to be released some 30 days later.

Filed Under All News, Rumors, iPad

Apple to Offer Video Alongside Music and TV Streaming?

March 3, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

CNet is reporting that Apple could be planning to offer movies from the cloud. This rumor expands on previous rumors claiming that Apple will be offering content streaming sometime in the future.

Apple has told the studios that under the plan, iTunes users will access video from various Internet-connected devices. Apple would, of course, prefer that users access video from the iPad, the company’s upcoming tablet computer, the sources said.

As you may remember, Apple has been doing things that suggest they are planning on either expanding or creating a cloud based service. The first hint of this was when Apple started the process of building a data center in North Carolina, and then again when the company bought Lala Media, a music streaming company.

Filed Under All News, Rumors

HDMI Ports Coming to Future Macs?

March 2, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple is planning to introduce HDMI into future Macs later this year. As you may know, HDMI connectivity is widely used in home theater systems, and has the advantage of transfering audio and video over a single cable.

More specifically, prototypes of a new Mac mini — Apple’s smallest and most affordable system, commonly employed by tech savvy Mac users as an ad-hoc living room media server, has been making the rounds with an HDMI port in place of its legacy DVI connector, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Reportedly these Mac Mini prototypes look just like current Mac Mini, and will continue to offer Apple’s relatively new mini DisplayPort alongside the HDMI port.

The report also claims that Apple had a mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter ready to ship alongside the most recent iMac revisions, but was sidelined at the last minute when it was decided Blu-ray drives wouldn’t be included in this revision.

Personally, I can’t see Apple adding HDMI ports to any Mac other than the Mac Mini. As the report correctly points out, the Mac mini has been used as a beefier Apple TV by some tech savvy consumers. An HDMI port would help these folks. An HDMI port on a MacBook, or a Mac Pro? I can’t see it.

Mockup courtesy of AppleInsider.

Filed Under All News, Hardware, Rumors

Apple A4 Processor Based on Cortex A8?

March 2, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

Ars Technica is reporting on Apple’s A4 chip that will be used to power the forthcoming iPad. Little has been said by Apple regarding the chip, but many have speculated the chip will be based on the latest Cortex A9 multi-core design.

Jon Stokes of Ars passes down information from several sources which claim the new processor is in fact based on the Cortex A8, which is what is used to power current iPhones and iPod touches.

As I watched the videos and read the reports of the iPad in action at the launch event, I was thoroughly convinced that the device was built on the out-of-order Cortex A9, possibly even a dual-core version. But it turns out that the the A4 is a 1GHz custom SoC with a single Cortex A8 core and a PowerVR SGX GPU. The fact that A4 uses a single A8 core hasn’t been made public, but I’ve heard from multiple sources who are certain for different reasons that this is indeed the case. (I wish I could be more specific, but I can’t.)

So, it appears the main difference between the Apple’s A4 chip (other than including a GPU on the same die) and the chips powering current iPhone and iPod touches is the clock speed. The A4 runs at 1Ghz, and the iPhone chip runs at 600Mhz.

Filed Under All News, Hardware, Rumors, iPad

Apple-Owned ‘Magic Trackpad’ Trademark Surfaces

March 1, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

Patently Apple is reporting that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published a trademark application filed by Apple earlier this week for the term “Magic Trackpad”. The application is for International Class 009 under categories such as computer hardware, software, and peripherals.

International Class 009: Computers; computer software; computer operating system software; computer utility software; computer hardware; computer peripherals; scanners; touchscreens; keyboards; computer mice; trackballs; trackpads; touchpads; light pens; joysticks; game controllers; graphics tablets; digitizers; cables and connectors; flash memory drives; USB drives; solid state storage devices; barcode readers.

There is no indication what this trademark will be used for, or if it applies to current or future devices.

There has been rumblings about a multi-touch based “trackpad gadget” ever since John Gruber suggested the release of just such a device in October. Then of course there was Apple’s filing of the “Magic Slate” trademark soon thereafter, that kept the rumor mill going.

Filed Under All News, Rumors

Apple to Introduce Faster GPU Switching in Upcoming MacBook Pros?

February 22, 2010 By Alex Jordan Leave a Comment

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple may be planning to introduce automatic switching between integrated and discrete graphics processors based on which is better suited for the job at hand (battery life vs. performance), in upcoming MacBook Pro models.

Since Apple introduced the new line of MacBook Pro’s in October 2008, Apple has offered two NVIDIA graphics chips in their 17 and high-end 15-inch models. That is, one intergrated processor and one discrete processor. Users with these notebooks have the option to select whether they want “higher performance” or “better battery life” from the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences. To switch between the processors, one has to log out their accounts however.

This new technology appears to be based on NVIDIA’s Optimus technology, which allows for uninterrupted switching between the processors on the fly based on automatic software settings. NVIDIA supposedly developed this technology in the wake of a dispute with Intel regarding NVIDIA’s ability to build chipsets for Intel’s latest processors. In fact the dispute resulted in NVIDIA leaving the chipset business entirely. This Optimus technology allows computer manufacturers to pair NVIDIA’s GPU’s with Intel’s integrated graphics processors as part of their chipsets.

The report isn’t at all certain as to weather this technology will make it’s way to Apple’s forthcoming MacBook Pro models or if it will be delayed for a future update.

Filed Under All News, Hardware, Rumors
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