• apple,  ios 7,  ipad air,  ipad mini,  iphone 5s,  ipod touch,  update

    Apple Releases iOS 7.1.1

    Earlier this afternoon, Apple released iOS 7.1.1, a minor update to iOS 7.

    iOS 7.1.1 focuses in on three areas for enhancement and updates, including additional enhancements to the iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor, a bug fix for keyboard responsiveness and corrects and issue with Bluetooth keyboards when the VoiceOver feature is enabled.

    The iOS 7.1.1 update is coming in at about 16.5MB for both my iPhone 5S and iPhone 4S.  To install the latest iOS update on your iOS device, go to: Settings > General > Software Update.

    To learn more about this and other Apple software updates, visit the Apple Support website.

  • apple,  ios 8,  nike,  rumors,  Uncategorized

    Is This the End of the Nike FuelBand? Maybe, Maybe Not

    Yesterday, a number of websites and Apple fan blogs when nuts with the news that Nike had laid off most if not all of their Nike+ hardware staff and was planning on spinning down their fitness hardware sales.  Articles, like the one that appears on Cnet.com suggested that Nike would shift from a hardware software solution to a software only platform solution that others can write applications for.

    But then, things took a 180-degree turn when Nike reported to Re/code that it was true that a “small number” of layoffs did take place, but that Nike had no plans to halt sales of the current Nike+ FuelBand SE.

    Interesting.

    There are a few pieces of information that we need to keep in mind here.  First, is that the wearables market is still a relatively new market and, in my opinion, no killer device has been released yet.  Yes, the FuelBand is popular as are the FitBit and the Pebble.  I’m seeing more people starting to use “wearables” in my office.

    Another thing to consider, as was pointed out in some of the articles that appeared over the last few days is that Americans start things with the best intensions, but after a period of time, stopping doing them.  This explains, perfectly, my on again, off again relationship with my local gym.  At least I’m not alone.  I think this supports my first point above that people buy wearables with the intent of being more fit, and then slowly use them less as time goes on.

    As an Apple fanboy, there are two other things to consider.  We know that Apple is working on some kind of “wearable” device.  The popular opinion is that it is the “iWatch”.  Recent rumors of the iWatch has been all over the map, but we know it’s coming.  I’m in the camp that says the watch will be more of FuelBand device than a traditional watch.  Any entry of an Apple “wearable” is likely to have a negative impact on other other smaller players, like Nike, when it is first released.

    The last item to consider is that Apple has had a long relationship with Nike that goes all the way back to the iPod and the Nike+ running accessory.  What I learned yesterday, which I didn’t realize, is that Apple CEO Tim Cook is a Nike board member.

    Huh.

    Does Nike’s board know more than we do about what’s coming next from Apple related to their new Health Book application and wearable?  Maybe.  Nike was at the front of the like with an application to support Apple’s M7 coprocessor in found in the iPhone 5S.  Maybe that, in some small way, is a glimpse into the future of the Apple/Nike relationship; Apple takes of building the hardware, and Nike with their Nike+ API kit, develops applications using their Nike+ Fuel points system for all of us to use in the future.

    We’ll see what the future holds with the announcements from Apple’s WWDC that kicks of on June 2 and then again in late September or October when Apple finally releases new hardware.

  • apple,  ios,  mac os x

    Apple Announced WWDC ’14

    Apple has announced the dates for this year’s WWDC ’14 will be held June 2 – 6.

    This year, Apple has changed the procedure for getting tickets for the event.  This year, iOS and OS X developer who want to attend this year’s WWDC, can submit their information and Apple will randomly select people to purchase tickets on April 7 at 10:00am.  Developers will be contacted by 5:00pm PDT to be informed if they were selected to purchase tickets.

    While some people maybe put off by a random lottery as the way to dole out tickets to this year’s WWDC, but in my opinion, this is really the only fair way to go about it.  WWDC tickets sold out well under 10 minutes laster year, locking out many developers from attending.  This year’s lottery gives everyone an equal chance to attend.

    Tickets to this year’s event will cost $1599 and the registration and payment for developers selected for the opportunity to purchase tickets must be complete by April 14 at 5:00pm PDT.

    For more information, visit the Apple WWDC ’14 website.

  • apple,  flexibits,  ios,  ipad,  productivity

    Fantastical for iPad Now Available

    After last month’s teaser, Flexibits has released Fantastical 2 for iPad!

    //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    Fantastical 2 for iPad is everything you love about Fantastical on your Mac or iPhone now on the iPad’s larger canvas.  This is really great news because I’m not really a fan of Apple’s iOS Calendar app in it’s new iOS 7 minimalist design.
    Unfortunately, Flexibits did not make Fantastical 2 a universal app, which means you will need to buy copies for your iPhone and iPad separately.
    Fantastical 2 for iPad is on sale now in the App Store for $9.99 and is compatible with any iPad running iOS 7.0 and later.
  • apple,  ios 7,  ipad,  microsoft,  office,  office365,  productivity

    Microsoft Releases Office Apps for Apple’s iPad

    In a bold move yesterday, Microsoft, lead by their new CEO Satya Nadella, launched Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the Apple iPad.

    I’m not talking about watered down, half-hearted, sort-kinda Office applications, I’m talking about the real, full blown, well featured, iOS native Office applications for the iPad.  Did I mention this is Microsoft’s Office on the iOS platform?!

    To see Office in action on an iPad, you can watch Microsoft’s introductory video.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpsGFQ4AIY?rel=0]
    I’m really excited about having Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on my iPad.  The apps look and feel great!  Taken together with the already released OneNote and OneDrive (formerly known as SkyDrive), Microsoft has seemingly overnight, empowered millions of iPad owning Office users around the world.
    So what do you get?  Available now in the iOS App Store, users can download, free of charge, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the iPad.  The apps are free and will enable anyone who installs them to read Office documents.  If you just happen to be an Office 365 customer, you can sign in to your account from the Office apps on your iPad and instantly have the ability to edit your documents.
    You will need to have an iPad running iOS 7.0 or later and to edit documents, a Microsoft Office 365 Home subscription.

    Microsoft’s Office Apps for iPad are available now on the App Store, or you can use these handy download links.

    You can read more about Microsoft’s Office Apps for the Apple iPad on the Microsoft blog.
  • apple,  mac,  mac os x,  microsoft,  office,  office365

    Microsoft Brings OneNote to OS X

    Earlier today, Microsoft released OneNote for Macintosh OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

    To use OneNote, you need a free Microsoft account.  If you have a OneDrive account, formerly known as SkyDrive, or a subscription to the company’s Office 365 Home Premium, you’re good to go.
    To install OneNote for Macintosh, you need to be running the aforementioned OS X Mavericks.  You also need 235MB of disk space.  OneDrive is compatible with OneNote 2010 and later for Windows, and the pre-existing OneNote and OneDrive for iOS devices.
    OneNote for OS X with OneNote 2013 in the Background
    I’m excited about OneNote coming to the Macintosh because I can see myself using it for personal digital notes.  (In the corporate environment I work in, there is virtually no one using OneNote for Windows.)
    I really hope that OneNote for OS X, with it’s features mirroring the Windows functionality, is a sign of things to come.  As someone who’s been using Office for Windows and Mac OS X over the last 20 years, it has been really frustrating to have two products that are only the same in name only.  Hopefully, we will finally see a Microsoft that lets Office be Office, and not an expensive Windows-only add on.
    According to Microsoft, OneNote is “free for a limited time,” however, there is no mention of when this offer will expire.  OneNote is available now from the Mac App Store.
  • apple,  apple tv,  ios 7,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple Releases iOS 7.1

    Earlier today, Apple released the long awaited iOS 7.1 update.

    For iOS 7 users, this is the update that we have been waiting for.  Since it’s launch in September 2013, Apple has released six minor updates to address issues that have cropped up.  With iOS 7.1, Apple has taken the time to bake in a number of meaningful feature improvements.

    Support for CarPlay is new in iOS 7.1 – if you happen to own a new car that takes advantage of it.  Siri has learned a new usability trick, while iPhone 5S customers will appreciate the enhancements to Touch ID.

    iOS 7.1 is available for all current model iPhones, iPads, and the latest generation iPod touch.  The upgrade will weigh in somewhere around 265MB.  There is also a corresponding iOS update for the second and third generation Apple TV boxes.

    To start the software installation, tap Settings > General > Software Update and then tap the Download and Install button.  Before downloading and upgrading to any new iOS update, I recommend that you perform an iCloud backup first.

  • apple

    Apple CFO Oppenheimer to Retire in September

    Apple today announced that Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s senior vice president and CFO, will retire at the end of September. Luca Maestri, Apple’s vice president of Finance and corporate controller, will succeed Peter as CFO reporting to Apple CEO, Tim Cook. Peter will transition the CFO role to Luca in June and the balance of his responsibilities over the remaining time allowing for a professional and seamless transition.

    Classy.  Exactly what you would expect from Apple and unlike the hurky jurky mess that was the Microsoft CEO transition saga.

    AppleInsider also reported on Monday that, effective immediately, Oppenheimer has joined the Board of Directors for Goldman Sachs.

    Read the full press release on the Apple Press Info website.

  • apple,  itunes,  mac os x,  windows

    iTunes 11.1.5 Update Now Available

    A day after rolling out the Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 update, Apple today released the iTunes 11.1.5 update.

    A minor update for both Mac OS X and Windows PCs, iTunes 11.1.5 addresses an issue that can cause iTunes to crash unexpectedly when an iDevice is connected.
    You can download the update on OS X from the Mac App Store while Windows users can get the update from the Apple Software Update utility.
    The official release notes on the Apple website.
  • apple,  ios,  mac os x,  mac os x server

    MacWorld Explains the SSL Bug in Apple Operating Systems

    MacWorld Magazine does a fantastic job describing the SSL security bug that was recently discovered in iOS and OS X.

    “News of a serious vulnerability within Apple’s implementation of a key encryption technology has been making the rounds this weekend. Read on to find out more about what the flaw is, and how it affects you.”

    Read more at MacWorld.com