• apple,  itunes,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro,  windows

    Apple Releases iTunes 10.4.1 Update

    August 29, 2011 /

    With all the fun and excitement that we’ve been experiencing here on the east coast (earthquakes, hurricanes, and power outages) you may not have seen that Apple has released a maintenance updates to iTunes 10.

    The maintenance update to iTunes 10.4.1 fixes issues with things like the addition of artwork, unresponsiveness when purchasing HD movies, issues launching iTunes after waking your Mac, VoiceOver support, and issues between iTunes and some third-party keyboards with multimedia controls.

    The 12MB update is available now via the Apple Software Update control panel.

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  • apple

    A Letter from Steve Jobs

    August 25, 2011 /

    To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

    I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

    I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

    As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

    I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

    I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

    Steve

    I wish both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook the best of luck.

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  • apple

    Steve Jobs Steps Down as Apple CEO; Tim Cook Promoted to CEO

    August 25, 2011 /

    Earlier today, the leadership of Apple, Inc. passed from co-founder Stephen P. Jobs to former Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook.

    “CUPERTINO, California—August 24, 2011—Apple’s Board of Directors today announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, as the company’s new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook will join the Board, effective immediately.

    “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple’s Board. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.”

    “The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” added Levinson. “Tim’s 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does.”

    Jobs submitted his resignation to the Board today and strongly recommended that the Board implement its succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO.”

    [Via Apple PR website…]

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  • hp,  pre,  touchpad,  veer,  web os

    HP Halts All webOS Hardware Sales

    August 20, 2011 /

    Earlier this week, HP announced during their quarterly earning call that they will halt the sale of all webOS devices, including the recently launched HP TouchPad tablet and the Pre3 smartphone.

    “HP will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. The devices have not met internal milestones and financial targets. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.”

    This is yet another sad day for fans of the Palm product family, but, unfortunately, not a surprising one.  The sell through of webOS devices has not risen to the levels to allow HP and webOS to compete against the likes of Apple iOS and Google Android.  HP executives where quick to point out that they had not killed the webOS operating system, but with the OS not available on any new devices and a dwindling customer install base, I don’t see how HP will hope to attract third-party developers to their platform if HP themselves are not fully committed to it.

    The good news, if you are a die hard fan of Palm and webOS, HP is suppose to be starting a fireside sale on their remaining inventory of HP TouchPad tablets.  The 16GB TouchPad is suppose to go on sale for $99, while the 32GB TouchPad will sell for $149.

    Keep and eye on the HP online store for your last chance to pick up a TouchPad before they disappear.

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  • apple,  lion,  mac,  mac os x

    Apple Releases OS X Lion 10.7.1 Update

    August 17, 2011 /

    Today, Apple released Mac OS X Lion 10.7.1 as a maintenance update the latest version of the Mac operating system.

    Even with today’s minor bug fixes to Lion, many Mac users are waiting for OS X Lion 10.7.2 to arrive.  It is widely expected that OS X 10.7.2 will include the updates necessary for using upcoming iCloud software.

    To download and install the software, simply use the Software Update control panel in Mac OS X Lion.

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  • android,  apple,  google,  microsoft,  motorola

    Google Android: Now With Motorola Inside

    August 16, 2011 /

    Early this morning, Google announced their plans to acquire Motorola Mobility – the Android smartphone OEM.

    Writing for AllThingsD.com, John Paczkowsi states:

    “With its $12.5 billion deal to acquire Motorola Mobility, Google is gaining not only a major Android handset manufacturer, but a vast trove of intellectual property with which to defend it.”

    The punch line here folks is that Google was feeling a little light in the Intellectual Property (IP) department, so they when out and acquired a company that already had a lot of IP build up.  Google intents to use their new found IP and patents to protect not only themselves, but their Android licensees from patent trolls like Microsoft and Apple.

    [Via AllThingsD.com…]

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  • apple,  case,  ipad

    KHOMO Waterproof Cover for Apple iPad, iPad2

    August 7, 2011 /

    I still have a few weeks to go before I get to take my summer vacation, during which time, I will be forced to sit on a beach in direct sunlight.

    While looking for accessories to protect my gear, I came across the KHOMO Waterproof Case Cover for iPad 2.  As far as I can tell, this kit is compatible with the original iPad also.  The kit comes with what looks like a giant zip bag with a velcro secured flap.  The bag also features a plastic loop that connects to a carry strap.  The bundle I found over on Amazon also includes a 6-foot black sync cable and sells for $12.99 plus tax and shipping.

    There are other waterproof options available, all of which cost more than this bundle.  If your iPad spend a lot of time near water, you might want to spring for a more expensive solution. Since I only go to the beach, if I’m lucky, twice a year, I might consider other options.  Since I’m most worried about keeping sand and drink spills away from my iPad while I”m traveling, this looks like the perfect balance between protection and cost.

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  • apple,  att,  google,  iphone,  jailbreak,  verizon

    End of the Road for Jailbreakers Stealing Cellular Tethering Service

    August 6, 2011 /

    If you have a jailbroken/rooted Apple iPhone of one of the many Google Android and have been using apps to essentially “steal” wireless tethering services between your phone and your notebook or tablet computer, your days of “free” service are almost over.

    AT&T and now Verizon are putting technology in place on their networks that allows them to sniff out people who are tethering devices like laptops, typically over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to their smartphone’s data plan as a sort of wireless modem to get on the Internet.

    Both AT&T and Verizon required you to subscribe to an additional service before you can tether another device to your phone.

    I may not be a fan of the prices that are charged to tether or setup your smartphone as a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot, but I like the idea of people stealing bandwidth and driving up the cost of my smartphone data plans even less.

    [Via EngadgetMobile.com, Electronista.com…]

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  • hp,  touchpad,  web os

    HP TouchPad – $100 Off This Weekend Only

    August 6, 2011 /

    HP is running a $100 instant rebate promotion this weekend only (Friday – Sunday) on their new webOS 3.0 TouchPad when you purchase the tablet online directly from the HP.com website.

    I have mixed feeling about the TouchPad.  In the time since I purchased my Palm Pre, the webOS market share has failed to catch on.  Then, once it became painfully clear that HP and Sprint would not bringing webOS to the Pre and Pixi smartphones, nor where they going to released updated models, HP “graciously” offered early Pre owners $50 off the TouchPad.  Now, less than 60 days after launch, HP is cutting the price of the TouchPads by $100.  This weekend only, the 16GB TouchPad is $299 and the 32GB model is $399.

    If you are inclined to get a tablet, and don’t want an iPad, or confused by all the various Google Android tablets, then the HP TouchPad is probably the device for you.  If you don’t need a massive selection of apps.

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