Word has it that the rumored new AppleTV will rock a die-shrunk Apple 5X processor.
A process-shrunk A5X probably won’t contain faster CPUs, but it would be smaller, cooler, and more efficient.
It’s obvious, in retrospect, what this is probably for: the Retina iPad Mini.
As Marco explains, the A5X could drive the display required for such a tablet, and keep the cost down, which is vital on the thinner-than-normal margins Apple enjoys on the iPad mini.
Jim Dalrymple:
Apple on Thursday confirmed news that it would stop selling the current model of the Mac Pro in the EU on March 1, 2013.
“Due to evolving regulatory requirements, Apple will stop selling Mac Pro in EU, EU candidate and EFTA countries on March 1, 2013,” an Apple representative told The Loop. “After that date, resellers can sell existing inventory but Apple will no longer ship Mac Pro in those countries.”
Over at MacStories:
After four months, I can say that the iPhone 5 is the best iPhone I’ve ever owned. Its design changes haven’t impacted my daily experience in a meaningful way, and the bigger screen lets me see more content with less interaction. The improvements made to the processor and antenna are, in my opinion, the best features of this update.
It’s been weird going back to the iPhone after two months without one. The iPhone 5 doesn’t feel larger (or smaller, in some ways) than it did when I switched directly from the 4S.
Apple PR:
The 128GB iPad with Wi-Fi and iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular models provide twice the storage capacity of the 64GB models to hold even more valuable content including photos, documents, projects, presentations, books, movies, TV shows, music and apps.
“With more than 120 million iPads sold, it’s clear that customers around the world love their iPads, and everyday they are finding more great reasons to work, learn and play on their iPads rather than their old PCs,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs.”
Eric Slivka:
The new 5.2 software update includes a number of enhancements including direct iTunes in the Cloud music streaming, Bluetooth keyboard support, Up Next support, and more.
I have 28 Apple TVs in my office ready to be installed around our campus. At least it looks like this update is well worth the time it will take to run it.
Rene Ritchie at iMore:
Skeuomorphism – the use of real world design in a digital context – has been a target lately. At the extreme, it’s held up as an example of iOS being boring, outdated, and bereft of innovation. In more reasonably terms, it’s looked at as something that can be useful, but has perhaps been overused. I’ve gone on record as saying I think there are far more important things Apple needs to do in iOS 7 than wiping the world clean of skeuomorphism, both here on the site and in a podcast rant. But let’s imagine for a moment it is on the agenda. That Apple’s new head of all design, hardware and software, Jony Ive, was set to impose a new, unified, Aluminium theme. That, just like the Scarlet Witch in House of M, he whispered “No more Skeuomorphs.”
Scott McNulty for Macworld:
Who doesn’t love going to the Apple Store?
Well, me, for one.
Sure, I’ve waited in line at an Apple Store opening—I got a t-shirt!—and I’ve also waited in line for the special holiday sale at an Apple Store—I got Mac-themed magnetic poetry!—but instead, I now just wait for the urge to visit an Apple Store to pass. I’m still a fan of what Apple makes, but the retail experience has become less akin to shopping at a high-end boutique and more like going to Walmart (albeit, a well-designed Walmart).
Apple:
For the past seven years, Apple has been publishing reports on the audits we perform in our supply chain. We do this because we believe in honestly sharing our findings — the good and the bad. We’re fixing problems and tackling issues that our entire industry faces, such as excessive work hours and underage labor. We’re going deeper into the supply chain than any other company we know of, and we’re reporting at a level of detail that is unparalleled in our industry.
The Apple PR Machine:
Apple today announced financial results for its 13-week fiscal 2013 first quarter ended December 29, 2012. The Company posted record quarterly revenue of $54.5 billion and record quarterly net profit of $13.1 billion, or $13.81 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $46.3 billion and net profit of $13.1 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share, in the 14-week year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 38.6 percent compared to 44.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 61 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
This is too stupid to link to just one article.
Michael Grothaus at TUAW:
When it first went on sale shipping times for all but the first-day buyers were quoted as seven to 10 days. Shipping times remained at seven to 10 days through the busy holiday season as well. Today, shipping times for the new 21.5-inch iMac have increased to between two and three weeks.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. This might be the coolest Hackintosh ever.