Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
Steve Jobs has announced that he is stepping down as CEO of Apple with the following information:
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.
Apple has released the first update for OS X Lion which brings the version up to 10.7.1. Included in this minor update are a few bug fixes that aim to make systems running it more reliable.
Last week, Apple launched a utility that allows you to create a recovery image of OS X so that if you run in to problems with your OS X Lion install, you can recover from external media. Apple was also rumored to be releasing a dedicated USB stick with OS X Lion recovery built in. We now hear that this product has been added to the Apple inventory list.
A new iMac launched today. The new version has a sub $1000 price tag and is aimed at education. The note on the Apple site says it’s for Education Only which means that individuals cannot buy it.
Apple could be launching a new version of the Magic Mouse. The information comes from CultofMac who were told that the current part number was being discontinued. The initial report hinted that Apple was completely doing away with the Magic Mouse, but CofM’s source has now pointed out that although the old part number is being stopped, a new part number will be put in its place.
iOS 5 is currently on version beta 4 which is still a few steps away from launch. However, it appears that some apps are beginning to get approved for iOS 5. The images below show the Camera+ app and the Mashable app which both make mention of the new OS.
Some rumours have started today indicating that Apple will be launching a range of Ultra-Thin MacBook Pros in time for Christmas this year. The first report comes from MacRumors that suggest Apple will be launching a 15 inch model which will be very slim, perhaps approaching that of the MacBook Air although it will retain features of the MacBook Pro.
In the US, Apple has begun selling an unlocked GSM version of the iPhone 4. The cost is $649 and for that you get the unlocked iPhone 4 compatible with GSM networks. It comes with no microSIM card.
Apple iCloud was finally announced yesterday. The new service aims to put all of your content in the cloud and make it an invisible process to move files between each of your Apple devices.
When buying a track from iTunes for example, you can buy it on your iPhone. The track is then loaded to iCloud and any other logged in device such as an iPad, iPod touch or a Mac each have the song downloaded automatically.
At WWDC yesterday, Apple revealed more details about OS X Lion as well as when it will launch and how much it will cost. The OS will launch in July and will cost $29.99 for those updating from Snow Leopard. This makes it about $100 cheaper than previous major updates.
As well as costing less, OS X Lion will only be available as a download. When it launches, you’ll be able to get it from the App Store on the Mac and download, install and not have to reboot.
Apple has filed a rather unique patent that makes use of infrared transmitters to interact with the iPhone. What the patent shows is an IR sensor installed at a venue and when the camera picks up the sensor, the device can either access information about where a user is, or have features disabled.
Earlier this week, Apple uploaded a security update that aimed to fix the Mac Defender malware that had been causing problems for some Mac owners over the last few weeks. The update is available through the update services in OS X. When installed, it gets rid of the Mac Defender malware and also scans for variants of it.
Within 8 hours of the security update going live, a new variation of Mac Defender had been created which bypassed the new security restrictions that Apple put in place.
