Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Apple Has a Virus

Following a flurry of arguably unwarranted media attention, Apple has removed an online help document that advised customers to use multiple antivirus products to keep their computers secure. However, a company spokesman still sees value in antivirus software for the Mac.
"We have removed the KnowledgeBase article because it was old and inaccurate," an Apple spokesman said in an e-mailed statement. "The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box. However, since no system can be 100% immune from every threat, running antivirus software may offer additional protection."

Sunday, October 5, 2008

kick it girl



"Piper Jaffray analyst (and strong Apple bull) Gene Munster told Cult of Mac Tuesday that Apple must report strong sales of Macs during the quarter ending September 27th or "the importance of the new Mac increases substantially." Munster believes that Apple will introduce redesigned notebooks, including a sub-$1,000 MacBook. I've written previously about the importance of a sub-$1,000 MacBook for Apple.

In an investor's note, Munster wrote that Apple is likely to introduce lower-priced products after the company warned of upcoming "new, lower margin products" which haven't yet materialized. "The product changes we have seen thus far do not warrant such a dramatic decrease in margins."

Apple has historically guided expectations lower, but Munster called guidance for 31 percent margins "conservative" and said those numbers were being used to reduce expectations for the latest quarter and for the holidays. Apple warned its quarters would be 31.5 percent in Q3 but that number ended up being significantly higher at 34.8 percent.

Apple's fourth quarter results will be announced after the end of trading Tuesday October 21. Rumors are flying that peg October 14th as the date for new MacBook introductions, but those aren't confirmed yet."

Fring has released the iPhone version of their service today as a free download in the App Store.Fring allows you to chat and interact with others on a variety of networks including Skype, MSN, GoogleTalk, AIM, Yahoo, Twitter, and ICQ. In addition, Fring offers Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) using the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection. Features listed include:• VoIP (Voice) Calls over WiFi• Instant Messaging• Integrated dynamic contact list 
with real-time contact availability• SIP integration• Multiple Connection typesFring supports SkypeOut and SIP which allows you to make calls to landline and mobile phones. Some charges may apply depending on the type of call and plan. Fring is available as a free download in the App Store. (App Store Link)Steve Jobs had said that VoIP calls over Wi-Fi was allowable in the App Store when the iPhone SDK was first released. Fring should also work with the new iPod touch, which supports an external microphone.Update: Some are confused about the benefits of fring. One user details some of the features:- Can call directly using iPhone to another person with iPhone running Fring- Call MSN or Skype users that are using their computer- Call using Skype account, which allows you to have your own Skype number and at a discount rate for international calls- Receive phone calls using Skype with your own custom Skype number- Basic chat functions with most chat platforms, such as AIM, Yahoo and ICQ

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Apple Troubles

"Yesterday, Apple's stock price took a huge hit based on their revised growth estimates, and their weak outlook in a poor US economy. Apple relies on a strong medium to high end consumer market to profit from their notebook and desktop lines. Though this gives them strong control in a niche market, this surely will hurt them at a time when discretionary spending will go down. As the phone market gets more and more saturated iPhone sales will slow hurting Apple's bottom line. Apple is severely lacking an enterprise business and they are not able to sell notebooks to businesses due to their costs and that they are not universally compatible.

People who don't see Apples niche market as a weakness do not understand the tech industry. In the US growth has slowed for these companies and they rely on emerging market growth to pick up the slack. For an emerging market, Apple's products are over-valued and frankly people in emerging markets are not willing to pay so much for a system that they probably don't need. Companies like HP and Lenovo which have low-end machines are dominant in this market; therefore, enabling them to survive through tough economic times. The second problem, relating to Apple's lack of exposure in a commercial environment, deprives them from crucial services revenue during an economic contraction. The few businesses that do use Apple products internally are less likely to upgrade or replace any hardware."

Monday, September 1, 2008

How To Build A Great iPhone App - Forbes.com

The problem is, if applications aren't easy to use, they won't have a future. The phone only has a limited amount of memory. In addition, too many unused applications will only make the phone harder to get around. "Novelty increases people's tolerance for unusable things," says Dave Yeats, a senior research scientist at Perceptive. "As they use it and the novelty wears off, some of these usability problems will start to be more irritating."

Even when an iPhone has the capability to do something, some applications tap that feature better than others--a situation that can vex some users. For instance, some applications are tuned to be exquisitely sensitive to the phone's accelerometer. Tilt the phone just a hair in some applications and a game character, for example, might go flying off the screen. Other applications, such as a free game called "Tilt Snake," aren't sensitive enough. "You had to almost hold your phone upside down and shake it to get the snake to turn," Yeats says.
The iPhone's original applications typically relied on the same cues for navigating through a program. Not so with the hundreds of newbie apps. "Things that were typically on the top would go to the bottom," Thornton says. "Now there is more variation out there."

Shortcuts are another thing Apple does well. For example, when a user pulls up the keyboard to type in a URL on their gadget, it includes a button marked ".com" that saves them four taps. "They just put themselves in the users' shoes to think about what the user is doing at a particular moment," Yeats says.

The solution, according to Thornton, is to study the applications Apple has crafted for the phone and to copy their structure. One of Apple's best tricks, Thornton says, is to use visual cues to help users figure out what to do next. For example, when a phone goes into sleep mode, an animated slider bar draws users' attention to what they have to do to wake the phone up.

"It's a simple thing like letting your user know where they are at all times," says Yeats. "When your screen is so small, you have to let users know where they are at all times."

And if you're lost on how to help your users find their way, just crack open one of Apple's applications and see how it does it.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

apple

An obituary for Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was mistakenly published by Bloomberg News on Thursday, according to several reports.
The stock story detailing the death of the Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) founder, who is still alive, appeared “momentarily” after a reporter had updated it, Bloomberg said. The incomplete obit was distinctly marked “Hold for release — Do not use,” the reports said
Following is the opening paragraph as it appeared on the Bloomberg wire:
“Steve Jobs, who helped make personal computers as easy to use as telephones, changed the way animated films are made, persuaded consumers to tune into digital music and refashioned the mobile phone, has XXXX. He was TK. Jobs XXXX, TK said XXXXX.”
Bloomberg, which was founded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and prides itself on its accuracy and transparency, later published a note acknowledging the story's retraction on its wire.
“An incomplete story referencing Apple Inc. was inadvertently published by Bloomberg News at 4:27 p.m. New York time today,” the message read. “The item was never meant for publication and has been retracted.”

Monday, August 11, 2008

Apple hits 3 million iPhone's sold in its debut month - Aug. 11, 2008

"Talk about your summer scorchers.
One month after its debut, Apple's new iPhone has hit the 3 million sold mark, according to analyst Michael Cote of the Cote Collaborative.
'They are seeing unprecedented demand,' says Cote, adding that there appears to be no signs of a let up yet. Cote, a former T-Mobile executive, has been extremely accurate with wireless predictions in the past.
An Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) spokesperson declined to comment on Cote's projections."

Friday, August 8, 2008

"Eight iPhone owners have joined an elite clan: Their gadget is running a program that cost nearly $1,000.

When the iPhone first hit the market in June 2007, those who paid the $499 entry price -- and signed the two-year AT&T contract -- owned a status symbol. A year later, we have the iPhone 3G, Apple Inc.'s speedier, sleeker and, most important, less expensive smart phone, which introduced a section for downloading third-party applications.


Now that the phone is affordable enough for a wider audience, a new status symbol has emerged: a seemingly useless application called I Am Rich.

Its function is exactly what the name implies: to alert people that you have money in the bank. I Am Rich was available for purchase from the phone's App Store for, get this, $999.99 -- the highest amount a developer can charge through the digital retailer, said Armin Heinrich, the program's developer."

Saturday, August 2, 2008

dem apples

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

iphone

Apple - iPhone- 7/5/07
iPhone 3G combines three products in one - a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device. It features 3G, built-in GPS, ...www.apple.com/iphone/

One Million IPhones Sold. Did Apple Mess Up?
Wired News - 9 hours agoBy Charlie Sorrel July 15, 2008 12:45:08 PMCategories: Apple, iPhone After the initial weekend blowout, you'd think that all things iPhone would be ...

Apple says a million iPhones were sold in three days Newsday

iPhone 3G lives up to the hype CNN International

iPhone 3G lives up to the hype Detroit Free Press

Monday, July 14, 2008

iPhone 3G debut tops 1 million

Apple Sells One Million Of New iPhone in 3 Days

Wall Street Journal - 2 hours agoAnd new software was released for the old iPhone, which required reactivation of those devices. The iPhone 3G was introduced simultaneously in 21 countries, ...

Can I Resist the iPhone 3G? Slate

Glitches mar debut of iPhone Dallas Morning News

Apple Sells One Million 3G iPhones First Weekend. Ten Million ... Washington Post

Sunday, July 13, 2008

11 cool new apps for the iPhone
Computerworld, MA - 1 hour agoBy Michael DeAgonia July 14, 2008 (Computerworld) With the release of the iPhone 2.0 software on Friday and the opening of the App Store -- where hundreds ...
With the new 3G iPhone an explosion of apps development

Saturday, July 12, 2008

"Early reviews on the iPhone 3G are trickling in, and it looks sweet. It's a little bit faster and a little bit better than the first-generation iPhone. But it's not a breakthrough device. If you already have an iPhone in your pocket, you'll want to think hard about whether to shell out to upgrade.
If you already own an iPhone -- or an iPod Touch -- you'll get the best feature of the iPhone 3G on Friday, delivered to you discreetly by tiny little invisible elves wearing soft-soled shoes. Or, rather, it'll be pushed out to you over the Internet when Apple updates the firmware on existing devices to the iPhone 2.0 operating system, which permits running third-party apps. The software is free for iPhone users, $9.99 for users of the Touch.
What do you get if you spring for the iPhone 3G hardware? Access to the 3G network, of course -- but only if you live in one of the 280 U.S. cities now served by AT&T (NYSE: T) 3G, with AT&T expecting to broaden coverage to 350 cities by year end. A friend who's considering buying the iPhone 3G lives in Iowa -- that whole state isn't served by 3G. The New York Times's David Pogue notes that 10 states don't have any 3G coverage at all."

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

U.K. demand for iPhone 3G halts O2 preorders | One More Thing - CNET News.com

"If the online demand for the iPhone 3G in the U.K. is any indication, Apple, O2, and U.S. carrier AT&T could be in for a long weekend.
O2, the U.K. carrier of the iPhone, had hoped to deflect some of the expected demand for Apple's new iPhone, scheduled to launch Friday, by taking preorders for the phone. It sent text messages to existing O2 customers Monday morning informing them of a chance to upgrade to the iPhone 3G. But that prompt overwhelmed O2's Web site Monday, forcing the carrier to halt the upgrade process just minutes after it began, according to a report in The Register. The carrier was likewise forced to pull a separate preordering system for new customers."

Monday, July 7, 2008

Average iPod Has 800-Plus Illegal Tunes

"The average iPod has more than 800 illegally downloaded songs on it, according to research commissioned by British Music Rights. The group is seeking ways to make illegal downloading less appealing by creating alternatives, such as subscription services."

Monday, June 9, 2008

Apple 3G is here. FINALLY

"Steven P. Jobs, chief executive of Apple, introduced a new cheaper iPhone model that navigates the Internet more quickly, expanded its distribution overseas and displayed a range of new applications and services in order to establish Apple as a major player in the cellphone industry."

"Apple, the maker of consumer electronics and computer equipment, had set a goal of selling 10 million iPhones in 2008, which would establish it as one of the major smartphone makers in the less than two years since it began shipping the original iPhone. Apple has sold six million phones globally since its introduction.
Analysts said that Mr. Jobs, one of the world’s best product marketers, had largely accomplished what he set out to do and they welcomed the moves he outlined in a presentation before software developers on Monday.
“This is the phone that has changed phones forever,” Mr. Jobs said.
Mr. Jobs said the new iPhone 3G, to be available in the United States through AT&T beginning on July 11, will sell for $199 for the 8-gigabyte model and $299 for a 16-gigabyte model. He said the biggest barrier to people buying the phone had been price. "

Thursday, May 22, 2008

apple-grade.jpg (JPEG Image, 463x354 pixels)



asdfasfaslkja;fjwiej

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Bloomberg.com: Research In Motion Unveils Speedier BlackBerry, Beating IPhone

Research In Motion Ltd. unveiled a BlackBerry phone with quicker Web browsing and more room for songs and videos, getting a jump on a faster iPhone that analysts expect next month.
The device, called the BlackBerry Bold, has a brighter screen and better Web browser than previous models, co-Chief Executive Officer James Balsillie said in an interview. The phone, which also has satellite navigation and a video camera, will start selling at AT&T Inc. for $300 to $400 this summer in the U.S., he said."

14918_large.jpg (JPEG Image, 350x399 pixels)

14918_large.jpg (JPEG Image, 350x399 pixels)

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Slashdot | Apple, New York City In Legal Dispute Over Logo

"Apple, Inc. has filed a suit to prevent New York City's non-profit 'GreeNYC' initiative from using a logo that incorporates an apple in its design. Commentators have noted the substantial differences between the two designs, not to mention the irony of this sort of infringement apple big micsrosft claim. The city of New York has filed to have the claim rejected, and even possibly the cancellation of Apple's logo in light of the long history of the nickname 'The Big Apple' to describe the city.""

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Apple rumors run wild, slow news day confirmed | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

"When it comes to writing about Apple, deciding what you should and should not cover can be tricky.

You can take the machine gun approach: Anything said, written, rumored, or signaled via smoke should be dutifully blogged with a hint of snark and just enough insight to make readers think, "Heeeeeeey, that fella must know the inside dope." This, unfortunately, is what most of the tech press (mea culpa: sometimes including CNET) following Apple does these days. If you don't give readers their Apple fix, the other guys will."

Thursday, March 27, 2008

steve jobz

Monday, March 17, 2008

Apple commits to June iPhone release, 10M units in 2008

"Development of the iPhone is keeping up its pace, and Apple says their June release date is on schedule. Some concerns arose when they mentioned not too long ago that the Leopard release for OS X would be delayed to push development of the iPhone up, leading some to believe that perhaps both projects might end up not meeting their deadlines. It's quite common for releases to be pushed back (we're looking at you, R600), but Apple is committed: From the beginning, Apple said that the iPhone would ship in June of this year and would be a Cingular Wireless (AT&T Wireless) exclusive phone. Late last month, an unofficial launch date of June 11 was reported by CNET. The launch would coincide with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco which is slated to run from June 11 through June 15. A timely release is important for them, especially considering they are planning to have sold at least 10 million units by the end of next year. At $499-599 a pop, that might be difficult. "

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Gates







Wednesday, March 12, 2008

iFund

"KPCB’s iFund™ is a $100M investment initiative that will fund market-changing ideas and products that extend the revolutionary new iPhone and iPod touch platform. The iFund™ is agnostic to size and stage of investment and will invest in companies building applications, services and components. Focus areas include location based services, social networking, mCommerce (including advertising and payments), communication, and entertainment. The iFund™ will back innovators pursuing transformative, high-impact ideas with an eye towards building independent durable companies atop the iPhone / iPod touch platform.
"A revolutionary new platform is a rare and prized opportunity for entrepreneurs, and that's exactly what Apple has created with iPhone and iPod touch," said John Doerr, Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. "We think several significant new companies will emerge as this new platform evolves, and the iFund™ will empower them to realize their full potential."
"Developers are already bursting with ideas for the iPhone and iPod touch, and now they have the chance to turn those ideas into great companies with the help of world-class venture capitalists," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We can't wait to start working with Kleiner Perkins and the companies they fund through this new initiative."
The iFund™ will be managed by KPCB Partner Matt Murphy in collaboration with partners Chi-Hua Chien, John Doerr, Bill Joy, Randy Komisar, Ellen Pao and Ted Schlein. Apple will provide KPCB with market insight and support. "

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Apple Is Transparent in Bid To Broaden iPhone's Reach - WSJ.com

"Apple Inc.'s iPhone boasts the power of a computer under its metallic-and-glass shell, including a stripped-down version of the software that runs Apple's Macintosh computers. Soon independent software makers will be able to harness that power themselves, in a development that could broaden the iPhone's appeal."

"Apple has invited the media to an event Thursday at the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, where it plans to present an "iPhone software roadmap." One of the event's highlights will be a software-development kit that will let independent programmers build iPhone applications, according to Apple's invitation.

Since the iPhone made its debut in June, software developers have bridled over how Apple hasn't allowed them to create programs that could tap into the device's full potential. To prevent viruses that could wreak havoc on the gadget, Apple has only allowed developers to make software that runs through the iPhone's Safari Web browser, but not more full-featured "native" applications that users could download and store on their phones.

In plain English, that means iPhone users have been stuck with hobbled software from independent developers. Although the applications that run through its Web browser are more secure, they can't be accessed when users are away from a wireless network."

Thursday, February 28, 2008

TTD: Apple COO Cook Confirms Forecast For 10 Million iPhone Sales In 2008; Stock Jumps After Hours (Updated)

"Apple (AAPL) shares are making a nice move after hours, apparently in response to a talk COO Tim Cook gave a little while ago at the Goldman Sachs tech conference in Las Vegas. I’m trying to track down a transcript or a playback; no luck so far. However, the talk was covered by live by MacDailyNews, which will have to do for now. (Update: I listened to the call, and can confirm that he said it.)
(A spokesman for Apple tells me that a playback should be on the Apple IR web site soon; I will add a link once they have it live.)
Update: There is a link here; I can’t seem to get it to work through our fire wall, but I’ll try it again from another spot shortly; please let me know if you successfully launch the replay.A few tidbits from the MacDailyNews account:
He was bullish on Mac: “huge headroom,” iPhone: “enormous potential,” iPod: “transforming into first mobile platform” with the Touch, and AppleTV “potential exists for enormous opportunity.”
Lower price on Shuffle should help sales in emerging markets.
To Apple, iPod does not feel like a saturated market.
On track for 10 million iPhones in 2008.
iPhone unlocking shows pent-up worldwide demand.
Did not rule out selling unlocked iPhones; will roll out in more markets.
In after hours trading, Apple is up $4.54, or 3.7%, to $127.50; the stock was up $3.81 in the regular session.
UPDATE: So, the link works fine. And MacDailyNews did a pretty nice summary of the call; the confirmation on the iPhone sales goal is correct.
Here are some additional tidbits:
Cook said they can grow the Mac even if the PC market were flat, since the target is to switch Windows users over. He says the AppleTV market is not is the same realm as its other three businesses, but that “our gut” tells us there is something there.
On exposure to the consumer economy, Cook says he’s “stopped watching TV, totally…except for AppleTV, where I can watch the movie of my choice.”
On possible saturation of the iPod, he notes that units grew 5% year over year in the December quarter, with 17% growth in revenue, the highest in a year. Cook notes that he put energy into the launch of the Touch, to extend brand into being the first mainstream WiFi mobile device. They added to that with new mail and other software. The SDK next week will broaden it further. Shuffle did not do as well last quarter. Shuffle was down 17% globally, and more than that in the U.S. Shuffle pulled units down; Touch pulled ASP up. They, of course, took down the price of the Shuffle recently. Dropping entry price makes it more affordable to more buyers. Last quarter in U.S. 40% of iPods sold were to people who did not own one previously…does not feel like a saturated market, he said. Although units were flat in the U.S. Part could be the economy, part the Shuffle issue; part could be other issues.
The iPhone has the highest customer “sat” of any product ever shipped. They will talk about third party apps for the iPhone at the event next week.
On the difference between the activated phones and the total number sold - the missing iPhones - he says Apple has rolled out iPhone in four markets - U.S., U.K., Germany and France. Then they will apply learnings to future markets. The 4 million units over first 200 units gave confidence they are right on track for 10 million units in 2008 - as noted above. Demand for iPhone is so intense in markets where we are not officially selling, people are shipping them out of the country and using on other carriers. Shows a lot of world wide demand. He also says some phones sold late last year were not immediately registered.
He says they will roll out more European countries this year, and will roll out Asia this year. He also says they could use different business models in different markets. Carriers see it as a way to raise ARPU, a revolutionary device that gets people interested in using data. How many people really browse on a phone if they don’t use an iPhone: not that many, he says.
Apple in 2007 surpassed Dell as the number one supplier of portables PCs to the education market.
Target market for the air Air? Road warriors, professors, student, person on the go. We put the things in there that we think people really desired.
AppleTV: right now it IS a small nichey product. But we believe it is an area that could be big for us. But its not now."

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Apple wont sell 10m units

"Before January, 2007, the last time Steve Jobs made a prediction based on hard numbers was June, 2003. The number then was 3Ghz in a Power Mac G5 within a year, but a year later, Jobs was forced to admit failure. A year after that, he fired IBM as Apple's CPU manufacturer. One wonders who will be fired this time if Apple fails to sell 10 million iPhones in 2008. MarketWatch reports on a conference call with Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi, who suggests that Apple may not make its goal.

"Apple's goal of selling 10 million iPhones this year is optimistic, particularly if Apple insists on carrier revenue sharing without significant price cuts or new model introductions," Sacconaghi said.

While there are a lot of 'ifs' in that prediction, there are also some numbers behind it. Sacconaghi asserts that iPhone sales averaged 180,000 per week during the busy holiday quarter. Going by that baseline, he expects Apple to sell just under 8 million iPhones in 2008. If measuring sales of iPhones were a linear process, that might be true, but there are several unknowables to ponder, the most salient being whether iPhone sales are accelerating the way iPod sales once did. iPhone sales more than doubled from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2007. Continued growth like that would make 10 million iPhones in 2008 a low-end estimate. However, if iPhone sales spiked like iPod sales do during the holiday quarter, then there might be a problem, as even sales averaging 180,000 per week will fall short of 10 million iPhones in 2008.

Of course, as the chart shows, there are a number of events that might boost sales of iPhones, and there may be one other factor to consider: the ego of Steve Jobs. After all, it's not like he can fire AT&T from the remaining four years of the companies' exclusivity agreement. That leaves new models and/or a price drop as potential boosters of iPhone sales in 2008. With a gross margin as high as 60 percent, there is a lot of room to drop the price. If and when that happens will likely be determined by how well the iPhone does in making the numbers, but you can bet Steve Jobs isn't going to be wrong again. Well, that and the fact that the stock of the company would suffer considerably with the realization that the iPhone was not the Next Great Thing™.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Google Sees Surge in iPhone Traffic - New York Times

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Of all the iPhone’s features, none had reviewers gushing more than its Internet browser. It was the first cellphone browser that promised something resembling the experience of surfing the Internet on a PC. Santa helped deliver on that promise.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

» Apple rolls out new eight-core Mac Pro, Xserve refresh | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its latest Mac Pro, which the company claims is its fastest ever with eight processor cores standard.

The Mac Pro definitely sounds like it pops a wallop. Here are the details:

Two Intel 45 nanometer quad core Xeon processors running up to 3.2 Ghz–each

processor has 12 MB of L2 cache;
Up to 4 TB internal storage;
1600 MHz front side buses and up to 32 GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC FB-DIMM;
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory.
Add it up and Apple claims a 61 percent increase in memory throughput based on preproduction testing. The full footnote provided in Apple’s statement is as follows:
Testing conducted by Apple in December 2007 using a preproduction 2.8 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with a 2.66 GHz quad-core Mac Pro. All systems were configured with 4GB of RAM. Results are based on the STREAM v. 5.6 benchmark (http://www.cs.virginia.edu/stream/ref.html) using OMP support for multiprocessor-compiled builds. All systems were configured with 8GB of RAM. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Mac Pro.
The new Mac Pro starts at $2,799, but build to order systems will run you more. Apple also touted the Mac Pro’s expansion capabilities. There are four internal hard drive bays with direct-attach, cable free installation of four 1TB Serial ATA hard drives. If you’re a video, content, creative professional type you’re probably salivating. And if you’re not a creative professional you’ll probably still want one (at least I do).
Separately, Apple rolled out its latest Xserve rack server. The Xserve starts at $2,999 and has up to two quad-core Xeon processors. An unlimited client license to Mac OS X Server Leopard is included. Here are the standard specs:
a single 64-bit 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Xeon processor with 12MB of L2 cache and a 1600 Mhz front side bus;
2GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC FB-DIMM RAM, expandable up to 32GB;
a single 80GB SATA Apple Drive Module;
dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
internal graphics;
two FireWire 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

First Apple-Authorized Tablet Mac Shipped -- Apple -- InformationWeek

Axiotron has released to retailers its Apple-authorized tablet Mac, which targets artists and design-oriented professionals.