Posts Tagged ‘apple product’

Apple to Merge iOS and OS X via Custom A6 Processor in 2012?

It is all just guesses and speculation at this point, but if Peter Misek from Jefferies & Co is correct, Apple may be considering a merge of their Mac OS and iOS operating systems into one consolidated platform. This may sound like crazy talk, but he is predicting that this may happen as early as 2012 and begin with the MacBook Air, though he does suggest that a full conversion involving the more powerful Apple machines like the MacBook Pro may continue until as late as 2016.

A move like this would be made possible by the upcoming A6 quad-core app processor which Apple has recently started testing.

Migration of all Apple machines and devices to ARM processors, away from the more traditional x86 option that most currently use, will take time and testing but it seems very possible with the 64-bit versions coming soon. I am sure that this kind of alignment would appear logical to Apple, a company well known for streamlining their hardware offerings –something often criticized even though it seemingly increases stability.

I really believe that smartphones and tablets are increasing our expectations. With so many options for accessing our data and using our applications, we want our user experience to translate across all of our devices seamlessly and easily. We’ve had our appetites whet with promises of the iCloud, but we’re going to need more. One look at the recent release of Mac OS X Lion should tell you that Apple feels the same way.

Add to this the well documented tendency for users to become brand loyal once they adopt an Apple product, and the stage is set for a single, unified operating system to slide into place. Apple shouldn’t be too arrogant though, with the announcement last May that Google’s Desktop Android is being developed, it is clear this vision is shared and there may be competition.

[via AppleInsider]

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No, Mine’s the Best! Is Apple Really a Benchmark?

Have you ever noticed that when a new tablet or smartphone hits the market, the first news to hit the stands is how it compares to an Apple product? Everybody is trying to ‘beat’ Apple. Everybody is trying to ‘show’ Apple. The remarkable thing is that by doing so they have turned Apple into the de facto benchmark to which all devices are compared. When will people start evaluating their electronics by deciding which device does the best job for their needs instead of worrying about who it is outselling or outperforming?

Marco Arment seems to get it. In a recent blog post he evaluated a review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 by saying the things we’ve all been thinking. Does news that the Galaxy tab is 2% thinner have you running to the stores? Do you care that it is 6% lighter? Of course not. If you could prove to me that these kinds of details make the difference to consumers, I’d eat my hat.

The industry is seemingly obsessed with manufacturers trying to be the one to sway Apple users away from Apple. What they seem to be forgetting is that Apple is selling a culture more than any single device, making it very difficult to compete. Will I buy an Android tablet if I already have an iPhone? Maybe. But sell me on Android as much as your device. Why is it so great? How is it better? Sell me on the experience instead of fractional statistics.

Should you own an iPad? Sure! Maybe! No! What about a Kindle? Or a Playbook? The answer lies in another question: what are you going to do with it?

My point here has nothing to do with any specific device, nor their perceived weaknesses or strengths. It’s to say to all of the manufacturers: innovation means creating something new –not creating something that’s pretty much the same thing only 2% thinner!

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iOS 5 Game Center: Getting Serious About Gaming

Who cares about Game Center? Apparently nearly all iOS users! Apple was able to announce at WWDC that iOS has become the world’s most popular gaming platform. This stands to reason, when the iPhone, iPod and iPad are all best sellers in their respective sales categories.

The upgrades with iOS 5 will now allow you to post a profile picture, meet new friends based on recommendations made because of the games you play, evaluate potential opponents based on an overall achievements score and most importantly you can make game choices and purchase them directly from within Game Center itself.

With these changes, Apple is looking to address the competition and succeed at becoming a true hub for gaming on iOS devices. The primary theme appears to be an increase in social networking which is an area where Game Center currently falls short. People want to find their friends and make new friends based on common gaming interests and this is something they will now be able to do. The downfall is that there is no capacity for live chat with other online players, which is a feature offered by both Facebook and OpenFeint, Game Center’s main competition.

The other shortcoming is that Game Center is limited to iOS devices. Both Facebook and OpenFeint are cross-platform, though Facebook Games excels on the PC as opposed to mobile devices. While it makes sense that Game Center wouldn’t be available on an Android device given that it is an Apple product, it is unfortunate and may be the reason it isn’t a definite home-run.

The advantage of Game Center is integration, being part of the core operating system offering makes it a clear choice for many users who are less tech-savvy. Because of this built-in nature, this is the first service most people will use and that might mean it becomes the last.

My feeling is that this upgrade is most significant for those of us with multiple iOS devices, where the main interest in Game Center is to carry profile and game settings between each of them. This isn’t so much because the upgrades assist with this but because it shows a commitment from Apple to keep Game Center alive and current.

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Apple Tightens Control on Use of Its Products for Promotional Giveaways

Thinking about offering an iPad 2 for your company’s next promotional giveaway? Think twice! You need to make yourself familiar with Apple’s Guidelines for Third Party Promotions before you get yourself into some trouble.

Companies looking for promotional items waste no time in offering the latest and greatest Apple products as soon as they hit store shelves. It’s the perfect way to attract customers and hopefully drum up some business. Contests for free iPhones, iPods and iPads are constantly popping up from popular websites to small businesses in your own home town. Well beware, because according to a report on Fortune, Apple has started to enforce the guidelines it has laid out regarding the use of its products for contests and giveaways.

Following are just some of the guidelines included in the two-page document outlining Apple’s rules:

• iPad, iPhone and the iPhone Gift Card may not be used in third-party promotions.
• iPod touch is only allowed to be used in special circumstances and requires a minimum purchase of 250 units.
• The use of “free” as a modifier in any Apple product reference in a prominent manner (headlines, call- outs, etc.) is prohibited.
• You must submit all marketing materials related to the promotion of Apple products to Apple for review.
• You may NOT use the Myriad Set font on or in connection with web sites, products, packaging, manuals, or promotional/advertising materials.
• Please include the following statement at the end of Apple legal language: “Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.”

This rules included in the Guidelines for Third Party Promotions document have reportedly been around since January, but it appears Apple has only recently started to enforce them. I blogged about the significant number of iPad contests in one of my posts last fall and was completely unaware of any guidelines. Based on the number of contests past and present, it looks like plenty of others find themselves without a firm grasp of the rules as well. I found dozens of contests just today by googling “iPad 2 contest giveaway” and some of them were from well-known, reputable sites. It will definitely be interesting to see whether there is a decline in the number of contests offering up Apple products in the future.

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Apple’s iPad 2 Gets Top Rating From Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports, the independent nonprofit testing organization, just wrapped up testing the hottest tablets on the market today and Apple’s iPad 2 took the top spot in the ratings.

The company evaluated 10 of today’s most popular tablets from manufacturers like Motorola, Archos, Samsung, Dell, ViewSonic and Apple. Consumer Reports subjected the tablets to a series of tests meant to mimic how consumers use their tablets in the real world. The tests looked at 17 different usability criteria including ease of use, screen glare, responsiveness and portability.

While the iPad 2 received top marks in nearly all categories, Consumer Reports noted that the Motorola Xoom was the first competitor to give the iPad a run for the money. The Xoom received praise for its versatility and ability to playback Flash based video and animation. The Xoom was the top rated non-Apple product and tied with Apple’s original iPad in the Consumer Reports testing.

Android based tablets received high marks for their expansion capabilities which give users the ability to add peripherals or additional storage. The expandability comes thanks to built-in memory-card slots and USB ports found on most Android based tablets, Consumer Reports notes that both of these features are missing from the iPad 2.

“So far Apple is leading the tablet market in both quality and price, which is unusual for a company whose products are usually premium priced,” said Paul Reynolds, Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports. “However, it’s likely we’ll see more competitive pricing in tablets as other models begin to hit the market.”

Although Consumer Reports thinks more competitive pricing is just around the corner, it warns consumers that with today’s tablets “you get what you pay for.” They say consumers should not be lured in by lower-priced competitors as the devices provide mediocre performance and poor battery life.

The full report is available on the Consumer Reports website and is included in the May 2011 Consumer Reports print edition.

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iPad 2 Already Selling Overseas?

Apple’s iPad 2 inventory shortage has been the big story after the new tablet was officially released on March 11. It’s hard to get your hands on an iPad 2 at the moment. Even online shipments have slipped out to a surprising four to five weeks.

But, where have some of these iPad 2 units gone?

A very interesting report by Fortune has indicated that a sizable amount of iPad 2 units are already selling in China. According to Fortune, ” By Sunday, the new tablets were selling in China for up to 105% over their sticker price”.

This is not the first time an Apple product has been bought in large quantities by gray-market dealers for reselling overseas. The same situation happened last year when the iPhone 4 was launched. Back then, large quantities of the iPhone 4 were bought in New York and sold in the gray market to customers in Hong Kong.

The iPad 2 launch has apparently followed the same trail as the iPhone 4. According to Fortune, many of the iPad 2s sold since last Friday have been bought by gray-market dealers. Large quantities of the iPad 2 were bought in New York City, and some tipsters have indicated that many of those iPads were bought by foreign couriers.

Chinese blog M.I.C. Gadget has cited a Mr. Lo, as a veteran gray-market dealer in Hong Kong that has distributed thousands of iPhone 4s and iPads last year. Apparently, Mr. Lo could be one of the reasons why so many iPad 2 units have not been available to several consumers in the United States. According to the report, Mr. Lo probably has couriers in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

But, why so many iPad 2 units were bought for the gray market? Simple. In China, and in other parts of Asia, there are lots of Apple fans that are willing to pay high premiums for the iPad 2. The graphic below shows the prices and markups that allegedly Mr. Lo has been able to enjoy for the iPad 2.

Apple continues to struggle with the iPad 2 inventory. At this point, many new customers are frustrated with the inventory situation. And, we have not even mentioned other countries like Canada and many countries in the Pacific Rim. Let’s hope the inventory situation improves soon.

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Apple Online Store Down Ahead of iPad 2 Launch

As is the case before most big Apple product launches, Apple has taken down all of their Online Stores ahead of today’s iPad 2 media event. The Online Store went down approximately two hours ago and should come back shortly after the conclusion of today’s launch which should be around 2:00 PM Central Time.

The fact that Apple has taken the store down could mean that the iPad 2 will be available for order immediately following the event.

Be sure to check back with us beginning at 12:00 PM Central Time today as we cover all of today’s iPad 2 launch news.

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Is This The New iPad 2?

iPad 2 rumors are reaching a feverish pitch with Apple’s official iPad 2 unveiling just days away. We’ve already seen several photos of what is rumored to be either the actual iPad 2 or a case for the new device, but this latest image from BGR is one of the best looking photos we’ve seen thus far.

The image has all the right elements, from the rumored tapered edges and larger speaker port to the rear facing camera. We’ve seen all of these items on other mock-ups but this image has a more polished feel to it than the earlier leaked photos that have hit the net.

BGR thinks this is probably more likely a fan rendering rather than a real photo of the new device, but they too think it is a good representation of what Apple will unveil on March 2.

The item that still bugs us is the speaker port on this new photo. As was the case in earlier photos, the speaker port lacks the fit and finish we’re used to seeing in an Apple product. The holes are not in line with Apple’s other product designs and we’d expect any speaker port to have tiny precision machined holes like those found on Apple’s Mac Book Pro lineup.

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Engadget Selects iPad as Top Gadget of 2010

Gadget mega site Engadget just released their Editor’s Choice awards for top electronic gadgets in 2010 and Apple’s iPad beat out all other gadgets to take top honors. The iPad managed to edge out HTC’s popular Evo smartphone to win Engadget’s “Gadget of the Year.”

Engadget editors selected the iPad as the Top Gadget saying, “the iPad won this one going away — there’s just no denying the influence Apple’s tablet had on the industry this year.” Engadget editors also voted the iPad one of the best “Home Entertainment Devices” of 2010 with it landing in the runner’s-up spot just behind Netflix’s popular video streaming service.

The iPad also was selected “Gadget of the Year” by Engadget readers to win their “Reader’s Choice Award .” Over 100,000 readers voted and selected their top gadget in a range of categories. Apple’s iPad took top honors in three different Reader’s Choice categories, winning by a wide margin in each.

The iPad won the People’s Choice Gadget of the Year, beating out the second place Microsoft Kinect by over 20%. The iPad also took the top spot to win the “Tablet PC of the Year” beating out the Samsung Galaxy Tab by nearly 50% and it won the “Portable Media Device of the Year” award beating out Apple’s iPod Touch 4G by 14%.

The iPad wasn’t the only Apple product to take top honors in Engadget’s 2010 gadget awards. Apple’s iPhone 4 took the top spot in both the Reader’s Choice and Editor’s Choice poll for 2010 “Phone of the Year”.

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AT&T Plans to Sell Motorola’s iPad Competitor the Xoom

AT&T’s long standing partnership with Apple took its first blow a few weeks back when Verizon announced that they would start selling the iPhone 4 here in the US. While most countries have multiple carriers selling the iconic Apple product, here in the US, consumers could get the iPhone only with AT&T’s network due to a long standing exclusivity agreement between the two companies.

AT&T’s iPhone exclusivity was something that helped the company attract millions of customers to its network and the carrier was very focused on selling and promoting Apple devices as a key differentiator against their competitors. Now that the exclusivity is gone, AT&T is beginning to actively push Android based handsets and tablets like the Motorola Xoom.

All Things Digital reports that David Christopher, AT&T’s Chief Marketing Officer, announced that the company would begin selling Motorola’s upcoming Xoom tablet. The Xoom has received a lot of press recently as the first tablet to run Google’s new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) OS which is optimized for tablets. Many believe the Xoom could be the first credible threat to the iPad once it goes on sale later this month for $799.99.

The Xoom will initially be available only on Verzion’s CDMA network, AT&T’s largest competitor, but Christopher says that AT&T will also carry the device later this year as part of push to get more Android based smartphones and tablets on their network.

While having a second carrier in the US for the iPad and iPhone is great for consumers, it’s forcing AT&T to more aggressively embrace other mobile OS platforms such as those from Android, RIM and Microsoft. It will be interesting to see if the sales upside from having two carriers will be offset by the introduction of more competing tablets and smartphones on AT&T’s network.

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