Category Archives: Apple

News and Information about Apple, Inc.

May 15 2012

Opinion: Why Apple WON’T announce new hardware at WWDC 2012

By: Dan Uff

With the annual World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) approaching, rumors have begun swirling that besides Apple unveiling iOS6, that they will also be unveiling new Retina display Macs as well.  My question is – WHY?

Over the past few years, Apple has not introduced any new hardware at the event.  Maybe a week before or a week after, but not during a keynote nor that week.

WWDC is (and should be) about software.  For them to introduce new hardware at the event is like bringing a rubber-band gun to a shooting range.

Unlike AppleScoop.com, other blogs have to post something daily or they fear loosing their readership – even if that means reporting false or unverified rumors or reports – which we believe are.

So if you’re considering buying a Mac and are waiting to see if Apple will introduce new hardware at the event, you may be disappointed and have waited extra weeks for nothing.

If I am wrong, please let me know by commenting below.

May 14 2012

RUMOR: New Maps coming to iOS6

In what seems all but certain, Apple is set to introduce an all new mapping system and features when it announces iOS6 at WWDC in June.

People familiar with it are saying that the new maps ”will blow your socks off.”

We will continue to follow this and update as necessary.

May 14 2012

Best Buy slashes prices on current Mac Inventory

In what seems to be a clearance to get ready for new models, Best Buy has slashed prices on its current Mac models by as much as $100.00 to $200.00 off.  The sale started last evening (Sunday) and is seeming to continue until the current models are gone.

Here’s a current breakdown of the savings:

(Source: CultOfMac.com)

May 13 2012

How to: Use the iPhone 4/4S as a Personal Hotspot

Did you know that the iPhone 4 and 4S can be used as a personal hotspot?  That means up to 5 connected devices can share your iPhone’s Internet connection.

In order for this to work, your cell phone‘s plan has to have this feature enabled, and additional rates may apply.

There are three ways to connect a laptop to your iPhone:

- BlueTooth.
- USB.
- WiFi.

All three options are fairly easy to set up and use.  I’ll cover all three ways to connect.

- BLUETOOTH:

1.  Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON on your computer and the phone.
2.  On the iPhone, pair it with the computer.  Enter the bluetooth code when prompted.
3.  Start using the connection.

- WiFi:

1.  Enable WiFi on both devices.
2.  From the list of available WiFi connections, select the iPhone.
3.  If prompted, enter the password to connect to the iPhone.
4.  Start using the connection.

USB:

1.  Using a USB cable, connect the iPhone to your computer.
2.  Go to SETTINGS > NETWORK and choose the iPhone from the list.
3.  Start using the connection.

Remember, using this connection does count against your megabytes and cell phone minutes.

May 12 2012

How to: Make an iOS device “read” web page content

Last evening, their was a school bus crash down the street from me.  Being a news hound (and a son of a fire fighter), I wanted to see if their was anyone hurt.  My iPhone notified me that their was an update to the crash on a local newspaper site so I went there.  The article was long and I didn’t have time to read all of it.

By accident, I found a nice feature that allows the iOS device to read a web page with (what sounds like) Siri‘s voice.  Here’s how to activate it:

1.  Go to a web page that you wish the device to read.
2.  Hold your finger on the screen until you see a light blue block around the article.
3.  A pop-up window will come up with two options: COPY and SPEAK.
4.  Using the dots, move the blue square around the paragraphs that you wish to read.
5.  Tap SPEAK.
6.  The device will begin reading the selected text.

Is the device speaking to fast or slow?  Here’s how to control that:

1.  Go into SETTINGS > GENERAL > ACCESSIBILITY.
2.  Select the “SPEAK SELECTION” option.
3.  Find the “SPEAK RATE” option.  Turtle icon = slower, rabbit icon = faster.

Thats it.

May 11 2012

OOPS! Apple shows its hand before WWDC 2012

Apple has been a busy little beaver weeks before its annual WWDC.  It seems that some web sites have found some ‘previews’ from the company when it comes to iCloud.com.

9to5Mac.com has found some interesting tidbits.  One of them being a beta web site for iCloud (beta.icloud.com) as well as a developer’s web site (developer.icloud.com).

MacRumors.com reported on a new feature on the public web site that has since disappeared.  An iOS notification style message appeared at the top of the familiar iCloud.com login screen.

Finally, it is said that Apple will be introducing the next generation operating system, iOS6, which could include a new mapping system among other things.

May 10 2012

Apple updates its Apple TV to 5.0.1

Late Thursday, Apple updated its Apple TV 2 and 3 to version 5.o.1.  According to the information:

Apple TV Software Update 5.0.1

iTunes previews - Previews for movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store can now be viewed in HD.
AirPlay - Fixes an issue that caused some iOS apps to have trouble connecting via AirPlay.
Home Sharing - Improves the reliability of Home Sharing connections.
Netflix - Addresses an issue affecting Netflix login and navigation.
Stability and performance - Includes fixes for issues affecting stability and performance.

The update can be gotten by going to SETTINGS > GENERAL > UPDATE SOFTWARE.

May 10 2012

Mac OS X 10.7 could be ‘killed off’ early in favor for 10.8

AppleInsider.com, as well as others are reporting that a rumor has surfaced that may have some Lion users peeved.

It seems that Apple has already begun to train its retail employees on Mountain Lion and is going to ditch its current operating system as soon as 10.8 is released to the public.

AppleInsider reports that Apple’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) AppleCare division is already “hiring a number of new employees who will serve as customer support for the new operating system.”

 “The source went on to say that Mountain Lion may be just a few weeks from launch as internal training recently commenced regarding certain facets of the operating system. Apple usually restricts the operating window of support staff training to a minimum before large product release presumably to avoid leaks.”
We will continue to follow this and update as necessary.
May 4 2012

Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview?

By: Dan Uff, Senior Editor

Before I begin my rant, nobody reading this can argue that Steve Jobs has made a hugh impact on the computer field.  I will always be grateful to him for what he has done to make computers accessible for everyone (including persons with disabilities).

When Jobs passed, we geeks honored him in every way we could, but was concerned with the future of Apple under the guidance of Tim Cook.  Well, (in my opinion) he has proven that he can take Apple into the next century.

So, why, in god’s name has a company called Landmark Theaters buy the rights to an interview that Steve Jobs gave almost 30 years ago?  We all know what has happened during and after the years after the original interview – don’t we?

What do you think?  Please comment below.