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Apple Beginning Independent Environmental Audits of Chinese Suppliers' Facilities

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:48:15 +0000

While Apple's partnership with the Fair Labor Association to conduct independent audits of working conditions at factories in Apple's supply chain has been gaining headlines in recent weeks, USA Today reports that Apple is also gearing up for independent environmental audits of several suppliers. The news comes as Apple yesterday released its annual environmental report, touting a number of new initiatives and improvements, including significant investments in alternative energy at its new North Carolina data center.

Ma Jun, founder of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, told USA TODAY in a phone interview Monday that Apple agreed to the independent reviews in late January in response to two reports that IPE and other environmental groups released last year documenting hazardous-waste leaks and the use of toxic chemicals at suspected Apple suppliers.

The reviews, which could begin in March, will start with two suppliers but might expand to others, said Ma, one of China's leading environmental activists.

Linda Greer, Washington-D.C.-based director of the National Resources Defense Council's health program, said Apple agreed to allow environmental groups to examine at least two of the 14 suppliers that Apple did environmental audits on last year. Apple has promised the groups access to the factories, she said. The reviews will focus on environmental issues, such as whether Apple suppliers are discharging toxic waste into the water supply and soil.

Apple is reportedly also working with the IPE's database of environmental violations in China, using the data to help monitor current supply chain partners and evaluate potential new ones.

Apple is said to be looking to add a similar level of transparency to its environmental auditing as it is deploying for audits of working conditions, seeking to make the results public and naming the audited suppliers once they have had an opportunity to address any deficiencies.
(Via MacRumors)

iPad 3 Front Glass Reveals No Significant Changes: Round Home Button, Camera and Sens

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:47:17 +0000

While a number of alleged iPad 3 parts have leaked in recent weeks, one piece that has so far remained unseen is the device's front panel. But now Apple.pro points to a posting (registration required) on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo showing what is claimed to be the front glass and digitizer assembly from the iPad 3.

The part appears nearly identical to that of the iPad 2, with the major distinguishing feature being a relatively long ribbon cable extending up the side of the display as opposed to a shorter cable with a sideways orientation seen in the iPad 2. Other features of the iPad 3 display include the same round home button seen in all iOS devices so far and a hole in the top bezel to accommodate both the front-facing camera and the ambient light sensor.

A separate posting from the same blogger claims that the A5X system-on-a-chip seen in a leaked photo has a dual-core processor and that the iPad 3 will support Siri. The report also claims that the iPad 3 will launch with iOS 5.1 and a rear camera capable of recording 1080p video. Finally, the posting says that the iPad 3 will launch in the U.S. in mid-March with France, Germany, Japan, and the UK to follow in April. Other markets including China and Hong Kong should see the device launch by June 1. The reliability of that report is, however, unknown.

With the revelation of the front glass assembly and earlier leaks of the rear casing, ultra high-resolution display, logic board, and several other internal components, most of the iPad 3's major parts with the exception of the battery and camera modules have now been seen. Apple is expected to introduce the iPad 3 with a media event scheduled for March 7.
(Via MacRumors)

Microsoft Denies Claims of Imminent Launch of Office for iPad

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:46:23 +0000

Earlier today, a report from The Daily claimed that Microsoft has a "working prototype" of its Office suite for iPad, with the app reportedly set to be submitted to Apple for App Store approval "soon".

The New York Times now reports that Microsoft has issued a statement denying at least some of the claims made in the original report, although the company offered no detail on what specific claims it was objecting to.
A Microsoft spokeswoman issued this statement: “The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.”

Following the introduction of the original iPad back in 2010, Microsoft indicated that it was "looking at", the possibility of bringing Office to the device, but by the time the device launched a few months later the company said it had "no current plans" for such a project. Rumors of Office for iPad were revived by The Daily late last year with claims that Microsoft was "actively working" on an app.

Update: Microsoft has also responded to ZDNet, claiming that the screenshot accompanying The Daily's report is "not a real picture of a Microsoft software product".

A Microsoft spokesperson said the screen shot accompanying The Daily’s story is not a real picture of a Microsoft software product. But the spokesperson also said Microsoft is declining to comment as to whether or not the company has developed a version of Office for the iPad and/or when such a product may come to market.

Update 2: The Daily's Peter Ha has taken to Twitter to defend the original report, saying that "a working version of the app was demoed to us by someone at Microsoft."

Update 3: TechCrunch has also weighed in, offering another statement from Ha and its own confirmation that the project is indeed real.

Sure enough, they did their homework and Ha stands by the story and pic.

"We’ve been chasing this story down for weeks. We did not fabricate the image and Microsoft isn’t denying the existence of Office for iPad. All this fuss over a photo is nonsense. The story is real."

We also got confirmation from local sources in Seattle, who assure us that the software is real and being developed in-house. However, as the build in the picture is far from final, Microsoft can deny (in its overly specific way) that it’s not a real product.
(Via MacRumors)

U.S. Mac Demand Soft in January as Customers Wait for Updated Models

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:44:12 +0000

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster is out with a new report today citing data from research firm NPD on U.S. sales of Macs. According to the data, Apple's U.S. Mac sales were up only 1% year-over-year in January, tracking behind predictions that have called for roughly 20% year-over-year growth for the full quarter. Munster believes, however, that continued strength in international markets and the potential for new Mac updates such as a refreshed MacBook Air near end of the quarter will likely help Apple close strongly to meet expectations.

We have analyzed domestic NPD retail data for the first month of the March quarter, which is up 1% y/y. The early data appears soft on a y/y basis; however, last quarter actual Mac growth outpaced NPD by 14 percentage points. Also, we believe Apple may launch new MacBook Airs as early as March. Net-net, we believe this early data suggests Mac sales in the range of 4.4m-4.6m, or 17%-22% y/y growth (we believe Street consensus is 4.5m Macs in the quarter and we are also at 4.5m).

With historical evidence showing overall growth outpacing NPD's U.S. data by 14 percentage points, Munster believes that Apple's actual worldwide Mac growth for January could be in the 15% range, close enough to the 20% target for the full quarter to give a Apple a reasonable chance at making up the difference with a strong finish.

Piper Jaffray's independent data on iPhone sales for January are tracking toward full-quarter sales of 32-34 million, a figure that would help overcome any softness on the Mac side. iPod sales trends remain in line with predictions of continued declines as customers shift from the aging iPod line to iPhones and iPads.
(Via MacRumors)

Qualcomm's Next-Generation Gobi Platform Consolidates Mobile Standards Support for Fu

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:43:19 +0000

Qualcomm today announced the launch of its fifth-generation Gobi reference platform that seeks to pack support for nearly all of the major worldwide mobile standards into a single chip. While the reference platform is not ready in time for inclusion in the iPad 3, it does pave the way for future world-mode iOS devices and is targeted at ultra-thin notebooks and tablets.

Based on Qualcomm’s Gobi 4G LTE wireless baseband modems, the MDM9615™ and MDM9215™, the technology delivers fast LTE connectivity on FDD and TDD networks worldwide, with backwards compatibility to both HSPA+ and EV-DO networks. This will allow support for regional LTE frequencies with backwards compatibility to existing 2G/3G technologies, allowing Gobi 4G LTE devices to connect to the faster LTE network locally and stay connected to the Internet globally on 3G networks worldwide. [...]

Qualcomm’s latest Gobi 4G LTE connectivity reference platform includes embedded GPS capability and features an application programming interface (API) with LTE extensions, which is compatible with leading connectivity standards, including CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B, HSPA+, dual-carrier HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and LTE, with integrated backwards compatibility to HSPA and EV-DO.
Gobi offers a layer of software enhancements on top of Qualcomm's MDM chipsets in order to streamline wireless connectivity across technologies.

Apple already uses a world-mode chip to support both GSM and CDMA networks in the iPhone 4S, but the device does not support faster LTE networks now being deployed. The iPad 3 has been claimed to support LTE, and will likely be using a world-mode chip capable of falling back onto both GSM and CDMA 3G networks.

Apple has held off on supporting LTE so far because the technology has simply not been available in a single-chip solution meeting Apple's size and power requirements. But with Qualcomm's new single chip designs now making their way to availability, Apple has options that suit its design and performance goals for future devices.

While the identity of the LTE wireless chip in the iPad 3 has not yet been revealed, Qualcomm's roadmap suggests that Apple may be looking to use the MDM9600 (or MDM9615) in the iPad 3. For the iPhone 5 due later this year, Apple would likely utilize the MDM9615, which does pack voice capabilities onto the LTE chip.
(Via MacRumors)

Apple Confirms Plans for Another Large Data Center in Prineville, Oregon

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:42:31 +0000

KTVZ.com has received confirmation from Apple that the company plans to build a new data center on a 160-acre lot in Prineville, Oregon. The land was reportedly purchased for $5.6 million form Crook County. A February 15th filing first identified

Apple, Inc. as the purchaser of the land, which Apple later confirmed:
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet confirmed Tuesday that “we purchased the land and it’s for a data center,” but could not speak to details beyond that, other than to say it will be a "green" facility.

(Via MacRumors)

Seas0nPass Gets Updated With Firmware Stitching

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:13:28 +0000

Seas0nPass, a utility for jailbreaking your Apple TV, has been updated with firmware stitching capabilities.

Today we are happy to release a new version of Seas0nPass that simplifies the installation of older firmware versions. This process called 'stitching' allows Seas0nPass to utilize previously saved firmware signatures to jailbreak and restore an AppleTV version that Apple may no longer be signing.

To save your Apple TV's SHSH Blobs you can use the most recent version of aTV Flash (black) or TinyUmbrella.

(Via iClarified)

The Daily Responds to Microsoft, Posts Another Office for iPad Screenshot

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:12:07 +0000

The Daily has responded to Microsoft's denial of Office of iPad and posted another screenshot supporting their story.

Earlier today, The Daily wrote that they had been shown an iPad version of Office which will be submitted to the App Store shortly. They also posted a screenshot of the application.

Microsoft then turned to the New York Times and ZDNet blatantly denying the report.

NYT
The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.

ZDNet
A Microsoft spokesperson said the screen shot accompanying The Daily's story is not a picture of a real Microsoft software product. But the spokesperson also said Microsoft is declining to comment as to whether or not the company has developed a version of Office for the iPad and/or when such a product may come to market.

The Daily has now responded by posting another screenshot of the application and informing ZDNet that neither image was fabricated.

@maryjofoley we did not fabricate either image. A working version of the app was demoed to us by someone at Microsoft.

Peter Ha of The Daily also tweeted that Microsoft is mad at this story they are not gonna like their next one.

If @Microsoft is pissed about what we published today on @Office for iPad, they likely won't be happy with our follow up.

Microsoft has since tweeted from their official account saying,

Great respect for The Daily but regrettably someone is giving them bad info, and that'll be clear in the "coming weeks."

(Via iClarified)

Microsoft Launches Direct Attack at Google With New Ad: 'Googlighting' [Video]

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:11:28 +0000

Microsoft has launched a direct attack against Google in its new ad entitled, 'Googlighting'.

What happens when the world's largest advertising business tries to sell productivity software on the side? Beware the Googlighting Stranger.

The ad aims to stop businesses from switching to Google Docs and stick with Microsoft Office.

(Via iClarfied)

Apple Extends Mac App Store Sandboxing Deadline to June 1st

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:10:25 +0000

Apple has told developers that it is extending the Mac App Store sandboxing deadline to June 1st.

--
We have extended the deadline for sandboxing your apps on the Mac App Store from March 1st to June 1st to provide you with enough time to take advantage of new sandboxing entitlements available in OS X 10.7.3 and new APIs in Xcode 4.3.

Starting June 1, if you have an existing app on the Mac App Store that is not sandboxed, you may still submit bug fix updates without sandboxing your app. In addition, if you have technical issues that prevent you from sandboxing your app by June 1, let us know.
--

(Via iClarified)

Things Cloud Sync Beta Goes Public

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:09:51 +0000

Cultured Code has announced that its new cloud sync feature for Things, a popular task manager, is now in public beta.

The beta starts with a new, empty database. The Mac beta runs as a separate app alongside the regular app. The iOS apps have a button inside the app to switch between your beta database and your regular database. In the coming weeks we'll provide a way to import your existing data.

Things Features:
• Focus on what's important: Smart task lists let you conveniently track today's work, what's next, upcoming tasks, and your ideas for the future.
• Have it your way: Use Tags to assign contexts, priorities, time – whatever fits your personal workflow. Quickly find exactly those tasks that have the most benefit now.
• Keep organized: Projects and Areas of Responsibility let you master complex tasks and stay on top of your responsibilities in life and work.
• Out of your head – into Things: Enter new ideas the moment they hit you. Things' Quick Entry window lets you add new tasks without interrupting your work. And thanks to the amazing Autofill feature, the Quick Entry window can be automatically pre-filled with the currently selected text, along with a link to the email you are reading, the webpage you are currently viewing, or the document you are editing. (Works with most applications.)
• Your tasks on the go: You can sync your to-dos wirelessly with the iPhone and iPad versions of Things using Wi-Fi (sold separately).
• And much, much more: Create repeating tasks, add due dates, schedule tasks for a later date, sync with iCal, review completed tasks in the Logbook, create lists for your teammates,...

(Via iClarified)

Fluent Email Client for Gmail Created By Former Google Designers

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:07:41 +0000

Fluent is an email client for Gmail created by former Google designers who left the company because they were 'just there to make things look pretty', reports BusinessInsider.

Cameron Adams, Dhanji Prasanna, and Jochen Bekmann felt that at Google designers were less valuable than engineers and thus teamed up to create their own startup, Fluent.

The three of us left Google to form Fluent out of a desire to create a communication product that is design-led, fast moving and - most importantly - pushes email into the future. A tool that accurately reflects how people communicate today and will adapt to what they want tomorrow.

Fluent is based on six principles:
● Simple conversations
● Streamlined workflow
● Access anywhere
● Beautiful design
● Seamless experience for desktops, small screens and touch devices
● Communicating in the best way possible

(Via iClarified)

U.S. Copyright Office Posts Comments Received For and Against Jailbreaking

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:38:02 +0000

The U.S. Copyright Office has posted the approximately 700 comments it has received for and against jailbreaking. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is asking the Copyright Office to extend its exception for allowing the jailbreak of smartphone and also to add gaming consoles to the exception.

On Friday, February 10, the Copyright Office received approximately 700 comments on the classes of works proposed for exemption from the prohibition on circumvention of technological measure that control access. Links to most of those comments appear below, and links to the remainder should appear by the end of this week (i.e., by Feb. 17, 2011). The Office is also in the process of identifying, for each comment, which proposed class(es) of works is addressed. Those classes that the Office has already identified appear below.

The list includes comments from high profile individuals and corporations such as Sony, Saurik, Mozilla, Bunnie Studios, CTIA and more.

There is definitely some interesting reads here. Have a look at the link below. Notably, there is no comment from Apple.
Read More

(Via iClarified)

Amazon to Launch 10-Inch Kindle Tablet in Q2?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:36:12 +0000

Amazon will reportedly launch a 10-inch Kindle tablet in the second quarter of this year, according to a DigiTimes report.

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has obtained ODM orders for 10-inch Kindle Fire from Amazon and will begin shipments in the second quarter of 2012, while Wistron is likely to start ODM production of Nook Tablet for Barnes & Noble, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Currently, Quanta Computer manufacturers the 7-inch Kindle Fire.

No word yet on how much the 10-inch Kindle Fire would cost.

(Via iClarified)

Inside Apple's Factories in China [Photo Gallery]

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:35:40 +0000

ABC has posted a gallery of photos taken on their trip to Foxconn's factory in China.

The network is airing a Nightline special tomorrow which received unprecented access to Apple's suppliers. Earlier today they published an introductory report and video to the 'iFactory: Inside Apple' special.

(Via iClarified)

Apple is Building the Nation's Largest End User Solar Array

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:34:20 +0000

Apple has announced that to support its data center in Maiden, North Carolina, it is building the nation's largest end user-owned solar array.

Our new data center in Maiden, North Carolina, demonstrates our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our facilities through energy-efficient, green building design. The facility has earned the coveted LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. We know of no other data center of comparable size that has achieved this level of LEED certification. Our goal is to run the Maiden facility with high percentage renewable energy mix, and we have major projects under way to achieve this - including building the nation's largest end user-owned solar array and building the largest nonutility fuel cell installation in the United States.

The news comes via a report on Apple's environmental footprint. In October, permits issued by Catawba County show that Apple had been approved to reshape the slope of some of the 171 acres of vacant land it owns on Startown Road, opposite the data center, in preparation of building a solar farm.

(Via iClarified)

Apple is Working on a Major Redesign of the iTunes Store?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:32:39 +0000

Apple is reportedly working on a major redesign of iTunes Store to be released later this year, according to 9to5Mac.

The new design is said to be even simpler and more user-friendly than the current design. Apple is working on ways to enhance the speed and efficiency of finding new content, such as songs, videos, and applications. The cornerstone element of Apple's new iTunes Store is interactivity. As Apple vaguely explained to a number of music labels and entertainment partners, Apple is looking to make the iTunes Store a much more engaging experience.

It's unclear whether the redesign of the iTunes Store will launch alongside a new version of iTunes or whether it will be just minor upgrade. The site suggests that along with the update to the OS X store there will also be a major update to the iOS version of the iTunes Store.

9to5Mac believes the store is being developed alongside OS X Mountain Lion so we could get a glimpse of the redesign this summer.

(Via iClarifed)

Apple May Be Moving to a Fall Release Cycle for the iPhone

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:32:07 +0000

Apple is reportedly moving to a fall release cycle for the iPhone with the next update predicted for September or October of this year, reports Makotara.

According to Asian reliable source, next iPhone will be released in September or October , and this cycle seems to be kept for years.

MacRumors has also heard that Apple's ordering plans are pointing toward a launch of new hardware in the September.

iMore believes that an October launch is being targeted for an LTE enabled phone.

(Via iClarified)

Lithograph of Steve Jobs 'Mac On Lap' Photo Available For Purchase

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:31:33 +0000

Signed and numbered Limited Edition Prints of Norman Seeff's 'Mac On Lap' photo of Steve Jobs are now available for purchase, reports iPhoneSavior.

In 1984, Norman was called up to Cupertino, California and tasked with the assignment of photographing Apple's Macintosh design team. It was that very session where Norman captured the image of Steve Jobs sitting on the floor in lotus position with the original Apple Macintosh centered on his lap.

That iconic image, featured on the cover of Time Magazine and on the back cover of Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, is now being released as a collectible lithograph by Norman Seeff almost 30 years later.

iPhoneSavior has the great story of how the photo came to be. It was not a 'posed photograph'; rather, it was captured during a spontaneous moment during an extended photo shoot.

"We were two guys having fun goofing off. You know, that's the magic of the kind of photography that delivers these kinds of shots," Norman said. "It's not like I have four contact sheets of the same shot and we go ok this is the best one - that's one shot!"

"And then there are shots on either side and each one of them is different. A lot of them, by the way, are equally good and can sustain but that particular one somehow, illustrated the multidimensional reality of the moment. We had no idea that this would end up on the cover of his autobiography - we were just having fun."

You can purchase the Lithograph at the link below...

STEVE JOBS "MAC ON LAP"
Signed Copy / Only 300 Available: $125.00 US + Shipping & Handling
Unsigned Copy: $75.00 US + Shipping & Handling
Dimensions : 26″ x 34″

(Via iClarified)

China Telecom Will Launch the iPhone 4S on March 9th

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:30:42 +0000

China Telecom has announced that it will start selling the iPhone 4S on March 9th. Online reservations will begin on March 2nd.

Apple provided a statement on the news to The Loop.

"iPhone 4S has been an incredible hit with customers around the world," Apple spokesperson Natalie Harrison, told The Loop. "We're thrilled to be launching iPhone 4S with China Telecom and can't wait to get it into the hands of even more customers in China."

China Telecom has about 216 million total fixed-line and mobile subscribers.

(Via iClarified)