News

Data storage firm LaCie recently released an update to its “Rugged” line of durable external hard drives, adding support for Thunderbolt and USB 3. The Mac Observer spent some time putting the drive through its paces and we found it to be a good performer with a unique and functional design. Read on for our…

Nokia announced on Tuesday that it will be bringing its highly-touted mapping service to iOS and Android. The company is launching the effort under a new brand name called “Here.” The company is looking to expand its presence in the smartphone mapping services industry beyond its own smartphones, which are struggling. Here, Coming to iOS…

Microsoft's Windows head honcho has left Big Redmond. The change is at least as big a shakeup as Apple's decision to remove Scott Forstall as head of iOS in October, as Mr. Sinofsky has greatly steered the direction of Windows and oversaw the development and launch of Windows 8. Steven Sinofsky, Outgoing Head of Windows…

Apple is now paying more for the A6 and A6X processors in the iPhone and iPad thanks to a 20 percent price increase from Samsung. Apple designs the chips, but has been relying on Samsung for manufacturing. Samsung hits Apple with 20 percent price increase for processors “Samsung Electronics recently asked Apple for a significant…

Apple and HTC reached a settlement in their ongoing patent infringement fight, and that deal includes a 10 year cross licensing deal. The two companies didn't reveal the settlement details, but Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu's sources have him estimating HTC could be paying Apple between US$6 and $8 per Android phone, which could get…

Shares of Apple Inc. have officially slipped into bear territory after the stock slid another 3.63 percent on Thursday. $AAPL ended the day at US$537.75 per share, $20.252 (-3.63 percent). Worries about Foxconn's ability to make enough iPhone 5s continued to concern investors, while one analyst called AAPL's recent sell-off overdone. AAPL has fallen $164.35…

The Mac Observer is (collectively) a huge fan of Apple's iPad and iPad mini, but we are happy to tip our hat to a very entertaining spoof offered up by a fan of Microsoft's new Surface tablet. Forest Gibson posted a spoof response to Apple's current iPad and iPad mini commercial that we think is…

After I got my iPhone 5, I decided I would keep it “naked” — no case or screen protector of any kind. As regards a case, the iPhone 5 is as stunningly designed, light and thin as any smartphone I have ever seen. “Why,” I mused, “would I want to spoil all that with some…

Just Mobile is known for two primary things when it concerns their designs. The products will be made from either solid aluminum or dual-layered aluminum, and they will compliment any Apple products users have on their desks. The HeadStand is no exception. The HeadStand from Just Mobile The HeadStand has one purpose. It is designed to keephead…

Shares of Apple Inc. closed below US$580 on Friday, the first time it has done so since July 26th. $AAPL ended the week at $576.80, a loss of $19.74 (-3.31 percent), on moderate volume of 22.1 millions shares trading hands. The broader markets were down, but AAPL's selloff may have been sparked by what is…

More and more, there are all kinds of articles, coming out from under the woodwork, criticizing Apple. The stock is down, no one likes how much they have to pay for the iPad mini, and Tim Cook is making management changes at Apple. All this is inviting ever more pompous armchair criticism. What’s happening to…

Apple released the iPad mini and iPad with Retina Display on Friday, an event that has earned competing narratives, especially in New York City. Lines of people waiting to buy the iPad mini are either “shorter,” according to Reuters, or “still impressive,” according to The Wall Street Journal. In both cases, hundreds of people lined…

Apple has been ordered by the U.K. Court of Appeal to reword its court ordered statement saying Samsung didn't copy the iPad design. The iPad and iPhone maker had been ordered to post a statement on its U.K. website telling visitors claims that the Galaxy Tab copied the iPad design were false, but Apple went…

Amazon used its homepage to slam Apple's new iPad mini while touting its own Kindle Fire HD earlier this week, but has since pulled the chart claiming its own tablet is better and less expensive. Amazon's chart highlighted the Kindle Fire HD's display as “stunning,” while calling the iPad mini's “standard definition, low-resolution,” noted the…

When it comes to big holidays I tend to plan and prepare ahead. Now, if my children were reading this you would hear loud guffaws coming from two states at my use of the word “tend”. My family celebrates Christmas and they don’t laugh when all my early activities mean there is plenty of time…

An interesting tidbit in Scott Forstall's ouster at Apple has surfaced saying that the former Apple senior vice president refused to sign a letter of apology over Apple Maps in September. The New York Times, Fortune, and The Verge (which specifically pointed it out), all claim sources saying as much, suggesting that this could have…

Apple dropped a surprise Monday afternoon by announcing Senior Vice President of iOS Software Scott Forstall and Senior Vice President of Retail, John Browett, are leaving the company. Mr. Forstall will pack his bags some time next year, and it looks like Mr. Browett is already turning in his executive washroom key with only five…

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs had been designing a yacht for his family, and a year after his death it is finally ready to set sail. The 80 meter-long craft was christened “Venus,” and sports the sleek and minimalist look Mr. Jobs preferred. Since Mr. Jobs was all about his Apple gear, Venus is controlled…

ECBC  has a new Laptop Tote, the B7301 that is very impressive. It's very lightweight, made from ballistic nylon, and will hold a 13-inch MacBook Pro or either the 11-inch or 13-inch version of the MacBook Air. There are two full zipped sections inside, a zipped padded pocket on the outside for an iPad or…

Macworld / iWorld Expo opened its virtual ticket booth for its January 2013 conference on Thursday. The annual conference and expo includes sessions for new and experienced Mac users, along with sessions for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users, too. Macworld iWorld Expo: January 31 through February 2, 2013 The event will include more than…

The numbers for App Store downloads are “jaw-dropping,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the audience Tuesday at Apple’s special event. On the verge of the iPad mini’s official unveiling, over 275,000 iPad apps are available in the company’s app store. Overall, customers have downloaded 35 billion apps across all iOS platforms. Mr. Cook revealed that…

After eight years, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is parting ways with Research In Motion's BlackBerry and moving to iPhones. The switch will involve devices for 17,600 employees and US$2.1 million. ICE said BlackBerry “can no longer meet the mobile technology needs of the agency.” Reuters reported that the agency put out a…

San Jose's California Theater is all dressed up and ready to go for Apple's media event on Tuesday. The company is expected to announce a 7.x-inch iPad, as well as a potpourri of other rumors that include a minor upgrade for the larger new iPad with a Lightning connector, a smaller Mac portable with a…

Apple has begun construction on its Prineville, Oregon data center. The company purchased 160 acres of land  in February for US$5.6 million for such a facility. The first phase of construction will be for a 338,000 square-foot building that could be the first of two at the location. Apple in Oregon This will be the…