MacBook Air and 13″ Retina MacBook Pro Updated to Improve Speed and Battery Life
Following the announcement of the brand new line of MacBooks, Apple today revealed a slight update to its MacBook Air and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro lines.
Both the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air models will be upgraded to 5th generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, Thunderbolt 2, and Intel HD Graphics 6000.
Today the popular 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 11-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Air all received significant upgrades,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The 13-inch MacBook Pro has been updated with the latest processors, more powerful graphics, faster flash, longer battery life and the all-new Force Touch trackpad. We’re also bringing the latest processors and graphics, and faster Thunderbolt 2 to the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air, as well as up to two times faster flash to the 13-inch MacBook Air.”
The 13″ MacBook Pro will receive the brand new Force Touch trackpad introduced on the new MacBook today at the Spring Forward event. Other new additions to the Pro lineup include: 5th-gen Core i5 and i7 processors with Turbo Boost Speeds up to 3.4 GHz, 2x faster flash, “faster integrated” Intel Iris Graphics 6100, and an improved 10-hour battery life. There was no mention of an update to the 15″ MacBook Pro line at today’s event.
The updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines can be purchased starting today on Apple’s online store, Apple’s retail stores, and various Apple authorized retailers.
Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest Apple Watch information.
Apple Watch Sport Pricing: $349 (38mm) to $399 (42mm) [iOS Blog]
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the Apple Watch Sport will start at $349 for the 38mm, while the larger 42mm model will cost $399.
It was also recently discovered that the Apple Watch Sport will be the only edition to include two bands in the box, as noted on Apple’s online store page for the active lifestyle-focused edition. The bands will be for two different sized wrists: one small-medium band, and one medium-large band.
The specific pricing for each Apple Watch Sport model:
Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.
Stainless Steel Apple Watch Pricing: $549 to $1049 (38mm), $599 to $1099 (42mm) [iOS Blog]
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the stainless steel Apple Watch will cost between $549 to $1049 for the 38mm model, while the larger 42mm model will cost between $599 to $1099, depending on the band chosen.
A variety of bands are available for the stainless steel Apple Watch, including a Sport Band, Classic Buckle, Milanese Loop, Leather Loop, Modern Buckle and Link Bracelet. Available color options include white, black, midnight blue, bright blue, soft pink, stone leather, brown and space black. The specific stainless steel Apple Watch pricing for each model:
Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.
Gold Apple Watch Edition Costs Between $10,000 to $17,000, Available in Limited Quantities [iOS Blog]
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday at the “Spring Forward” media event in San Francisco announced that the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition will cost upwards of $10,000, and will be available in limited quantities. At the low end of Apple Watch Edition pricing, the 38mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Case with White Sport Band costs $10,000, and at the high end is the 38mm 18-Karat Yellow Gold Case with Bright Red Modern Buckle for $17,000.
The specific Apple Watch Edition pricing for each model:
Follow the rest of our March 2015 event coverage for the latest information.
Apple Watch Launches April 24, Price Ranges From $349 to Over $10,000
Apple announced on Monday that the Apple Watch will be available in nine countries beginning April 24, with pre-orders starting on April 10. The first wave launch countries include the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and United Kingdom. Apple Watch will be available for purchase by reservation at Apple Stores, online and at select authorized resellers in China and Japan.
“Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We can’t wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.”
Apple Watch Sport will cost $349 for the 38mm model and $399 for the 42mm model, the stainless steel Apple Watch will range between $549 to $1099, and the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition will cost between $10,000 to $17,000. Customers will be able to preview and try on the Apple Watch by booking an appointment at the Apple Store, or by visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo or Selfridges in London after April 10.
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced during the “Spring Forward” media event that the Apple Watch will have 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. Bands will retail for between $49 and $449, with additional magnetic chargers costing $29 for a 1-meter cable and $39 for a 2-meter cable. A new bands and accessories page on the Apple Online Store lists all of the available add-ons for Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Bands Range in Price from $49 for the Sport Band to $449 for the Link Bracelet
Following today’s “Spring Forward” media event where Apple shared additional details on the Apple Watch, the company has a new online storefront that details the prices of all of the different Apple Watch combinations and individual bands. As predicted, Apple is selling the Apple Watch in pre-configured arrangements, but the company is also offering bands on a standalone basis.
The entry-level aluminum Apple Watch sport pricing starts at $349 for a 38mm model with an included sport band, while the 42mm model is priced at $399.
Standalone Sport bands are priced at $49 across the board, and are available in Black w/ Space Gray pin, Black, White, Pink, Blue, and Green. The Apple Watch Sport is only available pre-configured with Sport bands. Each Apple Watch Sport band purchase actually comes with two bands: one Small-Medium band and one Medium-Large band.
Pricing for the middle tier stainless steel Apple Watch starts at $549 for a 38mm stainless steel case with a Sport Band and maxes out at $1,099 for a 42mm Space Black Case with Black Stainless Steel Link Bracelet. The standard Apple Watch ships with a range of bands, which are also available individually at varying prices.
The Modern Buckle band, only available for the 38mm Apple Watch, is priced at $249 and is available in three sizes and three colors: Brown, Black, Soft Pink, Midnight Blue. The Leather Loop can only be purchased for the 42mm Apple Watch and is priced at $149. It’s available in Stone, Light Brown, Black, and Bright Blue. The Classic Buckle, available for both the 38 and 42mm Apple Watch, is also priced at $149. Each of Apple’s leather bands is available in multiple sizes, and a guide on how all of the Apple Watch versions fit on the wrist can be found on Apple’s site [PDF].
The Milanese Loop, available in both 38 and 42mm configurations, is priced at $149, while the Link Bracelet, also available in 38 and 42mm configurations, is Apple’s most expensive watch band at $449.
The priciest Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Edition, starts at $10,000 with a White Sport Band that includes gold accents. The highest-priced Apple Watch Edition is the 42mm 18-karat Yellow Gold version with a Midnight Blue Classic Buckle that also includes gold accents. All of the Apple Watch Edition models appear to include special bands with gold accents that are not available individually at this time.
Apple is also selling standalone MagSafe chargers for the Apple Watch. A 1m charger and cable is available for $29, while a 2m charger and cable is available for $39.
The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order beginning on April 10. Apple will also have in-store displays that allow people to try on the Apple Watch in its retail stores on that date.
Apple Updates iMovie for Mac With Photos for OS X Integration [Mac Blog]
Following today’s media event where Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook and new details on the Apple Watch, the company has released a minor update to iMovie for Mac that adds in support for Photos.
With the new Photos integration in iMovie, it’s now possible for iMovie users to browse Moments, Collections, Favorites, and Albums that have been stored in Photos, using the Photos app to insert content into video projects.
Photos for OS X was first introduced last year and was provided to developers earlier this month alongside the first OS X 10.10.3 beta. As of last week, the Photos app is also available to the public through Apple’s public beta testing program.
Designed to replace Aperture and iPhoto, Photos for OS X integrates with iCloud Photo Library, providing a unified editing and photo management experience across Macs and iOS devices.
Today’s iMovie for Mac update also includes Play/Pause, Prev/Next and Full Screen buttons that are permanently displayed below the Viewer, and easier access to the Record Voiceover button. There are also several stability improvements.
– Browse Moments, Collections, Favorites and Albums from the Photos app to add content to your projects
– Play/Pause, Prev/Next and Full Screen buttons are always displayed below the Viewer for easier navigation
– Record Voiceover button available below the Viewer for easier access to controls when adding narration
– Adds support for the Sony XAVC-S format
– Addresses stability and compatibility issues
iMovie for Mac can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $14.99. [Direct Link]
Compare Actual Size Apple Watch Models in Apple Store App [iOS Blog]
After today’s “Spring Forward” media event that included a slew of new information on the Apple Watch, Apple updated its Apple Store app for iOS with a featured Apple Watch section that lets users browse available models, see if their iPhone is compatible with the device, and learn more about each version of the Apple Watch
There are also life size images of the 38 and 42mm watch casings for users to hold up to their wrists, to help them better decide which watch is the best fit. When selecting a collection to view, there’s a “Compare Case Sizes” feature that shows a full-size Apple Watch image.
Our forum members are using this tool to discuss the Apple Watch fit that’s best for them. You can join in the discussion here.
The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order on April 10, and will officially launch on April 24. Prices for the device start at $349 for the aluminum Apple Watch Sport and go all the way up to $17,000 for the gold Apple Watch Edition. Starting on April 10, Apple will have Apple Watch devices in its retail stores for customers to try on.
The Apple Store app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Apple Issues Security Updates Fixing ‘FREAK’ Security Flaw [Mac Blog]
Just under a week after researchers uncovered a security flaw referred to as “FREAK” (Factoring Attack on RSA-EXPORT Keys) that left many devices vulnerable to hacking attempts, Apple has issued fixes for all of its platforms.
The fix is available in Apple TV 7.1 for Apple TV 3rd generation and later, iOS 8.2 for iPhone 4s and later, iPod touch 5th generation and later and iPad 2 and later. It’s also available for Macs with OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5, Mavericks 10.9.5 and Yosemite 10.10.2.
The vulnerability had stemmed from a former U.S. government policy that prevented companies from exporting strong encryption, instead requiring them to create weak “export-grade” products to ship to its customers outside of the United States. Though the policy was lifted more than a decade ago, the weaker encryption continued to be used by software companies.
Apple’s fix addresses the issue by removing support for those weak “export grade” products, also known as RSA keys.
The updates for iOS 8.2, Apple TV 7.1 and Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Mavericks and Yosemite are available now.
First Impressions of New 12-Inch MacBook: Ridiculously Light, but Thin Keys and Trackpad Take Getting Used To
Following today’s “Spring Forward” media event, Apple allowed members of the media in attendance to get some hands-on time with the brand-new 12-inch Retina MacBook. Many sites are now sharing their first impressions of the notebook, which includes an incredibly thin design (13.1mm), a revamped trackpad, a Core M processor, silent operation thanks to the lack of a fan, an edge-to-edge keyboard, and a single USB-C port.
We’ve gathered up some of the initial thoughts below to give our readers an introductory look at what to expect from the new MacBook.
To begin with, TechnoBuffalo has a hands-on video of the 12-inch Macbook, which gives a good look at the various features of the device, including the edge-to-edge keyboard, the Touchpad, and the new USB-C port. It also gives us a clear picture of just how thin the new MacBook is.
Engadget‘s Dana Wollman says the new MacBook at 2 pounds “makes the Air feel like a heavy old thing.” Wollman was initially skeptical of the new keyboard, which has keys with less travel, but ultimately found that the keys are “still springy.”
Though the buttons are indeed flat, and though they aren’t cushy, they are still springy. They pop back up when I hit them. That means I can type at a gingerly pace and know that for the most part, I won’t miss a key, and that most of my button presses will register. If this were another machine, I might unconsciously start mashing the buttons, just to make sure I don’t have to go back and re-type anything. I was prepared to do that here, but quickly felt my hands relax once I realized they didn’t actually need to work that hard. Again, though, there could still be a learning curve for those of you upgrading from an older MacBook.
Image via Engadget
The Verge‘s Dieter Bohn says the new MacBook is “ridiculously thin and so light” that he didn’t believe it when he picked it up. He was impressed with the “insanely thin” 2304 x 1440 display. The trackpad, he says, is accurate, but Force Click is “far from intuitive” and that it will take him some time to get used to it.
You press down hard and keep pressing through the click, as though you were karate chopping with you finger and trying to hit a target behind the trackpad. Do that and you’ll feel a subtle second click happen, and ta-da you’ve activated force click. For the company that famously refused to put more than one button on the mouse, putting an extra interaction like this on the trackpad seems weird.
Gizmodo‘s Sean Hollister was also impressed with the lightness of the new MacBook, writing “it felt like I was holding nothing at all. It’s so light,” but he went on to say that the notebook is “not completely lovable” due to the MacBook’s keys, which are too thin. The screen, though, is “gorgeous” and he loved the new Force Touch trackpad.
Apple’s new Force Touch pad sounded a little bit gimmicky during the announcement… but I love it. I love it so much. Not because it’s easy to press like the laptop buttons of yesteryear–it’s not–but because it’s so smart. Forget copy and pasting text when you want to look up an address or add events to a calendar: Mac OS is now smart enough to do those things automatically the moment you push down on the trackpad.
You just physically push down harder–the sensitivity’s adjustable–to take an action on what looks like plain text on the web or even in a text document, and boom, you’re getting shit done.
Image via Gizmodo
SlashGear‘s Chris Burns calls the display “incredible” with huge viewing angles and crisp, clean details. Burns highlights the single USB-C port on the MacBook, which is the only port on the device. It handles all necessary functions like charging and USB input. He also points out that the FaceTime camera on the MacBook is only 480p, lower quality than Apple’s other notebooks.
Image via SlashGear
Wired‘s David Pierce says the MacBook is “amazingly sturdy” for being so thin, and its screen is “lovely.”
Everything about the MacBook is about beauty, whether it’s the single USB-C port on the left side–the only port on the entire device save for a headphone jack on the right–or the new Gold, Space Gray, and Silver colors. The Gold is actually much more handsome than gaudy, but the Space Gray is my favorite of the options. It’s dark and sleek, fitting for a device that’s so, so very thin.
Like the other reviewers, Pierce was not impressed with the MacBook’s keys, which he says he “immediately hated.” The MacBook, he says, runs “quite well” for a device that uses an ultra low power Core M processor.
Apple’s new MacBook will be available for purchase beginning on April 10. The 256GB base model with a 1.1GHz Core M processor and 8GB of RAM is priced at $1,299, while the upgraded model with a 1.2GHz Core M processor, 512GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM is priced at $1,599.
AIVAnet 