Apple to Reportedly Stop Production of 13-Inch Non-Retina MacBook Pro Later This Year

Apple will cease production of the 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro later this year in favor of its thinner Retina notebooks, according to a new report from DigiTimes. The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro, which last saw an update in June 2012, has remained as Apple’s only MacBook Pro without a high-resolution screen after the 15-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro was discontinued last year.

Apple has been expected to discontinue its standard MacBook Pros for quite some time in favor of an all Retina lineup. After Apple announced and subsequently released updated Retina MacBook Pros last October, the company cut the price of the entry level 13-inch Retina model to $1,299 – just $100 more than the non-Retina version.

The company is also expected to update its 13-inch and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros in the future with Intel’s forthcoming Broadwell chips, however the exact timing of those updates remains uncertain and differs for both models. While chips for the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro are not expected to launch until the first quarter of 2015, chips for the 15-inch models are expected to be released at certain points throughout 2014. Rumors have also suggested that Apple is working on a 12-inch Retina notebook for the middle of this year.

TwelveSouth Debuts SurfacePad Case for iPad Mini [iOS Blog]

TwelveSouth today introduced the new SurfacePad for iPad mini, an compact leather case that’s able to double as a viewing stand and a desktop typing wedge.

The case, which is billed as a simple leather wrap, uses an adhesive backing to hold the iPad mini in place, cutting down on bulk and allowing it to function without an enclosing framework.

With hidden magnets build into the inside of the cover, it can be propped into two separate positions for viewing and typing, and as with most iPad cases, the SurfacePad offers sleep/wake functionality.

Slide iPad up along the inside cover and hidden magnets magically reach out to grab the edge of iPad. This cool trick replaces the need for extra sewn-in stops or notches. If the angle’s not quite right, slide iPad a little further and a second row of magnets will grab and hold iPad at a second viewing angle.

Another clever feature built into SurfacePad for iPad mini is a small kickstand that turns this sleek cover into a typing wedge and desktop display. Flip down the kickstand, and – as with the hands-free viewing stand – a hidden row of magnets grabs the edge of your iPad.

The new iPad mini SurfacePad follows similar products designed for the iPhone and the Mac and TwelveSouth has plans to release a SurfacePad for the iPad Air as well.

SurfacePad for iPad mini is available in Pop Red, Mod White, and Jet Black. It can be purchased from the TwelveSouth website for $69.99.

‘Oscar’ Adapter Connects Retina iPad Display Panel to Macs via Thunderbolt [Mac Blog]

Oscar, a new Kickstarter project currently seeking funding, is an Arduino-compatible adapter that’s able to connect a high-resolution screen to a computer. The adapter comes attached to the same 9.7-inch display used in Apple’s Retina iPads, and uses DisplayPort or Thunderbolt to connect to a computer.

When connected to a Mac, the Oscar adapter allows the high-resolution 2048 x 1536 panel to be used as a second screen.

OSCAR is an adapter that allows you to connect a super high resolution 9.7″ screen, often found in tablets, to your computer. It comes pre-connected to the LCD panel ready to be attached and is compatible will all operating systems using a Thunderbolt or DisplayPort connection. The board is Arduino compatible which makes modifying the behaviour easy and all the software and hardware is open source.

The complete Oscar kit includes an LCD screen that comes with an acrylic case and a stand, allowing it to be used for a range of second-screen purposes. The adapter included with the display powers the LED backlight and controls the power supply. Because it’s Arduino compatible, the adapter can be used to control variables like backlight brightness through USB.

The full Oscar kit, with display, laser cut acrylic case, power supply, stand, and DisplayPort/USB cables can be obtained through a £150 pledge, equivalent to approximately $250. The screen alone can be purchased for £110, or $183, and the panels are expected to begin shipping in July of 2014.

Update 1:09 PM PST: As MacRumors forum user rootyb has pointed out, a similar product from Adafruit is already available for purchase for $250.

Lightning Cables Failing Due to Corrosion, Cause Unclear [iOS Blog]

Since being introduced alongside the iPhone 5 in 2012, Apple’s Lightning cable has been criticized for its poor durability, as it is prone to breakage and fraying near the adapter.

It appears the Lightning cable may be vulnerable to corrosion as well, according to a report from ZDNet‘s Jason O’Grady, who noticed corrosion on the gold contacts of his Lightning cable after it had been failing to charge his iPhone.

About a month ago the Apple Lightning to USB cable (PN: MD818ZM/A, $19) that I keep in my vehicle for charging my iPhone 5s began to fail. At first charging was intermittent, then within a week the cable wouldn’t charge my iPhone at all. A closer look at the male end of the Apple Lightning to USB cable reveals that several of the gold contacts have become corroded.

In addition to O’Grady, several other users on Apple’s Support Communities have experienced corrosion issues as well, with reports dating back to 2012. Several users have been told by Apple that it is likely that the cables were exposed to moisture to cause the corrosion, but several reports suggest there was no contact with liquid before the corrosion appeared.

Apple Community user “Brockap3″ supplied photos of his Lightning cable under a microscope and suggested that the corrosion was happening primarily on the VBUS/V++/Power pin on the Lightning cable. He offered two explanations for the issue:

1) two gold electrodes placed in an aqueous solution with a positive voltage on one wire and ground applied to the other will corrode the positive gold electrode away

2) electrical arcing causing the corrosion (originally I dismissed this as it is just USB – i.e. 5 V /2 A max)

After examining the male and female sides, it would seem both are likely culprits, but you would have to have some pretty serious condensation on the pins to get this to happen with steam.

Apple does appear to be exchanging Lightning cables that are unusable due to the corrosive deposits, so it is likely that users experiencing issues can have their cables replaced at an Apple retail location or through an Authorized Service Provider.

Nuance Debuts Dragon Dictate 4 for Mac With Transcription Capabilities [Mac Blog]

Nuance, known for its speech recognition software, today unveiled version 4 of its Dragon Dictate software. The speech recognition software is designed to allow users to dictate text and control desktop and web applications via speech.

Version 4 of the software brings better accuracy with improved speech recognition technology and reduced latency due to better memory management capabilities. It also includes Nuance MacSpeech Scribe features, offering users the ability to transcribe text from a pre-recorded audio file, combining both voice recognition and transcription.

Dragon Dictate for Mac also now includes powerful features from Nuance MacSpeech Scribe – creating a single voice offering that can not only transcribe your own voice, but can transcribe text from pre-recorded, single-speaker audio files in many different formats, such as .mp3, .mp4 and .wav.

This new transcription capability is fast, accurate and easy and is ideal for writers, students, educators, field workers, business executives or any user who needs to access content from a single speaker’s voice such as a podcast or other distinct audio formats. For instance, teaching assistants and students can record lectures at close range and turn them into text, and field workers can now transcribe recordings of their interviews directly from their digital recorder or smartphone.

Along with dictation speeds that are up to three times faster than typing, the software also provides full text control in Gmail, Apple Pages 4.3, and other software.

Dragon Dictate for Mac, version 4 is available from the Nuance website for $199.99.

iOS 7.1 Update Due ‘Any Day Now’ With Support for SXSW App

Apple’s much-anticipated iOS 7.1 update could come any day now, according to new information from John Gruber of Daring Fireball. Gruber has heard that Apple has plans to release an iOS 7.1-reliant app that will stream the iTunes Festival performances at SXSW, and as SXSW will begin on March 11, iOS 7.1 will need to be released to the public ahead of that date.

Apple’s first iTunes Festival in the U.S. starts a week from today at SXSW in Austin. Apple is going to stream the performances to iOS devices using an app, but I’ve heard from a little birdie that the app requires iOS 7.1 (which explains why the app isn’t out yet). That means iOS 7.1 should ship any day now.

iOS 7.1 has been in testing since mid-November, and has seen five different developer betas thus far with the last beta coming on February 4. The operating system update includes a number of visual tweaks, including revamped shift and caps locks keys on the keyboard, refined icons for the Phone, FaceTime, and Messages apps, and a new look for several aspects of the Phone dialer.

Details on features in past beta releases can be found in our previous beta posts: Beta 1, Beta 2, Beta 3, Beta 4 and Beta 5.

A mid-March release date for iOS 7.1 is in line with several previous reports that have pointed to a March launch for the operating system. Apple has yet to seed a Golden Master build to developers, however.

Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, and London Grammar kick off the SXSW iTunes Festival with a performance on March 11 that begins at 7:30 PM CST.

Encrypted Chat App ‘Cryptocat’ Launches on iOS [iOS Blog]

Open source web and Mac application Cryptocat is now available on iOS. Designed to allow secure online chatting, the app encrypts chat messages to allow users to have single and group conversations that are secure and unable to be intercepted or monitored.

Everyone’s favourite privacy-loving cat is now on iPhone! Get an encrypted cat in your pocket, have private chats with friends any time.

Easily have group conversations with your friends without fearing monitoring or interception. Cryptocat is free, open chat that aims to provide an open, accessible Instant Messaging environment with a transparent layer of encryption that’s easy to use.

Unlike other secure chat apps, including Confide, Cryptocat does not require usernames, email addresses, or accounts to use, with users entering a one-time nickname to chat. There are also no buddy lists or account history, making conversations ephemeral.

According to the developers, Cryptocat is a native iPhone application that uses iOS APIs rather than web cryptography, but it is designed to work seamlessly with other Cryptocat clients. Along with an iOS app, Cryptocat is also available for the Mac and as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Cryptocat was originally announced for iOS in December, but the app was initially rejected by Apple, a decision that has since been reversed. According to the app’s developer, who spoke to The Verge, the issues with Apple have been resolved.

“There was some very important help given by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and we ended up scheduling a conversation with Apple, and after a while Apple was very gracious and understanding,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with Apple right now.”

Cryptocat can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Apple’s CarPlay Works Alongside BlackBerry’s QNX Car Platform

Apple’s newly unveiled CarPlay iOS vehicle integration system, which allows an iPhone to take over the in-dash display of a car, has been designed to work with BlackBerry’s QNX operating system. The QNX Car Platform powers many in-car infotainment systems and includes a mobile connectivity framework that supports many mobile development environments, including iOS.

In a statement made to Lucas Atkins of N4BB, BlackBerry’s Paul Leroux confirmed that CarPlay works alongside the QNX systems installed in many cars.

Connectivity to smartphones and other mobile devices is a key strength of QNX Software Systems’ platform for car infotainment systems, and many automakers and tier one automotive suppliers use our platform to implement smartphone/head-unit integration in their vehicles. We have a long-standing partnership with Apple to ensure high-quality connectivity with their devices, and this partnership extends to support for Apple CarPlay.

CarPlay, which requires an iPhone to function, can be likened to Apple’s AirPlay, mirroring the iPhone’s display and functionality to the existing in-car infotainment system.

Since CarPlay was announced yesterday, multiple manufacturers, including Volvo, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz have shown off vehicles with CarPlay integration. Other manufacturers, such as Honda, Jaguar, Hyundai, and more, are expected to launch vehicles with CarPlay support in 2014.