Apple picker In today's apple week, you will read about Thunderbolt docking stations, a fine for Apple for misleading customers, LiquidMetal technology or the possible opening of Apple TV to third-party developers.
Matrox Launches Docking Station for Thunderbolt (4/6)
Matrox has announced that it will launch a docking station for computers with a Thunderbolt interface. Thanks to it, users will be able to connect peripherals with different connectors using a single Thunderbolt port. Matrox DS-1 will offer DVI output, gigabit ethernet, analog audio input and output (3,5 mm jack), one USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports. the device requires a separate mains power supply. Matrox's docking station will be available for $249.
For $150 more, it is possible to purchase a similar device from Belkin, which was announced already in August. The company decided at the last minute to replace USB 2.0 with USB 3.0 ports, which, however, increased the original price of less than $300 by a third. The Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock also offers a FireWire port and a Thunderbolt output for further chaining, but lacks a DVI connector. Anyway, the price of $399 seems a bit excessive.
Source: MacRumors.com
Enthusiast restores Apple II to working condition (5/6)
Computer enthusiast Tod Harrison bought a non-functional Apple II plus computer on eBay for several hundred dollars, then took it apart, restored it, and brought it to full working order. Harrison recorded the entire process of disassembly and restoration and at the same time offered an interesting look at the motherboard, which hides a lot of interesting information about the production and on it, for example, you can find ROM chips from Microsoft, which supplied the BASIC programming language for Apple.
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Source: TUAW.com
According to the CEO of Liquidmetal Technologies, we will see liquid metal products possibly as early as next year (June 5)
We could soon be using Apple devices made of amorphous metals, which are commercially called liquid. The head of Liquidmetal Technologies, Tom Steipp, confirmed that Apple has bought a license to produce liquid metals. In the near future, it can be assumed that these materials will be used in a wide range of devices. First, Apple will start with simpler components, such as the chassis, and only then should it start with more complex uses. Currently, you can feel the liquid metal when removing the SIM from your iPhone. The only currently used liquid metal component is the clip with which the SIM card is removed, but it only appeared on phones in the US.
Metallic glass, as liquid metals are sometimes called, is made mainly from an alloy of titanium, zirconium, nickel and copper. Thanks to the production process used, the resulting alloy is twice as strong as titanium. Of course, using such a material would play into Apple's shoes, as it could make its devices even thinner and stronger, which it has been trying to do for many years. In addition, in terms of processing and design, it would jump more than a mile ahead of the competition.
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Source: RedmondPie.com
Samsung: The patent war with Apple is helping us (6/6)
Samsung and Apple have been fighting in the legal field for a long time due to many patents that one or the other party allegedly infringes. Although the long tussle may not turn out well for the South Korean company, the publicity is said to be helping business. "It's worth it," an unnamed Samsung executive told The Korea Times. "This makes more customers aware of Samsung. The fight with Apple has been beneficial for us so far in terms of brand awareness," he added.
So it is possible that Samsung is even deliberately dragging out some disputes in order to make the most of them. However, this is just speculation, but the truth is that Samsung is really gaining ground with its devices when it beats HTC or Nokia.
Source: CultOfMac.com
Baidu will be the main iOS search engine in China (June 7)
Apple offers several search engines in iOS - Google, Yahoo! or Microsoft Bing, however, according to recent reports, more should be added next week. For the Chinese market, the Californian company intends to add Baidu. Apple should announce this move during WWDC, and it shouldn't be such a surprising move again. Baidu can be called China's Google when it holds 80% market share. While Google only has 17% in China, it is understandable that Apple would like to get a search engine with a majority presence in the area in its devices. Regardless of the fact that he would again partially break away from Google, which he is already aiming for with his maps, for example.
Source: CultOfMac.com
Apple acquired the domain applestore.com and wants more (7/6)
Apple continues to acquire various Internet domains. According to the latest news, he acquired the domain "aplestore.com" under his wing through arbitration and intends to secure another one. With the "aplestore.com" domain, Apple wants to ensure that customers are not redirected to a confusing page if they make a typo. Currently, Apple should fight with the World Intellectual Property Organization for another 13 domains, among which are, for example, the addresses "itunes.net", "applestor.com" and "apple-9.com".
Source: AppleInsider.com
In Australia, Apple will pay $4 million for iPad "2,25G" (7/6)
News comes out of Australia that Apple has agreed to pay $2,25 million (about 46 million crowns) in compensation for confusing advertising for the new iPad, which claimed to support 4G LTE network, although it is not available in Australia. Apple already because of it renamed iPad 4G to iPad Cellular, but still didn't avoid the fine. However, the aforementioned amount has not yet been approved by the court.
Source: 9to5Mac.com
Retina-Ready Apps Appear in the Mac App Store (8/6)
One of the hottest speculations ahead of the upcoming WWDC keynote is undoubtedly whether the new MacBooks will feature Retina displays. Some sources say no, others say yes. However, the update of the FolderWatch application in the Mac App Store gives hope rather to those who claim that the Retina display will really be in the new MacBooks, because in the update 2.0.4, among other things, "Retina graphics" appeared, meaning that the application is ready for Retina resolution.
Although it doesn't sound very likely that Apple would provide such sensitive information about its future products to developers ahead of time, The Next Web notes that the FolderWatch app was selected as an "Apple Staff Favorite" in the Mac App Store a year ago. So it's possible that Apple is actually working with select developers to get their apps ready for the new MacBooks as soon as possible. The second possibility is that the developers updated their application just in principle, if by chance Retina displays really arrived.
Source: CultOfMac.com
Chambook turns an iPhone into a laptop (8/6)
With a dual-core processor, 512 MB of operating memory and wide wireless connectivity, the iPhone 4S could be described as a pocket computer. The folks at Clamcase are well aware of this, which has resulted in the introduction of the Clambook. At first glance, it looks like a laptop reminiscent of the MacBook Air, but it is a kind of shell containing a high-resolution widescreen display and a full-sized keyboard. After connecting the iPhone, you will be able to write longer texts, surf the Internet or watch a movie. Due to a certain closedness of iOS, Apple users will not use the potential of the multi-touch touchpad and dedicated keys. Clambook was most likely developed for Android phones and iOS support was added at the last minute. This gadget should go on sale before the holidays.
Source: iDownloadBlog.com
Apple TV will reportedly open to developers at WWDC (8/6)
There are reports that Apple will open up its Apple TV to third-party developers during WWDC. We already are they wrote about the fact that a new Apple TV operating system will probably be introduced. The company is also said to introduce developer tools (SDK) that will allow developers to create apps for Apple TV, just as it is possible for iPhone or iPad.
Steve Jobs himself said two years ago that when the time is right, Apple could open its TV to developers, so it is possible that now in Cupertino they have decided that now is really the right time to start Apple applications TV to create even now. Regardless if a brand new iTV appears on the market.
Source: MacRumors.com
Apple received a patent for a wedge-shaped laptop design (8/6)
Apple will finally be able to defend itself against manufacturers who shamelessly copy the appearance of Apple laptops. The company was granted a patent that refers to the characteristic design of the MacBook Air. The drawings in the patent show an emphasis on beveled edges and the general shape of the MacBook's base and lid. On the contrary, you will not find anything in the patent about the placement of ports or rubber feet. Ultrabook manufacturers such as HP and ASUS will have a problem with this patent, as they often try to imitate the design of Apple's successful thin notebook as faithfully as possible (the HP Envy Specter is a great example). It looks like the lawyers for these companies will now be busy…
Source: TheVerge.com
JJ Abrams, LeVar Burton and William Joyce will present themselves at WWDC (June 8)
From Wednesday 13/6, WWDC participants can look forward to three lectures, which will be held from 12.45:13.45 to 8:XNUMX p.m. local time. On Wednesday, LeVar Burton, who is surely familiar to fans of Star Trek and the children's show Reading Rainbow, will stand in front of the counter. Burton will mainly talk about the impact of using modern technology in education, as well as the upcoming Reading Rainbow app. On Thursday, William Joyce talks about how the company he's part of, Moonbot Studios, is changing the world. Friday will belong to filmmaker JJ Abrams (Lost, Super XNUMX) and his passion for mixing analog instruments with modern ones.
Source: AppleInsider.com
Other news this week:
- Tim Cook refutes the extended iPhone. Finally (4/6)
- Apple Releases iOS Security Guide (4/6)
- More iOS 6 Features Coming (4/6)
- The head of Pixar spoke at the D10 conference (5/6)
- Leaked 13″ MacBook Pro specs are disappointing (5/6)
- Android is past its peak, iOS continues to grow (6/6)
- A new QStore opens in Prague at Flóra (7/6)
- Have all the products Apple wants to introduce at WWDC revealed? (7/6)
Please fix the error: Docking station from Maxtor… !!! Thank you
“It will allow users to plug in vicissitudes” …really? :)
Periphery of course :-)
When should the docking station be released?