Following the official release of iTunes 11 for Mac and Windows and an incremental Apple TV firmware update, today's update bonanza continues with the release of a minor update to Apple's Remote iOS app. It now plays nice with iTunes 11, of course, and includes a redesigned interface on iPad tablets that takes design cues from the new iTunes, just as the previous version was reminiscent of desktop iTunes. As for iTunes 11 support, the updated Remote app now includes overhauled library views, an expanded view for your media, improved search results, the new UpNext feature and more...
iPad mini
The iPad mini is an iPad 4 cannibal, after all
The iPad mini is taking a bite out of sales of its full-sized counterpart. That's the conclusion of one Wall Street observer, who found fewer seven-inch Apple tablets available than the larger 9.7-inch iPad. But is the finding a sign of cannibalized iPads or something else?
A poll of fifty Apple stores by Citi uncovered the mini available in eighty percent of the locations, but severely limited, except for the 32 gigabyte version. However, all stores checked had the new fourth-gen iPad in stock, just six percent reporting limited availability...
This 3-inch Lightning cable fits on your key ring
Have you ever found yourself out and about with a dying iPhone and no charger? With the introduction of Apple's new Lightning port, that scenario isn't nearly as unlikely as it used to be.
That's why Kickstarters Kegan & Roberto developed the Nomad, a 3-inch USB-to-Lightning cable that fits on your key ring. That way, you'll never find yourself without an iPhone charger again...
Apple guaranteeing iPad mini deliveries before Christmas
Just spotted an interesting notice over at the online Apple Store, where Apple promises to deliver your iPad mini by Christmas if orders are placed by midnight December 5. "Order iPad mini by midnight December 5 for guaranteed delivery before Christmas", reads Apple's holiday shopping page.
A lot of kids' faces in the U.S. are gonna light up after unwrapping their Christmas gift. Over in the United Kingdom, however, shoppers must order the gadget by midnight today, or by December 4 in Canada. Apple's also sweetening the deal with free shipping and laser engraving. Hopefully, Santa won't say you've been a naughty boy...
Google Drive app gains native spreadsheet editing
Google's cloud-storage iOS client has received a nice little update today which brought out useful editing capability to Google spreadsheets. Google Drive version 1.2 arrives a little more than a month after the previous release brought us native Docs support and collaborative editing.
What's more, the software now finally allows for rich text copy-paste within a document and registers itself as a system-wide handler for uploading to Drive from other apps using the “Open in…” prompt.
The Android client was also refreshed with the ability to edit text within tables in documents and add a shortcut on the homescreen of your device to any specific file in Drive...
Apple’s tablet lead over Android could be shrinking faster than earlier thought
Remember the days when analysts and Wall Street observers believed the iPad would continue to lead tablet sales for years, and Android competitors still needed work? Funny how time flies. Although Apple isn't laughing, there is talk Google could overtake Apple in 2013. The problem is the iPad's lead over a pack of Android alternatives is shrinking to that when the Apple tablet was introduced in 2010.
Also, remember all those non-Android slates from HP and RIM? Yeah, neither does anyone else. That's the other problem...
Apple’s rumored chip switch understood to upset hotshots Nvidia and Qualcomm
Apple's been distancing itself from Samsung for quite some time, by purchasing components elsewhere. The company recently added new display and battery providers to its supply chain.
This summer, it started increasing spending on Elpida memory chip at Samsung's expense.
But as Apple increasingly sources major components from other suppliers, it has yet to make a switch to a non-Samsung silicon foundry. According to the latest chatter from Asia, Tim Cook and Co. remain adamant to take Apple's chip making contract to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) as early as possible.
But though TSMC, the world's largest dedicated independent semiconductor foundry, has enough capacity to make the 200 million+ processors Apple needs annually for iPhones, iPads and iPods, such a move bears a significant risk of upsetting TSMC's major buyers such as Nvidia and Qualcomm...
China’s love affair with the iPad still strong
China is going nuts over the iPad as Apple's tablet commands more than 71 percent of sales in China. That's welcome news for Apple which has watched Samsung and other competitors erode its once secure market share. Apple's lead in tablet sales among Chinese consumers has remained steady over the past six months.
The latest third-quarter market figures show Apple's position slid just one percent from the previous period. It's unclear, however, how long China's love affair with the iPad will last. Two home-grown tablet firms are #2 and #3, with Samsung a distant fourth...
Skype update enables chatting with Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook.com contacts
Skype was recently updated with a taller UI tailored for the iPhone 5. Today, Microsoft pushed another update, bringing a few new features to the popular communications client. For starters, you can now merge your Skype and Microsoft account, which also enables the software to connect to Microsoft's other messaging properties. Most notably, this means you can now chat with Messenger, Hotmail and Outlook.com contacts right from Skype...
New Apple magazine ads spotlight iPad mini and Newsstand
It seems like Apple's been on a bit of a marketing blitz over the past few months. We've seen new iPhone and iPad mini commercials, a new Best Buy spot, and even animated online ads. And now they've moved on to print.
Some new Apple ads have been discovered running in popular magazines like Time and The New Yorker that feature the iPad mini, illustrating it as a substitute for traditional magazines thanks to its size and Newsstand...
Retro gaming emulator Vectrex Regeneration due in the App Store this week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZgcOm6n058
If you're fond of retro gaming, keep your eyes peeled for Vectrex Regeneration this week on the App Store. This universal iPhone and iPad game strives to emulate the popular Vectrex game console that famously made waves in the early '80s. Developer RantMedia Games announced on Twitter yesterday that Vectrex Regeneration should land on the App Store “in just three days”. A teaser seen above depicts gameplay that promises to emulate the original console, along with an interesting 3D interface to spice things up a bit...
Citi: Apple bottomed, stock set for rebound
After a six-month absence on the Apple watch, Citi has returned - and with a strong recommendation to buy shares of the consumer electronics giant. After hitting a particular rough patch that included a sell-off one observer called "the insanity of insanity", Apple's stock is set to rebound 20-50 percent.
Citi's new Apple watcher, Glen Yeung, told investors Monday that Apple's drop in share price has likely hit bottom. Indeed, in most cases, shares will climb back within twelve months. Yeung said the stock should hit $675...