Tag - MacBook
Giveaway: Win a MacBook worth $1,300 from MacNN Deals
It's the summer, and many people are preparing to go off on vacation, which means shrinking down their computing setup into something that can be easily transported. If your existing notebook isn't enough for your needs while on a trip, or you don't own a notebook at all, you may want to check out the latest giveaway from MacNN Deals, as one winner will walk away with a brand new MacBook, valued at $1,300.
Pointers: See more on your MacBook screen
If we saw you out and about with one of the new MacBooks, we would ask you about whether you're happy with the pink -- sorry, rose gold -- color long before we'd talk about the screen resolution. That pink is surprisingly good, isn't it? You're always able to spot your MacBook in a crowd. However, when we're using one for ourselves, we do think about screen resolution and we do change it.
Apple patent suggests way to mount cellular antennas in MacBook hinge
A patent granted to Apple yesterday is supposedly hinting at the possibility the company will include cellular connectivity in a Macbook, among other items. The patent for an "Electronic device with dual clutch barrel cavity antennas" (Patent 9,350,068) largely describes a way for antennas to be mounted within spare space in a large hinge, such as one used to hold the keyboard and display halves of a notebook together.
KGI: New MacBook Pros, 13-inch MacBook to debut later this year
Hit-or-miss KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has used his latest research note to advise KGI investors that he believes Apple is prepping all-new and thinner 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros for a Q4 launch, while it is also planning a Q3 launch of a 13-inch variant of the 12-inch Retina MacBook it recently refreshed. Ming-Chi also said he expects that the MacBook Air line up will not receive further updates, as Apple looks to position it as an entry-level tier, sitting beneath the 12- and 13-inch Retina MacBooks. According to the analyst, the launches of the new flagship MacBooks will be the "brightest spot" in Apple's 2016 product line up, as he has previously played down the forthcoming "iPhone 7."
Review: Retina 12-inch MacBook (early 2016)
Apple has given us its first Mac hardware update for the year, and it has come in the form of a refreshed Retina 12-inch MacBook. First introduced around this time last year, the 12-inch MacBook has certainly not been without controversy since its introduction with Apple heralding it as its vision for the "future of the notebook." What makes the MacBook unique in Apple's Mac lineup is that it is the first all-new MacBook the company has introduced in the past few years, and it takes many of the lessons that Apple has learnt in making its mobile devices, and applied these in making what it believes is the ultimate ultra-portable notebook. The new model continues with the all-new Apple-designed keyboard with butterfly mechanism, and single USB-C port, but has some new Intel silicon in tow. So how does the new one perform? Find out in our review.
Teardown of 2016 MacBook reveals relatively few internal changes
A teardown of the latest version of MacBook reveals Apple has made relatively few changes to how the notebook is put together, with some refreshed hardware being the main differentiator between this and the previous version. Just as with the last attempt at a MacBook teardown by iFixit, it is shown Apple is continuing to make it very difficult for its users to make repairs to the device, giving it an extremely low "repairability" score.
Hands On: Brik Book Lego-compatible MacBook Case
Brik Book is another Kickstarter success story, raising three times its funding goal. With the fledgling company starting to spread its wings, we had the opportunity to get hands-on with its Brik Book Lego-compatible MacBook Case for the 13-inch MacBook Air. The case covers the lid of your compatible MacBook, giving not only protection, but a splash of color and fun. We had our hands on a grey lid with the Apple Brik pack, and it certainly brought a smile to our face as we put it together.
First Look: 12-inch Retina MacBook (Early 2016)
Apple has updated 12-inch MacBook with the new generation Intel Core M chip refresh that we have been waiting for, and MacNN has our hands on it. Not only that, our review unit is resplendent in the new rose gold color, which is polarizing, we admit, but will still be on the shopping lists of fans who like to accessorize their MacBooks with rose gold iPhones and rose gold Watches and the like. For fans of the original model, but who might have been holding out for an improved second-generation model, is this the 12-inch MacBook that you have been looking for?
Best Buy halts 12-inch MacBooks sales in sign of imminent refresh
Retailer Best Buy, which has been holding sales on the current models of the MacBook family, has now listed all models of 12-inch Retina MacBook as "discontinued," which is a likely sign that the model, which is now just over one year old, is about to get a refresh. Some other retailers have sold out on several configurations with no plans to replenish the line, while some others that still have stock, such as B&H Photo and MacMall, have dropped prices in a clear event to move existing inventory. Current rumors project the MacBook line to move up to more current processors, and that the MacBook Air line will be folded in under the "MacBook" moniker.
Rumor Roundup: secret search team; 'Watch 2,' MacBook rumors revised
Regular readers may recall (particularly since we keep hammering this point) that the rumors prior to the March Apple Event evolved hugely from their origins six or seven months out (Apple Watch 2 with all-new hardware! ) to the week before (woven nylon bands!). Right on schedule, we're seeing the first wave of walkbacks on previous rumors about the "Apple Watch 2" (again) as well as the expected "iPhone 7" that is expected in September. There is also apparently a new gathering of ninjas at Apple.
Now AAPL Stock: 150.27 ( -0.07 )
Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
