Meet the new iPad

No it's not the iPad 3 or the iPad 2S or the iPad HD, according to Apple it's just the new iPad. The press event just ended minutes ago and here is the scoop. The new iPad has a couple of new features over it's older brethren lets start with the screen.

The new iPad (I just like saying that, Apple used that 'saying' at least 15 times) has a brand new high-resolution display that comes in at 2048 x 1536, that is 3.1 million pixels for those that like math. According to Apple "That is the most ever in a mobile device." Apple is calling it a retina display just like it's smaller iPhone friends with the pixels per inches coming in at 264, showoffs. it also has 40% better color saturation that before which means b-e-a-utiful pictures and depth. 

The new iPad (still laughing about this) also packs a new digital punch in the form of the A5X processor (as opposed to the plain A5 in the iPad 2) which Apple says is 2x faster. Apple even threw in a comparison to Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor which is the hot kid on the block powering many Android Tablets and soon phones on the near future. What's interesting here is Apple only confirms "quad-core graphics" so what remains is is this a quad-core device? That is an important question moving forward this year with the competition.

The, much bemoaned, camera is also getting a slight bump in this " The new iPad" we are going to see a 5-megapixel backside illuminated sensor packed with a 5-element lens, IR filter, and ISP built into the new A5X chip. This is basically the same camera (minus a few pixels) in the iPhone 4S. Auto-exposure, auto-focus and so on. We also are going to see 0180p video recording, no shocker.

The fourth new feature is... Siri.... wait no that's not Siri. It's just voice dictation, nothing to see here folks, move along.

Last but not least 'The not the iPadHD' is getting 4G LTE! Tim Cook was sure to mention that it now has 21Mbps HSPA+ as well as LTE at a lighting fast 73Mbps. Apple is announcing their 4G partners are Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell and Telus at least to start. Interesting note is that Apple is supporting separate bands of LTE so it will be different devices for AT&T and Verizon, shame. But the they made sure to metion that 3G is world-ready for wherever you roam. Also the iPad can now be a personal hotspot if the carrier supports it.

That is it for new features, what about pricing and availability? Well hold your horses I'll tell you right after the break. Just click the Rawr below.

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Tech: Adobe done with Flash

There will be no funeral and no memorial but Adobe has finally confirmed the rumors. Flash Player for mobile is officially dead. Here is the official blurb from Adobe: 

"Our future work with Flash on mobile devices will be focused on enabling Flash developers to package native apps with Adobe AIR for all the major app stores. We will no longer adapt Flash Player for mobile devices to new browser, OS version or device configurations. Some of our source code licensees may opt to continue working on and releasing their own implementations. We will continue to support the current Android and PlayBook configurations with critical bug fixes and security updates."

It appears Steve Jobs has reached from the grave and handed the world one last dead, for better or worse. As many of you, I'm sure, remember that back a year or two Apple declared all out war on Flash by not allowing it on its iDevices. Well it appears even bolstered by Android and other platforms Adobe has thrown in the towel. Adobe plans to "aggressively contribute" to HTML5, the platform that replaces it with broader support and capabilities than Flash ever dreamed of delivering.

[Update]: It also appears today that we might have two birds for one stone as they say. Because more rumors are pouring in that the new version of Microsoft Silverlight might be the last. Most well known as "that thing Netflix streaming runs on" it appears this new version might also only work on Internet Explorer on Windows. What this means for the platform is totally up in the air and unconfirmed but this sure changes some things.

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Tech: Steve Jobs' Final Words

Yesterday in the Sunday edition of the New York Times an op-ed was delivered by someone named Mona Simpson, a famous novelist and a professor of English at UCLA. Mona Simpson was Steve Jobs biological sister, and the op-ed was actually the eulogy that she delivered at his memorial service on Oct. 16th. In it she revealed Steve's final words before he fell to sleep the last time before passing. But first I would like to quote a few beautiful excerpts from the eulogy.

"I remember my brother learning to walk again, with a chair. After his liver transplant, once a day he would get up on legs that seemed too thin to bear him, arms pitched to the chair back. Laurene got down on her knees and looked into his eyes. 'You can do this, Steve,' she said. His eyes widened. His lips pressed into each other. He tried. He always, always tried, and always with love at the core of that effort. He was an intensely emotional man."

This was actually a little known story, few new until recently he actually even received a second transplant, this time for his liver. Let alone had to relearn to walk. Clearly a story of a man being reduced to simple means.

"Intubated, when he couldn’t talk, he asked for a notepad. He sketched devices to hold an iPad in a hospital bed. He designed new fluid monitors and x-ray equipment. He redrew that not-quite-special-enough hospital unit. And every time his wife walked into the room, I watched his smile remake itself on his face."

Yet another intimate detail, so few really could have understood the man's genius, on his death bed, to be sketching and designing new ways for people to think. Here below are the final words of Steve Jobs as recited by Mona Simpson.

"But with that will, that work ethic, that strength, there was also sweet Steve's capacity for wonderment, the artist's believe in the ideal, the still more beautiful later.

Steve's final words, hours earlier, were monosyllables repeated three times. 

Before embarking, he'd looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life's partner, Laurene, then over their shoulders past them. 

Steve's final words were: 

OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW."

I implore you to read the full article on the NY Times website, it is quiet beautiful.

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Tech: Ten Years of iPod

Yesterday, the Apple iPod had a birthday. This little "deck-sized" music device that went on to change the world in more than one way, turned 10 years old. The magnitude of this birthday can be felt in digital media, recorded music and home video. But none more than through the lens of the recent death of Steve Jobs.

Those ten years ago on October 23rd 2001, in a low-key setting on Apple Headquarters in their town hall, Steve set to redefining an entire industry. The iPod would allow anyone to carry music with them, transforming music from a group experience to a deeply personal experience. Along with the iPod came iTunes. Simply and easily you would connect your iPod to that software that Apple had developed, and just a few short years later would be home to the Music Store, Podcasts and the App Store.

I could go on for paragraphs about the importance this family of products has meant to Apple and to the world, that Steve brought us. But I think the ultimate revelation would be the simple realization that without the iPod, even more so than the iMac or Mac OS X. Without the iPod we would never have had the iPhone, iPod Touch or the iPad, something had to come first.

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Tech: Apple Stores close to mourn Steve Jobs

According to Reuters, and also confirmed by Tim Cook in a internal memo, Apple will be holding a private event at their headquarters in Cupertino for all employees to celebrate the life of Steve Jobs. The event is to take place tomorrow (Oct. 19th) at 10 AM, but will remain closed to the public. This is an event to look back at the life of Steve Jobs and how he affected those at the company, as well as mourn his passing.

In accordance with this event at Apple HQ it is being said that ALL US Apple Stores will be closed during the even for retail employees to join a broadcast to company stores. It is unknown how long the stores will be closed for but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that it will be "at least an hour" but may go well into the afternoon.

Outside the US Apple Stores will likely view a re-broadcast of the private memorial, likely causing closures in each local for a short time as well. If your planning a trip to a local Apple Store over the next day (two days internationally) I would suggest a postponement.

Hit the Rawr to read Tim Cook's internal email about the event.

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Steve Jobs Is Gone

According to the Associated Press, Apple has announced that Steve Jobs has passed away.


Jobs had been battling a rare form of pancreatic cancer for many years and just recently stepped down as CEO of Apple.  He was 56 years old.


He was a visionary and a pioneer to say the least.  It would be fair to say that he changed the way we interact with everything from computers to music to books to movies.  A true genius.  He will be missed.


I implore you to go over to Apple.com. Our thoughts go out to his family and his friends.


Below are some statements from Apple, Tim Cook and Bill Gates.


Tim Cook:

"I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much."

Bill Gates:

“I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives. The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”

Apple:

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

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Ladies and Gentleman: Let's Talk iPhone

Any minute now Tim Cook will take the stage up in the bay area at Apples HQ theater, 4 Infinite Loop. What will we see today? Well I suspect this post will be updated. The lights have dimmed and the show is on.

[Update  10:15]  Time Cook has taken the time to talking shop on stage. The Macbook Pro and the iMac have become the best selling notebook/desktop in America, oh and they threw a mention to that thing I think is called an iPod (that has a lot of market share). As I type Tim is talking iPhone market "More coming up on iPhones..." as he moves on to iPad.

[Update  10:30]  Scott Forstall has been invited to the stage. He is talking iOS and App Store. He is talking about iOS 5's announced new features. New Lockscreen, Notification Center, iMessage, Reminders, "deep" Twitter integration and Newstand. "Comes with more than 200 new user features".

[Update  10:36] iOS 5 will drop for iPhone 4/3GS, iPad/iPad2 and the most recent Touch's on October 12th! (No mention of iPhone 4S/5)

[Update  10:39] Eddy Cue has taken over from Scott with a recap on iCloud and iTunes in the Cloud. Most of this has been heard before at WWDC. People in the crowd are getting anxious waiting for a new announcements. iCloud will launch October 12th (I see something to this 10/12 date *hint*) and iTunes Match will be $24.99/year and launch at the end of October in the U.S.

[Update  10:46] Phil Schiller is on stage talking iPod hardware. New iPod Nano being announced. They are adding new clock faces for those that wear it as a watch (really?). It will come in seven colors and is now priced at $129 for 8GB and $149 for 16GB. Available today.


[Update  10:46] Next is a new iPod Touch. It will run iOS 5 with all it's wonderful features, now comes in white also. 8GB was priced at $229 now it's $199 with the 32GB coming in at $299 and 64GB at $399. Available October 12th. (That date again.)


[Update  10:54] Next up is iPhone, and here it is "[We are]Pleased to tell you about the brand new iPhone 4S". More to come just click through the break (Hit the Rawr just below) to hear what's next.

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BREAKING: Steve Jobs RESIGNS As CEO of Apple!

Steve Jobs has just resigned his position as CEO of Apple.  His resignation letter is below:

PRESS RELEASE: Letter from Steve Jobs
August 24, 2011–

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Update:  Apple stock has apparently fallen 5.9% since this announcement.

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$99 Apple TV, New ITunes Social Network and other Apple News

Today, for the first time, I attended an Apple Press Conference, and I did it at school. Even though I'm a huge fan of Apple and their different products, I don't own one of them. For the sake of curiosity and to report the results to the readers of this article, I went to my college Mac Lab and streamed the conference as it was only available to watch on Safari with certain specs that I didn't have. I tweeted basically the whole event, you should follow me, @leeroyholmes, as I do this sort of thing every chance I get.   Here are the highlights of the conference:

New Apple TV - $99 Pre-Order Available Now

• No Storage (Rentals Only)
• First-Run HD Movies $4.99  (Avilable same day as DVD/Blu-Ray. Older titles will cost less)
• Rent HD TV Shows .99 (ABC, FOX only on board right now, more will follow)
• Streaming Netflix, Youtube HD, Photos from Flickr, Video/Photo MobileME
• Wi-Fi N Protocol
• HD Content (Most likely 720P, but I'll research and update this)
• Airplay - Stream any photo/video/music content from PC, IPOD Touch, IPhone, or IPAD
• Fits in the palm of the your hand (1/4 the size of the old model)

New IPOD Touch (It's the IPhone 4 without the Phone)
Will be released next week.  Pre-Order Available Now
          8GB - $229                      32GB -  $299                          64GB - $399

• Retina Display (960 X 640 ala IPhone4
• Apple A4 Chip
• 3 axis gyro
• Frontcamera
• Facetime via Wi-Fi
• HD Video on Backcamera (720P at 30FPS)
• IMovie Editing capabilities ($4.99 Download) 

New IPod Nano - Pre-Order Available Now
8GB - $149.99    16GB - $179.99

• Touchscreen with Multitouch
• 46% Smaller with clip
• Ability to change the screen orientation and customize the menus
• Six Colors
• 24 hours of audioplay

New IPod Shuffle - Pre-Order Available Now
2GB $49 (Available Next Week)

• Buttons from 2nd generation Shuffle
• VoiceOver from 3rd generation Shuffle
• Genuis Mixes
• Five Colors 

ITunes 10 - Coming Soon

• Logo has been replaced
• A More Streamlined Interface for your library, saving a lot of viewing space
• Ping (Social Network streamlined into ITunes.  I will write an article all about the features and a review after it's released.  From first view it looked a lot like facebook with a focus on music.

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Steve Jobs Stepping Down

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced he will be stepping down and going on a medical leave of absence until June to focus on Medical Issues. Jobs says that the "health issues more complex than I originally thought."

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