Apple

Apple considering ads for iTunes?

Apple Computer is planning to introduce ads into the iTunes music store, according to a report Monday by Advertising Age.

The ads will be limited, at least at first, to a small area of the iTunes screen and will only be seen when streaming a podcast on a PC, according to the report. But it's not hard to envision ads spreading to other parts of iTunes as users grudgingly grow accustomed to the pitches. Satellite radio, once touted as ad-free, is increasingly filled with ads as the satellite companies struggle to make money, although that isn't a problem … Read more

Outgoing iPod head to be part-time Apple consultant

Jon Rubinstein, the former head of Apple Computer's iPod division, will continue to consult for the company for a year, Apple said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday.

Apple had announced Rubinstein's plans to retire last year, and named Tony Fadell to replace him. Rubinstein and Apple formally separated on April 14, but they won't completely part ways, as Rubinstein plans to make himself available to Apple for about one day a week until this time next year. He'll receive a nonmaterial flat fee for his services, Apple said.

Rubinstein is leaving the iPod … Read more

Steve Jobs lets down third-grade letter writer

Some readers might be interested in this news segment that aired last week on San Francisco-based CBS 5.

It's about a little girl who was disappointed about how Steve Jobs responded, (or actually didn't respond) to her letter offering suggestions on how to improve the iPod. We found it via iLounge.

PortalPlayer shut out of next iPod Nano

PortalPlayer, the chipmaker behind the iPod, has received word that Apple Computer plans to go in a different direction later this year with its midrange and high-end flash players, the PortalPlayer announced Wednesday.

PortalPlayer plans to release a new chip in the second half of the year that it thought would accompany new iPod nanos, but Apple has passed on that chip. The new chip should still wind up in other iPods, PortalPlayer said, but the decision is a blow to the company. One analyst estimated that 95 percent of PortalPlayer's fourth-quarter revenue came from iPod sales, and Wedbush … Read more

Apple to get in on UMPC fun?

A new patent application filed on behalf of Apple Computer suggests the company might be planning its own implementation of the UltraMobile PC concept.

A patent filing spotted by UMPC News covers a touch-screen keyboard on a product that resembles the UMPC or Origami devices introduced by Intel and Microsoft last month. The application describes a virtual QWERTY keyboard that covers one half of a screen. It looks a bit like the virtual keyboard that will be used on Origami devices, except that Microsoft's version splits the keyboard into two pieces on opposite sides of the screen, according to … Read more

Apple misses Wall Street target for second quarter

Apple Computer's second-quarter revenue increased 34 percent compared with last year, the company announced Wednesday, but Wall Street was looking for more.

Revenue was $4.36 billion, up 34 percent from last year's second quarter. Net income was $410 million, or 47 cents per share, up from net income of $290 million and earnings per share of 34 cents last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting revenue of $4.5 billion and earnings per share of 43 cents.

While below what many analysts had expected, Apple's $4.3 billion in revenue was in line … Read more

Reports of counterfeit iPod Shuffles and Nanos

If you're walking through Central Park, and you see an iPod for sale on the sidewalk for $10, it might not be the genuine article.

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple Computer is warning its partners about a number of counterfeit iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano units making the rounds. According to the report, the counterfeit Nanos lack a dock connector, and the screen size is larger than that of the real iPod Nano. The fake Shuffles don't have battery indicator lights and the packaging says "Digital Music Player" on the top, as compared to the storage … Read more

NY Apple 'mecca' rumored to be open 24-7

We had really hoped to confirm recent blog reports that a massive Apple Computer store going up in midtown Manhattan, which some have referred to as "Apple mecca," will be the company's first retail outlet open 24 hours a day.

But, alas, an Apple spokesman said the company isn't ready to confirm, deny or make any official announcements about the store, so we can only offer our observations, and point to what others have written.

The store--which will reportedly be 25,000 square feet--is located in the underground retail plaza of the General Motors Building on … Read more

You, too, could win the Chili Pepper iPod

Heads up all Red Hot Chili Pepper fans--or even iPod collectors:

If you pre-order the band's new double album, "Stadium Arcadium," from Apple's iTunes Music Store, you'll be entered to win a Chili Peppers iPod. Pre-ordering also gets you an immediate download of the track "Dani California," a bonus video on the making of the "Dani California" video, audio commentary from the band, a full-color digital booklet and the opportunity to buy tickets for the band's North American tour four days before they officially go on sale.

All we know … Read more

Colorful rumors say MacBooks on the way

Reports that Apple is working on a wide-screen consumer notebook have been around for months, but Think Secret says the long-awaited portable will finally arrive by next month.

The Apple rumor site says that the laptop, which will carry the MacBook name, will sport a 13.3-inch wide-format display. The site says that a 17-inch MacBook Pro could also be on its way.

Another site, AppleInsider, suggests that the MacBook may also see a return to colorful options for Apple, which has been decidedly monochromatic with recent computers clad in either metal or white.

Apple has promised to transition its … Read more