Apple

Apple checks on Microsoft at WinHEC

Among the more than 3,500 attendees at Microsoft's annual event for hardware experts are some perhaps unexpected visitors: Apple Computer employees. The Cupertino, Calif., company has four people at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle this week, checking out what Microsoft is up to.

"I am attending WinHEC to keep tabs on what is happening in the industry and what Microsoft is looking to do over the next year," said David Harrington, manager of the hardware technology group in Apple's worldwide developer relations department. He declined to make any further comment, citing Apple's … Read more

Apple's move to Intel threatening open core?

It appears that one casualty of Apple Computer's move to Intel chips could be its open-source Darwin core. According to InfoWorld magazine (free registration required), Apple won't release code for the Intel version of Darwin, the open-source Unix core that forms the base layer for Mac OS X.

"Apple's retreat to a proprietary kernel means that all users must accept a fixed level of performance," the report says. "The default OS X kernels are built for broad compatibility rather than breakneck speed and throughput."

The move in part results from the fear of … Read more

Bear Stearns expecting iPod phone, new video lineup

Bear Stearns analyst Andrew Neff expects Apple Computer to launch an iPod phone and a new lineup of video iPods at some point in the not-too-distant future, he said in a research note distributed Wednesday.

Neff recently met with Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer and Vice President of iPod Product Marketing Greg Joswiak, and he came way with the impression that Apple plans to develop a new generation of iPod products in time for the holiday season, although the exact timing was uncertain. These new products could include an iPod that focuses more attention on video playback than the video iPods … Read more

Take-down at the Apple store

I read a story last year that implied Apple Computer was lax on security at its retail stores. Don't you believe it.

When the new MacBook was announced Tuesday, with immediate availability, I headed for the downtown San Francisco store to buy one up so we could review it here at CNET. As usual, the store was crowded, and some employees were setting up some display models of the new machines.

Asked if they had any black MacBooks in stock, a green-shirted employee immediately took me to a POS (point-of-sale, not the other kind of POS) machine, punched some … Read more

The Macintosh as a work of art

The Macintosh seems to be a favorite subject for Indianapolis artist Gautam Rao. His blog features original oils depicting the computer, its controls and desktop screen, alongside a smattering of other subjects, including a cow.

Chili Peppers fans fired up over iTunes promo

It appears an iTunes Music Store promotion for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' new album has gone awry--at least in part--triggering a long and heated discussion thread Apple has since locked up.

Those who pre-ordered the band's double album, "Stadium Arcadium," were promised, among other things, the opportunity to buy tickets for the band's North American tour four days before they go on sale this Saturday.

Many customers, however, have yet to receive the Ticketmaster code that allows them to purchases the advance tickets, according to the Apple discussion board and blogs that led us there.… Read more

MacBook unveiling rumored for Tuesday

Rumor has it that Apple could introduce its first consumer MacBooks as early as Tuesday, according to several Apple sites. That prediction is in line with earlier rumors that the long-awaited portable--the Intel-based replacement to the iBooks--would finally arrive sometime this month.

Both Apple Insider and ThinkSecret are reporting about a possible press conference Tuesday to unveil the new line. And the Unofficial Apple Weblog notes a screen up on the Apple site temporarily Friday that features the MacBook name, without the "Pro."

Apple introduced the 15-inch MacBook Pro in January and started shipping a 17-inch version last month. … Read more

Apple's 'Get a Mac' attack

Apple Computer may have broken bread with the Wintel camp, but that doesn't mean it's finding the closer association easy to swallow.

The new Get a Mac ad campaign continues the company's long tradition of putdowns aimed at PCs that run the Windows operating system, featuring an easy-going, T-shirt-and-sneakers-clad techno-hipster ("I'm a Mac") and a not-so-with-it gent ("I'm a PC") in an ill-fitting business suit.

A series of video clips on the Apple site drives home the point. The "Viruses" clip, for instance, has the sneezy PC stand-in lamenting … Read more

Trapped miners given food, water...and iPods

Rescuers are making sure two trapped gold miners in Tasmania, Australia are well equipped with the basic necessities--food, water, and iPods.

The men have been trapped in a tiny cage more than half a mile underground since April 25, when a small earthquake triggered a cave-in that killed another miner, according to the Associated Press.

Rescuers had been using explosives to blast a tunnel toward the miners, but stopped fearing another cave-in, the story said. Instead, they will bore towards the men, but only after concrete poured to anchor a huge drill has dried.

The iPods, which were passed along … Read more