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Apple's 'blasphemous' logo under fire in Russia
And now for your daily dose of overreaction. Extreme Orthodox Christians in Russia have upped their complaints about Apple's iconic logo, according to CNet. This specific group of Orthodox Christians say that Apple's logo represents a "blasphemous" attack on the church since it can be seen as a representation of the Christian mythology of Satan tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. As CNet points out, the uproar correlates to other religious/political issues happening in Russia right now -- namely the jailing of punk band Pussy Riot for its protest against the Russian Orthodox Church and its (and other secularist's) assertions that the Church has the goal of creating a clerical police state. This isn't the first time Apple's logo has been associated with Satan, and there's plenty of other crazy examples out there (jump to the 2:40 mark in this video) but this is something that Apple should conceivably be worried about. Anti-blasphemy laws are currently being proposed in Russia which, should they pass, could theoretically bar Apple from selling products with its logo on them in the country.
Apple now owns the trademark to The Beatles' Apple Corps Logo
Apple and The Beatles have had a contentious relationship for years. The Beatles Apple Corps company felt Apple's logo -- and the company's eventual foray into digital music -- infringed on their trademark Apple Corps logo. Then in 2007, Apple, Inc. and Apple Corps Ltd. finally settled trademark dispute. That settlement gave Apple, Inc. ownership of "all of the trademarks related to 'Apple' and will license certain of those trademarks back to Apple Corps for their continued use." But in 2011, Apple went further to secure its right to the trademark, actually filing for it to secure ownership over it. Yesterday, that ownership was granted. As discovered by Patently Apple, the Cupertino company was granted the registered trademark of the famous logo on October 24, 2012. So what does this mean for Apple? Theoretically, it could use the Apple Corps logo for any purpose. But that probably won't happen. This is more just a housekeeping matter with the company tying up any loose ends to a decades-long trademark dispute.
Rare iPhone prototype hits eBay, branded with 'deathstar' test logo (updated with video)
While our thoughts on all things iPhone may be focused elsewhere, an unusual Apple prototype of its fourth phone iteration has caught our attention on eBay. On the back, you can see the same curious logo spied on experimental hardware as far back as February 2010 and as 9to5Mac notes, it doesn't pack the screws along the bottom edge, making it ever so slightly different to the final model. The phone (model number N90AP) also runs Apple's software testing framework, Switchboard, which is still happily ticking along on this particular prototype. Bids start at $4,500, or there's a Buy It Now price of $10,000 -- if you must have this obscure slice of Apple history. (Update: We've been sent a quick video tour of the device-- it's after the break.)
Barcelona Apple Store construction sign has unique Gaudi-esque logo (Updated)
While Apple's retail outlets housed in malls or shopping centers haven't needed much exterior tweaking, the freestanding stores generally get a more sophisticated architectural treatment to make sure they fit in with the other buildings nearby. This is particularly true of the stores in European cities, where the outlets are often housed in historical buildings. AppleInsider points out a construction sign at the new Apple Store that's arriving soon in Barcelona, Spain that's taking design cues from Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, with a multi-colored stained glass trencadís mosaic Apple logo catching the eyes of passersby. The new store is located on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, near Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, two famous buildings by the architect best known for the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Gaudi was well known for using stained glass trencadís mosaic in his structures, and a sign at the construction site for the new store says that it will be "custom made to fit Barcelona." It's not clear if the stained-glass mosaic logo is part of the final store design, but at least while the construction sign remains, Gaudi's legacy continues in the shape of an Apple logo. The store is the second in Barcelona, and Apple has signed a 10-year lease for the building for US$5.1 million annually. Update: ipordelante.com has a nice gallery of the new logo and mosaics, including several close-ups.
The story of Apple's upside down logo
It was perhaps one of the most baffling and frustrating design choices Apple ever made: the upside down Apple logo. For those of you who haven't been using Macs long enough to remember this, the "upside down Apple logo" refers to how PowerBooks and iBooks used to display the Apple logo "pointing" at the floor when the laptop was opened. Former Apple employee Joe Moreno reveals the story behind the upside down logo. Apparently when Apple designed the PowerBook and (later with Steve Jobs) the iBook they discovered that if they placed the Apple logo upside down from the user's prospective when the lid was closed, the user would constantly try to open the laptop from the wrong side -- by the hinges, because from that angle the Apple logo was right-side-up. Now, you would think that a company that prides itself on its branding would want their logo right side up so all the passersby would see it in the correct orientation, but Steve Jobs thought the upside down Apple logo was the right way to go. As Moreno writes: Steve Jobs always focuses on providing the best possible user experience and believed that it was more important to satisfy the user than the onlooker. Thankfully, Jobs eventually reversed his decision. But this story does raise the question: were that many people really trying to open their laptops from the wrong side time after time again? If so, the upside down Apple logo is probably the least of their worries. It also goes to show that Steve Jobs, as great of a design genius as he was, didn't always make the right design choices the first time around.
M.I.C Gadget's iHub 2 looks like Apple lawsuit bait
M.I.C Gadget, the same website that brought the world the Steve Jobs action figure that was quickly given a cease and desist notice, is back for more potential legal fun. This time, they've come up with a very cool 4-port USB 2.0 hub. It doesn't matter how many USB ports you have on your Mac -- it always seems like you can use a few more. So the M.I.C Gadget guys decided that a small black or white 4-port hub that features a glowing white Apple logo would be a popular product. They're calling it the iHub 2 (US$9.90), which of course sounds suspiciously close to any number of Apple products. Yep, they're probably right about the iHub being a potentially popular product. Heck, if I could get one before the next cease and desist notice is delivered to M.I.C Gadget, I'd probably buy one. However, Apple's lawyers have probably already downloaded the legal boilerplate for their C&D notice and are feverishly filling it out at this point. Considering that the Apple logo is one of the most recognizable trademarks in the world, and the company protects its trademarks with the same enthusiasm as a mother grizzly bear protecting her cubs, the iHub will be shut down faster than the Steve Jobs action figure was. This product supersedes the previous iHub, which apparently didn't catch Apple's attention. That was most likely before they made the Steve Jobs mini-me. M.I.C Gadget has even made a nice promo video, which you can watch on the next page. Enjoy it while it lasts. [via 9to5Mac]
TUAW iPhone Tips: Typing the Apple symbol, iOS 4 folders in the dock
As you go into this weekend looking for things to do, you might be thinking about how to organize your iOS 4.x iPhone and use the Apple symbol in the process. The first tip, courtesy of Macenstein, deals with labeling of apps and folders. Back in the iPhone OS 2.x days, you could use the Japanese keyboard to type the Apple symbol. That feature disappeared, but now there's a way to bring back that Apple symbol. The solution is to create a folder in iOS 4, which is done by dragging one app onto another. Give the folder a name, like "Rename me," then sync with your computer. With your iPhone selected in iTunes 10, click on the Apps tab. There you'll see all of your apps and folders, and you can double-click on the folder you just created to rename it. Use the Mac keyboard shortcut Option-Shift-K to type in the Apple symbol () and whatever else you want in the folder title, press Return to enter the change, and then click the Apply button to rename the folder on your iPhone. If you ever need to type an Apple symbol into another app, you can simply copy and paste it from the folder name. Our second tip, from TUAW reader Adam, uses the obvious (but little-used) fact that you can put folders into the "dock" row of icons on your iPhone home screen. Why is that important? With one touch, you can have access to up to 12 of your favorite apps in the always-available dock row. Join the two tips together, and you can have an Apps folder in your iPhone dock containing all of those Apple apps that you can't get rid of.
Found Footage: Swarovski crystal Apple rainbow logo iPhone case
Going down the Apple history path for the second time today, we thought those of you who might have a soft spot in your heart for the old "rainbow" Apple logo would love this piece of bling. It's an iPhone case (works with 3G / 3GS) that is covered with more than 1,000 Swarovski crystal bits for that extra sparkly look. For only US$184, you can be one of only 100 people on the entire planet Earth to own one of these ostentatious blingy things. It's sparkly! Did I mention that it's sparkly? If this got your attention and you must have one, head on over to Distinctive Style to nab one of these limited edition glittery rainbows for your very own. You know you want one. After all, it is "perfect for parties and balls," and you'll be able to "represent yourself with luxury & confidence." [via iPhone Savior]
Apple versus Woolworths: logo smackdown
UPDATE 2: Be sure to read Engadget's analysis of what appears to be a non-event here. Apple is apparently getting hot and bothered over Australian/New Zealand supermarket chain Woolworths' new logo. Woolworths insists the logo is merely a stylized "W," but Apple's copyright lawyers aren't buying it. They're trying to knock down Woolworths' copyright application for the logo by claiming it violates Apple's intellectual property. Apparently, according to trademark lawyer Trevor Choy, Apple does this fairly often, trying to make sure that some other company's branding can't be mistaken for its iconic logo. I'll admit that at first glance the logos look similar (to me, anyway – my ex-graphic designer wife doesn't agree). Even so, it seems kind of a stretch to assume anyone is going to confuse Woolworths, a supermarket chain based only in Australia and New Zealand that mostly sells, you know, food, with Apple, a worldwide company that sells computers. Trust me, I shop at the Woolworths here in Palmerston North every week; it's a decent grocer, but nobody's going to wander in there looking for a MacBook Pro. What do you think? Does Apple have a case here? Or is it sort of ridiculous for Apple to claim that anything roundish with a leaf on top endangers its trademark? Sound off in the comments. UPDATE: A couple of points we should clear up on this post. First, Apple is not, in fact, the aggressor in this case. No one is, really. It is a trademark action, and as far as we know it has NOT become a lawsuit. It appears to be a part of the trademark process as it happens down under. Apple is free to object, and since Woolworths is attempting to register their mark across a huge range of products (like computers), they are practically obligated to do so. We'll keep an eye out for any interesting developments, however. - Ed.
TUAW Sunday snacks: Some tasty tidbits of random information
In between watching those Sunday NFL games, we're hoping that you're snacking on some TUAW goodness. For your munching pleasure I thought I'd cook up some of the interesting tidbits that have accumulated in our inbox this morning and present them to you for consumption.First, from TUAW reader Tom, is a fascinating look at a pre-Apple "Apple logo." Apparently in 1969, Piaggio Vespa, world-famous for their Vespa scooters, had an Italian ad campaign featuring apples with both sides missing a bite. The campaign used the Italian phrase "Chi Vespa mangia le mele," or "He who Vespas eats apples." Echoes of the campaign can still be found on various Vespa websites, including the USA site where you'll find many dingbats and buttons are apples with a bite or two taken out of them. Next, TUAW fan Keith pointed out something interesting. If you go into Settings > General > Usage, there's a list of your iPhone usage. Down near the bottom of the list of statistics is a section called Tethering Data. This shows up on 3G / 3GS models, since tethering is allowed by many carriers. Of course, as "Seth the Blogger Guy" notes in the AT&T video, American iPhone owners don't get the joy of using their iPhones as wireless data modems for laptops because the AT&T network has insufficient capacity. We've talked previously about AT&T's view on tethering; read here for more info. Of course, there's always the jailbreak option. Read on for more news tidbits.
Interview with Apple logo designer Rob Janoff
There's a great interview at CreativeBits today with Rob Janoff, designer of the Apple logo. That simple Apple with the chunk bitten out is as iconic as the company and products it represents. The logo has undergone several tweaks over the years, from the original rainbow to the aqua version that accompanied the original iMacs to the glassy version we see today. Fanatics will remember that the logo was introduced with the Apple II in 1977. Rob talks about this and other insights into the design's history, like the fact that he originally presented only two versions of the logo to the Steves (Jobs and Wozniak): One with and one without the "bite." Other tidbits include why the original design had stripes and what the bite really represents. It's an interview worth reading. Rob has been interviewed many times before, naturally -- see these past conversations for more insight.
Cool tool: Change your Mac's boot image with BootXChanger
Every once in a while, I get reminded about a cool tool that I've used and then totally forgotten about. In today's example, the reminder came in the form of a post on UNEASYsilence about how to change your Mac's boot image.The boot image, in case you're new to the Mac world, is that gray Apple logo that you see after the startup chime when booting up your machine. It's surprisingly boring, so back in December of 2007 Jésus Álvarez wrote a small tool to replace that drab gray Apple with something more exciting. BootXChanger is free, and it changes the Mac's boot image. There are limitations to what you can replace the gray Apple with -- the background must remain the boring #BFBFBF gray, the image can't be too complex, and the image should be sized at 128 x 128 pixels -- but you can do a lot within those borders. BootXChanger comes with a dozen sample images (below), and instructions are provided on how to create your own. I was torn between "Colour Apple Logo" and "Radioactive", so I ended up trying both. You simply drag and drop an icon file to the application window, or you can click "Default Image" if you decide to go back to the current Apple icon. Here are a couple of photos of my MacBook Air starting up with the new boot images for your entertainment:
Macbook with Apple logo-turned-LCD now on eBay, naturally
Not that we can really blame the guy or anything, but don't think that the selling of this machine at this point in the history of mankind is any sort of coincidence. Literally two days after we took a glance at this very Macbook -- which had its Apple logo replaced with a bona fide, completely functional LCD -- it's up for auction at eBay. We know, the economy's a little rough right now, so we'll chalk this one up to a creature of the entrepreneurial spirit and move on. But yes, you should be prepared to pay top dollar (or learn how to mod) if you're dead set on being its next owner.
Video: Apple logo modded as secondary LCD
The only thing more certain about an Apple fanboy than his unwavering trust in the infallibility of Steve Jobs is his affinity for the Apple logo. You'll see it prominently displayed on the bumper of his VW or on the backside of her MacBook where it glows in the conspicuous brilliance of latte-superiority. So it's no surprise to see said logo modded yet again, this time, with a fully functional LCD display thanks to the efforts of Eddie Zarick. Honestly, seeing the iTunes Visualizer pumped through that Apple mask looks pretty sweet. You seeing this Jonny Ive? [Thanks, Chris T.]
Flickr Find: Planet Earth sends a get-well card to Steve Jobs
It's a miracle! You're an Apple fanboy, you're in Morocco, and you look up in the otherwise blue skies and see the wispy shape of an Apple logo appear for a moment before dissipating. And you're lucky enough to get a picture of it: Could it be that Planet Earth is sending Steve Jobs a get-well card? Or is it just a random occurrence? Photographer Piero Formica's original Flickr picture can be found here. Thanks to TUAW reader Michael for the tip! [Via iPhone Savior]
iPhone mod turns the Apple logo into a mini-flashlight
Sure, this video feels like it might veer into creepy snuff-film territory right at the beginning, but luckily it just reveals a fairly sweet looking iPhone mod. Apparently some Russian iPhone fans have replaced the regular, boring Apple logo on the back of an original iPhone with an eye-piercing, glowing version. There's not a lot of detail on how this is done -- and the video is in Russian -- but the source link claims it's just a matter of, "removing the aluminum 'fruits' and inserting the glowing ones." We'll see about that. Otherwise, check this similar step-by-step mod seen earlier. Eerie video included after the break.Update: As commenters (and Croiman himself) have pointed out, this appears to be a boost of the impressive Croiman Psycho iPhone mod we saw back in April.[Via Hack a Day]
Blast from the Past: Original Apple logo
This one is for all you who miss the old rainbow Apple logo. What seems to be the original Apple logo (pre-incorporation in 1976) is making the rounds of the internets today. So apparently the Apple belongs to Newton. I have to say; it's a good thing they got rid of this one early.So which version of the Apple logo is your favorite?[Via Digg]
Blast from the Past: The Story of the Apple Clover Symbol
Do you remember Andy Hertzfeld? He was the author of a huge part of the original Mac ROM and he discusses the creation of the Apple command logo in this writeup. Turns out that the logo was based on a Swedish symbol used to flag noteworthy attractions at campgrounds. Susan Kare, Apple's bitmap artist, found it in an international symbol dictionary. So why didn't they just use an Apple symbol? Steve Jobs had had enough. "There are too many Apples on the screen! It's ridiculous! We're taking the Apple logo in vain! We've got to stop doing that!" Neat story to read through, and only one of Hertzfeld's many marvelous Apple reminiscences. Although the actual proper name of the icon is the Saint John's Cross or St. John's Arms, when describing this key to others, I've called it the "butterfly icon", "squiggle icon", 'propeller icon" as well as "clover." What names have you TUAW readers given to the clover symbol?
Flickr Find: iBaby Designed by Apple in California?
We're not sure if kmcculler even lives in California, but there's no mistaking the birthmark on that baby. Yes, that child has the mark of the beast best. What do you think, folks, have the parents of this child Photoshopped him for fun or is this The Second Coming of Steve Jobs?Thanks, Barb!
Ok, who owns this car?
I thought I was cool with the one Apple sticker I have on my car's rear window, but now I've been shamed. The owner of this vehicle (I'm guessing by the door handles that it's a Saturn?) really, really likes his/her Apple stickers. Just don't drive that thing in Redmond.
