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This insane Slope iPad stand will win your heart
Techgasm. It happens when a product or products simply exceed your expectations. That's not a teeny iMac in the picture to the right. It's my iPad 2 resting on a new Slope iPad stand. The Slope, which comes in versions for both iPad and iPad mini, finished a successful Kickstarter campaign last year and is now getting ready to ship starting November 5. The stand consists of an aluminum base with a nanofoam front and bottom surface. It works using suction created by small air pockets within the nanofoam. You push your iPad onto the foam and... it stays there. The grip works far better than I initially expected, providing a surprisingly secure mount point. The bonding between the iPad and the stand feels amazingly "right." The bottom foam enables you to anchor your tablet to the table, so it doesn't wander off during use. (A reusable plastic shield included with the packaging lets you choose between anchored and free-floating use.) So what's the difference between the Slope and other nanofoam solutions? Design. The brushed aluminum looks gorgeous. It's basically the iPad accessory that Apple forgot to ship. I found it easy both to mount and dismount my iPad although I first feared I'd hurt the Slope's nanofoam. My worries were unfounded. I will warn you in advance, however, that the psychological need to precisely and perfectly center your iPad is a mental hazard that many users will not be able to avoid. (If I were to use this full-time, I'd probably add some tiny guide marks on the back of my iPad.) Curious about that foam? Slope creator Erik Kittlaus set up a "Show Me This Nano Foam Stuff" page to teach people how to understand, use and maintain their stand with its high-tech nanofoam. Hint: Keep your Slope out of hot cars and away from direct sunlight near windows in warmer climates. Once attached, your iPad rests at the perfect height and slant for watching videos, playing games or just hanging nearby for easy recharging at your desk. If you're near another computer, however, why not use this tiny iMac-looking combination as an extra monitor? I tested out my besloped iPad using Avatron's newly updated Air Display 2 (US$9.99), a utility that converts your iPad into an OS X display. (We first wrote about this app a few years ago.) You install a free Mac-based server utility and the iPad screen becomes a fully touch-input-ready extension of your desktop. The marriage between Slope and Air Display couldn't be more perfect. Instead of just sitting around and charging, my iPad was transformed into an active part of my workday. With the Slope, the iPad really looks and feels like it belongs on my desktop. With Air Display 2, it functioned that way as well. If you didn't pre-order a Slope during the Kickstarter campaign, you'll be able to order starting November 5 from the Dekke website. The price will be $69.99 $59.99 for the standard Slope stand (meant for 10-inch tablets) and $64.99 $54.99 for the Slope mini (engineered for 7-inch tablets).
27" iMac display fault spurs class-action lawsuit
An Idaho man has filed a class-action lawsuit against over the failure of the display on his 27-inch iMac just 18 months after he bought it, reports GigaOm. Though the iMac was outside Apple's standard 12-month warranty when the display began having issues, the customer, Corbin Rasmussen, felt the product did not live up to Apple's claims that the iMac was "designed for a long productive life." After dealing with a display where 50% of the screen went dim, and finding similar stories on Apple's support forums, Rasmussen decided to sue for deception under California's consumer protection laws on behalf of himself and others others who purchased the computer. According to the lawsuit filed, the case is worth more than US$5 million if Apple is found guilty. If so, everyone in America who bought a 27-inch iMac with an LG LED-backlit display before December 2012 could be offered compensation.
Caturday: Eddie, the iMac screen cleaner
It appears that Eddie thinks that OS X Mavericks looks good enough to lick, or perhaps he's just finished licking the crumbs from between the keys on that Apple Wireless Keyboard. Maybe he's sticking his tongue out at a Windows user that just walked into the room. Whatever the case, Eddie's owner Joe V. just asks one thing -- "that he doesn't lick my screen". We'd love to see photos of your favorite feline soaking up the warmth of an Apple product, chasing a Magic Mouse, or just being a general nuisance while you're attempting to work on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Please let us know via our feedback page and please remember that your cat photo has to have some sort of connection to Apple or its products. For security reasons we can't accept inbound attachments, so you should host the photo (Dropbox, Flickr, iPhoto Journals, etc.) and send us the link. Many thanks to Joe V for sharing this photo with us.
Apple releases new firmware and OS X 10.8.5 updates for Late-2013 iMacs
Apple has released two new updates for the Late-2013 iMacs just introduced this September. The first update is a firmware upgrade that is only for the new iMacs with flash storage, while the second update is a supplemental update to OS X 10.8.5. The details: iMac SMC Firmware Update 1.1 This update is recommended for iMac (late 2013) with flash-only storage. This update improves the Power Nap feature in Mavericks on your flash-based iMac by allowing it to perform silently, without spinning up the fan. Power Nap periodically updates apps, such as Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, and will download software updates while your iMac is sleeping. iMac 10.8.5 Supplemental Update 1.0 The iMac OS X v10.8.5 Supplemental Update 1.0 is recommended for iMacs (Late 2013) using NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics and running OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.5. This update: Fixes an issue that may cause external drives to be ejected after the computer goes to sleep Fixes an issue that may prevent certain USB Bluetooth adapters from working Both update can be downloaded via the links above or by running Software Update on qualifying iMacs.
Weekly Roundup: Apple iMac review, BlackBerry Z30 review, Samsung's Galaxy Round and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Daily Roundup: Apple iMac review, HP Chromebook 11 hands-on, Nest's Protect smoke detector and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apple iMac review (2013)
This is an "s" year for Apple, and no, we're not just talking about the iPhone. In addition to announcing the iPhone 5s, the company refreshed its MacBook Air line with Haswell processors, leaving everything else unchanged. Now, Apple's come out with some new iMacs, and these, too, are basically the same as last year's, just with fresh components inside. The difference, though, is that while the MacBook Air is getting a bit long in the tooth, the iMac was just revamped a year ago -- and it's still a tempting product. Like the 2012 models, this year's iMac comes in 21.5- and 27-inch screen sizes, with low-glare displays and a thin bezel that measures just 5mm thick. This time around, as you'd expect, Apple's added Haswell processors, along with newer NVIDIA GPUs, faster 802.11ac WiFi and optional PCIe SSDs for faster transfer rates. Given that we've already been recommending the iMac, and given that the entry prices have stayed the same ($1,299 / $1,799), it seems obvious that spec bumps like these would make a great product even better. But you also want to know how the new machine performs, don'tcha? Sure you do. Read on for some performance numbers (and a recap of the design too, if you missed it the first time).
TechCrunch reviews 2013 iMac
Apple doesn't love us enough to send us devices for review, nor can we afford to purchase one of every new Mac that hits the market. Fortunately, our sister site TechCrunch was able to take a close look at the 2013 iMac and did a short-but-sweet review of the top features of Apple's all-in-one desktop machine. Darrell Etherington notes that the 2013 model still uses last year's slimmer design, and that the 27-inch iMac is "no longer an absolute horror to move and reposition." He loves the Fusion Drive's ability to speed up boot times while still providing huge amounts of storage, but it's the performance of the new iMac -- outfitted with the 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7 "Haswell" CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M -- that made him note that "this iMac isn't one that will back down to a gaming challenge." The bottom line? "Apple still definitely makes the best all-in-one available."
Daily Update for October 7, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Daily Roundup: Sony's Cyber-shot QX100, Kindle Fire HDX 7 hands-on, Valve's Steam Machines, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
iFixit disassembles new iMacs, finds spare SSD slot and more
iFixit did their patented (well, the process should be patented) teardowns of a pair of brand-new iMacs and as usual, the team of technicians has found some unexpected surprises. In a quest to find out just how repairable the new iMacs are, iFixit opened up both the 21.5- and 27-inch models to see what makes them tick. Both new iMacs sport a way to add a second hard drive through the Fusion Drive SSD port. The port features a PCIe connection, so it will just be up to third-party vendors to come up with adapters to allow a simple drive installation. The 21.5-inch model no longer has a replaceable CPU, with the previously socketed processor now soldered directly to the logic board. Fortunately for power users, they can still replace the CPU in the 27-inch model. Both new iMacs have a new AirPort/Bluetooth card that is on the back of the logic board. The card uses a Broadcom BCM4360 802.11ac transceiver and three Skyworks SE5516 WLAN front-end modules for ultra-fast WiFi, and also features a BCM20702 Bluetooth 4.0 chip. iFIxit also reports that there's a new slimmer CPU heatsink and an update to the hard drive SATA power / data cables. The full teardown for the 21.5-inch model is available here, while the 27-inch is here.
iFixit tears down Apple's Haswell-based iMacs, finds room for extra storage
As is its custom, iFixit has torn down the new Haswell-based iMacs to gauge their repairability -- and the company has found a few surprises despite the iterative design. In addition to new processors, graphics and WiFi, the updated all-in-ones now have unoccupied PCI Express slots in their base configurations. DIY enthusiasts willing to pry open their systems can add PCIe-based SSD if they like, iFixit says. Not every change is good news, however. The 21.5-inch iMac's processor is now soldered to the motherboard; while earlier models weren't all that upgradable, the move prevents even determined hobbyists from using their own CPUs. Whether or not you plan to tinker with Apple's desktops, you'll find quite a lot to explore at the source links.
Daily Roundup: Xperia Z1 review, JetBlue's 12Mbps Fly-Fi, iMessage briefly appears on Android, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apple issues day-one EFI update for new iMacs to address Boot Camp issue
No sooner had Apple announced the 2013 iMacs than they also issued a day-one EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) update for the speedy new all-in-ones. The update is targeted at an issue that sometimes occurs when installing a Boot Camp partition with Windows 7 or Windows 8. The issue appears when an external optical drive (the devices have no internal optical drive) and a USB thumb drive are connected at the same time, causing the screen to go black. The update also ensures that the default boot drive for the system will be OS X after Windows 8 is installed. iMac (late 2013) EFI Update 2.1 can be downloaded from Apple's support pages, and requires that the Mac be running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.4 or later.
Apple updates iMac with Haswell chips, available today starting at $1,299
While you would be excused for thinking the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c were Apple's latest offerings, you'd be wrong. Today, Cupertino has announced that the iMac range has been updated to include new silicon (Haswell) new GPUs and improved WiFi. The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac houses a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with iris Pro graphics, while the top spec version (both sizes) comes with 3.4GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 series graphics, plus the option to upgrade to core i7 at 3.5 GHz. That WiFi refresh brings "next gen" 802.11ac, and there's also support for PCIe-based flash storage meaning up to 3TB of Fusion drive, or 1TB SSD. The new models are available today, starting at $1,299 for the 21.5-inch, and $1,799 for the bigger display.
Apple refreshes the iMac with new processors, PCIe-based SSDs, more
Apple announced today that it is refreshing its iMac line with a handful of new features including Intel's latest fourth-generation quad-core processors, 802.11ac WiFi and faster PCIe flash storage options. The new iMac now features the following specs: Processor: quad-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 3.4 GHz, optional quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.5 GHz Display: 21.5-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 1,920 x 1,080 resolution or 27-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2,560 x 1,440 resolution Graphics: Intel Iris Pro on base 21.5-inch model, NVIDIA GeForce GT 700 series graphics with up to 4GB of video memory Memory: 8GB (two 4GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, configurable up to 32 GB Storage: 1TB (5,400-rpm) hard drive. Configurable to 3TB hard drive, 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive; or 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of flash storage. Flash storage is PCIe. Wireless: 802.11ac WiFi wireless networking that is IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n backwards-compatible; Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology The new iMacs are available today from Apple's online store with pricing starting at US$1,299 for the base 21.5-inch, Core i5 model. You can check out additional details in the press release below. Show full PR text Apple Updates iMac CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today updated iMac® with fourth generation Intel quad-core processors, new graphics, next generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options. The updated iMac brings the latest technology to the stunningly thin design and gorgeous display of the world's leading all-in-one desktop. "Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage." "iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage." The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac features a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and new Iris Pro graphics for unprecedented levels of integrated graphics performance. The high-end 21.5-inch model and both 27-inch models feature quad-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 3.4 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 series graphics with twice the video memory and up to 40 percent faster performance than the previous generation.* Customers looking for the ultimate in performance can upgrade to quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.5 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M series graphics with up to 4GB of video memory. iMac now supports next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station, iMac delivers wireless performance that is up to three times faster than the previous generation. The updated iMac now features support for PCIe-based flash storage that makes Fusion Drive and all-flash storage options up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation.* The popular Fusion Drive option combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash to deliver shorter boot times and faster access to apps and files. Customers can configure their iMac with a 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, and all-flash storage options are now available in configurations up to 1TB. iMac comes standard with 8GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive, and customers can choose to configure their iMac with up to 32GB of memory and up to a 3TB hard drive. iMac also comes with two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports for connecting to external storage and other high performance peripherals. Continuing Apple's commitment to energy efficiency and the environment, iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves an EPEAT Gold rating.** iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac includes PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, and uses highly recyclable materials and material-efficient packaging designs. iMac ships with OS X® Mountain Lion, bringing Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay® Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper to your Mac®. With iCloud® built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across your Mac, iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®. Pricing & Availability The new iMac is available today through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.2 GHz and Intel Iris Pro for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US); and with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The 27-inch iMac is available with a 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 755M for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US); and with a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.
GPU replacement program announced for 2011 iMacs, Apple to offer refunds for previous service
Remember the 2011 iMac's HDD replacement program? It seems like the machine thought it was time for an encore. Apple recently announced that 27-inch iMacs sold between May 2011 and October 2012 may be eligible for a free repair, citing faulty AMD Radeon HD 6970M GPUs (you can find the official statement after the break). The issue specifically affects machines with 3.1GHz Core-i5 and 3.4GHz Core-i7 processors, and can cause visual distortions, white or blue vertical lines or a solid black display. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is also issuing refunds to customers who paid to have the GPU fixed before the program was announced. Fair enough if you're on a budget, but we won't blame you if you use the issue as an excuse to upgrade.
Apple begins graphic card replacement program for mid-2011 27-inch iMac
Apple has begun a graphics card replacement program for the 27-inch mid-2011 iMac, reports 9to5Mac. The news comes from a leaked memo issued to some Apple Support employees. The models in question first went on sale in May 2011 and were sold until October 2012. The program only affects 27-inch iMacs with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors. Those models include Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt ports and, according to Apple, a AMD Radeon HD 6970M card that could fail. From the leaked memo: Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer's display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012. The last four digits of affected models must include DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, F610, DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, or DMW8 to qualify for the replacement program. Affected units will have their graphics card replaced for free for up to a period of three years after first purchase and anyone who has previously paid for a new graphics card in an affected model will have their purchase refunded.
Macminicolo asks: why do used Mac minis cost so much?
The Mac mini is the little computer that could. Personally, I own four of them -- of various vintages -- and they're all in use on a daily basis, some of them seven years after their initial purchase. They're insanely reliable, super affordable and some of the best kit Apple has produced. Macminicolo built a company around hosting Mac minis in a high-end data center, providing co-located servers for their customers. Starting at US$35/month, your mini server is given a static IP, fast network access and service options should things head south with your little server. Over at the Macminicolo blog, the company has posted a few thoughts about the used Mac mini market, and why these systems retain so much of their value over time. For example, they write, "You could purchase a mid-range, quad-core Mac mini for $799, use it for a year, then sell it for around $715." That's a really amazing retention of value. The post discusses why the Mac mini offers such good value retention, with its continuous brand identity, easy shipping and general capabilities. Compared to the iMac, the mini provides a much easier solution for embedding and tucking away. It's a fascinating post that you'll probably want to hop over and read in full. I'm throwing open the comments here, so you can (civilly!) share your mini experiences.
Best Buy begins huge sale on Mac laptops and iMacs
If you're in the market for a new Mac, you'll be happy to hear Best Buy has just slashed prices on all iMacs, MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros with Retina display. Prices are anywhere from US$50 off to $155 depending on what unit you buy. Additionally, if you're a student who registers with your school ".edu" email address on Best Buy's Student Deals site you'll get another $100 off the sale price of the above iMacs and Mac laptops, which brings the discount to anything from $150 to $255. Act fast though, as the sale only runs from today until July 27th. [Via AllThingsD]
