Category: Apple (Page 32 of 65)

Macbook superdrive firmware update quiets things down

Macbook Pro superdrive.I’ve often wondered why my Macbook needs to growl every time I open the lid to wake it from sleep. Granted, I’m a little grumpy in the morning, but I don’t grind my superdrive like I’m trying to break it, now do I. Thankfully there’s a firmware update that will fix the problem without too much trouble.

The update includes some AirPort changes as well to help with connection issues. The update is simple enough. Just run your software update and follow the instructions. For this one you’ll definitely want the machine to be plugged in, just to ensure no interruption. Don’t worry too much about the intimidating warnings – the update’s not actually dangerous.

From there, your computer should be nice and quiet every time you open the lid.

Source: Apple

Analyst suggests iPhone users have Stockholm Syndrome

Apple fanboy.Do you ever find yourself wishing you had one of these Apple swimsuits? Are you the annoying guy that defends Apple’s every action? Has your iPhone turned you against other phone manufacturer’s despite its technical shortcomings? If so, you might be suffering form iPhone-induced Stockholm Syndrome, according to Strand Consulting.

The firm released a report entitled, ““How will psychologists describe the iPhone syndrome in the future?” this Friday, and it’s a decidedly strange read. The report opens with an anecdote just about everyone can agree with: “It is no secret that there has been a great deal of hype surrounding the iPhone and it is also no secret that Apple probably has the most loyal and fantastic customers in the world.” From there Strand posits that iPhone customers look past the phone’s shortcomings and go on to defend the worst parts of the device to the phone’s critics.

“When we examine the iPhone users’ arguments defending the iPhone, it reminds us of the famous Stockholm Syndrome – a term that was invented by psychologists after a hostage drama in Stockholm. Here hostages reacted to the psychological pressure they were experiencing, by defending the people that had held them hostage for 6 days,” reads the report.

It’s definitely a different take on what most people write off as fanboyism. You have to wonder, though, what you would call the fact that millions of cellular customers continue to purchase and pay for phones and services they are unhappy with. Bearing that in mind, it’s tough to fault anyone for defending one of the best phones on the market. Or is that just my SS flaring up?

Source: 9to5 Mac

Live video streams rush to the app store

iPhone running the Ustream app.There’s more good news for app junkies out there. UStream is now officially available in the App Store, allowing users to stream video content over 3G and Wi-Fi connections. It’s a big step for the app approval process and more like a leap off a cliff for AT&T’s network.

UStream isn’t the first app to offer streaming. That distinction goes to Knocking, another app that paved the way for UStream, proving that both Apple and AT&T would allow such a demanding application to break through the notoriously awful approval process. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the network can actually handle that sort of strain. In fact, AT&T has said several times that high data traffic causes most of the network issues. These apps definitely won’t help that situation.

It’s nice to see developers continue to push AT&T to provide some of the cool options the iPhone has available. Let’s hope AT&T will come around to the idea…right.

Nokia to produce half as many smartphones in 2010

Nokia's Jo Harlow.When Apple beat Nokia’s profits earlier this year selling just one smartphone it sent a very clear message. Nokia has decided to focus its smartphone offering for 2010, cutting back from the 20 sets it released this year to just ten for next. It’s an interesting move, and something that could definitely turn things around for the handset maker.

“We see … really fierce competition certainly in the high end, but we also see it in the mid to low end of smartphones increasing.” That’s from Jo Harlow, the new chief of Nokia’s smartphone unit. She was appointed to the position after Nokia dropped six percentage points of smartphone market share in the September quarter report.

“We will defend our position, but we believe we also have tools to play offense as well as defense.” Phones like the N900 come to mind, which for some reason got a really lackluster release this year. The N97, which is pretty lame by comparison, got all of Nokia’s attention. You might have seen earlier this week that Nokia will only release one Maemo phone next year. That could be a problem, especially as Symbian continues to age.

Source: Reuters

Foxconn to open retail stores in China

Foxconn to open retail stores.Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, has plans to open as many as 10,000 retail locations in China, according to China Daily. That’s a hell of a plan, considering they have virtually zero current retail presence.

The stores will likely be host to the products Foxconn produces, including the iPhone and the Nintendo Wii. As Michael Arrington has it, the stores will also be used to drum up additional business from companies like HP and Dell, with promises of retail presence at the new locations.

If anything, I’m surprised Foxconn would limit itself to third-party (sort of) offerings. Why not go into retail with its own products, at its own prices. China Daily claims the company accounts for nearly 4% of Taiwan’s total exports, more than $55 billion worth. Most people think that’s a gross undervaluation. The real export figure could be as high as $100 billion.

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