iPad World

ARM-Based MacBook Air Unlikely Based on Analyst Talk with Tim Cook

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:12 +0000

There had been some interesting claims last year that Apple had been actively testing an ARM (A5) based MacBook Air. The ARM processor is the same one that is used in the iPhone and iPad. An ARM-based MacBook Air, however, would raise a number of questions about what kind of device it might actually be. Would it run OS X, or iOS? Would it be closer to a Mac or an iOS device? One of the main advantages of using an ARM processor would be a reduction in power-requirements, but with a corresponding drop in computing power. Using ARM, however, would abandon binary compatibility with existing Mac OS X applications.

CNet reports on a research note from Citigroup analyst Richard Gardner who was able to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer on Thursday. Gardner addresses this question in his note with the following:

“Tim Cook reiterated his view that rapid innovation on the iOS platform (and mobile OS platforms in general) will significantly broaden the use case for tablets, eventually pushing annual tablet volumes above those of traditional PCs. We have wondered whether Apple might offer an ARM-based version of MacBook Air at some point; we walked away from this meeting with the impression that Apple feels iPad satisfies–or will soon satisfy–the needs of those who might have been interested in such a product.”

Based on his conversations with the Apple executives, it seems Gardner believes that the iPad will evolve to meet any needs that might be met with an ARM-based MacBook air.

Rumors have suggested that the iPad will likely be getting a significant upgrade in the near future, with a faster processor, improved graphics capabilities and the long rumored Retina display. Of course, Cook is unlikely to divulge specific product plans at analyst meetings, but a complete Apple transition to ARM processors seemed an unlikely prospect regardless.

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AT&T Starts Throttling Unlimited Data Users after 2GB of Monthly Usage

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:12 +0000

In October, AT&T announced that they would start throttling data usage amongst mobile Unlimited Data Plan users. While AT&T no longer offers an Unlimited Data plan to new customers, many of the original iPhone purchasers are still grandfathered into that plan. Those iPhone users have been able to retain these Unlimited plans, even though AT&T has since moved to a tiered data plan structure.

When AT&T announced their plan to start throttling users, the company said that they would only be throttling the top 5% of users. Early reports of affected users had pointed to 10GB-12GB per month users as the initially affected.

It seems that ceiling has decreased significantly over the past few months, at least for some regions. John Cozen reports that he received his top 5% data usage warning after reaching only 2.1GB of data for January.

I received a message during my last billing cycle, warning I was in the top 5% of my region and would experience reduced data speeds next time I reach that level of data use. I immediately checked my data usage on the AT&T iOS app.

2.1 GB. Less than I expected considering AT&T offers a 3GB plan for $30 a month. The same amount I’ve paid for the unlimited data plan since signing up with them many years ago. AT&T no longer offers an unlimited data plan, anyone still on it has been grandfathered in.

Cozen contacted AT&T to make sure it wasn’t a mistake, and after several back and forth exchanges, it seems clear that it wasn’t a mistake. The AT&T representatives seemed to confirm that 2.1GB did fall in the 5% range and the only option to avoid throttling was to move to a tiered plan.

Cozen was understandably upset since AT&T even offers an unthrottled 3GB plan for the same price he is paying at $30 month.

AT&T’s top 5% measurement seems to be region-specific, as some users are continuing to see higher than 2GB usage without throttling.

Apple Revises Snow Leopard Security Update and Pulls 10.7.3 Delta Update

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:10 +0000

After a couple of issues with some software updates, Apple has made some quiet revisions to address the problems.

The first was a Snow Leopard security update which inadvertently caused problems with Apple’s PowerPC emulation layer Rosetta. Macworld notes that Apple has since released Security Update 2012-001, version 1.1 for Snow Leopard. The new version seems to fix the PowerPC crashing issues described with the original update.

Meanwhile, the crashing/CUI errors with 10.7.3 Delta updater has also been addressed by Apple. 9to5Mac notes that Apple has responded by pulling the Delta update altogether, leaving the Combo updater alone.

The different between the Delta and Combo updaters is normally just download size alone. The Delta updater is a smaller download since it just includes the changes, while the Combo updater includes everything and weighs in at 1.3GB. The Combo updater should be available at this support page for direct download, but the page is presently not working. The direct download (1.3GB) link is still working at this time.

ARM-Based MacBook Air Unlikely Based on Analyst Talk with Tim Cook

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:12 +0000

“Tim Cook reiterated his view that rapid innovation on the iOS platform (and mobile OS platforms in general) will significantly broaden the use case for tablets, eventually pushing annual tablet volumes above those of traditional PCs. We have wondered whether Apple might offer an ARM-based version of MacBook Air at some point; we walked away from this meeting with the impression that Apple feels iPad satisfies–or will soon satisfy–the needs of those who might have been interested in such a product.”

Based on his conversations with the Apple executives, it seems Gardner believes that the iPad will evolve to meet any needs that might be met with an ARM-based MacBook air.

AT&T Starts Throttling Unlimited Data Users after 2GB of Monthly Usage

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:11 +0000

I received a message during my last billing cycle, warning I was in the top 5% of my region and would experience reduced data speeds next time I reach that level of data use. I immediately checked my data usage on the AT&T iOS app.

2.1 GB. Less than I expected considering AT&T offers a 3GB plan for $30 a month. The same amount I’ve paid for the unlimited data plan since signing up with them many years ago. AT&T no longer offers an unlimited data plan, anyone still on it has been grandfathered in.

Cozen was understandably upset since AT&T even offers an unthrottled 3GB plan for the same price he is paying at $30 month.

AT&T’s top 5% measurement seems to be region-specific, as some users are continuing to see higher than 2GB usage without throttling.

Apple Revises Snow Leopard Security Update and Pulls 10.7.3 Delta Update

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:09 +0000

After a couple of issues with some software updates, Apple has made some quiet revisions to address the problems.

Skyrim PC Creation Kit release date announced

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:00:34 +0000

The PC Creation Kit for The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim arrives on Steam next Tuesday, developer Bethesda has announced.

A Tweet from marketing man Pete Hines earlier today read:

“For our Skyrim PC fans, the Creation Kit is on track for release on Tuesday. And, we also have a special surprise with it. #whatcoulditbe!?”

THQ reveals plans for 1.4m unsold uDraw tablets

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:00:32 +0000

THQ has revealed how it plans to offload the 1.4 million unsold uDraw units responsible for dragging down it latest quarterly financial report.

A spokesperson for the publisher told Kotaku that, to the best of their knowledge, the leftover stock is not being dumped.

Instead THQ hopes too offload the devices at a greatly reduced price tag, “perhaps at non-traditional game retailers and discount stores.”

Redundancies confirmed at EA Canada

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:00:31 +0000

EA has confirmed that a number of staff at the Canadian studio responsible for Need For Speed: The Run and FIFA 12, among other titles, have been made redundant.

The publisher wouldn’t put an exact figure on how many employees are affected.

The cuts are a result of restructuring at the Vancouver office which will see its studio in nearby Burnaby – which NFS: The Run team EA Black Box is part of – shift focus to digital formats.

Hirai: Sony could be facing "serious trouble"

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:00:30 +0000

Incoming Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has admitted the ailing electronics manufacturer needs to turn things around quickly or it could face serious problems.

Speaking in an interview with The Wall Street Journal ahead of the company’s troubling quarterly financial report yesterday, Hirai said that returning Sony to profit will be the biggest challenge he’s faced in his career to date.

“I thought turning around the PlayStation business was going to be the toughest challenge of my career, but I guess not,” he said.