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News
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03/09/2015 15:16
Media Event Recap: MacBook
None of us knew that it would come today, but Apple did announce the new 12-inch MacBook. This is just simply labeled "MacBook", not going with either the Air or Pro line. This means that it is the first time that Apple has released a new Mac part of the MacBook line since 2010. This new MacBook has many cool new features that we've never seen on any Mac.
First, the MacBook comes in colors. You can pick from either Silver, Gold, or Space Gray. It's also 24% thinner than the MacBook Air. Apple has able to achieve this from redesigning the keyboard. They changed the way the keys connect to the computer. Instead of using the traditional clips, they created butterfly-like clips, which makes it thinner. Apple has also changed the keyboard backlight, also making it thinner. Finally, they have also changed the logic board, making the brains 67% thinner.
The display is also a big selling point on the computer. It's what Apple calls a "Retina Display". It's resolution comes in at 2304 x 1440. There's only one screen size option: 12.1 inches. Like the new MacBook Pro, the MacBook also has the new Force Touch trackpad. This allows you to press harder on the trackpad to have different actions happen. Finally, the MacBook has USB type C. This is a smaller version of USB, which is faster and reversible. Oddly enough there’s only 1 USB port, 1 headphone jack, and a power plug. That’s it.
The only problem with it is that the MacBook has very low specs. It's more meant for the consumer who will use it for basic web browsing and emails, with very light photo editing. The base line model has a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, Intel HD Graphics 5300, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB SSD. That comes in at $1,299. However, if you want slightly higher specs you can opt for a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor and a 512GB SSD, which comes in at $1,599. There is no other option for higher specs.
The new MacBook will be available for purchase on March 10. You can learn more about pricing here.
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03/09/2015 15:14
Media Event Recap: Apple Watch Launch Date
Apple has today launched the much awaited Apple Watch. Apple said that the watch would come in “early 2015”, but it wasn’t until today that they announced when it would finally come.
You can order the Apple Watch for a base price of $349. That’s for the 38mm Apple Watch Sport collection. For the 42mm version, it starts at $399. The normal Apple Watch with the stainless steel case starts at $549 buy goes up to $1,049 for the 38mm version. The 42mm version has a price from $599-$1,099. The Finally, the 38mm Apple Watch Edition goes from $10,000-$17,000. The 42mm version costs $12,000-$15,000.
The Sport collection is available with a 38mm or 42mm display. You can pick either size in white, blue, green, pink, or black.
The normal Apple Watch also has the option for a 38mm or 42mm display. It also comes in a white sport band, black sport band, black classic buckle, and milanese loop. The following are only available with a 38mm face. That one comes in a Soft Pink Modern Buckle, Brown Modern Buckle, Midnight Blue Modern Buckle. At following are only available with a 42mm face. Those are the Stone Leather Loop, Bright Blue Leather Loop, and Light Brown Leather Loop.
Finally, the Apple Watch Edition is available in rose gold or yellow gold. The wrist bands range from the Apple Watch Sport wristband to leather ones.
Pre-orders for all models will begin on April 10, with previews offered by Apple that same day. It will begin shipping on April 24 to people in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and United Kingdom.
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03/09/2015 15:12
Media Event Recap: MacBook Pro
Alongside the MacBook Air, Apple also had an update to the MacBook Pro. However, these updates only came to the 13-inch model. These updates include better battery life, a new fifth-generation Haswell processor, faster flash storage, and the new Force Touch trackpad found on the new MacBook.
Force Touch is a new feature that allows you to press harder on the trackpad for more options. For example, if you press hard on a word you can have it open in Wikipedia.
Or if you were drawing you could press harder to draw a darker line. The updated MacBook Pro is available for purchase for the same price staring today. You can buy it here.
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03/09/2015 15:10
Media Event Recap: MacBook Air
Apple did something that none of us expected. That was an update to all MacBooks. For the MacBook Air, we saw a few updates only. The new versions include the fifth-generation Haswell processors. They also have better battery lives. The 13-inch model also has faster flash storage.
Both models are available for the same price today. You can buy them here.
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03/09/2015 15:09
Apple Releases iOS 8.2
Just as they said at the media event, Apple has today released iOS 8.2. This version includes a few minor improvements, Health app fixes, and support for the Apple Watch. It’s file size is slightly large, coming in at about 500MB on an iPhone 6 running iOS 8.1.3.
You can update to the latest version under Settings > General > Software update > iOS 8.2.
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03/09/2015 15:07
Media Event Recap: ResearchKit
During today's media event Apple talked about a new developer resource. It's called ResearchKit and allows hospitals and health firms create apps based on their research. Apple demonstrated a few apps today, which are available for download now. The main use of ResearchKit is to allow companies to publish their research and findings to their apps. This is available to developers now.
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03/09/2015 15:00
Media Event Recap: Apple TV
Apple surprised all of us today by talking about the Apple TV. No, they didn't announce a new version, but they did reduce the price. They dropped it from $99 to $69. They also talked about HBO Now, a new service available for only Apple TV users. This is a subscription service that gets you all of the HBO shows. It costs $14.99 a month and is available now. You can buy the Apple TV for the new price here.
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03/06/2015 14:55
Apple Discontinues MagSafe 1 to 2 Adapter
Announced when Apple released the MagSafe 2 charger, this adapter allowed you to convert your older MacBook charger to be able to charge newer Macs. It was listed for $10 and came with the Thunderbolt Display free. However, Apple has now discontinued it. On their online store, there is a note that it is discontinued, but is still available for purchase with free shipping. Our guess is that they will keep selling it until stock is out. Right now there is no word from Apple on why they stopped selling the adapter.
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03/05/2015 18:23
Apple Extends iPhone 5 Battery Replacement to January 2016
Apple has announced today that they’re extending the replacement of defective batteries on the iPhone 5. When the announced the program last year, Apple said that they would replace batteries for up to two years after purchase. Now, Apple has gone back on that, saying that they’ll accept replacements for three years after purchase. That means that everyone has until January of 2016 to get their battery replaced if it’s one of the defective models.
Source: iPhone in Canada
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03/05/2015 14:54
Microsoft Announces Office 2016 for Mac
Finally, after four years Microsoft has announced an update to their Office line for Mac. While named a year ahead of it's time, it's available now as a beta to all Mac users for free. This is regardless if the person ever having purchased office before or be an Office 365 member.
Office 2016 includes many new features, like improved full screen support, new design to fit with the Windows and online version, focus on cloud integration, and more. This version includes all of these updates to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Mac users running Yosemite can download the beta for free here.