Digital Tech News - Digital Technology & Consumer Electronics

Apple iBooks 2 for iPad introduced

Apple is about to lighten the load for students after announcing iBooks 2 for iPad today.  The company will be launching new digital iBooks textbooks from education services companies like Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill and Pearson that are said to be dynamic, engaging and interactive.  Most iBooks textbooks will cost $14.99 or less, and you know that many students will be enthusiastic about the interactive learning possibilities offered by iBooks 2.  In addition, Apple announced the new iBooks Author authoring tool is available today for free, allowing anyone with a Mac to create iBooks textbooks.

Apple launches new iTunes U app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

An all-new iTunes U app was released by Apple today, providing educators and students with even more teaching and learning tools for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices.

Apple announces Black Friday Holiday Gift Guide Sale

Apple is having a special one-day holiday gift sale this coming Black Friday, November 25th, with deals and discounts available at Apple Retail Stores or Apple online. Apple is offering free shipping for orders over $50, including accessories for iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Mac from Apple's Holiday Gift Guide. You can also buy online and pick up your product at an Apple store.

iLounge 2012 iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide released

Once again, iLounge has released its annual iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide, an extensive look at Apple's i-devices, accessories and apps. Packing 218 pages of information, the 2012 iPhone + iPod Buyers' Guide is available for FREE as a PDF download from iLounge.com, we highly recommend it if you're in need of info on iPhone/iPod speakers, headphones, cases, batteries, and games.

Details from iLounge:

Designed to help novice and expert Apple users alike, the 2012 Guide focuses on several key areas of the iPhone and iPod experience:

* Apple's devices. iLounge includes capsule reviews of Apple's current iPhones and iPods, complete with screenshots, color guides, and per-model buying advice. A new feature called iNtelligence offers quick, smart advice at the bottom of every iPhone and iPod review, while a special comparative guide to iPhone and iPod touch cameras explains how every model compares with point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras. Additionally, the iGlossary clearly explains Apple technical and marketing jargon that has become confusing over the past several years.

* Accessories. iLounge walks you through 18 different accessory categories, explaining each category and focusing solely on the year's very best products. Selected by iLounge's editors strictly on editorial merit, these accessories represent the cream of the crop from thousands of different vendors, distilled down into easy two- to six-page collections of top picks. Best of the Year Awards include both Editors' and Readers' Choice Awards for 2011's top products and developers.

* Games and Apps. Separate, beautiful sections of the 2012 Guide look at the Top 100 Games of 2011, and the 100 Essential iOS Apps of 2011. While the Games section looks only at titles released within the past 12 months, the Apps collection includes the 100 titles our editors have picked as the most valuable to keep on iPhones, iPods, and iPads, spanning a number of different categories.

* History and Community. iHistory provides a comprehensive and remastered timeline of important events in iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes history, while the latest reader-submitted iPhone, iPod, and iPad Around the World photos show the incredible proliferation of Apple products into remote and populated regions of the globe.

Sprint customers can finally pre-order an Apple iPhone 4S or iPhone 4

The day has finally come for Sprint Wireless customers who have been craving an iPhone. You can now pre-order the new Apple iPhone 4S beginning today ahead of its official release on October 14th, or you can opt for an iPhone 4 with iOS 5, which is on sale for $99.99.

Sprint's pricing for the new iPhone 4S starts at $199.99 for the 16GB model, $299.99 for the 32GB model and $399.99 for the 64GB model. Sprint is offering its "unlimited data plans" for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 customers, which start at $69.99 per month plus the required $10 Premium Data add-on charge. 

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs, and Thank you

Apple.com has posted a touching tribute to Steve Jobs after the sad news that the former CEO and creative genius behind many of Apple's innovative products passed away today at age 56. Gone too soon.

Everyone is invited to share thoughts, memories, and condolences.

 

Statement by Steve Jobs’ Family

Steve Jobs’ family today made the following statement regarding his death:

Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.

 

Apple CEO Tim Cook today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim

Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

 

 

 

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs, and Thank you

 

 

 

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Apple iPhone 4S smartphone release by AT&T, Verizon and Sprint on October 14

It's not an iPhone 5, but the new iPhone 4S should have enough features to get customers excited. Apple announced the iPhone 4S today, and the new smartphone will be released in the United States on October 14 at Apple stores, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and for the first time through Sprint Wireless.

Joining the new iOS 5 operating system, there are several other notable new features on the iPhone 4S. Apple has added its speedy dual-core A5 chip, the same proccessor found on the iPad 2, which will make for better performance and graphics on the new iPhone 4S. The digital camera has been upgraded and now offers 8 megapixel photos and full 1080p HD video recording!  Perhaps the most unique feature is a new voice operated assistant on the iPhone 4 S called "Siri" which will answer many of your questions about travel, weather, messages and more. Let's not forget about Apple's new iCloud storage and media service, which will launch on October 12th.  Apple is promising a FREE 5 gigs of storage for your music, photos, apps, contacts, calendars, documents, etc., while keeping all of these files up to date across all your devices. 

Apple iPhone 4S pricing is set at $399 for the 64GB, $299 for the 32GB, and $199 for the 16 GB models. Apple also announced that the 8 GB iPhone 4 will now be available for $99, and an 8GB iPhone 3GS will be free with a new contract.

Apple to release new iPad 2 Tablet on March 11 in the US

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new thinner, lighter and faster iPad 2 tablet today at the company's press event. New features on the iPad 2 include Apple's A5 1GHz dual-core processor, HDMI mirroring, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that records 720p HD video!  The iPad 2 will be released with iOS 4.3 and new apps including iMovie and GarageBand for iPad will be available for $4.99 each. As with the first version iPad, the new iPad 2 tablet offers a 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen and 10 hours of battery life. Starting at $499 for the Wifi only 16 GB model, the iPad 2 will be available in black or white colors as soon as March 11 in the US and on March 25th in other territories. In the US, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available running on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks starting at $629 for the 16GB model.

iPad 2 pricing:

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi

$499 - 16GB model

$599 - 32GB model

$699 - 64GB model

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G

$629 -16GB model

$729 - 32GB

$829 - 64GB model

Apple also announced "Smart Covers" for the iPad 2, a very slick magnetic protective cover which will be available in a variety of polyurethane ($39) and leather ($69) colors. 

Apple MacBook Pro Laptops Updated with New Processors, Graphics and Thunderbolt I/O Technology

 

Apple has updated its MacBook Pro laptop line with a host of new features, including new next generation dual and quad Core processors, high performance graphics, Intel's high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera with Apple’s FaceTime video calling software included. Apple says that the latest dual-core and quad-core Intel Core processors on the new MacBook Pro line makes them run twice as fast as the previous generation of Macbook Pro notebooks. 

The new portable 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 320GB hard drive starting at $1,199, and with a 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,499.  The 15-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6490M and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799, or with a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199. Apple's new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive and costs $2,499.

Verizon Wireless iPhone 4 Smartphone released and on sale today at stores and online

Today is a big day for Verizon Wireless customers who have been craving an iPhone. If you have not already pre-ordered your iPhone 4, you can today buy a Verizon Wireless iPhone 4 smartphone in the U.S. at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, all Apple store locations, Best Buy stores, select Wal-Mart stores in the U.S., and online at www.verizonwireless.com and www.apple.com

The Verizon Wireless iPhone 4 is on sale for $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement.