Mac, iPod sales grow once again in February
Mac sales were up 43 percent year over year during the month of February, according to a note from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. As seen by Apple Insider, Munster forecasts that Apple will reach somewhere between 2.8 and 2.9 million sales in the March 2010 quarter, a number slightly above most Wall Street estimates. Similarly, iPod sales saw positive growth in both January and February, with a five and 10 percent increases respectively. February marks only the second month since October of 2008 that iPod sales have seen year-over-year growth, as the sales of traditional iPod models have been steadily (and expectedly) decreasing while Apple ramps up the hype on the iPod touch. This strategy has been working, as Apple reported in a recent earnings call that it had seen 100 percent growth in iPod touch sales year over year. With estimated iPad sales looking impressive already, it would come as no surprise if Apple saw decent overall sales numbers for the month of March. However, whether or not the iPad will eventually pilfer sales from Apple’s portable line and cut into overall margins remains to be seen. Read the comments on this post
published yesterday, 9 hours 50 minutes ago, ars-technica
Wearable computing expert now Apple "prototype scientist"
Apple has hired an expert in "human-computer interaction for mobile applications" to complement its research and development in mobile computing, according to a new report from Computerworld. Richard DeVaul, known for his work in the field of "wearable computing," is Apple's newest senior prototype scientist. DeVaul originally studied architecture, anthropology, and physics at Texas A&M before working on a masters degree in visualization science. Before finishing his masters thesis on "novel dynamics constraints approximation algorithm for computer animation applications," DeVaul left Texas A&M to pursue an MD and later PhD degree in Media Arts and Sciences at MIT. While at MIT, he also worked as a research scientist at MIT's famous Media Lab. DeVaul's PhD dissertation revolved around a project called "Memory Glasses," which were designed to provide the wearer with context-sensitve cues to assist in memory recall. Much of the research focused on determining how to determine context, including using GPS location and accelerometer data—something that Apple's mobile devices can already provide. Research into how to present recall clues also showed that subtle, even subliminal information could prove useful in assisting memory—the same kind of subtle clues and interactions that are evident throughout the iPhone OS. After DeVaul finished his PhD, he spent the last six years working as the CTO and president of AWare Technologies, which he also co-founded. AWare originally focused on mobile monitoring technologies for athletic and military applications, as well as motion analysis for Olympic teams. The company later focused on adapting its technology to fitness tracking applications, including developing the StepTrak Lite activity tracking iPhone app. AWare's FitAWare system is similar in some respects to a system that Apple recently applied to patent that generates workouts that users can use to compete with each other as a sort of game. Apple has also teamed up with Nike in the past on the Nike+ run-tracking system as well as a system to track exercise on certain gym equipment, both of which interface with iPods and some iPhones. As Apple's senior prototype scientist, DeVaul reports directly to SVP of industrial design Jonathan Ive, ostensibly developing and building prototypes of mobile—and likely wearable—computing devices. Reportedly only seven people besides Ive and CEO Steve Jobs will even know what he is cooking up inside Apple's research labs. DeVaul will likely explore ways to make computing devices that are ever more mobile and constantly accessible, a job that fits Apple's direction as a mobile devices company. Read the comments on this post
published yesterday, 13 hours 49 minutes ago, ars-technica
Analyst: Quarterly Mac sales to approach 2.9m units
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster on Monday circulated a report detailing his expectations for Mac and iPod sales through the first quarter of the year. Based on data gathered by NDP Group, Munster believes monthly Mac sales were up by an average of 39 percent year-over-year in January and February....
published yesterday, 20 hours 16 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
February Mac sales up 43%, Apple on track for 2.9M in quarter
New retail sales data shows Apple has continued to have strong Mac and iPod sales at the start of 2010, with February's numbers showing significant year-over-year growth.
published yesterday, 20 hours 51 minutes ago, appleinsider
Startup developers represent one in five on Apple's App Store
Despite the fact that it will be two years old this summer and now has more than 150,000 applications, Apple's App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad remains a place where startups and independent software creators have a fair shot at success.
published yesterday, 23 hours 21 minutes ago, appleinsider
Nintendo DS 2 may have "seamless" screen, iPhone-like motion
Nintendo's DS sequel will have a pair of key developments that make it more competitive against the iPhone and iPod touch, based on investigations on the GDC show floor. The handheld is expected to still use dual screens but considerably larger, higher-resolution models that form a near-seamless design. The simple change could lead to games that can join both screens together for a single experience in addition to those that use each for separate purposes....
published yesterday, 1 day 1 hour 26 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
Apple to replace iPads in need of new battery for $99
Apple said this week that it will offer a Battery Replacement Service for its new iPad tablet that is similar to the one offered for iPhones and iPods, only this time the company plans to replace the entire device rather than swap out its depleted battery.
published on Saturday, the 13. March 2010, appleinsider
Apple TV off main store; iPad retail already dry?
Apple's iPad pre-orders have pushed the Apple TV out of the main page, observers have told Electronista and MacNN. The device is still available through Apple's iPod section but has lost the position it has largely occupied since it was launched in 2007. Apple hasn't given a reason for the shift....
published on Friday, the 12. March 2010, macintosh-news-network