iMac Refresh and New iPod Touch Announcement Imminent

Following updated iPads yesterday, Apple has announced this morning that the iMac and iMac Pro lineup will be getting a minor refresh. The new iMacs have new Intel processors, while the iMac Pro can now have up to a whopping 256 GB of RAM. Ahead of their service-based event next week, Apple seems to be quietly announcing new products this week. Thanks to MacRumors, we now have reason to believe that Apple will announce a new iPod Touch as early as tomorrow. The iPod Touch has been long untouched by Apple, not being updated since mid-2015, so an update is welcome. To see the features I want in a new iPod Touch, check out my post on it. While I would like the new iPod Touch to have an edge-to-edge display, I wouldn't get my hopes up. Apple will likely update it for the sake of keeping the device series alive.

iMac 4K/5K Displays Cannot Display iTunes Movies in 4K

Apple has been selling 4K movies for some time now. It's a pretty good deal considering that it comes standard with HD movies. But despite all of that 4K movies can only be played on an Apple TV 4K with a 4K TV. Apple iMacs have the capability to display movies in 4K, but users can only get up to 1080p. The same goes for any Mac or iPad connected to a 4K display. It seems a bit ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars on an iMac with a 4K/5K display when it can't display iTunes movies in 4K. I can understand that not everyone watches movies on the iMacs, but the functionality is such a simple addition.

Retro iPhone X Cases

As mentioned earlier, the iMac is now 20 years old. Spigen is celebrating with some iMac-themed cases for the iPhone X. They're candy colored, just like the original iMacs. They look stunning, with lots of detail put into them. There are five colors total. You can order them on Indiegogo starting at $25 with free shipping.

Twenty Years of iMac

The iMac revolutionized desktop computing. It was an all-in-one computer for just about everyone. And today, even with the popularity of laptops and mobile devices, it still acts as one of the best desktops one can get. Today, the iMac line of desktops turned twenty years old. Tim Cook tweeted about the anniversary to commemorate it. The embedded video is definitely worth a watch.

20 years ago today, Steve introduced the world to iMac. It set Apple on a new course and forever changed the way people look at computers. pic.twitter.com/GbKno7YBHl

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 6, 2018

Intel i9 Processors

With news of Apple making their own processor chips by 2020, Intel has just announced their new Intel i9 processors. These are specifically designed for laptop performance. It could possibly be in a MacBook Pro refresh this year. They also refreshed their i5 and i7 processors for desktops. Now, if you can't tell by how I'm writing this post, I'm not an expert on processors. I'm a software guy. So, putting this in relation to software, it's exciting to see a new standard of higher performance coming in the near future. Hopefully, we see some refreshes this year with WWDC coming soon. 

Space Gray Accessories are iMac Pro Exclusive

The iMac Pro introduced the Magic Mouse, Magic Keynoard, and Magic Trackpad in Space Gray. Many Apple enthusiasts were hoping to snag these color variants, however, Apple confirmed that these aren’t available for separate purchase. If you were buying an iMac Pro just for the color scheme, that’s an expensive way to do so. Hopefully, we’ll see separate releases in the future.

iMac Pro To Be Available December 14

After its announcement at WWDC, we finally have a release date for the iMac Pro. It will be available to order December 14. This will start at $4,999. Already, we are seeing that this computer is a very powerful one, with reviews citing lack of upgradability as its downfall. Full pricing details are not available yet.

The iMac Pro Isn't Dead

It wouldn't surprise me to hear that the iMac Pro got delayed until next year, given how much time has passed since we heard about it at WWDC. But Geekbench records beg to differ. These records give strong evidence that the iMac Pro have the scores shown below. I'm not super great with hardware, nor am I great with the whole "PC Master Race" scene, but if anyone wants to see the scores in more detail, check out the Geekbench records.

Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, and Magic Keyboard

Apple has released new "Magic Accessories" that are now rechargeable via Lightning cable (fully charged in two hours; fast charge in two minutes). They can also paired via a Lightning cable, similar to accessories with a small USB dongle. They all have a subtle redesign in some way. You can buy them from the Apple Store.

New iMacs

Today, Apple released new iMacs. The 21-inch model now features a Retina 4K Display, perfect for your new iPhone 6s. Other than that, both the 21-inch and 27-inch models are just refreshes with new Intel processors. However, through custom parts, the 27-inch iMac can be used with 64 GB of RAM. You can buy the new iMacs from the Apple Store today.

iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, Apple Pay, and New Macs: The Scoop

Today, Apple announced a bunch of new stuff. Let's do a quick review, shall we?

iPad Air 2

iPad Air 2

The new iPad Air 2 is 18% thinner and features Touch ID. The display has the least reflective display of any tablet in the world and has a resolution of 2048 by 1536. This iPad also has a 64-bit architecture and an A8X chip. The camera also has a long overdue update with an 8 megapixel camera and burst mode.

iPad mini 3

The iPad mini 3's spotlight is on Touch ID. While it has a 64-bit architecture, it only features an A7 chip. In addition, it still has a 5 megapixel camera. A small update for the iPad mini 3, but it's not like the camera is an essential feature on the iPad anyways. Try it if you just want to browse and shop on the web.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay will come out on Monday (along with iOS 8.1). More vendors have been added along with more banks and compatible apps.

iMac with Retina 5K Display

iMac with Retina 5K Display

Wow. Where to begin? This makes the Mac Pro look "so five minutes ago." 5K! That's a lot of pixels. About 14 million pixels. But this Mac isn't just focused on looks. It can have up to 4 gigahertz with your i7 processor, 3.5 teraflops of computing power, and 20 gigabits of speed with Thunderbolt 2.

Mac mini

This Mac mini costs $100 less than its predecessor. It's now $499. It has some minor tweaks including new Intel Core processors, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt 2 ports, and all that good stuff.

What I Could Dig Up: iPad, Apple Pay, and New Macs

Tomorrow, Apple will announce some iPads, the release date for Apple Pay, and some updated Macs. Here's a quick roundup of what we should expect to see tomorrow.

iPad

• Touch ID
• Apple Pay for apps
• Not available in stores
• A8X Processor
• 2 GB RAM
• New Gold Color

Apple Pay

• Some form of release date
• Release will be very close to event date

Macs

• 27" iMac expected to come with Retina Display
• OS X Yosemite expected to be released soon
• Price: Free
• Available on Mac App Store
• iOS 7 for the Mac (Yay?)

The event starts tomorrow morning at 10 AM (PDT) and is available for streaming on Apple's website.

Beheaded iMacs!

If you're looking for an iMac without a stand to put it up on a wall, then you've come to the right place. For $40 extra, Apple will suit an iMac with a wall stand and take off the other one. These Macs use a VESA Wall Adapter. Here's a comparison of the two Macs.


To get one, click here.

The Standard iMac

The iMac with a wall mount

The new iMacs are out!

Currently, both of the new, ultra-slim iMacs are out. 21" and 27" are both out. I hope to review one soon at an Apple Store. If you haven't seen these iMacs in pictures, you need to.

To learn more about the new iMac, go to http://www.apple.com/imac/ .

Sorry for the short post today. This is what's current. Longer post soon.

New iMac May Go On Sale Today!

Apple's ultra-slim iMac may be released today! It has no official release date nor has this rumor been confirmed. Plus, it is only the 21" display. The 27" comes in December. At least that's what Apple says. My speculation says that the new iTunes will come out the same day as the iMac (21") as Apple makes a habit of releasing products on the same day as each other. Even with the unexpected delay of the iTunes 11 release, this may just work out. We will see.

Online Apple Store: Tech Frustration

Welcome to my new series: Tech Frustration! A series of posts where technology gives you those, "Urg! I haven't saved for over an hour and all my work has been deleted" moments. Today, I'm covering the fact that absolutely no iMacs are available to purchase. Only refurbished ones. This will probably be in effect until the new iMac is available. You should be able to buy an iMac any second of the day, but apparently, we can't. Certain businesses need iMacs. Any new iMac. They may need it any time. And that does it for today's post. Check back later for more tips, rumors, news, and more!

iPad Mini (and friends): The Scoop

Lots of things came out to conclude the 2012 year yesterday, not just the iPad Mini. It started out with the 13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Which is pretty much self explanatory. No new features other than the display and the new USB 3.0.

Next up was the Mac Mini. Phil Schiller made a funny joke about that one.

"You knew there would be something called 'mini' in this presentation, wouldn't you."

- Phil Schiller 

The iMac's new display is
very slim.

For those who don't know, this is not a brand new product and has been around for years. Apple has somehow put a 1 TB drive in this tiny box. The Mac Mini is also made with the latest I/O, including Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, SD slot, and even HDMI.

Even the packaging is strange.

Also, the iMac was updated with an ultra slim display. Apple packed everything they could in that slim display. Not to mention, both of these desktops include Fusion Drive. The first combination of a 1 TB hard drive (Capacity) with flash storage (Performance). It moves files that you use more often to the flash so those files run faster. Smart.

In addition, iBooks Author comes with new ways for portrait views. Special math equation symbols work great and look beautiful. And you can now use custom fonts in your books.

iBooks 3.0 came with purchased books in your bookshelf. Now, there is a special scrolling view as an alternative for flipping pages. Foreign characters (like Japanese characters) are now supported in books. While reading a book, you can select certain text and share it via Twitter, Facebook, or Mail.

And of course, the iPad! The fourth generation iPad (full sized, not the mini) introduced the A6X chip. The new iPad also has the new Lightning cable. That's pretty much it.

The iPad Mini!

The iPad Mini brings a 7.9" screen. Cellular is a option. However, there is no Retina Display and it is stuck back at the A5 chip. That's all the way back to the iPad 2! Not the third generation iPad, but the iPad 2. In other features, there are new Smart Covers with two creases instead of three just for the iPad Mini. The video that depicts them focus on color even though there are less colors then the other Smart Cover. No leather Mini Smart Covers. The video is available at the bottom of this post.I personally think I like the full sized iPad, mainly because of performance and display. But, it all depends on who you are and what you do.

And that is the iPad Mini event in a nutshell. A very, very large nutshell. Let's end this blog post with a quote.

"Why is iPad so successful? Well, there's a simple explanation. People love their iPads. We are just getting started. We're not taking our foot off the gas."  

 - Tim Cook

iPad Mini Smart Cover Video

P.S. Apple made a funny iPad Mini commercial. Here it is:

Source: EverythingTech97

iMac 1 TB Hard Drive Failures

Apple has recalled iMacs sold between October 2009 and July 2011 with a Seagate 1 TB Hard Drive. The recall is in place due to possible failures. This introduces their iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program. You may receive an email if you own an affected iMac. Apple will replace the drive free of charge.

To learn more, go to apple.com/support/imac-harddrive/.