Prior to iOS 5, it's fair to say that the system of notifications within Apple's mobile and desktop software left quite some to be a desired. Users of the Cupertino's mobile operating system had perhaps suffered slightly worse, but the infrastructure in which users were notified of new e-mails, messages, and other such tidbits, has been crying out for some sort of discipline and stability. The Notification Center, which has since trickled out to Mac thanks to the divisive - but ongoing - iOS-ification of OS X, has certainly done that, but to many, it's still a long way from the level it should be at.
Our lives have become so constantly connected that any given time, we could be using one of multiple devices or computers, all of which are capable of allowing us to complete different tasks. Our smartphones and tablets are probably the most likely candidates for being the hardware that we carry around with us on a day-to-day basis, and although they are extremely powerful pieces of kit, using an iPhone or iPad does come with its limitations. For those that have ever found themselves browsing passionately through the web on their iPhones and coming across a great URL that links to a must-have download, then you will know the pain of not being able to get it right at that point in time. Thankfully, there is a solution in the form of Transloader for iOS and OS X.
Such has been the coverage of the iPhone 5 and subsequently, the iPad mini, that the small matter of the radically-redesigned iMac has slipped into the back of our minds. When Apple launched the smaller tablet last month, it also gave us a look at the all-new iMac, and although there was - to the disappointment of many - no Retina display, the new slender look seemed to go down with the on-looking tech world.
If you happened to catch the last Apple media event that was held at the California Theatre last month, then it shouldn't come as any great surprise that Apple had been working hard on producing a new iMac range that features a thinner form factor. Retail contacts have been suggesting that physical Apple Stores were preparing their outlets yesterday for sales to go live today, with a number of stores in the United States initially receiving low stock levels to begin with. Regardless of the available stock, the time has come with the new 21.5-inch iMac being available for worldwide sales.
Apple has just seeded the first beta build of OS X 10.8.3 Mountain Lion to developers. As is always the case with beta software from Apple, the initial build is only available to those who are enrolled on the official OS X developer program and can be downloaded directly from the Mac Dev Center immediately.
The trouble with releasing a device with a different resolution or aspect ratio than currently available, is that all apps created up until that point need to be updated to support the new display. The MacBook Pro with Retina display arrived in the summer, and the 13-inch edition joined last month, and while plenty of apps have been adjusted to look good on the super-sharp display, many are still awaiting an update. Among them is the official Twitter app for Mac, but for those that do not wish to wait any longer, one third-party developer has taken it upon himself to make some adjustments.
Analyst Gene Munster has been relatively reliable in accurately forecasting Apple's major product releases, and having concluded the Cupertino company would be releasing a connected TV sometime next year, he also gave his insight into what other new products and upgrades would be arriving in the next twelve or so months. Among them, a new radio service, Retina iPad mini and MacBook Airs, iOS 7 and a new version of OS X.
Some Mac users may still be getting to grips with the intricacies of OS X Mountain Lion and all that it has to offer, but reports today are suggesting that Apple is well underway with testing of the next major release of OS X. Currently sitting at version OS X 10.8.2, the operating system that powers Apple's Mac machines, if the reports prove to be accurate then it looks like the Cupertino based company is planning on making some major changes in OS X 10.9 that could see the company's digital Siri assistant and Maps integration being offered to users.
It's been a busy week for Evernote, and having released version 5.0 of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch app, Evernote 5 for Mac has finally crawled out of beta. Nowadays, no good iOS app is any use without its OS X counterpart, and with the mobile version having just been given a bunch of new features, Evernote 5 for Mac has done likewise, and is now available for download over at the Mac App Store.
If you are a music aficionado who loves nothing more than combining the latest musical technology to produce and record cutting-edge tunes then it looks like Apple and Fender Squier may just have released the perfect product for you. All of this release talk surrounding new iPhones and iPads is all well and good, but for some people the power is really in the accessories that are released to accompany the Apple's mobile products, and they really don't come any more entertaining that a USB-based Stratocaster guitar.
