iWatch already in production in small numbers, sources claim

iWatch already in production in small numbers, sources claim - Apple suppliers have already begun small-scale production of the iWatch, claim supply chain sources for the China Times. It's said that Apple expects to launch the watch in the second half of 2014, but a more precise date isn't mentioned. It is however indicated that the device will use system-in-package chip design instead of printed circuit boards, saving space but potentially slowing down production. If a SIP component fails tests, the entire chipset has to be tossed out with it ...

(Via MacNN | The Macintosh News Network.)

1Password 4.5 Review

1Password 4.5 Review -

The recent Heartbleed bug managed to turn even the most secure Internet passwords into a potential security risk, but for those smart enough to invest in good password management software, the situation appears considerably less dire. 1Password is hands-down the best such solution, and we’d go so far as to recommend it as a required purchase for anyone with a Mac or iOS device. Although iCloud Keychain offers some of the same basic functionality on Safari, 1Password is a far more full-featured, cross-platform tool (with Windows and Android apps also available) capable of generating unique passwords for each site, managing credit card data, and securing notes, reward programs, and other sensitive data.

With the latest version for iOS, 1Password is also a more gorgeous experience as well. The app has always been stylishly attractive, but AgileBits dramatically overhauled the user interface while adding support for iOS 7 services like AirDrop, which allows users to share items between devices. More importantly, search is now prominently placed everywhere you need it—a godsend to users with more logins and secure data than organizational skills.

(Via Mac|Life all.)

Mac Pro ship times improve, drop to 3-5 weeks for all configurations

Mac Pro ship times improve, drop to 3-5 weeks for all configurations - On Tuesday, Apple surprised analysts by noting a modest increase in Mac sales in the March quarter, improving them by some 100,000 units over the year-ago quarter. The feat was impressive, as the PC market generally has suffered a major decline in demand which has also affected Mac sales. Though it was the company's MacBook line that lead sales, one factor that may have played a significant role was the demand for the company's latest Mac Pro ...

(Via MacNN | The Macintosh News Network.)

iWatch May Ultimately Replace iPod, No iPod Updates Expected in 2014

iWatch May Ultimately Replace iPod, No iPod Updates Expected in 2014 - A research note (via Barrons) from Christopher Caso, an analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group, reiterates previous analyst reporting about the iWatch, saying Apple is looking to enter production with a pair of screen sizes in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Caso says Apple has production targets of 5-6 million units, but believes the iWatch will "essentially replace the iPod in the consumer portion of AAPL's product lineup" and will see lowered iPod sales as a result of customers choosing the iWatch instead. The note says the iPod is not expected to be updated this year.

(Via MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors.)

Apple announces 20M Apple TVs sold since debut

Apple announces 20M Apple TVs sold since debut - As the tail end of Apple's quarterly conference call, Apple CEO Tim Cook threw out a somewhat surprising statistic, saying the company has sold some 20 million Apple TV units since the unit launched in 2007.

(Via AppleInsider.)

Kindle for iOS finally gets X-Ray Smart Look-Up

Kindle for iOS finally gets X-Ray Smart Look-Up - Amazon's Kindle app is a wonderful alternative to Apple's iBookstore, and its latest update has introduced two incredibly useful new features. The most basic improvement is quick access to a book's table of contents in the app's left-hand navigation ...

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Opera Coast: Simple and enjoyable browsing on an iPhone or iPod touch

Opera Coast: Simple and enjoyable browsing on an iPhone or iPod touch -

Tired of tabs in your browser? Try Opera Coast, now available for iPhone and iPod touch in the iTunes App Store. The new browser launched on Thursday for smaller iOS devices, having been available on the iPad since last September, and has a very minimalist but effective interface for immersive web surfing.

(Via TheAppleBlog.)