Eric Slivka
Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2008.
An avid swimmer and former biophysicist, Eric has been using Apple products for over 35 years and has been interviewed for pieces by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Reuters, BBC, CNBC, and other publications.
Eric's current primary role involves day-to-day oversight of the editorial operations at MacRumors, but he also contributes occasional news and review articles while handling various other duties related to the site's operation.
An avid swimmer and former biophysicist, Eric has been using Apple products for over 35 years and has been interviewed for pieces by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Reuters, BBC, CNBC, and other publications.
Eric's current primary role involves day-to-day oversight of the editorial operations at MacRumors, but he also contributes occasional news and review articles while handling various other duties related to the site's operation.
Eric Slivka's Articles
Microsoft Reportedly Considering iPad Version of Office
T3 reports that Microsoft Senior Product Manager Mike Tedesco revealed during the Office for Mac 2011 preview event at Macworld that the company is "looking at" the possibility of bringing its Office productivity suite to Apple's iPad tablet device. "Yeah, it's something that we're looking at," said Microsoft's Mike Tedesco, who is the Senior Product Manager for WindowsBU. "Obviously the...
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E-mails From 2003 Reveal Microsoft Caught 'Flat Footed' by iTunes Music Store Launch
Over the weekend, Groklaw discovered a couple of interesting e-mails sent by Microsoft executives Bill Gates and Jim Allchin to other members of the Microsoft executive team revealing that the company had been taken by surprise by Apple's launch of the iTunes Music Store in April 2003. The e-mails were made public as part of an antitrust suit brought against Microsoft in late 2006 for which Grokl...
Office for Mac 2011 Previewed Ahead of Launch Scheduled for Later This Year
Microsoft today announced a sneak preview of Office for Mac 2011, set for release later this year. The preview, scheduled in conjunction with Macworld Expo in San Francisco, details several significant changes including the adoption of a "ribbon" interface similar to that introduced for Windows in Office 2007. We took your feedback and haven't completely rearranged what you know and love: the new ...
New Beta of Google Chrome for Mac Now Available
Google today announced the release of a new beta of Google Chrome for Mac, adding several new features such as extensions and bookmark syncing that were left out of the initial beta released in December while also focusing on a "snappy, safe, and simple browsing experience" for users. With this new version, you'll be able to install any of over 2,200 extensions (and counting!) currently available...
Bill Gates on iPad: "It's a Nice Reader, But..."
BNET's Brent Schlender recently spoke with Microsoft founder Bill Gates about Apple's new iPad tablet device in order to get a feel for the thoughts of the man behind Apple's longtime rival and whose company introduced the "Tablet PC" concept nearly a decade ago. According to Schlender, Gates remains relatively unimpressed with the iPad, especially compared to his feelings about the iPhone when...
Apple Reportedly Set to Test Lowering Prices for Some Television Downloads to $1
Financial Times reports that Apple is set to begin a trial coinciding with the launch of the iPad that will reduce the price of certain TV downloads through its iTunes Store to $1 from the current $1.99. The trial will reportedly begin in April. Financial Times first reported late last month that Apple was seeking to persuade television networks to go along with the plan, and at least some of...
Hulu Developing Non-Flash Player for Deployment on iPad?
TechCrunch reports that popular video site Hulu is working to bring its content to the iPad, despite the lack of support for Flash content on Apple's new tablet device. One rumor I've heard from an industry insider is that Hulu is working on an iPad-friendly version of its site that should be ready by the time the iPad hits the market. Hulu itself is still vague about its plans. When asked...
Apple Addresses Battery Life Issues on New Wireless Keyboards With Firmware Update
Apple today released 2009 Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0, addressing battery life issues with Apple's recently-redesigned wireless keyboard when used with other Bluetooth devices. This firmware update improves battery performance of the 2009 Aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard when used in combination with other Bluetooth devices (example. Magic Mouse, Bluetooth headsets). The update appears...
Apple Releases Apple TV 3.0.2 Update
We have received multiple reports today that Apple has released an Apple TV 3.0.2 software update, but we have yet to learn the details of changes included in the update. Readers have so far not reported any obvious changes, so the update may simply offer some under-the-hood enhancements such as compatibility with Aperture 3, which was released yesterday.
Users who wish to force updates of...
iPad Component Costs Estimated to Begin at $219.35
Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports on new estimates from market research firm iSuppli detailing component costs for Apple's lowest-priced iPad at $219.35 plus an additional $10 in manufacturing costs, compared to a retail price of $499. While the component cost calculations do not include such expenses as research and development, software, marketing, distribution, and patent licensing, the tally...
AT&T Continuing to Move Forward on Plans for 4G Cellular Network
AT&T today announced that it has reached an agreement with existing partners Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson to provide equipment for the carrier's next-generation LTE (4G) cellular network, opening the door to significant improvements in data speeds and performance. The company also confirmed that it is continuing to plan for field trials of LTE technology later this year and a full rollout...
Disney CEO Bullish on 'Game Changer' iPad
MarketWatch yesterday briefly noted comments from Disney CEO Bob Iger during his company's earnings conference that signaled his company's excitement over Apple's iPad and the possibilities for Disney's content on the device. According to the full transcript of the call, Iger was specifically asked about the impact of the iPad by analyst Doug Mitchelson of Deutsche Bank, and his responses...
Opera Set to Preview 'Opera Mini' Browser for iPhone
Opera Software today announced that it will preview an iPhone version of its Opera Mini mobile browser at next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. "This is a unique opportunity to introduce the fast, feature-rich Opera Mini experience for the iPhone, and to showcase our latest beta releases of Opera Mobile and Opera Mini on other platforms and devices. Opera's mission is to bring the Web...
Apple Seeds Mac OS X 10.6.3 Build 10D552 to Developers
iPhoneinCanada notes that, just days after its last developer seed, Apple has released Mac OS X 10.6.3 Build 10D552 to developers. Developer seeding of this third maintenance release for Snow Leopard began in early January. According to reports, today's build focuses on AirPort, Graphics Drivers, and Quicktime. The build further includes:
- Performance improvements for 64-bit Logic
-...
Apple Releases iLife Support 9.0.4
Apple today released iLife Support 9.0.4 via Software Update, bringing stability improvements and compatibility with Apple's new Aperture 3 release. Provides system software resources that are shared by iLife and other applications. This update improves overall stability for the Media Browser and iPhoto slideshows. It also provides compatibility between Aperture 3 and the Media Browser.
The...
Apple Releases Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.0
Apple today released Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.0, bringing compatibility with a number of digital camera models to iPhoto '09 and Apple's new Aperture 3 release. This update extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 3 and iPhoto 09 for the following cameras and formats:
- Canon PowerShot S90
- Canon sRAW
- Canon mRAW
- Leica D-LUX 4
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
- Panasonic...
Apple Releases Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.0
Apple today released Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.0, addressing an issue with Aperture 3's integration of video clips in slideshows. Aperture 3 was released earlier today. This update addresses an issue affecting the playback of video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard. The update is recommended for all users of Aperture 3.The update weighs in at 62.3 MB and requires Mac ...
Not All Major Publishers Reportedly On Board With Agency Model for eBook Pricing
TBI Research reports that not all major book publishers are enamored with the "agency model" being pushed by a number of publishers inspired by Apple's forthcoming iPad tablet device and iBookstore online store to assert more control over their content. However, one major book publisher we spoke with sees no reason to shift to that model right now or anytime in the near future.
The reason is...
Apple's Research Into Social Aspects of Online Shopping Gaining Renewed Attention
In April 2008, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published an Apple patent application revealing the company's research into ways of integrating social aspects into online shopping as part of enhancements to the visitor experience. As described in the patent application, customers would be able to "see" what products other customers shopping in the online store were looking at at any...
Music Labels See Slower iTunes Sales Growth in Wake of Price Increases
MediaMemo notes that Warner Music Group has reported seeing slower sales growth via Apple's iTunes Store since the introduction of variable pricing last year. Warner Music Group (WMG) said this morning that it has seen unit sales growth at Apple's iTunes (AAPL) decelerate since the price increase: Industry-wide, year-over-year "digital track equivalent album unit growth" was at 5 percent in the...
