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
Google Nexus One Software Updated to Offer 'Pinch-to-Zoom' Multi-Touch Capabilities
Google yesterday announced that it had begun to deliver over-the-air software updates to users of its Android-based Nexus One smartphone, offering a number of enhancements. Most notably, the update enables pinch-to-zoom multi-touch functionality in several core applications. Pinch-to-zoom functionality: devices will now include a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone's Browser, Gallery and...
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Apple Receives Patent for Touch-Sensitive Bezel for Portable Devices
Patently Apple reported yesterday that Apple has been granted a patent regarding the use of touch-sensitive bezels in electronic devices, primarily focused on portable devices. While the content of the patent is not new, having been previously disclosed with the publication of the initial patent application in October 2006, the technology has gained renewed interest as the granting of the...
Taiwanese Industry Sources: Next-Generation iPhone Manufacturing Deal, USB 3.0, iPad Suppliers
DigiTimes today offers a series of reports involving Apple, revealing a number of claims from industry sources in Taiwan regarding the next-generation iPhone, Apple's possible plans for USB 3.0, and iPad component suppliers.
One report claims that Taiwanese firm Pegatron Technology, a two-year old company created as part of a restructuring of ASUS, has landed a contract with Apple to...
Textbook Publishers Strike Deals to Bring Content to iPad
The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that major textbook publishers have struck deals with Apple to bring their content to the iPad. According to the report, textbook publishers will rely on the technology of ScrollMotion, which already has experience developing such content for the iPhone. Though Apple didn't outline its strategy to target the educational sector with its iPad...
Internal Model Numbers for Next-Generation iPhone and iPod Touch Reportedly Surface
Engadget reports that an internal model number for Apple's next-generation iPhone ("N89") has apparently surfaced in the the new iPhone SDK 3.2 that was released alongside the introduction of the company's iPad tablet device. Buried way inside the platform simulator lies a set of folders dedicated to specific models of iPhone OS-ready devices, including the iPhone 3GS, second generation iPod...
Apple Refutes Claim Regarding Halted Production of 27-Inch iMac Models
In a statement to The Wall Street Journal regarding ongoing shipment delays for the company's 27-inch iMac models, an Apple spokesman has apparently refuted earlier claims that the company had halted production of the 27-inch iMacs as it has worked to address several issues related to flickering and yellow tints in its displays. An Apple spokesman said again this week that "the 27-inch iMac has...
Gameloft Reports Nearly $25 Million in iPhone Revenue for 2009
TechCrunch reports that French game developer Gameloft reported its 2009 financial results today, specifying "iPhone revenue" of 17.6 million Euros, or about $24.5 million. That number was up 231% over 2008, and was responsible for approximately 14.5% of Gameloft's total revenues for the year. Gameloft's iPhone revenue was even more impressive when considered only under the fourth quarter of...
Apple Releases iPhone OS 3.1.3: Addresses iPhone 3GS Battery Level Accuracy, App Launching Issues
Apple today released iPhone OS 3.1.3 for all iPhone and iPod touch models, addressing several specific bugs as well as offering fixes for a handful of security issues. This update for the iPhone and iPod touch contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:
- Improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
- Resolves issue where third-party apps would not launch in...
Last-Minute iPad Photo Leak Reportedly Included Image of Prototype Next-Generation iPhone
Just prior to Apple's media event introducing the iPad last week, Engadget posted several photos of what did turn out to be the iPad, bolted down to a table and covered with a black cloth as Apple has been rumored to do with tightly-guarded pre-release products. One of the images shows an iPhone sitting on top of the iPad, offering a size comparison between the two devices.
AppleInsider...
Mac Pro Update With 6-Core Xeon Gulftown Processors Due Soon? [Updated]
Hardmac reports that Intel's new 6-core Core i7-980X is due to become widely available in March, leading to speculation that Apple may once again be able to gain early access to the new processors and release updated Mac Pro models as early as later this month. The name of this hexacore CPU is now know, Core i7-980X, another cheaper (and slower) model should also be available, Core i7-970....
Apple Releases iTunes 9.0.3 to Address Password and Syncing Bugs
Apple today released iTunes 9.0.3 via Software Update and the iTunes download site, offering several bug fixes. iTunes 9.0.3 provides a number of important bug fixes, including:
- iTunes no longer ignores your "Remember password for purchases" setting.
- Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod.
- Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected.
-...
NPD: 90% of $1,000+ PCs Sold in Fourth Quarter 2009 Were Macs
Betanews reports on data from market research firm NPD showing that, of computers priced at $1,000 or more sold in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2009, 90% were Macs. The data demonstrates Apple's continued strong performance among the high-end personal computer market as average selling prices for Windows computers continue to decline. In addition, Apple doubled its share of the $500-$1,000 ...
iPhone's Share of Smartphone Market Slips in Fourth Quarter of 2009
The Wall Street Journal reports on data from technology market research firm ABI Research showing that the iPhone's share of the worldwide smartphone sales market slipped in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 16.6%, down from 18.1% in the previous quarter. Despite strong performance from Apple during the quarter, the overall market grew even faster, resulting in a dip for Apple's market share. Apple's ...
iPad Still Coming to Verizon?
Silicon Alley Insider reports that it has received information from Clayton Morris of FOXNews.com claiming that Apple and Verizon are still in talks to bring the iPad to Verizon's wireless network. An Apple-Verizon partnership for the iPad had been the subject of many analyst claims and rumors in the months leading up to the device's introduction, and many observers were surprised to see that...
27-Inch iMac Production Halted Pending Fix For Display Issues?
Hardmac reports that Apple has halted production of 27-inch iMac models pending a fix for several display issues that have been affecting the machines. According to one of our sources, the company completely stopped the iMac 27" assembling lines, the production will not resume before Apple has finally found a reliable and definitive fix for the remaining past (flickering and flashing display) and...
Apple Offers Additional Aggregate Info On App Store Submission Review Status
9 to 5 Mac reports that Apple has updated its App Store Review Status clock on its iPhone developer news page, now offering aggregate data for app review processing time for both new applications and updates over the past week.
Previously, the review status widget offered only a single number displaying the percentage of applications currently being approved within two weeks of submission....
Netbook Market Leader Acer Not Planning to Compete With iPad
DigiTimes reports on comments from Scott Lin, president of the Taiwanese division of netbook market leader Acer revealing that the company has no plans to compete with Apple's iPad tablet device. Lin noted that while an iPad-like product would be relatively simple technologically for Acer, such a device does not fit into the company's business strategy. In addition, the iPad's iTunes Store/App...
Tablet Manufacturers Reevaluating Pricing Options in Light of iPad Announcement?
DigiTimes reports that several Asian notebook manufacturers were taken by surprise by the unexpectedly low entry-level $499 price point for Apple's iPad, forcing them to reconsider how they will price upcoming tablet models. The vendors originally planned to offer prices pegged at 20-30% lower than the Apple iPad, while they generally expected the device to cost as much as US$1,000. The US$499...
Display of Flash Content in iPad Promo Materials Likely Not Indicative of Actual Flash Compatibility [Updated]
A discovery that Apple's promotional materials for the iPad show properly-displayed Flash content while Web browsing in contrast to the "broken plug-in" icon observed on-stage at Apple's media event has generated a great deal of interest and discussion today, with some wondering whether Apple is yet planning to incorporate Flash support into the shipping product.
This is unlikely for various...
iPad Promotional Video and Images Show Properly-Displayed Flash Content
One of the major complaints so far about Apple's new iPad tablet device has been a lack of support for Flash content, a limitation also placed on the iPhone. At several points during Apple CEO Steve Jobs' demonstration of the iPad at Wednesday's media event, the device displayed a "broken plug-in" icon on Web pages such as The New York Times where Flash elements were included on the page.
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