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
Psystar Halts Sales of Mac Clones, Plans Legal Appeal
Computerworld notes that unauthorized Mac clone manufacturer Psystar has stopped offering its line of PC hardware with Mac OS X preinstalled in the wake of a settlement agreement with Apple. All models are currently listed as "Out of Stock" on the company's website, although it continues to offer its Rebel EFI software solution to enable customers to install Mac OS X on their own, marking a shift...
Read Full Article • 133 comments
Apple Considering Commercializing New iPod Touch EasyPay System?
ifoAppleStore reports that Apple is considering commercializing its new iPod touch-based EasyPay retail store checkout system. The move comes as the company, which had intended for the system to remain proprietary, has been "deluged" with inquiries from parties interested in adopting the technology. Since the debut of the iPod POS, inquires have been coming from all directions, including from...
Psystar Agrees to Pay Nearly $2.7 Million in Settlement With Apple
Earlier today, we reported on a preliminary settlement between Apple and Psystar regarding the former's lawsuit over copyright infringement by Psystar in selling PC hardware preinstalled with Mac OS X Leopard. Engadget now reports on a new court filing outlining the settlement agreement that sees Psystar scheduled to pay approximately $1.34 million to Apple and a like amount in attorneys' fees.
...
Fring Adds Video Calling to iPhone
Israeli firm fringland, one of the earliest VoIP services for the iPhone and iPod touch, has announced the launch of video calling for the iPhone and iPod touch. The feature is included in the latest version of the company's fring iPhone application [App Store, Free].
Unfortunately, because the iPhone's camera is on the rear of the device, only one-way incoming video calls are possible,...
Google Looking to Offer Paid Streaming TV Shows?
MediaMemo reports that Google is looking to enter the business of offering paid television content, a move which would add a new competitor to Apple's iTunes Store TV offerings. Google's service, however, is reportedly planned to utilize a streaming delivery method via YouTube rather than the download model used by Apple. YouTube already lets users watch a smattering of TV shows for free, with...
Psystar to Change Tactics and Sell Mac OS X-Ready Computers?
Computerworld reports on a motion filed in federal court yesterday by unauthorized Mac clone maker Psystar noting that it has reached a partial settlement with Apple over the company's copyright infringement case filed against Psystar in 2008. The settlement, which requires Psystar to pay Apple an as-yet-unspecified amount of damages, would not be awarded until Psystar has exhausted all appeals.
...
Next-Generation iDVD to Include Support for iTunes LP Creation?
Boy Genius Report briefly notes that it has received a tip from a "pretty accurate" source claiming that Apple will be revamping its iDVD software as part of its next iLife release to include support for creation of iTunes LPs, the company's new format for providing enhanced content for music releases. We've been informed that Apple plans to completely redo their iDVD application (in addition to...
Google Phone Rumors Continue to Gain Steam
Earlier this month, reports surfaced reviving claims that Google is in the process of developing its own smart phone based on its Android operating system. Gizmodo today follows up with new claims of Google phone prototypes running a new version of Android beginning to appear on Google's campus. The existence of the device is called a "certainty" by the report's source. Over the next few weeks,...
'Photoshop.com Mobile' Now Available Outside U.S. & Canada
Adobe today announced that its popular Photoshop.com Mobile iPhone application [App Store, Free] is now available in all countries with an App Store. After spending three weeks as the "Top Free" app in the iTunes Store following its release in the US & Canada, we are glad to be able to offer Photoshop.com Mobile to our global community, and we thank everyone for their patience as we worked to make ...
Chrome Beta for Mac Nearly Ready for Launch, But Some Features Postponed
In a report posted yesterday, TechCrunch points to a Twitter posting from Mike Pinkerton of the Chrome for Mac team noting that there were only eight bugs remaining to be addressed before the Mac beta of Chrome is ready for its launch expected for some time in the next month. "8 remaining M4 Mac beta blockers! Go team! #chrome"
This means that there are only 8 things standing in the way of...
Apple Accused of Manipulating Flash Memory Prices
The Korea Times reports on growing complaints within the flash memory industry that Apple, which holds a dominant position due to its extensive use of flash in the iPhone and iPods, is using its increasing leverage to inappropriately manipulate the market to its advantage. The summary of the arguments goes as this -- Apple is contributing to the suppression in flash memory prices by ordering more...
Apple Offers iTunes LP and iTunes Extras Documentation for Developers
TUAW notes that Apple has posted a set of documents providing developers with information for creating and distributing iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras, bonus interactive material for music and video content available through the company's iTunes Store.
According to Apple, an automated, electronic system for submitting iTunes LPs and Extras will be rolled out early next year, but until that time, ...
Apple Black Friday Sales Begin in Australia and New Zealand [Updatedx2]
Apple has launched its "Black Friday" one-day sales in Australia and New Zealand, with other countries set to follow at the appropriate times. As expected, Apple is offering only modest discounts compared to the deals offered by many other retailers for the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.
The only Macs seeing discounts in Apple's sales are the iMac and MacBook Pro, with...
Apple Records Nearly Half of U.S. PC Desktop Retail Industry Revenue
Betanews reports (via The Loop) on data from market research firm NPD showing that Apple garnered 48% of the U.S. PC industry's retail revenue last month. In October, Mac US retail desktop computer revenue share was 47.71, percent up from 33.44 percent a year earlier, according to NPD. It's a stunning number, given just how many Windows PC companies combined command so much more market share,...
Apple Files Patent Infringement Suit Over 'Knock-Off' Power Adapters
InformationWeek reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against an Anaheim, California company selling "knock-off" power adapters for Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro models. Apple claims that the company sells third-party power adapters that infringe upon an Apple patent filed in 2001 and granted in 2003 for the design of Apple's laptop power supplies. Apple's...
Tesco to Begin Selling iPhone in UK
BBC News reports that supermarket and retail chain Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, will begin offering the iPhone 3G and 3GS through its Tesco Mobile arm, a joint venture with wireless provider O2. A spokesperson for the firm said that it hoped to offer the phone "in time for Christmas".
Although Tesco has not revealed tariffs, the spokesperson said that its prices were "competitive".Tesco...
Apple Releases Final Cut Server 1.5.1
Apple today released Final Cut Server 1.5.1, bringing a number of improvements to the company's back-end package for managing Final Cut video production tasks. Final Cut Server 1.5.1 is a revision to Final Cut Server 1.5. This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. This update is recommended for all users of Final...
Apple Addresses 'Faces' Bugs and Other Minor Issues With iPhoto 8.1.1 Update
Apple today released iPhoto 8.1.1, an update to the photo management portion of the company's iLife suite of applications. The update addresses a pair of issues related to the "Faces" feature of iPhoto, including slow performance when displaying suggested matches and incorrect matching of faces. The update also fixes an issue with the book ordering panel not appearing correctly with some...
Rumors Revisited: Next-Generation iWork and iLife Plans? Apple Tablet Design Surprise?
Nearly a month before Apple updated its iMac line, French site Mac4Ever published a wide-ranging article revealing a number of tidbits on various topics obtained from its sources. At the time, the report was simply one of many circulating rumors about Apple's upcoming product announcements.
Mac4Ever's details, however, proved to be remarkably accurate once Apple made public its new products. ...
'eBay Deals' Alerts Users to Best Auction Bargains
eBay today announced the release of eBay Deals [App Store, Free], a new iPhone application highlighting the best bargains available on the popular auction site. The new eBay Deals app for iPhone presents a constantly changing view of deals across ebay.com, highlighting must-have products in popular categories, such as apparel and games; all listings in the eBay Deals app have less than four...
