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
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Reacts to Apple's Withdrawal Over Climate Change Policies
Dow Jones Newswires reports that U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Tom Donohue responded to Apple CEO Steve Jobs today after the company announced its withdrawal from the organization over the Chamber of Commerce's stance on pending climate change legislation. "It is unfortunate that your company didn't take the time to understand the Chamber's position on climate and forfeited the...
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DoubleTwist Launches iTunes-Like Desktop Application for Amazon MP3 Store
doubleTwist, the company run by famed digital rights management hacker Jon Lech Johansen ("DVD Jon"), today released a revamped doubleTwist for Mac application, adding a number of new features to its iTunes competitor. The most notable enhancement is the inclusion of a music store linked to the Amazon MP3 Store. The application offers an iTunes-like experience for browsing the Amazon MP3 Store, ...
Apple and Skype React to AT&T's Announcement of Support for iPhone VoIP Services
Following AT&T's announcement that it will now allow iPhone Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services over its mobile network, Apple and VoIP provider Skype have issued public statements reacting to today's announcement.
The Associated Press reports that Apple will be moving forward as quickly as possible to enable customers to take advantage of the functionality. Apple welcomed the...
Apple Releases Apple RAID Card (Early 2009) Firmware Update 1.1
Apple today released Apple RAID Card (Early 2009) Firmware Update 1.1, bringing several updates for the company's RAID card offered as an option on the Mac Pro and Xserve. The update is recommended for all Early 2009 Mac Pros and Xserves using the Apple RAID card. This update provides several fixes, including:
- Reliability improvements during boot and power fail recovery
- Improves...
AT&T to Allow Skype and Google Voice to Operate on Its Mobile Network? [Update: Confirmed]
The Washington Post reports that AT&T may be planning to announce support for Skype, Google Voice, and other related Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services over its mobile networks, including via Apple's iPhone. One source close to the thinking of AT&T executives said the company has been deliberating the decision for weeks and that top executives have said they were close to accepting voice ...
Verizon Targets AT&T's Network With 'There's a Map For That' Campaign
TechFlash noted yesterday that Verizon is rolling out a new advertising campaign targeting AT&T's network by focusing on the geographic coverage of the competing companies' networks. The campaign also employs a twist on Apple's "There's an app for that" iPhone slogan with its own tagline of "There's a map for that." The fine print also is worth checking out. It reads: "Browse the Web and download ...
Apple to Introduce Final Cut Studio Update at NAB 2010?
Hardmac reports that Apple may be planning to introduce a revised version of its Final Cut Studio professional video editing software at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in April 2010. According to the report's sources, the most recent version of Final Cut Studio, released just this past July, is actually a temporary version focused on providing Snow Leopard...
VMware Fusion 3 to Launch October 27th
VMware today announced the October 27th launch of VMware Fusion 3, a significant update to the company's virtualization solution that allows Mac users to run Windows applications right alongside OS X applications. The new version reportedly brings over 50 new features and improvements, including Snow Leopard optimization and full Windows 7 compatibility. Key highlights include:
- Optimized...
Apple Job Offer 'Unboxing' Pictures Posted
On his Deciphering Glyph blog, the founder of Twisted posts "unboxing" photos (via Gizmodo) of a job offer he recently received from Apple. The photos unsurprisingly reveal that the company that places such emphasis on design aesthetics for both products and packaging also appears to have put a fair amount of effort into its human resources materials, resulting in a sleek appearance likely to...
Rogers' iPhone Exclusivity in Canada to End Next Month? [Updated]
The Globe and Mail reports that wireless providers Bell and Telus will begin selling the iPhone in Canada next month, ending the exclusivity arrangement enjoyed by Rogers Wireless since the iPhone's introduction there in July 2008. Neither Bell nor Telus would confirm that they would add the iPhone to their lineups. Apple also declined to comment. But people familiar with the matter said the two...
Adobe Demonstrating iPhone Applications Built Using Flash
While Apple's iPhone has notably been left out of Adobe's new initiative with Flash Player 10.1 to bring an integrated Flash experience to browsers on smartphones and other platforms, TechCrunch notes that Adobe has also been using its Adobe MAX 2009 conference to show off capabilities found in the company's forthcoming Flash Professional CS5 that will allow developers to build Flash-based...
Adobe Flash Player Initiative for Smartphones Launched, But iPhone Not Included
PC World reports on Adobe's launch of Flash Player 10.1, which aims to integrate the Flash experience across a wide range of devices, including smartphones. The initiative also includes the Open Screen Project, which brings together nearly 50 companies aiming to create a consistent user experience for Flash across the various platforms.
Notably absent from the smartphone aspects of today's...
Vonage Mobile Offers International Calling for iPhone and iPod Touch
VoIP provider Vonage today announced the launch of Vonage Mobile, offering low-cost international calling for the iPhone [App Store, Free], iPod touch [App Store, Free], and BlackBerry. The iPhone application permits calls to be made via Wi-Fi or cellular connection, while the iPod touch application is obviously limited to Wi-Fi calling only. With Vonage Mobile you can call around the world...
Psystar Announces Program for Third-Party PC Manufacturers to Enable Snow Leopard Installation
setteB.IT reports [Google translation] that unauthorized Mac clone manufacturer Psystar has announced the launch of a new licensing program that will enable third-party PC manufacturers to preload their systems with Psystar's boot loader to allow for simple installation of Mac OS X Snow Leopard directly from a retail disc. The move comes as Psystar has launched an increasing number of its own har...
Kevin Rose Accidentally Confirms Digg iPhone App
ReadWriteWeb reports that Digg founder Kevin Rose accidentally confirmed during a recent interview that an iPhone application for the popular social news site is under development. The revelation came in response to a question from one of the interviewers claiming to have seen a peek at the application. How did the interviewers end up catching a glimpse of the application? Eriksen wrote us today...
NPD: U.S. Mac Ownership Grows, But Nearly 85% of Mac Households Also Own Windows PCs
According to market research firm NPD's 2009 Household Penetration Study, approximately 12% of U.S. computer-owning households have an Apple computer, up from 9% in last year's study. But of these Mac-owning households, nearly 85% of them also own at least one Windows PC. Multiple computer ownership is a common thread in Apple computer households, with 66 percent of households owning three or...
Palm Releases webOS 1.2.1, Re-Enables iTunes Media Syncing
Gizmodo reports that Palm has released webOS 1.2.1, restoring iTunes media syncing ability to the Palm Pre. The release comes just days after the launch of webOS 1.2, which failed to re-enable iTunes syncing and also broke Exchange 2007 syncing for a number of users, necessitating the rapid follow-up update.
The USB Implementers Forum raised questions several weeks ago about Palm's apparent...
Apple and Eminem's Publisher Settle Lawsuit Over iTunes Sales
The Associated Press reports that Apple and Eight Mile Style, Eminem's music publisher, have settled a lawsuit over distribution of the artist's music via the iTunes Store. "The case was settled to the satisfaction of all parties," Eight Mile attorney Richard Busch said.
He said terms of the deal are confidential. The agreement was reached Thursday night after five days of trial in federal...
New Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Filings Appear on FCC Website
Engadget reports that Apple has filed testing information with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for approval of a new Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The filings briefly included basic drawings of the forthcoming devices, although they were quickly removed. A new Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse have arrived at the FCC, and they've got new model numbers of A1314 and A1296 -- the current ...
Two-Handed Multi-Touch Technology Gains Renewed Exposure
AppleInsider points to a patent application filed in June and released yesterday that brings renewed attention to two-handed multi-touch capabilities previously included in patent applications from Apple and Fingerworks, the company acquired by Apple in 2005 for its multi-touch technology.
The latest patent application appears to be a slightly edited version of content found in several...
