The Latest Apple News!

Welcome to our Apple News page. A page dedicated to collecting together snippets of news relating to the Apple Mac computer, Mac OS X, Software and Accessories.

This page will provide links to related articles on the Mac Guides and Solutions website, such as our latest reviews and tutorials.

The idea is that you can get to the latest info as quickly as possible, but with links to more information!

The latest Apple news will always be at the top …

16th March, 2012

OS X (Version 10.8) Mountain Lion: Developer Preview 2 Released

Apple have released OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview 2, which is available for download by developers who have access to Mac Dev Centre. This release includes the previous new features, bug fixes, and enhanced sharing capabilities.

The New Mac OS X Mountain Lion Desktop

7th March, 2012

Apple have unveiled the New iPad

Apple news has been relatively quiet for a while, but today Apple announced the launch of the iPad 3, officially named the New iPad.

The new features are listed below;

• The crisp and sharp Retina display - 2048 x 1536, 3.1 million pixels
• Quad Core A5X Chip for faster graphics
• 5MP Camera allowing true 1080p HD Video
• Still with 10 Hour Battery Life

Image courtesy of Apple

I have heard many complaints about the new iPad, how it lacks new features. I don't get it! The features above seem to me to be very impressive.

16th February, 2012

OS X (Version 10.8) Mountain Lion: Developer Preview 1 Released

The latest Apple News is fascinating! Less than 12 months after the release of OS X Lion, Apple have released the first developer preview of the next version of the Mac OS X operating system, to be named OS X Mountain Lion.

This new version is due for release in summer 2012 and continues the 'Back-to-the-Mac' philosophy of OS X Lion by adding further features found in the iOS mobile operating system, including;

• Updates to iCloud.
• Messages - send messages to iPhones or iPads from your Mac.
• Reminders - now can have multiple lists and due dates.
• Notes - jot down your thoughts, add attachments and photos.
• Share Sheets - share documents easily with a click of a button,
• Twitter - tweet from within applications like Safari, iPhoto and Photo Booth.
• Game Center - now your Mac can join in the fun.
• Airplay Mirror - Stream whats on your Mac to an HDTV.
• Notification Center - now you can enjoy notifications on your Mac
• Gate Keeper - your Mac is even more secure!

At the moment OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview 1 is only as a download to developers who have access to Mac Dev Centre. The rest of the world get it for real in the summer, but for now follow the developments through our dedicated OS X Mountain Lion page.

1st February, 2012

Mac OS X Lion Update Released (Version 10.7.3)

Apple have released the third update to Mac OS X Lion. It is version 10.7.3 and includes the following fixes;

• This update includes Safari 5.1.3 and includes various bug fixes.
• Improve compatibility issues with Microsoft Windows file sharing.
• Improve printing of Microsoft Word documents that use markup.
• Resolve a Wi-Fi connection issues when waking from sleep.
• Improved Active Directory Services.
• Plus many more bug fixes and security updates.

With each update you get a real feeling that an improvement has been made. Running this update on my old MacBook Pro has made a big improvement to the responsiveness after waking up from sleep mode.

19th January, 2012

Create Great Textbooks for the iPad using iBooks Author

Apple have released iBooks Author today, a very powerful application for the Mac, which allows anyone to create textbooks that can be published through Apples iBookstore for use on the iPad.

To get the best from these new text books, Apple have released iBooks 2, which allows textbooks to have diagrams, photos, videos and even interactive animations. The best educational services companies such as McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Pearson are preparing a range of educational titles via the bookstore.

Apple have made both iBooks 2 and the iBooks Author available free of charge through the Mac App Store.

Apples New iBooks Author Software

12th October, 2011

Mac OS X Lion Update Released (Version 10.7.2)

Apple have released the second update to Mac OS X Lion. It is version 10.7.2 and includes the following fixes;

• Adds iCloud functionality to Mac OS X Lion.
• Adds 'Back to My Mac' for Remote Access.
• Adds 'Find My Mac' allowing you to find your Mac.
• Plus general fixes that improve stability, security and compatibility.

We are impressed with this update, iCloud seems to work well as long as you log out of your existing MobileMe account first. General behaviour and speed is improved.

5th October, 2011

Steve Jobs Sadly Died Today - R.I.P (1955 - 2011)

Today is a sad day! Steve Jobs has died quietly with his family at his side.

Steve Jobs had suffered for many years with bad health. He had pancreatic cancer and in the past had a liver transplant. Unfortunately, a long-term cure was not forthcoming and over recent months we had all seen his health deteriorate.

Steve was a true visionary, and an inspiration to many people around the world. This website is here as a result of the products and software that he masterminded. There is not a day that passes where I don't use one of Apple's products.

Steve Jobs - RIP (1955 to 2011)

4th October, 2011

Apple Release the iPhone 4S and Announce iOS5 & iCloud

Apple have today launched the new iPhone 4S smartphone, with some nice features;

• Dual-core A5 processor for more speed.
• Improved 8MP camera with advanced optics.
• Siri voice control software.
• Runs iOS5 to be released on 12th October.

At the same time that iOS 5 is released Apple are also launching the iCloud functionality.

26th August, 2011

Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview Released (Version 10.7.2)

Apple have released the first developer preview of the second Mac OS X Lion update, version 10.7.2.

24th August, 2011

Steve Jobs Resigns as Chief Executive Officer of Apple!

It has been announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc. Effective immediately! He has now become Chairman of the Board, handing over the role of CEO to Tim Cook.

Steve sent a letter to the board stating that he could no longer perform the role of CEO. He has been suffering for a long time with various health problems, which seem to be catching up with him. We wish him well, and hope that he will be Chairman of the Board for many years to come.

16th August, 2011

Mac OS X Lion Update Released (Version 10.7.1)

Apple have released the first update to Mac OS X Lion. It is version 10.7.1 and includes the following fixes;

• Fixes an issue where the system could become unresponsive when playing a video in Safari.
• Fixes an issue where system audio could stop working when using HDMI or optical audio out.
• Improve the reliability of Wi-Fi connections.
• Fixes a problem when transferring data, settings, and applications to a new Mac.
• Resolve an issue in which an admin user account could be missing after upgrading to OS X Lion.

Note that this update is not performed through the Mac App Store, it is performed using the Software Update utility via the Apple Menu.

21st July, 2011

One Million Downloads of Mac OS X Lion in a Single Day!

The latest Apple news is that in just one day, one million users have purchased and downloaded Mac OS X Lion.

20th July, 2011

Mac OS X Lion Released Today

Apple have today released Mac OS X Lion which is available for download immediately via the Mac App Store.

Mac OS X Lion running on Mac computers Image courtesy of Apple

Apple Upgrade the MacBook Air Family

Today Apple announced an upgrade to their MacBook Air family of notebooks. The range keep their already stunning looks and screen sizes, but get an hardware upgrade and new features.

The main features are listed below;

• The latest Intel Core i5 and i7 Processors
• The amazing Intel Thunderbolt technology
• The latest Graphics Processors
• FaceTime HD Camera
• Backlit Keyboard

See the full specifications for the all the New MacBook Air family or visit our MacBook Air page for more information.

The MacBook Air Family Image courtesy of Apple

Apple Upgrade the Mac mini Computer

Today Apple announced an upgrade to the Mac mini computer. It keeps its stunning aluminium unibody design, but gets a full hardware update . But, interestingly it loses its Superdrive slot!

The main features are listed below;

• The latest Intel Core i5 and i7 Processors
• Ultrafast Intel Thunderbolt technology, the next generation of I/O
• The latest AMD Radeon HD Graphics Processor

See the full specifications for the Mac mini or visit our Apple Mac mini computer page for more information.

The Mac mini - Front View Image courtesy of Apple

21st June, 2011

Video Editing Software Updated to become Final Cut Pro X

Apple have today launched Final Cut Pro X, the latest version of their professional video editing software.

Final Cut Pro X running on the iMac Image courtesy of Apple

The latest version of Final Cut Pro X replaces the previous Studio and Express versions of the software, and is yet another software title to be made available via the Mac App Store.

Final Cut Pro X has over 50 new features and has been rebuilt to take advantage of 64-bit performance.

6th June, 2011

The Apple World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2011

The Apple WWDC 2011, staged in San Francisco, was launched today with a keynote event hosted by Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller, and Scott Forstall.

The keynote was used to announce three new software releases. More details on the upcoming release of Mac OS X Lion, the update to iOS 5, and a new service called iCloud. Each is summarised below.

• Mac OS X Lion available in July 2011, with 250 New Features including;
  • Multi-Touch Gestures
  • Full Screen Apps
  • Mission Control
  • Resume

• iOS 5 available in the autumn of 2011, with 200 new features including;
  • Notification Center
  • iMessage
  • Newsstand
  • Reminders
  • Twitter Integration

• Apple to introduce the iCloud in the autumn of 2011, with the following features;
  • iTunes in the Cloud
  • Photo Stream
  • Documents in the Cloud
  • Apps, Books, and Backup
  • Contacts, Calender and Mail

Image courtesy of Apple

3rd May, 2011

Apple Upgrade the iMac Family

Apple have released the latest version of the iMac computer family. The update keeps the same enclosure, which is still impressive. But instead concentrates on the hardware.

The main features are listed below;

• Thunderbolt, the next generation of I/O
• The latest Intel Processors
• The new FaceTime HD Camera
• The latest Graphics Processors
• Choice of TrackPad or Magic Mouse

See the full specifications for the all the New iMac family or visit our Apple iMac computer page for more information.

Image courtesy of Apple

3rd May, 2011

Update for the Second Developer Preview of Mac OS X Lion

Apple have sent out another email notifying Mac Developers that an update is available for the second preview release of the new Mac OS X Lion operating system.

31st March, 2011

Second Developer Preview of Mac OS X Lion

Apple have sent out an email notifying Mac Developers that the second preview release of new Mac OS X Lion operating system is available via the App Store.

Keep upto date with the changes by visiting my Mac OS X Lion page on this website.

22nd March, 2011

The New iPad 2 is Available in Over 25 Countries

The all new iPad 2 is now available in over 25 different countries from today. Apple appear to have got it right again! With demand out stripping supply.

Image courtesy of Apple

2nd March, 2011

Apple Unveil the All New iPad 2

Apple have staged a special event to unveil the new iPad 2, hosted by Steve Jobs. It was nice to seem him back at the helm!

The new features are listed below;

• All New Design - 33% Thinner, 15% Lighter
• Dual Core A5 Chip - 2x Faster
• Two Cameras - FaceTime and HD Video
• Smart Covers
• 10 Hour Battery Life

You might be wondering why we have included the iPad 2 on the Apple News page. Well, as far as we concerned the iPad 2 is one of the best accessories you can have alongside your Mac.

24th February, 2011

Apple Release Developer Preview of Mac OS X Lion

The latest version of Mac OS X, to be named Lion, is due for release sometime during the summer of 2011. We can't wait!

Today Apple released what is called a developers preview. This allows developers of Mac applications all over the world to see what is coming and how it will impact their applications!

So did we get anymore news with this announcement? Yes, Apple provided us with details of further features being added in Mac OS X Lion including;

• The Mac App Store (already available!)
• Launchpad
• Full Screen Apps
• Mission Control
• Gestures and Animations
• Auto Save
• Version
• Resume
• Mail 5
• AirDrop
• All-new FileVault
• Mac OS X Lion now includes Server!

Read more about these features and future news on the Mac OS X Lion development by visiting the
OS X Lion page on this website.

Image courtesy of Apple

24th February, 2011

Apple Release the New MacBook Pro Family

Today Apple announced an upgrade to their MacBook Pro range of notebooks. The range keep their already stunning looks but get an hardware upgrade and some new features.

The main features are listed below;

• The latest Intel Processors
• Thunderbolt, the next generation of I/O
• The latest Graphics Processors
• The new FaceTime HD Camera

See the full specifications for the all the New MacBook Pro family or visit our Apple MacBook Pro page for more information.

Image courtesy of Apple

15th February, 2011

Apple Adds Subscription Payments to the App Store

Publishers that sell content using Apps can now sell using subscriptions via the App Store. The duration can be weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly, or yearly.

7th January, 2011

Mac App Store Downloads Hit a Million on First Day

Amazing! Apple have managed to do it again. They have announced today that the downloads have hit 1 million on just the first day.

6th January, 2011

The Mac App Store Opens for Business

The long awaited opening of the new Mac App store happened today, on schedule. We have been waiting for this with great interest, so watch this space for a full review shortly.

Image courtesy of Apple