Apple

Apple's iOS 7 comes out swinging with an overhauled design that reskins practically every element with a gleaming new interface. From what we've seen so far (including hands-on time with iOS 7 on an iPhone 5,) we like the latest 'do. A lot.

While some new behaviors go along with the updated apps, iOS 7's changes are more cosmetic and iterative than they are groundbreaking. That's completely understandable; not every update can spark a revolution.

However, apart from a few notable innovations, iOS 7 doesn't seem like it's enough to overturn criticism that its … Read more

Apple executives had a full slate of new stuff to detail Monday morning during the first day of the World Wide Developers Conference.

From the new OS X 10.9 Mavericks to the revamped iOS 7 to the long-awaited iTunes Radio, Apple had a lot to show off. For those who weren't fortunate enough to secure entry to the Moscone Center in San Francisco but want to experience the event, Apple has posted a stream of the keynote presentation directly to its Web site.

The two-hour video covers the new features of Apple's desktop and mobile operating systems, … Read more

The developer beta of iOS 7 has only been out for a few hours, and there's already a slew of videos of it hitting the Web.

The software, like other betas from Apple, is bound by a strict nondisclosure agreement that requires developers not to share it with others.

That didn't seem to stop several individuals from posting videos showing off some of the new features.

9to5Mac's posted one here:

JAMonsterEnergy has posted a five-minute hands-on demonstration here:

YouTuber gmanist1000 posted a quick two-minute video here:

iTechWorld11 posted a brief one-minute video here:

And last, but not … Read more

Showing some repeat favoritism, Apple has once again picked Twitter to power the coolest social experiences for its 600 million iOS device owners.

During a keynote address at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference, the Cupertino company lifted the veil on iOS 7, its next-generation mobile operating system that reflects a new way of thinking around design. Aside from its altered appearance, the redone OS -- coming to consumers' iPhones and iPads this fall -- features a new Control Center, improved multitasking, iTunes Radio, better Camera and Photos apps, and an updated Safari browser.

Twitter is also ever-present in the release, … Read more

In a move similar to its release of the PowerMac G4 Cube, Apple has issued a radical new design for its upcoming replacement for its Mac Pro systems. While unique and attractive, one of the key features for the Mac Pro has been expandability so professional users can customize its hardware to meet their needs, so where does this new system's design leave us?

In order to fit the components of the system into its radical shape, Apple has had to make some changes to the system. For one, its video cards will no longer be off-the-shelf units that … Read more

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple's new MacBook Airs look better than before, but they don't reach for the stars.

OK, so I'll admit: having a potential 12-hour battery life is incredible. It's a very big deal indeed. But the new 2013 MacBook Airs unveiled at Apple's WWDC keynote weren't revolutions of design, or even of features. They're another well-polished upgrade step to an already excellent laptop that's becoming as familiar in form as an iPod or an older MacBook Pro.

To be honest, there was more on my wish list. Primarily, this.

Higher-res … Read more

The Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) was Apple's default networking protocol in the classic Mac OS as well as in OS X, but it has fallen out of favor with the advent of SMB2 in the upcoming OS X Mavericks.

Server Message Block (SMB) is a file transfer protocol that has been the main networking protocol for Windows-based systems. Having different default protocols has made the use of both Windows and Mac systems on the same network frustrating, since until Apple introduced native SMB support in OS X, users had to rely on third-party SMB support for sharing files with … Read more

"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated," Mark Twain once remarked.

The same might be said about the 13- and 15-inch non-Retina MacBook Pros, which some Apple watchers thought might be on the chopping block after Apple killed the 17-inch MacBook Pro at last year's WWDC and the MacBook Air line received an anticipated update.

For the moment, the standard MacBook Pros live on, coexisting with the lighter, slimmer MacBook Airs that are now equipped with Intel's more energy-efficient fourth-gen Core i-series "Haswell" chips and a much better set of battery life specs. … Read more

Update: Back up now; see update below.

Apparently a lot of developers are eager to get their mitts on preview versions of Apple's next iOS and OS X software.

Enough are visiting the developer site to bring things to a screeching halt. Users who attempt to make their way there are currently getting page load errors, as well as a page that tells users: "We'll be back soon."

This has happened plenty of other times, and is expected to be sorted out, though Apple's currently offering no guidance on when. Additionally, its fancy system status page … Read more