CapMac iPhone SIG

Apple today announced the Wi-Fi + Cellular versions of iPad® mini and the new fourth generation iPad with Retina® display will be available in China beginning this Friday, January 18.

Currently the Wi-Fi only versions are available in more than 100 countries worldwide including the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.

iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular models come in black & slate or white & silver for a suggested retail price of $459 (US) for the 16GB model, $559 (US) for the 32GB model and $659 (US) for the 64GB model.

The fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular models come in black or white for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at just $399 (US).

Just last week, Tim Cook and Phil Schiller were in Beijing for their second time within ten months. Reportedly, talks are nearing conclusion to bring the iPhone 5 to China Mobile Limited, the largest mobile carrier in the world.

In China, iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad will be available through Apple retail stores, the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

With heavy rains and severe storms expected in Central Texas – here are a few of the best weather apps:

• Wx  [$2.99] – Put a complete weather station on your iPhone and iPad. Developer Craig Hunter is a meteorologist, and his app reflects his passion. The most configurable on the market – if you’re going to buy just one app – this is it.
• Dark Sky  [FREE]  – Dark Sky is a new kind of weather app, using state-of-the-art forecasting to predict when and how much it will rain or snow — down to the minute — at your exact location. And it has the most beautiful radar visualizations you’ve ever seen.
• WeatherTAP zoom  [$9.99] – Storm tracking in detail not offered in any other app. Follow individual storm cells, high winds, and hail. Using patented tracking and predictive software usually available for pilots – this app is a must in tornado-alley areas. Try the free version, then invest in your safety.
• WeatherAlerts  [$.99] – Get push notifications if violent weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes, violent thunderstorms, floods, high winds, or in fog or wintry conditions. Specify alert areas and types and severity of alerts you desire. This is the ultimate early warning system when dangerous weather threatens.
• RadarScope  [$9.99] – RadarScope is a specialized display utility for weather enthusiasts and meteorologists that allows you view NEXRAD Level 3 and super resolution radar data along with Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Warnings, and predicted storm tracks issued by the National Weather Service. Pinch to zoom tracking for the entire US and access to over 155 radar sites make this the best radar app out there.

There are many other free apps in the App Store’s ‘Weather’ category – and some, like the WeatherChannel are quite good. But when truly severe weather is on the way, you deserve better analysis and timely notification than generic weather apps can deliver.

With the proper apps, your iPhone can warn you of impending danger, and help you plan a route to greater safety for you and your family.  What’s that worth?

Over 40-billion iOS apps have been downloaded from Apple’s App Store – with half of those coming in 2012 alone.

Apple made the announcement in a media release this morning.

According to Apple, there are more than 500 million active accounts on the App Store, and those users helped to drive a record breaking December in which more than 2 billion applications were downloaded.

Of special note is that iOS developers have been paid more than $7 billion to date.

“It has been an incredible year for the iOS developer community,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Developers have made over seven billion dollars on the App Store, and we continue to invest in providing them with the best ecosystem so they can create the most innovative apps in the world.”

The App Store is available in 155 countries and boasts over 775,000 applications, with more than 300,000 native to the iPad.

When the Texas Legislature convenes for their biennial session on Tuesday – their traditional Dell laptops have been replaced by something more powerful and portable – iPads.

Each lawmaker’s office in the Capitol has been equipped with two iPads. Legislative committees are getting iPads, too.

Chris Griesel, House parliamentarian, said it became clear in the 2011 session that members chose to use personal iPads rather than state-issued laptops much of the time.

“There were about 20 iPads in the House chamber when the 2011 session began, and 110 by the end of the session. Legislative leaders opted not to buy new laptops, which would cost about $1,300 each when appropriately configured, to replace aging machines for the upcoming 83rd legislative session.The total cost would have been around $555,000″, Griesel said.

The iPads cost roughly half as much as new laptops, and the iPads don’t run programs that require expensive software licenses.The state bought 500 iPads through the normal purchasing process. The cost of each iPad with a case and a print application was $530; the total cost for all the iPads was about $265,000:

“The state saved about $290,000, compared with the cost of replacing the laptops, Griesel said.”

Besides saving money, the iPads could also save trees. In 2009, the House went through 30 million pieces of printer paper. They halved it the following session when the chamber began distributing bills, resolutions and other documents electronically. Griesel said he hopes the iPads will help save even more paper through greater electronic sharing of documents.

Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, is glad to see the introduction of the iPads:

‘We have so much clutter as it is,’ Isaac said. The introduction of iPads will allow ‘us to be more efficient and better serve the taxpayers.’”

Texas isn’t the first state to go to the iPad. West Virginia, South Dakota and Virginia already have taken the leap.

When the iPad mini launched in China three weeks ago – it was predicted to be ‘the next big thing’.  And according to retailer reports – it is.  In fact most stores are sold out.

Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets said his inventory checks in China and Hong Kong have found there is “insatiable demand” for the iPad mini.

Apple’s smaller iPad launched in Hong Kong on Nov. 2, with nearly all models of the 7.9-inch tablet completely sold out this week.

iPad mini sales in mainland China, began Dec. 7, where it also met with strong interest. iPad mini has also been out of stock at Apple’s retail stores in China this week, White said.

“Prior to the China launch, we indicated that the iPad mini would be the ‘next big thing in China’ and we believe this phenomenon is starting to develop,” he said. “In our view, the smaller form factor and lower price point will allow Apple to sell the iPad mini in more meaningful volumes versus the regular-size iPad.”

Apple projects that China will become one of its most important markets – and is adding stores and resources to ensure steady flow of product and convenient retail locations to make it so.

AT&T has launched its speedy new 4G LTE service in 15 new markets, and expanded coverage in a handful of existing locations.

The ten new locations receiving 4G LTE service beginning Friday are:

• Boise, Idaho
• Boulder, Colo.
• Bowling Green, Ky.
• Harrisburg, Pa.
• Hartford, Conn.
• Lancaster, Pa.
• Lexington, Ken.
• New Haven, Conn.
• Ogden, Utah
• Providence, R.I.

Five other markets will receive LTE service on Christmas Day:

• Green Bay, Wis.
• Melbourne, Fla.
• Oxford, Miss.
• Springfield, Mass.
• Tucson, Ariz.

AT&T also announced 4G LTE service has been expanded in:

• Middlesex County, N.J.
• Phoenix, Ariz.
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Los Angeles, Calif.

The latest expansions follow AT&T’s mid-November launch, when 4G LTE coverage was extended to 24 new markets, including Denver, Colo., and Columbus, Ohio. In all, AT&T’s 4G LTE network has been launched in 124 markets.

The company plans to reach 250 million people by the end of 2013, and 300 million by the end of 2014.

Sometimes pre-launch hype, product benchmarks, metrics of line length, demographics, and sales numbers dwarf the real human news behind product launches.

Yesterday’s iPad Mini launch was no different – until I encountered a customer outside Apple’s Barton Creek store.

As I watched from afar he inspected the iPad Mini’s manufacturing precision, the apps, even the packaging, with a mixture of jeweler’s eye, and reverence. Oblivious to my eavesdropping, he smiled broadly as he surveyed his new purchase.

After brief introductions, he explained that his love of Apple and it’s products had inspired him to come to America to study.

The decision to leave his family home in rural China was a tough one. But the opportunity for a better education, and access to technology drew him to the US and finally to Texas.

Now going to school, and interning for an iOS developer – he hopes to one day develop his own apps, or follow his ultimate dream of working for Apple.

Antonio did offer one remarkable comment that should cause us all to reflect:

‘From the first time I touched an Apple product I knew that my life had changed – forever’.

That experience inspired him to leave his agrarian roots for a new home, new challenges, and most importantly – new opportunities.

Later, reading the the regular hash of post-launch stories, I thought of that daring young man from China, and how the magic of ‘Designed by Apple in California’, and the manufacturing expertise of his homeland are transforming lives – and inspiring new dreams to change the world.

Steve Jobs would love this guy.

San Jose’s legendary California Theater will host one of the smallest and largest premieres in its 85 year history – when Apple unveils the iPad Mini from the theater’s ornate stage.

The media-only event caps months of anticipation and rumors about the new device, the specifications, and launch date.  No one is speculating about the demand.

And although the theater has hosted many memorable encores – Tim Cook and his cast have a few special ones of their own saved for Tuesday.

The performance begins promptly at noon Central on Tuesday, October 23rd, and is strictly invitation-only.

No live-stream will be available, although Apple is expected to post its traditional web-stream of the event Tuesday afternoon.

Advance online orders are expected to begin shortly after the announcement, with a traditional Friday launch on November 2nd.

AT&T cannot be trusted.  

Now that iPhone users are being enticed by AT&T Mobility to jettison their grandfathered ‘unlimited’ data plans in favor of ‘money saving’ shared data pools – all users would be wise to cast a wary eye at their monthly call logs, data usage and other ‘carrier optional’ fees.

Perhaps you will discover as I have why ‘don’t trust – verify’  is the best approach.

After catching AT&T overbilling my data use last year, I began tracking my monthly use using two apps of proven reliability, and the cellular data meter on the phone itself, and comparing those closely matched numbers against AT&T’s bloated tally.

After three spreadsheet-filled months hammering AT&T to explain their inflated figures, they never offered an explanation or credit. Their only response was that since I was on an ‘unlimited’ data plan, why was I concerned in the first place.  <SIGH>

Several days ago I repeated my monthly ritual of resetting my data counting apps and iPhone at the stroke of midnight.

In the day that followed, my data usage inexplicably ballooned, despite being on WiFi for most of the day. No Netflix, no Pandora, no YouTube, no streaming HD movies – just email, web browser, and weather apps.  Within two days I’d blown through almost a third of  what would be AT&T’s lowest tier of data use on an iphone 4.  No iPhone 5, no LTE, No 4G, no streaming – nothing that could account for the spike in usage.

Again, I called AT&T Tech Support for an explanation – they had none.

Even more curious – the discrepancies in data use were always in AT&T’s favor.  Not once did they accidentally under bill me.

Wonder how accurate your AT&T bill is?  Here’s how I caught AT&T stealing from me:

• Reset your Call and Data counters every month on your billing date
• To reset the counters go to:  Settings / General / Usage / Cellular Usage
• Consider using ‘Data Usage’ or ‘Data Usage Pro’  to double-check your use
• Carefully track your AT&T account’s data use:  *DATA#  on your iPhone
• The number that AT&T shows is what you are billed for under your plan
• Compare your numbers and theirs – then ask the tough questions

You’ll note that AT&T’s bogus billing [top] shows almost 40MB more data use than either the iPhone itself, or two other corroborating apps tallied [below].

And please note that this is not a just an issue with AT&T. Each of iPhone’s major carriers have been accused, and often sued for billing discrepancies that the Plaintiffs often characterized as fraudulent.

Now that our phones become more powerful and data-hungry, and our lifestyles become more connected – it is easy for us to fall prey to billing practices that are at best sloppy and inaccurate – or more likely, bordering on endemic corporate fraud.

TRUST NO ONE is no longer just a cute t-shirt design.

At least for this AT&T user, it’s sadly become a monthly routine.

After a week of stinging critique and media rebuke – Apple CEO today issued a rare Open Letter to customers:

To our customers, 

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better. 

We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up. 

There are already more than 100 million iOS devices using the new Apple Maps, with more and more joining us every day. In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations. The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you. 

While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app. 

Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard. 

Tim Cook 
Apple’s CEO

The apology comes on the heels of revelations made by Daniel Eran Dilger and others that much of the recent furor has been hoaxed to fan the embers of discontent into a full-scale firestorm.  Google, David Pogue and a host of others have generated controversy and clicks over rendering issues, allegedly incomplete or incorrect data, and other perceived shortcomings.

However, unlike Google Maps – no deaths have yet been blamed on the Apple Maps product.

Ed.: Google has carefully expunged from their ‘comprehensive and complete’ online search database, all references to Kim’s death being blamed on Google Map inaccuracies. Our link was found on Bing!