Sigh… the rumor mill apparently knows no boundaries, and therefore it keeps churning up every Apple product imaginable for an update at next week’s WWDC 2012. iPod shuffle? Check. Retina Display MacBook Pro? Check. New iMac, MacBook Air or Mac Pro? Check, check, check. At this point it’s easier to name the Apple products that won’t get refreshed next week -- or you can simply cozy up to our daily recap for this fine Wednesday, June 6, 2012.
As we reported last week, Google held an event today to discuss the “next dimension” for Google Maps. The search giant is planning to go beyond its cars, trikes, snowmobiles and trolleys by introducing the Street View Trekker (shown above on the ski slopes). “There’s a whole wilderness out there that is only accessible by foot,” the company explains on its blog. “Trekker solves that problem by enabling us to photograph beautiful places such as the Grand Canyon so anyone can explore them. All the equipment fits in this one backpack, and we’ve already taken it out on the slopes.” Google Maps will also become even more accurate, with an offline mode coming to the company’s Android version in the next few weeks. So what is the “next dimension,” then? Google plans to build on the 3D technology introduced in 2006 by adding the functionality to Google Earth for entire metropolitan areas, which will include forthcoming app updates to both iOS and Android. Your move, Apple...
To the surprise of almost no one, Foss Patents is reporting that Apple has filed a preliminary injunction against Samsung "to supplement the record regarding Samsung's Galaxy S III product.” Given the brand-new handset arrives touting what appears to be a clone of the iPhone 4S’ Siri virtual assistant known as “S Voice,” it would seem that Apple is moving quickly to include the latest Galaxy S device in its legal net prior to hitting stores on June 21. For their part, Samsung is arguing that Apple is too late to supplement their previous motion, which targeted the company’s Galaxy Nexus. "If Apple wishes to seek an injunction against the Galaxy S III, the Court should require Apple to file a new motion and allow the parties to develop a full factual record on all four factors,” Samsung stated. “Accordingly, the Court should reject Apple’s motion to amend its current notice of motion for a preliminary injunction."
return7 has announced an update to their popular BillMinder app (available for both iPhone/iPod touch and iPad) which allows users to customize the Upcoming Screen to fit your busy life. Now users can show the bills that are most important from a number of flexible options, and BillMinder also maintains balance tracking with the companion DebtMinder app.
Meanwhile, Apple pushed out a minor Apple TV Software Update 5.0.2 on Tuesday night. As it turns out, the update’s sole change was to the second and third generation media streamer’s Parental Controls, specifically addressing “an issue which caused content restrictions to be incorrectly applied for the iTunes Store in Australia.”
Last but not least, the developers of Sparrow issued a mysterious tweet today that links to a web page claiming “something bigger” is on the way. Between the background image and the fact that the link uses the word “iPad,” it’s not hard to surmise that an iPad version of the third-party email client is finally on the way. If you want to “be among the first to know,” just enter your email address at the URL and let the waiting begin.
Thunderbolt is still waiting to live up to its full potential, but for companies like Drobo, it’s an opportunity they’re ready to explore. CEO Tom Buiocchi announced on the company’s blog that Thunderbolt support for Drobo’s network-attached storage devices “may be closer than you think.” The executive claims to have received no fewer than 234,867 emails and tweets on this subject, but promises Drobo fans that their “anticipation will soon be over.”
The red-headed stepchild of Apple’s Mac lineup -- that being the Mac Pro, of course -- may finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. According to 9to5Mac, “reliable sources are reporting that Apple will, in fact, unveil a new Mac Pro at WWDC next week.” While it’s important to note that we’ve been hearing these kind of reports for almost two years now (and the rumor mill seems to be churning up just about everything Apple makes for WWDC fodder this week), the website is listing specific part numbers for three different Mac Pro models. The report also follows close on the heels of MacRumors noting that Mac Pros are being pulled from retail stores, with new stock anticipated on June 12 -- a mere day after the WWDC 2012 keynote on Monday. Make of it what you will, but we’ll all know for sure soon enough...
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