Apple moved forward with the availability of newly announced products this week. LTE-equipped iPads and iPad minis began shipping this week to those that pre-ordered first. Both show as shipping in two weeks on the Apple Store site and there are reports of these going on sale in retail stores this week. iPhone 5 supplies seem to be improving with some customers able to get a hold of one within days of ordering. However, the new iMacs are still listed as shipping in November (21.5-inch) and December (27-inch). There is at least one rumor that these may be delayed until after the new year, but Apple still officially lists November and December.
Apple and phone maker HTC have agreed to a 10-year licensing deal, settling patent disputes between the two companies. While details are unknown, it seems that the companies will pay each other for using technology patents in their products and agree not to sue each other. A similar, but more heated, patent war is going on right now between Apple and Samsung. Apple will most likely use the HTC agreement to show that it is possible for companies to settle differences and work together.
A teacher in Los Angeles is looking to add two iPad minis to her classroom. “I envision having my students use the pads during our nonfiction reading and writing units. iTunes has hundreds of nonfiction texts the students can explore. They can also use them to research their nonfiction report topics. On the iPad students will have access to IMovie and Keynote so that instead of simply typing their report they can create movies and presentations and truly be 21st century kids!”
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“Goldilocks said: This iPad is too big. And this iPod touch is too small. But this iPad mini is just right.”
A classroom at Ryerson Elementary School in Chicago needs a MacBook Air. “Students will learn to edit, draw, share solutions with apps on mathematical problems. Students will surf the web and showcase pictures, links and apps to receive further information in math, science, reading and writing.”
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The new iPad and iPad mini went on sale last Friday and easily outsold the 3rd generation iPad on its opening weekend. Apple reported 3 million combined sales, despite only wi-fi versions of the two iPads being available. Apple Stores were sold out of the Most, if not all, Apple Stores sold out of the iPad mini. Only higher-end 64GB models remained in some stores.
Apple is unlikely to make any new product announcements from now until the end of the year. It has updated almost its entire product line in the last few months and is most likely set for the holiday shopping season. New iMacs were announced last month, but are not expected to ship until later this month and in December for the 27-inch models. Current shipping times for the iPhone 5 remain at 3-4 weeks. But MacBook Pros with retina displays are shown as being In Stock.
The iPad mini and the new 4th Generation iPad are due to hit Apple Stores tomorrow, while shipments are on their way to homes. Apple sold out of iPad mini models about three days after online preorders went live.
Two Apple senior vice presidents will we leaving the company shortly. Scott Forstall, in charge of iOS came to Apple with Steve Jobs in 1997 and was even occasionally mentioned in the press as a possible CEO candidate. The are rumors that his refusal to sign an apology for the shortcomings of the new Maps app may have played a part in this change. He will remain a special advisor to Apple until next year. John Browett took over retail at Apple just last year and not much has been reported about his departure.
Last week Apple reported record profits for the 4th quarter with nearly 27 million iPhones sold, 14 million iPads and 5 million Macs. It was also reported that sales of the Apple TV topped 5 million units in the last year.
I don’t get it. I’ve got “cloud” right in my name: “Clouded Leopard.” Why didn’t they pick me?
A classroom of 20 students need two iPads to help them explore the many apps created for reading, math, phonics and many other content areas. Many of my students do not have access to technology outside of school, so by giving the students the opportunity to explore technology through iPads every day in school they will be practicing the skills that they need to be successful second graders in the 21st Century.
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