mac-talks.com

There isn’t much here that you didn’t see yesterday but it is satisfying to see the MTA’s pride in the accomplishment, which may also be in response to concerns that Apple got a ‘sweetheart deal‘.

Update: Apple posted some choice shots to their gallery as well (below)

Related articles

• MTA says “bring it on” to state investigation over Apple Grand Central lease (9to5mac.com)
• State probing Apple’s ‘sweetheart’ Grand Central lease to ensure “MTA hasn’t given away the store” (9to5mac.com)
• Apple inks 10-year deal on ‘World’s biggest’ Grand Central Apple Store (9to5mac.com)
• Renderings of Apple’s Grand Central Store look amazing! New details including Holiday launch and Shake Shack (9to5mac.com)

From 9to5Toys.com:

RadioShack is offering a $30 discount on all of their AT&T high end smartphones which obviously includes the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, starting Sunday and running until December 17th. The sale will bring the iPhone 4S 16GB down to $170 0n contract and the iPhone 4 16GB to $70 on contract. Also, if you use Radioshack’s trade-in program you can get the phones for free and even have some extra credit left over. Head over to your local store to take advantage of this sale.

Update: Word on the street is that Target is going to give $25 back on an iPhone purchase. (Thanks commenter)

Logitech first started producing solar wireless keyboards for PCs earlier this year but didn’t make a Mac version until a few months ago.  The PC version got incredibly solid reviews at Amazon so I thought this would be a good pick up for my Mac workstation when it was released.  As a veteran of Apple’s original Wireless Keyboard, I was sick of dealing with battery and connectivity issues plus I wanted the full layout with numeric keypad, extra function keys extra and full arrows.  I’ve been using it almost exclusively for the past three months.

First, I’ll say that the solar panels make the footprint about 25% bigger than a standard full Apple keyboard.  That can be a hassle if you are cramped for space at your desk.  On the other hand, the keyboard feels a bit more solid, perhaps because of the increased size and weight. Keystrokes are very similar feel to Apple’s standard keyboards and spacing and layout are all but identical.  Logitech adds a power switch and battery tester at the top right.

I got the piano black version because it matches my monitor and my Logitech Mouse (which also works with this USB dongle) but there are 5 colors to choose from.  I imagine the standard “silver” will be the most popular.

As far as the solar is concerned, I never had a single problem with charging or connection.  I have a florescent lit basement office and a workspace with natural light from a shaded back yard and both kept the keyboard charged at all times.  The keyboard usually sits in front of a large 30″ monitor, so that probably helps. But from reviews I’ve read, almost no one has a problem keeping this charged with normal office lighting so I don’t think this is a concern.

There are some tradeoffs for having solar, however…

1. One nitpick is that there is no caps lock light (do we even need a caps lock anymore? – I’d prefer a search button like a Chromebook). Saves power I guess. Since there is no way to tell it is depressed, I just turned it off in Prefs/Keyboard/Modifier keys. Others use this to modify function keys.
2. Also, it doesn’t use my Mac’s built in Bluetooth.  It requires a microscopic proprietary USB dongle with its own wireless band taking up a valuable USB port.  That’s both a blessing and a curse.  On one hand, it allows me to keep my Bluetooth off (or in the case of my Hackintosh, I didn’t have to buy a Bluetooth card) and doesn’t require the few seconds to connect that Bluetooth often does.  I’m hoping as more Macs have power efficient/quicker Bluetooth 4.0, Logitech moves over there (also it would be nice to use on iOS devices). But, the dongle works 100% of the time. As I mentioned above, I’d have some connectivity issues with Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard taking a few seconds to kick in, falling off or giving me repeated “r” keys.
3. The “incline feet” on the back feel a bit flimsy.  While they didn’t give way in three months of heavy use, I feel like they could have at some point if the keyboard was dropped or something heavy was dropped on it.  I’d have preferred a built in incline on the keyboard as Apple does but this methods allows two different angles for those who care.
4. Speaking of not caring, I don’t use a wrist rest and thankfully, this keyboard doesn’t have one.

That being said, I am overall extremely happy with the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac.  I no longer have to worry about batteries or Bluetooth connectivity hiccups and I have a full wireless keyboard with numeric keys and full sized arrows and extra functions.  The tradeoffs are few with the major one being a microscopic USB dongle that travels around in my MacBook Air at times.

In fact, with low power/fast connect Bluetooth 4.0 coming on most present and likely all future Macs, I’d be surprised if Apple didn’t have their own solar keyboard in the works.  For now, Logitech’s is your best bet.  Pick one up at Logitech or Amazon for $59. The PC version is $40 here.

Related articles

• Logitech brings K750 solar keyboard over to the Mac side, speaker to iPad (9to5mac.com)
• Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard for $40 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech K250 Wireless Keyboard for $12 + $6 s&h (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech K800 Wireless Illuminated Keyboard for $60 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech Bluetooth Wireless Boombox for iPad for $100 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech K250 Wireless Keyboard for $12 + $6 s&h, 2 for $24 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard for $55 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Refurbished Logitech Revue Google TV Receiver for $80 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
• Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for Apple iPad for $60 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)

Seems to be Beatles day at Apple.  Earlier, we noted the iBookstore offering an enhanced iBook version of The Beatles Yellow Submarine (also worth noting: in the credits at the top it says ‘For Steve’).

A few minutes ago, the above ad appeared in Apple’s YouTube feed.

Go get some Beatles!

Related articles

• The Beatles iPad app launching Thursday, digital replicas of Rolling Stone and US Weekly magazines in the works (9to5mac.com)
• Steve Jobs gets a musical tribute featuring a Beatles song cover (9to5mac.com)
• Apple CEO Tim Cook promotes iTunes/iCloud chief Eddy Cue to senior VP of Internet Software and Services (9to5mac.com)
• iBooks updated with nighttime reading theme, full-screen option, and more (9to5mac.com)
• Refurbished Apple iBook G4 1.33GHz 12″ Laptop for $200 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)

The Grand Central Terminal store opening had Steve Cano and Bob Bridger in attendance

Until November 1, 2011, Apple’s widely successful retail branch was headed by Ron Johnson, J.C. Penney’s new CEO. Since announcing his leave in June of this year, discussion has run ramptant in regards to the successor of Apple’s vital retail division’s leader. Under Ron Johnson sat three central executives responsible for the upkeep and success of Apple’s retail business: Jerry McDougal, Vice President of Merchandising; Bob Bridger, Vice President of VP of Real Estate; and Steve Cano, Senior Director of  International Retail Operations.

In early November, a report claimed that Steve Cano was tapped as the successor of Ron Johnson, but Apple quickly shot down this report and provided comment to 9to5Mac on the situation:

The search for a replacement for Ron Johnson continues, and Apple has nothing to announce about this subject at this time.

With Apple yet to announce a successor for Ron Johnson, the above comment still stands true. Apple has been actively searching for a new retail chief and according to a report from August, Apple has been working with world-renowned executive search firm Egon Zehnder International to find their new retail chief. At this point, it also appears that Jerry McDougall and Bob Bridger won’t be running Apple retail as neither of them are running the retail show right now.

So, who is running Apple retail? 

Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer.

Oppenheimer, a financial guru, has been put in charge of Apple’s retail operations according to sources familiar with the search for Ron Johnson’s successor. Oppenheimer is obviously an interim leader with a lack of retail experience, but his executive leadership experience is enough to give orders to his new troops: McDougal, Bridger, and Cano – who have immense retail experience. Oppenheimer won’t stay retail chief forever, and is simply holding the spot until the new Senior Vice President of Retail is selected. Oppenheimer’s title at Apple has not changed from Senior Vice President and CFO, he has just gained the new responsibility of the Apple retail division for the time being.

Peter Oppenheimer reports to newly appointed Apple CEO Tim Cook, and is also in charge of controller, treasury, investor relations, tax, information systems, internal audit and facilities functions. We had a chance to talk to Bob Bridger and Steve Cano at the Grand Central Terminal Apple Store launch this morning: Bridger declined to comment about the boss situation, and Cano said “thanks for coming” and walked away.

Games for the Weekend is a weekly feature aimed at helping you avoid doing something constructive with your downtime. Each Friday we’ll be recommending a game for Mac, iPhone or iPad that we think is awesome enough to keep you busy until Monday, at least.

A platforming game presents the player with a series of actual platforms the central character must jump to and from to complete a level. With Chillingo’s iOS title Storm in a Teacup, we get classic side scrolling platform mechanics, with graphics and charm that are anything but traditional.  For just $1.99 on the Mac App Store, and$2.99 on both the iPhone and iPad, this game offers a lot for very little.

What sets this game apart from other platform games is the meticulous detail on the graphical design of the levels.  The style could best be described as a well-crafted scrapbooking project come to life.  The main character, Storm, navigates a flying teacup through various obstacles, ultimately collecting hidden stickers that are revealed once all of the sugar cubes have been collected.  As you collect these stickers, you can customize the design of Storm’s world by unlocking new outfits, hairstyles and even changes to the teacup itself.

The game is simple, yet slightly challenging to master.  You move either forward or back and can give the teacup either a gentle or hard nudge into the air.  The physics behind the gliding aspect of the teacup are reliable and consistent.  You are however limited in how much ‘umph’ you have available at any give time to propel the teacup backwards or forwards.

You’ll find you’re about halfway through the forty levels by the time you’ve mastered flying in a teacup, at which point the difficulty gets a little more challenging where obstacles are concerned.  The real challenge isn’t simply completing every level, but completing every level perfectly and collecting all the hidden stickers. Unique achievements like completing a level without jumping, which are awarded through Crystal and Game Center integration, add replay value to this cute, fun game.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad’s rule continues
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Flash analysis: Steve Jobs

---

We’ve had a ton of coverage on what has become today Apple’s new flagship retail outlet. At 10am this morning, the 23,000 square foot Grand Central Terminal store finally opened doors for business and big crowds filled the concourse of the Terminal ahead of grand opening. Apple is handing out 4,000 black T-shirts with “Apple Store, Grand Central” graphic resembling a train arrival board, similar to that used as a blockade prior to the opening.

Our Seth Weintraub went to film the store and you can see him in the clip above getting out of the VIP elevator at the top, wearing a press pass (more clips after the break). Also, make sure to check out the below gallery, providing a glimpse of just how massive and breathtaking this new store is. Mind you, just the perfect scene for one of Samsung’s adverts bashing line waiters.

Click to view slideshow.

See the first image in the slideshow? Yeah, that’s actor Michael J. Fox. Cool or what? We also have a Whoopi Goldberg showing and another featuring Gary Allen (a guy with the beard) who runs ifoapplestore.com, a site dedicated to Apple’s retail strides. As you recall, a couples days ago 9to5Mac got some shots from inside the store and Apple confirmed the store would indeed be open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm Saturdays, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays. The store has 315 employees, two genius bars, the new 15-minute Express Workshop and also offers Personal Pickup, among other features.

Reports surfaced earlier this month that a possible state investigation would look into the lease agreement between Apple and the Metro Transportation Authority. The MTA quickly responded with all of the intricacies of the agreement, which they referred to as the “best possible deal” and note quadruples their rent and greatly increases foot traffic to other retailers.

Are you a rag-swaddled, impoverished soul, prowling the cold, ice-swept streets in an O. Henry-esque search for the perfect Christmas gift that can be had for your loved one for less than $420? The Spirit of Christmas is here with the deal for you: Apple has just dropped the price of all their refurbished iPad 2s, and they now start at just $419.

The $80 discount is actually a pretty good one, considering that when the iPad 2 first debuted, Apple only offered $50 off on each model. Now, the 16GB models are discounted by $80 in both WiFi and 3G flavors, and the 32GB and 64GB versions are discounted $100.

The only exception? Sadly, Apple is out-of-stock of the 64GB iPad 2 WiFi+3G model.

Should you buy a refurbished iPad 2 over a new one for Christmas? Absolutely. In my opinion, refurbished models are better than new: not only are they the best deals going on current Apple hardware, but since they’ve been repaired, refurbished and had their batteries replaced at the factories, they’re actually less likely to be broken on arrival than a new Apple product, not more.

And hey, if you don’t mind an even older model of iPad, the deals get even crazier: a refurbished 32GB iPad 3G costs only $399, which is $230 off the price it originally retailed at.

You can find deals on refurbished iPads here.

Similar Posts:

• Discounted First-Gen iPad Stock Now Running Out
• Refurbished iPad 2s Are Here, Get Them While You Can
• Daily Deals: $499 iPad, $599 MacBook, $799 MacBook Pro
• Microphone Quality on iPad 2 Slightly Better In WiFi-Only Model
• Daily Deals: $899 MacBook Pro, $489 iPad 2, Office for Mac 2011

An incredible new Apple store inside New York City’s landmark Grand Central Terminal – one of Apple’s largest stores in the world - is set to open this morning at 10am and already hundreds have queued up. The Fortune’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt snapped up the above shot showing staffers on the balconies above Grand Central Terminal and hundreds of fans stretching all the way down one track and part-way back.

The company will treat avid fans to cool perks, such as 4,000 black shirts with “Apple Store, Grand Central” spelled out in lettering, resembling a train arrival board. The Mac maker also posted the below press shot on its PR site. A dedicated page for the 23,000-square-foot store on Apple’s web site reveals the store work hours Monday through Friday from 7am to 9pm, 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and on Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Here’s a glimpse of the excitement.

The store’s extended holiday hours plus another video are right after the break. Our own Seth Weintraub is on hand so stay tuned for more updates, coming soon.

Here’s a two-minute clip taken in the Grand Central Terminal’s Eastern Passageway.

Related articles

• Apple’s Grand Central Terminal Apple Store will open at 7 AM Monday-Friday to accommodate commuters (9to5mac.com)
• Grand Central Apple Store opening doors for business next Friday, December 9 (9to5mac.com)
• MTA says “bring it on” to state investigation over Apple Grand Central lease (9to5mac.com)
• Apple announces Friday grand opening for Grand Central store as interior shots hit the web (9to5mac.com)
• Spyshots of the new Grand Central Terminal Apple flagship store (9to5mac.com)
• Grand Central Apple Store employees told today that the store would have to wait another week (9to5mac.com)

Today is a bad day for Apple’s legal sharks. First Motorola Mobility scores a ruling in Germany which has paved the way for a Europe-wide injunction on sales of Apple’s iOS devices and now High Court in Australia denies Apple’s request to appeal against an earlier decision which overturned the ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales in Australia.

Put simply, the country’s highest-level legal instance has ruled that no, Samsung’s tablet does not “slavishly copy” Apple’s iPad, as the Mac maker argues in court documents. The Federal Court honored Apple’s recent request that its injunction against the Samsung tablet remain in effect until today at 4pm in order to allow Apple time to prepare an appeal.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tyler McGee, vice-president of telecommunications for Samsung Australia, said customers in Australia will be able to pick up the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet “towards the latter part of next week”. Also…

He said that pre-sales are available today through “certain channels”, adding price points for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia will match Apple’s iPad: $579 for the 16GB WiFi-only version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and $729 for the WiFi+3G model. Apple is also pushing for an injunction on the Galaxy Tab 10.1N in Germany. The 10.1N is a re-engineered version of the original Galaxy Tab 10.1 with an added metal frame around the edges. It’s Samsung’s answer to a Dusseldorf court ruling requiring Samsung to comply with a sales ban. A hearing in that case is scheduled for December 22.

Cross-posted on 9to5Google.com

Related articles

• Judge blocks Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales in Australia at Apple’s request (9to5mac.com)
• Samsung gets relief in Australia as Federal Court lifts Galaxy Tab sales ban (9to5google.com)
• Developing: Apple stops Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 distribution in European Union (9to5mac.com)
• Apple rejects Samsung’s offer to remove some Galaxy Tab 10.1 features in Australia (9to5google.com)