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Apple Introduces New MacBook Pros

Apple introduced the new MacBook Pro line today with Intel “Sandy Bridge” processors and Light Peak technology renamed “Thunderbolt”, integrated over mini DisplayPort on the 13”, 15” and 17” models. In this year’s update to the line, Apple included quad-core CPUs in the 15” and 17” MacBook Pros, and new AMD Radeon GPUs.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 320GB hard drive starting at $1,199; and one with a 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,499.

The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in two models: one with a 2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6490M and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 and one with a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive and is priced at $2,499.

Press release here. Specs below, full specs here.

MacBook Pro 13” -  1280x800 screen resolution. 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, Dual core. 320 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM. Intel HD 3000.

MacBook Pro 13” -  1280x800 screen resolution. 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, Dual core. 500 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM. Intel HD 3000.

MacBook Pro 15” - 1440x900 screen resolution.  2.0 GHz Intel Core i7, Quad core. 500 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM. AMD Radeon HD 6490M 256 MB.

MacBook Pro 15” - 1440x900 screen resolution.  2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, Quad core. 750 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM. AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1 GB.

MacBook Pro 17” - 1920x1200 screen resolution. 2.2 Ghz Intel Core i7, Quad core. 750 GB 5400 rpm hard drive. 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM. AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1 GB.

Update: configuration options available for the new MacBook Pros. A few notes: no 7200 rpm drive for MBP 13”, no high-res display option for MBP 13”, SSD up to 512 GB available.

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FaceTime for Mac Now Available in the Mac App Store, 720p Video Calling

Ahead of the new MacBook Pros, Apple launched the final version of FaceTime for Mac in the Mac App Store today. It’s priced at $0.99. The new version of FaceTime for Mac will allow 720p video calling Mac-to-Mac with supported Intel models that have a FaceTime HD camera – the new MacBook Pros. New MacBook Pro owners will get the app pre-installed, other users will have to buy it from the Mac App Store.

Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and a 128-Kbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Making HD video calls requires a built-in FaceTime HD camera and a 1-Mbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Receiving HD video calls requires a supported Intel-based Mac (for a complete list, visit http://support.apple.com/bk/HT4534).

Full description below. Read more

New MacBook Pro 15” Specs Leaked? AMD Radeon, Thunderbolt, No SSD

The Apple Store is down, the new MacBook Pros are only a few hours away at this point, yet Mac4Ever is posting a photo of the specs of the new MacBook Pro 15-inch (although it’s not specified whether it’s a low-end or high-end model).

First off, no SSD. There’s a 500 GB 5400 rpm hard drive in there. The photo also shows the following details:

  • Intel Core i7, quad-core, 2Ghz

  • 4 GB SDRAM DD3

  • Thunderbolt port as seen on the leaked MacBook Pro 13” photos

  • AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphic processor

  • FaceTime HD camera

  • SuperDrive 8x

  • SDXC, two USB ports, ForeWire 800

  • 1440 x 900 screen resolution

Mac4Ever posted a series of leaked shots yesterday, later confirmed by multiple sources, so we’re very confident this photo is real. We’ll find out in a few hours anyway. Read more

Bodega Update Adds Background Updating

Bodega, the alternative Mac App ‘store’, has been updated to version 1.4 and has a new feature that allows Bodega to update apps in the background. The app has also received extensive feature and performance improvements.

The background updater works as a background daemon that will check once a week for any applications that can be updated. It utilizes the Sparkle update framework, so whilst it may not work for every app, it should work for most. Bodega does not have to be running for the daemon to check and users have the option of ignoring pending updates if they wish.

[Via MacNN]

New MacBooks Could Follow Intel Thunderbolt Announcement, And Yerba Buena Doesn’t Match Up

MacRumors suspects that tomorrow’s new MacBook Pros would be officially launched after Intel’s event starting at 9.00 Am Pacific Time. Apple would likely introduce their products as the first to feature Thunderbolt, which isn’t an Apple technology: Thunderbolt is an Intel trademark that can be used across any platform. So what’s the deal with Apple’s mini DisplayPort standard? On Twitter, Arnold Kim writes,

So interesting theory on why mini Display port for LightPeak/Thunderbolt, and not USB…

…basically, USB committee didn’t seem pleased that Intel was going to their port.  But guess who designed mini DisplayPort?  Yep, Apple.

To differentiate Thunderbolt from USB products, it will feature a new standard connection type which conveniently fits the bill for Apple to step with their port. The mini DisplayPort is freely licensed by Apple, and would explain this afternoon’s speculative images.

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V-MODA Vibrato Noise-Isolating Headphones

It’s tough being a music affectionado isn’t it? There’s so many headphones on the market right now, but I bet you a solid dime you wouldn’t be disappointed with V-MODA’s Vibrato noise-isolating headphones. Let’s face it: you’re probably looking at a pair of Apple’s In-Ear headphones. Apple certainly makes a nice pair of plugs, but who goes so far as to wrap your headphones cables in Kevlar, or create a truly eccentric earbud made out of Zinc Alloy? Four pairs of earbuds, sport hooks, and leather carrying case are included with your purchase for the perfect balance preferred comfort and style, and it doesn’t stop there. On top of a two-year warranty, V-MODA offers a sweet *Replay Replacement Program. If you finally wear out your headset from those endurance sprints of heavy metal thrashing, you can replace your next pair for 50% off the purchase price. You’re not just buying a pair of great headphones: you’re also getting V-MODA’s complimentary customer service which exists to save you a few buckaroos. If you’re ready to step up from the standard white, visit the Apple Store and check out the Vibratos for the new black. They’re $129.95, built to last, and they just plain look badass. (Did I mention you could take calls on these things too?)

*As one of our readers points out, the Replay Replacement Program is for US customers only. “As of today, this incredible program is only available to US customers.”

New Design for MacBook Pros in 2012? Next Week’s iPad 2 Actually an iPad 1.5?

Following today’s leaks of the upcoming MacBook Pros and the official iPad 2 event announcement by Apple, iLounge has posted more information on the next-generation MBPs and iPads we’re going to see tomorrow and next week. According to iLounge’s sources, this year’s MacBook Pro refresh is turning out to be an incremental upgrade / speed bump, but a major redesign for the line is planned for 2012, and it’s already in development at Apple’s manufacturers in Taiwan.

Next year is the year when Apple will introduce an all new design for the MacBook Pro product family, which is already under development at Quanta in Taiwan. It’s being described as a big, “milestone” release for the Pro family, as compared with the speed bump features that will be introduced in tomorrow’s models.

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Ignition: iTunes, MobileMe Services To Launch In NC Data Center This Spring

Folks, we have blast off! During yesterday’s annual shareholders meeting, Apple revealed that iTunes and MobileMe services are ready for takeoff in Apple’s North Carolina data center. It’s been suspected that Apple would be utilizing their half million square foot facility to support a growing number of users on MobileMe, for iTunes cloud services, or both. Apple has all but confirmed their data center could very well be the backbone for Apple’s most notable digital programs. AppleInsider reports:

Talk of Apple’s potential future cloud services has picked up steam again recently, with a new rumor that the company plans to enhance its MobileMe service with a digital online “locker” that would store users’ personal files, such as music, photos and videos. It was also said that Apple has considered making MobileMe, which currently costs $99 per year, a free service.

We don’t know enough yet about future additions to OS X such as an encrypted locker or music streaming services to further speculate on what Apple’s data center could be used for in the long haul, but it’s purported that Apple will build a second facility at the same location, in parallel with the first data center.

Now for a fun thought: If Apple’s Headquarters at Cupertino is lovingly referred to as, “The Mothership,” can we call this NC data center, “The Brain?” Or should we shoot for some Lost references?

[via AppleInsider]

Does Amazon Really Care About In-App Purchases?

Amazon has yet to publically comment about the recent heated discussions regarding Apple’s App Store and In-App Purchase discussion wars. Chuck Toporek of Addison Wesley/Pearson has posted on his personal blog explaining why this may be so.

Amazon’s Kindle for the Web (beta) has been around since September 2010, giving users an alternative to a Apple’s iOS app. Toporek writes that his Kindle for Web tests worked great for the Mac desktop and the iPad, while the iPhone “takes a little extra work, but it can be done.” Because it’s still in beta, full book texts are not yet available but if Amazon were to leave the App Store, it has a solution already set up. Read more