Tee with exploded iPhone image
Available from iSteamPhone for USD20.
Apple releases iPhone and iPod touch 2.2.1 firmware
The latest firmware update for iPhone and iPod touch is available from iTunes.
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iPhone 2.2.1 Software Update
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This update contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:
- Improved general stability of Safari
- Fixed issue where some images saved from Mail do not display correctly in the Camera Roll
Products compatible with this software update:
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G
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As always, user with jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch should hold off installing until it’s confirmed that 2.2.1 can be jailbroken or unlocked.
Apple reports record revenue
Apple reported their quarterly earnings on Wednesday and amid current financial crisis, had a blowout quater, raking in record revenue of $10.17 billion. This is in stark contrast to other companies in silicon valley where job cuts and missing estimated revenue have been dominating the headlines.
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A highlight of the reported numbers:
- Revenue of $10.17 billion, beating estimate of $9.742 billion
- Profit of $1.61 billion, EPS of US$1.78
- 22.7 million iPods sold
- 4.4 million iPhones sold
- 2.5 million Macs shipped
Apple Reports First Quarter Results
Best Quarterly Revenue and Earnings in Apple History
iPod Sales Set New RecordCUPERTINO, California—January 21, 2009—Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 first quarter ended December 27, 2008. The Company posted record revenue of $10.17 billion and record net quarterly profit of $1.61 billion, or $1.78 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $9.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.58 billion, or $1.76 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 34.7 percent, equal to the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 46 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
In accordance with the subscription accounting treatment required by GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue and cost of goods sold for iPhone™ and Apple TV® over their economic lives. Adjusting GAAP sales and product costs to eliminate the impact of subscription accounting, the corresponding non-GAAP measures* for the quarter are $11.8 billion of “Adjusted Sales” and $2.3 billion of “Adjusted Net Income.”
Apple sold 2,524,000 Macintosh® computers during the quarter, representing nine percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold a record 22,727,000 iPods during the quarter, representing three percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhone units sold were 4,363,000, representing 88 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter.
“Even in these economically challenging times, we are incredibly pleased to report our best quarterly revenue and earnings in Apple history—surpassing $10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time ever,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
“Our outstanding results generated over $3.6 billion in cash during the quarter,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead to the second fiscal quarter of 2009, we expect revenue in the range of about $7.6 billion to $8 billion and we expect diluted earnings per share in the range of about $.90 to $1.00.”
epicenter Singapore Chinese New Year promotion for Apple products
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, epicenter is running a promotion on various Apple products and giving free bak kwa with every Mac or iPod purchase. Not normal bak kwa but Lim Chee Guan, one where you have to queue up for hours to get before CNY.
Singapore and Malaysia Apple Online store Promotion
As expected, there is a one day promotion on the Singapore and Malaysia Apple Online store today. Below is a list I compiled for your quick reference. Discount is seen across various Apple products with Macbook offering the largest discount of S$160 / RM371. Very attractive price if you ask me and what better time to get a new Macbook. Apple Accesories are also sold at a discount at this special promo. As this offer will only last one day, do hurry up and check it out before it’s too late.
Singapore Apple Online Store
| Original price | Discounted price | Savings | |
| MacBook 2.1Ghz (White) | SGD 1,588.00 | SGD 1,508.00 | SGD 80 |
| MacBook 2.0Ghz | SGD 2,088.00 | SGD 1,928.00 | SGD 160 |
| MacBook 2.4Ghz | SGD 2,588.00 | SGD 2,428.00 | SGD 160 |
| iMac 2.4Ghz (20-inch) | SGD 1,888.00 | SGD 1,808.00 | SGD 80 |
| iMac 2.66Ghz (20-inch) | SGD 2,388.00 | SGD 2,228.00 | SGD 160 |
| iMac 2.8Ghz (24-inch) | SGD 2,788.00 | SGD 2,629.00 | SGD 159 |
| iMac 3.06Ghz (24inch) | SGD 3,548.00 | SGD 3,389.00 | SGD 159 |
| Ipod Nano 8Gb | SGD 248.00 | SGD 228.00 | SGD 20 |
| Ipod Nano 16Gb | SGD 328.00 | SGD 308.00 | SGD 20 |
| Ipod Touch 8Gb | SGD 388.00 | SGD 358.00 | SGD 30 |
| Ipod Touch 16Gb | SGD 498.00 | SGD 468.00 | SGD 30 |
| Ipod Touch 32Gb | SGD 648.00 | SGD 618.00 | SGD 30 |
| Ipod Classic | SGD 398.00 | SGD 369.00 | SGD 29 |
| Apple TV 40Gb | SGD 497.00 | SGD 457.00 | SGD 40 |
| Apple TV 160Gb | GD 660.00 | SGD 620.00 | SGD 40 |
Malaysia Apple Online Store
| Original price | Discounted price | Savings | |
| MacBook 2.1Ghz (White) | RM 3,699.00 | RM 3,518.00 | RM 181.00 |
| MacBook 2.0Ghz | RM 4,799.00 | RM 4,428.00 | RM 371.00 |
| MacBook 2.4Ghz | RM 5,899.00 | RM 5,528.00 | RM 371.00 |
| iMac 2.4Ghz (20-inch) | RM 4,199.00 | RM 4,028.00 | RM 171.00 |
| iMac 2.66Ghz (20-inch) | RM 5,199.00 | RM 4,858.00 | RM 341.00 |
| iMac 2.8Ghz (24-inch) | RM 6,299.00 | RM 5,958.00 | RM 341.00 |
| iMac 3.06Ghz (24inch) | RM 7,999.00 | RM 7,638.00 | RM 361.00 |
| Ipod Nano 8Gb | RM 599.00 | RM 558.00 | RM 41.00 |
| Ipod Nano 16Gb | RM 799.00 | RM 758.00 | RM 41.00 |
| Ipod Touch 8Gb | RM 949.00 | RM 868.00 | RM 81.00 |
| Ipod Touch 16Gb | RM 1,229.00 | RM 1,148.00 | RM 81.00 |
| Ipod Touch 32Gb | RM 1,629.00 | RM 1,548.00 | RM 81.00 |
| Ipod Classic | RM 999.00 | RM 918.00 | RM 81.00 |
| Apple TV 40Gb | RM 1,449.00 | RM 1,318.00 | RM 131.00 |
| Apple TV 160Gb | RM 1,949.00 | RM 1,828.00 | RM 121.00 |
Google Quick search for Mac
Today Google launch Google Quick search for Mac, a Spotlight/Quicksilver-like search and launch application. After installation, it can easily be launched by tapping command key twice on the keyboard and you can start typing what you want to search on the search bar. Not only does it search for files on your Mac, it will also allow you to assign an action to the searched item like play it using iTunes if it’s a song or open using Address book if it’s a name in your Address book. If nothing matches you can launch Google search from there too, making it a quick way to search for stuff on the net or just to launch a website.
Google Quick search for Mac is free and you can get it here. Do check out the Getting started page too.
The Straits Times launched iPhone App
The Straits Times newspaper from Singapore has launched an iPhone App on Monday for iPhone users to stay up to date with the latest news from Straits Times. This is the second newspaper App from Singapore with Today newspaper also having an iPhone App called iToday.
News loads pretty fast on the App and it will be cached for offline reading. It is a free download so check it out from the App store if you like to read news on the go.
Palm Pre, the iPhone killer?
Since the inception of the iPhone, many smartphones have been dubbed “the iPhone killer” but failed to live up to the name, falling short of the functionality and slick user interface of the iPhone. Palm launched their new smartphone Palm Pre at CES last Friday, and it seems like we have a strong contender here to finally live up to the name of “the iPhone killer”. Before the event, there were rumours that the new Palm OS would look amazing, but I was very skeptical given how badly Palm has been doing for the past few years with the Treo product line. However, I was in awe when I finally saw a hands-on video of the Palm Pre in action.
The new WebOS is well thought out, user-friendly and intuitive. It can be seen that a lot of the features came right from Apple’s book like pinch, flick, scroll, accelerometer to turn display etc etc. On top of that, Palm has introduced a new “cards” metaphor in doing multitasking on mobile phone, something that cannot be achieved on the iPhone. A wireless charging device called touchstone was also unveiled on the show.
I’m really impressed with what Palm has done with the Pre and the new WebOS. The multitasking feature looks very cool and will make iPhone users drool. Palm, having being written off so many times in the past, is back into the game for sure.
Update: Gizmodo did a feature comparison post for iPhone, Palm Pre and HTC G1.
Machines, Apple store Malaysia promotion on MacBook and iMac
There is a new year promotion going on from Machines, a Apple reseller from Malaysia. Purchase an iMac or MacBook together with Apple care and you will be entitled for a free 4GB Apple certified RAM upgrade. This looks like a cool deal if you are thinking of getting a new MacBook or iMac together with Apple Care, which extends your warranty to 3 years( 2 years extra). Machines now has a retail shop in Johor Bahru City Square too.
