Six revolutionary products, as told by Isaacson's "Steve Jobs" biography

At Apple’s companywide memorial event for Steve Jobs, new Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized Jobs’s direct involvement in six revolutionary products: the Mac, the iPod and iTunes, the iPhone, the iPad, Apple the company, and Pixar. Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography Steve Jobs touches on all these topics; here are closer looks at Jobs’s direct involvement with each, straight from Isaacson’s book. We’ll start with the company Jobs built.

Jobs grew up in a subdivision where all the homes were designed byJoseph Eichler. Isaacson quotes Jobs as he discusses his appreciation of Eichler’s ability to “bring great design and simple capability to something that doesn’t cost much… It was the original vision for Apple. That’s what we tried to do with the first Mac. That’s what we did with the iPod.” (The Pixar film The Incredibles includes an Eichler-style home.)

Apple quietly bumps MacBook Pro processors, graphics

Softly, softly—Apple on Monday quietly updated its MacBook Pro line, bringing ever-so-slight bumps to processor speeds, as well as larger hard drives and a new high-end graphics card. Prices remain unchanged across the line-up.

Ballmer feels lucky Microsoft didn't buy Yahoo in 2008

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer feels intensely fortunate that his company’s $44 billion bid for Yahoo back in 2008 never materialised.

Careful not to offend his search market partner, Ballmer put his comment in context, saying that any CEO would feel grateful for not making a major acquisition in the months prior to the global financial collapse that started in the second half of 2008.“Sometimes you’re lucky,” he said with a smile at Web 2.0 Summit, responding to a question from conference co-chair John Battelle.

Caution: iOS 5, iCloud and the iPhone 4S in the enterprise

Apple's iOS 5 and the new iPhone 4S, which went on sale Friday, are packed with new features, many of which should boost the productivity and on-the-road capabilities of professional users. But, as with many consumer-oriented mobile platforms making their way into the workplace, iOS 5 and Apple's new iCloud service present some serious challenges in business environments.

Out of the 200-plus new features in iOS 5, there are really just three that pose new security challenges: iCloud syncing and backup, location-based services like the new Find My Friends app, and the Siri virtual assistant in the iPhone 4S.Security issues involving iCloud and several other features will likely be the first things IT professionals weigh when it comes to iOS 5, which Apple rolled out last week. That's good, because even though Apple quietly provided some new enterprise features in iOS 5 that should make iPhones and iPads better corporate citizens, new concerns have emerged.

Western Digital extends suspension of operations in Thailand

Western Digital said its primary manufacturing facility in Thailand was flooded over the weekend, with its secondary site also at risk, raising the possibility of a global shortage of hard disk drives (HDD) in the current quarter.

All-time Mac, iPad sales help Apple turn in record quarter

Record sales of both Macs and iPads helped Apple set new marks for quarterly revenue and earnings for its fiscal fourth-quarter.

How to upgrade your iOS device to iOS 5

iOS 5 has hit the stage, and eager users everywhere are getting ready to upgrade their devices. If you’re concerned about the upgrade process, or simply want to know all your setup options before making the big switch, let us help you upgrade your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to iOS 5 with this step-by-step guide.

iOS 5 Review: Ambitious update rings in the changes

It seems like every time a major software revision comes along, it’s described as the “biggest ever.” In the case of iOS 5, though, that might not be hyperbole—there’s hardly a part of Apple’s mobile operating system that isn’t altered in some way by the latest update.

Don’t think that this is just change for change’s sake, however. By and large, iOS 5’s changes are for the better, spackling a number of shortcomings and gaps in functionality that have existed since day one.

Getting started with iCloud, Apple's new sync service

Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s suite of wireless sync and backup services.

What is iCloud?

Over the past few years, consumers have become obsessed with the notion of having their documents and data instantly available wherever they are, on whichever device they happen to be using at the time. In the past, Apple experimented with this by offering limited sync services; with iCloud, the company is charging head-first into the digital-sync sphere.

Draytek 2820 goes end of life 31st of December 2011

Since Draytek annouced the Vigor 2830, the vast majority of opportunities typically fulfilled by the Vigor 2820 have now transitioned to the Vigor 2830. This newer model has all features of the older series, as well as providing new features at the same pricing, making it an easy replacement choice. 

Apple: One million iPhone 4S preorders in 24 hours

Apple on Monday announced that customers placed more than one million preorders for the new iPhone 4S on the first day of availability, topping Apple’s previous record—600,000 iPhone 4 preorders on that device’s first day. Apple (and its three U.S. carriers for the iPhone) began accepting preorders last Friday.

Unlocked iPhone 4S coming in November

Early Friday morning, Apple revealed that if you’d like to purchase an unlocked iPhone 4S, you’ll be able to do so come November.

While U.S. carriers Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon began accepting iPhone 4S preorders Friday, some customers may prefer a phone that’s not locked to any specific carrier. Until Friday, Apple hadn’t announced whether an unlocked iPhone 4S phone would be available. (Apple first offering an unlocked version of the iPhone 4 in June 2011.)

Steve Jobs: Making a dent in the universe

Please check out this article. Jason Snell from MacWorld wrote it and it's one of the most moving articles I've read about Steve Jobs. He will be sorely missed. Goodbye Steve.

Nathan Nelson, Central IT.

Remembering Steve Jobs, the man who saved Apple

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died Wednesday after battling cancer and related conditions for seven years. He was 56. Jobs, who reigned as Apple CEO for 14 years, resigned his post in August 2011 and was replaced by Tim Cook, who previously was the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Jobs, in turn, was elected as chairman of Apple’s board of directors.

Both as the founder of the first successful personal-computer company and as the man who transformed a nearly-bankrupt Apple into one of the most successful companies on the planet, Jobs established himself as an American icon of business and technology.

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs dies at 56

Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder and its CEO through a period of record growth and innovation for the company, has died. He was 56.

Jobs’s death was confirmed by a statement from Apple’s board of directors.

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

Apple unveils iPhone 4S

Apple’s new iPhone 4S doesn't look all that different on the surface from the iPhone 4 it replaces. But the latest iPhone unveiled by Apple at a press event Tuesday promises an improved processor, new wireless system, and more powerful camera, along with voice control capabilities.

Apple updates iPod nano, touch models

During the company's press event Tuesday at its Cupertino headquarters, Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, announced updated versions of the iPod nano and iPod touch.

iCloud to make official debut on October 12

Following its preview at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference in June, iCloud has received an official debut date—October 12—at Tuesday’s Let’s Talk iPhone Apple event. It replaces the company’s oft-maligned $99 MobileMe service, offering a central online repository for your mail; contacts; calendars; music, TV, app and book purchases; photos; documents; and backup—all for free. In addition, Apple introduced a new app called Find My Friends, for connecting with friends and family.

iOS 5 to ship October 12

iOS 5, the next iteration of Apple’s operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, will be released on October 12. The company announced the ship date during a press eventTuesday at its Cupertino headquarters.

Apple first unveiled iOS 5 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2011, so attentive fans went into Tuesday’s event already knowing plenty about the update.

Google is most-sought employer again

For the third year in a row, more business and engineering students say they want to work at Google than any other company, according to Universum’s annual World’s Most Attractive Employers study.

Other tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, IBM and Intel, also were cited as sought-after employers, according to Universum, which specializes in what it calls employer branding.