Slim iMacs Now Available With A Built-In VESA Mount Adapter

Apple has started offering its new slim 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac with a built-in VESA Mount Adapter as a $40 "upgrade" option for customers who would prefer to mount their iMac on a compatible VESA wall or desk mount (sold separately of course) which can including various articulating arms that open up a more convenient viewing experience such as height and depth adjustments without taking up valuable desk space. Unfortunately, if you'd like to revert back you won't be able to as Apple does not include the original pedestal stand with a VESA Mount Adapter equipped iMac. Unlike previous iMacs and external Apple displays, you cannot purchase a standard slim iMac and fit a VESA Mount Adapter by yourself.

While you're paying a $40 premium over a standard iMac for a simple VESA mount adapter and nothing more, Apple is offering a few different VESA-compatible mounting options that range from $140 to $180. Alternatively you could purchase VESA mounts from places like Amazon which offer a broader variety at less expensive prices.

Apple’s Tim Cook And Beats Jimmy Iovine Meet To Discuss Potential Partnership

Reuters is reporting that Tim Cook and Jimmy Iovine met in Los Angeles in late February to discuss Beats planned music streaming service. Along with Tim Cook was Eddy Cue, Apple’s Internet Products Chief, who was a key player in launching iTunes, and the discussions were regarding the business model Beats planned on using for its “Project Daisy” music streaming service. The meeting was more informational than serious as talks ranged between a variety of music-related topics. Apple has been rumored as of late to be in the works to create their own music streaming service to combat the likes of Spotify and Rdio and this meeting only cements its validity. Beats on the other hand has already expanded past its stylish headphones by working with HTC to have their hardware and software built into many of the Taiwanese company’s smartphones. 

Rumor: iPad 5 Case Taking Design Cues From The iPad Mini

Electronic accessory company MiniSuit has provided Gadgetmac with an exclusive photo of what they claim to be the new redesign of the iPad 5. Apple typically sends accessory makers dimensions of upcoming products beforehand so that they have a sufficient amount of time to begin manufacturing. MiniSuit notes that dimensions were from a “reliable source” and that the iPad 5 takes design cues from the iPad Mini in the forms of a thinner, slimmer bodied case with less bezel on either side. There is also a small hole near the top of the case which would presumably be the rear-facing microphone along with a larger speaker grill at the bottom which could mean dual-speakers like the stereo ones present in the iPad Mini. Little else is revealed but this comes at a time in which Apple is reportedly switching to a twice-a-year refresh for their iPad line of products and could be announced as soon as March.

Track Refurbished Apple Products With RefurbMe

Love Apple products but having a hard time swallowing the cost? Do you religiously check Apple’s online refurbished store? The problem unfortunately with this is that products are sold on a first come first serve basis and it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of when a product becomes available. Make it easier with RefurbMe, a website that monitors refurbished products on Apple’s online store for you. It will show you exactly how many items are in stock for that product along with its specifications and money saved. You can also see stats like inventory and price history. Notice something that you like but it’s out of stock? RefurbMe also offers three methods of notification including: an SMS message, automated call, or an email alert as soon as it becomes available. With availability in 21 countries and real-time stock preview, this is a no-brainer for anyone looking to purchase refurbished Apple products.

Apple Updates Retina Macs With Faster Processors, Drops Pricing Too

Apple quietly and with a press release, reduced the price of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display models down to $1399 and $1699, compared to the original retail price of $1699 and $1999, respectively. But that's not all, Apple has also bumped up the processor speeds for both the 13-inch and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now starts at $1,499 for 128GB of flash, and $1,699 for a new 2.6 GHz processor and 256GB of flash. The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now features a faster 2.4 GHz quad-core processor, and the top-of-the-line 15-inch notebook comes with a new 2.7 GHz quad-core processor and 16GB of memory.

Apple also reduced the pricing on the high-end 13-inch MacBook Air with a 256GB SSD by $100, which now costs $1399.

Apple Trademarks The Design Of Its Retail Stores

In the aggressive copycat battlefield that is the tech industry, Apple has went to the extreme of protecting the image of its consumer-crowded retail establishments by filing for a couple of trademarks for the unique and minimalist design of its brick and mortar retail stores that feature a glass storefront surrounded by a metal paneled facade, and a clean interior layout. The description of Apple's retail store trademarks is detailed below:

A clear glass storefront surrounded by a paneled facade" and, within the store, an oblong table with stools...set below video screens flush mounted on the back wall.

The trademarks were filed in 2010, and were granted this month on January 22 by the USPTO. It's no secrete that Apple's success with showcasing its products in brightly lit, convenient interior stores attracted the attention of other big time tech companies. Microsoft and Samsung were both known to have copied much of Apple's retail store design theme and minimalist environment layout of product placements in recent years.

In 2003, Apple was granted a design patent for the German-engineered floating glass staircases many of its retail stores feature.

First Clip Of ‘jOBS’ Showing Ashton Kutcher Playing The Role Of Steve Jobs

t’s been well known in the tech world and entertainment industry alike that Ashton Kutcher had been filming for the movie, ‘jOBS,’ for quite some time now. Today, Entertainment Weekly unveiled the first clip of the highly anticipated movie that will be premiering this Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. The part of Steve is probably the most talked about role in the movie but without Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad), Apple would have never come about. Take a peek below of the exclusive first clip of 'jObs.'

In the clip, we can see Jobs trying to convince Wozniak that together they could create and sell an amazing device, now known as the Macintosh, to the world. Gad noted in the interview with EW that he had to read iWoz, Walter Isaacson’s book, Steve Jobs, and watch hundreds of hours of footage in preparation for the role. The film hits theaters April 19.