MacRumors

With the release of OS X 10.10.3 last Wednesday, Apple has expanded support for high-resolution 4K and even 5K external displays (via 9to5Mac). Most notably, OS X 10.10.3 enables the Retina 5K iMac and 2013 Mac Pro to drive Dell's UP2715K 27-inch 5K display released late last year. The display requires more bandwidth than is currently supported over a current single DisplayPort/Thunderbolt cable, so it uses a dual-cable solution taking up two ports on the user's machine.

This bandwidth issue for the current DisplayPort standard has been seen as a major roadblock keeping Apple from releasing a standalone 5K Thunderbolt Display. With the Retina iMac, Apple has been able to build custom internal components to drive the massive display, but for external displays, a dual-cable solution such as that used by Dell has been considered by many to be "un-Apple like."

As a result, Apple has been widely expected to wait until the release of Intel's Skylake platform with DisplayPort 1.3 support later this year before releasing an external 5K Thunderbolt Display that will function over a single cable. Whether the inclusion of support for Dell's dual-cable solution in OS X 10.10.3 is a sign Apple may be willing to adopt that arrangement for its own display and perhaps release it earlier is, however, unclear.

Beyond 5K displays, OS X 10.10.3 has also expanded support for 4K displays to include "most single-stream 4K (3840x2160) displays" at 60 Hz, expanding beyond the previous support of only Multi-Stream Transport displays introduced in late updates to Mavericks. The new 4K display support will function with most of the Mac line, from the 27-inch iMac to the brand-new Retina MacBook. However, only the Mac Pro and iMac will support full 4096x2160 resolution at 60Hz.

With OS X Yosemite v10.10.3, most single-stream 4K (3840x2160) displays are supported at 60Hz operation on the following Mac computers:

- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
- iMac (27-inch, Late 2013 and later)
- Mac mini (Late 2014)
- MacBook Air (Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

As for the new 12-inch MacBook, the laptop will be able to support displays and rates of 3840x2160 at a 30 Hz refresh rate and 4096x2160 at a 24 Hz refresh rate. MacBook users wanting to use such a display will, of course, need to use Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to do so.

Apple Watch received an estimated 957,000 pre-orders in the United States on April 10, the day the wrist-worn device became available for purchase, according to Slice Intelligence (via Quartz). The digital commerce tracking firm claims that nearly two-thirds (62%) of customers purchased the Apple Watch Sport, with the 42mm Space Gray case being the most popular model sold on the first day.

Slice Intelligence's sales projection is based on e-receipt data from 9,080 online shoppers that opted-in to have their inboxes tracked for email receipts. The report finds that 71% of Apple Watch pre-orders on April 10 were for the larger 42mm case, with 32% of aluminum Sport customers purchasing the smaller 38mm version compared to 24% of stainless steel Apple Watch buyers.

"Slice Intelligence estimates that 957,000 people in the U.S. pre-ordered an Apple Watch on Friday, the first day the watch was available for sale. According to ereceipt data from 9,080 online shoppers, each Apple Watch buyer ordered an average of 1.3 watches, spending $503.83 per watch. Those ordering an Apple Watch Sport spent $382.83 per watch and those ordering the Apple Watch spent $707.04."

The report adds that 40% of pre-orders were for the Apple Watch Sport with space gray aluminum, followed by the silver stainless steel Apple Watch at 34%, silver aluminum Apple Watch Sport at 23% and space black stainless steel Apple Watch at 3%. Apple Watch Edition sales were not disclosed, with Quartz claiming that the expensive 18-karat gold model did not represent enough pre-orders to be included in the report.

Slice Intelligence also revealed that 28% of Apple Watch pre-orders included a black Sport band, making it the most popular option among customers on April 10. The steel Milanese Loop trailed in second at 25%, while the Link Bracelet (14%), black Classic Buckle (12%) and white Sport band (8%) rounded off the top five. The next seven most popular bands were split between different colors of the Leather Loop and Modern Buckle.

The shopping firm did not provide Apple Watch pre-order data for the other eight countries where the wrist-worn device became available Friday, including Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and it is likely that sales numbers will vary greatly in each of those regions. In China, for example, the Apple Watch Edition is predicted to sell considerably better than in most other countries.

There are a number of variables to consider when interpreting these Apple Watch pre-order estimates, including that data was limited to the United States and likely extrapolated based on a relatively small pool of consumers. Apple has not provided official sales figures for the Apple Watch, nor did it provide comment on the accuracy of this data, so the exact number of pre-orders Apple received remains to be seen.

The Apple Watch became available for pre-orders on Friday as well as for try-on appointments in Apple retail stores around the world.

One MacRumors reader, Louis, was able to slip off the bottom band during his Apple Watch try-on appointment to discover that the hidden diagnostic port on early models still remains in the retail versions.

The presence of the diagnostic port was first reported in March by TechCrunch with speculation that it could eventually open up the market for "smart" band accessories that can interface with the Apple Watch, itself. Apple, however, has made no such promises and doesn't even acknowledge the presence of the port in any official documentation. Louis also reports the retail staff had no training on the use of the port.

Thanks Louis

Update: John Gruber notes that his review unit has the port, but it is covered up:

Apple has quietly introduced support for the next generation NVM Express (NVMe) interface to SSD Flash drives in their latest OS X 10.10.3 update as well as in the new Retina MacBook which was released on April 10th.

The NVMe software interface replaces the AHCI software interface in Apple's previous notebooks, and offers improved latency and performance over the old protocol. Anandtech offers a good overview between the technologies:

AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) dates back to 2004 and was designed with hard drives in mind. While that doesn't rule out SSDs, AHCI is more optimized for high latency rotating media than low latency non-volatile storage. As a result AHCI can't take full advantage of SSDs and since the future is in non-volatile storage (like NAND and MRAM), the industry had to develop a software interface that abolishes the limits of AHCI.

The result is NVMe, short for Non-Volatile Memory Express.

The new protocol is not to be confused with the underlying hardware that connects the SSD to Apple's notebooks. Apple has already upgraded the physical interface to the much faster PCIe connectors a number of years ago.

Going into the future, NVMe will allow Apple's hardware to take further advantage of the performance of SSDs as well as improve battery life with less time spent transferring data. Intel expects NVMe to also be coming to tablets and phones in the near future.

Thanks Jonathan

Apple couldn't establish lower pricing for its upcoming music service to distinguish it from competing services, so the company is hoping to draw in subscribers by offering exclusive content. Apple has asked Florence and the Machine and a dozen other artists for exclusive deals to promote the upcoming music service, reports Bloomberg.

Apple is said to be in talks with Florence and the Machine about limited streaming rights to a track for the band's upcoming album in June, and Apple execs have also approached Taylor Swift and others in the hopes of establishing a deal. An exclusive deal with Taylor Swift could be a big win for Apple as she's opted to pull her music from some streaming services like Spotify. Such exclusives could bring in music-loving subscribers that might otherwise not pay for a music subscription.

The strategy is similar to a tactic employed by Jay-Z's recently relaunched music service Tidal, which also hopes to attract subscribers through content that can't be obtained elsewhere. At launch, Tidal released a new song from Beyonce, following it up with an exclusive song from Rihanna.

Exclusives could work to help Apple garner subscribers, but the company's most promising tool for gaining subscribers is its huge existing customer base. Millions of people own iPhones and iPads, and Apple can create a streaming music app that's heavily integrated within iTunes and installed on Apple devices automatically.

As we've heard in previous rumors, Apple is working to completely revamp Beats Music to turn it into an all new subscription music service. It may gain a new name, says Bloomberg, and it will cost $9.99 per month for individuals, with a family plan available for $14.99.

Apple may be planning to unveil its new streaming music service at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the Palo Alto Apple Store in Palo Alto, California this morning as it opened its doors to let customers get their first look at the new Apple Watch. Cook was spotted chatting with potential customers and having a conversation with The Loop's Jim Dalrymple and iMore's Rene Ritchie.

Several members of the media were on hand at the Palo Alto Store opening, as it's one of the flagship Bay Area stores that often sees visits from Apple executives. Tim Cook spoke to CNBC, telling the news site that pre-orders for the Apple Watch have been "great."

It has been incredible. You know this morning, I got reports from all the way around the world, from Japan to Australia to China to Germany to France to the U.K. to Canada and now the U.S. It is extraordinary. Customers are giving us great feedback and orders are great as well.

Cook also commented on the Apple Watch that he's wearing himself, telling CNBC's Josh Lipton that he wears the stainless steel Apple Watch with the White fluoroelastomer band most of the time, as that's what he works out in. Cook also said that he has a few other bands on hand, because he likes to change them out on occasion. "I am wearing this one the most," he said. "So I would highly recommend it to all of the listeners."

The Apple Watch became available for pre-order at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time earlier today, and initial pre-orders sold out very quickly. In less than an hour, shipping estimates for many Apple Watch models had slipped to 4 to 6 weeks or beyond, and within six hours, there were no longer any models available for an estimated delivery date of April 24 to May 8, the shipping estimate the earliest orderers received. Many customers who order today and beyond won't be able to obtain devices until May or June, and later in some cases.

As of today, Apple Stores around the world are allowing customers to try on the Apple Watch to get a feel for the device ahead of its official launch.

Apple-owned headphone company Beats by Dre today announced the launch of several new Solo2 Wireless headphones, in colors that match Apple's iPhone, iPad, and new MacBook. Available in Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, the headphones are otherwise identical to the company's existing Solo2 Wireless headphones.

The Solo2 Wireless on-ear headphones were released in November, and were the first product released by Beats since Apple's acquisition of the company officially closed. The Solo2 Wireless are a wireless version of the wired Solo2 headphones that are a staple in the Beats headphone lineup.

Both the Gold and Silver varieties of the new Solo2 Wireless headphones feature white accents and ear cups, while the Space Gray version includes black accents and black ear cups, for an accurate match to Apple's line of Gold, Silver, and Space Gray devices.

Solo2 Wireless offers the same dynamic sound and streamlined design as Solo2, but with the added benefit of wireless capabilities. With its Bluetooth technology, Solo2 Wireless can move freely for up to 30 feet from your audio device. Take phone calls, skip songs, and change the volume using the "b" button and volume buttons on the ear cup. Its rechargeable battery allows you to enjoy up to 12 hours of wireless playback. Not charged? Not a problem. Just plug in the provided RemoteTalkTM cable and enjoy your music.

Apple has largely taken over the Beats business, with the headphones being sold in Apple Stores rather than on the Beats website and all Beats support being handled by Apple support representatives, both online and in retail locations. Despite this, products being sold today are still those that have been designed without Apple's guidance, and it remains unclear when we might see new headphone lines created with Apple's technology and design influence.

The new Solo2 Wireless headphones can be purchased from the online Apple Store for $299.95 and will ship out in one business day. They aren't available in retail stores yet, but should be popping up at Apple Stores over the next few days.

Following the opening of pre-orders for the Apple Watch on Apple's Online Store this morning, Apple Retail Stores in first-wave countries today opened their doors to fans waiting for Apple Watch try-on appointments. Below, MacRumors has rounded up a collection of videos made by both fans and tech blogs, showcasing the busy but excited atmosphere no doubt permeating throughout most Apple stores today.

First is a video uploaded to Hong Kong-based Chan Xin's YouTube channel. In the video he tries on both 38mm and 42mm Sport model cases, and is put through a short demo presentation of the Watch by an employee, ending the video by checking out the Stainless Steel Milanese Loop option.

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A significant number of users have turned to Twitter and other social networks to voice their frustration that Retina MacBook in-store stock and display models at many Apple Stores in the United States and other launch countries are nowhere to be found. MacRumors has independently confirmed that the Retina MacBook will be limited to online purchases in many locations around the world at launch.

A spot check of several Apple Stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom resulted in us being given the same response about Retina MacBook stock being unavailable at each location, at least on launch day. April 10 is already an eventful day for Apple as Apple Watch pre-orders and in-store try-on appointments became available at 12:01 AM Pacific, so it is possible the MacBook is not a priority right now.

Retina MacBook shipping times also slipped especially quick out of the gate, with custom configured models available to ship in 3-4 weeks from the moment orders became available, and gold stock models following shortly thereafter. Apple's new 12-inch MacBook starts at $1,299 and features an ultra-thin design, one USB-C port, redesigned keyboard with an all-new butterfly mechanism, Force Touch trackpad, fanless architecture and all-day battery life.