Apple this week is scheduled to appear in court and face accusations that it deliberately crippled competing music services and players in an iPod class action lawsuit from 2005, reports The New York Times. The trial will feature testimony from Steve Jobs, whose emails and a videotaped deposition taken before his death will play an important part in the plaintiffs' case.
The complaint focuses on Apple's older iPod models, which only supported music purchased on iTunes and songs downloaded from CDs. Also being disputed is Apple's FairPlay system of encoding purchased music, which limited music playback to the iPod and not competing MP3 players. In the suit, consumers claim Apple violated antitrust law by deliberately limiting interoperability with competitors, while exclusively promoting its products and services.
The email testimony is expected to paint Steve Jobs as an aggressive businessman who worked hard to ensure the success of the iPod and iTunes. This success often came at the expense of smaller competitors, which were not allowed to connect to Apple's popular iPod ecosystem. In one already released email, Jobs addresses Apple's lack of support for the-then upcoming MusicMatch music store.
"We need to make sure that when Music Match launches their download music store they cannot use iPod," he wrote. "Is this going to be an issue?"
Part of the case also involves Apple's interactions with RealNetworks, which devised a workaround in 2004 that allowed content from its music store to be played on the iPod. In an angry statement released to the media, Apple accused RealNetworks of hacking the iPod and threatened to disable this functionality in future iPod software updates.
To counteract Jobs' testimony, Apple is expected to argue that updates to the iPod and iTunes were designed to improve the platform for the consumer and not cripple competing devices. The company also likely will point out that the price of the iPod has gone down over the years, despite Apple's alleged monopolistic behavior.
According to a new survey conducted by analysts at UBS, interest in the smartwatch market is continuing to grow ahead of the Apple Watch launch early next year. Of the 4,000 respondents asked to partake in the survey across four different countries, about 10 percent cited that they are "very likely" to buy a smartwatch in the next year. Based on projections of Apple's iPhone sales and the current installed base of iPhones compatible with the Apple Watch, the analysts predict Apple will sell 24 million Apple Watches within the first nine months.
Figure 10 indicates that 10% of respondents (401 out of 4,000) are very likely and 17% (682 out of 4,000) somewhat likely to buy a smartwatch in the next 12 months. That is a three-fold increase vis-à-vis the 386 respondents claiming to already own a smartwatch and a four-fold increase if we assume that around one-third of the currently owned smartwatches are actually fitness bands.
Based on an estimate of 240 million iPhones compatible with Apple Watch being in customers' hands by the end of 2015, UBS suggests this could translate to 24 million Apple Watches sold in the first 9-12 months of availability, depending on supplies.
In a smaller survey of customers who registered as very likely to purchase a smart watch, the Apple Watch placed second to the Samsung Gear in buying intentions, although UBS expects those positions to reverse once the Apple Watch becomes available.
The analysts also expect the new Apple wearable to redefine the category much like previous products from the company have done for their respective technological categories. Despite first-version limitations in daily charging and iPhone tethering, UBS sees significant potential for the Apple Watch and predicts it will become the spiritual successor to the iPhone in the long-term.
Cellular and battery technology is not yet sufficiently miniaturized to fit in the Watch and allow independent functioning. We would think the ability to do so is maybe five years away. In fact, the screen size differential may mean that the Watch and the iPhone will prove complements rather than substitutes. Arguably that is the way the iPad and Mac might be playing out, different products for different jobs.
Given that about two-thirds of Apple's profit is generated by the iPhone, the company has to be concerned about the longer-term threat of replacement technology, whether it be a leap in handset technology or loss of key functions to wearables. With a sophisticated user interface and third-party apps coming on, Apple may be readying for the time when the Apple Watch encroaches on the smartphone market.
The Apple Watch is set to launch in "early 2015", reportedly in the "spring" according to an internal video from retail chief Angela Ahrendts.
While most of the major discounts appeared on Black Friday, many retailers are continuing sales on what has been called Cyber Monday. There are still significant discounts on iTunes gift cards, Macs and accessories.
T-Mobile is offering a 64GB iPhone 6 for the price of a 16GB iPhone 6, a $100 discount.
Online Retailers
- Zagg - iOS accessories 25% off - Twelve South - 25% off BookBooks - Griffin Technology - iOS/Mac Accessories - 30% off - ProClip - Car mounts for mobile devices - 20% off with code 20THANKS - Optrix - $50 off PhotoProX + Monopod bundle with code cm50
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these retailers.
T-Mobile is offering a significant discount on its iPhone lineup for Cyber Monday, most notably taking $100 off the 64GB model of the new iPhone 6. Instead of just a straight cash discount, the carrier is offering a memory upgrade that boosts the storage of the smartphone without additional cost to the customer.
The carrier's upgrade offer allows you to buy a 16GB model iPhone 6 and receive a free upgrade to the 64GB model, a $100 savings. The promotion also extends to the iPhone 5s and 5c, with T-Mobile upgrading the 32GB iPhone 5s to the 64GB version and the 8GB iPhone 5c to the 32GB model.
T-Mobile's promotion runs until midnight Pacific Time tonight. This offer is one of several promotional pushes by the carrier designed to attract new customers to its cellular network. Earlier this year, T-Mobile introduced a generous $350 per line termination fee bonus and phone buyback program to customers who switch carriers. It also recently launched an iPhone "test drive" program that allows customers to try an iPhone on T-Mobile for seven days without cost.
Apple's iPad has lost its lead over Google's line of Chromebook laptops in the U.S. education market as Google shipped more devices to schools last quarter, according to figures released by IDC (via the Financial Times). In Q3 2014, IDC notes that Google shipped 715,500 Chromebooks to U.S. schools while Apple shipped 702,000 iPads. Analysts note that this advantage for Google's Chromebooks can be attributed to their low cost, which starts at $199 for some models.
Samsung, HP, Dell and Acer make Chromebooks and has been active promoting the device to school districts, she added. Low upfront costs and simpler device management for schools’ IT departments has increased their appeal, compared with Apple’s higher-priced tablets, which start at $379 for last year’s iPad Air, including educational discounts.
While the iPad’s touchscreen makes it a versatile device, the Chromebook’s integrated keyboard is also a factor in its appeal. “As the average age of the student grows the need for a keyboard becomes very important,” said Ms Singh.
The report also notes that the Apple still holds a commanding lead over other tablet manufacturers in the U.S. education market, as numbers from the company in July stated that the iPad had an 85% market share.
The news follows a report about the worldwide tablet market issued by IDC last week, which stated that year-over-year growth is expected to slow to 7.2% in 2014 from 52.5% in 2013. Analysts estimated that the market slowdown can be attributed to a decline in iPad shipments, as Apple is expected to ship 64.9 million iPads this calendar year which is a decline of 12.7% from 2013. Apple is rumored to be preparing a 12.2-inch "iPad Pro" for early next year, which could be equipped with faster specs than the iPad Air 2 and may be aimed at the enterprise market.
As it has done for the pastthreeyears, Apple is once again recognizing December 1 as World AIDS Day at its retail locations by coloring their Apple logos red for the occasion. Several Apple Stores in the United States and the United Kingdom are expected to change the color of their logos, with images from Twitter showing that the company's store in Sydney, Australia has already adjusted its logo.
The Apple Store in Sydney, Australia (Image credit: @AusNewsNetwork)
Last week, Apple announced a new campaign for World AIDS Day 2014 done in collaboration with (Product) RED which saw the launch of a special Apps for (RED) section in the App Store and a donation initiative. The Apps for (RED) section is active until December 7 and contains 25 well known apps with the proceeds benefiting the Global Fund to fight AIDS. All of Apple's customers who purchased a select Apple product on Friday, November 28 received a special (RED) iTunes gift card, and during December 1, Apple will donate a portion of every sale at its retail and online stores to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
Apple sells a number of (Product) RED items where a percentage of the profits are donated to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. Throughout the past, those items have included iPod nanos and shuffles, iPad Smart Covers, iPhone Bumpers, iPhone cases, and more. This past June, (Product) RED announced that Apple had contributed $75 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Japanese magazine Mac Fan has published some possible schematics depicting the design of the larger-screened "iPad Pro" or "iPad Air Plus" in its January issue, which have been shared by Mac Otakara [Google Translate] along with some information about the upcoming device.
The schematics suggest the tablet will include a 12.2-inch LCD display, and it points towards dimensions of 305.31mm x 220.8mm x 7mm, or 12 inches x 8.7 inches x 0.28 inches, which is in line with previous rumors about the larger tablet. Many rumors have suggested a size of 12.9-inches for the larger tablet, but this is the second report from Mac Otakara that has suggested the device will have a 12.2-inch display.
The "iPad Pro" or "iPad Air Plus" as Mac Fan calls it, is said to include a new A9 processor that's an upgrade from the A8X processor in the iPad Air 2, which is a bit of a deviation from previous rumors that have indicated the larger-screened tablet will use the same A8X processor introduced in the iPad Air 2.
Along with an upgraded processor, the tablet is said to have dual top and bottom speakers to allow for improved stereo audio, and design wise, the iPad Pro may look similar to the existing iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini.
Mac Fan also believes that Apple is working on an iPad mini 4, which will be equipped with the same A8X processor found in the iPad Air 2 and a thinner design that more closely resembles Apple's latest iPad Air. With the launch of the iPad mini 4, Mac Fan says both the iPad mini and the iPad mini 3 will be discontinued.
According to the report, both of these tablets may launch between April and June of 2015, which is in line with previous iPad Pro rumors. Earlier this month, reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the iPad Pro may not enter mass production until the second quarter of 2015, following rumors that Apple had pushed back production to focus its attention on improving iPhone 6 Plus supply.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the seventh film in the Star Wars series and is set 30 years after Return of the Jedi. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the movie features actors like Andy Serkis, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Lupita Nyong'o, and Oscar Issac, along with stars from the original films including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.
In addition to being featured by Apple, the teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be shown in a selection of theaters across the United States on Friday.
The trailer was initially overwhelmed by traffic and should also appear on Apple TV, and through the iTunes Movie Trailers app for iOS. The iTunes Movie Trailers app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Paypal Digital Gifts is offering $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $75 via eBay - a 25% discount, for Black Friday. The codes are delivered digitally to PayPal registered email addresses. The offer is only available to U.S. customers and expires tonight at midnight (Eastern).
Black Friday sales kicked off last night and officially continue through today. Some sales may last the weekend. We've previously provided a comprehensive list of sales on Mac, iPhone, and iPad products.
Black Friday sales below have been updated to reflect ongoing sales this weekend
While Black Friday has officially, ended, may offers continue through the weekend into Cyber Monday.
iPad Deals
Best Buy is still discounting its entire stock of iPad Air 2 tabletsby $100, which is the best deal available on Apple's newest iPad. The $100 discount applies to all colors and capacities, and brings the price of the 16GB WiFi-only iPad Air 2down to $399.
Best Buy is also discounting all of its iPad mini 3 stockby $75, dropping the price of the 16GB entry-level WiFi-only model to $324. Shoppers looking for an especially good deal may want to check out Best Buy's supply of iPad mini 2 tablets, some of which are discounted by $75 to $100.
For those unable to shop at Best Buy, Target is also offering a solid deal on the iPad Air 2, providing a $140 Target gift card with any iPad Air 2 purchase (prices start at $499). Target is also offering $100 gift cards with the purchase of the iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and original iPad Air in all colors and capacities.
Mac Deals
Best Buy, B&H Photo, and MacMall are offering solid deals on Apple's range of MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac minis, and Mac Pros.
B&H Photo has a $200 discount on the new 3.5GHz/8GB/1TB 5K Retina iMac, dropping the cost down to $2,299, the lowest price we've seen yet. The site also has the 6-core 3.5GHz/16GB/256GB Mac Pro for $3,499, a discount of $500, and the 15-inch 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB Retina MacBook Pro for $1,699.99, a discount of $300.
MacMall has activated their CyberMonday deals which lasts through Monday with modest deals on Macs and iPads.
Other Deals
Many retailers are also offering deals on an array of Apple products, with Beats headphones being a popular discount item. Many stores are also offering iPod touches, Apple TVs, fitness accessories, and more at low prices, and a list of deals is located in the roundup.
Online Retailers
- Speck - 25 percent off many of its iPhone cases - Casetify - exclusive 25 percent off discount site wide with the discount code MACRUMORS.
- AppShopper - running of discounts on iOS and Mac apps
Our Black Friday roundup will be updated throughout Thursday and Friday, so make sure to keep an eye on it for the best Apple deals this holiday season.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these retailers.
Apple has just kicked off its deals for its one day Black Friday shopping event in the United States, and as previously announced, the company is offering special Product (RED)-branded iTunes gift cards with the purchase of an iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, or Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.
Gift card amounts for products vary and include $100 on select Macs, $50 on iPhones (6, 6 Plus, 5s, 5c), $50 on qualifying iPads, and $25 each on qualifying Apple TV, iPods, and Beats hardware, as noted below:
- iPhone ($50): iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c - iPad ($50): iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini - Mac ($100): iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Retina iMac, Retina MacBook Pro - iPod ($25): iPod touch, iPod nano - Apple TV ($25) - Beats by Dr. Dre ($25): headphones and speakers
Apple's (RED) Black Friday shopping promotion will last for a single day and the deals are available both in-store and online. Along with (RED) gift cards, Apple also plans to donate a portion of retail sales on Friday, November 28 and Monday, December 1 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
Alongside Apple, many other retailers are offering significant discounts on Apple products and accessories. While some of the deals began yesterday ahead of Black Friday, many of the discounts are still available and will be valid through the end of the day.
Best Buy and MacMall are offering significant discounts on a range of different Macs, with prices up to $200 off, and Best Buy is also discounting its entire iPad stock by up to $100.
Target is offering gift cards up to $140 on the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and iPad mini 3, while Sam's Club has the best deal on the iPhone 6, offering it for $100 off. Online only stores are also offering deals, with Twelve South, for example, discounting several products and Speck offering 25 percent off many of its iPhone cases.
Following in the footsteps of retailers, app developers are discounting their apps in the iOS and Mac App Stores, and a list of popular discounted apps can be found at our sister site AppShopper.
A full list of all the Black Friday deals on Apple products and accessories is located in our comprehensive Black Friday roundup, which is being updated throughout the day with new deals.
Earlier this year, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced the E-Label Act, which would allow for companies to meet the FCC's demands for certification labels by placing digital stamps on a device's software as opposed to etching information on hardware. The senators argued that the changes would allow manufacturers to save money and pass savings onto consumers. This was followed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) loosening its rules for labeling, stating that manufacturers could bypass etching FCC labels on their devices in favor of labeling by alternative means.
Now, The Hillreports that U.S. President Barack Obama has officially signed the E-Label act into law, which will now allow for companies like Apple to drop FCC labeling from their devices. Instead of being etched on hardware, it is likely that the required information will now be inside of a settings menu. However, it is also likely that the certification labels representing the European Commission (EC) and its Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) initiative will still be seen on devices.
Verizon iPhone 4 without FCC logos on left, GSM iPhone 4 with FCC logos on right.
The slight design change could come to Apple's lineup of devices for next year, although it remains unclear as to how exactly the company will take advantage of the new rules and regulations.
Just a couple days after releasing the fifth and sixth iPhone 6 ads starring Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, Apple has released a seventh called "Voice Text". The new ad focuses on one of the new features introduced to iMessage in iOS 8, the ability to instantly send audio messages quickly and easily.
The ad humorously highlights how voice messages can be used to better communication with friends, with examples pointing out how voice messages are good for sarcastic comments, singing and saying hard-to-spell words instead of typing them.
Apple, so far, has released two new iPhone 6 ads at a time, releasing "Duo" and "Health" during the iPhone 6 event in September, "Huge" and "Cameras" in late September and "Reservations" and "Gamers" a couple days ago. "Voice Text" marks the first time Apple has released an iPhone 6 ad by itself.
The marketing website for the Apple Watch has been updated (via 9to5Mac) with additional details about how it functions as a watch, new ways that wearers will communicate, as well as more about the watch's health and fitness features.
Apple's marketing team has also added new animations to the site, showing how the Apple Watch will move between screens and how some of the apps will work. Much of the basic information was already located on the Apple Watch site, but lots of it has been broken out with more information and detail.
The new Timekeeping page reveals more about some of the watch faces that are included with the Apple Watch, including details about Complications -- specialized functions on a watch face like moon phases, sunrise and sunset, or, for the Apple Watch, stock quotes and weather.
Apple Watch is first and foremost an incredibly accurate timepiece. It does everything a watch should, but in ways no other watch ever has. It's also connected to your calendar, your contacts, and your schedule. So in addition to showing you the time, Apple Watch actually understands what time means to you. It helps you be more productive and efficient. So you get more out of every moment.
The New Ways to Connect page talks about the Friends feature that makes it easy to send messages, make a call, or reach out to other Apple Watch users. Wearers can send a tap, draw a picture, or share their heartbeat with other Apple Watch wearers, but they can also send and receive text messages, audio snippets, share a location, make phone calls and email right from the watch. Wearers can also use Handoff to start a call or email message from the Apple Watch and seamlessly transfer it to the iPhone.
You won't just send and receive messages, calls, and mail more easily and efficiently. You'll express yourself in new, fun, and more personal ways. With Apple Watch, every exchange is less about reading words on a screen and more about making a genuine connection.
Finally, the new Health and Fitness page talks about the different ways Apple Watch measures movement, as well as additional details on the included Workout app. The watch tracks movement, exercise and how often the wearer stands up throughout the day, giving subtle reminders as needed to encourage more movement.
The watch uses its accelerometer, heart rate sensor, as well as Wi-Fi and GPS locations from the iPhone to follow movement as well. The Workout app shows real-time stats including time, distance, calories burned, pace and speed for running, walking and cycling. All data is tracked over time, making it easy for wearers to track their improvement.
Apple Watch is our most personal device ever, and there's nothing more personal than your health. Just as Apple Watch is designed to keep you more efficient, organized, and productive, it's also made to keep you moving. Because being active is vital to living a healthy life.
The Apple Watch is scheduled to go on sale early next year, though Apple has not gotten any more specific than that.
Earlier this week, news hit that the teaser for the much-anticipated movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens would be shown in a selection of theaters on Friday, November 28, and but it turns out the trailer will also be featured online, on Apple's iTunes Trailers website, on the Apple TV, and through the iTunes Movie Trailers app for iOS.
According to tweets from both the iTunes Trailers and Star Wars Twitter accounts, the Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser will be shared online by Apple this Friday, on November 28, at an unspecified time.
Apple's iTunes Trailers website, accompanying Apple TV channel, and iOS app feature hundreds of HD movie trailers, clips, images, and behind-the-scenes content. The new Star Wars movie trailer being shown on Friday will represent one of the first times Apple has leveraged its movie trailer site to provide exclusive content.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the seventh film in the Star Wars series and is set 30 years after Return of the Jedi. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the movie features actors like Andy Serkis, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Lupita Nyong'o, and Oscar Issac, along with stars from the original films including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.
In addition to being featured by Apple, the teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be shown in a selection of theaters across the United States on Friday.
You've made your list, you've checked it twice. Now it's time to get gifts for the folks on that list. But what should you buy, especially for the tech-savvy people? You can turn to many of the gift guides on the web, but our guide is for the devoted Mac, iPhone, and iPad user. Pick up one of our suggestions, or use them as inspiration to figure out a gift on your own.
Mac Gifts
Asus PB287Q 28" 4K Monitor: HD is passé. It's all about Ultra HD now, also known as 4K video. The PB287Q is a 28-inch display with a native resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels. At a $649 list price and frequently available for less, it's a lot more affordable than other Ultra HD displays, which can cost most than a thousand dollars. As Macworld points out, you sacrifice a few features for the price, but the PB287Q does the job. [$563 at Amazon]
OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock: Apple laptops are quite popular, so there are a lot of MacBook users who plug-in and unplug their devices as part of their daily routines. With the $300 (and currently on pre-order sale for $249) Thunderbolt 2 Dock at your desk, you connect all your devices to the dock, and then you connect the dock to your laptop with a single Thunderbolt cable. When it's time to go, just unplug the one cable; when you return, just plug in the same cable. [$249, pre-order at OWC]
Dynamism Ultimaker 2: Remember when 3D printing was only for companies with big budgets and specialists? We've come a long way since then, and you can have your own 3D printer at home. The $2,499 Ultimaker 2 from Dynamism comes with Cura, software for designing your creations, and it has settings for beginners and experts. The Ultimaker 2 is PC Magazine's Editor's Choice for 3D printers, with the site pointing out that the printer is ideal for makers and designers alike. [$2,499 at Dynamism]
LaCie Christofle Sphére: Don't settle for a boxy, boring hard drive when you can give something more artistic. The $490 Christofle Sphére is a gorgeous silver-plated sphere that houses a bus-powered 1TB hard drive. Handcrafted in France, the Sphére uses a USB 3 connection, so you don't have to sacrifice speed in the name of art. CNET's review of the Sphére says it stands out in both performance and design in a crowded market of hard drives. [$490 at Lacie]
WaterField Designs Mac Pro Go Case: Apple's Mac Pro is so small that you shouldn't be surprised to find a professional toting a Mac Pro around from location to location. But instead of using the original box, use the $129 Mac Pro Go Case a bag that's specially designed for the Mac Pro. The soft lining inside the bag protects the Mac Pro, and accessories and cables can be stored in the Go Case's disc pouch that covers the top of the Mac Pro. Macworld called the Go Case an "elegant" bag for the Mac Pro. [$129 at SFBags]
iPhone Gifts
Cobra JumPack Battery: It sucks when your iPhone battery runs dry, but it's even worse when you're stranded somewhere because your car battery is dead. The JumPack is a 7500 mAh portable battery pack with a peak current of 400A, enough juice to jump start a car. Cobra includes special jumper cables that work with the JumPack, as well as a standard power adapter and a 12V charger. Mobile devices connect to the JumPack via USB. [$101 at Amazon]
Beats solo2 wireless headphones: The $300 solo2 wireless headphones are the first released by Beats since Apple's acquisition of the company became official in August. The headphone's Bluetooth connectivity has a 30-foot range, and the battery lasts 12 hours. More importantly, as of the launch of the original solo2, Beats has improved the audio quality, and there's no degradation between the wireless and wired modes. TechCrunch says the solo2 wireless sounds "surprisingly good." [$300 at Apple Store]
Fujifilm Instax Share Smartphone Printer SP-1: While we live in a digital world, there's something fun and sentimental about printed photographs. The $180 Instax Share Smartphone Printer SP-1 is small enough to take to parties and get-togethers, and it connects to your iPhone wirelessly so you can print a picture right after you've shot it. The iOS app has different templates for adding text and to make your prints more festive to match the occasion. The Digital Trekker Blog said the SP-1 can be "an indispensable tool." [$151 at Amazon]
HTC RE Camera: You have a camera with you all the time, thanks to your iPhone, so why do you need a camera like the RE, much less want to pay $200 for it? Because as easy as it is to use your iPhone's camera, you can still miss out when a surprise photo opportunity presents itself. With the RE's one button control, all you need to do is literally point and shoot, and its 146-degree wide-angle lens means you don't have to worry about framing. You can set the RE to shoot videos or stills, and it's waterproof up to 1 meter deep. The iOS app gives you access to saved videos, provides a viewfinder, and offers camera settings. Greenbot has a full review of the RE. [$199 at Amazon]
Nova Bluetooth iPhone Flash: The easiest way to improve your photos is to have better lighting when you take a picture. The iPhone's flash has come a long way, but it still has its limits. The $59 Nova Bluetooth iPhone Flash gives you more flexibility, allowing you to place the flash where light is needed, instead of coping with the fixed flash on your iPhone. The flash has 40 diffused and cool LEDs so you can adjust the light through Nova's iPhone app. It's small enough to fit in a pocket so you can carry with you all the time. [$59 at Amazon]
Olloclip 4-In-1 Photo Lens: Olloclip's camera lenses for iPhone have always been popular, and the 4-in-1 Photo Lens improves on a successful formula. Designed for the iPhone 6, the 4-in-1 clips on the phone over the front-facing or rear-facing cameras to expand your choices in optics. The 4-in-1 includes a fisheye lens, wide-angle lens, macro 10x lens, and macro 15x lens for $79.99. Learn more about the 4-in-1 by reading our hands-on article. [$79 at Olloclip]
SanDisk iXpand:iXpand is a flash drive that can copy files from your iOS device, giving you one more way to transfer files between devices. The drive works with an iOS app that you use to transfer photos and videos, and you can even play media files from other devices directly on the drive. The iXpand also has password protection, so your files are safe in case the drive falls into the wrong hands. CNET provides a review. [16GB ($59.99), 32GB ($79.99), and 64GB ($120) at Sandisk].
iPad Gifts
littleBits Smart Home Kit: Home automation is making its way through the neighborhoods of America, but why isn't it catching on more quickly? Mostly because most home automation systems require you to replace the items already in your home. You don't have to do that with the $249 Smart Home Kit, which includes 14 "Bits" that you add to appliances and other items in your home. With some handiwork, you'll soon have the Internet of Things throughout your house, and you can control it all with your iOS device. [$249 pre-order at littleBits]
Logitech Keys-To-Go: The $70 Keys-To-Go is a portable stand-alone keyboard that's extremely thin and lightweight like the iPad Air 2. Keys-To-Go weighs a scant 6.35 ounces, and is barely a quarter of an inch thick, so it won't take up a lot of room in your bag. It's covered in FabricSkin and there are no nooks and crannies, so if you're at the coffee shop and you spill your latte on the keyboard, all you need to do is wipe it off. In its review of Keys-To-Go, TUAW says the Bluetooth connectivity works quickly and easily. [$70 at Logitech]
Orbotix Ollie: Originally called the 2B, the $99.99 Ollie is a new robotic toy from the makers of the Sphero. This time, the robot is tube-shaped and comes with a set of wheels that make it go as fast as 14 miles per hour. Ollie is durable enough so that you can off ramps and make it spin, and the iOS app shows you how to do more tricks. In a review, Time called the Ollie durable, but "even more niche than Sphero." [$99 at Amazon]
Parrot Bebop Drone: You can get a bird's eye view of the landscape around you with the Bebop Drone. It has a 14-megapixel fisheye camera so you get a wide angle view, and image stabilization makes sure your videos and pictures don't suffer from the shakes. The drone uses Wi-Fi to connect to your iOS device. The Next Web says that the controls require practice, but it's "definitely suitable for beginners." [$500 at Apple, shipping in 1-2 weeks]
SteelSeries Stratus XL: When the gaming gets serious, the iPad's touch controls can be frustrating. Times like these require a dedicated controller like the $70 Stratus XL. It connects to the iPad or iPhone via Bluetooth and has two joysticks, a D-pad, four action buttons, and four shoulder buttons. Most importantly, it's comfortable in your hands, making it easier to perform precise movements while you're getting your game on. Our sister site TouchArcadewent hands-on with the Stratus XL earlier this year, and said it felt great when held due to its large size, which is similar to a standard console controller. [$70 at Apple]
Out of ideas?
Still stumped about finding just the right gift? You can always turn to gift cards. Apple offers Apple Store Gift Cards that can be used at any retail Apple Store or on the online Apple Store.
You can also buy iTunes Gift Cards that are redeemable in the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or Mac App Store.
MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.
Jonathan Zufi's gorgeous coffee table book "Iconic: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation", about 30 years of Apple design, has been updated just in time for the holiday shopping season. The new book includes many more photographs, with a particular focus on prototypes. There is also a new cover, and several new special editions.
"ICONIC: The Classic Edition" is similar to the original $75 book, updated with 16 additional pages of pictures as well as an updated cover featuring the original Macintosh 128K. It's available for $55 on Amazon.
"ICONIC: Classic Plus Edition" is the same book but with a special black slip cover with ICONIC foil stamped on the front to protect it and give it a unique look. It's available for $99 from the Iconic website, shipping in early December.
ICONIC: Ultimate Edition" includes a special white clamshell case with a custom embedded LED that pulses like a sleeping Apple notebook when moved, though, sadly, current generation Apple notebooks no longer pulse when sleeping. The Ultimate Edition is available from ICONIC's website for $250, shipping in early December.
The new Ultimate Edition of ICONIC is offered in a white Cromwell Aristo Grain clamshell case with a custom PCB designed to pulse an LED embedded inside the case itself.
The circuit is powered by the high-performance, low-power Atmel 8-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller which combines 1KB ISP flash memory, 32B SRAM, 4 general purpose I/O lines, 16 general purpose working registers, a 16-bit timer/counter with two PWM channels, internal and external interrupts, programmable watchdog timer with internal oscillator, an internal calibrated oscillator, and 4 software selectable power saving modes.
The book includes photographs of rare Apple products like the Apple II, a circuit board from the Apple I, the "Flower Power" iMac G3, and an Apple Lisa 2. It also features more modern products like iPods, and also offers an entire chapter on packaging. The book has little text, but it does offer forewords and introductions from original Apple employees like Daniel Kottke and Steve Wozniak.
MacMall has kicked off its 60 hour Black Friday 2014 sale on an array of Apple products both online and in its retail stores. Deals will last through 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, November 28.
MacMall will be discounting its stock of MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro computers by $50 to $200, depending on configuration. Unlike other resellers, MacMall offers Apple computers with a variety of custom configurations, similar to the online Apple Store. MacMall is also offering the Mac Pro for up to $600 off, the Mac mini for up to $60 off, and the iMac for up to $120 off. The new iPad Air 2 will also see discounts of up to $75 off.
We've listed a sampling of the discounts on products of interest below, but MacMall's full range of discounts can be found on its website.
The site is also offering discounts on several different Mac and iPad/iPhone accessories, such as the LaCie 20TB Thunderbolt External Hard Drive, which is available for $1,119.99, a discount of $779, and the ASUS 31.5-inch 4K monitor, available for $1,469.99, a discount of $530. A full list of MacMall's accessory deals can be found in the Black Friday section of its website.
In addition to offering a large range of different Mac configurations, MacMall only charges sales tax in a limited number of states -- California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, Minnesota, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin -- making it an attractive choice for shoppers looking to save a bit more on a Mac or iPad.
While most of the major discounts appeared on 
