MacRumors

Back in May, officials in San Francisco proudly touted a plan by Apple to move its existing Stockton Street flagship store three blocks north, giving the store a larger footprint and a prime location in the Union Square shopping district.

Apple's plans quickly ran into resistance, however, with critics panning Apple's proposal to remove a sculptural fountain along Stockton Street and the design's 80-foot-long windowless wall along a key pedestrian and transit corridor on Stockton. As the project proceeded through the city's planning process, officials made clear that significant changes would be needed for the project if it was to receive approval.

As noted by the San Francisco Chronicle, Apple has now filed revised plans for the store, addressing the major criticisms of the project. Among the most prominent changes is a move to retain the fountain by noted sculpture artist Ruth Asawa, who died earlier this month. The fountain will be moved slightly, but will remain close to its current location.

Another change for the project involves the addition of an eight-foot wide window along the Stockton Street frontage, extending from the sidewalk to the roof to break up the massing and provide visual interest for those passing by. The window will also continue across the roof of the store to create a skylight.

"We've been working with the city of San Francisco as they review our ideas for an Apple Store on Union Square," Apple spokeswoman Amy Bessette said Monday. "Our latest design includes a store with more natural light and a plaza on Stockton Street that includes the fountain by Ruth Asawa, just a few feet away from its current location."

A third change addresses planners' concerns about a monotonous glass wall along the main Post Street frontage, with Apple now proposing to pull the glass wall back by four feet from the metal frame of the building, offering a greater sense of depth and more shadows for visual interest.

City officials quoted in the story seem pleased by Apple's proposed changes, although the project must still pass through full review before it can be approved. Apple has not announced when it plans to open the new store, and any internal targets may yet be affected San Francisco's frequently unpredictable review and permitting processes.

Update: Renderings of the revised plan showing the fountain, vertical window along Stockton Street side, and recessed glass on Post Street frontage.

Nuance, the company which powers Siri's speech recognition capabilities, sent an email to developers using its API today claiming the General Availability release of iOS 7 will be delivered on September 10, according to journalist Owen Williams (via TheNextWeb).

It's unclear how Nuance would get this information, but it's unlikely that a company outside of Apple would have detailed information about Apple's iOS release plans.

Historically, Apple has released iOS Golden Master versions to developers on the same day as the announcement of new iPhones, giving developers time to test their apps with the final version of the new iOS before its release it to the general public a couple of days before the launch of the new iPhone.

Apple will reportedly announce the next-generation iPhone on September 10 and will likely unveil both the iPhone 5S and the lower-cost iPhone 5C. Both devices are rumored to launch in select markets on September 20.

Apple today responded (via GigaOM) to the Department of Justice's revised proposal accusing Apple of implementing in-app purchase rules to spite Amazon, stating that the DOJ is simply "seeking a remedy that would give Amazon a significant competitive advantage over Apple."

Plantiffs are seeking a remedy that would give Amazon a significant competitive advantage over Apple – an advantage it is neither entitled to nor deserves. This is plainly improper and highly counterproductive.

Now–after the trial is over and this court has ruled–is not the time to adjudicate a whole new array of legal and factual issues based on evidence that is outside the record and which largely post-dates the events at issue.

First filed last Friday, the DOJ's revised punishment for Apple's guilty collusion verdict suggested Apple had initiated its in-app purchasing rules in order to "retaliate against Amazon for competitive conduct that Apple disapproved of" and to "make it more difficult for consumers using Apple devices to compare ebook prices among different retailers."

In the proposal, the DOJ aimed to provide support for its argument that Apple should be forced to allow e-book retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to place links to their respective bookstores within their App Store apps. Apple is opposed to the idea, as it would give Amazon a way to sell books within its App Store apps while avoiding paying Apple a 30% cut of the proceeds.

The DOJ also argued that Apple should be subjected to third party monitoring to prevent future collusion and should have staggered renegotiations with book publishers. Apple conceded to this last point, but continues to fight both the monitor and the suggestion that Amazon and other e-book retailers should be allowed links in their App Store apps.

Apple and the DOJ will meet with Judge Cote to further discuss the proposal on Tuesday. In addition to the DOJ's proposed punishment, Apple could also be forced to pay up to $500 million in damages.

Apple has launched a newly redesigned AppleCare website that includes 24/7 live chat support, reports 9to5Mac. First rumored in early August, the redesign includes large, easy-to-click buttons and a simpler design.

The page features links to each of Apple's products, including Macs, iPods, iPhones, and iPads, as well as a number of services including iTunes and other apps.

When clicking one of the aforementioned categories, the site will offer further options. For example, in the iPhone section of the help site, users are presented with simple topic problems to narrow down the scope of an issue.

After an issue has been selected, customers are able to talk to choose from several different help options, including a phone call with Apple Support, a live chat session, or an in-person appointment at the Genius Bar or other Apple Authorized Service Provider.

According to 9to5Mac, both the site design and the 24-hour chat support are being introduced to customers on a rolling basis.

On the topic of live chat support, we're told that 24/7 chat support has begun rolling out. Initially, the support was limited to certain hardware and software, but now Apple is supporting both Mac and iOS Device support at every hour of the day and night.

While the new AppleCare site has begun going live for some readers, other users are reporting that they are still seeing the old website. It is likely that Apple will complete the release of the redesign in the coming days.

Following its Support site redesign, Apple is expected to make significant changes to its AppleCare services in the coming months, aiming to switch to per-user AppleCare subscription plans rather than offering specific device coverage. Apple has also begun to perform more iPhone repairs in house, electing to replace displays and other parts instead of providing device replacements.

A new video gives a detailed look at of Apple's upcoming "champagne" iPhone 5S along with a close look at the blue low-cost iPhone "5C". The video, posted by AppAdvice, compares the backplates of both devices to the existing iPhone 5 and gives the clearest look yet at the design of Apple's newest iPhones.

As noted in multiple descriptions of the "gold" iPhone, the color is closer to a light champagne than it is to a bright and garish gold. The video depicts a subdued gold color that matches well with the silver of the existing iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5C and 5S backplates in the video appear to be similar in size to the existing iPhone 5. While the low-cost iPhone is slightly thicker due to its polycarbonate shell, the iPhone 5S is nearly identical to the iPhone 5 with the exception of the dual-LED rear flash. The iPhone 5S, which will be Apple's new flagship device, is also expected to feature a redesigned home button to incorporate its fingerprint sensor.

Though the iPhone 5S will feature improvements to the processor along with camera upgrades and other enhancements, the iPhone 5C will likely utilize existing iPhone 5 parts as it is rumored to be a replacement for the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5C is shown in blue, but it will come in an array of colors including blue, green, red, yellow, and white. Apple is not expected to produce a black iPhone 5C, but all of the 5Cs will feature standard black faceplates with a matching black Apple logo on the back of the device.

As noted by AppAdvice the iPhone 5S features a shiny metallic logo along with thinner "iPhone" text, which appears to be inline with both the lettering on the iPhone 5C and Apple's overall adoption of skinnier fonts.

Earlier today a rumor surfaced suggesting that Apple could have a “graphite” colored iPhone 5S in the works, which would accompany the champagne/white, silver/white, and slate/black iPhone 5S varieties.

Both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C are expected to debut at an iPhone event held in September.

Back in June, it was reported that Apple was getting ready to launch an iPhone trade-in program at its U.S. retail stores, partnering with recycling firm Brightstar to give customers instant credit for their old iPhones to drive upgrades to newer models. According to the report from Bloomberg, the old iPhones would be refurbished and sold in emerging markets, lowering the cost of entry in those countries while preventing cannibalization of new device sales in Apple's established markets.

There has been little in the way of update on Apple's plans for the program since June, but MacRumors has now received word from several sources reporting that Apple is indeed beginning to prepare its store employees for the program. Apple has reportedly sent materials to its stores to support the initiative, while the first line of store trainers will be receiving instruction about the program today. Those trainers will then begin training other store employees next week ahead of a program launch.

We have yet to hear exactly when Apple plans to officially open the program, but it seems set to arrive just as the company unveils its next generation of iPhone hardware at a media event on September 10. The new lineup is expected to include both an iPhone 5S successor to the current iPhone 5 as well as a new iPhone 5C that is said to be essentially an iPhone 5 repackaged into a plastic shell available in a variety of bright colors.

Update: TechCrunch has some additional info about how the program works, including the fact that it is already live at a number of pilot Apple Stores in the U.S.:

A customer brings a working, non-liquid-damaged iPhone into an Apple Retail Store. It’s then evaluated by an employee with the help of an online site that a customer can access using the store’s iMacs or iPads. The customer then answers a series of questions about the condition of the device in order to determine a value.

That value can be used in credit for a new device but only if the customer has an upgrade credit available. So there is a carrier check involved. If a user does not have an upgrade credit, they could presumably pay the early termination fee of their carrier and use the credit towards a new device on another carrier.

The value of the trade-in varies depending on physical condition, capacity, and color. TechCrunch claims 16GB iPhone 4 and 4S models range in value from $120-200.

Update 2: MacRumors has now heard that the program is scheduled to launch on August 30.

Apple has begun limiting access to the iWork for iCloud beta for some users due to an "overhwhelming response", notes 9to5Mac. The company launched the beta to developers at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June before starting to invite non-developers in batches last month. Apple opened up access for all users last Friday, with that influx apparently pushing the service's current limits.

Sorry...

We've had an overwhelming response to Numbers for iCloud beta. Please check back soon.

In the meantime, you can continue to store your spreadsheets in iCloud.

iWork for iCloud is a browser-based implementation of Apple's iWork suite of productivity apps: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. The service will work with Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer, offering a native-like experience on machines and platforms that do not or can not have the full iWork apps installed.

Kazuto Tsubouchi, CEO of Japan’s biggest wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo, said Monday in an interview with Japanese business magazine Sankeibiz [Google Translate] (via Bloomberg) that there are “compelling reasons” for Apple and the wireless carrier to reach an agreement to sell the iPhone. The carrier, which has never sold Apple’s mobile device before, saw its stock price surge after the interview while shares of chief rivals Softbank and KDDI dropped.

Chief Financial Officer Kazuto Tsubouchi said there are compelling reasons for Apple and his company to reach an agreement, according to an interview published in SankeiBiz. For Apple, it doesn’t make business sense not to allow Japan’s largest wireless carrier to sell the iPhone, while DoCoMo wants to be able to sell most popular handsets, Sankei said.

No deal has been reached and the two companies may not be able to come to terms, Sankei reported.

Last week, prominent Japanese business newspaper Nikkei claimed that both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C would launch in Japan on September 20, which is also speculated to be the date for the first wave of launches for Apple’s new iPhone models. That report claimed, however, that only KDDI and Softbank would be in that wave, with DoCoMo remaining on the sidelines.

DoCoMo has been shedding customers to its rivals over the last few years as it has yet to launch the iPhone, with the carrier reportedly remaining firm in its demands to be able to preload its own apps and services on the device. Even with the losses, however, the carrier still holds over 40% of the Japanese mobile phone market.

Earlier this month, a report stated that talks between China Mobile and Apple have been “progressing smoothly”, and that both sides were optimistic about reaching a deal. China Mobile is by far the world’s biggest carrier and, like DoCoMo, does not presently carry the iPhone. Apple appears set to unveil its next-generation iPhones on September 10.

Sonny Dickson has posted new photos showing alleged parts from a "graphite" colored iPhone 5S, which could be a fourth color choice for the phone in addition to the expected black and white choices, as well as the all but confirmed "champagne" color option. The photos show the device from numerous angles with the back, front, and screen housing assembled, and also show it next to the champagne iPhone 5S and iPhone 5S screen assembly.

Up to this point, it has widely been thought that the iPhone 5S will only come in 3 colors: Gold, Slate, and white with silver trim. According to a new images we’ve obtained, however, it appears the iPhone 5S may also come in a 4th color – a grey or graphite color with a black trim.

Last week, Dickson also posted an expansive photo gallery highlighting numerous alleged iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C parts in addition to high-quality photos of the champagne color iPhone 5S.

Meanwhile, repair shop mendmyi has posted a comparison photo showing volume/power buttons and mute switches in the new graphite color, as well as champagne, next to slate and silver buttons from the iPhone 5. The shop claims that Apple may be planning to make graphite and gold the only two color options for the iPhone 5S, but several previous leaks have shown both slate and silver rear shells as seen for the iPhone 5.

Determining the authenticity of various colors of parts is also difficult due to the prevalence of knockoff parts and anodization of legitimate parts. For example, early photos of a gold iPhone 5S rear shell appear to have been inaccurate, as several other part leaks since that time have shown the much more subtle champagne coloration expected to be available for the device.

Apple will reportedly unveil the next-generation iPhone on September 10, and will likely unveil not only the iPhone 5S but also the lower-cost plastic iPhone 5C. Both devices are also rumored to launch in the first wave of markets on September 20.

The next-generation A7 processor in the iPhone 5S will be roughly 31 percent faster than the current A6, according to a tweet by Fox News' Clayton Morris. His sources have also mentioned a "separate chip devoted to motion tracking".

It's unclear how Apple would use motion tracking abilities, but it could be developing a new control scheme that uses motion gestures like Samsung has built into its Galaxy S series of smartphones. A profile of Jony Ive by Bloomberg earlier this year may support this hypothesis:

Longer term, Ive also has shown interest in altering how people control their computers. He has met with makers of gesture technology that lets people navigate their gadgets by moving their hands -- without touching the screen, said a personal familiar with those interactions.

Separately, 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman writes that Apple has been testing 64-bit prototypes of the A7 chip, potentially for use in the iPhone 5S.

We’ve independently heard claims that some of the iPhone 5S internal prototypes include 64-bit processors.

It’s unclear if 64-bit will make the cut, but it’s been in testing. We’re told that the 64-bit processing will make animations, transparencies, and other iOS 7 graphical effects appear much more smoothly than on existing iOS Devices…

Last September, semiconductor analyst Linley Gwennap claimed that Apple was working on a 64-bit ARMv8 solution for launch in 2014, and Apple may simply be testing future processor architectures in iPhone 5S prototype units. That report claimed the logical upgrade for the A7 would be a quad-core architecture and continued increases in graphics capabilities.

Previous leaks have shown an A7 chip -- pictured above -- with an Apple model number of APL0698, while the original A6 had a model number of APL0598. The A6X found in the fourth-generation iPad carries an APL5598 model number, demonstrating how Apple varies the first digit for members of a given A-series family and increments the second digit when transitioning to a new family.

The iPhone 5S is expected to be unveiled at a media event on September 10.

A photo of what appears to be dozens of iPhone 5C devices being put through a testing process has appeared on the Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo. The photo was first noticed by the French site NowhereElse, though Engadget has done some additional digging on the image.

Engadget discovered, according to the original poster's Sina Weibo profile, that the shot was taken at a Pegatron plant in Shanghai, China and that she apparently joined Pegatron's quality control department in mid-July.

According to her posts, the cheeky employee -- or more likely an ex-employee at this point -- in question joined the company's quality control department around mid-July. In an earlier comment, she also hinted that her plant is responsible for the latest Mac mini as well. The above photo was published yesterday, and it only came with the following caption:

"The low-end iPhone 5C to be launched for Chinese consumers in September doesn't look much different than the Xiaomi Phone 2, right?"

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 5C at its media event on September 10, with the 5C -- available in a number of different colors -- replacing the existing iPhone 5 in its lineup.

The iPhone 5S, equipped with a fingerprint sensor in the home button and new 128GB and gold color options, is expected to be the new flagship iPhone.