As usual, Apple has started the preparations at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for the next event, taking place on September 1st. Those images, courtesy of 9to5Mac, show the actual preparations taking place, with the Apple logo being placed and matching the same image found on the official invitation.

We’ll be tuned for the event, so stay with us.

After a few hours of update, the Apple Store reopened yesterday with some new features: first, the updated iMac computers, integrating the most recent Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors, and also dedicated graphic processors, including the ATI Radeon HD 5750 for the most expensive models. The hard disks go from 500 MB to 2 TB.

Also included in the update are the new Magic Trackpad, with a glass and aluminium design, bringing the same multitouch capability from the MacBook Pros to the iMacs.

The 27″ LED Cinema Displays were also added to the list of new products to be launched in August. The 27″ dislpay features the IPS (In-Plane switching) technology and a Mini Display Port connection with audio support. The resolution is up to 2560 x 1440 with 16 million colors, and 16:9 format, which means 60% more pixels than the 24″ model. Also integrated are the iSight webcam, the microphone and speakers.

The last addition to the Apple Store was the Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is now enhanced to offer the option of one or two processors, up to a 12-core computer if needed. Two models are being offered: one with the price of €2399 with a 2.8 GHz quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics with 1GB of RAM. The second model is an 8-core that starts from €3399 and includes two quad-core processors with 2.4 GHz each, 6GB RAM and the same Radeon HD 5770 (with the option of changing into a HD 5870).

The Apple Store is temporarily offline while it’s being updated. That usually happens when Apple launches new products or models in the market.

Expected for today are the new 27″ LED Cinema Display, the new iMac and perhaps the new Mac Pro. If so, it’ll be a surprise-launch, as most part of those new products were scheduled to launch by the end of Summer or beginning of Autumn.

We’ll stay tuned.

Apple had officially admitted problems in the manufacturing of the white iPhone 4, saying that they would be available in the second half of July.

After some rumors that claimed that the problems were related to the coloring of the cases, Apple had to release another official statement to declare that the white iPhone 4 will suffer another delay, without specifying when they’ll be available. We’ll have to wait and see.

A few days ago, Steve Jobs has explained the reasons for the bad reception for the iPhone 4 during a press-conference made exactly for that reason. After having explained that Apple isn’t perfect, and that its products may have some problems every now and then, he tried to demonstrate and justify that the antenna problems weren’t only with the iPhone 4 but also happened with some of the competitors, such as HTC, Nokia and RIM. Those manufacturers were quick to reply.

Nokia declared they “prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they’re ever in conflict”. RIM declared that “Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation”, while HTC said: “we have had very few complaints about signal or antenna problems on the Eris. Approximately 0.016% of the customers”.

Also journalists made interesting questions, like one in possession of a BlackBerry Bold, saying “I can’t get my Bold to drop right now, maybe you can show me how to do it?”. To which, Jobs replied: “You may not see it in certain areas.” Safe to say, the keynote wasn’t well received by everyone, and some claim it’s just a way to alleviate Apple’s mistakes with the iPhone 4.

In any case, at the end of the conference, Steve Jobs has declared that Apple will supply iPhone 4 users with a free bumper or give the money back to those who bought one. All to be done until September 30th, 2010. We have to hope that Apple will work on fixing the problem as well, which is the most important issue.

After all the leaked material about the iPhone 4G, we’ve found yet another batch of leaked pictures and videos. Whether they’re fake or not, we’ll leave it up to you. The video was published by iPhone Portugal and it would apparently show a couple of cases for iPhone, bought from a Chinese manufacturer that the blog insists in keeping as a secret.

In the meantime, also MacBidouille seems to have received new images that show the disassembled phone. As you can see in the gallery below the post, it seems that the LCD, glass and digitizer are again glued together like in the original iPhone: if those pictures aren’t a fake, it would mean a higher cost of repairing. We hope those are either fakes or simply prototypes.

Click on the thumbnail to view the full image

Yesterday, Apple had taken the Apple Store offline for a few hours. Generally that’s the procedure Apple takes when introducing new models for their products, or new products in general. So many (including us) were hoping that the downtime would be for the introduction of the new MacBook Pros.

But apparently not. At least not yet. Nothing seems to have changed on the Apple Store, except for the launch of Aperture 3, the new version of Apple’s picture editing and manager.

The online Apple Stores have been offline for a few hours now. It makes us think that perhaps it’s time for the new MacBook Pro line to be launched. At least we hope.

It’s been rumored that the new MacBook Pros will have the new Intel processors, more specifically the i7 M620 2.66Ghz for the 17″ models. We’ll have to stay tuned and see.

So Apple’s event held yesterday was indeed to present the iPad, the official name for the famous Apple tablet. Steve Jobs introduced it as the best device for data sharing: music, video, mail, pictures, games. It has iTunes with completely different graphics, thought out specifically for the new format. Also integrated is Youtube with their new HD format.

The device unlocks like the iPhone and integrates Safari in a more evolved version than the one present on the iPhone, although it does not feature Flash. All the known softwares have been enhanced in order to offer the best experience in a device this size. Mail is similar to the Mac OS X version, with a left column for details and the main mail window on the right.

The photo application interface is really interesting. Besides synchronizing automaticalyl with iPhoto, it’s completely multi-touch with many gestures that were studied in order to optimize the interaction. The iTunes interface is now expandable and it introduces a new mode called Pop Over, which allows users to view the information about the song being played.

Also the calendar application has been enhanced: new appointment viewing modes that are similar to the iCal from Mac OS X. The iPad also has an integrated Maps application (and although it does seem to be based on Google’s services, Steve Jobs didn’t mention it).

The device also allows users to buy movies, TV series, music videos and songs, and apparently it will also be possible to buy e-books directly from the e-book application. The device measures 5″ and its screen is a 9.7″ multi-touch display, like the iPhone, with 10 hours of battery duration. The processor was specifically designed for it, it’s called Apple A4 and it has 1GHz. It’ll be available in 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb versions, all of those with Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth. No mention to a GPS antenna just yet.

All the iPhone applications are completely compatible with the iPad without the need of adaptation. When the user buys an iPhone application, it is directly brought to the iPad as well. The developers will have a good piece of work if they want to, in order to adapt their application for such a large screen.

Here are some pictures and the official presentation video, found on the official iPad website. Enjoy!

Click on the thumbnail to view the full image

This post is just a reminder that in a few hours, we’ll get to know more about the Apple Event - “Come See Our Latest Creation”. The hype about the catch phrase is already at its max, and soon we’ll finally find out what this latest creation is. The Tablet Mac, or iPad, iSlate, and the many names that it was known as until now? A new version of the iPhone OS? A new MacBook line? We’ll have to wait and see.

Stay tuned and we’ll bring you more news as soon as we get them.