We have a wide-ranging issue for you once again, starting with Apple’s stunning (if not surprising) $11.6 billion profit for Q2 2012 — Jeff Carlson runs down the details of where it all comes from. Continuing with Apple news, Adam covers the recent iTunes account security enhancement, which has caused no end of consternation for users. Glenn Fleishman looks the release of Airfoil Speakers Touch 3, which turns any iOS device into an AirPlay receiver, and the near-tandem releases of Google Drive and a major update to Microsoft’s SkyDrive, both of which are aiming at Dropbox. Lastly, Kirk McElhearn shares the story of French telecom provider Free, which has radically reduced the price of cell phone, Internet, TV, and landline connectivity in France. Notable software releases this week include Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.2.1, Pear Note 3.0, Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.5, Send to Kindle for Mac 1.0, Firefox 12.0, PDFpen and PDFpenPro 5.8, and Bookle 1.0.5.
Apple reported another fantastic financial quarter, with a profit of $11.6 billion on revenues of $39.2 billion. iPhone and iPad sales pushed the numbers, but that’s not the whole story. Apple’s execution and presence in China significantly contributed to the company’s success.
The latest version of Rogue Amoeba’s Airfoil Speakers Touch still works as an extension of its desktop Airfoil streaming audio software. But with an in-app purchase, it turns an iOS device into an AirPlay receiver. Or, it used to, before Apple took offense.
In the last week, Google launched its long-rumored Google Drive offering, and Microsoft overhauled SkyDrive, an existing synchronization and storage service. Both have robust support for the Mac, but is either better than Dropbox?
Apple has started asking iTunes account holders to provide answers to new security questions, but without providing good questions or any explanation for how the answers will be used.
Kirk McElhearn explains how the French telecom provider Free enables him to pay far less for connectivity — including cell phone, landline, Internet, and TV. We’re not all likely to move to France just to save on our communications costs, but similar market disruptions could take place in other countries.
Notable software releases this week include Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.2.1, Pear Note 3.0, Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.5, Send to Kindle for Mac 1.0, Firefox 12.0, PDFpen and PDFpenPro 5.8, and Bookle 1.0.5.
Interesting bits this week include news of Dropbox updates, Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference selling out in two hours, and a pair of staff appearances: Tonya Engst on the Tech Night Owl podcast and Jeff Carlson in a Twitter interview for Peachpit Press.