Apple online store - New look

Although the look of its online shopping presence has changed in recent months, Apple has launched a major redesign of its online store. It now has a blue/cooler look

The redesign includes distinctive iPhone, iPod, and Mac sections as well as an iTunes-like breadcrumb navigation bar, so users can navigate back to a higher level.

Other changes include a focus on heavily popular products, a Staff Picks section - highlighting accessories the company recommends. The Top Sellers section is now broken into separate product categories..

Unlocked iPhone’s become inoperable

Apple warned users against unlocking the iPhone using third-party hacks. On Monday Apple warned that many of the unlocking programs readily available on the internet can cause irreparable damage to the iPhones software, which results in the phone becoming permanently damaged when a future Apple iPhone update is installed.

The unlocking software allows the iPhone to work with any SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards from other Mobile Networks, instead of Apple’s preferred carrier. There has been a race to develop these applications since the iPhones launch many of which are freely available and charted on the web. However it now seems many users had wished they hadn’t unlocked there phones. There are reports of Apple refusing to replace or repair damaged unlocked phones. The serial number of these phones are then ‘blacklisted’

An nlocked iPhone quite rightly void Apples warranty. As with most mobile phone offerings, handset costs are subsidised by the carrier off-setting the price of the phone with call charges and contract subscription costs. Apple has a right to protect its share of the call revenue. iPhone users are all-to aware when they purchase an iPhone, it is subject to a fixed term contract.

“Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty,” Apple said in a statement at London’s press event. “The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.

The next software update for the iPhone would be available later this week and will include the recently announced iTunes Wi-Fi store. It will be interesting to see if reports of inoperable iPhones flood in.

Buy the Apple iPhone from:
Apple UK
O2
Carphone Warehouse

New MacBooks nearing release

Said to be thinner than Apples existing MacBook and MacBook Pros - the new MacBooks will sport a more compact footprint including a thinner display bezel.

However more detailed information remains scares. It is unclear whether the notebooks are part of a coming revision to Apples consumer-oriented MacBook line. Perhaps they are simply one-and-the same? The much rumored “ultra-portable” design is said to include L.E.D-backlit 13-inch LCD display, on-board NAND flash, and lack a traditional optical disc drive.

Originally expected to launch alongside Apples next generation operating system leopard back in June, the slimmer MacBooks have now been pushed back to late 2007 early 2008, whilst leopard is now expected in October.

New Apple Store for Solihull

Apple are opening another new retail store in Solihull this weekend (22nd September) and to celebrate the Grand Opening they are giving away free Apple T-Shirts to the first 1,000 people through the door. A free Sweepstake will also be held to win a Digital Lifestyle, which includes a 13inch black MacBook and a silver iPod Nano click here for More information.

The new Solihull Store features a Genius Bar and is located in the Touchwood Centre, a series of workshops will begin with iMovie an iDVD on the 24th of September at 12:00 until 13:00 followed by a GarageBand workshop at 14:00 until 15:00 for a full schedule of workshops and directions to the Store visit Apple Store Solihull online.

UK iPhone Launched on O2

Apple announce the launch of the UK iPhone today at a special media event held at its flagship Regent Street store. The 8Gb iPhone will sell for £269 (including VAT) and is to use the O2 network as expected.

The tariffs are as follows
Unlimited data for all plans
£35, 200 minutes, 200 SMS
£45, 600 minutes, 500 SMS
£55, 1200 minutes, 500 SMS
18 month contract.
Uses EDGE (no 3g).
iTunes WiFi Store
8GB Storage

Apple has also made an agreement with The Cloud offering unlimited access (Subject to fair use policy) to 7500 free WiFi spots in the UK.

Click here to stay up to date on the Apple iPhone.

Buy the Apple iPhone from:
Apple UK
O2
Carphone Warehouse

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