New iPhone Rumoured For This Summer

According to this article in the Globe and Mail, the Wall Street Journal is citing unnamed sources as responsible for rumors surrounding an upcoming new iPhone from Apple and in particular a version designed specifically for the Verizon network. Currently AT&T is the only authorized carrier of the iPhone in the U.S.

Both Apple and Verizon are refusing to comment.

Apple Shareholders Press For Information About Jobs

At Apple's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday many questions were raised about the health of Steve Jobs. Board member Arthur Levinson told several hundred shareholders that the company expects Jobs, to return to his post at the end of June. "Nothing has changed," Levinson said. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Jobs, the company had a good year relative to many in the industry reporting a profit of $1.61 billion, or $1.78 a share, up from $1.58 billion, or $1.76 a share, a year earlier.

Source: USA Today

Steve Jobs Issues Letter To Apple Community Regarding His Health

In an attempt to quell the rumors regarding his health, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has issued a letter to the Apple community via the company's web site. In it Jobs explains that "...after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis."
He also goes on to assure everyone that he will remain at the helm. Great news!

Source: Apple.com

Apple's Final Macworld And No Jobs!

Apple Inc. announced yesterday that 2009 will mark the final year of it's participation in the Macworld conference and that Phillip Schiller, Apple's senior vice-president of worldwide product marketing will deliver the keynote address. The move has refueled speculation about the health of Steve Jobs who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October, 2003.

The company says "Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers. The increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways. "

Apple Hints At New Product Again!

In Apple's quarterly conference call with investors several company officials hinted at a new product line to be introduced before the end of September. Speculation has it that it will be a new form factor netbook, something between the iPhone and Macbook. “One of the investments we make is to introduce new products that initially cost more because they delivery an entirely new level of value to the customer,” said Tim Cook, chief operating officer. “Then we ride the cost curves down with value engineering and volume manufacturing, leaving us far head of our competitors. We have some of these types of investments in front of us that I can’t discuss. And we will continue to execute this strategy in the future.” One thing is sure, they really know how to play coy!

NY Times Bits Story.

Apple silences rumor site

The New York Times today is reporting that Apple and Mac rumor site Think Secret have come to terms and site operator Nicholas M. Ciarelli, a Harvard senior, has agreed to stop publishing. In a telephone interview Ciarelli told the Times “We’ve been able to reach a positive solution,” but the terms of the deal were not revealed. The deal ends a lengthy battle between Apple and Think Secret, as well as other rumor sites that brought into question whether or not independent web publishers should be afforded the same rights as traditional journalists. Ciarelli says “Speaking more broadly, I think online journalists can feel confident that they can assert their First Amendment rights, even when they run up against large corporations.” If I had to speculate, I'd say he's being paid to keep quiet... can't say that I blame him, I was a student once.