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Multiple users claim that CNBC reported at 7 p.m. EST that Apple and Nike would issue some sort of announcement on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 relating to the iPod and Nike Apparel. Details are unclear at this time, as a link to the story could not be found on CNBC's site, but readers indicate that the announcement could range from a Shuffle-replacement iPod in Nike shoes (with accompanying bluetooth...

CNN Money/Business 2.0 reports that Navio, a Cupertino California startup specializing in DRM technology, is gaining some prestige for their efforts in reverse-engineering Apple's Fairplay DRM technology. Already, early Navio customers like Fox, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Walt Disney Internet, Cingular and Verizon Wireless have been experimenting with Navio's software to sell digital content....

The Register is reporting that Apple actively courted at least one Power-based vendor before deciding to switch to Intel last year. PA Semi - a maker of low-power Power processors - formed a tight relationship with Apple - one meant to result in it delivering chips for Apple's notebook line and possibly desktops. The two companies shared software engineering work, trying to see how Apple's...

Spymac is claiming that the iPod Shuffle line will be discontinued once current inventory is depleted. Spymac has primarily turned away from rumors and its current reliability is unknown. Previous rumors and speculation had indicated that the 1 GB iPod Nano would replace the iPod Shuffle. Apple has since released the 1 GB iPod Nano and cut the original price of the...

Apple is counter-suing Creative, claiming they are in violation in four of its patents. The lawsuit was filed on May 15th, the same day that Creative filed its lawsuit. Creative is trying to bar Apple from selling iPods in the U.S. through a cease-and-desist order. Even though Creative's suit's implications are broad, Apple's suit (if successful) could have more impact on Creative because...

Following a meeting with top Apple executives, Bear Stearns analyst Andy Neff sent a note to clients regarding a range of issues, both current and future. Of note, Neff mentions that Apple is likely to refresh their iPod line ahead of the holiday shopping season similar to what it has done in years past. Should the rumored "true" video iPod appear with these updates, it would be offered as a...

According to an opinion piece by Tom Yager at Infoworld, Apple has closed the source of the Intel version of the Mac OS X kernel (called XNU) due to piracy concerns. While the rest of the underlying operating system of OS X (called Darwin) is still open-source, closing the kernel means less capability for pirates to hack OS X to run on non-Apple hardware, but also limits developers and...

In addition to the MacBook introduction today, Apple has quietly bumped the specs of its MacBook Pro line, leaving pricepoints unchanged. The lineup currently stands as: 15.4" 2.0Ghz Core Duo, $1,999 15.4" 2.16Ghz Core Duo, $2,499 17" 2.16Ghz Core Duo, $2,799 Customers are also now able to custom-build their MacBook Pro with a glossy screen at no additional...

The highly anticipated MacBook (Apple Store) has been released by Apple. The iBook replacement comes in black or white configurations, depending on price-point. 1.83 Ghz Core Duo White, $1,099 -Ships 1-5 Business Days -60 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive -Combo Drive 2.0 Ghz Core Duo White, $1,299 -Ships 1-5 Business Days -60 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive -SuperDrive 2.0 Ghz...

Creative has formally filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, claiming Apple is in breach of their "Zen Patent." The patent, granted in August 2005, covers how files on digital music players are organized. Creative also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission and is seeking an investigation into whether Apple violated the Tarrif Act by importing and selling...

According to an analysis by independent research and consulting firm Generator (report summarized by Macsimum), Apple's music business could reach US $15 billion by 2010. Such an increase in revenue would represent a doubling of the size of Apple's income based only on their music revenue (iTMS/iPod). "Most people now understand that Apple's music business is the main source of growth but what's...

According to Macworld.co.uk, Quark is gathering the press for an official launch event for QuarkXPress 7 at the Congress Centre in London on June 2. As the site notes, this is the strongest evidence yet that Quark is readying to ship version 7 of their over-due flagship desktop publishing application. Quark has seen greatly increased competitive pressure from Adobe's InDesign in recent years. ...

According to Rob Glaser, CEO of Real Networks, "about half the music on iPods is music obtained illegitimately." Glaser's comments were made in an interview with The Guardian where he goes on to discuss why he feels his company is trailing Apple and what Real's strategy is to improve its standing in the digital downloading market. The average number of songs sold for the iPod is 25, and there are ...

Apple is continuing its expansion of its retail presence with the May 19th grand opening of its 5th Avenue flagship store. The store is planned to be gargantuan, with Apple having secured 20,000 square feet of underground retail space with a stylish metal and glass "cube" above ground. Appleinsider has previously reported that Steve Jobs was mulling making a trip to New York for the opening. ...

Macworld.co.uk reports that the French Senate has passed a modified version of its controversial copyright bill. The original law, which was later gutted in committee required that Apple and other online music stores to have their songs be interoperable with all portable media players in France. The version passed today provides a loophole for Apple to keep their songs protected, but still...

According to Australian magazine Smarthouse, Apple has changed its iPod royalty model to a flat USD $4.00 price per unit sold to interface with Apple's dock connector. Originally, Apple charged 1.5% of the wholesale price but when the iPod took off and Apple began making their own accessories, third party manufacturers saw the royalty escalate to 10%. Apple has refused to comment on the fee....

The BBC reports that the Apple Corps have lost their lawsuit against Apple Computer. Mr Justice Edward Mann, the presiding judge on the case, ruled that Apple Computer used its Apple logo in association with its store and not the music itself, and was therefore not in breach of trademark agreements made in previous decades. Mr Justice Mann ruled iTunes was "a form of electronic shop" and not...

Multiple readers have reported that their early orders of 17" MacBook Pro's are now shipping. The 17" MacBook Pro was announced by Apple at NAB on April...

An unverified anonymous source claims that Apple stores are receiving materials for a new window display that's labeled "do not open until Tuesday, May 9th." The source also claims that Apple has directed its stores to push iBook sales this weekend, presumably to clear out inventory. Recent rumors have pointed to the Macbook being released in May, but no specific date had been given. Update...

Apple today released Aperture 1.1.1, a minor release to its professional photo editing and workflow application. According to Macworld, issues addressed in the update include a white balance bug and a fix for a false "incompatible display" warning. Perhaps more significantly, Apple also responded to a recent report by Think Secret of Apple's Aperture team getting broken up. "The reports of...