O2's guru James looking pissed that his boss has made his job a lot harder

We like to keep things upbeat here at The Processor, however I am not going to let this one slide. As momentum gathered for the launch of the new iPhone 4 on the 24th of June, I excitedly signed up to be kept informed of the latest developments from my carrier O2, all of which I hoped would be positive. And then I get this email, linking off to their site to tell me that they were getting rid of ‘unlimited’ data plans!

I could not believe it. That was the ONLY good thing about being on O2, and they just got rid of it! I know that in the grand scheme of things, like child poverty and war, it’s not the biggest of problems to face mankind. But really, in this day and age of a connected world I could not believe that O2 would take such a retrograde step.

Punishing the many, because of a few douchebags.

O2 have said that “just 1% of smartphone users – are using 36% of its total mobile data traffic, and that they needed to be encouraged to change their behaviour.” Great, it’s like just being back at school where one asshole downloads a tonne of porn onto his Macintosh Performa 6320e and the whole computing class is put in detention; but worse because we have to pay at least £30 for the privilege each month.

O2 well done, you have lost yourself a customer.

The Apple iPad launched by Steve Jobs in the foreground

With years of speculation mounting, the rumours and hype have finally proved true. Apple have just launched, the iPad.

Seen by The Creator himself as “the most important thing” he’s ever done. The iPad was launched to a frenzied reception in the Yerba Buena Center, San Francisco today.

The device which has been penned as the saviour of digital publishing, is much like a larger iPhone but has it’s own distinctive styling and has the following specs:

9.7″ IPS screen
1 GHz Apple A4 processor
16GB – 64BG Flash HD
0.5″ thin
1.5 pounds

However, were you like us a bit let down by the iPad launch? Were you expecting something else, here at The Processor we can’t really say we are inspired by the technology as it seems like a bigger, glorified iPhone/Pod. What could be interesting is Apple’s monopoly on the ‘iBook’ market. Something else like the music industry they can control!?

Let’s hear your opinions!!

What can be seen as a move to kick-start sales in the Christmas period, Apple have today released updates to a few products lines.

First off pictured above is the new entry level MacBook, which shares the same unibody construction as it’s ‘Pro’ counterparts and is subject to quite a few under the hood changes too (including LED backlight, glass multi-touch trackpad, up to 7 hours battery and better graphics). Retailing for £799, it will no doubt be on all the rich kids lists this Christmas.

Secondly, and I would say more importantly is the redesign and re-Christening of Apple’s flagship peripheral, the Magic Mouse. On first impressions the mouse looks beautiful, it takes what most computer manufactures regard as an afterthought and puts it on a pedestal. It is a stunning device from the company that popularised the mouse in the first place. It made from the same glass used in the construction of the track pads in their MacBook range, and it is sensitive to the same gestures.

Despite the general consensus that Apple may develop a multi-touch tablet and perhaps do away with mice altogether, with this Magic Mouse they really look like they are not going to let this input go quietly.

Thirdly and fourthly they have released updates to the iMac range and the Mac Mini, in line with expectations, read more about them here.

iOffer - How Apple do job offers

Ever wondered what it would be like to get a job offer from one of the most highly regarded companies in Silicon Valley? Well one blogger, Twisted founder Glyph Lefkowitz, was lucky enough to get one. And as all good bloggers should do, promptly posted an Engadget style ‘unboxing’. Commenting on things like the “hinge tension” and the “tab style navigation”, Apple can be sure that they have hired another disciple obsessed with the same attention to detail as The Lord Jobs Himself.

Read this, then go get yourself a job! Slacker.

O2′s stranglehold on designers and media types across the UK will soon come to an end, thanks to the expiration of it’s exclusive deal to provide Apple’s iPhone. Rival Orange is muscling in on the action, and in a brief statement released this morning announced that it would be offering app-hungry consumers a chance to get a piece of Britain’s coolest brand later this year.

“Orange UK and Apple have reached an agreement to bring iPhone 3G and 3GS to Orange UK customers later this year,” it said. “Orange, which has the largest 3G network covering more people in the UK than any other operator, will sell iPhone in all Orange direct channels including Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales channels, as well as selected high street partners.”

Details are scarce, with no exact dates or pricing plans confirmed. It’ll be interesting to see if 02′s arguably inflated tarriffs are undercut though, and the stage could be set for a juicy pre-Christmas price war. If Orange’s proposed merger with the UK arm of T-Mobile goes through, the iPhone will be available to a rather hefty customer base of more than 49 million across the UK.

Steve Jobs on the stage at the Apple Let's Rock Event

To be toally honest the only real story from last nights ‘Let’s Rock’ event staged by Apple in San Francisco, was that the almost Jesus-like Jobs took to the stage to introduce some product updates. Looking gaunt, and sounding hoarse, Steve Jobs received a standing ovation when he began his hour long presentation.

He then set about introducing iTunes 9, amongst which includes the following new features:

iTunes LP – Better cover art, photos, liner notes and lyrics. Essentially Apple’s attempt at redefining the LP format, in an attempt to persuade users to purchase entire albums.

App Management – allows you to sort out the apps on your iPhone/iPod Touch in a more intuitive way.

There are other less impressive additions, you can find out more here.

He also introduced a camera to the iPod Nano, which seems to be an attempt to target the Flip camera market. However it seems like the technical problems that rumour sites were reporting in the run up to the event were correct as the feature was lacking from the iPod Touch.

To sum up, the event was a dissappointment but not a surprise. Jobs attendance was reassuring but also showed just how much he has been through. It was a first for a man so keen to keep his private life separate from his work, to address his health head on. I just hope that by the new year he is fit enough to launch the anticipated Apple tablet with all the energy seen in previous product launches.