MarcForrest.com

Category: On The Marc

  • Lady Gaga in South Africa info

    So after much speculation and rumours abounding, it was finally announced this morning that world superstar and entertainer Lady Gaga will be performing in SA later this year

    Here are a few points you should know

    • Joburg (Soccer City) 30 Nov & Cape Town (Cape Town Stadium) 3 Dec
    • The Darkness (I believe in a thing called love) & Lady Starlight as opening acts
    • Tickets start at R315 for seated tickets
    • Standing tickets are R715
    • There are NO Golden circle tickets
    • Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning ONLY on Computicket.com. Max 8 tickets per person
    • Store sale tickets will start on Thursday 21st for JHB & Friday 22nd for CT
    • A queuing system will be used to book tickets, and you only pay when you get to the front of the queue. Hopefully this means no site crashes !!
    • 2 other packages called Government Hooker (which gets you early entry) & Highway Unicorn (which looks like VIP seated tickets) will also be available (No pricing yet)
    • Seating Plans for JHB & CT
    • Official Press release here
    • Check out the Computicket Facebook app for more info

  • A day out at the rugga with BMW South Africa

    I was super stoked last week when I got an invite from the guys at BMW South Africa to join them for a day at the Springbok vs England game last week at Kings Park. BMW are an official SARU sponsor, so that meant the full VIP Treatment. After meeting up at the Elangeni Hotel on the beachfront we made our way over to the stadium in a coach, where we were met by Guy Kilfoil, General Manager for Group Communications & Public Affairs at BMW South Africa.

    We were treated with 5 star hospitality in the hospitality tent, which included an awesome lunch as well ! Just before the match we made our way over to the stadium, at which time it started bucketing down…Thankfully, by the time the game kicked off, it stopped raining, and we were entertained by the Boks & England to a very entertaining game. The weather amazingly held out for the whole game, and the atmosphere at the stadium was awesome !

    A HUGE thanks to the guys from BMW South Africa for the fantastic day, I honestly had a blast !! Hoping the Boks keep up their winning ways, and crush the English again this weekend !

  • New Macbook Pro Pricing for South Africa

    The recommended retail pricing for the new Macbook Pro range which was announced at the WWDC conference earlier this week, has been announced for South Africa. The units should be available in South Africa shortly, although no official date has been announced yet.

    Below are the ins & outs of the pricing and the recommended retail pricing

    [table style=”light” highlight=”true”]
    [thead]
    [tr]
    [th align=”left”]Model [/th]
    [th]Spec[/th]
    [th]RRP (SA)[/th]
    [th]RRP (US)[/th]
    [th]RRP (UK)[/th]

    [/tr]
    [/thead]
    [tbody]
    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]11-inch MacBook Air[/td]
    [td]

    – 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 64GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 5 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R10 499[/td]
    [td]$999[/td]
    [td]£849[/td]

    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]11-inch MacBook Air[/td]
    [td]

    – 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 128GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 5 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R11 999[/td]
    [td]$1099[/td]
    [td]£929[/td]

    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]13-inch MacBook Air[/td]
    [td]

    – 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 128GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R12 999[/td]
    [td]$1 199[/td]
    [td]£999[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]13-inch MacBook Air[/td]
    [td]

    – 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 256GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R16 499[/td]
    [td]$1 499[/td]
    [td]£1 249[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]13-inch MacBook Pro[/td]
    [td]

    – 2.5GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 500GB (5400 rpm) hard drive
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R12 999[/td]
    [td]$1 199[/td]
    [td]£999[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]13-inch MacBook Pro[/td]
    [td]

    – 2.9GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz)
    – 8GB of memory
    – 750GB (5400 rpm) hard drive
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R16 599[/td]
    [td]$1 499[/td]
    [td]£1 249[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]15-inch MacBook Pro[/td]
    [td]

    – 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz)
    – 4GB of memory
    – 500GB (5400 rpm) hard drive
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB
    of GDDR5 memory
    – 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R19 999[/td]
    [td]$1 799[/td]
    [td]£1 499[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]15-inch MacBook Pro[/td]
    [td]

    – 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz)
    – 8GB of memory
    – 750GB (5400 rpm) hard drive
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
    – NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of
    GDDR5 memory 1 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R23 999[/td]
    [td]$2 199[/td]
    [td]£1 799[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]

    15-inch MacBook Pro
    with Retina display

    [/td]
    [td]

    – 15.4-inch Retina LED-backlit display with
    IPS technology (2880 x 1800 resolution
    at 220 pixels per inch)
    – 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz)
    – 8GB of memory
    – 256GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000
    – NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of
    GDDR5 memory
    – 2 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – HDMI port
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R23 999[/td]
    [td]$2 199[/td]
    [td]£1 799[/td]

    [/tr]

    [tr]
    [td align=”left”]

    15-inch MacBook Pro
    with Retina display

    [/td]
    [td]

    – 15.4-inch Retina LED-backlit display with
    IPS technology (2880 x 1800 resolution
    at 220 pixels per inch)
    – 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
    processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz)
    – 8GB of memory
    – 512GB Flash storage
    – Intel HD Graphics 4000
    – NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of
    GDDR5 memory
    – 2 Thunderbolt port
    – 2 USB 3.0 ports
    – HDMI port
    – Up to 7 hours battery life (wireless web)

    [/td]
    [td]R29 999[/td]
    [td]$2 799[/td]
    [td]£2 299[/td]

    [/tr]
    [/tbody]
    [/table]

     

  • [Press Release] Apple Previews iOS 6 With Loads Of New Features !

    The final announcement at todays WWDC keynote was the announcement of the new iOS6 iPhone & iPad OS. There are over 200 new features included in the new OS, including Maps, Facebook intergration, Shared photo streams & loads loads more….Some exciting times. I reckon we will see iOS6 in around Sept/Oct, although if you are a developer, you can download the beta version today !!!

    SAN FRANCISCO?June 11, 2012?Apple today previewed iOS 6, introducing over 200 new features to the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, and released a beta version to iOS Developer Program members. iOS 6 will be available to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users this fall as a free software update. New iOS 6 features include: an all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and an amazing new Flyover view; new Siri features, including support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari and Maps; Shared Photo Streams via iCloud; and Passbook, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place.

    “iOS 6 continues the rapid pace of innovation that is helping Apple reinvent the phone and create the iPad category, delivering the best mobile experience available on any device,” said Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vice president of iOS Software. “We can’t wait for hundreds of millions of iOS users to experience the incredible new features in iOS 6 including the new Maps app, expanded Siri support, deep Facebook integration, Shared Photo Streams and the innovative new Passbook app.”

    iOS 6 includes an all new Maps app with vector-based map elements that make graphics and text smooth, and panning, tilting and zooming incredibly fluid. New turn-by-turn navigation guides you to your destination with spoken directions, and the amazing Flyover feature has photo-realistic interactive 3D views. Real-time traffic information keeps you updated on how long it will take to get to your destination and offers alternate time-saving routes if traffic conditions change significantly. Additionally, local search includes information for over 100 million businesses with info cards that offer Yelp ratings, reviews, available deals and photos.

    Siri, now available for the new iPad as well as iPhone 4S, includes language support for English, French, German and Japanese, and adds support for Spanish, Italian, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese. Siri is optimised for use in 15 countries and helps you get even more done with just your voice, whether it’s finding the latest sports scores or making restaurant reservations. You also can ask Siri to update your status on Facebook, post to Twitter or launch an app. Additionally, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with a new Eyes Free mode, enabling you to interact with your iPhone using nothing more than your voice.

    Built-in Facebook integration is the best ever in a mobile device, allowing you to sign in once and post from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps, including Photos, Safari and Maps. Your Facebook friends’ information is kept up to date across all your iOS devices, automatically updating details in Contacts when they change, and scheduling events and birthdays in your Calendar. You can also “Like” content directly from the App Store and iTunes and see what your friends recommend.

    With more than 125 million users already enjoying iCloud, iOS 6 introduces new ways to share photos with friends and family using Shared Photo Streams. Simply select the photos you want to share, pick which friends you want to receive the album, and the Shared Photo Stream album is instantly available on their iOS devices, iPhoto and Aperture on their Mac, via the web or even through Apple TV. You and your friends can leave comments on or “Like” any photo in a shared album.

    The new Passbook app is the simplest way to get all your passes in one place, such as boarding passes and baseball tickets. Passbook lets you scan your iPhone or iPod touch to use a coupon, get into a concert or check into your hotel. Passbook automatically displays your passes on your Lock Screen based on a specific time or location, so when you walk into your favorite coffee shop your loyalty card appears and you can scan it to buy a coffee or check your balance. Passbook can even alert you to last minute gate changes or flight delays at the airport.

    Building on Apple’s commitment to provide innovative solutions for education and accessibility, iOS 6 introduces Guided Access. This new feature allows a parent, teacher or administrator to disable hardware buttons to lock an iOS device into a single app, especially useful for test taking or helping someone with a disability stay focused on learning. Guided Access also includes the ability to confine touch input to certain parts of the screen.

    Additional new iOS 6 features include:

    • enhancements to Safari, the world’s most popular mobile browser, such as iCloud tabs, offline reading lists, photo uploads and full screen view;
    • support for FaceTime calls over cellular networks;
    • the ability to set up a VIP Mailbox, making it easier to quickly view messages from important people you designate as VIPs;
    • the option to decline incoming calls with a quick message, set a callback reminder and enable a new Do Not Disturb option; and
    • a whole new set of improvements and services specifically for iOS users in China, such as improved text input and built-in support for popular Chinese services including Baidu, Sina Weibo, Youku and Tudou.

    Availability
    The iOS 6 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iOS 6 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, the new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch (fourth generation) this fall. Some features may not be available on all products.

     

  • [Press Release] Mountain Lion Available in July From Mac App Store

    I can’t wait for this OS update ! I am keen for the Airplay intergration from your Laptop/Desktop straight to the Apple TV. Loads of new features !!

    SAN FRANCISCO—June 11, 2012— Apple today announced that OS X Mountain Lion, the ninth major release of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, will be available in July as a download from the Mac App Store. Mountain Lion introduces more than 200 innovative features including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, Facebook integration*, Dictation, Power Nap, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper. With iCloud built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across all your devices.

    “The pace of innovation on the Mac is amazing, OS X Mountain Lion comes just a year after the incredibly successful launch of Lion,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With iCloud built right in and the new Notification Center, Messages, Dictation, Facebook integration and more, this is the best OS X yet.”

    Using your iCloud account, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to set up your Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Messages, Reminders and Notes. The new Reminders and Notes apps help you remember important tasks and jot down your thoughts quickly, while iCloud automatically keeps everything up to date. Documents in the Cloud works with iCloud-enabled apps including Apple’s iWork suite so you can always access and edit your documents on any device.

    The new Messages app replaces iChat and brings iMessage to the Mac, so you can send messages to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or another Mac. You can include attachments, high quality photos and HD video, and your iMessages appear on all your devices so you can pick up a conversation right where you left off. iMessage includes group messaging, delivery and read receipts, typing indicators and secure end-to-end encryption. The Messages app also supports traditional instant messaging services, including AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk and Jabber.

    Mountain Lion streamlines the presentation of notifications, and with Notification Center you can see all your notifications from OS X and third party apps in one convenient place. You can customise which apps send you notifications, the type of notification you receive, and how many items are shown in Notification Center. When you want to focus on your work or watch a movie, you can choose to temporarily suspend all notifications.

    New system-wide Sharing is built into Mountain Lion, making it easier than ever to share links, photos, videos and other files. Clicking the Share button allows you to share quickly without having to switch to another app, and you just need to sign in once to use third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Vimeo. Facebook and Twitter are integrated with Notification Center so you can receive notifications when someone sends you a message or mentions you in a post or Tweet.

    With built-in support for Facebook, you can post photos, links and comments with locations right from your apps. Once you’ve signed in, your Facebook friends automatically appear in Contacts with their profile photos. Your Facebook notifications work with Notification Center in Mountain Lion, and you can even update your Facebook status from within Notification Center.

    Dictation is built into Mountain Lion and allows you to dictate text anywhere you can type, whether you’re using an app from Apple or a third party developer. Mountain Lion also introduces Power Nap, an innovative new feature that keeps your MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air (second and third generation) up to date while it sleeps. Power Nap automatically refreshes Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Photo Stream, Find My Mac and Documents in the Cloud, and when plugged in, downloads software updates and backs up your Mac using Time Machine.

    The revolutionary new Gatekeeper feature makes downloading software from the Internet safer by giving you control over which apps can be installed on your Mac. You can choose to install apps from anywhere, just as you do today, or for maximum security you can set Gatekeeper to allow only apps from the Mac App Store. The default setting allows you to install apps from the Mac App Store and apps from developers that have a unique Developer ID from Apple. In addition to checking daily for security updates, Mountain Lion includes app sandboxing to keep misbehaving apps from compromising your system, and kernel ASLR for improved protection against buffer overflow attacks.

    Additional new features in Mountain Lion include:

    • AirPlay Mirroring, an easy way to wirelessly send an up-to-1080p secure stream of what’s on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV, or send audio to a receiver or speakers that use AirPlay;
    • Game Center, which brings the popular social gaming network from iOS to the Mac so you can enjoy live, multiplayer games with friends whether they’re on a Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch;
    • a faster Safari with a unified Smart Search Field, iCloud Tabs that present your open tabs across your devices, and a new Tab View to quickly swipe through them;
    • new features for China, including significantly improved text input, a new Chinese Dictionary, easy setup with popular email providers, Baidu search in Safari, built-in sharing to Sina Weibo and popular video websites Youku and Tudou; and
    • over 1,700 new APIs that give developers access to the latest core OS and web technologies, as well as the newest features of OS X, including Documents in the Cloud, Notifications, Sharing and Game Center.

    Pricing & Availability
    OS X Mountain Lion will be available in July from the Mac App Store for $19.99 (US)**. Mountain Lion requires Lion or Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6.8 or later), 2GB of memory and 8GB of available space. For a complete list of system requirements and compatible systems, please visit: apple.com/osx/specs/. OS X Server requires Mountain Lion and will be available in July from the Mac App Store for $19.99 (US). The OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 11, 2012.