Apple planning major product launch for 10th retail anniversary?

Apple may be planning something big for its 10th retail anniversary this Thursday the 19th. Here’s what we’ve been told:

• There’s an overnight shift planned for around 10-15 individuals at each Apple Store to work from late Saturday all the way through mid-Sunday.
• During the overnight shift, it’s going to be required that employees lock cell phones in the main office. They will also have to sign an NDA with Apple.
• There are a wide variety of roles, we’re told, for the overnight shift. This includes all visuals staff, a manager, a business team member, a few Genius team members, one back-of-house employee, and a few generic Apple specialists.
• Apple stores have apparently already received hardware to install, and are expecting more hardware to come on Friday or Saturday. All materials that Apple stores have received have been instructed to be under lock and key until after close on Saturday night.
• Apple employees will be putting up black curtains at all stores so that people walking outside cannot see inside.
• Employees have had to download gigabytes of data from Apple corporate labeled, “training” in a password-protected zipped folder that won’t accessible to managers or anyone else until Saturday afternoon.
• Lastly, all Apple retail stores have mandatory meetings on Sunday, May 22nd. Most meeting are scheduled for the morning, but there are evening meetings as well.

The question is, what is Apple planning?

Apple offering free repairs for iPod touches, iPhones, and Macs damaged in the Japan quake and tsunami

Apple is offering free service and repair to those Mac users who were affected by the Japan tsunami and earthquake in March. As stated in a Support & Information Services note [Japanese version/ Google-translated English version] on Apple's Japanese website, the company is offering free repairs of any Macs, Cinema Displays, iPhones, iPads or iPod touches damaged in the disaster. Apple's offer applies to those directly affected by the earthquake who primarily live in municipalities covered by the Disaster Relief Act of 2011.

This isn't the first time Apple has offered to help those who suffered in the Japan disaster earlier this year. Local Apple Retail managers opened up Apple Stores as sorts of communication centers that allowed people to use the Internet on the store's machines to email, FaceTime and Skype their loved ones. Additionally, several Mac developers came to the aid of the disaster victims offering donations from the proceeds of their apps. Apple and all member of the Mac community who have helped and continue to help those in need deserve props and recognition for their support and humanity.

Originally posted in March, Apple's announcement joins Softbank's offer to replace lost iPhones registered to its network, and free calls to Japan from U.S. carriers, among others. Considering water and other accidental damage typically voids a device's warranty, you'll want to give AppleCare a call soon -- the acceptance period only runs through June 30th.

Make Your Facebook Account More Secure With ‘Login Approvals’

Security is high on everyone’s list of priorities these days, especially with Sony still battling to bring its PlayStation network and Qriocity services back online after a security breach potentially leaked millions of users’ personal information. Now Facebook is offering a new tool to try and prevent unauthorized access to your account.


The new system uses two-factor authentication and offers an extra level of security over the basic settings. What the new option does is send an SMS message to a chosen mobile phone number each time a new and unauthorized computer tries to sign into your account. If the attempt is legitimate you can choose to allow access, but if not then you’ve just been alerted to a potential security breach.

As more individuals and businesses turn to Facebook to share and connect with others, people are looking to take more control over protecting their account from unauthorized access. Login approvals is a Two Factor Authentication system that requires you to enter a code we send to your mobile phone via text message whenever you log into Facebook from a new or unrecognized computer. Once you have entered this security code, you’ll have the option to save the device to your account so that you don’t see this challenge on future logins.

If you are unfortunate enough to lose your registered mobile phone then fear not, for you will still be able to change your settings so long as you use a previously authenticated system.

You can turn on Facebook ‘Login Approvals’ feature under: Account Settings –> Account Security. Make sure you have your mobile phone on hand so that you can receive a code via SMS which is required to authenticate your computer.