The Apple Beat: Two books and Jony Ive's rare Time Magazine profile

“Steve and I spent months and months working on a part of a product that, often, nobody would ever see, nor realize was there,” Apple's Jony Ive opens up about design in a recent interview with Time - Photo by Gadjo C. Sevilla

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

It's that time of year where the scarcity of Apple product news and announcements leaves a void that is soon filled with rumours, unbridled speculation on new products and services that haven't been announced. 

With a news cycle running dry until around June, publishers seem to have timed the release of Apple-related books focusing not just on the company but on the personalities that shape its future.

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SlatePro's Personal TechDesk is designed for Apple and iOS devices

The Personal TechDesk is a Kickstarter project and a serious Apple loyalist's accessory. Not only is it made of the familiar blonde wood we see at various Apple Retail Stores, it is designed with built-in slots for iPhones and iPads plus has some vented areas to keep MacBooks nice and cool. The SlatePro will sell for US for $698 later this year which isn't bad for a specialized desk that's handmade. If that's too expensive, consider the $ 98 slate, which is a desk for notebook users that uses the same materials.

Apple's CFO Peter Oppenheimer to retire by end of September

Apple announced that Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s senior vice president and CFO, will retire at the end of September. Luca Maestri, Apple’s vice president of Finance and corporate controller, will succeed Peter as CFO reporting to Apple CEO, Tim Cook. Peter will transition the CFO role to Luca in June and the balance of his responsibilities over the remaining time allowing for a professional and seamless transition. 

Fore many reporters and business analysts covering Apple, Oppenheimer is usually the voice they hear running down the highlights of various Apple earnings call each quarter. Oppenheimer just recently accepted a position in the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs.

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US Postage Stamp featuring Steve Jobs considered for 2015

Stamp mock-up by Gadjo C. Sevilla

The Washington Post has uncovered a list of possible subjects for upcoming US Postage Stamps and among them is Apple founder Steve Jobs. Slated for production in 2015, the stamps will be a limited release. Other celebrities getting stamped include Science Fiction Writers, Peanuts, Johnny Carson, James Brown and Elvis. The actual stamp is still being designed so there's no inkling on which iconic Jobs image will be used. Perhaps they should release a series of stamps, one for each revolutionary product category Jobs ushered in.

Source: The Washington Post