Apple's Back to School promo offers gift cards for Mac, iPad and iPhone purchases

It's that time of the year again when the back to school season means new computers, tablets and smartphones but also a plethora of deals and promos. Apple's giving away a $100 gift card for buyer of new Mac portables or desktops and a $50 card for new iPad or iPhone sales. The uniquely designed cards can be used at the iTunes Store, the iBookstore, and the Mac App Store. 

Since this is an educational promo, to qualify for the App Store Gift Card and get education pricing on a Mac, you must be a postsecondary student, a student accepted to a postsecondary institution, a parent buying for a postsecondary student, or a faculty or staff member from any grade level.

iPad with retina and iPad mini now available for purchase at Bell

As expected, Bell has officially cut the rope and put the iPad with retina display and iPad mini for sale in their retail stores across Canada. Pricing is the same as you would expect at an Apple store with the LTE iPad with Retina display running for $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB) and $829 (64GB) – in both black and white. The LTE-enabled 7.9-inch iPad mini is also available in black and white, coming in 16GB ($429) and 32GB ($529).

Pick one up from Bell here

Apple releases iOS 7 beta 4 to developers

Apple today has quietly released iOS7 beta 4 for developers, bringing "bug fixes and improvements” to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. 

Although I haven't gone hands-on with the new OS, I hear that each new update brings more improvements infunctionality and core usability in preparation for its suspected official launch in September. 

If you haven't yet updated, grab the OTA on your UDID approved device now.

[via MobileSyrup]

The Apple Beat: Leaks and cases pointing to low-cost iPhone mounting

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

There's been a consistent stream of leaked photos pointing towards an upcoming low-cost iPhone, presumably to compete in emerging markets as well as offer users a cheaper alternative to the popular but premium iPhone 5. The latest is a photo from the WeiPhone Forums that show plastic cases for an iPhone 5C. The "C" may stand for colour or consumer as it has been rumoured that the plastic enclosures of this device will be available in various colours aside from black or white.

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