4th Gen iPads With LTE Now Arriving at Apple Retail Stores

9to5Mac is reporting that Apple Retail Stores are taking delivery of new fourth-generation iPad models with LTE cellular (though not the iPad mini), but they have not begun sales of them yet.

Apple has begun stocking its U.S.-based retail stores with LTE versions of the fourth-generation iPad. The product is not on sale yet, but they could go on sale at anytime. Stores have been instructed to wait until word from corporate comes through to begin sales.

Cellular-capable iPad mini and 4th-gen iPad orders are expected to be delivered to US customers beginning on Thursday and Friday of this week, and it's likely that retail store sales of cellular-capable fourth-generation iPads and iPad mini's will begin on Friday. Recently, Apple has generally launched iOS products on Fridays.

New iMac Deliveries to Be Delayed Until Early Next Year?

Apple may not begin shipping the new iMac until early 2013, according to the French site MacBidouille [Google Translate]. When the new lighter, thinner iMac was introduced three weeks ago, Apple said the 21.5" model would ship by the end of November, with the 27" model shipping by year-end.

The new iMac uses some advanced welding techniques as well as a new manufacturing process for the LCD screen that was rumored to delay the introduction of the iMac. Apple has run into difficulties ramping up production on its more recent product launches as the company pushes the envelope on what is physically possible.

During Apple's most recent earnings call, Tim Cook talked briefly about the constraints the company faces during the all-important holiday quarter:
In terms of general shortages on the iMac, we’ll be constrained for the full quarter in a significant way, part of that is that we’re beginning shipping the 21.5-inch iMac in November and the 27-inch in December. And so there will be a short amount of time during the quarter to manufacture and ramp those and I expect the demand to be robust. So we will have a significant shortage there.

Google Moving Closer to Submitting Maps App for iOS as Eddy Cue Works to Improve Apple's Maps

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is continuing to make progress on a standalone mapping application for iOS, working toward submitting the app for inclusion in the App Store after Apple switched from Google to its own in-house Maps app in iOS 6.
Google has distributed a test version of its new mapping app that will work on Apple's iPhones and iPads to some individuals outside the company, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Google has been putting the finishing touches on the app before submitting it for approval to the Apple iTunes store, this person said, though it is unclear exactly when that will happen.

Unlike Google's Maps app that was included with iOS 5 and earlier, the upcoming version will indeed include free turn-by-turn navigation as has been available on Google Maps for Android and which Apple provides in its Maps app.

The report also notes that Apple is continuing to work hard on improving its Maps app, with Eddy Cue taking a very hands-on approach with regular team meetings since he took charge of Maps and Siri late last month.

Google's Maps app for iOS has been spotted in alpha testing, but some Google employees are reportedly pessimistic about its chances for acceptance in the App Store. But given the plethora of existing mapping apps and Apple's promotion of the web version of Google Maps as alternative to Apple's maps while it works to improve its own service, there may be little reason for Apple to reject Google's submission.