Year: 2012

24 hours later, iOS 6 is on 15 percent of devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 24, 2016

It is no secret that prior iOS releases were deployed fairly quickly across the vast majority of iOS devices in active use. This year's iOS iteration, iOS 6, is no exception. According to one mobile ads provider, just a day after its public release iOS 6 peaked at more than fifteen percent of all web traffic on its mobile ad network.

More importantly, traffic has remained at that level since. Another non-scientific survey shows a huge spike in iTunes traffic during the hours iOS 6 went live. With more than 400 million iOS devices sold to date, iOS 6 is poised to become Apple's fastest-growing iOS release to date...

Apple responds to criticism regarding new Maps app

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2012

Since iOS 6 went live yesterday morning, there has been a lot of commotion regarding Apple's new Maps application. As most of you know, Apple replaced Google's mapping software with its own in-house solution this year.

And people hate it. Reports over the last 24 hours have berated the app for not having transit information, being inaccurate, and just flat out not being as good as its predecessor. Well, Apple responded to the criticism this afternoon...

Apple to reportedly replace broken iPhone 5 screens in-store

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2012

With its new unibody design and metal backing, the iPhone 5 is built to be a bit more durable than its glass-backed predecessor. And it looks like it could be more repairable as well.

According to a new report this afternoon, Apple may be providing its retail employees with the tools needed to fix broken iPhone 5 displays in-store, a stark departure from previous policy...

Apple buys 200 acres in North Carolina for second solar farm

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

According to a new report today, Apple just laid out $3 million to purchase 200 acres of land in North Carolina near its Maiden data center for a second major solar farm.

As you may recall, Apple is nearing completion of its first 20-megawatt solar farm just across the street from its North Carolina campus, which is the largest of its kind...

Google submits iOS Maps app, hopes to have it approved before Christmas

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours, you are aware that crappy Apple Maps in iOS 6 provoked a very public backlash. We told you earlier today that a Google executive hinted in a brief interview with Bloomberg TV that iPhone 5 users can go download Google Maps, an unusual wording given that a rumored native Google Maps app couldn't be found on the App Store yet.

Adding fuel to fire, The Guardian newspaper reports that Google submitted the program and that it is now in Apple's sole discretion to approve it. Whether or not club Cupertino greenlights the nsoftware or throws it down the toilet over duplicate functionality remains to be seen.

At any rate, a native Google Maps experience akin to the recently released YouTube app would be more than welcome given the controversial downgrade that is Apple's in-house mapping solution in iOS 6...

Apple asks devs to send taller App Store screenies

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 8, 2016

With less than 24 hours until tomorrow's official iPhone 5 launch at 8am, Apple issued a note to its registered iOS developers, asking them to upload taller screenshots to comply with iPhone 5 requirements.

This concerns only developers updating apps for the iPhone 5 and the fifth-generation iPod touch, which both feature a taller 1136-by-640 pixel Retina display. The new screenshots dimensions are...

Facebook app updated for iOS 6 and iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

After literally years of waiting, Facebook's iOS app was recently re-written from scratch with performance in mind. That said, it goes without saying that we're positively shocked to see Zuck & Co. just push out a timely update to Facebook's official iOS client.

It adds full support for iOS 6, just 24 hours following its public release. The new version also mentions iPhone 5 support, but Facebook stopped short of detailing what that means. We have a huch it's got to do something with taking advantage of that taller display. Here's your changelog...

How to enable Lost Mode if your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen

Ankur Thakur ∙ Updated September 5, 2025

We’ll show you how to use Apple’s Find My service to enable Lost Mode for your iPhone or iPad that was lost, stolen, misplaced, or left behind. Lost Mode will password-protect your device, lock it remotely, and also display a custom message on the device Lock Screen with your phone number.

LG Display shuns Samsung, becomes prime supplier of Retina iPad panels

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

More cracks are beginning to show in the Apple-Samsung partnership as the South Korean conglomerate's component arm lost a significant amount of orders to rival LG Display. Coincidentally or not, the news arrives in the aftermath of the $1 billion ruling in the Apple v. Samsung trial. Samsung used to be the prime supplier of high-resolution Retina panels for Apple's third-generation iPad, but no longer.

Seeking ways to reduce its dependency on Samsung, Apple reportedly shifted panel orders to LG Display. It's not just a minor re-shuffling: Samsung last month saw iPad panel orders reduced to just 28 percent of its July output. We've seen what order stoppage rumors can do to market cap. I'd watch Samsung's share price closely these days...

Swiss Federal Railways says Apple copied its iconic clock in iOS 6

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2012

The latest iteration of Apple's mobile OS, iOS 6, has barely been out for 24 hours, but it's already causing quite a commotion. First, people seem to be really upset over the new Maps application. And now this.

According to a new report, Switzerland's Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, or the Swiss Federal Railway service, is accusing Apple of using their iconic clock in the new iPad Clock app in iOS 6 without permission...

Walmart stops Kindle sales, following Target’s lead

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Amazon's $199 Kindle and low-price retailer Walmart would appear to be a match made in discount heaven, right? Then how do you explain today's news that Walmart is kicking Amazon to the curb? In a statement, Walmart only says the decision is part of its "overall merchandising strategy."

"Recently, Walmart Stores, Inc. made a business decision to not carry current Amazon products beyond our purchase commitments and existing inventory," the Bentonville, Ark. firm told store managers Wednesday. In the memo reported by Reuters, Walmart officials said the stores will continue to offer "a broad assortment of tablets, eReaders and accessories at a variety of great price points."

Apple Maps and Passbook could push 2012 App Store revenue to $4.9 billion

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

An interesting unintended consequence of a downgrade that is Apple Maps in iOS 6: people will grow to rely on transit apps and other third-party software to help get back some of the Google Maps functionality (until Google releases a widely rumored standalone iOS Google Maps app).

And with Passbook debuting in iOS 6, we should increasingly download and use shopping programs (like the Target app) that produce Passbook-compatible coupons, invoices, loyalty points, tickets and other digital items.

As a result of the new Passbook functionality and lacking Maps experience in iOS 6, cumulative App Store revenue for the calendar year 2012 could top nearly five billion dollars, a research firm has forecast...