Year: 2012

Apple gains important multitouch patent from 1995

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

As Google is shifting gear and asserting that iPhone inventions should become broadly available to everyone, Apple is aggressively bolstering its patent portfolio pertaining to iOS software and multitouch user interface.

Just last week the company was awarded a Goliath of a patent that depicts the iPhone's user interface in excruciating detail. Today, another patent grant has surface in the United States Patent & Trademark Office's (USPTO) database that Apple bought from a Canadian inventor, pressumably for a significant fee...

Developers think iOS will win the battle for enterprise

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Apple's iPad and iPhone are picking up steam in enterprise lately as big business abandons RIM's sinking BlackBerry platform. Apple's main rival in the enterprise market is of course Google, whose Android is lagging behind iOS in corporate email and security features, but Google makes up for it with its online suite of Office replacement apps called Google Apps, something Apple doesn't have in its offering.

Despite this advantage, developers polled by the mobile platform company Appcelerator and market research firm IDC think iOS has a significant lead over Android. Moreover, 53.2 percent of respondents think iOS will win the battle for enterprise versus 37.3 percent saying that Android will win...

‘ayecon’ adds insanely detailed icons to the iPad

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 25, 2013

ayecon — the high resolution WinterBoard theme from renowned designer, Surenix — is making its way to the iPad. Perhaps the worst kept secret in the theming community, ayecon for the iPad is very real, and it's coming soon to a jailbroken iPad near you.

If you're at all familiar with the small screen version of ayecon, then you will know just what to expect from the iPad version. Not much has changed here, but as you know, that's entirely a good thing. Full video preview inside...

Apple scores EU-wide sales ban on 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab, loses appeal on 10.1N

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2012

FOSS Patents reports that Apple has been granted an expanded sales ban on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 over design infringement, with a German court issuing a preliminary injunction ruling that Samsung may not sell the device anywhere in the European Union.

A sales ban in Germany has been in effect for a number of months now under a decision related to its larger sibling, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but today's decision extends the ban to all EU countries. At the same time, Apple lost an appeal to bar Samsung’s revised Galaxy Tab 10.1N tablet from selling across Europe...

Apple to present at Black Hat Security Conference for the first time

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Black Hat Security Conference is underway at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas and Apple is planning to present for the first time in the event's fifteen-year history. Warming up to hackers, the iPhone maker dispatched Dallas De Atley, its Manager of the Platform Security team, to talk iOS security.

According to the conference agenda, De Atley will "discuss key security technologies in iOS" as "Apple designed the iOS platform with security at its core". Apple's decision to take part in the conference coincides with a few security breaches in its mobile and desktop operating systems that routinely make headlines in the press.

Some of the recent examples include the widely reported IAP exploit and Mac malware that prompted Apple to step up its game with the new Gatekeeper feature in OS X Mountain Lion, designed to only allow for approved, signed apps from the Mac App Store...

Apple’s generous offer to Samsung: half a cent per device

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

We told you yesterday that court-mediated talks between Apple CEO Tim Cook and his Samsung counterparts fell apart as the two frenemies are scheduled to duke it out in a high-profile U.S. lawsuit next Monday, July 30 that could easily have serious ramifications for both firms.

The two sides just couldn't agree on the value of each other's patents, it's been said. Patent expert Florian Müeller did some digging and discovered Apple's terms, including the money value the company put on Samsung's patents...

Viber for iOS updated with refreshed UI, all-new voice engine

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2012

Viber, an extremely popular VoIP app released last December by a small Israeli startup, got a huge update today, bringing a re-worked user interface with group messaging, profile photos and more, in addition to an all-new voice engine said to deliver improved voice quality.

Like Vonage and Skype, Viber lets you talk to people using your device's cellular or WiFi data connection, exchange instant messages and images, all the while bypassing the carriers' costly voice minutes and text/MMS messages.Unlike Skype, there’s no need to create an account with Viber...

AT&T activates 3.7M iPhones, more than 3 out of 4 smartphones sold in Q2

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Carrier AT&T just posted its calendar 2012 second quarter earnings, hours ahead of Apple's conference call after the close of trading today at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern. AT&T activated 3.7 million iPhones, 22 percent to new customers. The figure represents 77 percent of AT&T's total postpaid device sales and about 55 percent of its total phone sales to contract customers, but also a 14 percent quarter-over-quarter drop in iPhone sales...

Microsoft job listing suggests iOS Office apps in the works

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Microsoft recently announced the latest version of its popular Office suite, Office 2013. And while there was no mention of whether or not the software would make it to iOS, the tech world seems pretty convinced it's coming.

A recently discovered job listing on Microsoft's website adds fuel to the fire, as it calls for a new software development engineer for the company's Office division to "be part of Microsoft's next move on the Mac and on iOS..."

Cellhelmet, an iPhone case that comes with a replacement guarantee

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 20, 2017

There are many, many cell phone case manufactures around the globe offering a plethora of iPhone protection, however, there may only be one company offering to replace your iPhone if damaged using their case. Enter CellPig's "Cellhelmet," a case manufactured in the USA.

A start-up in Pennsylvania tried many different types of iPhone cases that offer substantial protection but were troubled by the bulk of such a case. Putting their heads together, they decided on a trim, yet protective thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) unit that offered quality protection, but was guaranteed to do its job, or, the iPhone repair is on them!

New iPod touch said to feature a 4-inch display, A5 chip

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2012

Hot on the heels of last night's note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, comes a new report regarding the future of the iPod touch. If it holds true, the mp3 player could be getting quite the makeover this fall.

According to the new dispatch, the next-generation iPod touch will feature the same 4-inch display that the new iPhone is rumored to get, as well as an A5 processor and other internal upgrades...

Rumor: retooled iPad, iPad mini to closely follow new iPhone launch

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2012

Following up his bold predictions regarding the future of the iPod line, the often accurate Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has offered up his forecast for what will become of Apple's tablet line as well.

The analyst agrees that Apple is going to unveil an all-new, smaller slate this fall. But he also believes that the new tablet will launch alongside a tweaked version of the current third-generation iPad...