Year: 2012

EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Samsung

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

Apple may have struck a blow in its current battle with Samsung over wireless technology patents, without actually doing anything.

News broke today that the European Union is launching a formal investigation into Samsung and its potential breach of EU antitrust rules. The investigation itself will focus on FRAND patents which means patent appliciations related to standards must be “fair, reasonable, and on non-discriminatory terms.”

The EU obviously believes Samsung hasn't been acting entirely above board with regards to its current patent dealings with Apple...

Smartphone Makers Reportedly Delaying Handsets to Avoid iPhone 4S Competition

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

The iPhone 4S is selling so well that Digitimes believes the competition is running scared. So much so that the likes of HTC, Samsung, Nokia and LG apparently delaying the release of new handsets until the iPhone 4S sales have slowed.

All the big smartphone players except Apple are expected to show off their upcoming handsets at Mobile World Congress in Spain, but if Digitimes is correct, then we'll have to wait until the second quarter before we can buy them.

Apple's fourth quarter showing was particularly impressive, garnering 23.9% of the market share. Samsung took second place with 23.5%. Behind the big two, Nokia made up the top three with 12.6%...

Apple Appeals Decision About iPad Trademark in China

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

In the latest round of trademark roulette, Apple has appealed a Chinese court decision that asserts a local monitor company owns the "iPad" trademark.

The company in question, Proview, apparently sold a selection of trademarks to a company representing Apple in 2006 but, according to Proview, the iPad trademark for China was not one of them.

Proview had claimed as much back in 2010, saying that it had sold the global trademark for "iPad" to IP Application Development, but that two trademarks in Mainland China were not included...

Why Apple Must Not Rest on its Laurels

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

It seems right now that Apple just can do no wrong. With record sales of its devices and huge amounts of money sat in the bank, it's all very rosy over in Cupertino. But other companies have had successful periods before, only for things to go a little awry in future years.

Despite great results from Apple ever since Steve Jobs returned to the company back in 1997, it wasn't really until the iPhone's introduction in 2007 that the world really took notice of what was going in at 1 Infinite Loop.

Now it's a worldwide phenomenon, with people owning iPhones who would never have contemplated picking up a Mac.

Throw in the beginnings of a tablet market that is still being dominated by the iPad, and Apple have every right to feel smug. But it may not last forever...

Foxconn Stock Reaches Record High on the Back of iPhone 5 Rumors

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Apple may not like it when we all start talking about unreleased hardware, but such speculation doesn't seem to be doing one of its biggest partners any harm.

In fact, Foxconn's close relationship with Apple has seen its stock price skyrocket to an all-time high thanks to extremely strong iPhone 4S sales combined with new rumors of iPhone 5 production.

Foxconn currently manufactures almost 50% of the planet's electronics, with Apple being its most high profile customer thanks to its hugely successful iOS devices in particular...

Siri Gets its Groove On in New Flaming Lips Song

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Siri gets around a bit these days. If Apple's virtual assistant isn't starring in an episode of the Big Bang Theory then it's making music, with The Flaming Lips deciding to give Siri a shot at laying down the vocals for a new experimental song.

Called "Now I Understand," the track also features the voice of Erykah Badu alongside Siri, with the result being an interesting one to say the least.

Experimental is possibly the best way we can describe this song, though it does have a certain charm to it...

Top Angry Birds Exec Thinks Piracy Can Help Promote Games

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 31, 2012

App piracy is something which is a real problem for many iOS developers, especially the smaller, independent ones. Things don't get much easier for the big guys, either.

Rovio, the people behind Angry Birds, also suffer from a spot of piracy, and not just of the app variety, either. All sorts of merchandise is being made and sold in Asia, with Rovio getting nothing by way of monetary compensation. But that doesn't seem to bother Rovio's CEO Mikael Hed.

In fact, he seems to be surprisingly happy about it...

Apple Predicted to Sell 40 Million iPhones in China This Year

Sébastien Page ∙ January 31, 2012

Speaking about China, analyst Katy Huberty belives Apple is on track to sell 40 million iPhones in China this year:

Investment bank Morgan Stanley believes Apple will partner up with both China Telecom and China Mobile "over the next year" to make its iPhone available on all three Chinese carriers, a move that could bring incremental sales of as many as 40 million units next calendar year.

I believe these numbers to be very conservative, especially if Apple signs a deal with China Telecom.

Record iPad Sales Make Apple the World’s Largest PC Manufacturer

Cody Lee ∙ January 31, 2012

A week ago Apple announced record-breaking results for its latest quarter, selling more iPhones and iPads in the three month period than ever before. In fact, its iPhone sales made Apple the number one smartphone manufacturer in the world (by volume).

And apparently, the company's tablet sales had a similar effect on its position in the computer industry. According to a report by The New York Times, the company that proclaimed the "post-PC" era — Apple — is now the biggest maker of PCs in the world...

Apple Hires John Browett as SVP of Retail

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 27, 2017

Apple today announced the hiring of a new Senior Vice President of Retail, with John Browett getting the top job.

Browett, a the former head of Dixons in the UK, takes over from Ron Johnson who left to take up a role at JC Penney last November.

The new hire will start in his new position in April, with Apple CEO Tim Cook seemingly pleased with the new recruit, despite Dixons' poor performance on the UK high street over the last few years...

How to Customize Your ‘Slide to Unlock’ Knob

Jeff Benjamin ∙ January 30, 2012

ColoredKnob is a perfect example of the adage that simplicity = generally awesome. Placing a colored slide to unlock nub on an otherwise overcast iOS lock screen looks incredible, as you'll no doubt agree from our photos and video.

As most of you know, I pride myself in maintaining the stock iOS water droplets wallpaper, which isn't the most interesting piece of work on the block, in fact it's quite snore-worthy.

That’s why I like this tweak so much; add it to the stock wallpaper, and bam, it's a whole new work of art.

Don't believe me? See for yourselves...

Conductive Gloves to Help You Operate Your iPhone in Freezing Tempertures

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

iPhone accessories aren't just limited to cases and screen protectors — they go way beyond that. The multi-billion dollar industry consists of products ranging from speaker docks to styli, and everything in between.

Even these new conductive mittens from Mujjo fall into the category. The gloves are knitted with a fabric filled with silver-coated nylon fibers, making them compatible with most common touchscreen-enabled devices...