Year: 2014

‘Apple’ trademark now covers jewelry, clocks and watches

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Is Apple about to enter the jewelry business? This obvious question comes to mind after realizing that the company's own trademark for the Apple name now includes protection for jewelry, clocks and watches.

I kid you not, I swear.

As noted by MacRumors, Apple's trademark now includes Class 14 specification which mainly covers "precious metals, goods in precious metals and, in general, jewelry, clocks and watches" (emphasis mine).

The wording leaves room for speculation that Apple's rumored wearable device - which may or may not be a smartwatch per se - could at the very least include parts made of precious metals because what's the alternative? Apple about to start selling necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and other pieces of jewelry in its stores?

Apple to webcast March quarter earnings

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple is scheduled to release its second fiscal quarter earnings Wednesday, April 23. Like it always does, the iPhone maker is going to provide a free live audio stream of the conference call with analysts and investors through its website.

The firm has issued a media release confirming that the conference call will be available as a QuickTime webcast on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 4.2 or above, Macs running OS X 10.5 or above and Windows PCs running QuickTime 7 or later.

The live webcast will begin at 2pm PDT on Wednesday, April 23, 2014...

Video: Tim Cook talks going green as Apple updates us on environmental initiatives

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Tomorrow is Earth Day and Apple is getting ready to celebrate the occasion in ways more than one. We previously learned the firm will change the logo color of its retail stores to green in a move reminiscent of how it celebrated the World AIDS day.

Next, Apple's Vice President of Environmental Initiatives Lisa Jackson (she oversees the company's environmental policies) recently took select members of the press on a rare tour of Apple's upcoming data center and solar array facility in the Nevada desert.

And today, Apple has shared latest data on its environmental efforts on its newly revamped Environmental Responsibility website and posted a corporate video with Tim Cook discussing Apple's environmental strides...

Apple gives the press a rare peek into upcoming Nevada server/solar farm

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 21, 2014

In another sign that Apple under Tim Cook's leadership is opening up a little bit more in a stark departure from the notoriously secretive operation it'd been under the Steve Jobs regime, Wired's Steven Levy was able to get a rare inside look at Apple’s newest data center in the Nevada desert and a massive solar field in Yerington that "takes up as much space as a sizable suburban backyard"...

History Channel, A&E and Lifetime channels added to Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 21, 2014

I hope you have some room left on your Apple TV's main menu because Apple has just added three new channels to its $99 set-top box featuring content from The History Channel, A&E and Lifetime. Cable-cutters shouldn't jump with joy, however, as a cable subscription is required to stream on-demand video from these sources without restrictions.

The new content sources should have been added automatically to your Apple TV's Home screen. If not, go to Settings > General > Software Updates and choose the Update Software option...

Apple Maps 3D flyover coverage expands to Berkeley and East Bay areas

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple continues to add major new areas to the 3D Flyover coverage in its mapping service available on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 6 or later and Macs running OS X Mavericks.

In late-March, the firm expanded 3D Flyover coverage to include Australia’s Perth, Spain’s Cordoba and France’s Saint Tropez and now Apple's in-house Maps team has added three-dimensional maps for the areas of California including the city of Berkeley and the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay Area...

Apple makes another high-profile medical device talent hire

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 7, 2017

Apple has added another prominent expert in the medial devices field to its internal team thought to have been tasked with the creation of an Apple-branded wearable device that the press refers to as the iWatch.

Divya Nag, “a rising star in the medical device community,”, has joined Apple's in-house medical technology team, according to sources with knowledge of the hire who spoke to one Apple blog on the condition of anonymity because Apple is not fond of leaks...

Apple, Google offering game developers special incentives for exclusivity

Jake Smith ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Competition between Apple and Google not only covers smartphones and mobile operating systems, but the App Store and Google Play app marketplaces, as well. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday the two companies have been working to sway game developers over to their own platforms exclusively with special incentives.

Having an exclusive game title on an app marketplace could help smartphone users feel as if they're on the best platform, a task Apple and Google have been working hard at since 2008. Both companies have reportedly offered game developers premium placement on the App Store and Google Play, for exclusivity in return.

Square reportedly in talks to sell after growing losses, held ‘informal talks’ with Apple

Jake Smith ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Mobile payments startup Square is looking to sell its business, following growing losses and shrinking cash reserves, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Square, founded by Twitter's Jack Dorsey in 2009, makes software, hardware products, and services, including Square Register and Square Wallet, for customers to pay merchants in an easier way.

Square has discussed an acquisition with Google in 2014, according to the report, with prior talks dating back to 2012. Additionally, Apple is said to have held informal talks with Square about a deal, interesting given the mobile payment rumors that have been circulating the Cupertino-based company.

How to add wallpaper to Control Center

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 20, 2014

CCBackground is a brand new jailbreak tweak that lets users customize the background of Control Center in iOS 7. The background can be customized with a photo from the Photos app library. Once you select a photo, a respring is required.

If the right background is chosen, CCBackground is a great way to customize the look of Control Center. Have a glance inside as we review CCBackground on video.

Facebook reportedly planning ad network for mobile devices

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Facebook is finally following the likes of Google and Yahoo and will launch an advertising network with a focus on mobile platforms, according to Recode.

Facebook hasn't publicly acknowledged its plans, but the publication says Facebook will take the wraps off its mobile ad network at its F8 developer conference in San Francisco at the end of April.

An ad network from Facebook essentially means you'll see Facebook ads even when you're not on Facebook - think any app on the App Store. In a way, Facebook's solution could go after Apple's iAd network, which has failed to catch wind with the industry.

‘BetterPowerDown’ adds iOS 7.1 power-down slider to iOS 7.0

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 20, 2014

BetterPowerDown is a brand-new jailbreak tweak that allows you to add additional power-off options to iOS 7.0.x. The tweak, which is available for download on Cydia's BigBoss repo for $0.99, allows you to add the iOS 7.1 and iOS 6.x power-down sliders to your device.

We've taken BetterPowerDown for a spin on video. Check out our review after the break.