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Apple announces dividends and share repurchase program

Apple CEO Tim Cook just announced the company's plans on what to do with their cash balance at this morning's conference call. Tim Cook announced that the Cupertino company plans to initiate a dividend and share repurchase program beginning later this year.

Cook said the company will offer a quarterly dividend of $2.65 a share in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2012 beginning in July. Additionally, Apple announced its Board of Directors has authorized a $10 billion share repurchase program starting in fiscal 2013, which begins September 30. Apple said it expected the move to take place over three years and said its goal was "neutralizing the impact of dilution from future employee equity grants and employee stock purchase programs."

GeoHot arrested for Marijuana possession while driving to SXSW

While on his way to SXSW, famous iPhone hacker Geohot was arrested for Marijuana possession in Sierra Blanca, a small town with a history of arresting famous people for pot possession, including country singer Willie Nelson, and rapper Snoop Dogg.

While at the checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, the Department of Homeland Security had drug dogs that barked at GeoHot's car, meaning there was something fishy in the car. GeoHot apparently had a quarter of chronic stashed in the glove box, as well as eatables containing less than 1/8 oz of marijuana...

Apple reveals its all-time top apps

Yesterday we brought you news of a tremendous achievement where the App Store is concerned. Apple, amazingly, announced the fact that it had delivered an astonishing 25 billion downloads since the creation of the App Store in 2008.

That truly is an amazing fact and we're sure it won't be long until the next milestone of 50 billion has come and gone. It took Apple just over a year to add a further 15 billion to its 10 billionth download back in January, 2011.

If you were wondering what apps have been top of the pile during this success then look no further than the list below that is available on iTunes:

Apple can continue to sell iPads in Shanghai

After their on-going legal hustle with Proview Technology, Asian Apple fans can rest assured that they'll still be able to buy the iPad in Shanghai, thanks to a ruling by the Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court.

Just a few days ago we told you how Shenzhen based Proview were ready to negotiate with Apple over the alleged 'iPad' trademark infringement, however it now seems there will be no negotiating, not on Apple's behalf anyway...

Stick Cricket Super Sixes app review and giveaway

One of the most famous online cricket games has been available for your iOS devices for a good few months now, and it's fair to say I have a rather large addiction to the game.

Unlike the original Stick Cricket - free in the App Store - where the aim was to slog bowlers out of the ground, Stick Cricket Super Sixes now makes you take on a machine, the Bowlomatic 3000, hell bent on wiping you out...

The Beatles release 27 classic ringtones on iTunes

I was lucky enough to grow up 15 minutes away from the Cavern Club in Liverpool. The club is best known as being the cradle of British pop music and is synonymous with the Beatles. Growing up in the area and having strong ties to Liverpool itself means I'm a big fan of the fab 4.

I was delighted when Apple added the full Beatles collection to the iTunes catalog back in November of 2010. Now, as per the 'New on iTunes' email I received in my inbox today, I'm delighted to say that Apple have added 27 ringtones from the hit compilation album '1'...

Doctors to ‘prescribe’ smartphone apps to their patients

We've mentioned a few health related apps and peripherals in the past such as an ECG and a blood pressure monitor for your iDevice, but according to the Daily Telegraph, doctors in the UK are now being urged to prescribe smartphone apps to their patients in an attempt to reduce visits to health centers, ultimately putting the power of knowledge in the hands of the patient.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, has compiled a dossier of approximately 500 tools and apps which will be recommended by the National Health Service...

Steve Job’s life documented in a fascinating Facebook timeline [updated]

Since the passing of the late Steve Jobs, we've seen many tributes relating to the man behind Apple. Cult Of Mac have come across an extraordinary rendition of such a tribute.

It's a fascinating look into Job's life in none less than a Facebook timeline, documenting his life since the day he was born. As Killian Bell points out, the people behind this tribute must have put a heck of a lot of work into this.

Five addictive iOS games on my iPhone right now

I'm not a massive gamer, I leave that to my son. However I do like the odd iOS game thanks to the fact you can pick it up and play pretty much anywhere you want. Unfortunately some of these little games are addictive as hell and take up way too much of my work time.

So enjoy 5 of the most addictive iPhone games that I'm digging right now:

Rumor: iPad 3 front digitizer shows very few changes to its predecessor

Just yesterday we showed you some rumored images of the purported iPad 3 casing compared to the current iPad 2. Well, another day and we have another supposed leaked part.

This time around it's the front and glass digitizer assembly which, according to MacRumors, come by way of Sina Weibo, the Chinese micro-blogging site. It appears to show that there are very few noticeable differences from the iPad 2 set-up...

The Simpsons to land on iOS soon

Electronic Arts has recently confirmed that it will soon launch an official Simpsons game for iOS, with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch all getting a piece the action.

The Simpsons: Tapped Out will be a free title and include all the main voices from the legendary cast. While no official release date has been set in stone, EA did tell CNET that the game would be out “within the next few weeks”...

Apple working on iTunes and App Store redesign

According to 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman, Apple is going to overhaul the iTunes Store and App Store designs later this year.

The new design of the iTunes Store and App Store is going to be easier to use and be simpler. The ways of finding new content such as songs, videos, and apps is apparently going to be faster and more efficient...