Patent troll VirnetX expands patent suit against Apple

If you're not familiar with the name VirnetX, you should be. The Internet security software and technology company (also known as a patent troll) has filed a patent infringement suit against every major tech company in the business, including Apple.

In fact, last fall Apple was ordered to pay VirnetX a staggering $368 million after a Texas jury found the iPad-maker guilty of infringing on its IP. And the battle is far from over, as the security firm just announced that it's been awarded two new patents...

10 new features in iOS 7 beta 5 [Video]

Like we did with the iOS 7 beta 4 release, we've put together a brief video highlighting some of the changes and features included in Apple's latest beta release. This beta, the 5th so far in the series, includes quite a few subtle updates that may be looked over if you're not intently looking for them. Have a look at our video walkthrough inside for a hands-on glimpse at 10 of the new features included with the latest beta.

How to use the new Apple TV beta automatic configuration

The new Apple TV beta has an awesome new feature — the ability to automatically configure settings via Bluetooth using an iOS 7 enabled device. We put the new feature through its paces just a few minutes ago, and came away quite impressed.

The new automatic setup feature will save Apple TV users a lot of time, and avoids the need to input tedious passwords and IDs using the little remote control that comes bundled with each set top box. Have a look inside, as we walk you through the entire setup process on video...

Facebook updates News Feed with new story bumping feature

I don't consider myself a big Facebook user, but I do check it from time to time. I live across the country from a lot of friends and family, so it's nice to see how they're doing every now and then. And for the most part, I don't mind the social network, except for the stupid News Feed.

It seems like every time I login, it's serving up posts in a different way, when I'd really just like them to be in chronological order. And wouldn't you know it, it's about to change again. Facebook announced this morning that it's rolling out a new News Feed story bumping feature...

Twelve South unveils gorgeous HiRise charging stand for Lightning iOS devices

Premium (and Apple-exclusive) accessory maker Twelve South has announced a new charging stand made from metal and compatible with Apple's iOS devices outfitted with Lightning I/O, such as the iPad mini, iPhone 5, fifth-generation iPod touch and the latest iPod nano.

The desktop stand secures your device in place while providing an adjustable angle for a nice visual match with your iMac, MacBook or Thunderbolt Display. Oh, and it's made from brushed metal to complement your other Apple devices perfectly. Jump past the fold for the full reveal and gorgeous hires shots...

Apple TV 5.4 Beta 4 seeded to developers

Along with seeding the fifth iOS 7 beta to its registered developers, Apple has also issued the fourth beta of the upcoming Apple TV 5.4 software update.

The beta firmware files for the second and third-generation Apple TV model, as well as the tweaked third-gen model (Rev A), are now available to the registered members of Apple's paid developer program through the iOS Dev Center...

Twitter app updated with two-step verification, enhanced photo search and more

Folks using the official Twitter client on iOS will be happy to hear that it has received a significant update this morning, bringing the app to version 5.9. The update includes a handful of improvements, including 2 step authentication and enhanced photo searching.

Twitter first introduced two-step authentication back in May, following a number of widely widely publicized hacks involving celebrity and other high profile accounts. With today's update, Twitter is bringing the new security feature to iOS and Android devices...

Apple loses ground in low-cost markets of India and China

We've often written about calls for Apple to produce a low-cost iPhone suitable for emerging markets, such as China and India. Now comes even more evidence for such a move as China and India are among the world's top three smartphone markets and are estimated to become the leading markets for smartphones by 2018.

Even more worrisome is Apple's declining share of those markets. In China, Apple's most important market, the iPhone fell from fifth place to seventh as local smartphone makers Huawei and Xiaomi grab more share. Meanwhile, in India, rival Samsung has more than a third of the smartphone market, which Apple has heavily invested in terms of marketing resources and newly-designed payment options...

New ‘American Legend’ trailer for Kutcher’s Jobs movie arrives

Jobs movie producers Open Road Films have been promoting the upcoming flick left and right ahead of its nationwide premiere scheduled for later this month. Ashton Kutcher, who plays Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs, and Josh Gad who channels Steve Wozniak, are tasked with depicting how the two Steves built the most valuable company in the world from Jobs parent's garage.

You've marveled at the psychedelic movie poster, watched the original trailer and seen a nice featurette, now's the time for a second trailer...

All-aluminum, completely waterproof physical activity tracker Shine launches

A company called Misfit Wearables has launched an interesting physical activity tracker device, the Shine, which works with iOS devices and can be worn anywhere on your body via the included clasp and optional add-ons.

Originally an Indiegogo project, the Shine goes beyond your typical pedometer by tapping proprietary sensor algorithms that not only track your steps, but also cycling and swimming. It's available now via the online Misfit store and is expected soon in brick-and-mortar and online Apple Stores...

Apple rejects Send Me To Heaven game over smartphone recklessness

In today's app rejection news, Apple has shown the door to a free game called Send Me To Heaven by Carrot Pop as it promotes smartphone recklessness. The game taps the iPhone's accelerometer sensor to track how high it flies when thrown up in the air.

Apple's App Store review team rejected the software on the basis of “encouraging behavior that could result in damage to the user’s device,” in spite of an appropriate disclaimer showing up prominently upon launching the app. Indeed, what was Carrot Pop thinking?

Feedly unveils Pro features with RSS search and Evernote support

Feedly, one of the many Google Reader alternatives vying for your attention following the closure of Google's popular web-based RSS client, opened its cloud app for everyone in June. By now, the service has already grown to an astounding 13 million users.

Banking on its popularity, the startup has now started rolling out a new Pro paid tier that enables advanced features like RSS search, Evernote integration and more for $5 per month...