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Government pressures Apple to let Amazon and others link to e-books within their iOS apps

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 2, 2013

The U.S. government Friday offered Apple a proposal to settle an e-book price-fixing case which the technology giant recently lost. Among the requirements: end current agency agreements with the publishers involved, allow Amazon and others to provide external links to e-books within their iOS apps and institute a five-year probation from signing any new e-book distribution deals.

The proposed "remedy" offered by the US Department of Justice, while imposing some restrictions on Apple, could bypass potential fines reportedly near $500 million...

OpenTable testing meal payments via iPhone

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 2, 2013

While increasingly common to use your iPhone to reserve a seat at your favorite table, there has been that annoying task of paying the tab at the end of the meal. A leading player in online reservations, OpenTable, is testing a way to eat out and never touch your wallet.

According to reports, OpenTable - which also lets you reserve a table via Apple's Siri as well as a separate free app - has begun testing a feature allowing diners to pay for their meals with the iPhone. Perhaps most appetizing is the CEO's pledge that "no geeky stuff" is required...

Purported next-gen iPad mini backplate shows no design change

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Yesterday, we passed along a set of images depicting a backplate part the rumor-mill adamantly insists to be the rear case of Apple's upcoming fifth-generation full-size iPad. The same publication which provided those high-quality shots is back at it again, having published on Friday another batch of photographs, this time around showing off a smaller backplate in silver and made from aluminum, ostensibly for the upcoming second-generation iPad mini...

SnappyCam Pro lets you shoot 8MP photos at 20 pictures per second

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

I take lots of pictures of live bands. I love getting the perfect shot of someone shredding away on their axe while jumping though the air. It’s pretty awesome. It’s also pretty difficult to do with an iPhone.

SnappyCam takes pictures at the speed of metal so you are practically guaranteed to get the perfect action shot. With the ability to use up all 8MP of the iPhone 5’s camera, you can take up to 20 frames per second. If you miss the shot now, it’s just your own fault…

A Brief History of the World review: conquer the world straight from your iOS device

Lory Gil ∙ Updated February 21, 2018

The iPad is great for so many different reasons, but my favorite reason it is that I can have epic board game sessions without having to schedule a get together with friends, or even get out of my pajamas.

Maybe you won’t actually be learning history, but A Brief History of the World is an engaging and challenging game of domination over the empires of the world. No set up required. You don’t even need another person to play with…

CaptCase: a cleverly crafted iPhone folio case and card holder

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

I have tested my fair share of folio style or wallet type cases for all iOS devices. Each has its own eccentricities and the CaptCase for iPhone 5 is no different. With a mission to utilize simplicity of design to provide a beautiful and functional product, the company strives to create accessories that "enhance the use of your smartphone, without getting in the way."

There is one excellent feature of the CaptCase that proves their point. This is the only folio style iPhone case I reviewed with a cutaway in the front panel to allow phone calls. Truly, an excellent feature with functionality at the fore. Many others must agree, as CaptCase easily reached its Kickstarter goal..

Netflix launches ‘Profiles’ feature, will roll out to iOS devices over next few days

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Netflix users should keep an eye on their iOS devices this weekend. The streaming service has officially launched its new Profiles feature, and says it will be rolling it out to iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs (and other devices) over the next few days.

The news comes after several users, who had been given access to Profiles early, reported that the feature was showing up in the Netflix app of their Apple TVs. Now it looks like everyone is going to be able to get in on the fun in the near future...

Verizon introduces new 500MB shareable data plan

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The actions of major US wireless carriers are fairly easy to predict—particularly with AT&T and Verizon. If one does something, you can bet the other is going to follow suit, and vice versa. Just recently it happened with the device upgrade plans, and now this.

Hot on the heels of AT&T announcing its new 300MB share plan, Verizon has introduced a similar option for its customers. Starting this month, Big Red subscribers will be able to snag a new 500MB shared data plan for their smartphone, for $40 per month...

Leap Wireless says it won’t have to purchase unsold iPhones following strong sales

Cody Lee ∙ August 2, 2013

Leap Wireless held its quarterly earnings call yesterday. And aside from losing some 360,000 subscribers to 'increased competition,' and droopy revenues, its numbers actually look pretty good. Smartphone sales are up, ARPU is up, and churn is down.

But the number that really interests us is that the company's iPhone sales were up during the quarter. In fact, Leap's CFO Perley McBride said during the call that the carrier won't have to purchase $100 million in unsold iPhones as it originally thought...

Apple only considering outside candidates for new SVP of Retail

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2013

During its major executive shakeup last fall, Apple announced that its newly-hired SVP of Retail John Browett would be leaving the company. The move wasn't surprising, as Browett had come under heavy fire from the media following drastic retail strategy changes.

What is surprising, though, is that here we are, almost a year later, and Apple hasn't filled the job yet. But a new report from The Wall Street Journal this afternoon helps shine some light on the situation, saying the company just simply hasn't found the right fit yet...

Best Buy offering free Apple TV with purchase of 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

If you happen to be in the market for a new Mac laptop, you may want to check out your local Best Buy. Not only has the retailer knocked $200 off the prices of its Retina MacBook Pros, but it's also now offering a free Apple TV with purchase.

The promotion is good for all 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro purchases, and includes a free third-generation Apple TV at checkout—no mail-in rebates or anything. And between that and the aforementioned discount, that's a savings of at least $300...

ITC delays Samsung sales ban ruling until August 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 1, 2013

Earlier in March, The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) found Galaxy maker Samsung guilty of violating four Apple patents, among them a text-selection feature in its smartphones and tablets. The trade body was supposed to hand down the decision today on a possible sales ban on the Samsung devices in violation of Apple's patents.

The ruling has now been delayed until Friday, August 9 - the same day Apple and Samsung are due to present oral arguments pertaining to the landmark August 2012 Apple v. Samsung trial that found Samsung guilty of violating Apple's patented iPhone technology...