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Former Color employee gives behind-the-scenes look at Apple’s Lala acquisition

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

This is probably one of the more interesting Steve Jobs-Apple anecdotes I've heard in a while. It comes from Aubrey Johnson, a former Color employee, who gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Apple's acquisitions of two startups: Lala and Color.

Apple purchased Lala, a streaming music company, back in late 2009, and it just completed its buyout of Color. And outside of the fact that both startups were founded by Bill Nguyen, not much else was really known about the two deals. Until now...

Caption contest: Jony Ive at Silicon Valley’s all-star pizza dinner

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2013

This photo is gold. Twelve of the most important people in Silicon Valley gathered for a dinner tonight, hosted by Nextdoor CEO and longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur Nirav Tolia.

In attendance was Apple's design guru Jonathan Ive alongside a few other Silicon Valley celebrities.

Most notably, these include Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, Google X director Mike Cassidy, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and CEOs of Yelp, Dropbox ("you're just a feature") and Path. Ive is just behind Yahoo's Marissa on the right.

Such a rare photo-op, and with an informal Jony Ive as a bonus? Priceless. At any rate, it's nice to see the world's most acclaimed industrial designer hanging out with Silicon Valley's most influential entrepreneurs, even if he doesn't look like he's having much fun. Perhaps you could write your own caption?

DataMan Next tracks your cellular data usage in a very elegant way

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

I didn't care much about cellular data tracking apps until I gave up my unlimited data plan, a couple months ago. Then all the sudden it became important to me to figure out how much data I was using and make sure I didn't go over my allocated amount. My wife and I share 4GB, and although we've historically never been close to using all of that, I like to keep an eye on my usage, just to feel safe.

So I downloaded the DataMan app, which has served its purpose wonderfully ever since as it provided me with real time data usage. One thing always bothered me about this app though: it just looked bad.

But this morning, I received an email from Johnny Ixe, the developer of DataMan, letting me know about his new app called DataMan Next. It serves the exact same purpose as DataMan, except it looks much better. I'd actually go as fasr as saying it looks beautiful, but you might want to see for yourself...

Korean iPhone users drop privacy suit against Apple to pursue $25M case

Cody Lee ∙ January 18, 2013

Back in 2011 a group of 29 people took action against Apple, claiming that the iPhone-maker was illegally enabling location-based features without their consent (you remember locationgate, don't you?). Today, however, they've backed down after failing to provide sufficient evidence.

The group had been seeking 800,000 won (or $757 USD) per person, but will now turn their attention to a separate class-action privacy suit filed with a regional court, which involves claims from roughly 27,000 iPhone owners in the country and could be worth up to $25 million...

The government wants to give you greater control of app privacy and data tracking

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 9, 2023

We don't often discuss U.S. government action when it comes to iPhone apps. But proposed legislation in Washington has iOS app advertisers up in arms and could even curtail future app development. Known as the "Apps Act", the measure ostensibly is aimed at protecting the privacy of consumers downloading a growing number of apps on mobile devices.

Per voluntary guidelines, Apps Act will require apps to get explicit permission from you before acquiring your name and email address. Among the areas targeted in the US House of Representatives proposal by Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson is requiring app devs to explain how your data will be used and what third parties can access it.

These steps are largely positive and one component of the proposed new regulation is particularly interesting as it would give your the right to delete your personal data used by advertisers...

OkCupid launches ‘Crazy Blind Date’ app

Mike Schnier ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Ever tried OkCupid? It's a geeky little dating service that matches people based on their answers to multiple choice questions. Your answers determines what the site believes you care about, as well as your opinions on ethics, sex, religion, lifestyle, dating, and a host of other topics. The premise of the service is it can match its users with their ideal partners, before you're even introduced.

But is 'ideal' everyone's cup of tea? OkCupid recently launched an app called Crazy Blind Date that throws your pictures, answers, and meticulously crafted profiles out the window. Just pick an evening you're free, a place you'd like to go, and Crazy Blind Date will set you up with somebody who also happens to be free...

Supply cuts? Think a major technology shift ahead of iPhone 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2013

There has never been so much hoopla surrounding Apple's supply chain like recent talk of a severe cut back in orders of screens for the iPhone 5, and now iPads as well. The negative sentiment in those unverified reports has already sent AAPL below $500 ahead of the impending earnings call.

But one analyst isn't worried at all. In his mind, the cutbacks are the result of an upcoming "evolutionary technology update" for the next iPhone rather than a sign of a lack of demand for the new Apple handset...

Al Gore teaches us some nice AAPL stock tricks

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

I also have another headline: Al Gore profits from Apple losses. Regardless of where you stand, the debate over whether Apple's iPhone is facing declining demand has now spread from simply a question of iOS versus Android. It's about Benjamins, who wins and who loses. Facing the 'threat' of Apple share value rebounding when its quarterly sales numbers are released next Wednesday, investors are hoping the company's stock remains low. Among them: former U.S. Vice President and Apple board member Al Gore.

Gore last week exercised options to buy 59,000 shares of Apple stock for only $7.475 per share. Because of the low option price versus the actual stock price of $495.2, he was able to buy Apple stock worth more than $29 million for just $441,000...

Apple to open R&D facility in Shanghai this summer

Cody Lee ∙ January 18, 2013

Earlier this week, we passed along a report claiming that Apple was looking to open up a new research and development center in Beijing. The news made sense, considering that on Tim Cook's recent visit to China, he was seen talking with high level government officials.

But according to a new report, which cites people familiar with the project, the R&D facility is actually going up in Shanghai. The campus, which Apple is expected to announce later this year, will feature three 6-story buildings, with over 100,000 square feet of space...

Cellular iPads hit China: iPad mini already on a 2-week backlog

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2013

Amid all the negativity surrounding speculation of weaker than expected demand for the iPhone 5 (and now the full-size iPad) comes a glimpse of hope as buyers in China seem to be picking up their cellular iPads at a rapid clip. In fact, iPads are seeing shipping delays on the launch day in this massive market.

As promised, on Friday cellular versions of the full-size 9.7-inch iPad and 7.9-inch iPad mini went on sale in China. Immediately following the launch, however, Apple's online store in China is quoting a two-week delay for new online orders for both the Wi-Fi-only and cellular versions of the mini tablet...

Sharp said to be cutting production of 9.7-inch iPad screens

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Reuters has issued a report this morning claiming that Sharp is cutting down production on iPad screens. The outlet cites two industry sources, who say the corp. has nearly halted manufacturing of 9.7-inch screens for the tablet at its Kameyama plant in Japan.

It's not clear how much of the slowdown is due to seasonal changes in demand, or cannibalization, thanks to a rising consumer interest in Apple's iPad mini. But regardless, this is still the second report of the Cupertino company cutting part orders this week...