iDownloadBlog.com

Apple tops JD Power’s smartphone satisfaction survey again

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

For the eighth time in a row, Apple is ranked with the highest customer satisfaction. The iPhone received 849 points out of 1,000, according to J.D. Powers and Associates. HTC ranked second with 790 points and Samsung earned 782 points, below the 783-point survey average.

The iPhone "performs well in all factors, particularly in physical design and ease of operation," the ratings firm announced Thursday. The company measured smartphones for performance, physical design, features and ease of operation.

Facebook completes Instagram deal, reaffirms commitment to mobile app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 7, 2016

Social networking giant announced intentions to acquire Facebook for a staggering $1 billion back in April, pending customary regulatory approval. Following its careful and thorough review, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cleared the way for the transaction last month.

The deal was subsequently valued at around $747.1 million, $300 million in cash and 22,999,412 shares of Facebook common stock. As the deal is now closed, the Instagram team will relocate to the Facebook offices. Don't worry, they will continue to develop and enhance the Instagram app we've all grown to love...

Korea launches probe into Samsung over wireless patents abuse

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 6, 2012

Samsung is under fire in its home turf of South Korea over an alleged abuse of its wireless patents, Reuters reported today. The Korea Fair Trade Commission confirmed that the country's watchdog has launched an investigation based on Apple's antitrust complaints against Samsung which alleges that the Galaxy maker is abusing its patents to gain an unfair advantage in the marketplace.

Of course, Apple won a landmark victory in a high-stake U.S. trial last month that found Samsung guilty of breaching Apple's design and utility patents. The jury awarded Apple $1.05 billion in damages and ruled that the iPhone maker had not violated any of Samsung's patents.

Samsung later promised to sue Apple immediately if the next iPhone is released with support for fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio technology...

Question of the Week: will you switch from AT&T to Verizon for LTE coverage?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 6, 2012

As Ed brought out in his post just a few minutes ago, AT&T is scrambling to get its LTE network deployed in more cities with the iPhone 5's debut on the horizon.

At this point, Verizon has many more markets covered with LTE than their fiercest competitor in the United States, and with the upcoming release of the first LTE enabled iPhone, it could have a significant impact on customer loyalty and sales.

With that in mind, would you consider switching from AT&T to Verizon, if AT&T doesn't have an LTE network available in your market come iPhone 5 launch day? Sound off, in this week's Question of the Week...

Shit Apple fanboys say

Sébastien Page ∙ September 6, 2012

You know you're a fanboy when you're caught saying any of these things.

AT&T expands 4G LTE network ahead of new iPhone launch

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

With just days before Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone, AT&T Thursday announced its 4G LTE network is expanding into nine new US markets. The carrier also said it expects to add 43 more markets for the high-speed network by the end of 2012.

Although Apple's not talking ahead of the Sept. 12 media event, observers expect the Cupertino, Calif. company to introduce a new iPhone that supports the faster LTE networks. The new iPhone would join the latest iPad as two iOS devices compatible with LTE.

The next iPhone could hit Sprint on October 15, training manual indicates

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 6, 2012

Sprint Nextel, the nation's third-largest wireless operator, could start offering Apple's next iPhone beginning October 15, a leaked training document indicates. According to an alleged Sprint Training Manual, that's when the carrier will begin offering in-store iPhone support.

October 15 contradicts the assumed September 21 availability, as reported by iMore's Rene Richie who accurately predicted the next Wednesday's iPhone presser, so perhaps not all major U.S. carriers will get the device simultaneously?

FunBoard now available on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 25, 2013

FunBoard — the jailbreak tweak that allows you to customize animations for your Home screen app icons, dock, page dots, and more — is now available for purchase for $1.99 on Cydia's BigBoss repo.

We already previewed FunBoard earlier this week, and most of the feedback from readers and viewers was mixed. This certainly isn't the first time we've seen a tweak similar to this, and it won't be the last. What do you think about FunBoard? Do you believe it's worth the 2 buck asking price?

Poll: what’s this square thing inside the iPhone 5 for?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

A set of four new high-quality photographs have emerged, seemingly depicting the complete front assembly of Apple's next iPhone, due for unveiling at a San Francisco media event next Wednesday. These new images provide a detailed look at a square chip which leaked earlier and prompted pundits to speculate that it houses a Near-Field Communications (NFC) sensor, later debunked by the eagle-eyed experts over at AnandTech.

One of the theories has it that this thing is a fingerprint sensor, based on Apple's hasty $356 million acquisition of smart sensor maker AuthenTec. There are other possible answers to this mystery and I couldn't help myself collecting all the plausible possibilities in an amusing poll, included right below...

Samsung’s killing it, announces 20 million Galaxy S III sales in 100 days

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Apple's biggest components supplier and the fiercest competitor in smartphones and tablets, South Korea-based Samsung, today announces that it has sold a whopping 20 million units of its flagship Galaxy S III handset, unveiled on May 3 and backed by a massive advertising campaign.

That's a marked achievement, even by Apple's standards, one that proves that Samsung's device has become the most serious contender to Apple's iPhone in just three months. Can Samsung sell 30 million units by year's end and, more importantly, will Apple with a little help of its next iPhone re-take the title of America's best-selling smartphone?

Bloomberg says no new Apple TV products in 2012

Cody Lee ∙ September 6, 2012

Despite the lack of evidence, some pundits still maintain that an Apple television set is coming. In fact, just last month analyst Peter Misek told investors that an Apple HDTV was already in production.

There's also been some recent chatter that the company's working with cable companies on a set-top box. But according to a new report, we won't be seeing any new TV products from Apple this year...

New photos of purported iPad mini shell surface

Cody Lee ∙ September 6, 2012

It's not known for sure whether Apple will unveil its smaller tablet during next week's event, or at a separate gig in October. But according to a long line of reports from credible sources, it's coming.

And as the anticipated launch inches closer, more and more claimed parts have begun to surface. Tonight, we've come across photos of what is believed to be a legitimate iPad mini shell...