Apple and Samsung make their closing arguments

It's been a long few weeks, but the high-profile trial between Apple and Samsung is finally starting to wind down. Yesterday's peace talks between CEOs failed to yield any results, so tomorrow, the case will get handed to the jury.

Attorneys used their last day in court today to make their closing arguments and rebuttals. And while both parties made some compelling comments, it seemed like Samsung's side made the more memorable impression...

New DietBulletin tweak makes notification banners smaller

When iOS 5 launched last fall, it brought with it a slew of changes. Among those changes was an all-new notification system, which included a pull-down menu and new banner-style alerts.

Admittedly, the banners are a huge improvement over the popups. But there's still one problem: they're too big. And this can sometimes intrude on your work space. Enter DietBulletin...

Apple reportedly asking resellers to clear iPad display space

Apple is going to unveil a new smartphone next month, there's very little doubt about that. And an iPod refresh is also pretty much a given. But a new, smaller iPad, though, seems to be much less of a certainty.

A new report, however, is out this afternoon, that adds weight to the theory. According to some of Apple's premium retailers, the company has recently asked them to start tripling their iPad display space...

Verizon vacation blackout suggests iPhone 5 may be available September 21

It's not often that vacation schedules mean much to anyone other than the person getting some days off. But Verizon's vacation schedule has iPhone fans predicting Apple's newest handset will appear Sept. 21. Today's report mirrors one earlier this month that AT&T is also expecting something big in late September.

Citing a "trusted Verizon employee," TechCrunch writes the carrier has forbidden worker vacations between Friday, Sept. 21 and September 30. The next iPhone "will almost certainly be available in stores" on the first day of that vacation blackout, the blog claims. Earlier this month, we reported on another claim that AT&T (which also offers the iPhone) was preparing for a "huge announcement" during the third or fourth week of  September...

LA hosts first Mobile Arts Festival for iOS-created content

This is kind of cool: the first ever Los Angeles Mobile Arts Festival is going on right now, in Santa Monica, California. Hosted by iPhoneArt.com and the Santa Monica Art Studios, the festival spotlights art created explicitly with iOS devices.

The event is like one big digital art gallery, featuring iPhoneography, artwork and more. That art on the car in the above image? Made on an iPad...

Prisma Bluetooth speakers add big sound and class to your desktop

I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, not even if I was stretching my imagination, but I do have a set of speakers in almost every room in the house. Circa 1997, I bought a pair of portable desktop speakers, which have held true for 15 years, but it is time for a change. Technology has adapted and changed, but my old speakers have not.

To increase the savvy of my sound and look, Edifier sent over their Prisma E3350BT 2.1 BT Audio System and, I must say it is quite an impressive package. In fact, the system boasts a 2008 CES Design and Engineering honor and has received updates throughout the past few years...

On heels of TV rumors, Apple wins ad-skipping patent

Recent reports suggest that Apple has started focusing its living room efforts on a cable-friendly set-top box, instead of the long-rumored television set. But the Cupertino company is said to still be negotiating with major cable companies.

Talks are reportedly moving slowly, as cable providers are extremely hesitant to allow Apple into their industry. And this probably won't help their cause. The iPad-makers have just been awarded a patent for skipping commercials...

Former Googler Mayer wants iPhones for Yahoo

Ironies are everywhere in Silicon Valley. Take new Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, for instance. Mayer spent 13 years at Google -- Ground Zero for Android -- yet now is considering buying every Yahoo employee an iPhone. Seems workers at the search company are a polyglot bunch when it comes to phones with many using BlackBerries, Android handsets and iPhones, of course.

It's not clear why Mayer settled on the iPhone instead of Android, but one unnamed source "familiar with Mayer's thinking" told BusinessInsider that the goal is to "get consistency across the company." However, early on Mayer professed interest in the iPhone, showing up at a press meet-and-greet with an Apple handset. She later went on to explain: "I use lots of phones."

Skype app updated with new photo sharing feature

Skype users rejoice! The video calling service just updated its iPhone and iPad apps, bringing the mobile client to version 4.1. The update includes a handful of bug fixes and a new photo sharing feature.

That's right, users with the latest version of the app will now be able to send and receive photos...

Report: Apple to open Moscow ‘Apple Rus’ in 2013

First came the U.S. Apple Store, then London and Paris. Now the iPhone maker is preparing to open stores in Moscow, according to a Russian newspaper. The move would allow Apple to sell directly to Moscovites, rather than using local distributors.

As part of the effort, the company has registered "Apple Rus" to directly sell iPads and iPhones in stores near Moscow and St. Petersburg...

UK carrier authorized to offer first LTE service ahead of iPhone launch

This is pretty interesting: Ofcom, the regulator for UK communications, announced today that it has given permission to the carrier Everything Everywhere to begin using its existing 1800 MHz to offer LTE services beginning on September 11.

If that date sounds familiar, that's because it's the day before the all-but-confirmed media event where Apple is said to be unveiling it's next smartphone. The handset is widely expected to be LTE-capable, but will it work outside of the US?

Samsung to invest $4 billion in iPad, iPhone chip plant

Imagine a symbiotic relationship where each party depends on the other, but they are continually fighting and you'll have a good picture of Apple and Samsung. The latest episode in the ultimate case of frenemies happened Tuesday as the South Korean chip giant pledged nearly $4 billion to upgrade a plant producing chips for Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Samsung said it will plunk down around $4 billion to renovate the Austin, Texas plant in order to boost production of ARM-based chips, many used in Apple's iPhone, iPad and other consumer technology, Reuters reports today. This after Samsung  just unveiled plans to build in South Korea a new $1.98 billion logic chip plant for Apple and other smartphone makers...