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Even smarter Smart Cover could be in the works, patent hints

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

A much more capable Smart Cover could be in the works as a newly surfaced patent application indicates Apple's been researching a next-generation iPad cover which combines a built-in keyboard with a flexible display itself driven by multitouch technology.

Coincidentally, a recent rumor asserted Apple was researching bendable displays and exploring ways to use flexible panels in mobile gadgets (Samsung's already on it). As for the smarter Smart Cover, it could also incorporate solar panels for easy recharging under sunlight, in addition to inductive charging, smart pen input and even a battery engineered inside the case in a variety of ways...

Apple demands sanctions against Samsung over evidence leak

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

When Samsung on Monday publicized previously excluded evidence related to its F700 phone and other devices it had been working on before the iPhone came along (to establish prior art), the company didn't just anger Judge Lucy Koh, it also drew ire of Apple's legal team.

Cupertino is now asking the court to rule in its favor because Samsung's unusual move was in an attempt to prejudice the jury. Because of that, Apple's attorneys are saying the court should rule that Samsung infringed Apple's patents as a way of punishing the South Korean conglomerate for misconduct...

Apple worked on curved-glass iPhone, but production was prohibitively expensive

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 2, 2012

This Apple vs. Samsung litigation may be the patent trial of the century, but to fans it's also a treasure trove of valuable information concerning the company's industrial design and craftsmanship, something Apple never detailed voluntarily.

One of the more interesting nuggets from yesterday's deposition by Apple's designer Christopher Stringer highlighted two interesting prototypes that Apple eventually passed on: one sporting a shaped glass and the other featuring all-aluminum enclosure akin to the iPod...

Sharp confirms display shipments for iPhone 5

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 31, 2016

Sharp president Takashi Okuda today confirmed to Reuters that his company will begin shipping displays for Apple's sixth-generation iPhone this month. This is the first time to my knowledge that a major supplier officially confirmed an unreleased Apple product, even if he didn't give a more specific date for shipments beyond this month. The panels will be four inches corner to corner, 30 percent bigger than current iPhones, sources told the news gathering organization...

The Time Command Mini adds app-enhanced flare to the alarm dock

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

There is a lot of competition out there in the dock world and many of them simply play music, charge your iDevice, and get in the way due to their bulky form factors. Stem Innovation is here to challenge the status quo with their Time Command Mini, which is not only a dock, but also an extension of your iDevice, thanks to the timecommand companion app...

Rumor: iPad mini display production to start this month

Cody Lee ∙ August 2, 2012

Alongside the new iPhone that everyone keeps talking about, Apple's other big announcement this fall is expected to be a smaller tablet. Dubbed the "iPad mini," by the media, the slate is believed to house a 7.85-inch screen and fall in the $200 price range.

Although there's no actual evidence that such a product exists, it's been confirmed by a number different news outlets. In fact, a new report is out this evening claiming that Apple is set to start production on the smaller tablet's display sometime this month...

Apple officially shuts down MobileMe and iWork.com

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2012

Apple has officially closed the door on its MobileMe cloud service today. The move comes after a several month-long transition period that allowed users to move their accounts to iCloud and download their remaining files.

As of this morning, the MobileMe site no longer offers users the option to transfer their accounts over to iCloud, or download their remaining data. Instead, MobileMe visitors are redirected to the existing iCloud website...

New report offers more information about Apple-Twitter talks

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2012

Last week, news broke that Apple had, at one point, been in talks with Twitter over a massive investment in the social network. The report described the move as a "strategic investment" believed to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Initially, it was believed that these negotiations had taken place in recent months. But a rebuttal by The Wall Street Journal claimed that it's been more than a year since this happened. And today, The WSJ is back with more information...

Martin Scorsese Siri ad gets the parody treatment

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2012

Last week, Apple started airing a new Siri commercial featuring the popular film director Martin Scorsese. The ad was the fourth in a string of celebrity spots focused on the digital assistant.

Unsurprisingly, a parody video has just been made to poke fun at the ad. You've seen "The Samuel L. Jackson ad you were hoping for." Now, here's "Scorsese's alternate iPhone commercial..."

Poll: is Samsung’s F700 an iPhone copy?

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 1, 2012

An interesting argument arose in the Apple-Samsung litigation related to Samsung’s F700 handset. As you know, Samsung sought to present this and other handsets - but the F700 in particular - as trial evidence of prior art that they were designing handsets akin to the iPhone before Apple got to announce its phone in January of 2007.

Judge Lucy Koh excluded that device and a bunch of other Samsung phones from the hearings, but Samsung defiantly publicized the slides yesterday, angering the Judge.

Apple had originally included the F700 as patent infringing in its suit, but later dropped it as it realized Samsung was working on this before the iPhone was released and especially after learning that Samsung applied for a South Korean design registration application in December of 2006, a month before the iPhone’s public unveiling.

Kill me but I just don't see any similarities between the F700 and the iPhone, especially not ones that could establish prior art for either party.

Maybe you do?

Apple’s head mobile chip designer leaves for AMD

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2012

Back in June we learned that Bob Mansfield, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware, would be retiring. Bob has been a familiar face on Apple's executive team for several years, and an integral part of the success of the iPhone and iPad.

And now it looks like Apple is losing another important piece of its iOS squad. A new report is out today claiming that Jim Keller, Apple's lead chip designer, is leaving the company to take a new position at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)...

biteSMS updated with new theme options and bug fixes

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 25, 2017

Those of you who have been around the jailbreak community for a while should be extremely familiar with biteSMS. The Messages app replacement has been around since the early days of iPhone hacking.

The app was updated today, bringing it to version 6.3.10 (or beta 10). The update features some new theming options, as well as several improvements and bug fixes. Full change log after the break...