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Opinion: why Apple forced Target to boot Kindle over “conflict of interest”

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

As you probably know by now, this morning's big news has Target dropping Kindle hardware from their retail stores. The story has been officially confirmed by a spokesperson for the nation's second-largest discount retailer, after Walmart. The resulting finger-pointing, largely centered around Apple and its iPad, is based on an unnamed source mentioning a "conflict of interest" as Apple apparently put the arm on Target...

Shipping times for the new iPad drop to 3-5 days

Cody Lee ∙ May 2, 2012

During Apple's most recent earnings call, Tim Cook cited constrained supplies for the new iPad as a reason its tablet sales were a little off. But that doesn't seem to be the case any more, as availability continues to improve.

Just two weeks after we saw iPad shipping estimates drop to 5-7 business days, shipping times have once again decreased. It looks like folks wanting to order a new iPad online will now only have to wait a measly 3-5 days...

Kanex outs AirPlay mirroring adapter for legacy projectors lacking HDMI ports

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 27, 2016

AirPlay, a wireless content streaming technology from Apple, has become indispensable in my daily computing. Whenever I feel like watching movies, enjoying my photos, listening to some music and even playing certain games, I usually AirPlay whatever is currently displayed on my iPhone 4S or iPad 3 to my plasma TV, through the Apple TV.

But what about presenting in conference rooms equipped with old-school VGA projectors lacking HDMI port? Apple makes the $29 VGA adapter, but who wants to walk around the room holding an iPad hooked up to a projector via the cable?

Enter ATV Pro Adapter, a nice little dongle from Kanex that connects to your Apple TV's HDMI port on one side, converting digital output to analogue signal fed to your legacy projectors' VGA port...

iOS boss cashes in shares, pockets $38.7 million

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Scott Forstall, who heads the team behind the software that powers iOS devices, by far Apple’s most profitable division, has recently sold 64,151 shares worth roughly $38.7 million, a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) commission has revealed.

Cook, identified as Apple's CEO-in-waiting in Adam Lashinsky's Inside Apple book, still holds nearly $2 million worth of shares plus retention bonuses worth over a quarter billion dollars provided he stays with Apple and the company does emerge as the world’s first trillion dollar corporation...

Report: TSMC has a “good chance” of winning Apple’s chip biz in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has long been rumored to become an alternative supplier for Apple-designed processors powering iOS devices. However, yield issues and manufacturing difficulties with the foundry's 20-nanometer process pushed back those plans.

Meanwhile, Samsung continues to make the Ax-series of processors for the latest iPhone and iPad. Per chatter from Asian supply chain, TSMC is working hard to ramp up 20-nanometer production “ahead of schedule”, apparently in a bid to win over Apple’s chip business from Samsung by 2014...

Android holds 51% of US smartphone market, iOS at 31%

Cody Lee ∙ May 2, 2012

ComScore is out with a new report this week regarding US smartphone platform marketshare for the March quarter. And the highly-regarded marketing research firm provides an interesting look at the current smartphone landscape by OS.

Google, as you might have expected, is still in the lead with its Android operating system. Apple's iOS is in a [comparatively] close second, and RIM and Microsoft come in at a distant third and fourth. Keep reading for a full breakdown...

Spotify hits iPad, get downloading

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Music-streaming service Spotify has finally released their native app for Apple's iPad so get it while it's hot. It packs in Retina graphics and high-definition album art to really take advantage of the new iPad's gorgeous display.

It also does AirPlay, features the brand new full-screen view and lets you search for playlists, users and music, all from the same view. The interface looks great in both portrait and landscape, especially high-res cover artwork in full screen.

Put simply, it's been worth the long wait: Spotify for iPad is a must-have and a prime example of an iPad music app done right...

Rumor: familiar-looking ‘iPhone 5’ SIM tray surfaces

Cody Lee ∙ May 2, 2012

For the second time in the last two weeks, a parts vendor has leaked a purported 'iPhone 5' component. Last Tuesday we saw some Home buttons surface that reportedly belonged to Apple's next-generation handset, and now we've come across a SIM card tray.

As noted by MacRumors, SW-BOX.com has posted some information on a claimed 'iPhone 5' SIM card tray that it's apparently just obtained from one of its parts suppliers. And, as the site points out, it looks nearly identical to its iPhone 4/4S counterpart...

iPad for Academics: setup, workflow, and accessories

Guest Author ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

With the rise of iPads in education continuing at a steady pace, it only seems natural to find ways to replace PC-dependent methods of academic work. Over the past year, I have tasked myself with replacing traditional education methods with the functionality of my iPad, from reading textbooks to taking lecture notes. Only recently have I taken the ultimate challenge: completing an entire research paper using only Apple's groundbreaking tablet, from conception to submission.

In trying to find solutions to the glaring obstacles in my path, I devised a workflow to make this task feasible. I compiled a list of strategies, study habits, iOS apps, accessories, and web apps that made me more efficient in everything from research to writing...

The best business card apps

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Over the past half of a decade, digital connections have become more common than real life interactions. You can easily "meet" people via Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn without ever having to shake their hand at a meeting. However, business cards, in one form or another, are still an important part of connecting in real life. So, it is important to find the best way to manage your business cards in a digital age. It is also a good idea to know how to make a great impression on someone with just a small amount of information.

There are two different types of business card apps. One type creates a digital business card that you can share with others wirelessly. The other turns physical business cards into digital ones so you don't have to keep stacks of them in your wallet.

Dock your iPhone in style with the ODOC

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 31, 2016

Folks in the market for a high-quality iPhone dock might want to look into the ODOC Kickstarter project. The ODOC is an elegantly-designed dock for your iPhone or iPod touch that's packed full of features.

The accessory's main selling point is its patent-pending ball-bearing mechanism that can lock your device into five different viewing angles, allowing you to use it in different positions while it charges...