Apple

Apple rolls out free Battery Replacement Program internationally

Apple started rolling out its Battery Replacement Program internationally today, offering free battery replacement for a subset of iPhone 5 devices that were sold between September 2012 and January 2013. The company notes that "a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently." iPhone 5 users that are experiencing these symptoms can go to a dedicated page on the company's website to check their device's serial number and see if they are eligible for a free battery replacement.

Poll: would you consider a larger iPad?

Tuesday, unnamed sources told Bloomberg that Apple has been gearing up to introduce a larger 12.9-inch iPad early next year.

For what it's worth, the story contradicts a March report by the mostly unreliable DigiTimes which claimed the project had been put on hold over various developmental issues.

Compared to the 9.7-inch iPad Air, the rumored device — dubbed by the press the 'iPad Pro' — would offer a significantly bigger canvas for your apps, media and content. At the same time, a 12.9-inch iPad would be just a hair smaller than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and significantly bigger — 3 inches bigger to be exact — than the iPad Air.

So, who wants a giant iPad?

New Samsung ad positions Galaxy Tab S as thinner, lighter and brighter than iPad Air

Samsung on Friday posted a new anti-iPad commercial on its YouTube channel. First spotted by iGeneration, the ad at first blush appears to have borrowed a few cues from the South Korean firm's original anti-iPhone ad which lampooned people who'd wait in the line for a new iPhone.

Specifically, the commercial asks supposedly random hipsters on the streets of New York City to take the Galaxy Tab S for a test drive and compare it to the iPad Air.

As you could imagine, the video emphasizes the Samsung tablet's thinness and lightness while praising its bright Super AMOLED display versus the iPad Air's LCD screen.

Is this iPhone 6’s A8 processor?

If this image published on Weibo is genuine, the Apple-designed A8 processor said to power the iPhone 6 and new iPads may have been finally photographed. Serving as the engine powering the next wave of iPhone and iPad device, the in-house designed A8 processor is said to be clocked at two or more GHz per core, if Chinese media is to be believed.

Other rumors have pointed to the chip being manufactured using a new process technology which allows for smaller components, in turn yielding speedier performance and a lower battery draw.

New photos depict alleged production iPhone 6 model with color-matched antenna breaks

Following a steady stream of leaks of purported iPhone 6 components shown off on numerous photographs and depicted in video clips, French publication NowhereElse.fr Friday morning published a set of high-quality images of a claimed production model of the handset.

The curious shots offer a better look at the antenna breaks visible on the model's rear casing. Also, the casing itself appears to be a variant of Space Gray finish of the iPhone 5s while the antenna breaks are colored to match the rest of the shell.

Apple sends out invites for September 9 event: “wish we could say more”

As previously suspected, Apple will be indeed holding a major media event on September 9, 2014. As confirmed by multiple outlets, the company Thursday morning started sending out invites for the event which is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00am.

In years past, Apple would typically hold media events at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco or at its corporate campus in Cupertino, California.

Curiously enough, this time around the firm has invited select members of the press to gather at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino.

New reports suggest only more expensive 4.7-inch iPhone 6 to be unveiled next month

Apple this morning sent out invitations for a media event on September 9th, where the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 and a new wearable device. We've heard conflicting theories on whether or not we'll see one or two new handsets on stage, but a new report out this afternoon suggests the former.

According to website GforGames, "informed sources" are telling Chinese media outlets that only the 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 will make an appearance at the event, alongside a new 5s model with 8GB of storage. Apparently the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will make its debut later this year in limited quantities.

Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Apple has named Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage it's App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the popular game for both iPhone and iPad for free—a decent savings of $1.

For those who aren't familiar with the game, it was created by Angry Birds hit-maker Rovio Entertainment and Nitrome. It's essentially a Cut The Rope-style physics-based puzzler, which has you rescuing vikings from blocks of ice.

Poll: is Apple wearable going to unmask itself come September 9?

With Apple's September 9 event now official, the speculation game can begin, again.

And with a rumored Apple wearable device ostensibly in tow for the big reveal alongside a pair of new iPhones — or that's at least what Re/code's John Paczkowski has learned from sources — the time is right to hear your thoughts on the matter.

So, is Apple going to announce a wearable device at the event, do you think? Context: an “Apple wearable” may not necessarily stand for a “smartwatch” per se — or denote an ”iWatch” at all, as the media has tentatively dubbed the elusive wrist-worn gizmo.

Go ahead, cast your vote after the break and then join us in comments for a healthy discussion from some wildly different perspectives, hopefully.

Minuum previews its height-changing keyboard for iOS 8

Popular Android keyboard developer Minuum has finally previewed its keyboard coming to iOS 8 this fall. It's not like other third-party keyboards we've seen thus far, instead, it transforms from a standard full-scale QWERTY keyboard with autocorrect and then fades away to take up only half of your visible screen.

CloudApp for Mac updated with quick screen recording, Google App support

The folks behind CloudApp released a big update for the service on Thursday, making it easier for users and companies to quickly share links, photo, texts and more from a Mac. The update is being labeled version 3.0, and brings CloudApp Motion, CloudApp for Teams, updated Pro plans, Google Apps support, and an embedded video and audio player into the mix.