Apple

German carrier leaks likely iPhone 6 release date: September 19

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

German wireless carrier Deutsche Telekom has apparently instructed its call center representatives to nudge wavering customers toward staying with them.

Support staff was reportedly told to drop hints that customers' loyalty could be well rewarded as the company gets to carry the anticipated iPhone 6 in mid-September - more specifically, on September 19.

That's the gist of a new report by Apfelpage.de. The date is likely more than an educated guesstimate.

Remember, Deutsche Telekom is one of the largest carriers in the world and they own T-Mobile. That being said, we're filing this away into our mental drawer under the 'Very Likely' category...

Noted analyst says Apple bringing Touch ID to 2014 iPhone and iPad models

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

Back in April, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave us a roadmap of all the products Apple has in the pipeline for 2014 and now he's back with an analysis of Apple's plans for the Touch ID sensor.

His conjecture is that every new iPhone and iPad model shipping in 2014 will be outfitted with an improved Touch ID fingerprint reader.

Kuo has become one of the most reputable Apple analyst analysts out there who churns out some of the most reliable predictions about Apple's future product plans so it's worth paying attention to what he has to say...

FT: Apple readying software platform for the connected home

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

If a new report Monday by the reputable Financial Times is an indication, Apple is working on a brand new software platform for the smart home.

Details are scarce, but the paper has learned that your iPhone - or any iOS device, for that matter - would get turned into "a remote control for lights, security systems and other household appliances.” The move is said to part of a bigger push into the Internet of Things.

Citing unnamed sources, the article goes on to note that the Cupertino company will be previewing the new platform at its upcoming summer pilgrimage for developers, the Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off with a keynote on June 2...

Google releases VirusTotal Uploader for OS X

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

Google on Monday released a useful tool for OS X aimed at beefing up Mac security by making it easy to upload suspicious files for scanning. The software works in conjunction with the popular VirusTotal service which was designed to accept user-submitted suspicious files.

It's simple to use and the whole experience is quite frictionless. After installing the free tool onto your Mac, you can simply right click on any file and selecting the pertinent option from the context menu to upload the file to VirusTotal for scanning...

Apple now makes it clear you’re not allowed to update or redownload refunded apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

If you've ever asked for a refund on a Mac, iPhone, iPod touch or iPad app you purchased in the Mac App Store or the App Store, Apple somewhat unexpectedly did allow you to update your existing installations - even reinstall previously refunded apps.

That's no longer the case. According to multiple reports, users who try to update or reinstall refunded iOS and OS X applications are now greeted with a prompt informing them that Apple no longer supports the practice...

Kids react to Apple II: ‘too much pixelation’, ‘where’s the mouse’ and ‘I don’t get the 1970s’

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

The Fine Brothers (Benny and Rafi Fine) have made a name for themselves with their popular React video series, comprised of shows like Kids React, Teens React, Elders React and YouTubers React.

In the latest episode of the Kids React show, today's generation of 6-13-year-olds get confused by an Apple II, one of the first mass-produced computers designed primarily by Steve Wozniak...

Revived rumor reiterates Apple continues to prototype Macs with ARM chips

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 26, 2014

It's been speculated for years that Macs which run ARM-based processors instead of Intel chips have been in internal testing for quite some time.

This weekend a French publication has resurrected the rumor, claiming that the iPhone maker is indeed actively prototyping several ARM-based Mac models.

Moreover, the company is also working on a brand new keyboard which integrates the Magic Trackpad, Apple's multitouch trackpad currently available as a standalone $69 accessory. But why would Apple transition from Intel to ARM-based chips and what benefits would such a major brain transplant bring to your daily computing?

Read on for the full reveal...

Apple debuts new stories for its ‘Your Verse’ iPad campaign

Cody Lee ∙ May 25, 2014

Apple has posted two new stories to its ongoing 'Your Verse' iPad campaign this weekend: one featuring Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, and one involving famed traveler and writer Chérie King.

Like previous 'Your Verse' spots, the stories serve as answers to the question posed in Apple's 'What Will Your Verse Be' advert, promoting the idea that the iPad can be used for both content consumption and creation...

Billboard: Apple-Beats deal delayed due to valuation, role uncertainties

Cody Lee ∙ May 24, 2014

Billboard is out with a new report this weekend, claiming that it's learned why the Apple-Beats acquisition has not been announced yet. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says that there are at least 5 things holding up the deal.

First, the buyout is 'complicated.' With this being Apple's largest purchase ever, the folks in Cupertino want to make sure they cross every t and dot every i. And second, the iPad-maker was nowhere near ready for details of the negotiations to leak...

iTunes Radio could expand to The Netherlands

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 23, 2014

Based on a pair of screenshots of the iOS 7 Music app shared on Twitter, it seems that The Netherlands has made it on Apple's list of upcoming iTunes Radio markets in Europe as one Dutch user reports the Radio tab randomly appearing and disappearing on his device.

Last we heard, Apple was gearing up to expand the service to the United Kingdom following a meeting its iAd director had with London-based ad agencies.

The Cupertino company even banned London-based iTunes Radio rival, a service called Bloom.fm, from its iAd advertising network...

Supposed iPhone 6 backlight panel surfaces

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 23, 2014

To this date, we've seen a number of supposed dummy units, purported front and back panels, cases, batteries, manufacturing molds, technical drawings, volume buttons and numerous other alleged iPhone 6 parts.

Today, we show you another interesting leak. Coming straight via a post on Weibo (China's version of Twitter), it's a supposed screen backlight part. The part measures 4.7-inches diagonally and for the most part resembles its iPhone 5s/5c counterpart...

Samsung and LG now predictably eyeing sapphire

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 28, 2016

Apple may have gone the farthest along in commercializing sapphire as its new Messa, Arizona plant starts churning out first batches of sapphire crystal, but rivals are not standing still.

Now key players are taking notice and some are taking action, in particular Korea's Samsung and LG.

The fast-follower Samsung, along with consumer electronics makers LG, is said to be reconsidering its stance on the feasibility of using sapphire in mobile devices. This right there tells me Tim Cook & Co. have been right all along to gamble on sapphire and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in manufacturing facilities to secure multi-year output of the material...