Apple

Apple acquires micro-LED display maker LuxVue

Apple has acquired LuxVue Technology, a company that makes low-power displays for mobile electronics, according to TechCrunch. Citing sources close to the transaction, the site reports that the iPad-maker has added LuxVue to its hardware innovations team.

Little is known about the deal, and even less is known about the company. Other than its big $43 million in funding, LuxVue has managed to fly under the radar. Patents reveal, however, that it specializes in micro-LED tech that could be used in future iOS devices...

Don’t expect to see a new Apple TV or iWatch at WWDC

I don't think many folks were expecting Apple to unveil any exciting new hardware at WWDC this year. The company has rarely used the developer conference to unveil non-software related products, outside of maybe refreshed MacBooks and other Mac products.

But for those who were still holding out hope for a Jobs-like 'one more thing,' I have some bad news. According to a new report from Recode's John Paczkowski, the company has no intention of using WWDC to show off the long-rumored iWatch or revamped Apple TV...

Apple hiring ‘Buzz Marketing Manager’ to beef up its presence in Hollywood

Historically, Apple has spent far less than Samsung and other competitors on stuff like marketing and advertising. Things like product placements and celebrity endorsements came easily for devices like the iPhone and iPad, due to their initial popularity and slight competition.

But competition has stiffened over the years, and with Samsung forking out millions of dollars to get its products into the hands of Lebron James and selfie-taking celebrities, Apple needs to step up its game. So it's looking for a new 'Buzz Marketing Manager' to give it a boost...

Apple to begin notifying users of info requests from law enforcement

According to a new report from The Washington Post tonight, Apple will join Google and other high-profile companies in updating their privacy policy to routinely notify users when a government or law enforcement agency requests information on them.

The move should appease user privacy rights activists, who believe it's unlawful for a government agency to have the power to access user data so discretely. The Justice Department, however, is concerned that the new routine could threaten investigations...

Angela Ahrendts starts role as SVP of Retail and Online Stores at Apple

Angela Ahrendts has left fashion retailer Burberry and started her new position at Apple as the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, according to an update to Apple's Executive Profiles website on Friday.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, confirmed on the company's quarterly earnings call last week that Ahrendts would be starting at the Cupertino-based company this week, following now-false rumors she would be staying on at Burberry until June.

Samsung planning health-related announcement days before Apple’s WWDC

Samsung has announced a media event "around health" set to take place on May 28 in San Francisco. The invitation came from the company's sensors and components unit, rather than its devices unit, so the announcement could be centered around next-generation tech for Android and Tizen-based devices, rather than a new Gear Fit 2.

The event is notable given Apple is holding its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 2, also in San Francisco. Apple is rumored to have some big health-centered announcements at its Conference keynote, and it looks like Samsung is trying to get a leg up.

iTunes Match now available in Japan

Apple continues its international expansion of iTunes services this afternoon, with the launch of iTunes Match in Japan. iOS users in the country can now access the service, which first launched in the United States back in 2011.

For those unfamiliar with the service, iTunes Match allows users to 'mirror' their music libraries to the cloud. This enables them to access their songs from any compatible device, without having to spend hours uploading them...

Expert in ear-worn vital signs monitoring joins Apple’s iWatch team

According to a source who spoke to MacRumors, Eric Winokur who does research at MIT's Medical Electronic Devices Realization Center will be joining Apple's wearables team in the coming weeks.

He's the latest in a string of high-profile hirings of experts with diverse interests in medical devices, sleep monitoring, wearable tech and fashion design.

This isn't talent Apple typically needs so these hirings serve as the strongest indication to date that the firm is assembling a star team to take on wearables.

And why precisely should you care about this particular hire? Read on as I lay out everything for you after the break...

Twitter testing mute feature in iOS app

We've all been there: someone - maybe your ex or your biggest fan - is stalking you on Twitter and populating your timeline with stuff you don't want to see.

Or worse, if you've made a few enemies along the way you can bet they'll take to Twitter to post crazy stuff about you on an everyday basis. If you only use Twitter's official app, right now you have two options at your disposal to deal with the situation.

You can either A) unfollow your ex and risk turning him or her into an enemy, or B) block an account that's been harassing you online. According to a new report, there will soon be a new way to stop receiving updates from accounts: the mute feature.

I know muting is currently available in third-party apps like Tweetbot so the newsworthy part here is that Twitter is finally testing this long overdue feature in its own iPhone and iPad app...

Apple expands iTunes in the Cloud support in Germany to movies and TV shows

Good news for iOS users in Germany today, as Apple has expanded iTunes in the Cloud in the country. The cloud-based sync-and-storage service now supports the streaming of movies and television shows.

What this means is that German users will now be able to access previously-purchased movie and television content on any Apple device, including the Apple TV, by accessing the 'Purchased' tab in iTunes...

Beats Music updated with native iPad support, adds Find Your Friends feature

As teased yesterday, the new streaming music startup from music mogul Jimmy Lovine and musician and producer Dr. Dre, called Beats Music, has been updated with support for the iPad. The 17.1MB download is now live in the App Store and universal so a single binary now supports all your form-factor iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices. As a bonus, regardless of the device you can now easily add Beats Music users from your Twitter friends...

Notability for iOS drops to $0 for the first time ever as Apple’s new Free App of the Week

Notability by Ginger Labs launched in the App Store in January of 2011 with a $4.99 price tag. Despite numerous price changes, this nicely done productivity app for the iPhone and iPad has never gone free, up until today.

Named Apple Editors' Choice, Notability is now free for a limited time so do yourself a favor and download the app now in the US App Store before it goes back up to its regular price of $2.99...