Apple

Apple says Beyoncé has become the fastest selling album ever on iTunes

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2013

CNBC is reporting on Twitter that Beyoncé's fifth self-named album, released as an iTunes exclusive three days ago, has become the fastest selling album ever on iTunes. Apple has confirmed the news via a press release this morning, saying Beyoncé has gone down in history as the fastest selling album ever on the iTunes Store worldwide.

The surprise album has racketed up a whopping 828,773 sales in just its first three days exclusive availability on iTunes. It also broke the US first-week album sales record with 617,213 sold and proved to be a global success going to number one in 104 countries...

Apple supplier Pegatron using facial recognition to scan for underage workers

Cody Lee ∙ December 16, 2013

Following the death of a 15 year-old factory worker, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Pegatron is using facial recognition technology to screen applicants for its iPhone plant. Pegatron manufactures the iPhone 5c and other products for Apple.

The company is using the tech to match real faces with those on government-issued IDs. This form of authentication helps to weed out those with borrowed or forged IDs, which is believed to be how the 15 year-old was able to get past initial screening...

iPhone 5s price dropped to $119 at Sam’s Club through January

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 16, 2013

Sam's Club, Walmart-owned chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs in the United States, is offering up Apple's entry-level iPhone 5s with sixteen gigabytes of storage for just $119 with a two-year contract, down from Apple's normal asking price of $199 and Sam's usual $147 price point.

The deal is good through January 2014 and requires a two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile or US Cellular, though you have to be a member of Sam's Club to take advantage of the discount...

Ecoute music player receives major iOS 7 makeover, gains Last.fm scrobbling

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 21, 2018

Ecoute by Louka Desroziers and Julien Sagot of PixiApps used to be my fav third-party iPhone music player - MacStories editor Federico Viticci even named it his best iOS music player following its August 2012 debut.

A couple other alternative music players have been released since, most recently the gesture-based Beat and the $1.99 Panamp (formerly Couch Music Player).

This past weekend, PixiApps have piqued my interest all over again with Ecoute 2.0 for iPhone and iPod touch, a major rethinking of the software with iOS 7-optimized appearance, song scrobbling via Last.fm and more...

Delightful concept videos envision iPhone 6c and iPhone Air

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

It's been a while since we've been treated to a compelling concept regarding Apple's next iPhone. SET Solution, which specializes in visual effects, 3D graphics and animation and video editing saw to that with a pair of rather incredible video concepts that try to envision Apple's next 'c' iPhone, the iPhone 6c, and the ultra-thin iPhablet dubbed iPhone Air.

As its name suggests, Italy-based SET thinks the next major iPhone revision should be ultra-thin and of course incorporate Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner. I've included both videos for your viewing pleasure right after the break so have a look and join us in comments...

Apple offers free Lorde single in ’12 Days of Gifts’ app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Last week, Apple updated its '12 Days of Gifts' app for the 2013 holiday season. The update was a fairly significant one, because for the first time ever, the company opened up access to the application for folks in the United States.

And Apple is celebrating the occasion by giving away a free gift early. While the actual 12 Days of Gifts event isn't scheduled to begin until December 26, users with the app installed right can pick up Lorde's new single 'No Better.'

New concept reimagines Apple TV interface with iOS 7-like design, Siri and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Now that Apple has rebuilt iOS for its iPhone and iPad, the question is: will the new design make the leap to the Apple TV? Apple continues to refer to the set-top box as 'a hobby,' as it has quietly added several new apps and features to its software.

So let's just say that, for the sake of argument, Apple is planning to bring iOS 7's UI design to a future version of the Apple TV software. What would it look like? Well according to designer Andrew Ambrosino, it would look a little something like this...

Tim Cook talks Apple, equality and more in Auburn Lifetime Achievement Award speech

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple's CEO Tim Cook was presented a lifetime achievement award from Auburn University at an event last week in New York. Cook graduated from the Alabama-based university in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering.

The CEO was of course on hand to accept the award, and as usual, gave quite the speech. We've got the video of the speech after the fold, where you can watch Cook talk about Apple, the progression of human equality in the United States, and more...

Retina iPad mini shipping times improve to 1-3 days for many countries

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news for folks trying to snag an iPad mini with Retina display in time for the holidays. Shipping times for the popular tablet have improved in Apple’s web store to 1-3 days for the US, Canada and several other countries.

This applies to all configurations of the new mini, including both Space Gray and Silver colorways and Wi-Fi + Cellular models. And it means that, if you order soon, you can still get one shipped out for free before Christmas…

China Mobile aggressively promoting iPhones and iPads for big launch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Earlier this month, reports surfaced that China Mobile and Apple finally inked a deal for the carrier to begin offering iPhones to its some 700 million+ subscribers. Yesterday, China Mobile confirmed the news, taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5s and 5c.

And it looks like the world's largest carrier is enthusiastic about its new partnership with Apple, as it has gone all out on marketing materials for the launch. Many China Mobile retail stores have dedicated much of their ad and display space to iOS devices...

Rumor: iWatch with wireless charging due in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple's rumored smartwatch, affectionately dubbed by the media iWatch, is scheduled for launch late next year and will include a wireless charging feature, according to a new rumor by a reliable Chinese blog.

Apple has already tested two prototypes, the story goes, and is shooting to release the health/fitness iOS accessory in October of 2014.

That would put the iWatch debut close to the upcoming iPhone 6. More on that right after the break...

Beyoncé releases her fifth album exclusively on iTunes, packing 18 videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 13, 2013

The American singer, songwriter and actress, Beyoncé, has made an unusual move of releasing her fifth self-titled studio album exclusively on Apple's iTunes. Available today from the iTunes Store, the release is dubbed a 'visual album' and arrives with a heavy marketing push from Apple - the iTunes Store is currently featuring Beyoncé's album on all rotating carousel at the top, with links to her previous albums.

You didn't even know she was working on a new alubm? You're not the only one! Visual album? That's because each song comes with an accompanying music video (plus a digital booklet), a great treat given music videos are normally sold separately of songs...