Apple

T-Mobile considering buying $3B worth of airwaves from rival Verizon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

It is no secret that T-Mobile USA, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, could use some additional spectrum to expand its network and improve the quality of its coverage.

According to Reuters, the Deutsche Telekom-owned telco is mulling the possibility of buying $3 billion worth of additional spectrum from its rival Verizon Wireless.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday evening that T-Mobile might agree to the price as it needs more to bolster up its network coverage and quality...

Apple’s aggressive iPhone trade-ins in India could include try-and-buy

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 20, 2013

India Today on Monday said Apple has partnered with India's local distributors (Apple Stores don't operate in the country) on a smartphone trade-in program against new iPhone 5c and iPhone 4s purchases in an attempt to boost sales of the colorful new iPhone that has largely failed to attract buyers compared to the flagship iPhone 5s.

The Times of India today shared some additional tidbits about the initiative and it seems the country's would-be iPhone buyers can now bring in their old iPhone or one of non-Apple handsets to claim lower prices against new iPhone 4s/5c purchases, and other benefits. More on that right below...

Macy’s becomes first retailer to implement iBeacon tech

Cody Lee ∙ November 20, 2013

Following reports that Apple is working to implement iBeacon tech in its retail stores comes word that Shopkick has beat it to the punch. The shopping app has teamed up with Macy's to deliver the first major retail iBeacon system.

The technology, which is new to iOS 7, uses Bluetooth LE signaling to enable micro-location services and is expected to be a huge hit with retailers. The tech will allow stores to deliver targeted sales and information to their customers...

How NBA teams are using iPad to improve their game

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 6, 2018

The Wall Street Journal a month ago revealed that Samsung of South Korea signed a lucrative deal with the NBA worth a hundred million bucks to provide its tablets and TVs that referees will use to review close calls. It's part of the Galaxy maker's ongoing and massive advertising push which includes big name celebrity endorsements, event sponsorships, sports tie-ins and more.

But despite the partnership which moves Samsung into the valuable space so close to the action, Bloomberg is reporting today that NBA is still very much in love with their iPads and has produced a video explaining how NBA uses Apple's devices to improve their games. More on that right after the break..

Apple reportedly shaking up supply chain to preserve more profits

Cody Lee ∙ November 20, 2013

Apple has long been known for its supply chain prowess, mostly thanks to one man: Tim Cook. Before taking over the CEO position in 2011, Cook was the company's chief operating officer and oversaw a number of successful product rollouts that garnered impressive profits.

But according to a new report, the iPad-maker isn't resting on its laurels. Apple is apparently adjusting its supply chain model from having OEMs being responsible for both component procurement and production, to purely production, as it moves to raise its product margins...

Google launches Newsstand for Android, iOS app coming in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 20, 2013

The Internet giant Google today moved closer to consolidating its digital magazine offerings by merging magazines and newspapers along with the Currents app into a new software, known as Google Play Newsstand (seriously?). Google Currents functionality has now been folded into Newsstand, now available for download on Android devices via the Play store.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed that an iOS version is coming in 2014. In addition to subscriptions to digital magazines like Hearst, Conde Nast and Time Warner’s Time Inc. sold through Google Play Magazine, the company has now started selling newspaper subscriptions, with The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times and Los Angeles Times acting as premium launch partners, among other publications.

Apple of course has its own digital store for magazines and newspapers in the stock Newsstand app on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices so it'll be interesting seeing how Google's latest endeavor plays out in the greater scheme of things...

Readable’s iOS 7 redesign does away with RSS in favor of Tweeticles

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Tweeticles? Say what? Just bear with me for a second...

I happen to consume a ridiculous amount of written content every day, fast-reading tons of news stories, review articles, op-ed pieces and what not. And when I'm out and about, I need a clean-reading app to do away with bells and whistles on web pages so I can focus on text, akin to iOS 7 Safari's Reader feature (this also helps save precious cellular bandwidth).

Readable for iPhone is one of the best apps for this purpose and with today's massive 2.0 update it's become way more useful.

For starters, it's moved away from HTML5 to native experiences as Readable has been re-written from the ground up with iOS 7 design and features in mind.

It's 64-bit, Dynamic Text aware, syncs across devices via iCloud, lets you navigate using one-tap pagination or read hands-free using 10x speed auto-scrolling, can share specific page positions, accesses your favorites and history offline and lots more.

Tweeticles?

Read on...

PayPal refreshed with iOS 7 design, bar code payments, Wallet improvements and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

PayPal has long had a nice albeit somewhat limited iPhone application available in the App Store. Back in September, they gave the software a much-needed redesign while expanding on feature set with useful new capability like the ability to pay at local shops, save offers and order ahead, to name a few.

Today, the team followed up with another feature-laden update. PayPal 5.2 for iPhone does away with skeuomorphism in favor for a much cleaner look that fits nicely into the overall iOS 7 aesthetics. More importantly, you are now free to withdraw cash, pay using QR codes and more...

Beautiful Apple Store app launches on iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Today, Apple has finally launched the Apple Store app for iPad. The iPhone application was released back in June 2010 and all this time Apple has failed to provide the native tablet experience, until today. Apple Store for iPad, available now on the App Store, is heavy on gestures and brings a completely redesigned appearance which feels right at home in iOS 7 and takes advantage of the larger canvas on iPads by putting product images front and center.

The many Apple Store categories are nicely organized and always accessible via a sleek navigation bar which automatically gets out of the way. While the app provides important product description and other meta data, the use of white space and smart design adds up to readability.

Released in time for your holiday mobile shopping, Apple Store for iPad is arguably perhaps the best iOS 7 app Apple has written thus far, and I don't mean that in a small way. Yup, it's that good.

Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Tamagochi-like Hatch now available for iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 20, 2013

Created by Realmac Software, the same guys who brought you the popular Clear to-do software for iOS and OS X and the Ember scrapbook application for the Mac (among other apps), are out with an interesting new virtual pet game for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Created in co-operation with Impending, the big hatching dubbed Hatch basically delivers Tamagochi-like virtual pet experience in the palm of your hand. The iPhone game is available now in the Apple App Store and I've included a few screenies, videos and more info right after the break...

Cupertino City Council gives Apple green light to begin building new ‘Spaceship’ campus

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Well, it's finally happened. After years of presentations, meetings and campaigning, Apple last night cleared the final hurdle in its 'Campus 2' initiative. The Cupertino City Council has given the iPad-maker the green light to begin construction on its so-called 'Spaceship' campus.

The final vote enabled Apple to enter into an official Development Agreement with the City of Cupertino. With its ancillary permits, the company is now allowed to begin demolition of current buildings on its lot, and it's set to receive its full set of building permits later today...

Apple explains why it’s entitled to additional damages in Samsung case

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 19, 2013

As you know, Judge Lucy Koh shaved more than $400 million off the $1.05 billion verdict in the much-publicized Apple vs. Samsung case that took place in August 2013 over patented iPhone technology. The South Korean chaebol admitted to lifting Apple's inventions, but the jury improperly calculated damages on certain Samsung products, prompting Koh to order a partial retrial in order to re-calculate the remaining damages.

Although Apple is already entitled to more than $500 million in damages (with patent rulings being upheld as well), the company is now demanding an additional $379 million in pending damages over patent infringement and lost sales. Samsung, on the other hand, argues it owes Apple no more that a rather meager $52 million for iPhone patents and design features...