Apple

OtterBox unveils Preserver series of iPhone 5/5s/5c waterproof cases with Touch ID support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Accessory maker OtterBox makes a compelling range of protective case, sleeves and rugged cases for smartphones and just yesterday they announced a new Preserver series for the iPhone 5, as well as the new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, the latter featuring full Touch ID support. The two-piece highly protective cases with snap assembly is bound to add discernible bulk and weight to your device.

In exchange, you'll get full protection from dust and water. The company says the case can withstand drops from up to 2 meters, or about 6.6 feet, as well as protect your device when fully submerged up to 2 meters deep for as much as 30 minutes...

Apple’s iOS 7 hits 71% adoption in under a month

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Apple's iOS 7 continues to break records when it comes to how quickly the mobile software is being adopted. In less than a month, nearly 75 percent of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners have upgraded, topping the pace of iOS 6.

New numbers show in only 27 days 71 percent of iDevice owners had adopted iOS 7 by Monday. By comparison, Apple's previous version of iOS needed 30 days to reach 61 percent adoption, the Cupertino, California company's previous record...

Foxconn: yes, interns worked overtime and even nights

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Foxconn, the Tiawanese electronics assembler closely linked to Apple and other electronics firms, admits student interns who helped build Sony Playstation 4 consoles worked both overtime and at night in its China factories. Foxconn is the world's leading contract manufacturer whose fortunes are closely tied to Apple's.

In a statement last week, Foxconn said there were "a few instances" where interns worked shifts which violated company policies. However, the company which also assembles iPhones and iPads for Apple, said "immediate actions" will be put in place to prevent further incidents...

Apple slapped with class-action lawsuit on uncompensated employee security checks

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated December 6, 2013

It seems Apple Stores are becoming the retail version of airport security lines for employees. At least that's the allegation of a San Francisco Apple Store worker who has filed a class action lawsuit against the iPhone maker. The lawsuit claims employees are not being compensated for security checks lasting as long as 30 minutes per day.

Each day, employees must wait in line for these security checks before leaving for meal breaks and when they end their shifts after they've clocked out of work, according to the lawsuit which is also filed on behalf of all nonexempt hourly workers. The lawsuit by Apple employee Taylor Kalin asks for lost wages for all employees, as well as penalties for violating labor laws...

WSJ: Apple cutting iPhone 5c production, increasing 5s orders

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has asked its iPhone suppliers in China to cut down on production of its iPhone 5c model, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. This is the second time we've heard this in as many weeks.

Last week, it was reported by Chinese web site C Technology that Apple had cut their iPhone 5c orders in half—from 300K units per day, to 150K—spawning speculation that the device isn't selling very well...

Apple’s ‘Spaceship’ campus approved by Cupertino City Council

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

It looks like the brochures worked. Following the approval by the city's Planning Commission earlier this month, Apple began sending out pamphlets to Cupertino residents to garner support for its 'Spaceship' campus ahead of its final meeting with City Council.

Well that meeting took place last night, and the full Cupertino City Council gave its unanimous approval to the project. Pending any petitions for reconsideration, Apple has just one more hurdle left to clear—a final reading next month—before it can break ground...

Apple to host satellite stream of October 22 event in London

Cody Lee ∙ October 15, 2013

Earlier today, Apple sent out invitations to an October 22 media event saying "we still have a lot to cover." It's believed it will focus on the new iPad and iPad mini, but new MacBooks and OS X Mavericks are also expected to get stage time.

The event itself will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. But according to a new report, Apple plans to stream the keynote to a separate London satellite event to cater to media members not located in the US...

Apple to devs: send us your Mavericks apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2013

Apple has begun sending email notices asking its registered Mac developers to submit their OS X Mavericks-optimized apps. The timing of the communique is especially eyebrow-raising given the October 22 media event invites went out today as "we still have a lot to cover".

Jumping ahead of oneself, one might conclude this signals an imminent Mavericks release. In reality, it'd clearly make more sense to release Mavericks alongside the refreshed Mac notebooks.

For what it's worth, a source that stepped forward this morning has pinpointed an October 24 or 25 release date for the upcoming Haswell-based MacBook Pros...

Apple asks Launch Center Pro dev to remove undocumented URLs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

It's funny because it seems like every time we mention the app 'Launch Center Pro'—it received a big 2.0 update last week—and what it does, people ask: "how is it able to do a lot of what it does without infringing on Apple's guidelines?"

Well as it turns out, it can't. According to Contrast developer David Barnard, Apple called the team to let them know that Launch Center Pro is using 'undocumented app URLs,' and has asked that it remove them for at least 7 iOS apps...

Nike+ Running iOS app gets photo sharing and auto-pause

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2013

Nike's popular fitness and running app for the iPhone, named Nike+ Running, has received an interesting little update bringing with it the ability to take and share photos before, during or after your workouts so your friends can keep you going with likes and cheers. For those wondering what's the big deal with photo sharing, let me just spell it out: seamless implementation.

Having been a user for quite some time, I've always hated having to pause my run manually in order to, say, catch a quick break or answer an important phone call. Not anymore - the new Nike+ Running version 4.4 is clever enough to automatically pause and resume when it detects I stopped running or resumed my workout. More tidbits follow...

Google Maps iOS app gets route and traffic overview, faster access to navigation

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2013

After adding Waze incident reports to the mobile Google Maps app on the iPhone and iPad, the search Goliath today issued a minor update adding a few new features which expand on the application's capabilities. In addition to some housekeeping and a pair of new Middle East languages, Google Maps has brought out improvements to navigation that will help plan your next trip or make real-time decisions based on traffic conditions, especially when you’re driving...

Final Fantasy VII iOS release could be ‘years away,’ says Square Enix

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 24, 2017

Square Enix director Takashi Tokita recently confirmed to the gaming blog Kotaku that Final Fantasy VI will be hitting iOS and Android this winter.

Though the exec dropped hints about Final Fantasy VII being considered for mobile, he was quick to stress that no definite decision has been reached yet.

It seems now that a mobile Final Fantasy VII edition may be "years away" due to space limitations. I have the full story right after the break...