Apple

T-Mobile/MetroPCS deal has passed all necessary regulatory approvals

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

On March 12, the United States Federal Communications Commission has approved T-Mobile’s merger with MetroPCS, following the March 6 approval by the Department of Justice. Today, Richardson, Texas-headquartered MetroPCS issued an update informing us that the two partners are announcing receipt of all required regulatory approvals, clearing the way for the merger.

Although the deal is still pending an approval by MetroPCS shareholders, which are scheduled to vote on the merger next month, the transaction has now received a stamp of approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment...

Eric Schmidt on Google Now for iOS: the ball is now in Apple’s court

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2013

An alleged promo video thought to show off an unreleased build of Google Now for the iPhone and iPad has piqued our interest, as you could imagine. It was pulled from YouTube soon after, posing questions about the state of the official Google Now software for Apple's mobile platform.

Speaking at the Google Big Tent Summit in India, Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt hints Google Now has been submitted to Apple for approval. He suggested the ball is now in Apple's court. If approved, Google Now features are likely to be added to the Internet giant's native Search iOS app.

Update: Apple confirmed to CNET that Google never submitted Google Now to the App Store in the first place...

US Department of Defense said to be ordering 650,000 iOS devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated July 12, 2017

The United States Department of Defense has a pending purchase order for more than half a million iOS devices, according to a new report. 'Well-placed sources' say the government plans to purchase in upwards of 650,000 iPhones, iPads and iPod touches as part of an ongoing effort to update and mobilize its technologies...

iOS 6.1.3 reportedly introduces another Lock screen vulnerability

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCGJTuTZf8M

Apple yesterday let iOS 6.1.3 out of the gate, fixing the widely reported Lock screen vulnerability. As you're probably aware, the glitch was first detailed a month ago and lets people with access to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch easily bypass your passcode and mess with your private data on the device. But as is often the case, new software releases fix old bugs and introduce new ones to be squashed in the future.

A report Wednesday claims an all-new Lock screen vulnerability has been discovered in iOS 6.1.3, one making it easy to - you guessed right - bypass one's passcode and gain access to an unsuspecting user's contacts and photos kept on the device. Luckily, this one can be avoided easily by disabling the Voice Dial feature...

Thuraya’s new sleeve transforms your iPhone into a satellite phone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 28, 2016

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTEDgc2vu44#!

The United Arab Emirates-headquartered Thuraya has been in the mobile satellite services business literally as long as I can recall seeing their ads on MTV as a teenager. Thuraya operates in 140+ countries across Europe, the Middle East, North, Central and East Africa, Asia and Australia, covering two-thirds of the globe. Last summer, the company also started providing roaming services in the United States through its partnership with T-Mobile USA.

Because Thuraya has been selling pricey satellite phones and access to its global communications network for ages, their very first iPhone accessory launch is totally unexpected, but welcomed. The aptly named SatSleeve enables global satellite coverage for your iPhone by tapping an accompanying app to talk to the sleeve and route your text messages and phone calls through Thuraya’s network of satellites. Wait, there's more to this special case than meets the eye...

Galaxy S4 is pricier to build than iPhone 5

Ed Sutherland ∙ March 20, 2013

Ah, the cost of competition. Samsung's recently unveiled Galaxy S4 may raise the bar for Apple, but it comes at a price. The new smartphone isn't expected to launch until April, however we already know how much it cost the South Korean company to build its latest device: $244.

According to IHS Suppli, parts and manufacturing for a 16GB S4 not only cost more than the current Galaxy S3, but also seventeen percent higher than an iPhone 5 with sixteen gigabytes of storage. Seems Samsung is encountering the same financial challenges as Apple when it comes to ensuring your handset remains technologically in step with competitors...

Apple won’t use Samsung screens for iPad 5 and iPad mini 2

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2013

In another hint of Apple distancing itself from Samsung by procuring crucial gadget components from alternative suppliers, we hear the Cupertino firm may have already dropped Samsung entirely as the maker of next-gen panels for a fifth-generation iPad and a second-generation iPad mini.

Both devices are rumored to arrive later this year, allegedly sporting the high-resolution Retina display technology and sharing a light aluminum chassis with thinner appearance and chamfered edges...

Walmart expands iPhone scan-and-checkout option to 200+ more stores

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

It is an idea that was just waiting to be implemented: using your iPhone to scan product barcodes at retailers. Apparently, the world's largest chain of retail stores agrees. Walmart announced Wednesday it will offer the feature across more than 200 stores in twelve additional U.S. markets, stretching from Seattle to Oklahoma.

Although the move triples the size of the retail chain's Scan & Go program, Walmart said it still wants to get customer feedback before rolling out iPhone-based price checks in all stores...

AT&T’s LTE expands into new markets

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 20, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjCvY4utV-o

Hot on the heels of announcing new 30/40/50GB shared data tiers on Monday, U.S. wireless carrier AT&T today said its fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network has expanded coverage in Mobile, Bowling Green and the Waterbury and Meriden areas, including parts of Cheshire, Meriden, Prospect, Waterbury and Wolcott.

As part of the ongoing rollout across the country, AT&T's LTE now covers 288 million people in the United States. The carrier also flipped the switch on LTE in Dyersburg and Ripley, Sebring and Athens and announced a new prepaid option for its Wireless Home Phone service...

GarageBand for iOS updated with support for inter-app communication via Audiobus

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

This is pretty interesting. Apple has updated its GarageBand for iOS app today with support for Audiobus—a third party app that allows you to connect multiple audio applications together to create an entire digital studio.

You can use Audiobus to play music from a synthesizer app, and record it live into a looper or multi-track recording app, all from your iPhone or iPad. And now, with today's update, GarageBand can get in on the fun...

DRM tech inventor Intertrust sues Apple, alleges breach of 15 patents

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

The Wall Street Journal reports that Intertrust Technologies, which holds more than 150 patents related to digital rights management, is taking Apple to court over an alleged infringement of more than two dozen of its patents on security and distributed trusted computing. Filed in U.S. Federal Court in the Northern District of California, the suit covers a broad range of Apple products.

Specifically, iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad are named, as are Mac computers and laptops, Apple TV and online services including iTunes, iCloud and the App Store. Intertrust licenses its patents to the likes of Adobe, Motorola, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Nokia and HTC...

Clips of Adobe’s lambasting of iPhone over Flash haunt Apple’s new VP Kevin Lynch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNtTfFDena4#!

Conspiracy theorists had a field day with yesterday's confirmation that Kevin Lynch, Adobe's Chief Technology Officer, will soon be taking an executive role at Apple, joining the iPhone maker as its VP of Technology and reporting directly to Apple's SVP of Technologies Bob Mansfield. Lynch joined Adobe after the Photoshop maker snapped up Macromedia in 2005. Macromedia originally developed Flash technology and Lynch has been instrumental in its continuing development at Adobe.

By the virtue of his job, Lynch had to cross swords with Apple as the Cupertino firm refused to support Flash for the iPhone. Watchful fans have dug up this cringe worthy homage to MythBusters, a parody video from 2009 where Lynch attempts to get Flash working on the iPhone by pretending to blow up Apple's handset. He also ran over it with a steam roller and destroyed it in a blender. First day on the job should be fun, indeed! Jump pat the fold for more goodies...