Apple

AT&T: FaceTime fears are ‘wrong’

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 22, 2012

AT&T Wednesday tried to clarify its position on limiting the iOS 6 FaceTime over Cellular feature to its Mobile Share data plan customers. The carrier called concerns that last week's move might require subscribers change data plans "wrong" and "another knee jerk reaction" about net neutrality.

"The FCC's net neutrality rules do not regulate the availability to customers of applications that are preloaded on phones. Indeed, the rules do not require that providers make available any preloaded apps," AT&T said in a blog post. The cell provider said subscribers can download a number of video chat apps that compete with AT&T's service, a requirement of net neutrality laws...

Foxconn improves, corrects nearly 300 workplace violations

Cody Lee ∙ August 22, 2012

Foxconn, Apple's largest manufacturer of iPads and other iOS devices, has been taking heat for several years now for its poor working conditions. These conditions were said to be a major factor in a string of suicides at the company.

The bad press reached a fever pitch earlier this year, when The New York Times published a lengthy article that painted a bleak picture of the electronics-maker. But according to a new report, it's turning things around...

Rare iPhone 4 prototype spotted on eBay, yours for $10,000

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

What's the going rate on eBay for a rare iPhone 4 prototype running internal testing software? Apparently it's the same as a factory-sealed first-gen iPhone: $10,000.

The handset is of the 32GB, GSM variety, and carries a model number of N90AP. It's described as a prototype/tester unit, and has a couple of interesting features...

Apple and Samsung make their closing arguments

Cody Lee ∙ August 21, 2012

It's been a long few weeks, but the high-profile trial between Apple and Samsung is finally starting to wind down. Yesterday's peace talks between CEOs failed to yield any results, so tomorrow, the case will get handed to the jury.

Attorneys used their last day in court today to make their closing arguments and rebuttals. And while both parties made some compelling comments, it seemed like Samsung's side made the more memorable impression...

Apple reportedly asking resellers to clear iPad display space

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is going to unveil a new smartphone next month, there's very little doubt about that. And an iPod refresh is also pretty much a given. But a new, smaller iPad, though, seems to be much less of a certainty.

A new report, however, is out this afternoon, that adds weight to the theory. According to some of Apple's premium retailers, the company has recently asked them to start tripling their iPad display space...

Verizon vacation blackout suggests iPhone 5 may be available September 21

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2012

It's not often that vacation schedules mean much to anyone other than the person getting some days off. But Verizon's vacation schedule has iPhone fans predicting Apple's newest handset will appear Sept. 21. Today's report mirrors one earlier this month that AT&T is also expecting something big in late September.

Citing a "trusted Verizon employee," TechCrunch writes the carrier has forbidden worker vacations between Friday, Sept. 21 and September 30. The next iPhone "will almost certainly be available in stores" on the first day of that vacation blackout, the blog claims. Earlier this month, we reported on another claim that AT&T (which also offers the iPhone) was preparing for a "huge announcement" during the third or fourth week of September...

On heels of TV rumors, Apple wins ad-skipping patent

Cody Lee ∙ August 21, 2012

Recent reports suggest that Apple has started focusing its living room efforts on a cable-friendly set-top box, instead of the long-rumored television set. But the Cupertino company is said to still be negotiating with major cable companies.

Talks are reportedly moving slowly, as cable providers are extremely hesitant to allow Apple into their industry. And this probably won't help their cause. The iPad-makers have just been awarded a patent for skipping commercials...

Former Googler Mayer wants iPhones for Yahoo

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2012

Ironies are everywhere in Silicon Valley. Take new Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, for instance. Mayer spent 13 years at Google -- Ground Zero for Android -- yet now is considering buying every Yahoo employee an iPhone. Seems workers at the search company are a polyglot bunch when it comes to phones with many using BlackBerries, Android handsets and iPhones, of course.

It's not clear why Mayer settled on the iPhone instead of Android, but one unnamed source "familiar with Mayer's thinking" told BusinessInsider that the goal is to "get consistency across the company." However, early on Mayer professed interest in the iPhone, showing up at a press meet-and-greet with an Apple handset. She later went on to explain: "I use lots of phones."

Report: Apple to open Moscow ‘Apple Rus’ in 2013

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

First came the U.S. Apple Store, then London and Paris. Now the iPhone maker is preparing to open stores in Moscow, according to a Russian newspaper. The move would allow Apple to sell directly to Moscovites, rather than using local distributors.

As part of the effort, the company has registered "Apple Rus" to directly sell iPads and iPhones in stores near Moscow and St. Petersburg...

UK carrier authorized to offer first LTE service ahead of iPhone launch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

This is pretty interesting: Ofcom, the regulator for UK communications, announced today that it has given permission to the carrier Everything Everywhere to begin using its existing 1800 MHz to offer LTE services beginning on September 11.

If that date sounds familiar, that's because it's the day before the all-but-confirmed media event where Apple is said to be unveiling it's next smartphone. The handset is widely expected to be LTE-capable, but will it work outside of the US?

Samsung to invest $4 billion in iPad, iPhone chip plant

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2012

Imagine a symbiotic relationship where each party depends on the other, but they are continually fighting and you'll have a good picture of Apple and Samsung. The latest episode in the ultimate case of frenemies happened Tuesday as the South Korean chip giant pledged nearly $4 billion to upgrade a plant producing chips for Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Samsung said it will plunk down around $4 billion to renovate the Austin, Texas plant in order to boost production of ARM-based chips, many used in Apple's iPhone, iPad and other consumer technology, Reuters reports today. This after Samsung just unveiled plans to build in South Korea a new $1.98 billion logic chip plant for Apple and other smartphone makers...

Report calls for iPad mini production to ramp up in September

Cody Lee ∙ August 21, 2012

We've opined, in the past, that the reason we haven't seen many leaked iPad mini parts may be because the tablet is simply not as far along in production as the next-gen iPhone — a device for which part leaks have been ample.

And according to a new report, that might just be the case. Citing sources from Apple's upstream supply chain, the note says that Apple isn't expected to begin volume production of the smaller iPad until September...