Apple

Apple to webcast June quarter earnings

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Apple will be reporting results for the second calendar 2012 quarter (corresponding to its third fiscal 2012 quarter) next Tuesday, July 24, shortly after the markets close at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern.

Ahead of the earnings release, Apple just issued an alert this morning regarding streaming audio from the conference call which will be available here via QuickTime, beginning on July 24 at 2pm Pacific. The iDB team will be following the conference call so you don't have to, posting interesting bits and pieces right as we learn about them...

Poll: how do you feel about Sparrow now?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 20, 2012

Sparrow for iPhone debuted in February of 2011 and remains to date known as a kick-ass email client for both desktop and mobile. Those that love Sparrow appreciate its best-in-class Gmail support, clean and minimalistic interface and just the right set of features.

But Sparrow got snapped up by the Internet giant Google today (looks like this is becoming somewhat of a pattern for Google). From what we know so far, the Sparrow development team will be “working on new things at Google” and they "do not plan to release new features for the Sparrow apps".

This likely means 'no' to the promised iPad version and another 'no' to push alerts for incoming messages. It's assumably a sad day for Sparrow die-hards, so I just put together a little poll to gauge your feelings on the subject of today's unexpected acquisition...

Google buys Mac/iOS email client Sparrow, say good-bye to new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Dang, Google just acquired the popular Mac and iOS email client Sparrow. The value of the transaction or terms of the deal have not been made public, though The Verge thinks Google paid under $25 million for Sparrow. According to a blog post announcing the acquisition, this deal will help the Sparrow team "accomplish a bigger vision", one the team says "can better achieve with Google". Hopefully that means buying some notification servers, though Sparrow's email to customers is anything but encouraging. Full details below...

iPad 3 makes a quiet landing in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 20, 2012

As promised, Apple today began selling its Retina iPad in China, having paved the way for the long-awaited launch with a recent $60 million trademark settlement with the struggling Chinese monitor vendor ProView.

News reports describe the launch as low-key, lacking the usual long lines and media frenzy like elsewhere. Apple is also seen taking additional steps to fight scalpers with an imposed three-hour window for reservations...

Apple fighting Samsung adverts on its website, here’s Joy of Tech’s funny take

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 20, 2012

Apple is going to appeal a U.K. court ruling from earlier this week which mandates that Cupertino post a public apology on both its website and in British newspapers, basically free advertisement telling the public that Samsung did not copy the iPad's design, per the court's ruling. As this legal mess is being sorted out, Joy of Tech has an excellent take on what this notice could be like, included right below...

Apple pulls Clueful privacy app from the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ July 20, 2012

It's not uncommon for Apple to pull applications from its App Store without word or warning. Let's just say the company doesn't take security on its mobile platform lightly.

Typically, the removals are warranted. The apps are either malicious, violate copyright laws or other App Store guidelines. But with titles like Clueful, it's not so cut and dry...

Fox films now available for re-download via iTunes in the Cloud

Cody Lee ∙ July 19, 2012

Earlier today, Apple rolled out iTunes Match, and movies for iTunes in the Cloud, to a number of new countries. And it looks like it's still not finished with the updates.

Tonight, reports are coming in that Fox movies are finally showing up in the Purchased tab of iTunes, meaning that users can now re-download them via iCloud...

Apple building mysterious new tactical data center in North Carolina

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Apple is moving forward with plans to build a new, smaller data center next to the existing $1 billion iCloud facility in Maiden, North Carolina. The company has just filed for building permits, a story today revealed.

The upcoming 20,000 square feet facility will have tight security measures, such as "man trap" security doors and chain-link security fence, and will be t-boned to the existing iCloud facility. Official documents refer to it as the 'tactical' data center, whatever that's supposed to mean...

Drop test: iPad vs. Nexus 7

Cody Lee ∙ July 19, 2012

Google unveiled the Nexus 7 last month to much fanfare. And although its price and screen size don't really line up with the latest iPad, many reviewers are still using Apple's tablet as a point of reference.

You've probably already seen all of the speed and performance comparisons between the two slates, but what about durability? That's right it's drop test time. Nexus 7 versus the iPad, round one, fight!

Apple rolls out Movies in The Cloud to more than 30 new countries

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple sure has been busy today. Hot on the heels of this morning's iTunes Match expansion, it appears that the company has added movies to its iTunes in the Cloud feature for users in 30+ new countries.

Folks from the UK, Ireland, Brazil and other areas are reporting that they are now able to stream previously-purchased films to their iOS devices, using iCloud. Keep reading to see if your country made the list...

First screenshots of Firefox OS arrive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 24, 2016

Mozilla's Firefox OS may be driven by HTML5 but it sure looks a lot like an unusual cross between iOS and Android. It's already got strong support from carriers and now the first screenshots depicting the user interface and various system apps have surfaced.

The interface looks distinct enough to stand on its own, even though Mozilla clearly borrowed some of the best design practices from iOS and Android...