Apple

Rumor: iPad 3 to Feature FaceTime HD and Improved Rear Camera

Aside from housing the same display as its year-old predecessor, most of the criticism the iPad 2 received was aimed at its cameras. And between its VGA-quality front-facing sensor and dismal rear shooter, it was well-warranted.

But it looks like things will be different this time around. The latest iPad 3 rumor suggests that Apple's upcoming tablet will feature some major camera upgrades, including a front camera capable of FaceTime HD, and more...

Apple CEO Tim Cook to Cash In $96 Million

Tim Cook is starting 2012 off right with an upcoming pay day of over $96,000,000:

Of all the Silicon Valley executives who have a vesting event scheduled for the first quarter of 2012, the one who stands to reap the most is Apple Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook, the study found.

Mr. Cook has portions of two restricted-stock-unit grants—including one he received for filling in for Steve Jobs when the co-founder was on medical leave—vesting in the first quarter. As of Apple's closing stock price on Dec 30, those vesting shares of Mr. Cook's were worth $96.2 million, according to the study.

Apple Pays Company $5 Million to Settle Patent Lawsuit

In April of 2009, Taiwanese chip and touch screen maker Elan Microelectronics Corp. filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the Cupertino-based company had infringed upon many of its touch-based patents. Apple counterclaimed in a Northern California district court with allegations that Elan had violated multiple Apple patents itself.

The patent in question, U.S. Patent Number 5,825,352, is described as a "multiple fingers contact sensing method for emulating mouse buttons and mouse operations on a touch sensor pad." The U.S. International Trade Commission investigated the claims in April 2010, but ultimately ruled in June 2010 that Elan had failed to establish that Apple was violating the patent.

The case remained unresolved, until today...

iPhone Owners Complaining of Mysterious Mute Bug on Outbound Calls

Apple launched its latest handset, the iPhone 4S, in October of last year. And while the company seems to have corrected the infamous antenna problem, the device has still had its fair share of issues.

From its poor battery life — which is more than likely iOS 5 related — to its Sprint data speed troubles, users have had multiple complaints regarding the handset. And now it looks like we can add another problem to the list...

Patent Suggests Apple Could be Integrating Thunderbolt Into iOS Devices

Multiple patent applications by Apple were published by the US Patent and Trademark Office this morning. Three of the inventions revolve around Thunderbolt technology, and one in particular stands out: iOS device support.

Apple introduced Thunderbolt, an I/O platform that transfers data 20x faster than USB 2.0, last year in both its desktop and laptop computer lines. And now it looks like it could be bringing the tech to its popular mobile products...

iPad Users Have Downloaded 3 Billions Apps Since 2010

Apple keeps hitting new app download milestones, with the latest number being all about the iPad and its huge popularity since its initial introduction in early 2010.

Since Apple made the iPad available to purchase, a massive 3 billion apps have been downloaded from Apple's App Store for the tablet. To put that into some kind of perspective, it took the equally-as-popular iPhone a whole six months longer to reach the same milestone after the App Store's opening in 2008.

The news comes as rumors begin to circulate about what Apple could be working on for the next-generation iPad...

On Apple’s Mysterious GameStore App

A few days ago, a mysterious application surfaced in the App Store. GameStore, which listed Apple as its developer, popped up on December 31st of last year and was available for 3 days before getting pulled.

The odd thing is that the $0.99 app didn't really seem to do anything. Most folks have dismissed the program as an internal in-app purchase testing tool that Apple published by mistake, but there could be more to it.

Rumor: Apple Working on 42-Inch TV In Jony Ive’s Design Studio

Not many companies can claim to be the biggest thing to hit a trade show without actually being in attendance, but Apple has that honor this year. With so much talk about the iPhone and iPad maker being ready to enter the television market, the competition is already sitting up and taking notice.

Not only that, but word has it that Apple is currently working on a 42-inch television in design guru Jony Ive's top-secret studio. The flatscreen supposedly has onboard Wi-Fi and also comes in a 50-inch flavor. Rumors of such a device are keeping competitors on the edge of their seats.

iPhone 4S Launching in China and 21 Additional Countries Next Week

Apple has announced that its latest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, will finally launch in China and 21 additional countries Friday, January 13th. After this rollout, the iPhone 4S will be available in 90 countries.

China Unicom has been the only official iPhone partner in China in the past, and Apple has made no announcement that it will be expanding to China Mobile, the world's largest carrier.

Apple to Announce Q1 2012 Financial Results on Tuesday, January 24

Apple has updated its investor page with a notification that it will hold its Q1 2012 financial results on Tuesday, January 24th. The Cupertino company will announce its earnings for the first fiscal quarter of 2012, meaning that the results from the fourth calendar quarter in 2011 will be provided, including holiday sales.

Investors and enthusiasts alike can tune into Apple's live audio stream on the 24th to hear CEO Tim Cook and other execs reveal financial results and answer questions about the company. This upcoming earnings call is expected to hold record-breaking results for Apple.

Apple to Bid for English Premier League TV Rights

Apple may be set to join a bidding war for the rights to stream English Premier League (EPL) games to its customers, with the aim of bolstering its sales in the UK.

According to the Daily Mail, who do not give any sources for its story, both Apple and Google are weighing their options in the UK, with both companies wishing to make a grab for the lucrative rights to show EPL on their respective devices.

The current deal with Sky Sports runs out at the end of the current season, with the current owners, ESPN and Al Jazeera, already confirmed to be interested in streaming live games to their own channels. SkySports paid a massive £1.6 billion ($2.5b) for its current package.

SMS on the Decline with iMessage and IM to Blame

This Christmas saw lower than normal numbers for SMS, according to new numbers released by Forbes. As is to be expected, certain times during the year cause higher than usual numbers of SMS messages to be sent.

Major sporting events are one cause, as is events Christmas and the ringing in of a new year. The numbers this year show that we sent less messages through the carriers' SMS networks than we did last year, which will no doubt be a concern to those same carriers who have been overcharging us for years to send a few characters of text.