Money

WikiLeaks App Has Been Pulled From the App Store

Alex Heath ∙ December 21, 2010

It seems that we spoke too soon. A couple days ago, we reported that there was an unofficial WikiLeaks app in the App Store. The app allowed you to view Twitter updates and leaked documents from WikiLeaks.

Igor Barinov, the app's developer, recently tweeted that Apple had his app "removed from sale." At the time of the app being pulled, downloads of the app had nearly approached 4,500 with almost $6,000 in profit.

There is no clear reason why Apple would have pulled such an app, but it's not a shocker that a sensitive app about WikiLeaks was pulled...

How An iPhone App Can See Your Location Without Asking

Alex Heath ∙ Updated February 16, 2018

Lately, there have been some serious privacy concerns about how apps are tracking user's location and personal information. The Wall Street Journal performed a survey of multiple, various applications on both Android and iOS and discovered that many apps are sending information (like the device's location) without explicit permission from the user.

In particular, an app called "Pumpkin Maker" traced the general location of a device without requesting any type of permission from its user. The Journal contacted the app's develepor and gained some valuable knowledge on how, and why, the stealthy tracking of app users is taking place...

Apple Becomes the 4th Mobile Vendor in the World

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

After recently becoming the largest tech company in the world, Apple just passed RIM to become the 4th largest vendor of mobile devices in the world, just behind Nokia, Samsung, and LG Electronics (who the hell owns an LG phone?).

Apple shipped 14.1 million units within the last 3 months, while Nokia, Samsung, and LG respectively shipped 110.4 million, 71.4 million and 28.4 million units. RIM is just behind Apple with 12.4 million devices shipped.

Apple is still pretty far behind the first 3 but remember that the company got into the mobile space only 3 years ago. You can only imagine where it's going to be in 3 more years...

[RWW]

Is Square the Future of Mobile Payments?

Guest Author ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Last week it was reported that Square, a mobile credit card reader, had opened its doors and was available for download in the app store. Square is the brainchild of Jack Dorsey, who is also co-founder of Twitter.

The app, when used in conjunction with a small card reader that plugs into the auxiliary port, allows anyone to process credit card payments. This takes "mobile payments" to a whole new level as now small businesses and vendors can process payments without the need for a wired or complex point-of-sale system.

All you need is a compatible device (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or one of select Android devices), the card reader, and a signal on your device.

So what does this mean for retailers and small businesses? Is it secure to use? And what about the cost? Will this be the new method businesses large and small use? Read more to find out...

Apple Sold 14.1 Million iPhones in the Last 3 Months

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated July 6, 2017

Apple just released their fourth quarter financial results and let me tell you right away that the numbers are pretty amazing. The company posted record revenue of $20.34 billion, compared to $12.21 billion in the same period last year.

The company sold 14.1 million iPhones in its fourth quarter, which represents an increase of 91% compared to last year. They also sold 3.89 million Macs, 9.05 million iPods, and 4.19 million iPads during the quarter.

The most interesting thing about this press release is the "surprise" Apple has for us...

How’s That 2GB Data Cap Treating You?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 30, 2010

By now there’s been ample time to digest the consequences of AT&T’s 2 gigabyte data cap initiated earlier this summer. Would it be too little? Are the prices fair? These were some of the questions that only time and usage could aptly answer. Well, I’ve done the time, and I’ve certainly put in my fair share of mileage on my iPhone 4 to be able to draw a conclusion.

At $25 for 2,048 MB of data, that amounts to about .01220703 cents per megabyte. So a little over a penny per megabyte. Sounds fair enough. But cost was never the huge factor in my worries about AT&T’s new guidelines, real world usage was. In other words, how would my normal usage be affected by these new rules? Would I always have the data cap in the back of my mind causing me to stress unnecessarily? That’s something I didn’t want to have to put up with...

Brits Look to Make a Dollar Off the iPhone

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 27, 2018

You have to love the mind of the opportunist. Always lurking in the weeds just waiting to strike the opportunity at the chance of making some money. That's exactly what's going on over in Britain.

9 to 5 Mac reports that the folks across the pond are lining up to buy brand new iPhone 4s and then sell them back to China (where they are made), unlocked at a higher price. The same thing is happening in New York where the New York Times is quoted saying the following about the "grey" market back and forth:

Apple Becomes the Second Largest Company in the World by Market Value

Sébastien Page ∙ September 23, 2010

About 4 months ago, Apple made the headlines for surpassing Microsoft in terms of market value. Today, Apple is making the headlines again, this time for becoming the world's second largest company by market value.

Apple's stock went as high as $292.76 today, passing PetroChina to become the second largest stock in the world, right behind Exxon Mobil...

Apple Makes 3% of All Smartphones but Takes 39% of All Profits

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

With the Apple stock flying at a all-time high these days, this new report shows that not only Apple is able to make great products that sell like hot cakes, but most importantly, they are making tons of money on each product sold.

According to Michael Walkley of the Canaccord Genuity Group, Apple made about 3% of all the smartphones in the first half of 2010, but it actually raked in 39% of the industry's profits...

So Much For Meeting the Global iPhone Demand

Guest Author ∙ September 20, 2010

I remember hearing not too long ago that iPhone maker Foxconn was bragging up their ability to pump out 1.5 new iPhones per second. While we knew that meant lousy surroundings for those employed there at least the demand was surely being met, right?

TUAW has a report that highlights Apple's inability to meet the pre-order demand from the Taiwanese people. Over 200,000 people tried grabbing the new iPhone 4 through pre-order but carriers fear just 1/4 of those will be filled by the years end. That could mean for a lot of angry early adopters...

iPhone Helping Autistic Kids

Guest Author ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

This story makes so much sense that I feel inferior for only realizing the potential just now. The idea of using a touchscreen to help children suffering from autism is brilliantly simple. The fact is that the iPhone might have the best and most simple system in iOS and the two were destined to help each other.

News Channel 10 out of Amarillo Texas has a report that centers on the benefits of using the iPhone to help the children dealing with the ailments that autism has. An app that focuses itself on speech therapy works by having the kids just touch the correct picture of whatever sound is being played. Magical, isn't it?

This is Where Your iPhone is Made.

Guest Author ∙ Updated November 25, 2016

The way we think of our electronic gear is amazing. We all want the latest and greatest as soon as possible and certainly as cheap as can be. However in order to get that accomplished it just so happens to take some unusually disturbing realities that some people call life.

I'm not holier than thou, in fact I own multiple devices from the very factory of focus here. Business Week took a visit of the place where our iPhones are built. They wanted to see how Foxconn headquarters were doing after their unpleasant suicide issue.