Rumors

Rumor: iPhone 7 will also be offered in Darth Vader-like glossy black colorway

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 30, 2016

Japanese blog Mac Otakara was first to report that Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 refresh would include a Space Black Apple Watch-like darker color option replacing the existing Space Gray colorway. Tuesday, Mac Otakara published a pair of photos purportedly showing a claimed iPhone 7 SIM tray in Darth Vader-like glossy black finish said to resemble the exterior of the 2013 Mac Pro. Sources told Mac Otakara that the next iPhone would come in a total of five color choices.

Here’s Tim Cook’s message to Apple community regarding massive Irish tax bill

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 30, 2016

The European Commission has ruled that Apple is on the hook for €13 billion ($14.5 billion) in back taxes as its “sweetheart deal” to pay a lower tax rate in Ireland has been characterized as “illegal state aid”.

Apple is going to appeal the ruling and now CEO Tim Cook has penned an open letter, entitled “A Message to the Apple Community in Europe,” in which he explains Apple's position in this case, writing he is “confident” that the huge tax bill will be reversed.

EU orders Apple to pay $14.5 billion in back taxes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

At a press conference Tuesday, the European Commission's competition commissioner Margarethe Vestager announced that the European Union has ordered the government of Ireland to collect up to €13 billion, or about $14.5 billion, in back taxes from Apple. The sum represents Europe’s largest tax penalty and a significant increase over the 1 billion figure floated around ahead of the ruling.

Apple will appeal the decision.

Bloomberg: new Macs and 5K monitor could debut as early as October

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

Apple is working on several upgrades to its Mac product line, reports Bloomberg. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says the refreshed hardware includes new versions of the iMac, MacBook Air, and the oft-rumored MacBook Pro.

Also in the pipeline is a new 5K standalone monitor. Apple, of course, discontinued its Thunderbolt Display earlier this year, after years without an update. This time around, Bloomberg says the Cupertino firm is collaborating with LG to build its monitor.

European Commission to reportedly rule against Apple’s sweetheart tax deal with Ireland

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 1, 2017

According to a 130-page judgment seen by The Financial Times, the European Commission (EC) is set to rule Tuesday against Apple's sweetheart tax deal it struck with the government of Ireland back in 1999.

The Commission is reportedly set to demand that Ireland recoup over 1 billion euros in back taxes from the iPhone maker, or circa $1.12 billion.

“Apple will on Tuesday be hit with Europe’s largest tax penalty after Brussels ruled that the company received illegal state aid from Ireland,” warns the financial newspaper.

Claimed iPhone 7 specs detail screen resolutions, cameras, chips, batteries & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

Alleged specifications of Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus refresh were leaked this morning on the Chinese social network Weibo by an unknown source. The document appears to detail several technical aspects of the forthcoming devices, including display resolutions, next-generation cameras, chips, batteries and other features.

Amazon to take aim at Apple with $9.99 a month music service, due in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

Amazon already has a music store, but its catalog of songs is limited and streaming is only available to those subscribed to the company's $99 per year Prime service. As Re/code said, the online retail giant has also considered a bargain-priced music service that would only work on Echo hardware and be priced at $4 to $5 per month.

Monday, The Financial Times newspaper reported that Amazon has a third offering in the works, a $9.99 per month music-streaming service that would offer the full catalogue of songs that Spotify and Apple offer.

Apple Watch 2 could offer a few hours of additional run time via a stronger 334 mAh battery

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2016

Prolific leakster @The_Malignant today republished a pair of claimed images of a purported battery pack believed to have been designed for a 42mm second-generation Apple Watch. Originally posted by an unnamed source on the Chinese social network Weibo, the tiny battery shows an increased capacity of 334 mAh. By comparison, the original Apple Watch is outfitted with a 245 mAh battery (42mm version) so it's entirely conceivable that the Apple Watch 2 could offer a few hours of additional battery life—assuming the leaked photo is genuine.

Universal wasn’t joking: Lady GaGa’s upcoming new album won’t be an Apple Music-exclusive

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

As you know, the major record label Universal Music Group is apparently done with streaming exclusives on Apple Music, Spotify and other services. Sources who spoke with HITS Daily Double caution that the repercussions stemming from the music industry's disdain for exclusives have forced Universal's label Interscope to release Lady GaGa's fifth studio album on a non-exclusive basis.

Now even the album's dance floor anthem, titled “Perfect Illusion,” would launch as an Apple Music exclusive in light of the industry kerfuffle over digital exclusives—despite the fact that a deal had been in place between Apple, Lady Gaga and Interscope.

Sketchy leak reaffirms 32GB/256GB iPhone 7, no 16GB tier

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2016

A sketchy order assembly sheet leaked out by Twitter account @The_Malignant reaffirms many of the previously talked-about features that should come to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come this fall, including a 256-gigabyte capacity model and the lack of the widely criticized 16-gigabyte tier. First spotted by AppleInsider, note that the sheet doesn't bear any clear designation identifying Apple as the client.

YouTube’s new Backstage section will let you share photos, polls, text & more with subscribers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2016

Just as we're processing today's news regarding an upcoming video-sharing app from Apple, a new report claims Google is set to enhance YouTube's social experience in the fall by unveiling a new Backstage section in the mobile app and on the web.

According to VentureBeat, Backstage will let YouTube users share not just videos, but also photos, polls, links, text posts and more with their subscribers.

Bloomberg: Apple developing a new iPhone video-sharing app & deeper social ties in iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2016

Bloomberg reported Thursday that Apple has been developing a brand new Snapchat-style video editing and sharing application that could launch in 2017 as a standalone download, as well as testing deeper social ties across iOS as part of a newly directed focus to integrate more social networking features within its mobile products. These moves are said to be a response to the success of social services like Facebook and Snapchat, according to people familiar with Apple’s strategy.