Rumors

Apple planning to offer subscription content in News app, report says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is looking to add support for subscription content in its News app, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says the move will give publishers with paywalls a new way to control who sees their articles and track who is reading them.

Such a change would help differentiate the struggling Apple News with Facebook's Instant Articles, which does not currently offer subscriber-only content. It's unclear right now how Apple plans to authenticate subscribers, or if it's going to take a cut of in-app subscription fees.

Microsoft’s incoming iOS keyboard to feature special one-handed mode

Cody Lee ∙ January 25, 2016

The Windows Phone keyboard Microsoft is bringing to iOS will feature a special one-handed mode, reports The Verge. Speaking with sources familiar with the company's plans, the site says that an early version of the keyboard is currently in internal beta, and it will soon be available to public testers.

One of the more interesting things the beta has revealed thus far is that the iOS version of Microsoft's Flow keyboard will feature a special one-handed mode. Yes, the Windows version also has a one-handed mode, but those who have tried the iPhone version say that there are a few noticeable differences.

Samsung said to be porting several of its device companion apps to iOS

Cody Lee ∙ January 25, 2016

Samsung is preparing to port several of its applications to iOS, reports SamMobile. The site says it has received information from trusted insiders that the South Korean company plans to bring "most of its apps (if not all)" to Apple’s mobile platform.

Of course, Samsung already has a handful of apps in the App Store, and the tech giant confirmed at CES that it will be adding iPhone support for the Gear S2 later this year. But today's report says S Health, Gear Fit Manager and others are on the way.

Head of Apple’s electric car project leaving the company

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is losing long-time veteran and VP of Product Design Steve Zadesky, reports The Wall Street Journal. Zadesky has been with the company for 16 years, where he worked on the iPhone and iPod, and most recently spearheaded its ambitious automobile efforts.

Apple Watch to gain new bands in March, new hardware in September

Cody Lee ∙ January 22, 2016

Apple is planning to announce new Apple Watch models in March, reports 9to5Mac. But the refresh will be in line with what we saw in September of last year, in that we may see new bands made out of new materials, and new brand partnerships, but no new hardware.

Instead, the outlet claims Apple is going to wait until September to show off its second-generation Watch. This contradicts recent rumors that the new wearable is going to be ready for production this month, but it does lines up with this last week report from TechCrunch.

Apple said to be readying 4-inch ‘iPhone 5se’ for spring launch

Cody Lee ∙ January 22, 2016

Apple is preparing to launch a new 4-inch iPhone this spring, reports 9to5Mac. The oft-accurate Mark Gurman claims he has it on good authority that the device, codenamed N69, will publicly be called the "iPhone 5se," and should begin shipping by March or April.

Gurman says the device that made headlines yesterday, which looked identical in design to Apple's current smartphones, is a fake, and the real 4-inch iPhone looks a lot like the iPhone 5s. He also notes that contrary to recent rumors, the handset has a headphone jack.

Apple ‘frustrated’ by streaming TV challenges, says ESPN President

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is frustrated with the many challenges it has faced in trying to build its streaming TV service, reports The Wall Street Journal. The outlet recently sat down with ESPN president John Skipper, who said the iPhone-maker is finding it tough to create something that works for both them and programmers.

"They are creating a significantly advantageous operating system and a great television experience and that television experience is fabulous for sports," Mr. Skipper told the Journal. "We are big proponents of believing it would be a fabulous place to sell some subscriptions. We have ongoing conversations."

New report claims we may not see Apple Watch 2 in March

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Don't get your hopes up for new Apple Watch hardware in March, reports TechCrunch. Citing several sources with knowledge of the company's plans, the outlet said on Friday that it believes the oft-rumored March unveiling is a bit too soon for Watch 2.0.

The scoop goes directly against a recent report that the second-gen Apple Watch is set to begin production later this month. It also contradicts a December report from the reliable 9to5Mac, which said that Apple had been planning a Watch event for March.

Apple stepping back from iAd sales, wants publishers to do the heavy lifting

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is moving to phase out its in-house iAd sales team, reports BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the well-connected journalist says the company plans to move to a more automated platform in which the publishers take care of the heavy lifting.

"It’s just not something we’re good at,” one source told Paczkowkski. "And so Apple is leaving the creation, selling, and management of iAds to the folks who do it best: the publishers." Apple is said to be updating its iAd tools and software to allow publishers to sell through it directly.

Apple in talks with NFL to live-stream next season’s London games

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is in talks with the National Football League regarding streaming rights, reports Reuters. Citing two sources familiar with the situation, the outlet says the iPhone-maker is among a group of tech firms pursuing the opportunity to live-stream 3 NFL games next season.

More specifically, the companies are looking to buy the rights to conduct live streams for all three of the NFL games to be played in London next year. Yahoo hosted a live stream of a single London-based game this season, and by most accounts it was a success for both parties.

Apple has registered Apple.car and other similar domain names

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2016

Apple has registered a handful of rather interesting domain names within the last few weeks. As noted by MacRumors, the company purchased three top-level domain names in December including apple.car, apple.cars and apple.auto, through sponsored registrar MarkMonitor.

The acquisitions only posted on Whois this morning, and they aren't active yet, but given the ongoing chatter regarding Apple's secret car project, they do arouse curiosity. There's certainly a precedent of the firm purchasing domain names for rumored projects: iCloud and iPhone 4.

iPhone 7 again said to be waterproof and feature wireless charging

Cody Lee ∙ January 7, 2016

Apple's next iPhone will likely feature a thinner, waterproof body and other significant changes, reports Fast Company. Citing a source with knowledge of the company's plans, the outlet says the iPhone 7 will also feature wireless charging and special noise-canceling technology.

Additionally, Fast Company says the handset will ship without a 3.5mm headphone jack—something that has popped up in multiple iPhone 7 rumors. The move will allow Apple to make the device thinner, but will force users to switch to wireless or Lightning-enabled headphones.