Rumors

Force Touch code discovered in iOS 9

Cody Lee ∙ August 26, 2015

Developer and noted iOS beta hacker Hamza Sood has discovered code relating to Force Touch in iOS 9. Sood tweeted out a screenshot of the code this evening, saying it appears Apple has been "testing keyboard trackpad gestures on the iPhone 6s, activated via Force Touch."

Given that the 6s is expected to be unveiled within the next few weeks, and believed to already be in mass production, it would seem the code all-but-confirms that the new iPhone will include Force Touch technology—a feature that already exists in MacBooks and Apple Watch.

Apple rumored to hold September event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple has rented out the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco for its all-but-confirmed September iPhone event, reports Hoodline. The publication says it has seen documentation from event logistics indicating the company has the building through September 12th.

Today's news follows speculation from earlier this week that Apple is behind a mysterious "trade show" booking at the Civic Auditorium for the first two weeks in September. On Monday, SFPD officers and private security guards began patrolling the grounds at the building.

Sketchy rumor claims Apple is working on smart Watch bands

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is working on new bands for its Apple Watch that will add considerable functionality to the device, reports Czech site Letem Svetem Applem. Citing a source familiar with the project, the outlet says, among other things, the bands will feature new health sensors.

These "smart" bands will plug into the Apple Watch's hidden diagnostic port, which means they could be compatible with current-gen models. And its sensors will be able to read and share data on blood oxygen level, blood pressure, body temperature and much more.

Documents show Apple’s car is further along than many suspected

Cody Lee ∙ August 14, 2015

Apple's self-driving electric car, codenamed Project Titan, is further along than many suspected, reports The Guardian. The publication has obtained documents that show that the Cupertino company is already scouting locations to test the vehicle.

The Guardian's Mark Harris said the documents were obtained legally under a public records request, and they contain correspondence between Apple engineer Frank Fearon and an employee for top-secret vehicle testing ground GoMentum Station.

Bloomberg: Apple to delay TV service until 2016

Cody Lee ∙ August 13, 2015

Apple has scrapped plans to announce its long-rumored streaming TV service at its upcoming September 9 event, reports Bloomberg. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says that content deal talks with 21st Century Fox and others have been progressing slowly.

Additionally, Apple also doesn't have the computer network capacity in place to ensure a good viewing experience—a common complaint among users of Dish's Sling TV and other streaming services. Thus, the company has decided to push back the launch of its service to 2016.

Facebook said to be developing Twitter-like app for breaking news

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Facebook is working on a standalone mobile news applications, Business Insider reported on Tuesday. The site says the app looks similar to Twitter, in that it will allow publications to blast short, 100 character push notifications to their "followers" when they have urgent news to share.

"Business Insider has reviewed screenshots of the new product and spoken to a source who has been playing around with the Facebook for Business platform." The outlet believes the app is part of Facebook for Business, but different than the Facebook at Work initiative we saw last year.

Apple expected to debut new iPhones, iPads and Apple TV on September 9

Cody Lee ∙ August 7, 2015

Apple is planning an event for Wednesday, September 9 to announce new products, according to BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski. The well-connected reporter is hearing that the company will use the stage to unveil new iPhones, iPads and Apple TV.

In line with previous rumors, Paczkowski says the new iPhones—which the press has been referring to as the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus—will feature pressure-sensitive Force Touch displays, improved camera systems and significantly faster processors.

Reuters: Apple, BMW could resume talks over electric car partnership

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The rumors that Apple visited a BMW plant last year to learn about auto manufacturing is true, reports Reuters. Citing sources familiar with the talks, the outlet says that Tim Cook and his senior executive team traveled to BMW's Leipzig factory last fall, showing interest in its i3 electric car.

"Apple executives were impressed with the fact that we abandoned traditional approaches to car making and started afresh. It chimed with the way they do things too," a senior BMW source said. The executives asked BMW board members detailed questions about both tooling and production.

New Apple TV coming in September with full App Store, report says

Cody Lee ∙ July 30, 2015

We are finally going to see the long-rumored update to Apple's set-top box this fall, reports BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski. The well-connected journalist says sources have informed him that the company plans to introduce a new Apple TV in September.

Pacszkowski says to expect a slimmer chassis and new internals, anchored around Apple's A8 processor. He also says the remote has been "drastically improved" with a built-in touchpad for input, and there will be a native App Store and developer kit.

Apple reportedly approached BMW over using i3 as basis for its electric car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Apple approached BMW last year regarding its rumored electric car project, reports German business magazine Manager. The publication says that Tim Cook and other senior executives visited the i3 assembly plant in Leipzig, Germany during "autumn 2014" to discuss the possibility of using the i3 as the basis for its own vehicle.

For those who aren't familiar with the i3, it's BMW's urban 5-door electric car that looks like a hatchback from the future. It's been generally well-received by critics, but with a 0-60 time approaching 7 seconds and a battery range of under 100 miles, it's not turning nearly as many heads as the model S and other Tesla-made cars.

Apple adds high profile auto executive to electric car team

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It was uncovered on Monday that Apple recently hired high profile auto executive Doug Betts, reigniting rumors that the company is building an electric car. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Betts' LinkedIn profile says that he joined the Cupertino firm's "Operations" team this month.

It's not clear what he will be working on at Apple, but it's hard to imagine it's anything but a car. Betts was Head of Quality at the Chrysler Group, now Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, for 7 years before leaving in 2014 to "pursue other interests." Prior to that he worked at both Toyota and Nissan.

WSJ: Samsung moving up Galaxy Note 5 launch to August to beat iPhone hype

Cody Lee ∙ July 10, 2015

Samsung is moving up its Galaxy Note 5 launch to August this year in hopes of beating the new iPhone hype in September, reports The Wall Street Journal. Until now, the South Korean company has leveraged the annual IFA Berlin conference to debut the big-screened handset.

Citing a source familiar with the matter, The Journal says the move is part of a bid to give the Note some breathing room before mid-September, when Apple typically unveils its new iPhones—a product that often dominates both the news cycle and consumer attention for weeks.