Rumors

Apple still missing key licensing deals ahead of rumored Beats Music relaunch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is really cutting it close if it wants to relaunch Beats Music at its developer conference next month. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, Billboard reports that it is still missing a number of key licensing deals it would need to secure to unveil a new streaming music service.

"A June launch is still attainable," one source tells Billboard. "If any company can do it, they can." However, another source at a major record label tells the publication that there is no way Apple will be able to pull off a June launch for the new service, saying simply that "the deals aren't done."

New Apple TV to feature redesigned remote with touchpad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is going to unveil a new set-top box in June with a redesigned remote control, according to The New York Times. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the publication says the new remote will feature a touchpad for scrolling, at least two physical buttons, and it will be thicker in size than the current aluminum Apple TV remote.

We've heard multiple reports now indicating that Apple is planning to release new TV-related hardware this summer. The device is expected to be introduced at the World Wide Developers Conference with an updated, slimmer design, the faster A8 chip, and an increase in storage to house an upgraded OS and App Store downloads.

Hands-on video compares size of alleged iPad Pro cases with iPad Air 2

Cody Lee ∙ May 1, 2015

Popular YouTube channel Unbox Therapy on Friday posted a hands-on video with 2 alleged iPad Pro cases, comparing them in size and design with the iPad Air 2. The clip gives you a good idea of how much bigger the rumored 12-inch iPad would be than the current 9.7-inch model.

Additionally, the cases add weight to the accuracy of previous industrial renderings and case leaks. Despite the fact that they come from different manufacturers, and are made up of different materials, they're identical to both each other and many past cases in terms of size and features.

Rumored iPad Pro appears in new rendering

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The long-rumored "iPad Pro" surfaced in a new industrial rendering on Friday, further fueling speculation that Apple is working on a larger 12-inch tablet. French blog nowhereelse.fr shares the image, calling the device the 'iPad Air Plus' and saying that the sketch is dated December 2014.

The alleged rendering offers up dimensions for the Pro tablet, measuring 305.70mm long x 222.60mm wide x 7.20mm deep. Converted to inches, that's about 12 x 8.7 x 0.30. These numbers line up with those seen in previous renderings of the device, which is expected to have a 12.9" display.

Apple TV shipping estimates slip to 1-2 weeks ahead of rumored WWDC refresh

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Shipping estimates for the Apple TV slipped to 1-2 weeks on the US Apple Online Store today, further fueling rumors that Apple is getting ready to refresh the device. In March, BuzzFeed reported that the company is planning to unveil a new, slimmer set-top box at WWDC in June.

It's worth noting that some users have reported that the device is showing "in stock" for them online today, but at Check Out many are still seeing later ship times. Regardless, the fluctuation in available stock is consistent with inventory behavior of past Apple products ahead of refreshes.

Time Warner CEO ‘pretty confident’ Apple is launching a TV service

Cody Lee ∙ April 29, 2015

Time Warner's Jeff Bewkes is "pretty confident" Apple is working on a subscription TV service. ABC's Jon Erlichman reports on Medium today that during Time Warner's quarterly earnings call, the CEO said that the Cupertino firm is "very forward thinking" on the future of television.

Bewkes' comments are interesting because Apple and Time Warner recently partnered up to launch 'HBO Now' on Apple TV, and rumors have been bouncing around for years that the two were looking to do TV together. In July 2013, Bloomberg reported they were "close" to reaching a deal.

Apple approaching Taylor Swift and other artists for deals to promote Beats Music

Cody Lee ∙ April 10, 2015

Apple has asked Taylor Swift and more than a dozen other artists for exclusive deals to promote its incoming revamped Beats Music service, reports Bloomberg. The company hopes that such deals, particularly with Swift—who has pulled her music from other services—will help attract new users in the increasingly crowded streaming music space.

The move is similar to that of Tidal, the Jay-Z-owned cloud music service that launched earlier this month, and could be the start of a new trend in the space. Artists have long been fed-up with tech firms like Spotify, Pandora and others who pay them the minimum royalty rate, and seem to finally be ready to take matters into their own hands.

Apple reportedly offering to share TV data to entice content partners

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is offering to share data with programming partners to get them on board with its rumored streaming TV package, reports the New York Post. The outlet claims that the company is willing to share details such as who its viewers are, what they watch and when they watch them.

This type of information could help programmers better target shows to viewers and advertisers, who are increasingly chasing niche audiences. It also sounds like an about-face from Apple's current policy, which Tim Cook has frequently touted as a positive, to not share its user data.

Apple giving Facebook and others early access to Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2015

Apple is giving select companies early access to the Apple Watch, reports Bloomberg. The outlet says that Facebook, airliner United Continental Holdings Inc. and others have "spent weeks" at Apple's Cupertino campus working hands-on with the smartwatch to test and fine-tune their apps ahead of next month's launch.

Citing people familiar with the process, Bloomberg says software engineers for the companies are being allowed to work with the Apple Watch in a top secret lab at Apple's headquarters. All who enter must sign non-disclosure agreements, and must follow a set of extreme guidelines to keep unknown Watch details from leaking.

Apple Watch: a mysterious 6-pin port opens up many possibilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

There is a mysterious port on the Apple Watch that could be used to connect accessories such as a smart band or battery, reports TechCrunch. The outlet says that multiple sources have confirmed the wearable features a secret 6-dot brass contact used for diagnostics and direct access to the operating system.

Apparently the port is very similar to the Lightning port found on larger iOS devices, and is located inside the groove of the "bottom" strap connector slot. It's believed that this portal is "absolutely necessary" to install the Watch OS during manufacturing, and thus it will be present on shipping versions of the wearable.

WSJ: Apple working on adding mouse and keyboard support, USB connectivity, to the iPad Pro

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

More details about the oft-rumored 12.9 inch iPad Pro are beginning to surface, and they include things like USB 3.0, mouse and keyboard connectivity, and faster charging technology, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal late Wednesday evening. This report, along with an earlier one from Bloomberg, attempts to add definition to the mysterious project.

According to both reports, the iPad Pro's production start date has been pushed back beyond what Apple had initially hoped. The Bloomberg report states that Apple is looking towards September for the start of production, while the Journal more vaguely states that production will ramp up in second half of this year.

Jony Ive and Tesla’s Elon Musk reportedly ‘inseparable’ at Oscars afterparty

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 11, 2018

Apple's Jony Ive and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were acting pretty chummy at a party following the Academy Awards Sunday night, reports AppleInsider. The publication says that the pair were "basically inseparable" at Madonna's A-list afterparty, and exited together around 5am.

The conversation is interesting to us given the recent chatter that Apple is building an electric car. While we doubt they talked about automotive design all night, it seems unlikely that two of Silicon Valley's most influential people spent the entire night discussing the weather.