Rumors

Natalie Portman passes on Jobs biopic, Jeff Daniels being considered for role

Cody Lee ∙ December 9, 2014

Natalie Portman has decided to pass on the upcoming Steve Jobs biopic, according to a new report from Variety. Portman was said to be in talks for a lead female role in the movie, either as Jobs' daughter Lisa or former Mac marketing chief Joanna Hoffman.

Additionally, The Wrap reports today that Universal Pictures is eyeing Jeff Daniels for the role of former Apple CEO John Sculley. If he signs on to the project, Daniels would join fellow Newsroom alumni in writer Aaron Sorkin and producer Scott Rudin.

Bose products could be back in Apple Stores next week

Sébastien Page ∙ December 8, 2014

After removing all Bose products from both its online and physical retail stores mid-October, Apple could apparently put them back on the shelves next week. This information comes from reliable French site iGen, which cites trustworthy sources at Apple: "Bose products could make a come back in Apple Stores as soon as next week. A few stores have received Bose products to build inventory with directions to get ready for their return on shelves next week," wrote Nicolas Furno for iGen.

Apple rumored to be working on new 4-inch iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is working on a new 4-inch iPhone model for next year, according to website G for Games. Citing sources in the Asian supply chain, the site says the Cupertino firm is aiming to release the smaller form factor device in the second half of 2015.

If true, the move would bring one-handed usability back to the iPhone line—a benefit that Apple frequently touted in previous years, but essentially abandoned in September when it introduced the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch 6 Plus.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to star in new reality show ‘The Woz’

Jake Smith ∙ December 2, 2014

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will star in an upcoming reality show called 'The Woz', where with former Mythbusters star Kari Byron he'll show off the latest gadgets and future of technology.

Blueprint of “iPad Air Plus” leaked by Japanese magazine

Sébastien Page ∙ November 28, 2014

Japanese magazine Mac Fan has leaked what appears to be the blueprint of what is referred to as the 12.2 inch iPad Air Plus, reports Macotakara. According to the January 2015 edition of the magazine, iPad Air Plus, as it is referred to, will be 305.31 mm x 220.8 mm x 7 mm and will be powered by the A9 processor. The device which has now long been rumored could be scheduled to ship between April and June 2015.

Universal picks up Steve Jobs biopic, Michael Fassbender attached to star

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It's official, Universal Studios has adopted Sony's Steve Jobs biopic. In a late night scoop, The Hollywood Reporter says it has confirmed with a studio spokesman that a deal has been reached, less than a week after Sony put the film in turnaround.

Sony had been shopping the project around for more than $30 million, although it's still unclear why it decided to back out. Several high profile names are attached to the film, and it has been widely talked about by both tech and Hollywood press.

New report says deep organizational issues are hampering iCloud progress

Cody Lee ∙ November 24, 2014

A new report is out today claiming that Apple's iCloud ambitions are being stymied by a wealth of organizational issues. Jessica Lessin of The Information spoke with roughly a dozen current and former Apple employees, who say these issues are holding up releases and complicating products.

Lessin uses the work-in-progress iCloud photo project—codenamed Hyperion—as an example. First unveiled in 2011, Steve Jobs' vision for seamless photo-syncing has yet to be fully realized. iCloud Photo Library is a step in the right direction, but it missed the initial iOS 8 release and is still in beta.

Apple expected to sell 71M iPhones during the holiday quarter

Cody Lee ∙ November 23, 2014

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo issued a new report to investors today with some adjusted predictions for iPhone sales during the all-important holiday quarter. Buoyed by the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the prominent Apple analyst sees the company selling 71.5 million during the 3-month period.

For some context, Apple sold 51 million iPhones during the year-ago holiday quarter. Kuo believes the iPhone 6 will be the leading cause for the dramatic jump, accounting for 41.6 million iPhone sales—nearly 60%. The 6 Plus, he says, is in a distant second due in large part to supply shortages.

Apple Stores to start servicing Beats hardware on November 18

Cody Lee ∙ November 14, 2014

According to a leaked internal notice, Apple Store Genius Bars are going to begin providing after-purchase support of Beats hardware next week. The screenshot was posted by technology website TechnoBuffalo, which said that it was sent in by an anonymous source.

Given the minimal context, it's impossible to tell if the document is legitimate or not, but it does corroborate a report from October along the same lines. Coincidentally, that report also featured a screenshot of an internal memo sent out to Apple service providers.

Manufacturing issues may push ‘iPad Pro’ back to Q2 2015

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple's rumored 12.9-inch tablet may get pushed back again. In a new note to investors tonight, the oft-accurate analyst said manufacturing issues may delay the so-called 'iPad Pro,' which was originally expected to debut this fall, until spring next year.

More specifically, Kuo says he believes Apple will use oxide LCD technology for the device's high-res display, which will give it quick response times and high color saturation. And due to the time needed for component yield and assembly, the iPad Pro may not enter production until Q2 of 2015.

New job listing suggests web version of Apple Maps is on the way

Cody Lee ∙ November 12, 2014

Apple is working to bring its Apple Maps app to the web, according to a new job listing on its website. First spotted by 9to5Mac, the listing calls for a "talented and passionate web developer" to help make the company's mapping software "work seamlessly on the web."

This is fairly significant, as the lack of a web version is one of the most glaring holes in Apple Maps right now, other than perhaps transit and maybe some sort of Street View-esque feature. The mapping service is currently only accessible via iOS and Mac hardware.

Apple planning aggressive enterprise push, hiring dedicated sales force

Cody Lee ∙ November 10, 2014

Apple is planning its "most aggressive expansion yet" in the enterprise sector, according to a new report from Reuters. Citing sources familiar with the plans, the outlet says Apple is hiring a dedicated sales force, and working with developers who make industry-specific apps.

Apple is hoping to leverage its IBM and new developer partnerships into challenging market leaders like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Oracle, and SAP. And its sales team is being tasked with pitching this new enterprise strategy to decision-makers at high profile firms, like Citigroup.