Rumors

Rumored iOS 8 split-screen feature won’t be ready for WWDC

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

Earlier this month, a report surfaced that Apple was working on a new feature in iOS 8 involving split-screen multitasking. Designed specifically for the larger iPad, the addition reportedly allows two apps to run side-by-side while in landscape mode.

Word of the feature spread quickly through the tech world, and many were hoping that Apple would demo it during its WWDC keynote next week. But don't get your hopes up, a new report says that it won't be ready for preview in time for the conference...

Apple to announce $3 billion Beats acquisition this week

Cody Lee ∙ May 27, 2014

Apple has remained mum on rumors that it's looking to acquire Beats Electronics, but it appears it's finally ready to break the silence. The New York Post reports tonight that the Cupertino firm is expected to announce the acquisition within the next few days.

Perhaps even more interesting is that the Post says Apple has managed to trim some $200 million off the price tag during the past two weeks of negotiation. According to the outlet's sources, the company has reached a deal to buy Beats for an even $3 billion...

Billboard: Apple-Beats deal delayed due to valuation, role uncertainties

Cody Lee ∙ May 24, 2014

Billboard is out with a new report this weekend, claiming that it's learned why the Apple-Beats acquisition has not been announced yet. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says that there are at least 5 things holding up the deal.

First, the buyout is 'complicated.' With this being Apple's largest purchase ever, the folks in Cupertino want to make sure they cross every t and dot every i. And second, the iPad-maker was nowhere near ready for details of the negotiations to leak...

WSJ: Google developing tablet with advanced 3D imaging capabilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that Google is building a new tablet with advanced 3D imaging capabilities. The device is being developed as part of the company's 'Project Tango,' which produced a smartphone back in February.

Citing sources familiar with the project, the news outlet says that the tablet has a 7-inch display and is equipped with two rear cameras, infrared depth sensors, and advanced software that can capture precise three-dimensional images of objects...

New report says Apple-Beats deal was close to falling apart, but is still on

Cody Lee ∙ May 22, 2014

It's been two weeks since we first received word that Apple was looking to acquire Beats Electronics, and we still haven't heard a peep about the sale from either company. Some folks have taken the silence as a sign talks had broken down, but a new report says that's not the case.

According to TechCrunch, sources with knowledge of the deal say that Apple's planned multi-billion dollar acquisition of headphone maker Beats will go through. The outlet does note, however, that negotiations have been bumpy and close to falling apart on multiple occasions...

Apple talking with ISPs as it prepares to launch its Content Distribution Network

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

According to a new report from CDN and Internet Services analyst Dan Rayburn, Apple is going ahead with plans to develop its own content delivery network. Rayburn says the company is working on interconnection deals with Internet Service Providers, as it prepares to take its CDN live.

Apple is said to have spent the last 5 years building its CDN, which would be responsible for carrying out iTunes and iCloud content to customers. Currently, the iPad-maker outsources this delivery to third-party companies like Akamai, which means it has no control over quality of service...

Morgan Stanley also believes the iPhone 6 will feature NFC tech

Cody Lee ∙ May 20, 2014

It seems like every time Apple is about to release a new smartphone, NFC rumors pop up. I'm not sure if some folks just really want the technology to succeed, or think the iPhone needs it to be compatible with various products and services, but the talk has seriously become an annual thing.

And this year is no different. Back in March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that his supply chain checks signaled that Apple was building NFC chips for its iPhone 6, and earlier this month, Brightwire echo'ed the claim. Today, Morgan Stanley adds its weight to the claim in an investors note...

Facebook reportedly working on Snapchat competitor codenamed ‘Slingshot’

Cody Lee ∙ May 18, 2014

Facebook is working on a new mobile application for video and ephemeral messaging, according to a report from the Financial Times. The outlet says the app is being referred to as 'Slingshot' internally, and is intended to go head-to-head with Snapchat.

Snapchat rejected an acquisition offer from Facebook last year worth some $3 billion, explaining that it wanted to hold out for more money. The social network has since bought messaging giant WhatsApp, but it obviously still feels that something's missing...

Rumor: Apple will tap Beats to introduce high-res iTunes music, improve In-Ear Headphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 13, 2014

Apple's purported acquisition of Beats Electronics, LCC has set the tongues wagging as pundits race to offer their armchair analysis of the grand strategy behind Apple's alleged $3.2 billion deal.

The latest in the Apple-Beats saga comes via the rather reliable Japanese blog Macotakara which earlier this morning asserted that Apple will use Beats to introduce support for high-resolution audio files in iTunes and the iOS Music app and also improve sound quality of its pricey pricey $79 In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic...

New report says iPhone 6 likely to feature NFC for future mobile payment service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

According to a new report, the incoming iPhone 6 is going to feature support for NFC technology (or near field communications). Citing sources 'close to the matter,' New York news outlet Brightwire says Apple is planning to utilize the wireless tech in a future mobile payment system.

In fact, Brightwire claims that Tim Cook and company have already inked a deal with China UnionPay service. And under that deal, users will be able to make mobile payments on over 3 million China UnionPay 'QuickPass' POS machines in the country using Passbook on their iPhones...

New renders of alleged 4.7-inch iPhone 6 surface

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

New renderings of what is believed to be the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 surfaced on the web this weekend. We've seen similar drawings before, but this time around the renders have reportedly come straight from primary Apple supplier Foxconn.

The device in the images, which measures 138 x 67mm, lines up with previous information. The design is consistent with the schematic published by MacFan last month, which has since been echoed by multiple cases and dummy units...

Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to take on senior roles at Apple after Beats buyout

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 1, 2018

The Wall Street Journal added some new details to the Apple-Beats discussion last night, reporting that Beats co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are likely to take on senior roles at the Cupertino company following the high profile acquisition.

Now, just what exactly they'll be doing at Apple is still unclear. It sounds like the positions are not going to be full time, with the pair commuting from Los Angeles—where Beats is headquartered—to Cupertino, and other places if necessary...