Rumors

Apple reportedly targeting fall launch for new 12-inch iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 26, 2016

The 12-inch iPad is real, in the opinion of Evercore's Patrick Wang, and it's going to hit the market sometime this fall. The analyst published a research note yesterday claiming that his supply chain sources have confirmed the existence of the larger tablet.

According to Wang's sources, Apple is looking to launch the 12-inch iPad in the second half of this year. The "hybrid" device will be targeted at enterprise users and likely feature a new (possibly quad-core) A8 processor, increased storage and other upgrades...

Apple’s ‘Rockstar Consortium’ considering Nortel patent sale

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

In 2011, Apple teamed up with a number of tech companies including Microsoft and BlackBerry to form what many called the 'Rockstar consortium' to purchase a collection of over 4,000 patents from Nortel, a communications company that went bankrupt in 2009.

Bloomberg is now reporting that the consortium is currently holding discussion regarding a potential sale of a portion of the patents—which it paid in upwards of $4.5 billion for—after several attempts to land large licensing deals from other companies have failed...

New report suggests iOS 7.1 may not be released until March

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Following the release of iOS 7.1 beta 2 to developers last week, BGR is reporting that Apple has seeded a new build of the software update to carrier partners. It's unclear when Apple will push the new beta to devs, but the site says a public release is still months away.

Citing a 'trusted source,' BGR's Jonathan Geller reports that Apple plans to rollout iOS 7.1 in March of next year. That means we're still a roughly 3 months out, and that the update would've been in testing for more than 4 months—a fairly long time for a '.1' release...

Apple believed to have acquired mapping firm BroadMap, note-taking app Catch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

During Apple's latest earnings call, Tim Cook noted that the company made 15 'strategic acquisitions' during its fiscal 2013. But out of those 15 purchases, we've only heard about 9 or 10 of them, begging the question: who else did Apple buy this year?

Mark Gurman over at 9to5Mac has a pretty good theory about at least two of them. Citing sources inside Apple, as well as evidence from LinkedIn and other sites, Gurman is reporting that Apple also acquired mapping firm BroadMap and Catch this year...

WSJ: Sprint looking to acquire T-Mobile USA

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 23, 2017

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that Sprint is working on a potential T-Mobile USA purchase. The carrier is said to be looking into regulatory concerns right now, and a bid in upwards of $20 billion could come in early 2014.

A merger of these two wireless providers would be significant for a few reasons. For one, it would leave just 3 major competing carriers in the US. And two, Sprint and T-Mobile have a combined subscriber base close to that of AT&T and Verizon...

iOS 7.1 expected to unlock ‘iOS in the Car’ feature

Cody Lee ∙ December 13, 2013

One of the big iOS 7 features Apple showed off during its WWDC event in June was called iOS in the Car. The feature allows for deeper integration between iOS devices and vehicles, enabling users to view iOS apps on factory in-dash displays.

Until now, the feature has not been available, but it looks like the upcoming iOS 7.1 update will change that. Earlier today, Apple seeded the second beta of the firmware to developers, and it includes a new Settings on/off toggle for a Car Display...

Post-Apple, Scott Forstall said to be traveling abroad, advising startups

Cody Lee ∙ December 9, 2013

Ex-Wall Street Journal tech reporter Jessica Lessin recently launched a new technology news site called The Information. The site promises to provide the inside scoop on technology news and trends, and thus far it's made good on that.

Today the site is out with a report that helps answer the frequently-asked question: "what has Scott Forstall been up to since he was ousted from Apple last fall?" The former iOS Chief has been extremely quiet since he left the company...

Time Warner Cable app could finally land on Apple TV this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Time Warner Cable's Rob Marcus announced this morning that the company plans to add another platform to the list of those that can access the TWC TV app this week. The app enables TWC subscribers to stream live channels and watch videos on demand.

Now, he didn't say which platform it is exactly, but given that the app is already available on Roku, Xbox 360, and various smart TVs and mobile devices, there aren't many options left. And this of course has led to speculation that it's finally coming to Apple TV...

Spotify reportedly planning to introduce free mobile music service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 23, 2017

Spotify is reportedly planning to launch a free mobile music service. According to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, the Sweden-based company has reached licensing deals with all three of the global music companies to use their recordings.

Spotify currently offers a free service for desktop and laptop computers, and offers a Pandora-like radio feature via its mobile app. But this new service would allow smartphone and tablet users to play a limited number of songs on-demand, with ads...

German retailer begins taking Mac Pro pre-orders

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

During its October iPad event, Apple confirmed that its redesigned Mac Pro would be available in December, but it wouldn't get any more specific than that. The month has already started, so technically, we could see it any day now.

But according to German retailer Conrad Electronic, we still have about two weeks before we see the highly anticipated desktop. Conrad has begun taking pre-orders for the computer, and says it's officially launching on December 16...

Photos claim to show Apple prototype of crocs-style iPhone 5s case

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Apple caused quite a bit of commotion this September when it unveiled two new custom cases for its two new iPhone models. The 5s case is boring for the most part, made of leather, but the 5c case and its crocs-like design drew a number of oohs and aahs.

In our review, we praised the case for its construction, but questioned the placement of the rear holes as they let part of the 'iPhone' label show through. Well interestingly enough, a new report claims Apple was working on a crocs-like case for the 5s as well...

New panels from AU Optronics may hint at upcoming 4K Apple displays

Cody Lee ∙ November 26, 2013

The new Mac Pro, which Apple first introduced at WWDC, is capable of driving up to 3 4K displays simultaneously. This is something the company has mentioned several times, leading to speculation that it has a 4K-flavored display on the way.

Although such a product hasn't materialized yet, some new evidence has surfaced this week that could indicate it's still on the way. Apparently, Apple supplier AUO is currently making 27-inch and 33-inch 4K thunderbolt-compatible display panels...