Rumors

Apple hiring software engineer for AuthenTec fingerprint sensor team

Cody Lee ∙ April 8, 2013

Last summer, Apple acquired AuthenTec, a Florida-based smart sensor company known for its embedded security and identity management technology. The news of the acquisition has sparked speculation that we will see fingerprint sensors in future iOS devices.

And Apple itself is adding fuel to that fire today, with a new job listing posted on its website. Apparently the Cupertino company is looking for a software engineer to join its team of fingerprint sensor engineers down in Melbourne, Florida at AuthenTec's headquarters...

Apple nearing deal with record labels, iRadio on track for summer release

Cody Lee ∙ April 5, 2013

From what we've been hearing, Apple's been having major problems with its so-called iRadio project. The music service was expected to launch earlier this year, but a recent report claimed things were delayed due to a dispute with record labels over royalty terms.

It appears, however, that there's finally light at the end of the tunnel. According to a new scoop from CNET, Apple is very close to signing a deal with both Warner Music and Universal Music Group, and it's planning to rollout the Pandora-like service this summer...

iOS 7 rumored to be running behind due to major UI refresh

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

While we've heard plenty of chatter regarding the next-generation iPhone, we've heard next to nothing about the next version of iOS. Until today, that is. New information concerning iOS 7 popped up this afternoon in an interesting Branch thread.

The conversation consisted of several well-known Apple Insiders, including iMore's Rene Ritchie and Daring Fireball's John Gruber. And according to their sources, iOS is set to receive a system-wide UI overhaul this year, if it ever gets finished...

WSJ: Apple ramping up production for new iPhone this quarter

Cody Lee ∙ April 2, 2013

We've heard an unusual amount of chatter regarding the next generation iPhone over the past few months. Especially since the iPhone 5 just launched 6 months ago. But folks seem pretty certain that Apple's next smartphone isn't too far off.

And a new report out this morning echoes that sentiment. Citing "people familiar with the device's production," The Wall Street Journal claims that Apple is ramping up production of its new iPhone this quarter ahead of a likely summer launch...

Apple rep says Steve Jobs helped design next two iPhones

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Folks worried about the future of Apple's smartphone line can rest easy. At least for the immediate future anyway. A new report is out that suggests Steve Jobs was involved in the design stages of at least the next two generations of the iPhone.

The report comes from The San Francisco Examiner, after speaking with its city's District Attorney George Gascón. Apparently, Gascón recently met with Apple to discuss the rise in iPhone thefts, and he found out some pretty interesting stuff...

Apple reportedly pushing hard for summer iRadio release

Cody Lee ∙ March 29, 2013

There's been a lot of speculation over the last several months regarding Apple's streaming music service. Rumors of the company working on a Pandora-like service have been bouncing around for years, but late-2012 reports have rekindled the story.

It was initially believed that Apple's iRadio project would launch sometime in early 2013, but that plan was reportedly derailed by conflicts with record labels over pricing. There's a new report out today, though, that says the new goal is this summer...

Facebook reportedly preparing to launch a smartphone

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2013

Just a little bit ago, Facebook sent out press invitations for a media event next week. The keynote will take place at 10:00am PST on Thursday, April 4, at the company's headquarters on 1 Hacker Way in Menlo Park. What is it going to be talking about? Maybe its new smartphone.

Yes, I know. We've heard this rumor enough now that it's almost meaningless. But it sounds like it's for real this time. A new report says the handset, which is being built by HTC, has a 4.3-inch display, an iPhone-like Home button and is running a forked version of Android...

Apple reportedly cutting iPad mini shipments next quarter, new model coming?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

There's a new report out of China this morning, claiming that Apple is cutting shipments of its iPad mini next month. The cut is said to be a 20% reduction, with steeper cuts likely happening in the latter part of the second quarter.

While the folks on Wall Street will probably try to spin this into an 'Apple is doomed' story, despite the fact that there's evidence that the mini is selling very well, the consensus seems to be that it's preparing to launch a new model...

Supply chain chatter claims Apple is building 4K ‘Ultra HD’ TV set

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

It's been a while since we've heard any new information regarding Apple's rumored TV project. It seems 'iTV' speculation has been replaced by talk of Apple's secret plans for the smartwatch space, and its expected entry into the budget handset market.

But that changed this evening with a new report out of China, claiming that Apple has been in discussions with Foxconn over the production schedule of a TV set. And the 4K 'Ultra HD' television will finally land in either late 2013, or early next year...

Alleged iPhone 5S Home button and vibrator parts surface

Cody Lee ∙ March 22, 2013

Part leaks for Apple's next-generation smartphone, rumored to be the iPhone 5S, have thus far been hard to come by. Back in January a purported speaker assembly for future iPhones popped up, but that's been pretty much the gist of it.

Until today, that is. A Japanese electronics parts vendor claims to have gotten its hands on a couple of 5S components. The first is a Home button, which looks a bit different from its predecessor. And the second appears to be a vibrator...

Google said to be working on its own smartwatch

Cody Lee ∙ March 22, 2013

A year ago, the smartwatch space didn't really exist. I mean it did, but it consisted of just a handful of lackluster products from the likes of Sony and Motorola. But if rumors are true, it'll serve as the next battlefield for the 3 biggest names in tech.

Hot on the heels of reports that both Apple and Samsung are hard at work developing smartphone-connected wristwatches comes a new one from The Financial Times claiming that Google's Android unit is working on a smartwatch of its own...

Jony Ive reportedly pushing ‘flat design’ in iOS as design teams get cozier

Cody Lee ∙ March 21, 2013

Those hoping that Jony Ive's new role as the head of Apple's Human Interface design team will have a sooner-than-later impact on the user interface of its mobile operating system will be happy to hear that this may indeed be the case.

A new report by The Wall Street Journal this afternoon claims that Ive is now sitting in on the human interface team's review sessions to assess new design ideas, and is reportedly pushing for a more "flat design" UI in future iOS releases...