Apple

Rumor: top Apple display suppliers exploring flexible OLED screens for ‘iPhone 8’ in 2018

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

According to the South Korean media, Apple is actively exploring using flexible OLED screens for future iPhones. OLED, an energy-efficient display technology, is based on organic light-emitting diodes which are lit up individually, as opposed to traditional LCDs that require power-hungry backlight planes.

In OLED screens, the diodes are arranged on a film of organic compound which acts as the emissive electroluminescent layer that emits light in response to an electric current.

Major Korean display manufacturers are reportedly persuading Apple to adopt flexible screens on its future iPhone models, with one industry source claiming that the Cupertino company is in fact “serious” about doing it.

Not only would OLED screens make future iPhones more power-efficient, but also offer better color saturation, accuracy and brightness.

Thousands of indie labels get on board with Apple Music ahead of June 30 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2015

Following a change of heart that will see artists paid for a free 90-day Apple Music trial, Apple's $9.99 per month streaming-music service has landed an important victory by signing up 20,000 independent labels and distributors through a licensing agreement with Beggars Group and Merlin Network, Billboard reported late Tuesday.

The group represents 20,000 labels and distributors worldwide, including artists like 4AD, XL, Matador and Rough Trade, meaning songs by such bands as FKA Twigs, Radiohead and M.I.A. will be part of Apple Music's debut lineup. Beggars has also had a hand in the career of Adele, among others.

Apple adds 7 new Flyover locations to Maps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple on Tuesday added a handful of new locations to the 3D Flyover feature in its iOS and OS X Maps apps. The new locations include San Juan, Puerto Rico and other cities around the world.

First introduced in Apple Maps when the app launched in 2012, the Flyover feature allows users to take close-up, 3-dimensional looks at buildings, landmarks and various other areas of interest.

Apple promotes Lisa Jackson to VP of environment, policy and social initiatives

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple on Tuesday quietly announced the promotion of Lisa Jackson, formerly the VP of environmental affairs, to a new lead policy position. As noted by The Washington Post, Jackson's bio on the company's website now reads Vice President, Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

In her new role, Jackson will not only continue to oversee Apple's efforts to minimize its impact on the environment, but she will also be responsible for the company's education policy programs such as ConnectED, its product accessibility work, and its worldwide government affairs.

Apple wins Outdoor Lions Grand Prix at Cannes for ‘Shot on iPhone 6’ campaign

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Apple picked up the top prize in the Outdoor Lions category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this week for its recent "Shot on iPhone 6" ad campaign. The annual event, often referred to as the world's biggest ad festival, features thousands of ads from around the world to be showcased and judged.

The win marks the second Cannes Grand Prix award in three years for Apple and its longtime advertising partner TBWA\Media Art Lab. Additionally, the duo also picked up five Gold Lions awards for specific posters from the "Shot on iPhone 6" campaign, which showcases photographs shot using Apple's latest handset.

Apple renews exclusive Liquidmetal license through 2016

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Apple has renewed its rights to use Liquidmetal Technologies' unique metal alloys in its products, according to a new SEC filing. As noted by MacRumors, a document was submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today that extends the two companies' agreement.

The filing shows that Apple and Liquidmetal entered the new deal on June 17, and it's set to expire on February 5, 2016. The extension marks the third amendment the two firms have made to their contract, which includes exclusive rights to materials, since it was drawn up in 2010.

Google’s native Calendar app picks up 7-day week view, Drive integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2015

Google's native Calendar for iPhone with Material Design and other cool features made its App Store debut a little over three months ago. Tuesday, it has received its first feature-focused update.

In addition to the existing ways of viewing your calendar, the new Google Calendar 1.1 for iPhone introduces a 7-day view giving you an overview of your entire week. Also, week numbers can be enabled for different calendar views in settings.

New in iOS 9: App Deletion—temporarily delete apps to make room for software updates

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2015

Unable to apply the latest iOS software update because you've run out of storage space on your iPhone or iPad? It's a common theme amongst owners of devices with just sixteen or, worse, eight gigabytes of storage.

If your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad is packed to the gills with apps and media, chances are you don't have enough free storage to download and install an iOS software update.

As discovered by iOS developer Kaleb Butt, to ensure those people can still deploy iOS software updates without being greeted with an 'insufficient space for download' message, Apple has created an interesting new feature in iOS 9.

Called App Deletion, it offers to temporarily delete apps on the device in order to clear the necessary storage space. Any deleted app gets automatically reinstalled right after the software update completes, leaving all app data and settings intact so you can pick up right where you left off.

84 percent of devices are now using iOS 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

According to Apple’s dashboard for developers which monitors iOS devices that are accessing the App Store, iOS 8 is now powering 84 percent of active iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices in the wild.

The most recent data point was measured by the App Store on June 22, 2015 and represents a single percentage point increase over the 83 percent milestone from two weeks ago.

A month ago, iOS 8 adoption rate stood at 82 percent.

Google launches free ad-supported Internet radio just ahead of Apple Music launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2015

Ahead of the June 30 Apple Music debut, Google has cunningly enabled a free streaming tier on its music subscription service called Google Play Music.

The ad-supported tier, which acts as a personalized radio station, is only available in the U.S.

It has hand-made playlists that are personalized around activity, feelings or musical tastes and designed to accompany every moment of your day. You can instantly start radio stations based on songs, artists, or albums—or browse stations by genre, mood, activity, decade and more.

Instagram for iPhone adds curated collections, trending tags and places, place search and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2015

Fans of iPhone photography should check out Instagram 7.0, the latest update to the Facebook-owned mobile photo sharing app. The new versions surfaced Tuesday on the App Store with interesting new social media discovery features such as an improved search and a much enhanced Explore tab.

With dynamically updated trending tags and places under the Explore tab, Instagram users can now check out, in real-time, what's happening around them and what's trending all over the world.

Apple seeds watchOS 2 beta 2 and iOS 9 beta 2 to developers, here’s what’s new

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 23, 2015

Tuesday, Apple has released a second beta of the forthcoming WatchOS 2 software update to its registered developers. Alongside the new beta firmware for the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch models, Apple has also released an updated version of iOS 9 Developer Preview which now carries a build number of 13A4280e.