Apple

Facebook buying Moves app in a bid to join fitness-tracking fray

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

After acquiring virtual headset maker Oculus Rift for $2 billion (the deal got a thumbs-up from feds), Facebook now seems to be moving into the fitness tracking space with news of its latest acquisition, Finnish startup ProtoGeo Oy that created the fitness-tracking app Moves, available free in the App Store.

The development comes amid some major reshuffling in the fitness and health tracking market.

For instance, Nike is currently in the process of shuttering its wearable-hardware division that produces FuelBand-branded accessories and there are rumors that the company is collaborating with Apple on a sensor-laden fitness band that would control other devices via gestures...

Cook on why Apple isn’t rushing out new products

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 24, 2014

Following Apple's earnings release yesterday, Tim Cook expectedly teased new products on a conference call with Wall Street analysts and investors. Hints of new gadgets were also dropped in Apple's media release announcing the earnings.

“We’re eagerly looking forward to introducing more new products and services that only Apple could bring to market,” Cook was quoted as saying in Apple's press release.

And now responding to pressure from analysts who demand new-category devices, Cook sat down with The Wall Street Journal on Thursday to reflect on Apple's development process, touch on such subjects as mobile payments and explain why Apple isn't rushing out new stuff to market just to please investors...

Refreshed MacBook Airs said to launch as early as next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 24, 2014

Apple last refreshed its ultra-thin MacBook Air family at the annual developers conference last June, adding Intel’s power efficient Haswell processors for all-day battery life, the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi networking, faster graphics and SSD, lower prices and more.

Now, we recently heard rumblings that Apple is going to refresh Airs soon with a small speed bump and now a French blog is citing reliable sources as claiming that updated ultra-portables are just around the corner, allegedly launching as early as next week...

Opera launches Coast browser on iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

After releasing the iPad-only version of Coast back in September, Opera Software on Thursday launched the iPhone edition of its WebKit-based iOS browser. Now available free in the App Store, Coast brings a clean web browsing experience to the smaller iPhone and iPod touch screen, featuring a simplified user interface with seamlessly integrated Google search, elegant animations, automatic iCloud syncing of home screen tiles and more...

New report says iPhone 6 may feature curved display, all-aluminum shell

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

According to a new report from Japanese blog Macotakara, the next-generation iPhone may see some radical design changes. Citing 'reliable sources,' the publication said that the handset will feature rounded edges, a curved glass display, and an all-aluminum rear shell.

More specifically, the report says that the iPhone 6's display will be slightly curved in order to accommodate the new rounded edges. It even goes so far as to liken the device's profile to the Japan-made Squair Curvaceous Bumper [above], an aluminum bumper for iPhone...

Apple announces 20 million Apple TVs sold to date

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

During Apple's earnings call earlier this afternoon, CEO Tim Cook announced that the company crossed the 20 million sold mark for the Apple TV during the last quarter. The mention is noteworthy as Apple doesn't typically breakout numbers for the set-top box (though it has on occasion).

The move falls in line with Cook's previous sentiments regarding the Apple TV—at a shareholders meeting in February Cook said 'it’s a little more difficult to call the Apple TV a hobby these days,' and comes amid rumors that the company is preparing to launch a new version of the device...

Angela Ahrendts to join Apple as retail chief next week

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

During this afternoon's quarterly earnings call, Tim Cook announced that Angela Ahrendts will be officially joining Apple next week. The announcement was made last October, but Ahrendts has been under contract with her previous job—CEO of luxury clothing company Burberry—until now.

Ahrendts will join Apple as the Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, a position that has seen significant turnover in recent years. In 2011, Ron Johnson left for a CEO position at JC Penney, and his replacement, John Browett, was ousted in less than a year due to a conflict in strategy...

15 interesting points from today’s earnings call

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

Apple announced its financial results for Q2 2014 this afternoon, and for the most part it beat the Street's expectations. The company sold 43.7 million iPhones and pulled in $45.6 billion in revenue during the three month period, although it did miss slightly on iPad sales at just 16.3 million.

We’re just finishing up the conference call, where Tim Cook, CFO Peter Oppenheimer and other members of the executive team have discussed Apple’s performance, touted some user stats, and offered insight into the future. And as usual, we’ve rounded up the 15 most interesting points for you…

Apple Q2 2014 earnings: 43.7M iPhones, 16.3M iPads, $45.6B revenue

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

As expected, Apple is out with its financial report for Q2 2014 this afternoon. In a press release issued just a few moments ago, Apple announced that it sold 43.7 million iPhones, 16.3 million iPads, and pulled in $45.6 billion in revenue during its fiscal Q2.

Other than iPad sales, Apple beat the Street estimates by a wide margin. The Cupertino company also announced an accelerated strategy for its stock buyback plans, adding an additional $30 billion to the pot (for a total of $90 billion), as well as a 7-1 stock split...

GameStop ramping up expansion of wireless, Simply Mac stores

Cody Lee ∙ April 23, 2014

Popular video game retailer GameStop is making some significant moves to diversify its business. During an investor presentation yesterday titled “Beyond the Game,” the company's Chief Financial Officer Rob Lloyd said it plans to invest up to $140 million this year building new Spring Mobile and Simply Mac locations.

GameStop acquired both small chains last year in an effort to broaden its business outside of the seemingly-dying used video game racket . Spring Mobile is a third-party retailer for AT&T products and Simply Mac is an authorized Apple product dealer that sets up in areas that are too small for an actual Apple Store...

IMDb app gains US showtimes, Amazon Prime availability info and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 23, 2014

Hot on the heels of announcing a landmark online-only streaming deal with HBO for old TV shows, Amazon has updated its nicely done IMDb iOS app with several notable enhancements, including U.S. showtimes, media links to its Instant Video streaming service, new page design on the iPhone, bug fixes and more.

The update is now live in the App Store. The app was refreshed with iOS 7 friendly styling last December.

Amazon should be credited for adding new features to the IMDb app on a more or less regular basis. This just exemplifies how the online retailer is able to leverage various services and apps to lure customers into its vast entertainment empire...

Cable-cutters, rejoice: HBO shows arriving to Fire TV and Amazon Prime on May 21

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

No one can touch Amazon when it comes to the breadth and size of its content library and today's announcement just reinforces the notion. The online retail giant has cut a landmark and unheard-of deal with Home Box Office Inc. (HBO), an American premium cable and satellite television network that in my opinion has the best original TV shows anywhere.

Under the terms of the exclusive multi-year agreement, both Amazon Prime members and owners of the recently introduced $99 Fire TV set-top box will soon be able to stream HBO's old shows three years after they've aired and at no additional charge. Catch 22: HBO is reserving new shows for existing subscribers and you'll need to subscribe to Amazon's $99 per year Prime Instant Video service.

Still, this is huge. Firstly, you won't need an HBO cable TV subscription at all to stream the shows. And secondly, online-only subscriptions to HBO were previously non-existent. Now, Apple TV owners are able to access HBO content via the HBO GO app on their Home screen, but this requires a subscription with a cable or satellite provider and therefore doesn't appeal to cable-cutters...