Apple

This Friday, EA’s Origin distribution platform will finally go all-digital

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Super publisher Electronic Arts is finally bidding a fond farewell to optical media as its Origin platform is going all-digital this coming Friday, April 4.

For those unfamiliar with Origin (formerly EA Download Manager), it's a digital distribution software that lets players purchase DRM-enabled games for desktop and mobile and download them to their system using the Origin client.

Origin for Mac has been available since February of last year and now the Origin game store will be entirely digital downloads for PC and Mac, the publisher announced...

Apple to announce second quarter earnings on April 23

Cody Lee ∙ April 1, 2014

Folks wondering how Apple did during its quiet second quarter will have their answer in just a few short weeks. The Cupertino company has updated its Investor Relations page to note that it will be releasing its financial results for Q2 2014 on April 23rd.

There were no new products announced during the 3-month period, but Apple did make some changes to its device lineup. In March, the company launched a new 8GB version of its iPhone 5c in certain countries, and reintroduced its 4th generation iPad...

Production of 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screens to start in May, 5.5-inch model delayed

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Production on screens for the 4.7-inch version of Apple's next iPhone could start as early as May, according to a new report from Reuters. Citing supply chain sources, the outlet says that Japan Display and other manufacturers are readying their facilities and could begin churning out panels next month.

Unfortunately, for those looking forward to the oft-rumored 5.5-inch model, it sounds like production issues have forced Apple to delay the handset. Reuters says that manufacturers are running into difficulties with in-cell technology, and the larger displays may not go into production for several months...

Rdio update makes album headers prettier, brings out Chromecast support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Google's Chromecast is picking up some noteworthy support from third-party software makers. The latest example: the popular Internet radio service Rdio has just pushed a new update today bringing support for Google's inexpensive $35 HDMI dongle.

The new Rdio version 2.5.8 also includes various user interface improvements, minor bug fixes and prettified album headers.

The update is now live in the App Store...

Apple to raise prices on some international App Stores in the next 24 hours

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 31, 2014

In the next 24 hours, Apple will be making a few changes to price tiers available to iOS developers as a result of fluctuating foreign exchange rates.

The adjustments will affect seven countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Israel, with most of the affected markets set to experience price hikes due to the weak local currency.

The firm has adjusted App Store prices a few times in the past and these changes are no different.

The company has informed registered iOS developers of the retail price changes via an email communiqué today...

Alleged iPhone 6 production images show protruding camera lens, rounded LED flash

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Is Apple's next iPhone really going to have an unsightly camera bulge on the back akin to Samsung's Galaxy S5 and many other Android handsets out there? You bet it will, if questionable images said to depict an iPhone 6 in trial production are anything to go by.

While there's no way of determining the veracity of these photographs, we've managed to spot a few discrepancies which cast doubt on their legitimacy, so you too are advised to apply some skepticism...

Plausible renderings depict ultra-thin iPhone 6 with sapphire glass backing

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 31, 2014

A new batch of renderings depicting Apple's next iPhone is making the rounds on the web this morning, and with a good reason. French blog NowhereElse has teamed up with prolific 3D artist Martin Hajek to envision what the iPhone 6 could look like.

But rather than pull specs out of thin air to justify impossible or downright stupid features, the renderings are actually based upon the leaked schematics of a 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone form factor discovered by Japanese blog Macotakara.

In my personal opinion, these are the most compelling, most plausible iPhone 6 mockups to date. Jump past the fold to have a look at them and then chime in with your thoughts in the comments...

Apple partner claims iPhone 6 heading for Russia in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 9, 2017

Apple's business partner in Russia has just blurbed out that the next-generation iPhone - the iPhone 6, if you will - is scheduled to become available in the 144 million people market this September.

Proceed with caution: we're having a hard time believing a third-party retailer would be privy to such a crucial piece of information.

For all we know, this guy could be looking for free press or could be taking us for a ride. On the other hand, we've heard about a September launch before.

For instance, Japan's Nikkei agency last week said that a 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone are due as early as September of this year, a notion echoed previously by the credulous Wall Street Journal, a few analysts and other sources.

Also, the September timeframe does coincide nicely with Apple's Fall release schedule for iPhones established since the iPhone 4s's release back in 2011...

Ultrakam lets you shoot film-like 2K video on iPhone 5s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

As you know, the iPhone 5s's iSight camera can shoot full HD 1080p video (1,920-by-1,080 pixels) at 30 frames per second, as well as slow-motion clips at 120 frames per second at a reduced resolution of 1,280-by-720 pixels (720p). The back shooter can also take eight-megapixel stills at the image capture size of 3,264-by-2,448 pixels.

But what if the handset could take a series of stills in a rapid succession and stitch them together to form an ultra-resolution footage?

That's what Ultrakam, a novel iPhone application by Hassan Uriostegui, does for you. Available in the App Store for $6.99 for a limited time, the software brings 2K film resolution to your iPhone 5s at 30 and 20 frames per second.

It also includes a handy film-like 24 frames per second preset and can automatically smooth rack-focus during recording. Read on for the full reveal...

Apple’s ‘transparent texting’ tech aims to make it safer to walk and text

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 20, 2018

Last week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application entitled 'Transparent Texting' that Apple filed in late 2012. In it, the company proposes to replace the background image of messaging applications with a live video feed from the device's camera.

This effect would create the illusion that the device has a transparent display, allowing users to see what lies in front of them while they are texting. The goal of the invention is to make it safer for iPhone (and other mobile device) users to text and perform other functions while walking...

Judge grants class action status to e-book suit against Apple

Cody Lee ∙ March 29, 2014

Reuters is reporting that a federal judge has granted 'class action' status to plaintiffs suing Apple over its collusion with book publishers to increase the price of e-books. The ruling allows the involved individuals to sue the company and collect damages as a group.

The decision came from U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, who also presided over the antitrust case against Apple by the DOJ last summer. Cote says the plaintiffs had "more than met their burden" to file as a group, and has green-lighted their $800 million lawsuit...

Could Apple be using Japan Display’s new 5.5-inch Quad HD panel in the iPhone 6?

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2014

Apple is currently putting the finishing touches on its next-generation iPhone. And if the flurry of rumors and so-called insider reports are to be believed, the handset is going to feature an Ultra Retina display that will come in two sizes: 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch, among other improvements.

With that in mind, you can understand why this new 5.5-inch panel from Japan Display—a long time Apple supplier—is so interesting to us. Unveiled this week, the panel measures 5.5-inches and is of the Quad HD (aka WQHD) variety, with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 and a ppi of 538...