Apple

Volvo posts video of Apple’s CarPlay in action

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 17, 2017

Hot on the heels of Apple's CarPlay announcement earlier this morning at the Geneva Motor Show, car maker Volvo has posted a video showing off iOS integration in action.

Unlike CarPlay implementations by other vendors such as Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, Volvo took the feature to the next level.

Specifically, Volvo's system allows for both CarPlay and Volvo controls to be available to drivers simultaneously on the vehicle's large touchscreen. I've included the video for your viewing pleasure right after the break...

WSJ: Apple hiring engineers from HTC and other Asian firms to speed up product launches

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 5, 2018

Unlike the specs-obsessed technology industry which has always been dependent on frequent product refreshes, Apple continues to traditionally update its iPhone annually. Now, some industry peers - such as Sony - warned that the company may be "missing out" by not updating the iPhone twice per year.

Playing on this sentiment, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is now adding "hundreds of new engineers" and supply-chain managers in China and Taiwan. The company is hiring away these people from various tech firms, including rival HTC, reportedly in order to speed up product development and launch a wider range of devices...

Apple’s CFO Peter Oppenheimer lands a seat on the Goldman Sachs board

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 24, 2016

Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has joined the Board of Directors of investment banking firm Goldman Sachs. The appointment brings the Goldman Sachs board to thirteen directors, ten of whom are independent.

According to a newly published webpage over at Goldman Sachs, Oppenheimer will be a member of each of the firm’s Audit, Risk, Compensation and Corporate Governance, Nominating and Public Responsibilities committees.

“Peter’s 25 years of broad experience across important industries will add a valuable perspective to our Board of Directors,” said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO in a prepared statement. “We appreciate his willingness to serve as a director and look forward to benefitting from his judgment and counsel”...

Meet Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Siri

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 3, 2014

The Windows giant Microsoft will be introducing its upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update at the Build conference next month.

With it comes Cortana, a Microsoft-branded personal digital assistant that includes functionality provided by Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now voice-activated assistants.

It also has a few nice features not provided by Apple so perhaps competition from Microsoft (and Google) will prompt the iPhone maker to roll out new Siri features sooner than later. The Verge has an exclusive look at Cortana's interface and some of its features, here are the highlights...

Apple launches ‘CarPlay,’ a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

As expected, Apple has launched its iOS in the Car initiative today at the Geneva Motor Show. It's officially calling the offering 'CarPlay,' and is advertising the feature as a smarter, safer and more fun way to use your iPhone while in the car.

But looking at the press release, CarPlay will function exactly as we've been led to believe it would. Users will be able to control it through their car's native interface, or by activating Siri via the voice control button on their steering wheel...

New report claims revamped Apple TV could land ‘any week now’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

When it comes to the Apple TV, it seems like everyone agrees that a new one is coming. But just when it will get here is a different story. We've heard everything from 'as early April,' to 'before WWDC in June,' and as late as 'in the fall this year with Apple's other product refreshes.'

The latest report, which comes from The Financial Times, claims that the refreshed Apple TV is finished and could land much sooner than everyone is expecting. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says that Apple's new set-top box could land "any week now."

Tim Cook described as a ‘machine’ and ‘riveting’ in new book on post-Jobs Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

When Tim Cook officially took over the CEO position for Steve Jobs in late 2011, he had some major shoes to fill. Jobs wasn't just chief executive at Apple, he was also its co-founder, savior and visionary. And he was arguably one of the most famous leaders of our generation.

But Cook has done a good job thus far. Apple's the most profitable company in the world right now, coming off another record-breaking quarter, and it has some big things planned for 2014. So what's his secret? A new book about Apple post-Jobs attempts to answer just that...

Apple to launch iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

Nearly a year after its introduction, it looks like Apple is finally ready to launch iOS in the Car. The Financial Times is reporting that the company plans to introduce the new feature next week with 3 major launch partners: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Oddly enough, the Times doesn't mention the project by name, but says that drivers will be able to use Apple's 'in-car operating system' to use Apple Maps, watch movies, listen to music, make phone calls and send messages using the vehicle's in-dash display...

Apple: ‘several billion’ iMessages sent daily, Apple TV raked in $1 billion last year

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

As expected, Apple held its 2014 shareholders meeting on its Cupertino campus this afternoon. Apple executives were on hand, as were the company's board of directors, to reassure investors that things are on track for another successful year, and to field shareholder questions.

Most of the meeting was filled with the usual dreck: approving and rejecting proposals, reelecting board members, and so on, but things began to liven up when Tim Cook began dropping numbers. Keep reading for a roundup of some of the most interesting points from the meeting...

Arq – the nested dock that keeps on docking

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 24, 2014

The Arq, a new Kickstarter project, seeks to solve the problem of charging multiple devices simultaneously. This cleverly engineered accessory lets you charge multiple form factor iOS and Android devices individually, via either Lightning or micro USB. And thanks to its modular design, devices can be charged in groups or closely nested together, because Arq docks can be conveniently nested together, all within a small footprint.

To give you the exact idea of the Arq's size, each measures 1.85 inches deep, 4.03 inches wide and 1.38 inches tall. There are also nano micro suction pads on the bottom that keep the Arq firmly anchored to smooth surfaces for easy undocking, as seen on the Slope iPad stand I recently reviewed...

Apple Stores reportedly treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 28, 2014

Fueling rumors of a potential Apple TV hardware refresh next month, Apple has apparently instructed its retail employees to start treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards, basically bringing the price of the $99 media-streaming box down to $74.

Of course, you're still paying the full price for the Apple TV hardware, Apple is just throwing in a $25 iTunes Gift Card with every new purchase. The credit can be redeemed against any content purchase in the company's many online stores.

So in a nutshell, you're getting a $25 iTunes credit for apps, books, movies, music and more, free of charge. The offer is valid through March 5, 2014...

Apple reportedly working on iOS update to improve Touch ID

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

As cool as the fingerprint reader is on the iPhone 5s, it's not perfect. We have, on several occasions, complained about the accuracy of Touch ID seemingly 'fading' over time, and a number of 5s owners have turned out to Apple's support forums to voice their disdain as well.

Luckily, it sounds like there may be light at the end of the tunnel. AppleInsider is reporting this morning that the Cupertino company is currently preparing a software update that will improve the fingerprint recognition experience of Touch ID, and possibly fix the 'fade' issue...