Apple

Target launches time-limited deals on iOS devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Target, the nation's second-largest discount retailer, is launching some pretty interesting deals on Apple's iOS devices. Starting this coming Sunday, February 9, and through next week's Saturday, February 15, customers in the market for an iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad Air and any iPad mini can get discounts in the form of gift cards.

The time-limited promotion will see some of these devices discounted by as much as $50 versus Apple's asking prices. Jump past the fold for the full per-product breakdown...

Are you ready for iOS 7.1 in March?

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2014

Software updates to Apple's mobile operating system typically used to get rolled out within a few weeks following the public launch of a major iOS release.

But as Apple transitions to a more aggressive release schedule on the OS X side - the firm switched from an 18-month cycle to annual OS X refreshes - Apple's engineers are taking their time dealing with the initial complaints, bugs and issues that have been plaguing iOS 7 users since September 2013.

The latest chatter by credible publications coupled with reliable information coming from my own sources points to a public release of iOS 7.1 in March...

Apple reduces cost and minimum purchase volumes for MFi licenses

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2014

One of the prime reasons why Apple-sanctioned Lightning accessories, cables and adapters have been so pricey are high costs and allegedly exorbitant fees attached to the company's 'Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod' (MFi) program. Established in 2005, the MFi initiative requires third-parties to use Apple-approved authentication chips and certified cables and adhere to Apple's rigorous testing.

All of the products that pass testing bear an Apple-approved 'Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad' label. By lowering the program fees, Apple has enabled vendors to produce cheaper Lightning cables, adapters and other accessories for the iPhone and iPad...

NAS video downloads and other new features now live in Infuse in 2.2

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Infuse, the versatile iOS media player by jailbreak developer FireCore best-known for its aTV Flash Black software for the Apple TV, is getting a nice update with new features later today.

Infuse 2.2 is a pretty big update that comes with a number of additional features the team has been working on for awhile, as well as some of the top user-requested features. One of my favorite additions is the ability to browse network shares and download files for offline playback.

I'm loving it because no longer do I have to transfer my media to Infuse through iTunes, WebDAV or other clunky methods. Infuse 2.2 will be available as a free download in the App Store later today...

Senate asks Apple and other tech companies for distracted driving solutions

Cody Lee ∙ February 7, 2014

The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation host a daylong summit yesterday to discuss the growing problem of distracted driving. Drivers texting and doing other phone-related activities are now causing more than 1 million accidents per year.

A number of representatives from major tech companies attended the summit, including executives from Google, Samsung, AT&T, Sprint and Apple. The Senate is asking that they all work together to come up with more robust technical solutions to distracted driving...

Following 8 percent slide, Apple repurchases $14 billion in stock

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

Apple reported the financial results for its holiday quarter late last month, and for the most part they killed it—the company set records for revenue, iPhone sales, and iPad sales during the 3-month period. But all Wall Street saw was declining growth.

The Cupertino tech giant's stock dropped 8% that day in after-hours trading, falling from $550 per share to $500, and it has yet to rebound. But Tim Cook says Apple's taking advantage of the unexpected price drop by going on a major buyback spree...

Tim Cook: Apple working on ‘some really great stuff’ in new product categories

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 24, 2017

"There will be new categories," Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal in an interview regarding Apple's recent buyback of more than $14 billion in stock. "We're not ready to talk about it, but we're working on some really great stuff."

Now, Cook has alluded to Apple getting into new product categories before. But speaking with the Journal, the CEO seems more intent than ever on convincing worried investors that his company has some major things in the pipeline...

Apple seeds fifth OS X 10.9.2 beta to developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 20, 2018

Apple has seeded the fifth OS X 10.9.2 beta to registered Mac developers this evening. The last few beta releases have each come about a week apart, suggesting that they're nearing a final version.

The new build is available to registered Mac developers through the Software Update tab in the Mac App Store, or as a full download via the Mac section of Apple’s online developer portal…

Apple’s Arizona sapphire plant said to be gearing up to build 5″ iPhone displays

Cody Lee ∙ February 6, 2014

We've known since last fall that Apple was teaming up with GT Advanced to open up a sapphire crystal manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona. But up until now, it's been unclear exactly what components it would be making. Camera lenses? Touch ID covers?

Well according to a new report from 9to5Mac, the plant is gearing up to build iPhone displays. Citing import/export and other records, the site says that the Mesa plant has just procured enough equipment to make over 100M ~5-inch iPhone displays this year...

Kids driving game Toca Cars is Apple’s new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

I hope you have downloaded the excellent Spark Camera which was made temporarily free thanks to Apple's ongoing Free App of the Week promotion. Every Thursday a new paid app picked by Apple's editors goes free for a limited time in the App Store as Apple's way of thanking fans for their loyalty.

As Spark Camera today returns to its original $1.99 price, a new app has gone free until next Thursday, Toca Cars. Originally released last September and normally costing $2.99, this charming kids driving game from Toca Boca (a studio that makes digital toys for kids) has a 4.5-star rating and was never free, until today.

I wholeheartedly recommend you grab Toca Cars in the App Store now...

Olympic athletes may use Apple devices during opening ceremony after all

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2014

Cody ran an interesting story yesterday about Samsung allegedly requiring Olympians to cover the Apple logos on their iPhones and iPads during the opening ceremony, as part of giving free devices to athletes. It had all the elements you'd expect from a typical viral story: a pair of tech titans who hate each other's guts out, a major sports event, greed, ad money and corporate jealousy.

Too bad it wasn't true. It's been confirmed by both Samsung and the International Olympic Committee today that athletes are absolutely allowed to use any device they wish during the Opening Ceremonies. This means iPhones and yes - the Apple logos are allowed, too!

Classic iPhone game Eliss gets remade for 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Avid gamers among you who owned the original iPhone surely remember Eliss. Created by Steph Thirion and released in March 2009, Eliss was one of the first iPhone puzzlers that wouldn't implement multitouch controls as an afterthought. It went on to win numerous awards and was called by many a multitouch masterpiece. Eliss challenged you to move around a bunch of planets and split/combine them with other planets of the same size/color.

On paper, the concept doesn't sound terribly revolutionary or exciting. But once you picked it up, however, there was no putting Eliss down - it was that addictive. Unfortunately, the creator stopped updating the game just three months following its release: the last refresh was in June 2009.

Turns out other projects have kept Steph occupied - among them a brand new and polished remake of the original Eliss game...