Apple

Apple’s Russia push slowed by pricey iPhones

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 25, 2013

Although Apple today launched the iPhone in an additional 35 global markets (with more to come next Friday), including Russia, its flagship iPhone 5s remains too expensive for all but the most wealthiest. The iPhone 5c, costing just $99 in subsidized markets such as the U.S., can cost nearly $800 in Russia, unsubsidized.

Apple's goal of competing globally is being hampered by pricing centered on carrier subsidies. In countries such as Russia, India and elsewhere where subsidies are not allowed, the cost of an iPhone can equal a month's salary - or more. As a result, Samsung's cheaper Android phones control most smartphone sales...

Online Apple Store now offering $20 OS X Lion and Mountain Lion redemption codes

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 25, 2013

Following the free OS X Mavericks release, Apple has removed the $19.99 Mountain Lion purchase from the Mac App Store. This has brought headache to owners of older Macs who were looking to upgrade their operating system to OS X Lion or Mountain Lion.

Apple typically keeps only the most current version of OS X on the Mac App Store. As a result, folks who want to purchase a copy of Lion, for example, are required to give Apple a phone call to get either a DVD or a content code via email which lets them download the installer through the Mac App Store.

The company has now made the process easier by selling the redemption codes through its online store...

New Remote icon in iTunes may hint at impending iOS 7 update

Cody Lee ∙ October 25, 2013

Although Apple posted a number of iOS 7-flavored app updates this week, there's still one that I'm anxiously awaiting: the Remote app. I use it every day to control my Apple TV, and it's very much in need of a UI overhaul.

Fortunately, it looks like I won't have to wait much longer. A redesigned icon for the Remote app has been discovered in iTunes, suggesting that Apple may be putting the finishing touches on an iOS 7 update for the utility...

Research shows second generation iPad still selling extremely well

Cody Lee ∙ October 25, 2013

During our iPad event roundtable on this week's Let's Talk Jailbreak, we noted how surprised we were to see that Apple is going to continue selling the iPad 2. Why does the company insist on keeping the two year-old tablet around?

The answer, according to marketing research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, is because the device is still selling extremely well. Their data shows that the second-gen iPad made up 22% of Apple's tablet sales this quarter...

Some Apple Stores now carrying non-Retina iPad mini in Space Gray

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Alongside the new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display, Apple announced a small update for the first-gen iPad mini on Tuesday. The (non-Retina) tablet has been given a small price reduction, and a new 'Space Gray' colorway.

And according to a new report, some retail stores have quietly begun stocking these new minis on their shelves—meaning they're now available for purchase. So if you're interested, it might be worth checking your local Apple Store...

iPhone 5s/5c now rolling out to 35 new markets

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 24, 2013

As the massive November 1 iPad Air launch across 42 global markets draws near (how about picking yours at Walmart?), tomorrow marks another key accomplishment for the company's iconic smartphone as a bunch of international Apple Stores go offline ahead of the second wave of expansion.

More than a month ago - on September 20 - Apple's new iPhones went on sale in the United States and an additional ten major markets worldwide. Shortly after, Apple told us a major expansion in 35 new markets would follow on Friday, October 25 so this isn't a shocker.

Eager to learn whether your country is on Apple's map? Read on...

Canadian patent troll loses infringement lawsuit against Apple

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 24, 2013

Canadian-based patent troll Wi-LAN lost its bid to force Apple to license patents covering several major wireless technologies. A jury found Apple did not infringe on two Wi-LAN patents dealing with CDMA, HSPA (3G), Wi-Fi and LTE. The patent company wanted Apple to pay $248 million.

In a statement, Wi-LAN said it was disappointed with the court's decision, but feels the Marshall, Texas federal ruling will not hurt previous licensing deals now in place.

Samsung, HTC and BlackBerry are among the companies which have settled lawsuits...

Walmart to start selling 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Air with $20 discount on November 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 14, 2016

Walmart offered notable discounts on Apple gear in the past, most recently on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, and they're about to do it again with the forthcoming iPad Air.

It was only two days ago that Apple unveiled the device, alongside the iPad mini with Retina display and other hardware and software notables.

Still, already Walmart is first to advertise that it will start selling the entry-level $499 iPad Air with a $20 discount beginning November 1...

Samsung fined $340,000 over faking negative web comments about competition

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 23, 2017

Throughout last year, Apple-friendly web sites were infested with an avalanche of ugly comments by anonymous posters concerning the iPhone, iPad and the Apple brand in general. While website owners were reluctant to publicly point the finger of blame at the South Korean conglomerate, many had suspected it was no coincidence given Samsung was riding high on its anti-Apple ad campaign.

Conveniently, hate-spewing quickly died down after Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in April launched an investigation into Samsung's tactics following the company's admission of guilt about, in its own words, the "unfortunate incident" which occurred "due to insufficient understanding".

Though Samsung said it had"ceased all marketing activities that involve the posting of anonymous comments," the FTC - after finding Samsung indeed hired a "large number of hired writers and designated employees" to trash-talk competition in web comments - has now decided to slap the Galaxy maker with a $340,000 fine...

Apple TV software updated to 6.0.1

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has posted a new version of its Apple TV software this afternoon, bringing the firmware to 6.0.1. The release follows a number of app updates this week, including those for its iLife and iWork suites.

On Tuesday, Apple added a new channel to its set-top box called iMovie Theater, which is a companion app for the latest versions of iMovie that enables clip-sharing. But as for today's Apple TV update...

Some Disney and Pixar movies go missing from iTunes, iTunes in the Cloud

Cody Lee ∙ October 24, 2013

Uh oh. Some users are noticing that Apple has pulled various Disney and Pixar titles from its iTunes Store and iTunes in the Cloud. While the missing movies were initially shrugged off as a glitch, it appears that the move is much more serious.

It looks like the problem has to do with a licensing agreement between Apple and Disney. And not only does it mean that users can't buy or rent the titles, but folks who previously purchased them are no longer seeing them in their Purchased tab...

Slingbox gains AirPlay place-shifting, Blockbuster movies, plays nice with Mavericks

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

The Slingbox, a TV streaming media device made by Sling Media, has received a nice little firmware update earlier today bringing support for AirPlay, a technology from Apple that streams media from iOS devices and Macs to a TV set through the $99 Apple TV set-top box. It's a notable enhancement: with AirPlay, owners of Slingboxes can stream live television from their Slingbox-connected TV to any Apple TV-connected TV set.

In addition to AirPlay support, the firmware update brings on-demand high-definition movies from Blockbuster and support for Apple's just-released OS X Mavericks (a free upgrade on the Mac App Store). More on that in just a second...