Apple

ESPN’s News and Deportes channels added to Apple TV and iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Less than 48 hours after Apple added new video content from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel to its $99 Apple TV set-top box, ESPN announced Wednesday it's enabled access to two new channels - News and Deportes - on the Apple TV and iOS devices, through the WatchESPN software for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

This is important because ESPN is a global powerhouse.

Owned as a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation, the U.S.-based cable and satellite television channel is a lot of people's go-to source for all things sports...

T-Mobile blacking out employee vacations for September 20 iPhone launch?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

In another sign indicating Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S/5C could land on store shelves shortly following a rumored September 10 introduction, T-Mobile USA has reportedly blacked out vacations for its U.S. retail employees from Friday, September 20 and through Sunday, September 22.

While a new report cautions there's no telling whether the blocked period is related to new iPhones, Apple's handsets have historically made their way to retail stores a week or two after the official announcement so the nation's fourth-largest telco would be wise to ensure its retail army is ready for the big day...

Apple seeks to trademark ‘startup’ globally for computer retail service

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple is seeking to trademark the term 'startup' as it relates to computer retailing, support and education. Although filed in Australia, the application reportedly could have global impact. The move comes as Apple preps its September launch of a new iPhone 5S and 5C, accompanied by the addition of a new iPhone trade-in program at its retail locations. But is there any concern that Apple's application is too broad?

With 171 lawsuits in past 5 years, Apple is patent trolls’ favorite target

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

Apple is to patent trolls what Justin Bieber is to prepubescent girls. The iPhone maker has become the favorite target for companies whose sole product is lawsuits, according to a new study finding Apple has been sued 171 times by patent trolls over the past five years.

Since 2009, the number of yearly lawsuits by trolls (or Non-Practicing Entities, as they're called in more politically-correct circles) against Apple has steadily risen with 24 filed through June 30 this year...

Rumor: Disney working on Star Wars streaming channel for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 6, 2016

Yesterday, Apple gave would-be shoppers another reason to consider its $99 Apple TV set-top box by adding five new channels from the likes of Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney and Smithsonian. Piggy-backing on the development, a sketchy report by a Star Wars fan website is out saying Disney has been working with Apple on a dedicated Star Wars-themed Apple TV channel.

It should be unleashed time for the holiday season and permit users to stream the final episodes of the animated Clone Wars television series. More on that after the break...

Rovio teams up with Red Bull for Angry Birds Go kart racing game

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

It's easy to downplay the wild success Rovio's enjoyed with the Angry Birds games like no one is interested when in reality people continue to play and buy everything related to the franchise like there's no tomorrow. It's also OK not to admit you're a fan of the series and still be interested in an Angry Birds-themed kart racing game the Finnish developer's been working on.

Created in partnership with Austrian energy drink powerhouse Red Bull, Angry Birds Go is much like a few other racing games Red Bull has previously endorsed, though we're of course expecting something of a twist here...

Top Apple blogger debunks September iPads, iPhone 5S scratch test and other crazy rumors

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Apple's CEO Tim Cook and the company's leadership team must be hating Mark Gurman, the most connected Apple blogger and Time's pick for its 2013 Best 25 Bloggers list. He's leaked much of the iOS 7 redesign ahead of June's revelation and nailed the iPhone 5 features well before its release.

Two weeks ago, Mark was first to acknowledge an iPhone 5S with gold colorway. He's also confirmed fingerprint scanning - the iPhone 5S's killer feature - and said the iPad build of iOS 7 was running behind schedule.

Taking a number of burning issues occupying the collective minds of the Apple rumor-mill community, Gurman has now brought into question a few popular misconception concerning Apple's upcoming product launches that are making rounds today...

Director John Woo delves into iOS gaming, teases Bloodstroke

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2013

If you're a fan of movies such as Face/Off, definitely keep tabs on UK-based red hot publisher Chillingo's upcoming Bloodstroke, an iPhone and iPad "on-rails" game boasting the story and script written by John Woo. Yes, John Woo, the action movie director!

Currently in development by the Moon Shark studio, Bloodstroke takes place all over Asia.

The game puts you in the shoes of Phalanx’s elite private security agent code-named Lotus (real name: Mai Lee) who gets involved "in an exciting story."

The game's premise determines most missions, which revolve around protect your employer on the streets of Hong Kong and Beijing. Bloodstroke strives to set itself apart with a nice black and white graphic style, with colors being used only sparingly and consciously for emphasis (hint: blood)...

New Parallels Access app lets you remotely run Mac or PC apps on your iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Virtualization software maker Parallels on Tuesday launched Parallels Access, an iPad app and a subscription-based cloud service that usher in a new era of mobile productivity. Parallels' novel solution basically applifies your desktop applications on Windows and Mac machines, letting you access them remotely on your iPad or iPad mini as if they were made for the iPad, down to the native iOS gestures and multi-touch interface.

Not only can you stream your desktop productivity applications to your tablet, but also all your video from Mac or PC onto your iPad. Check it out in action right after the break...

Apple acquires Swedish mobile imaging and compression firm AlgoTrim

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 28, 2013

Apple has once more dipped into Sweden for its latest startup acquisition. AlgoTrim's claim to fame is software which compresses images for quicker display on mobile displays and technology for efficient and battery-friendly image processing and editing - again, optimized for mobile devices. While neither Apple nor AlgoTrim will talk about the purchase, their reticence hasn't prevented speculation that the tiny firm was acquired to boost iOS imaging.

What does Apple want with a company which reportedly earned in 2012 just $3 million - pocket change for the Silicon Valley tech giant? First, consider who also wants AlgoTrim's software. Yep, Google's Android...

BitTorrent Sync iOS app launches on App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Back in April, BitTorrent introduced an Alpha version of BitTorrent Sync, a free cross-platform file syncing service that automatically moves data between devices via distributed technology, appealing to privacy advocates by totally bypassing the cloud.

The service entered Beta last month, which also saw the release of an Android client, a free download from Google's Play store. No, BitTorrent hasn't forgotten about iOS users: today saw the release of BitTorrent Sync for iOS.

Just like its Android counterpart, the iPhone and iPad app lets mobile users sync up work folders to their tablet or smartphone, back up their precious photos, share files directly to friends and collaborators and more...

Detailed shots picture alleged iPad 5 front panel

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2013

Australian blogger Sonny Dickson is quickly becoming the Interweb's favorite component leaker, especially in terms of unreleased Apple gadgets.

He's back at it again, claiming to have gotten his hands on the front panel for Apple’s upcoming fifth-generation iPad.

Of course, he's bringing with him a bunch of high-quality photographs depicting the alleged part from various angles. The images match up to leaked schematics and show off that purported iPad mini style design with the narrower side bezels.

I've included a few best shots for the sake of discussions, have a look at them right after the break...