Apple

Bloomberg: Apple may announce new iPads come September 10

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2013

Several credulous publications have confirmed with their deeply entrenched sources that Apple will be indeed revealing the iPhone 5S and 5C at a media event on September 10, possibly even launching iOS 7 for public consumption the same day. As for the upcoming iPads, conventional wisdom suggests the company might launch a fifth-generation iPad and possibly a Retina iPad mini at a separate media event in order not to take the wind out of the iPhone's sails.

People have suggested an October launch for new iPads and that just about makes sense to us, but now Bloomberg is casually mentioning that both new iPhones and iPads are on Apple's agenda for September 10...

E-books: judge says Apple needs outside monitoring

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 28, 2013

Apple seems to have succeeded in keeping government watchdogs from roaming the corridors of its Cupertino, California headquarters. A proposal by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to install an external antitrust monitor to oversee Apple activities was greatly curtailed Tuesday. Instead, New York federal judge Denis Cote ruled that any monitor would be limited to overseeing Apple's antitrust policies and employee training.

A proposal by the DoJ to watch over all of Apple's distribution efforts for potential antitrust action was also trimmed, the judge saying she doesn't want government investigators interfering in the iPhone maker's "flexibility to innovate"...

Gmail iOS update brings Google apps integration, full screen image attachments

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Wow, you have to give it to Google for trying to take over the experience by creating a nice little ecosystem right inside Apple's iOS.

See, the Internet giant has been quite diligent about integrating its popular iPhone and iPad apps to work seamlessly together.

Take Gmail, for example.

Not only has today's update enabled a prettier attachment experience, but it's also brought out tight integration with Google apps. This is quite handy as links in email messages to Google Drive and Google+ content can now go directly to Google's native iOS apps, if installed...

Bad news: this morning’s Apple TV update broke PlexConnect hack

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Apple this morning has issued an update making its popular $99 Apple TV gadget a whole lot more useful by enabling an additional five content channels: 24/7 music video streaming via Vevo TV, in addition to on-demand and live video feeds from Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel.

While not a software update per se - new icons automatically appear on your Home screen upon firing up the set-top box without requiring any intervention on the user's part - something has changed because it's broken PlexConnect, a popular hack that fools Apple's Trailers app into streaming media files stored on your computer, no jailbreak required...

Yahoo Mail iOS app gets folder management, improved attachment handling

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 27, 2013

The struggling Internet giant Yahoo released its native Mail app for the iPhone last December, but it fell on deff ear.

Fourth months later, a revamped version with native iPad support has arrived and Yahoo has since enhanced the experience by adding a couple improvements, including the useful business-focused support for multiple personal and Business Mail accounts.

As part of the sweeping streamlining announced on its blog this morning, Yahoo has pushed an incremental update to its iPhone, iPod touch and iPad client, the new version now allowing you to open attachments in other apps and manage multiple folders with ease...

Rumor: Apple’s $149-$229 iWatch is coming in second half of 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 27, 2013

It's been a while since we heard anything on the Apple smartwatch front so today's report by the Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes (I know, don't start) asserted that the iWatch is at least a year away. Specifically, the publication claims that the iWatch is expected to release in the second half of 2014.

The device is expected to retail for between $149 and $229. More details right after the break...

Apple’s iPhone Reuse and Recycle Program launches August 30, details here

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

Yesterday, a flurry of details was released regarding Apple's upcoming iPhone trade-in program, a sales initiative in partnership with the recycling firm BrightStar aimed at boosting iPhone sales and upgrades at company-run retail outlets across the United States. Sources stepped forward today, offering new details concerning the official name, availability, launch date and terms and conditions.

As suspected all along, the trade-ins will be handled through Apple's existing Reuse and Recycle Program, which has been available for quite some time. Furthermore, the same program will serve as Apple’s new in-store recycling program.

Go past the jump for the full reveal...

Gazelle locks iPhone trade-in prices through October 15

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 27, 2013

Are you thinking of upgrading to Apple's upcoming iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C, expected to be announced in early September? One handset trade-in firm is offering customers a guaranteed price on their current iPhones despite the usual drop in value following new product releases.

Gazelle said Monday it will lock-in pricing for iPhone trade-ins through Oct. 15, giving consumers time to wait until the iPhone 5S is announced before sending in their current smartphone...

Apple: DOJ’s revised e-book remedies a ‘broadside’ favoring Amazon

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 27, 2013

Even after the end of a formal antitrust trial, both sides in ebook pricing case continue to argue. Apple said the Department of Justice's latest version of proposed penalties are a "broadside" favoring rival Amazon. The comments by Apple's legal team came as the government and the iBooks company hammer out details largely in public.

Apple's remarks centered on the DOJ's insistence that an outside antitrust monitor be named to ensure against anticompetitive practices in the ebook industry. In July, Apple was found guilty of ebook price-fixing and colluding with publishers against Amazon...

EA Sports releases free-to-play Madden NFL 25 for iPhone and iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Billed as "an experience 25 years in the making", Madden NFL 25 strives to deliver the most authentic NFL football experience to date on the iPhone, iPod and iPad devices. The game challenges players to build theirUltimate Team of NFL stars and run the show on offense and defense with new and improved touch controls, game modes and more.

And in embracing the freemium trend fully, EA Sports has made the decision to release the game on a free-to-play basis, with in-app purchases ranging from as little as 99 cents to as much as a whopping 99 dollars for an All Madden Bundle pack.

If you're a fan of professional American football this is a no-brainer as the game looks awesome and plays great. I've included a splashy teaser trailer and a couple additional tidbits right after the break...

Apple patents sees iDevices becoming DJ for silent discos

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 27, 2013

Combine the huge iTunes library of songs with the social aspect of sharing and you have a bit of an idea what might be behind a patent granted to Apple Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent, which describes a 'Coordinated group musical experience,' takes a riff off a trendy activity known as 'silent discos,' where people gather to listen to a DJ's music wearing headphones, rather than blaring mega-decibel volumes. Does the patent address a glaring technology need? No, but it does remind us of Apple's own quirky roots...

Apple TV gains apps from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney and Smithsonian, we go hands-on

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Just as we've been expecting, Apple has updated its $99 Apple TV set-top box with 24/7 music video streaming by way of Vevo TV. But that's not all, Apple has surprised us all by adding support for several other premium content sources. In addition to Vevo, the update has brought out four additional apps: Weather Channel, Disney Channel and Disney XD, as well as Smithsonian Channel, co-owned by CBS and the Smithsonian Institution.

What's really interesting is that Weather Channel seems to be the real app rather than just a simple streaming channel, although both Smithsonian Channel and Weather Channel offer on-demand clips. Go past the fold for the full reveal and Jeff's video hands-on.

UPDATE: people who use a DNS trick called PlexConnect to stream media to their non-jailbroken Apple TV through the Trailers app should be aware that this morning's update appears to have broken the hack. More on that here...