Apple

Apple hires Levi’s exec to head US retail operations ahead of new product launches

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

As the search for its retail chief continues unabated following former SVP Ron Johnson's departure last year (I know, it hasn't worked out well for him), Apple has now made a surprising hire to help its US retail efforts, a credible blog has learned. Enrique Atienza, who served as SVP of Retail Americas and Global Store Operations at the clothing powerhouse Levi Strauss, has emerged as Tim Cook's pick for the top director position of Apple's US Retail operations, according to sources with knowledge of the hire...

Google reportedly eyeing rights to NFL games

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2013

The $99 Apple TV set-top box may be the most popular streaming device out there (not if you ask Roku), but Apple's got some catching up to do in terms of content availability. Figuring as much, the company's recently added WatchESPN and HBO Go streaming apps to the Apple TV's home screen. Moreover, we're now hearing that 24/7 Vevo music video streaming via the Apple TV could become a reality as early as later this week.

Apple's strides in the TV space don't resonate well with the Internet giant Google, whose Google TV platform is struggling to catch on with couch potatoes and cable-cutters. According to AllThingsD, this could change as Google's boss Larry Page today met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other execs...

Stealing iPhones is more profitable than crack for San Francisco’s pro thieves

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

We've always held that the iPhone can be like a drug, its users addicted to just one more app, just one more high score. Now comes word from the horse's mouth, so to speak: criminals. Theft of the iPhone and other cellphones is increasing in popularity with criminals who once sold crack cocaine.

Turns out, a new twist on iPhone thefts can be more profitable - let alone, less dangerous - than selling drugs on the street...

Star Trek Into Darkness now available on iTunes, three weeks ahead of DVD release

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2013

Apple's selection of blockbuster releases on iTunes is constantly growing. Though not quite yet a match for other digital services, Apple typically beats the other guys in terms of pre-releases, exclusive launches and even early pre-theatrical releases, provided you're willing to pay a bunch of money to watch a movie on iTunes before it even hits the silver screen.

JJ Abrams's Star Trek Into Darkness has been available for pre-order on iTunes for well over a month. Yesterday, the digital download has finally hit iTunes, three weeks ahead of its September 10 DVD release...

Yahoo Sports iOS app updated with WNBA scores, full MMA coverage and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2013

Yahoo back in May updated its popular Fantasy Football iOS client with mobile drafting and a slew of other new features and improvements to get you ready for the start of the 2013 NFL season. But if American football just isn't your thing, how about basketball? Or mixed martial arts? Or some other sport?

Don't worry, Yahoo's Sports iOS client (previously known as Sportacular) has you covered. In a new updated issued today, Yahoo has overhauled the software while adding the full MMA coverage, a range of scores, news and standings for the WNBA and more...

Dr. iPad: Apple tablet used in liver surgery

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

Robot-aided surgery has become common, but now comes word that Apple's iPad assisted German surgeons during a recent liver operation. During a three-hour procedure, the first of its kind, the tablet's camera photographed the liver, then a special iPad app provided a 3D model which surgeons in Bremen, Germany used to remove two tumors, Reuters reports...

Video shows off the iPhone 5C’s scratch resistance

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple's rumored mid-tier handset called the iPhone 5C is said to feature a plastic body much like the iPhone 3GS, only sturdier. Using polycarbonate plastic in place of the iPhone 5's sensitive two-tone aluminum + glass combo should yield some much-needed advancements in the scratch resistance department, as shown in a video posted by Taiwan's Apple Daily.

The clip also gives us the exact measurements of the iPhone 5C's rear shell which, despite rocking the same four-inch screen as the current iPhone 5, appears to be just slightly taller and thicker than its high-end counterpart...

IDC: China’s iPad market share slashed by strong home-grown competition

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

In every analysis listing market share, there is that mysterious 'Other' category which lumps together all the lesser-known players. Now comes word 'Other' is making a name for itself, as the Apple iPad's share of the increasingly important China market was almost cut in half during the second quarter.

Researcher IDC said Tuesday Apple's tablet market share in China fell to 28 percent during the second quarter of 2013, down from its usual level above 50 percent. Some 46 percent of tablets shipped to China were made by 'Other' tablet brands, often low-cost Android devices, according to the research firm...

Netflix gains My List feature

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2013

Netflix today announced a new feature to make saving your favorite movies and televisions shows easier than ever. Aptly named My List, it lets you add any movie or TV show title to your own row or gallery on Netflix. You can easily rearrange the list, add or remove titles, with Netflix automatically sorting your entries.

It's based on the existing Instant Queue feature which however lacks automated sorting and its own Netflix row.

My List is a staggered roll-out that's launching worldwide in the next two weeks across multiple platforms, including iOS...

Apple patent envisions 3D gestures for iPads

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

Imagine the iPad's touch screen gaining a third dimension, enabling users to extract a 2D image, then manipulate it using new gestures, such as 'pull', 'push' and 'sculpt'. That's the gist of an Apple patent filed in 2012 and published Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Titled 'Working with 3D Objects,' the patent outlines a touch screen interface where users "generate and manipulate 3D objects using 3D gesture inputs." At the core, the technology employs both capacitive touch sensors and proximity sensors in the iDevice screen...

WSJ: Vevo music video channel could land on Apple TV this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Earlier this month, a report surfaced claiming that music video website Vevo is developing an application for Apple TV that offers access to its 24-7 music video channel. But at the time, there were no other information available.

The Wall Street Journal has dug a little deeper, though, and offers up some new details on the story. The outlet says that Vevo has indeed inked a deal with Apple, and the app could launch on the Apple TV as soon as this week...

Gorgeous new iWatch concept features flexible display, runs iOS 7

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

Since we first started hearing reports that Apple was working on a smartwatch, designers have been churning out concepts left and right showing what their visions are for the device. And we've seen some good ones too, see here and here.

But this new one from Federico Ciccarese, of Ciccarese Design, might be the best yet. Designed with a flexible touchscreen display, it looks more like a futuristic, high-end fashion accessory than it does a smartwatch, and it even runs iOS 7...