Apple updated its supplier page late last night, saying that it has decided to head up a "fact-finding visit" to Bangka Island, Indonesia to address concerns on whether or not its suppliers are sourcing tin from unregulated and illegal mines.
Bangka Island is one of the world’s premier tin-producing regions. But the area has also been linked to illegal tin mines that are, among other things, responsible for the destruction of tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods...
Ah, the Worms games. Thoughts of a small platoon of earthworms always bring to mind fond memories of the Amiga days, which I tend to think had introduced home computing and video gaming to the masses.
The Worms series single-handedly launched UK-based development studio Team 17 into stardom (their other smash hit: the Alien Breed series).
Originally named Team 17 because it was mostly comprised of teenage talent, they now develop for Windows PCs and video game consoles.
But that doesn't mean the Worms franchise is dead, quite the contrary - the third installment to the Worms games is hitting the iOS platform exclusively in the third quarter of this year. They made it official yesterday to mark the fourth anniversary of their first venture onto the App Store with Worms...
With the next-generation full-size iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 reportedly entering manufacture - in time for an assumed Fall release - prudent folks may be looking to ditch their existing device ahead of launch, while it's not yet obsoleted. Figuring as much, Best Buy will be kicking off a newsworthy two-day promotion tomorrow, June 12, where you receive a $200 Gift Card in exchange for your iPad 2 or iPad 3.
These credits are redeemable against any in-store or online purchase so now may be a good time to get rid of your outdated iPad and treat yourself to some fancy brand spanking new electronics from the retailer without breaking the bank. Full details are right after the jump...
Sony back in May promised to update the iOS client supporting its Music Unlimited service with the much-needed offline playback and support for high-quality 320kbps AAC streaming. The refreshed software was originally meant to surface in the App Store shortly, but it got lost in the approval limbo. Sony finally today put out a press release announcing availability of Music Unlimited version 1.3.1 with offline playback, high-quality streaming and more...
Publisher Square Enix yesterday released its hotly anticipated Deus Ex: The Fall onto the App Store. Soon after, it was discovered the premium game unfortunately employs a little unusual Easter egg of sorts: if you're jailbroken, The Fall won't let you fire guns.
Developer Eidos Montreal is obviously a little concerned about piracy because last time I checked jailbreaking was still legal, even if it voids your warranty.
The Fall isn't the first app to hobble gameplay on jailbroken devices. Just two quick examples: DirectTV and Game Dev Tycoon. If you're jailbroken and bought the game, don't despair as there's a jailbreak tweak to remove the pesky limitation...
T-Mobile USA, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, started taking pre-orders for Apple's iPhone on April 5, a week ahead of April 12 availability.
Following the strong advertising push, the carrier then boasted about 'gangbuster' opening for the iconic smartphone, leaving us scratching our head as the headline-grabbing phrase left room for various interpretations in terms of hard data.
The exact sales figure came to light during T-Mobile's earnings call when we learned the Deutsche Telekom-owned telco sold half a million iPhones during its first month of availability, between April 5 and May 8.
Though T-Mobile won't report June quarter earnings until August 8, the company reportedly confirmed selling about 900,000 iPhones during the three-month period ended June 30. If true, the data point suggests the carrier has moved an additional 400,000 units between May 8 and June 30, but also that sales have slowed following the initial push...
Quick, name the two hottest brands in the United States. If you picked Apple and Google you'd be wrong.
Although the iPhone maker and Android creator dominate the smartphone industry, the companies have dropped from the list of hot brand names.
By contrast, Amazon and YouTube made the current list of the top 10 hottest US brands for mid-year 2013. In another surprise, basement-dwelling BlackBerry was named the most-improved technology brand - thanks to the new Z10...
Amid cooling iPhone demand, some carriers are having trouble meeting its sales commitments to Apple - and the smartphone maker is in no mood to ignore the issue. One carrier, Verizon Wireless, could be on the hook for up to $14 billion worth of unsold iPhones, one analyst told investors Thursday.
Although Verizon pledged in a 2010 agreement to buy $23.5 billion worth of Apple handsets in 2013, meeting the commitment would demand the U.S. carrier sell more than twice as many iPhones this year as in 2012...
True to its promise, Rovio's third-party publishing arm Rovio Stars released Tiny Thief on the App Store, a medieval adventure game developed by Barcelona-based 5 Ants Studio. In Tiny Thief, you're tasked with solving thirty stealth-based puzzles. The game includes five distinct chapters, over 85 hidden items and a host of colorful characters, including The Pastry Chef and Ferret (your most loyal companion). Go past the fold for a gameplay video and additional tidbits...
I've been on the edge of my seat ever since the first Pacific Rim trailer hit theaters. For those not in the know, Pacific Rim is an upcoming sci-fi monster flick directed and co-written by Guillermo del Toro. There's something inherently appealing about the movie's premise: colossal monsters suddenly emerge from a portal on the ocean floor, crushing skyscrapers, obliterating entire cities and threatening the mankind's very existence.
Since it's 2020s, we were able to engineer gigantic humanoid mechas controlled by two pilots whose minds are joined by a neural bridge. The movie premiers tomorrow and Reliance Games has just released the official tie-in game for the iPhone and iPad. We have a trailer and a few additional details right below the fold...
Although Apple said Wednesday it would appeal its loss in the Department of Justice's ebook pricing conspiracy case, the consensus among legal eagles is: good luck, but bring your check book. In her ruling yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote described the iBooks maker as the ringleader in a conspiracy to undercut Amazon's choke hold on the market for electronic books.
Apple's loss yesterday means the company faces triple damages. Despite Cote's wishes to assess damages soon, that phase could be delayed for months more as Apple asks an appeals court to overturn the ruling. But reversing the judge is likely an uphill battle as Apple seeks to do some PR damage control...
Mobile apps have in no time become a true addiction in our smartphone-obssesed society. We use them day in and day out - to the point where we can't imagine our lives without those lickable Home screen icons. As Apple gave each user five premium apps and games for free as part of the App Store's fifth anniversary, eBay too celebrated the occasion by conducting an informal survey that challenged 200 iPhone owners with surviving four days without their favorite apps...