Apple

Apple releases iTunes 11.0.4 with improved syncing and other bug fixes

Apple has posted an update for iTunes this morning, bringing the software to version 11.0.4. The update comes just a few weeks after the big 11.0.3 release, which included a revamped mini player, support for multidisc albums, and more.

Unfortunately, today's update isn't nearly as glamorous. As you can see in the change log posted above, it's more of a maintenance release, with fixes for two well known bugs having to do with device syncing and user login requests... 

Apple to appeal U.S. import ban on older iPhones and iPads

Apple's legal fight against Samsung yesterday took a turn for the worse with the United States International Trade Comission (ITC) rather surprisingly having found the iPhone maker guilty of infringing on a 3G cellular patent asserted by Samsung. This means Apple is now facing a U.S. import ban on older iPhone and iPad models, including the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS and 3G iPads.

The ban should go into effect within 60 days unless vetoed by the White House during a Presidential Review period. In light of the development, Apple of course plans on appealing the ruling because Samsung's invention is basically a standards-essential patent and as such shouldn't be asserted against rivals to seek import bans...

Apple looking to settle THX patent suit out of court

Earlier this year, sound engineering company THX filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging patent infringement. The studio, which was founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas, claims Apple is using its speaker technology in its iOS and Mac products without a license.

The iPad maker is, of course, no stranger to patent litigation. It just suffered a huge blow yesterday in its ongoing battle with Samsung, and it's involved in countless other frivolous suits. So it's no surprise that reports claim it's trying to settle this complaint out of court...

Apple’s iTunes Festival app gains Passbook tickets

As we count the remaining days until Apple's summer developers conference, British Airways has eventually seen fit to add Passbook support to its iOS client. And now Apple is following suit.

Nearly a year following the introduction of the Passbook app that was unveiled alongside iOS 6 at WWDC 2012, the company has finally update its iTunes Festival London 2013 iPhone app with Passbook integration.

The updated software arrives as Apple last week confirmed its September music festival in London will be headlined by such acts as Jack Johnson, Justin Timberlake and Thirty Seconds to Mars...

iRadio tidbits: audio ads, iTunes Match syncing, no search/song skipping

As you may have heard, Apple is now rushing to close music licensing deals for iRadio. And with Warner Music apparently finally on board, the company should formally take the wraps off its Pandora-killer at the WWDC keynote next Monday.

Bloomberg yesterday explained Apple's ad team is prepping to sell in-app iAds to major brands, which apparently can’t wait to advertise on iRadio. And now a new report by a major advertising trade publication claims Apple is also keen on monetizing the free service by injecting traditional audio ads...

FreedomPop unveils free voice/text/data wireless service

FreedomPop previously caught our attention with its no-commit 1GB of free home Internet each month and an iPad sleeve with Sprint 4G LTE data. But the upstart mobile company isn't resting on its laurels and is pushing ahead by adding free VoIP calling and texting to its data service.

With 500MB of data on top of unlimited texting and 200 minutes of call time, you can now basically turn your iPod touch into an iPhone and pay nothing for calls. Who said that freemium model doesn't work for a wireless service? Jump past the fold for additional highlights and a promo clip...

Analog for Mac gains Analog Camera’s filters, now half price

I recently reviewed Realmac Software's Analog Camera for the iPhone and iPod touch. With its minimalistic user interface, this app from the makers of the Clear to-do app  is probably the fastest and easiest way to take and process images on your iPhone.

Although it crops images for the square format, Analog Camera ships with eight Instagram-like filters and quick sharing options, which is ideal for impulse sharers.

Keeping true to its promise, Realmac today updated its Analog for Mac app with Analog Camera filters. And to celebrate the move, they've shaved 50 percent off its asking price in a time-limited promotion...

Apple and others face questioning over stolen smartphone ‘epidemic’

First Apple and Samsung were sent an angry letter by New York's Attorney General over efforts to curb growing thefts of smartphones.

Now the state's top prosecutor wants a face-to-face meeting next week with representatives from Apple, Samsung, Google and Microsoft, saying they must find a way to solve what's being described as an "epidemic".

"It's time for manufacturers to be as innovative in solving this problem as they have been in designing devices that have reshaped how we live," New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Wednesday. But can handset makers really create such an effective kill-switch that would disable phones and cut thefts?

Apple allegedly files for iWatch trademark in Russia

Apple reportedly has filed in Russia to trademark 'iWatch', the supposed name of the rumored wearable computing device. However, some in the tech media are skeptical, suggesting the report in a Russian newspaper follows none of Apple's usual steps preceding a product launch, such as in the case of the iPad.

The newspaper Izvestia this week reported Apple filed for the trademark under the 9th and 14th classes of the International Classification of Goods and Services. The report asserts Apple could face competition from similar local products. However, one Apple blogs has failed to find the trademark registered with the official Russian Federal Services for Intellectual Property...

British Airways deploys Passbook boarding passes

Responding to market realities, British Airways has added boarding pass integration into Passbook via the new version 4.4 of its existing iOS app. “From now on, all new boarding passes will be presented in Passbook,” the airline said Wednesday.

The refreshed app lets travellers download boarding passes on their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Mac devices and add it to Passbook for iCloud sync and offline use in over a hundred airports worldwide.

Although the company's Passbook support is pretty rudimentary at launch, British Airways plans to enhance it by adding direct links from the Lock screen. This will also enable useful alerts whenever flight details change, you arrive at the terminal or your flight is due to depart...

Obama administration takes aim at patent trolls with legislative changes

After spending last week under the hot lights of Congressional investigators about its taxes, Apple hopes to switch gears and ask for government help fighting so-called patent trolls. Among the iPhone maker's potential allies: U.S. President Obama, who reportedly plans to limit such costly legal nuisance lawsuits.

As part of the proposed plan the White House is expected to unveil, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would gain some teeth, requiring patent holders to disclose companies which actually own the technology, reports the Wall Street Journal...

Why iTunes may be Apple’s biggest asset

When Apple's iTunes Store debuted on April 28, 2003, it launched with zero customers. Today, Apple has more than half a billion iTunes accounts. While not every account holder gives Apple his or her credit card details, most do. Therefore, it's fairly safe to assume that Apple with its online-only content store is the biggest seller on the web.

Indeed, an analysis by Morgan Stanley reveals that not only is iTunes second only to Facebook's one billion accounts, it also makes more money per account than Amazon. More interesting factoids follow...