Apple

Apple’s Technologies boss cashes in shares

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 12, 2017

Bob Mansfield, Apple's un-retired SVP of Technologies, is another high-ranked executive to cash in shares of AAPL stock after an "insanely insane" sell-off that saw a quarter of Apple's market cap wiped off. Like other executives, Mansfield likely figured the move makes financial sense ahead of a rumored "fiscal cliff".

According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Mansfield, a long-time Apple veteran, unloaded 35,000 shares. At $582.21 a share, the transaction earned him $20,377,507.50. He still holds 29,548 shares and will get another 150,000 shares in June 2013 and March 2016 provided he stays with Apple.

Though Mansfield wanted to retire, Apple's boss has managed to convince him to stick around for two more years. If Cook gave me a $2 million a month paycheck as a compensation for an advisement position, I'd also un-retire in a heartbeat....

iTunes Gift Cards now available in custom $15-$500 denominations

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 30, 2012

This is interesting. If a new report is anything to go by, Apple has added an interesting option for retailers carrying physical iTunes Gift Cards. As you know, iTunes Gift Cards are normally offered in $15, 25, $50 or $100 denominations. The new cards provide for custom denominations ranging from $15 to $500.

These give customers a much-needed flexibility to load their iTunes account with a custom credit of their choosing rather than having to choose between Apple's four preloaded amounts. Apparently one supermarket chain and at least one retailer are rolling these out as we speak...

iPhone 5 and Wi-Fi iPad mini, iPad 4 are headed for China in December

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 30, 2012

It's official: the iPad mini, iPad 4 and iPhone 5 are set to land on China's store shelves in December. The company announced today the 7.9-inch iPad mini and 9.7-inch iPad 4 with Retina display will arrive Friday, December 7, while the iPhone 5 drops a bit later - December 14. Only Wi-Fi iPad models are being released now as the cellular option has just cleared China regulatory hoops.

As of the Friday announcement, new iPads are available in 42 countries. The iPhone 5, which had some earlier supply glitches, has now rolled out in 47 countries...

Microsoft announces pricing for Intel-powered Surface Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

When Microsoft unveiled the Surface, its first in-house foray into the tablet market, back in June, it said that it would consist of two versions: a lower-end RT model built on ARM's architecture, and a Pro model powered by Intel.

The RT version officially launched in October, in 32GB and 64GB flavors priced at $499 and $699 respectively, and has thus far seen modest sales. And last night, Microsoft finally divulged some information about the Surface Pro...

Apple now selling unlocked iPhone 5 models in the US

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

Great news for folks in the US who have been waiting for Apple to start selling unlocked versions of its latest handset. As we were expecting, the company has begun selling contract-free, unlocked GSM models of the iPhone 5 tonight in both its retail stores and online...

Poll: is iTunes 11 snappier?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

More than anything, today's release of iTunes 11 has put Apple's reputation on the line. After delaying the media jukebox program for a month in order "to get it right", and having fired iOS chief Scott Forstall while letting SVP Eddy Cue rise as “a prime architect of Apple's software strategy", the iPhone maker must not stumble now. While iTunes 11 does not exactly mark a fresh start for the decade-old app, it truly delivers important enhancements while de-cluttering the interface and introducing under-the-hood tweaks.

These all work in concert to make your experience enjoyable and more streamlined. And now that you've played with it, iDB wants to know whether iTunes 11 feels snappier on your system versus the previous version...

Starbucks and Apple launch new (RED) gift card

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

This is kind of cool: Apple and Starbucks have teamed up to offer the Starbucks iTunes (RED) eGift basket, a joint gift card that offers credit for both Starbucks and iTunes purchases. And, as you might have guessed, the (RED) moniker means that a percentage of the profits made from the eGift basket will go towards AIDS research...

Apple ranked top retailer in cellphone buyer survey

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

In addition to its carrier satisfaction survey, Consumer Reports also released the results of its cellphone buying experience survey this morning. The firm's National Research center asked 10,000 subscribers who had purchased a cellphone in the last two years to rate their buying experience. And surprise, surprise, Apple came out on top...

Unlocked iPhone 5 hitting online Apple Store tonight, retail outlets to follow soon?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

Like an elusive unicorn, the unlocked iPhone 5 remains a pipedream in the United States, where the government doesn't require telcos to offer unlocked, contract-free devices alongside subsidized ones, like in Italy, France and elsewhere.

If you're unwilling to commit your soul to your carrier just to get your hands on an iPhone 5, you may wanna keep a close eye on the online Apple Store at around 9pm tonight as it's been reported factory-unlocked devices will appear as early as this midnight...

Apple’s Remote app gains iTunes 11 support, Up Next, revamped iPad UI and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Following the official release of iTunes 11 for Mac and Windows and an incremental Apple TV firmware update, today's update bonanza continues with the release of a minor update to Apple's Remote iOS app. It now plays nice with iTunes 11, of course, and includes a redesigned interface on iPad tablets that takes design cues from the new iTunes, just as the previous version was reminiscent of desktop iTunes. As for iTunes 11 support, the updated Remote app now includes overhauled library views, an expanded view for your media, improved search results, the new UpNext feature and more...

New in iTunes 11: redeem giftcards with your Mac’s FaceTime camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

As we're sorting through all of the major changes in iTunes 11, the Interwebs is starting to light up with reports of the little things and nice-to-haves that Apple did not include in the full changelog for iTunes 11. One of such features that I know will be hugely popular with parents and people who buy iTunes Gift Cards is the ability to redeem any such card with your Mac's camera, without typing in a single character, just like that. It's just one of those little things that make life more easier and enjoyable. Here's how it works...

Apple rolls out 5.1.1 Apple TV software with iTunes Up Next

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Hot on the heels of posting the eagerly anticipated iTunes 11, a major revamp of the jukebox app focused on iCloud integration and cleaner navigation, Apple of California also started pushing an incremental update to the Apple TV, its $99 set-top box. The iOS 5.1.1 firmware number with a build number of 10A831 is now available as a Software Update for both the second and third-generation Apple TV. To apply it, just choose Settings > General > About on your Apple TV...