Apple

Facebook and Instagram to merge profiles

Don't tell me you didn't see this coming. Ever since the social networking behemoth Facebook acquired Instagram, the popular photo-sharing service, folks have been wondering if the two will perhaps merge down the road. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has been adamant that Instagram will be maintained separate of Facebook, but that doesn't mean the two shouldn't play nicely.

Just recently, Instagram brought us Facebook-like web profiles and previously rolled out automatic translation of Instagram @mentions to correct Twitter usernames in tweets. According to Reuters, Facebook is now proposing to combine user data with that of Instagram and is thinking about "loosening restrictions" on emails sent to @facebook.com address...

Samsung exec: ‘iPhone would be impossible without our patents’

Earlier this week, the ITC announced that it would be reviewing its September-decision that Apple's products don't violate some of Samsung's patents. It's a pretty big deal, as an overturn could result in a sales ban.

As you can imagine, Samsung is thrilled with the ITC's choice to revisit its previous ruling. And this morning, the company's head of mobile and IT division Shin Jong-kyun had a few things to say about the case...

Blame Apple’s crazy attention to detail for the iSpaceship delay

Apple engineers agonize over every imaginable aspect of the company's products. Their attention to detail is legendary and all-encompassing, from packaging and unboxing experience to press releases and TV commercials to screws, wires and the specific snow white paint for the home button of the white iPhone. No detail is too small, no stone is left unturned.

So why should it be any different with a massive circular structure and the 176-acre campus, dubbed by the media iSpaceship and officially named Campus 2? As Cody told you, the project has been delayed until 2016. A spokesperson for the iPhone maker just issued an official statement, basically saying the company is designing Campus 2 the same way they'd build an iPhone...

U.S. National Transportation Safety Board drops BlackBerry for iPhone

Last month, the U.S. Immigration and Customer Enforcement agency and government consultant Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. both announced plans to drop BlackBerry smartphones and deploy iPhones and Android devices instead. The Pentagon is also prepping to deploy Apple's and Google's platform.

The Defense Department is conducting search for a contractor that will build a system to manage and secure a fleet of 162,500 iPhones, iPads and Android devices. And now, rubbing salt into the wound, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirms it will be making the switch.

In a document posted last week to a federal website, the agency dissed BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, writing its devices have been “failing both at inopportune times and at an unacceptable rate”. Ouch!

Apple to artists: iTunes 11 ‘is about to be released within the next days’

Last we heard, Apple delayed iTunes 11 until end of November because the team needs more time "to get it right". With nine days until the deadline, Apple has now emailed record labels and artists, asking them to upload pictures and galleries of their artists to iTunes for use in the new Music Store layout that will debut with iTunes 11. The company specifically warned content owners that iTunes 11 "is about to be released within the next days", indicating it's about to hit the deadline...

Disney CEO buys $1M of Apple stock, a vote of confidence amid insane sell-off

Disney CEO and Apple board member Bob Iger earlier this week purchased $1 million worth of shares of the iPhone maker, just one week after exercising an option on a million shares for $17.9 million. The move is seen as an attempt by the Disney executive to show confidence during a period of sell-offs one analyst described as "insane".

Iger joined Apple's board of directors a year ago and is credited with healing wounds between the two companies when his predecessor Michael Eisner led the studio. The executive purchased $1 million worth of Apple stock at the time, then worth near $375 per share. Under Iger, Disney has been a loyal supporter of Apple, permitting movies on iTunes during a time when other Hollywood content owners avoided Steve Jobs...

iMessage, Passbook icon are now registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

Apple's iMessage was first introduced at WWDC 2011 and billed as a data-driven communications service for exchange of chat messages, images, contact cards, locations and more between iPhones, iPods and iPads. iMessage also replaced the old iChat client with the OS X Mountain Lion update, enabling Mac owners to interact with other Mac and iOS users simply by using their email handle or cell phone number. Apple originally filed for an iMessage trademark in September 2011 and today the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted the Cupertino firm two registered trademarks for iMessage, in addiction to another one for the Passbook icon...

iPhone 5 easier to find in stores, analysts say

There is at least a 7-in-10 chance that you can now find an iPhone 5 on store shelves, according to one analyst Wednesday. The once-elusive smartphone may soon be available for same-day purchase from Apple Stores, the Wall Street observer told investors. The report by Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster (I know, don't start) follows news that iPhone 5 units ordered through Apple's website have a two-week shipping delay, down from as much as three weeks. His comments echo those by fellow Apple watcher Shawn Wu of Sterne Agee, who described the wider availability of the iPhone 5 as "much improved"...

Best Buy is offering a $50 discount, $75 gift card on third-gen iPad, today only

With the holiday season upon us, Best Buy wastes no time and in a one-day promotion is luring would-be iPad buyers by shaving $50 off the third-generation iPad. And sweetening the deal even more, the retailer is throwing in a $75 gift card with each iPad sold. Part of its "Deal of the Day" promotion, the offer is good only for today. If you're thinking about taking the plunge, go past the fold for additional terms and conditions you should be aware of...

Apple’s iSpaceship campus delayed until 2016

If you're an Apple fan, or at least follow the company, you know that it doesn't have a reputation for hitting deadlines. The iTunes Match launch was delayed, as is iTunes 11. And it doesn't look like the new iMacs are going to make it on time.

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that the ribbon cutting ceremony for Apple's new spaceship-like research campus has also been pushed back. According to a new report, the company's new workplace won't be set for open until mid-2016...

Apple airs two new iPhone 5 ads, ‘Turkey’ and ‘Orchestra’

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it's no surprise that Apple has started to ramp up marketing for its iOS products. Yesterday, new iPod ads started popping up around the web. And tonight, two new iPhone 5 commercials began airing on television: 'Turkey' and 'Orchestra.' As always, we have both of the spots for you after the break...

iMessage bug reportedly fixed in iOS 6

Late last year, news broke of a serious iMessage bug that enabled iOS devices to continue to send and receive messages, even after being remotely wiped and having their SIM cards deactivated. It was particularly dangerous for folks whose devices were stolen, or the like.

But never fear, a new report says that the bug has been repaired in iOS 6. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, Apple has taken steps to eradicate the problem in its mobile software...