Apple

Apple’s generous offer to Samsung: half a cent per device

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

We told you yesterday that court-mediated talks between Apple CEO Tim Cook and his Samsung counterparts fell apart as the two frenemies are scheduled to duke it out in a high-profile U.S. lawsuit next Monday, July 30 that could easily have serious ramifications for both firms.

The two sides just couldn't agree on the value of each other's patents, it's been said. Patent expert Florian Müeller did some digging and discovered Apple's terms, including the money value the company put on Samsung's patents...

Viber for iOS updated with refreshed UI, all-new voice engine

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2012

Viber, an extremely popular VoIP app released last December by a small Israeli startup, got a huge update today, bringing a re-worked user interface with group messaging, profile photos and more, in addition to an all-new voice engine said to deliver improved voice quality.

Like Vonage and Skype, Viber lets you talk to people using your device's cellular or WiFi data connection, exchange instant messages and images, all the while bypassing the carriers' costly voice minutes and text/MMS messages.Unlike Skype, there’s no need to create an account with Viber...

Microsoft job listing suggests iOS Office apps in the works

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Microsoft recently announced the latest version of its popular Office suite, Office 2013. And while there was no mention of whether or not the software would make it to iOS, the tech world seems pretty convinced it's coming.

A recently discovered job listing on Microsoft's website adds fuel to the fire, as it calls for a new software development engineer for the company's Office division to "be part of Microsoft's next move on the Mac and on iOS..."

New iPod touch said to feature a 4-inch display, A5 chip

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2012

Hot on the heels of last night's note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, comes a new report regarding the future of the iPod touch. If it holds true, the mp3 player could be getting quite the makeover this fall.

According to the new dispatch, the next-generation iPod touch will feature the same 4-inch display that the new iPhone is rumored to get, as well as an A5 processor and other internal upgrades...

Rumor: retooled iPad, iPad mini to closely follow new iPhone launch

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2012

Following up his bold predictions regarding the future of the iPod line, the often accurate Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has offered up his forecast for what will become of Apple's tablet line as well.

The analyst agrees that Apple is going to unveil an all-new, smaller slate this fall. But he also believes that the new tablet will launch alongside a tweaked version of the current third-generation iPad...

New report calls for revamped iPod touch and iPod nano this fall

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

It looks like the next-gen iPhone and smaller iPad aren't the only new products Apple is planning on unveiling this fall. This according to a new report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo has been known to be a credible source for information regarding future Apple products, and he believes that the Cupertino company has an all-new iPod touch and iPod nano in the works...

Apple airs new Siri TV ad with Martin Scorsese

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 7, 2012

Apparently the handful of class-action lawsuits haven't shaken Apple's marketing team. The company has just released a new television ad starring its often-criticized digital assistant.

The fourth in a string of celebrity spots, famed film director Martin Scorsese co-stars with Siri in this new iPhone 4S commercial set in what looks to be a New York City taxi cab...

Google has outspent Apple nearly 10 to 1 on lobbying this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Wikipedia defines lobbying as the act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials. A lot of companies do it to persuade members of regulatory agencies to act in their benefit.

You can actually tell a lot about a company by how much they spend on lobbying and what they lobby for. That's what makes the recently released congressional lobbying disclosure reports so interesting...

First Nexus 7 commercial is clever on many levels

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 23, 2012

Google's Nexus 7 tablet is admittedly off to a surprising start, with demand crushing expectations as the pricier $249 16GB model has been out of stock over at the Google Play Store for a couple days now. While the Internet giant is ramping up production, an inaugural advert for the device was posted today at the official Google Nexus channel on YouTube.

Though Google's advertising is becoming increasingly cheesy lately (and it's always been this way, cynics might add), this particular commercial is clever on many levels, I think. But you be the judge - it's included right after the break...

Half a dozen new Kindle Fire tablets coming to challenge iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Confirming an earlier AllThingsD story, Staple CEO Demos Parneros told Reuters today that Amazon is about to unleash half a dozen new Kindle Fire tablets, including a brand new ten-inch model obviously engineered to take Apple's iPad head on.

The online retailer recently acquired 3D mapping startup UpNext, another indication that it means business when it comes to tablets. And of course, the company is also thought to be readying a smartphone of its own...

Proview doesn’t pay attorney fees in iPad suit, lawyers sue

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 25, 2016

China-based Proview recently took home a cool $60 million settlement in iPad trademark case which delayed the tablet's launch in China.

Despite the handsome payout, the bankrupt display vendor says it doesn't have money to pay its lawyers their legal fees accrued while fighting Apple over the iPad trademark.

Lawyers being lawyers, they took their former client to court, seeking 2.4 million dollars in legal fees. What goes around comes around, I guess...

Mediation talks fail between Apple and Samsung ahead of trial

Cody Lee ∙ July 23, 2012

Last week, Tim Cook met with top executives from Samsung Electronics to discuss the ongoing patent dispute between the two companies. The meeting was court-ordered, in a last-ditch effort to get the smartphone-makers to settle their differences ahead of next week's trial.

Unsurprisingly, the talks didn't go very well. A new report is out this afternoon claiming that the companies disagreed on "the value of each other's patents," and a settlement between the two sides is extremely unlikely to happen before the end of the month...