Apple

Analyst believes we won’t see an Apple television until 2014

Cody Lee ∙ May 3, 2012

Despite the fact that Apple hasn't given any indication that it's working on a TV set, and a glaring lack of any concrete evidence, the Apple-branded television is one of the most highly anticipated products of 2012. It seems like everyone thinks it's coming.

Everyone except JP Morgan's Mark Moskowitz, that is. In a note to investors this morning, the analyst said that he doesn't believe that economic conditions are right for Apple to release a TV set this year. And he doesn't think we'll see one until at least 2014...

Logitech unveils solar iPad keyboard that doubles as a protective sleeve

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Logitech makes some really nice accessories. Their latest thing, the Solar Keyboard Folio, is a wireless light-powered keyboard for your iPad which also doubles as a cool protective case.

It’s definitely an interesting add-on in that it takes cues from Logitech’s range of solar-powered desktop keyboards.

The Folio converts light to power using on-boad solar cell, charging the built-in Bluetooth keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors…

“Breakthrough” Liquidmetal Apple gadget at least 5 years away

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 2, 2012

Apple's love for new materials and its penchant for innovative manufacturing processes is well documented and evident in shiny products it builds.

Perhaps no other material has gotten the rumor-mill as much excited as metallic glass, better known as Liquidmetal.

Apple owns worldwide and exclusive rights to use this new material in consumer electronics products. And while it has yet to build a Liquidmetal-based gadget, the company did buy the amorphous alloy for a good reason - and I'm not talking about the SIM ejector tool.

One of the creators of this Terminator material has now spoken about Apple's Liquidmetal plans, explaining how Liquidmetal's gonna make Apple gadgets even more exclusive and sexier than ever.

Apparently, a "breakthrough product" based on Liquidmetal could be in the works. Before you start jumping for joy, bear in mind it's gonna take years as plants and the alloy itself simply aren't mature enough for mass production...

Rumor: Walt Disney World testing iPads with RFID-based Fast Pass ticket system

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 11, 2017

Walt Disney World, the world's most-visited entertainment resort located in Orlando, Florida, is allegedly testing iPads with a custom-designed, RFID-enabled ticket system.

The two work together to let guests schedule their visiting times from the comfort of their couch, well in advance of the actual visit.

Upon arrival, guests simply wand their RFID band by a sensor to interact with a nearby iPad-toting employee. The iPad itself is not used to scan the cards, as many sites incorrectly reported. If all goes well, a custom app will be likely born out of this test project...

Steve Jobs channels Franklin Delano Roosevelt in ‘1994’ sales video

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 2, 2012

From the depths of the Interwebs comes this little gem with young Steve Jobs playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The amusing and charming scene is actually part of a never-before-seen morale-boosting internal film entitled '1994', in a nod at the iconic television commercial that launched the Macintosh craze 28 years ago.

It depicts a World War II tale of good (Apple) vs. evil (IBM) and cost about $50,000 to make which, back in 1994, was a lot of money for a company video. Apple produced this footage to rally up troops at their international sales force meet up in Hawaii...

Opinion: why Apple forced Target to boot Kindle over “conflict of interest”

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

As you probably know by now, this morning's big news has Target dropping Kindle hardware from their retail stores. The story has been officially confirmed by a spokesperson for the nation's second-largest discount retailer, after Walmart. The resulting finger-pointing, largely centered around Apple and its iPad, is based on an unnamed source mentioning a "conflict of interest" as Apple apparently put the arm on Target...

Shipping times for the new iPad drop to 3-5 days

Cody Lee ∙ May 2, 2012

During Apple's most recent earnings call, Tim Cook cited constrained supplies for the new iPad as a reason its tablet sales were a little off. But that doesn't seem to be the case any more, as availability continues to improve.

Just two weeks after we saw iPad shipping estimates drop to 5-7 business days, shipping times have once again decreased. It looks like folks wanting to order a new iPad online will now only have to wait a measly 3-5 days...

iOS boss cashes in shares, pockets $38.7 million

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

Scott Forstall, who heads the team behind the software that powers iOS devices, by far Apple’s most profitable division, has recently sold 64,151 shares worth roughly $38.7 million, a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) commission has revealed.

Cook, identified as Apple's CEO-in-waiting in Adam Lashinsky's Inside Apple book, still holds nearly $2 million worth of shares plus retention bonuses worth over a quarter billion dollars provided he stays with Apple and the company does emerge as the world’s first trillion dollar corporation...

Report: TSMC has a “good chance” of winning Apple’s chip biz in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has long been rumored to become an alternative supplier for Apple-designed processors powering iOS devices. However, yield issues and manufacturing difficulties with the foundry's 20-nanometer process pushed back those plans.

Meanwhile, Samsung continues to make the Ax-series of processors for the latest iPhone and iPad. Per chatter from Asian supply chain, TSMC is working hard to ramp up 20-nanometer production “ahead of schedule”, apparently in a bid to win over Apple’s chip business from Samsung by 2014...

Spotify hits iPad, get downloading

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Music-streaming service Spotify has finally released their native app for Apple's iPad so get it while it's hot. It packs in Retina graphics and high-definition album art to really take advantage of the new iPad's gorgeous display.

It also does AirPlay, features the brand new full-screen view and lets you search for playlists, users and music, all from the same view. The interface looks great in both portrait and landscape, especially high-res cover artwork in full screen.

Put simply, it's been worth the long wait: Spotify for iPad is a must-have and a prime example of an iPad music app done right...

Would you buy a carrier-subsidized iPad?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

In the midst of all of the talk regarding Apple releasing a smaller iPad to reach out to budget shoppers, one analyst has another idea on how the company could lower the slate's cost to infiltrate the budget tablet market. Carrier subsidies.

Analyst A.I. Houriani, of Seeking Alpha, believes that Apple could sell a lot more iPads if it could convince carriers to absorb some of the tablet's up front costs in exchange for multi-year contracts — similar to what they do with iPhones...

Analyst believes Apple will soon become a mobile operator

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

9to5Mac points to an interesting presentation given at the recent Barcelona Informa MVNO Industry Summit by Whitey Bluestein. The wireless industry analyst believes that Apple is about to launch its own wireless service courtesy of MVNO.

This isn't the first time we've heard rumors regarding the iPhone-makers becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, but Bluestein believes this is set to happen in the "near future." And he makes a pretty convincing argument too...