News

The next iPhone could cost more than $1000

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 28, 2017

Apple is planning to launch a special 10th-anniversay iPhone this year that will likely cost more than $1,000, reports Fast Company. Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, the site says an OLED display and other new features will push the handset's price tag higher than ever before.

As has been previously rumored, the source says the new display will measure 5.8-inches diagonally and stretch across the entire front of the phone, framed by forged stainless steel sides. Apple has been working to get rid of the physical Home button, and the side buttons may also go all digital.

Fire breaks out at Samsung’s battery plant, caused by faulty batteries

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

You can't make this stuff up: Reuters is reporting that a minor fire broke out at a Samsung SDI factory in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on Wednesday. What makes this story newsworthy is the fact that the fire was reportedly caused by waste products, including faulty batteries, inside the facility.

Premium entertainment network Epix launches Apple TV app with free trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

Premium entertainment network Epix today announced its new app for the fourth-generation Apple TV is now available for download on App Store. Similar in terms of features and appearance to their iPhone and iPad app, the Apple TV app permits owners of Apple's media-streaming box to watch live television, browse movie trailers, add videos to a queue, watch thousands of movies on demand and more.

Flibpoard 4.0 brings personalized Smart Magazines & more streamlined experience

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

Remember Flipboard, an iPhone and iPad app originally conceived as a news reader before it got rebranded as your social news magazine? If you still care about the app, you'll be pleased to learn they just announced a major new version with a more streamlined experience and personalized Smart Magazines tailored to your interest. Flibpoard users have created more than 30 million magazines since the app's inception in 2010.

The mobile Flipboard app currently includes news content and articles from thousands of publishers scattered across tens of thousands of different topics.

Apple v. Samsung case sent back to lower courts to determine if damages retrial is neccessary

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

The seemingly never-ending legal battle between Apple and Samsung went back to its roots as a federal appeals court said Tuesday that it was up to a district court to decide if there should be a damages retrial. According to CNET, the case will return to the San Jose, California court where the trials in the long-running patent dispute originally took place.

Valentine’s Day event for trainers in Pokémon GO is kicking off today through next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, developer Niantic Labs today announced that a special Valentine's Day-themed event is available in Pokémon GO beginning today, February 8 at 11am PT / 2pm ET and running through February 15.

During this special in-game promotion, players will be treated to double the amount of candy every time they catch, hatch and transfer Pokémon. Plus, their Buddy Pokémon will find candy twice as fast.

Apple hires former Netflix executive and Amazon Fire TV chief to head up Apple TV business

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Apple appears poised to shake up its Apple TV business amid data showing that sales of the media-streaming box saw a year-over-year decline. Apple TV was last refreshed in October 2015.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple in February hired Timothy D. Twerdahl to lead Apple TV operations and beef up teams seeking content deals.

Twerdahl is the former head of Amazon's Fire TV operating unit. Prior to his tenure at Amazon, he served as an executive at Netflix and later as a Vice President in charge of consumer devices at Roku. He was also Vice President of Products at smartwatch startup WIMM Labs from 2009 to 2012, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Sharp’s $7 billion US display plant may break ground before summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

Japanese giant Sharp is “taking the lead” on a rumored $7 billion display manufacturing plant in the United States which its parent company Foxconn recently highlighted in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Make in America” call. Citing a person with knowledge of the plan, Reuters is reporting that the forthcoming facility may break ground sometime in the first half of 2017.

Microsoft previews Touch Bar support in Office for Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

Microsoft was one of the companies mentioned during Apple's “Hello again” Mac event last October as working on implementing support for Touch Bar shortcuts in their productivity apps.

Today, the Windows maker launched a preview of Touch Bar shortcuts on the new MacBook Pro available across its suite of Office apps. Beginning this week, users on Microsoft's beta program, dubbed Office Insider, will be able to test the new Touch Bar support across Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook for Mac.

Apple’s Vice President of corporate and government sales has stepped down

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

John Solomon, Apple's Vice President for Enterprise and Government, has stepped down. He led sales teams charged with pushing Apple hardware and software to big companies and government agencies with large technology budgets.

Apple confirmed his departure to Reuters, but refused to comment further. Solomon wouldn't reveal why he left Apple either. It's unclear if losing a key executive for business sales might slow Apple's efforts to push its solutions to large businesses in recent years.

Twitter announces three new features to curb abusive content

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

In a series of announcements today, Twitter said that its users will soon have a trio of new features at their disposal aimed at helping curb abusive content on the service. Users will soon be able to take additional actions to help stop the creation of new abusive accounts, search results will be safer than before and the system will be able to identify and collapse potentially abusive replies so that the most relevant tweets are brought forward.

Apple Maps brings real-time traffic conditions to customers in Argentina

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

Apple Maps now provides real-time traffic conditions to customers in Argentina, according to Apple's refreshed iOS Feature Availability webpage.

Apple Maps will now denote highly congested areas with orange or red lines along the roads, helping drivers avoid any delays. With today's update, real-time traffic conditions are now available in a total of four Latin American countries via Apple Maps: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico.