News

15 interesting points from Apple’s Q1 2017 earnings call

Cody Lee ∙ January 31, 2017

Apple announced the financial results for its fiscal first quarter of 2017 this afternoon, and the numbers for the holiday period are pretty good. The company beat Wall Street estimates by putting up a record 78.3 million iPhone sales and more than $78 billion in revenue.

Following the release of its earnings, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri hopped on a conference call to talk about their company’s performance over the last 3 months, and offer up some insights into its future. Here are some of the most interesting points from the call.

Don’t like the color of your AirPods? Have them repainted black to match your iPhone 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 31, 2017

Ever since AirPods made their long-expected albeit delayed debut, some Apple users—this author included—have been scratching their head over the inexplicable lack of a Jet Black edition. That's why we're thankful and excited for the BlackPods project.

Taking advantage of a proprietary three-phase coating system, BlackPods promises to give Apple's first truly wireless earphones a luxurious scratch-resistant black finish that should match any Black, Jet Black or even Space Gray iPhone perfectly.

Google open sources Chrome for iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 31, 2017

Google today announced it is open-sourcing its Chrome browser for iOS. The code for Chrome for iOS is now part of Google’s Chromium project and being moved into the open-source repository so that interested developers can download it and compile an iOS version of Chromium just like they can on other platforms. For those wondering, Chromium is the open-source web browser project from which Chrome draws its source code.

Alto’s Adventure creators announce a game that captures the true essence of skateboarding

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 2, 2017

Just like Alto's Adventure has distilled the essence of snowboarding into a wonderfully executed iPhone, iPad and Apple TV title, their next project promises to do the same for skateboarding. Developer Snowman has teamed up with the Oslo, Norway based studio Agens to help bring their game Skate City to life.

“Together we’ve been building a game that tries to capture the true essence of skateboarding, in a way that really feels at home on mobile,” Snowman founder Ryan Cash told me recently via email.

Apple TV 4 jailbreak for tvOS 10.1 is under way

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ January 31, 2017

Although the signing window for tvOS 10.1 closed yesterday along with that of iOS 10.2, those who are still on the penultimate firmware for the Apple TV 4 may also be receiving some jailbreak love in the near future. A tweet from software development consultant Jonathan Levin confirms that one of the exploits used in the yalu102 jailbreak for iOS 10.0-10.2 can be run on tvOS 10.1, and that as a result, development of a jailbreak is under way.

The Iconfactory releases minimal drawing app Linea with full Apple Pencil support

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 31, 2017

Developer The Iconfactory today announced it's releasing Linea, a brand new $9.99 iPad drawing app that's specifically optimized for Apple Pencil users. Why does the world need another iPad drawing app? According to The Iconfactory, Linea focuses on the simple act of sketching.

It's based on a minimal user interface that doesn't inundate you with extensive controls fond in other apps which get in the way when you’re trying to figure out where to start.

Super Mario Run: new Easy mode, 78 million downloads, $53 million revenue

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 31, 2017

Nintendo said Tuesday that Super Mario Run for iPhone has managed to rack up 78 million downloads and generate about $53 million in revenue since its December debut on App Store, a performance analysts said was better than expected, reported The Wall Street Journal.

The game's most recent update brought out a new Easy gameplay mode which lets players explore the level at their own pace, without the timer.

The update also adds support for the Korean language and compatibility with new events while bringing changes to the game's Toad Rally mode, which now makes Toads easier to collect by reducing penalties for poor performance.

iOS 10.2 no longer being signed by Apple makes it impossible to downgrade

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ January 30, 2017

In the last few minutes Apple closed the signing window for iOS 10.2. That means that you can no longer upgrade, downgrade, or restore to that firmware, either over-the-air or through iTunes. You also can no longer save blobs for iOS 10.2 through any tool.

Canopies, walkways, plants & more shown in latest iSpaceship drone footage

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 30, 2017

Despite Apple Campus 2's progress being slowed down due to poor weather and heavy rainstorms, the latest 4K aerial footage of the massive ring-shaped structure from drone pilots Matthew Roberts and Duncan Seinfield shows that the 280,000-square-foot building is finally nearing completion.

Heavier work has been largely completed, with more landscaping and finishing touches in the form of walkways, lamps, parking lots and more now appearing on the site.

Starbucks testing AI-powered digital barista assistant in iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

You'll soon be able to order your favorite latte by using your voice as Starbucks today kicked off a limited beta test of a new artificial intelligence assistant inside its mobile app for iPhone. Aptly named My Starbucks Barista, this new feature will let you order items by conversing with the virtual barista within a new messaging UI, the firm said Monday.

OLED for iPhone 8 could add $50 million to Apple’s March quarter expenses

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 30, 2017

iPhone 8, or 10th Anniversary iPhone as affectionately dubbed by the media, is expected to adopt the unrivaled organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology as utilized on Apple Watch screens and the new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar.

OLEDs are more difficult and pricier to produce than the traditional LCD panels so the decision to outfit iPhone 8 with an OLED-based screen could cost Apple approximately $50 million in incremental costs in the March quarter, according to an investor memo from Cowen & Company's Timothy Arcuri obtained Monday by AppleInsider.

T-Mobile to offer prepaid MasterCard with new smartphone purchases beginning February 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 30, 2017

Beginning Wednesday, February 1, T-Mobile will offer existing and new U.S. customers a prepaid MasterCard with a new smartphone purchase, the carrier announced this morning. The promotion includes every new smartphone that T-Mobile sells, including various iPhone models. In oder to qualify for the deal, you must activate your new smartphone on T-Mobile's ONE or Simple Choice Unlimited 4G LTE plan.