News

1 million Note 7 recalled so far, but Samsung has another exploding problem on its hands

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 29, 2016

Following an unprecedented global recall of at least 2.5 million Note 7 smartphones due to faulty batteries causing some of the units to catch fire, Samsung today told Reuters that more than one million people worldwide are now using Galaxy Note 7 smartphones with batteries that are not vulnerable to overheating and catching fire. However, the firm has another problem on its hands: exploding washing machines. It's certainly been a rough month for Samsung.

Yesterday, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission warned owners of certain top-loading Samsung washing machines of “safety issues” following reports that some have exploded.

Apple to open R&D center in China’s “Silicon Valley” that’ll employ 500 people

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 29, 2016

Tim Cook said during his August charm offensive in China that his company could deepen its cooperation with the local government by launching its first Asia-Pacific research and development center. According to local media reports today, the facility will open in Zhongguancun Science Park, situated in the Haidian District in northwestern Beijing.

App Store Search Ads go live October 5, Apple offering developers $100 credit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple on Wednesday began emailing developers regarding the launch of App Store Search Ads. The ads will go live in the App Store on October 5, and for a limited time qualified developers can get a $100 credit toward their first campaign.

The Search Ads have been in beta testing since the feature was announced in June. Apple describes it as an "efficient and easy way to promote apps at the top of relevant search results," and promises this won't negatively affect app searches.

Spotify said to be in advanced talks to buy SoundCloud

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Spotify is in advanced talks to acquire SoundCloud, reports the Financial Times. The streaming music service believes the buyout could help it better compete with competitors like Apple Music thanks to its large library of exclusive and user-created content.

Apple aiming for October launch of new MacBook Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple is moving rapidly toward the launch of new MacBook Pro models, reports MacRumors. The site says it has learned that macOS 10.12.1 is largely focused on preparing the operating system to support the new laptop's features, and it hopes to finalize the update by the end of next week so it can be loaded on the new hardware currently being produced by Apple's supply chain.

Yes, Apple keeps a log of who you contact on iMessage for 30 days

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

A new report is out on Wednesday, claiming that Apple logs your iMessage contacts and may share them with police. The Intercept published the piece, along with an internal law enforcement document that shows Apple tracks information like IP addresses, phone numbers and time, and stores it for up to 30 days.

At first glance, the report can be a bit unsettling, conjuring thoughts like: "isn't Apple always preaching about user privacy" and "I thought iMessage was one of the most secure messaging services, thanks to its end-to-end encryption." But it doesn't take much digging to realize this is likely much ado about nothing.

Apple teams up with Deloitte to push further into enterprise

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with Deloitte. The company is recognized as the largest professional services network in the world by revenue and headcount, so the relationship should help Apple in its efforts to push further into the enterprise space. The duo plan to "transform the way companies work using iOS devices."

No, you should not drill a hole in your iPhone 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 28, 2016

Unbelievably, some of the techies I spoke to believe that maybe, somehow, the 3.5mm headphone jack will make a comeback in the next year's iPhone. That ship has sailed, of course, but that's not stopping pranksters and jokers on YouTube from milking the headphone jack meme for all it's worth, like a video titled “Secret Hack To Get Headphone Jack on the iPhone 7” from YouTuber TechRax.

In it, TechRax suggests that users drill a hole in their brand spanking new iPhone 7 in order to access a supposedly hidden headphone jack inside the device.

BlackBerry to cease internal development of smartphones, sharpen focus on software

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 28, 2016

The ailing Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry has finally admitted defeat: after years of struggling to turn around its phone business, the company said today it'll stop designing its own smartphones and pivot focus on software. Any future hardware efforts will rely on partners as the company ceases internal development of smartphones, Recode reports.

Apple boosting iPhone 7 component orders significantly ahead of the holiday quarter

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 28, 2016

Unfazed by analyst reports predicting lower iPhone 7 sales this year versus the iPhone 6s in 2015, Apple is now reportedly increasing part and component orders for the handset, touch panel makers told Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes. Component orders for the holiday quarter are said to be 20-30 percent higher, according to Taiwan-based touch panel makers TPK Holding and General Interface Solution.

London’s iconic Battersea Power Station will be Apple’s new UK headquarters

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 28, 2016

The British newspaper Evening Standard reports that Apple will be opening a “stunning new” campus in London’s iconic Battersea Power Station. The $11.7 billion project will create a new home for 1,400 employees in the brick “cathedral of power,” which had been powering and lighting London up to 1983.

Apple employees in Israel seemingly confirm 2017 iPhone will be called iPhone 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 28, 2016

Apple is quietly developing the next iPhone hardware in Herzliya, Israel, and a local employee who solders components for Apple has allegedly confirmed to Business Insider that the tenth anniversary Apple handset will be marketed as 'iPhone 8', not 'iPhone 7s'. The source added that the forthcoming phone will be “different” to the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 7, have a better camera and sport a radical redesign.