Apple

One of the many Apple Television concepts out there (image: theverge.com)

Among the less likely of the many rumors surrounding Apple’s long-expected move into full televisions is one reported in Bloomberg today, suggesting that Apple will launch 55- and 65-inch 4K televisions in the final quarter of 2014 with pricing in the $1500 to $2500 range.

Masahiko Ishino, an analyst at Advanced Research Japan Co, claims the displays will be made by LG, the GPUs by Samsung and the frameless glass cover made from Corning Gorilla Glass 3, with Foxconn assembling the products …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple will be live-streaming today’s launch event on web & Apple TV

Ben Lovejoy Oct 22 2013 - 4:01 am PT

7 Comments

Apple will be live streaming today’s launch event, first revealed by the Apple Events channel returning to Apple TV, the icon displaying the theme for the event and a message saying “tune in at 10 am for the live stream.”

The event will also be streamed on the web when it begins at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern. As usual, live streaming requires Safari 4 or later on OS X v10.6 or later; Safari on iOS 4.2 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.

Details below of what we’re expecting to see …
Expand
Expanding
Close

New iWatch concept brings iOS 7 to Nike Fuel Band-style accessory

Zac Hall Oct 21 2013 - 9:57 am PT

30 Comments

(via Dribbble)

A very cool iWatch concept made by Thomas Bogner takes a very different approach to the highly anticipated and rumored wearable computer by Apple: Bogner imagines the device borrowing influence from the Nike Fuel Band with iOS 7 design language and features.

We recently ran a poll asking readers to vote on the best of various iWatch concepts, most of which look more like a traditional watch than something Apple created, but a much smarter Nike Fueld Band-style wearable computer could just what the doctor ordered.

Bogner’s iWatch concept features Siri-style voice input for apps like Mail, Messages, and Calandar, and Music control, and features integrated Nike fitness software like Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Get ready for tomorrow’s Apple Event with these wallpapers for your Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Michael Steeber Oct 21 2013 - 9:25 am PT

9 Comments

As the day of Apple’s October 22nd keynote rolls around, what better way is there to get ready for the event then with some keynote banner themed wallpapers? Below you’ll find wallpapers at retina Mac, iPad, and iPhone resolution. Enjoy!

Former Apple employee: Apple worked on Surface-style keyboard cover for iPad, could announce at ‘haven’t covered everything’ event

Seth Weintraub Oct 21 2013 - 4:47 am PT

24 Comments

Apple has published multiple patent applications for keyboard covers for its iPad that sort of resemble what Microsoft did in its keyboard cover for Surface. Until now, however, Apple has relied on third-party vendors like Logitech, Zagg (who has already announced a new iPad 5 keyboard case) and Belkin to provide these covers. Logitech and Zagg have had keyboard covers for the iPad since before both the patent application above and Microsoft’s Surface announcement.

But today, Jamie Ryan, who lists Apple Developer Relations as a recent job, says that Apple has been working on a prototype of such a device and could release it at tomorrow’s event. He thinks it could be Bluetooth 4.0 to save power and was ‘told other cover like accessories are also being looked at.’

The patent shown above also includes other innovations such as solar power, big media control buttons, multi-touch, wireless charging and even a second display…
Expand
Expanding
Close

New iOS iWork & iLife icons/features appear on Apple’s website, GarageBand going free with in-app-purchases

Benjamin Mayo Oct 20 2013 - 4:42 pm PT

30 Comments

On the ‘Built-in Apps’ page in the iPhone 5s and 5c section of Apple’s website, although the actual app screenshots look the same, Apple is using new (flatter) iOS icons for the iLife and iWork suites designed to match the style of iOS 7. The iPhoto and GarageBand icons are identical to the ones that were leaked last week in the iCloud Storage preferences.

However, this is the first time the new iOS 7 style iMovie, Pages, Numbers and Keynote icons have been seen. Although iMovie looks relatively similar to its skeuomorphic counterpart, the other icons look drastically different featuring bright gradients and white icon glyphs.

Tune in Oct. 22 for new iPads, Mac Pro details, MacBook Pros, and Mavericks

Mark Gurman Oct 20 2013 - 9:23 am PT

Apple’s next event is upon us, and it’s likely to be action-packed. As Apple says: it has “a lot to cover.” So besides the speculation that rings in from the word cover (new Smart Covers, anyone?), Apple has some new tablets, computers, and software to discuss. Read our full roundup of what to expect (and not expect) on Tuesday, October 22nd, from Apple:

Sketchy photos want you to believe Touch ID is coming to the new iPads

Michael Steeber Oct 19 2013 - 5:01 pm PT

Independent reports from CTechCn and 2014 News claim that Touch ID, which debuted last month in the iPhone 5s, will make its way to the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. The new Apple tablets are scheduled to be announced this upcoming Tuesday at Apple’s media event.

Why iPhone longevity means iOS carrier activation share doesn’t resemble sales

Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2013 - 7:20 am PT

21 Comments

There was a lot of confusion yesterday when Verizon’s results were discussed, with more than one commentator confusing activations and sales. For the record, what Verizon announced was that 51 percent of its activations were iPhone, not 51 percent of its phone sales.

If you doubt the importance of this distinction, I have one word for you: T-Mobile. As of 11th April, the carrier had two million iPhone activations. Its iPhone sales as of the same date? Zero: T-Mobile didn’t start selling iPhones until the following day.

The difference between the two numbers is particularly dramatic with high-end handsets like the iPhone …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple reiterates it cannot read user iMessages, has no plans to do so

Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2013 - 4:53 am PT

Update: Fresh Apple statement added

The immunity of iMessages from government surveillance has been cast into doubt by QuarksLab security researchers presenting at the Hack in the Box conference in Kuala Lumpur.

A leaked DEA document had pointed to the impossibility of intercepting iMessages even with a court order, a point that was confirmed by an apparently categorical Apple statement:

Conversations which take place over iMessage and FaceTime are protected by end-to-end encryption so no one but the sender and receiver can see or read them. Apple cannot decrypt that data.

The researchers reverse-engineered the iMessage protocol and confirmed that the claim was true. However, they identified that Apple needed to hold the encryption keys on its own servers, and that simply by changing these keys, it could enable access to the message content.

They can change a key anytime they want, thus read the content of our iMessages.

The researchers were keen to stress that they do not believe Apple is doing, or has ever done, this – but rather that it could do so if the NSA or another government agency were to require it. Only messages sent after Apple changed the keys would be accessible.

Apple has since issued a statement to AllThingsD:

“iMessage is not architected to allow Apple to read messages,” said Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said (sic) in a statement to AllThingsD. “The research discussed theoretical vulnerabilities that would require Apple to re-engineer the iMessage system to exploit it, and Apple has no plans or intentions to do so.”

This is, though, merely a weaker version of its earlier statement. Then, it said it couldn’t read iMessages, now it is saying that it could, but it would require work and it has no intention of doing so. That Apple would not willingly do so was never in doubt: the point is that the NSA could force it to. A demonstration from QuarksLab is below:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbqZnTKDVU0]

When the NSA PRISM story broke, it led to a raft of denials in what some security researchers say was carefully-crafted language. Apple, among other companies, was clearly unhappy about the secrecy imposed on it and gained permission to reveal some numbers on government requests for customer data. A meeting was subsequently held at the White House in which Tim Cook and other tech CEOs met with President Obama to discuss the issue. Details of the discussions were not made public.

Amazon listing may be hinting at new Apple TV at 22nd Oct event

Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2013 - 4:09 am PT

2 Comments

Amazon’s French and German sites are currently showing the Apple TV as out of stock, with availability “from 23 October,” lending a small amount of weight to suggestions that a new Apple TV will be one of the announcements at Apple’s launch event the day before.

As Engadget notes, Amazon listings are not the most reliable of indicators, as stock levels change all the time for all kinds of reasons, but the availability date is at least an interesting coincidence.

We’ll of course have full coverage on the day.

Apple releases Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.1 for mid-2012 MacBook Air, launches replacement program for affected drives

Mike Beasley Oct 17 2013 - 4:33 pm PT

18 Comments

Apple has released a firmware update for the mid-2012 MacBook Air. The update attempts to resolve an issue that affects 64 GB and 128 GB models sold between June 2012 and June 2013. Apple says that the problem could lead to data loss. As this is a serious issue, the company has agreed to replace any affected drives that are unable to be updated. If the update installer detects that your drive is one of the models needing to be replaced, it will direct you to a page on Apple’s website that will allow you to obtain a replacement …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Facebook for iOS updated with comment editing, photos, and more

Zac Hall Oct 17 2013 - 1:33 pm PT

9 Comments

Facebook for iOS received an update today bringing the ability to edit posts and comments directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Previously, this feature was only available from the desktop version of the website. The update also brings another desktop feature: the ability to add photos to comments. All in all, version 6.6 appears to bring the app closer to feature parity with the desktop, but a few of these features like status and comment editing appear to be absent from the iPad app for now. Read the full change log and see examples below:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple finally allowing Games into South Africa App Store

Mark Gurman Oct 17 2013 - 12:07 pm PT

7 Comments

Update: Several readers report that games were previously held up by a dispute with the Films and Publications Board responsible for approving movies, games, and other content before going on sale in the country. No word on the resolution with Apple, but it appears they are now allowing Apple to sell games to iOS users in South Africa.

Apple has flicked the switch on the ability for developers to offer their games in the iTunes App Store in South Africa. It is unclear why Games have been unavailable in the country until now. A look at the South Africa App Store shows that the Games category is now active. Apple informed developers of the new ability to sell games, and the company tells the creators that games will automatically appear in the South African store.

We’re pleased to announce that games are now available on the South African App Store. All apps in the Games category that are cleared for sale in South Africa will be automatically available on the South African App Store. No additional action is required on your part. If you need to make changes to the territories where your apps are available, visit the Rights and Pricing section of the Manage Your Apps module on iTunes Connect.

Apple is celebrating the addition with a large Games banner at the top of the App Store in South Africa (shown above).

Here come the iPhone 5s ads, touting Touch ID and Gold color option

Jordan Kahn Oct 17 2013 - 10:33 am PT

4 Comments

Apple appears to be changing gears from its previous Designed by Apple in California campaign following the release of the new iPhones. Apple’s latest full page ad is appearing in this week’s edition of the New Yorker and this time around focuses on the new fingerprint sensor and Touch ID feature on the gold iPhone 5s. The text from the ad reads:

Your finger is the password.

Touch ID was created not only to protect all the important and personal information on your phone, but to be so easy to use, you’ll actually use it. Its state-of-the-art technology learns your unique fingerprint, so you can unlock your phone or even authorize purchases with just a simple touch.Touch ID. Only on iPhone 5s.

Apple’s previous Designed by Apple in California ads made a point of focusing on on its ecosystem and the people that use it rather than specific products, but it’s clear the focus has changed slightly now that it has new iPhones on the market. Interestingly, the ad specifically notes Touch ID as specific to iPhone 5s. This particular magazine issue is next week’s version, just one day before the new iPads are announced. Would Apple note Touch ID is exclusive to the iPhone 5s in the same week that the iPads are revamped if the iPads will be getting the feature?

(via @samradford & MacRumors)

eBay hires Apple’s e-commerce head R.J. Pittman as its Chief Product Officer

Mark Gurman Oct 17 2013 - 9:30 am PT

0 Comments

eBay has hired Apple’s head of e-commerce R.J. Pittman as its new Chief Product Officer and Senior Vice President, the online payments company tells us today. At eBay, Pittman will lead marketplace development and product strategy, and he will report directly to eBay President Devin Wenig. At Apple, Pittman has served as the brains behind Apple’s online sales platforms. Before Apple, Pittman was a Product Manager at Google.

As he describes on his LinkedIn profile:

“Open in iBooks” button in Mountain Lion iTunes further indicates imminent launch of OS X Mavericks

Michael Steeber Oct 17 2013 - 7:54 am PT

3 Comments

Users running OS X Mountain Lion version 10.8.5 are beginning to see an “Open in iBooks” button for purchased books in the iTunes Store, replacing the previous “Download” button text. The button, while functionless on Mountain Lion, is yet another indication of the imminent launch of OS X Mavericks late this month. Clicking the button on a computer running Mavericks will indeed open the selected book in the all-new iBooks application.

iPhone takes 51% share of smartphone activations at Verizon in Q3, unit sales flat compared to Q2

Benjamin Mayo Oct 17 2013 - 5:45 am PT

Graph by Benedict Evans.

Verizon has just reported their results for the third quarter, with smartphone sales topping 7.6 million units. While the press release does not disclose details about iPhone performance, on Verizon’s conference call, the company announced that iPhones were responsible for just over half of all Verizon’s smartphone activations, compared to about 43% in Q2. It is important to remember the distinction between activations and sales, with activations including passed-down devices to spouses or children as well as the strong iPhone reseller market.

Apple slightly increases prices of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in France

Benjamin Mayo Oct 17 2013 - 2:48 am PT

iPhone 5s prices on the French Apple Online Store, yesterday and today.

First noted by iGen.FR, Apple has slightly raised the prices of the iPhone 5s and 5c in France. As shown above, the increase ranges between €10 for the 16 GB model, €12 for the 32 GB model and €18 for the 64 GB model. In terms of dollar value, when converted, these changes are equivalent to a rise of about $13 – $25.

The same price increase applies to the 5c, again dependent on capacity, going from €599 to €609 for the 16 GB model and from €699 to €711 for the 32 GB variant.

Thinner ZAGG backlit keyboard case for upcoming iPad 5 appears

Mark Gurman Oct 16 2013 - 3:24 pm PT

0 Comments

Ahead of Apple’s October 22nd iPad-focused event, major accessory maker ZAGG seems to be getting its offerings in order for the new Apple tablets. The company posted a listing for an iPad 5 keyboard case on its website this week, and the images for the case clearly show an iPad with a thinner-bezel. The case features backlit keys, white and black color options, and comes in at 7.6mm. While this case does not provide any breakthrough details about Apple’s new iPad, it does demonstrate that case makers expect that the iPad 5 will look just like the several leaks over the course of last many months. The above case launched for the current iPad mini earlier this year.

Apple’s first warehouse was Steve Jobs’ bedroom as seen in this rare 1976 image

Zac Hall Oct 16 2013 - 1:44 pm PT

A recent auction of an Apple 1 computer has allowed an image to surface of 50 cardboard boxes containing early Apple computers from 1976 in a rare photo believed to be taken by Steve Jobs himself, according to The Daily Mail. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, of course, built the first Apple computers together in Jobs’ parents home, and the photo depicts Jobs’ bedroom at the time. The company behind the iPhone and iPad has certainly come a long way.

Check below for a photo of exactly what was inside those boxes:

Expand
Expanding
Close

Consumer Reports praises iPhone 5s Touch ID and camera, but prefers Droid battery life and display

Zac Hall Oct 16 2013 - 11:13 am PT