Apple

6,141 'Apple News' stories November 2008 - June 2013

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Apple News and Brief History

Before you can properly understand Apple News, it’s important to know its history. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. In 1977, Apple’s sales were growing with the success of its early computers. Within a few years, Jobs and Wozniak hired designers and a production line crew. Apple went public in 1980 and was an instant success. Over the next few years, Apple shipped new computers featuring new graphical user interfaces, such as the original Macintosh in 1984. As the market for personal computers expanded through the 1990s, Apple lost market share to the cheaper Microsoft Windows on PC clones. Eventually, Wozniak and Jobs both left Apple. Jobs would go on to found NeXT and would return to Apple when NeXT was acquired in the late 90s. Apple then began a journey to the great second act in the history of the business world.

Since the release of the iPod in 2001, Apple has become a major player once again in the technology industry. After releasing the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010, and the Apple Watch in 2015, Apple is now one of the largest companies in the world. Apple’s worldwide annual revenue totaled $274.5 billion for its 2020 fiscal year.

Today, Apple operates retail stores all across the world, has a growing services division, and an ever-expanding hardware lineup. The technology industry follows Apple news to see where the company is headed in the future.

Keep reading for the latest Apple news

France hits Apple with 5 million euro bill for unpaid taxes on 2011 iPad sales

Jordan Kahn Jun 3 2013 - 6:49 am PT

In the midst of the U.S. government’s interest in Apple and other large multinationals that “avoid” paying taxes in the U.S. or repatriating funds stored abroad, RudeBaguette.com notes that the French society of authors, composers, and music publishers (SACEM) has announced that Apple owes around 5 million euros in unpaid taxes.

The funds apparently come from unpaid royalties on iPad sales for 2011 that France and other EU countries, such as Germany, collect for devices capable of transferring and displaying copyrighted material:

To give a bit of a background, the copie privée is a tax in several countries including France & Germany that is applied to all digital devices that can transfer, read, or otherwise make use of copyrighted material. The tax goes to the SACEM, which then takes the lump sum of all the taxes collected and deals them out to authors, creators, producers, actors, etc. accordingly… the problem here isn’t so much the tax, but that Apple actually charged the consumers this tax, and didn’t pay it out to the SACEM.

The news comes as reports claim France is beginning to crack down on tax schemes of large companies with plans to force Apple, Google, and others to disclose details of foreign business activities and tax practices:
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Plastic iPhone back plate spotted in China or just iPhone 5 in a case?

Seth Weintraub Jun 3 2013 - 5:20 am PT

Numerous global sites are running images this morning with what the posters claim are plastic backings of upcoming ‘value’ iPhones. Because of the lack of any evidence that these are real we’re running these only for discussion. As Mark said last night, these could be anything.

https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/341290891761303554

The above image appears to have a Lightning cable inserted but no markings on the back while the below image seems to show another look at the back.

Nowhereelse.fr applied filters to the top image and from that it appears that the plastic iPhone shell is just a case…

In other unlikely iPhone 5S news, Apple.hdblog.it thinks it has found a bunch of the iPhone 5S parts we’ve been seeing for the past few months:

Apple again plans AirDrop wireless file-sharing for iOS

Mark Gurman Jun 2 2013 - 7:21 pm PT

Apple is currently testing versions of iOS 7 internally that include the AirDrop WiFi-direct file sharing tool from the Mac, according to people familiar with the software.

Like with the Flickr and Vimeo integration that we previously reported on, it is very simple for Apple to remove any single feature from the new operating system ahead of the mid-June unveiling.

Additionally, Apple has scrapped AirDrop late in software development from iOS before. Last year, we reported that Apple was developing an AirDrop tool to take advantage of the new WiFi hardware inside of Apple’s latest iOS devices. Because Apple has postponed the feature before, we believe it is possible that the feature could be pushed back again…

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Tim Cook gives his views on collaboration at Duke’s Fuqua school (and 6 other videos)

Seth Weintraub Jun 2 2013 - 6:50 am PT

We discussed Tim Cook’s speaking at Duke’s Fuqua Business school on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his MBA back in April. This weekend, Duke published insightful snippets of the remarks he made and they are incredibly insightful. Perhaps most interesting was Cook’s views on collaboration:
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Konami releases ‘Contra: Evolution’ for iPhone & iPad, a remixed version of the classic shooting game

May 31 2013 - 5:38 pm PT

Update (6/26): A US-optimized version of Contra: Evolution has been re-released this morning on the App Store and is available for download now. This re-issued version of Contra also includes new levels, an improved control system and in-game weapon shop.

Update (6/3): We have been told that the release of ‘Contra Evolution’ on the US App Store was a mistake. Konami is currently developing a US version of this game that will be released later this year. Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Today Konami released a brand new iteration in the Contra series, although it should look pretty familiar. Contra Evolution is basically a remix of the original Contra most gamers fell in love with a long time ago in a classic arcade. At first glance, this title appears to include enough familiarity to embrace nostalgia, while mixing in some new features and characters to keep the gameplay fresh.

https://twitter.com/gmanagent32/status/340628590146252800

Gamers can choose to play as all the original characters plus two brand new female players. Konami boasts that the updated HD graphics and weapon system “will provide a whole new experience in the world of Contra!”

If you’re feeling nostalgic for some traditional Run n’ Gun gameplay, it’s safe to say Contra Evolution won’t disappoint. Available as an iPhone or iPad download for $.99 each.

iPad and iPod pricing increased in Japan, reportedly due to weaker Yen

Mark Gurman May 30 2013 - 6:06 pm PT

Today, Apple’s online store for Japan was updated with a slew of new prices for models of the iPad, iPad mini, and the various iPods. The pricing is higher than before today’s update. The price hikes are reportedly due to a weaker Yen (Japan’s currency). For example, as shown in the above image, both the iPad mini and 4th generation iPad prices have been escalated. A similar transformation has occurred for the iPod touch:

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Apple discontinues fourth-generation iPod touch, replaces with iSight-free 4-inch model

Mike Beasley May 30 2013 - 1:24 am PT

Late Wednesday night, Apple quietly removed the fourth-generation iPod touch from their online store, replacing it instead with a modified version of the current generation. The new model features only a few differences from the fifth-gen, but the omissions are significant.
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Tim Cook says Apple has a “grand vision” for the Apple TV

Michael Steeber May 28 2013 - 6:38 pm PT

At the All Things D11 conference, happening right now (check out our liveblog for more coverage), Tim Cook revealed that Apple has a “grand vision” in terms of the Apple TV:

This business has found many, many more customers that love the Apple TV experience. Great for customers and very good for an Apple learning point of view. Lots of us would agree that the TV space could be improved.

I don’t want to go into more detail on this. There is a “very grand” vision for TV. I have nothing to announce, but it is an area of incredible interest.

The Apple TV, which has long been a “hobby” of Apple’s, had been brought under the spotlight in the last few years, under rumors that Apple may be developing a full television set.

I don’t want to go into technical details. TV remains an area of great interest to us. The work we’ve done on current Apple TV provides more knowledge than what we would have without that product. The popularity of the Apple TV has been greater than expected. It is encouraging. The TV experience is not an experience that many people love. It’s not an experience that you would say has been brought to date for this decade. It is like the experience from 10, 20 years and go.

Cook, as usual, has been very reserved about his comments toward unannounced products. He did, however, announce that the company has sold 13 million Apple TVs to date and 6.5 million in the last year alone.

Live blog: Apple CEO Tim Cook’s interview at the D11 Conference

Mark Gurman May 28 2013 - 5:42 pm PT

Image via AllThingsD

We are here on the scene at Tim Cook’s interview at AllThingsD‘s D11 Conference in Palas Verdes, California. The proceedings will begin at 6 PM Pacific / 9 PM Eastern, and we’ll be noting both Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher’s questions and Tim Cook’s answers in this post.

At last year’s D10 conference, Cook gave insight into improved relations with Facebook (which forecasted iOS 6 integration), hints at the demise of Ping, insight into his first few months as taking over the reigns from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and more.

This year’s interview will follow Apple’s improved transparency with manufacturing partners, several major product launches, the Apple Maps debacle, the departing of two top Apple executives, and comes amidst a time in which Apple’s competition is heating up and new Apple product categories are rumored to be brewing.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see both AllThingsD‘s questions and Cook’s responses. Find our complete live blog below:

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EU Tax Commissioner calls for end to tax havens following Senate hearing on Apple’s offshore tax practices

Jordan Kahn May 28 2013 - 6:15 am PT

Apple’s Irish tax havens and its agreement with the country to pay corporation tax of approximately 2% on earnings have been a big focus of controversy surrounding the U.S. Senate’s investigation into the offshore tax practices of Apple and many other large technology multinationals. Today, Bloomberg reports that EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta has addressed concerns by calling for an end to “specific incentives to foreign companies or wealthy individuals” attempting to avoid taxation. It could possibly lead to a broader crackdown of the practice in EU nations criticized for their tax policies including Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, and the Netherlands.

“Some member states have fairly loose or relatively liberal double-taxation agreements with third countries,” Semeta said in a Brussels speech today to the Friends of Europe group. “These very loose agreements actually allow aggressive tax planners to shift their profits through EU member states to third countries and to avoid taxation in general.”

Steve Jobs “fundamentally odd”, Bill Gates “basically unimaginative” – Gates & Jobs in quotes

Ben Lovejoy May 27 2013 - 12:16 am PT

Business Insider has gathered together a fun little collection of quotes by Steve Jobs and Bill Gates on each other, taken from Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs …
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Apple trolls us with ‘iWatch’ tease in latest iPhone music ad

Michael Steeber May 24 2013 - 9:38 am PT

Here’s an amusing little image for your Friday: the screenshot above is a clip from Apple’s newest “Music Every Day” ad, which was posted on their YouTube channel last night.

If you pay attention at around 0:30 in the commercial, you’ll see what would almost appear to be someone wearing a large, wrist-device while listening to music on their iPhone.

While obviously Apple wouldn’t leak a real product through their advertisements, we can’t help but think that this is perhaps a subtle troll on Apple’s part.

Apple cuts prices again on refurbished iPads

Seth Weintraub May 24 2013 - 8:25 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

Apple this morning dropped prices across the board on iPads in its refurbished section of the online Apple Store as noted by MacRumors. We’ve recently seen quite a bit of iPad price reductions at 9to5Toys, some even steeper than this. For instance, Walmart has a new iPad mini for $80 off and refurb iPad Mini 16GB for $250. The new Apple Store prices:

iPad mini

– 16 GB Wi-Fi: $279, down from $299 previously and $329 brand-new
– 32 GB Wi-Fi: $359, down from $389 previously and $429 brand-new
– 64 GB Wi-Fi: $439, down from $489 previously and $529 brand-new

– 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $389, down from $429 previously and $459 brand-new
– 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $469, down from $519 previously and $559 brand-new
– 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $549, down from $619 previously and $659 brand-new

Fourth-generation iPad

– 16 GB Wi-Fi: $419, down from $449 previously and $499 brand-new
– 32 GB Wi-Fi: $499, down from $549 previously and $599 brand-new
– 64 GB Wi-Fi: $579, down from $649 previously and $699 brand-new

– 16 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $529, down from $579 previously and $629 brand-new
– 32 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $609, down from $679 previously and $729 brand-new
– 64 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $689, down from $779 previously and $829 brand-new

Good news for those interested in displays too: Thunderbolt and Cinema Displays are down to $799 (a $30 drop).You know what this usually means…

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HP expands Mac-cloning design approach across all of its latest notebooks

Ben Lovejoy May 24 2013 - 7:27 am PT

Photo: The Verge

HP appears to be taking its If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em design philosophy to something of an extreme with the new HP Envy notebook. A gallery posted by The Verge shows just how closely HP has copied Apple’s MacBook Air designs in almost every respect, from the wedge profile through the chicklet keyboard, trackpad and colors …
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Judge in Apple eBook case says U.S. government has evidence to prove pricing conspiracy ahead of trial

Jordan Kahn May 24 2013 - 6:39 am PT

Earlier this month we heard that Apple submitted to the courts that it engaged in “contentious negotiations”– and not a pricing conspiracy– at a time when publishers were already considering methods of getting Amazon to increase pricing. According to the latest comments from a judge in the high-profile eBook pricing case, Apple might not be able to prove its case when it goes to trial early next month.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote believes that the U.S Justice Department will indeed be able to prove a pricing conspiracy took place (via Bloomberg):

“I believe that the government will be able to show at trial direct evidence that Apple knowingly participated in and facilitated a conspiracy to raise prices of e-books, and that the circumstantial evidence in this case, including the terms of the agreements, will confirm that,” U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan said yesterday.

“We strongly disagree with the court’s preliminary statements about the case,” Orin Snyder, Apple’s lead lawyer in the case, said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. “The court made clear that this was not a final ruling and that the evidence at trial will determine the verdict. This is what a trial is for.”

Jony Ive’s new look for iOS 7: black, white, and flat all over

Mark Gurman May 24 2013 - 5:00 am PT

With the grand unveiling of Apple’s next operating system for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch approaching, sources have provided detailed descriptions of what users and developers alike could expect from the software’s fresh look.

As we reported in April, Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design Jony Ive has been leading a thorough overhaul for iOS 7 that focuses on the look and feel of the iOS device software rather than on several new features.

Sources have described iOS 7 as “black, white, and flat all over.” This refers to the dropping of heavy textures and the addition of several new black and white user interface elements.

Sources say that over the past few months, Apple has re-architected iOS 7’s new interface several times, so until the new software is announced at WWDC, interface elements could dramatically change from what Apple has been testing internally in recent weeks.

Nonetheless, you can find what we have been hearing about iOS 7’s new user experience below:

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9to5Toys Last Call: App Sales Galore, $80 Logitech UE Bluetooth Speaker, 35% off SlickWraps, more

May 23 2013 - 3:08 pm PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

A large majority of the deals we cover each day come from a variety of ‘Daily Deal’ websites that feature a couple exceptional deals for just 24 hours. We know you can’t be at your computer every second of the day, so we’re going to roundup the best daily deals to make sure you have a fair shot at the deals you want.

Be sure to follow Follow 9to5Toys so you never miss a deal... Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook

Today’s Featured deals:

Apple iPad mini 64GB WiFi for $450 w/ free in-store pickup or $5 shipping
Logitech UE Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker, “9to5Mac’s best portable Speaker you can buy” $80 Shipped (Save 20%)
Free and reduced Apps/Games: Fruit Ninja for Android Free, Avengers Initiative $2, BioShock Infinite $40, more
EA Games Memorial Day iOS App Sale: Over 55 games for Free or $.99
iPhone & iPad game, Angry Birds Space, Free for the first time ever (Reg. $.99-$2)

Other great deals we love that may not see tomorrow:

SlickWraps 35% sitewide sale on all personalized mobile device protective skins
Sony MDR-XB400 Black On-Ear Headphones: $37 shipped (Reg. $60)
Free Online Photoshop Training w/ over 80 video lessons
ViewSonic 24″ 1080p LED Monitor (refurb) $130 Shipped, AOC 27″ Widescreen 1080p $200 Shipped
Philips Dual-Docking 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock – $80 (Reg. $150)
SkyDock XM Satellite in-vehicle radio receiver for iPhone and iPod Touch: $30 shipped
Toshiba 50″ 1080P 60Hz LED HDTV (refurb): $450+$5 shipping
Nikon Coolpix P310 or S6200 16 Megapixel Digital Cameras: $150/$100 shipped ($180/$120 off)
Lightning to 30-pin/MicroUSB Adapter 3 pack: $10 shipped

Latest Windows 8 tablet commercial uses Siri to mock iPad ads, pricing, capabilities

Mark Gurman May 22 2013 - 5:19 pm PT

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86JMcy5OqZA?rel=0]

Microsoft’s latest television commercial for Windows 8 tablets uses a Siri voice-over to mock the iPad’s pricing and capabilities. The ad appears to frame Windows 8 tablets as more capable for productivity and more valuable for the price (via The Verge). What’s somewhat comical here is that one of the few advantages Microsoft touts for its tablets is the ability to run PowerPoint, something Microsoft has clearly been holding back from the iPad for some time now. Would it surprise anyone to see another couple of ads in this series focusing on Word and Excel?

Oh, and how much of that 64GB of space on the Windows tablet at the end is free for media? You’re lucky to get half of the space.

Microsoft’s ad is in similar style to Apple’s late 2012 advertisement to introduce the iPad mini. Apple’s ad below:

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Analyst claims Apple ‘iWatch’ wrist-device is over a year away, explains why watch more practical than glasses

Mark Gurman May 22 2013 - 3:54 pm PT

‘iWatch’ Concept (<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/12/more-interesting-iwatch-concepts-imagine-ios-on-the-smaller-screen-curved-displays/">many more here</a>)

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has provided seemingly accurate information about previous Apple hardware releases (timing non-withstanding), claims that Apple’s much-rumored wearable wrist device will not arrive until late 2014. The analyst pinpoints production to begin sometime in the second half of the year:

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Clear for iPhone and Mac gains list sharing via email, multi task pasting, coming soon to iPad

Zac Hall May 22 2013 - 2:57 pm PT

Realmac Software is on the brink of launching its fun new camera app Analog Camera for iPhone, but it has one more major task to mark off its list before we all get our hands on it. With its latest update to Clear, that item can now be swiped right off the list.

Clear on the iPhone and Mac both were updated today receiving a frequently requested feature: list sharing over email.

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Corning says sapphire ‘not a major threat’, posts video showing why Gorilla Glass is superior

Jordan Kahn May 22 2013 - 2:31 pm PT

In case you needed some proof that the rumors of Apple switching from Corning glass to sapphire crystal are unlikely, Corning has posted a video on its website showing how its current Gorilla Glass is superior to sapphire for mobile devices.

Recently, speculation has arisen that manufactured sapphire crystal might become an alternative to Corning’s Gorilla Glass. “Sapphire’s performance as a cover for high-end watches probably leads to the current speculation. But those covers are much smaller than a mobile phone and are two to three times thicker than Gorilla Glass. In one of our commonly accepted strength tests, sapphire breaks more easily than Gorilla Glass after the same simulated use. Additionally, sapphire’s cost and environmental hit are huge issues,” Steiner said.

There have been a couple rumors floating around that smartphone makers are looking into using sapphire crystal as a replacement for other cover glass solutions. With Apple using the material as a cover for its camera lenses on iPhone 5 and the latest iPod touch, some have speculated it could use sapphire for other parts of its devices, such as the display’s cover glass or home button. However, that’s not likely, according to Corning, Gorilla Glass is “about half the weight”, requires 99 percent less energy in manufacturing, provides brighter displays, and “costs less than a tenth” of sapphire.
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Tech Industry Analyst Michael Gartenberg officially joins Apple’s marketing team

Seth Weintraub May 22 2013 - 11:29 am PT

Simply put. iPad 2 is the best gadget I have ever used. Welcome to the post-PC era.

— Michael Gartenberg ✡️🇮🇱🎗️ (@Gartenberg) March 10, 2011

I may abandon my quest for a proper CA home, just buy a really good car and park in other people’s driveways at night

— Michael Gartenberg ✡️🇮🇱🎗️ (@Gartenberg) May 22, 2013

According to Forbes, long time technology analyst Michael Gartenberg has joined Apple. According to the report he is now officially working under the marketing team led by Phil Schiller. Gartenberg has always been Apple-focused/leaning in his coverage and a contributor to Macworld magazine among other endeavors.

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Penguin agrees to pay $75 million in consumer damages following eBook price fixing case

Jordan Kahn May 22 2013 - 10:57 am PT

We already knew back in December that Pearson, along with a handful of other publishers had decided to settle with the U.S. Department of Justice in the high-profile Apple ebook price-fixing case. Today a statement from Peason’s Penguin unit confirms that it has now also reached an agreement that will see the publisher pay $75 million in consumer damages to the US State Attorneys General on behalf of people that were overcharged due to the alleged price fixing:

Penguin has reached a comprehensive agreement with the US State Attorneys General and private class plaintiffs to pay $75 million in consumer damages plus costs and fees to resolve all antitrust claims relating to eBook pricing. Penguin has also committed to the State Attorneys General to abide by the same injunctive relief as previously agreed in a separate settlement with the Department of Justice.

In anticipation of reaching this agreement, Pearson had made a $40m provision for settlement in its 2012 accounts. An incremental charge will be expensed in Pearson’s 2013 statutory accounts as part of the accounting for the Penguin Random House joint-venture.

Apple claims Google Now infringes Siri patents as it adds Galaxy S4 to ongoing Samsung patent suit

Jordan Kahn May 22 2013 - 9:10 am PT

Earlier this month we noted that Apple was asking courts to add the Galaxy S4 as an infringing device in its ongoing patent dispute with Samsung in California. Now, Apple has officially filed a motion (via FossPatents) outlining five patents infringed by the Galaxy S4 and another two Siri related patents infringed by the device’s Google Now voice controlled search feature.

Apple had previously claimed that the Android Google search box feature on Samsung devices infringed the same patents, but is now moving to have Google Now included alongside the S4. Excerpt from Apple’s filing below:
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