Apple

6,155 'Apple News' stories November 2008 - April 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

Funny or Die’s ‘iSteve’ film with Justin Long now available to watch online

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 7:39 pm PT

Following weeks of teases, Funny or Die has published its satirical film about Steve Jobs, iSteve, on its website for streaming. The nearly 80-minute long film stars Justin Long of the Mac vs. PC ads. Notably, the project is the longest video that Funny or Die has ever created. The trailer is embedded above, and you can watch the full movie here.

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Richard Williamson, former Apple executive who led Maps team, Loren Brichter join Facebook

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 3:29 pm PT

According to Bloomberg‘s Adam Satariano, Richard Williamson has joined Facebook. We’ve independently heard the same. Williamson is a former iOS executive from Apple who was reportedly terminated over Apple Maps. Williamson ran Apple’s iOS 6 Maps team and also worked on Siri features.

Williamson joined Facebook in the past couple of weeks to be a manager within its expanding mobile-software group, said two of the people, who declined to be identified because the information isn’t public.

Facebook’s hire of Williamson is notable as the social network reportedly has hired several former Apple engineers to work on various projects, including the Facebook Home software and various other mobile applications. Williamson’s hire marks one of the more high-profile hires of former Apple employees.

Following up on this morning’s news that Loren Brichter is working with Facebook some capacity, Bloomberg also notes that the company has actually hired the Letterpress developer and former Apple employee as a consultant.

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Here’s how to enable Chat Heads and Stickers in the new Facebook app right now

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 3:08 pm PT

When Facebook released their brand-new iOS application today, some were disappointed to find that the highlight features of Chat Heads (from Facebook Home) and Stickers were not present. Facebook says that the two features, like many other of Facebook’s recently released products, will be released via a staggered rollout.

For those who truly want to enable Chat Heads and Stickers before Facebook wants it on your iOS device, iMore‘s Nick Arnott has put together a thorough tutorial on how to enable the features. Follow the steps, grab an app called PhoneView (no jailbreak required), and a Plist editor (like the one included in Xcode), and you should be good to go. We’ve tested the Chat Heads trick, and it works well.

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Apple updates iPhoto and Aperture for Mac with Photo Stream improvements, bug fixes, Safari and Java

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 1:38 pm PT

Today, Apple has released software updates for the Mac version of iPhoto and for Aperture. The updates both focus on bug fixes and improvements.

Notably, both apps were given improvements and fixes for Photo Stream integration. iPhoto now has easier image deleting and exporting from Photo Stream, while Aperture has a bug fix related to Shared Photo Streams.

Safari and Java were also updated with improved security (release notes below). Notably, the new update introduces controls to specify which websites can use Java – something that should help prevent malicious websites from exploiting the never-ending stream of Java exploits.

Full release notes below:

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Leaked document apparently shows AppGratis enticed developers with potential high App Store rankings

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 11:07 am PT

Business Insider has obtained a leaked document that seems to show that AppGratis enticed developers with potential high iTunes App Store rankings. According to the document, AppGratis said that if a developer invests $100,000 with them, an app will likely reach the top 5 spots on the App Store top charts.

Of course, reaching the top of the App Store rankings is highly lucrative as hundreds of millions of iOS devices are given a prominent view to the top of the App Store charts.

AppGratis was reportedly originally pulled from the App Store for mimicking Apple’s App Store and for sending its users ad-like push notifications. Of course, the aforementioned apparent move by AppGratis to inflate rankings is a serious concern for Apple and it is something that Apple, of course, wants to keep out of its App Store. Interestingly, AppGratis, yesterday, seems to have denied participating in inflating App Store rankings.

Since the App Store algorithm has been based on download velocity only for so long, advertisers know exactly what they are doing.Reaching the the top of any App Store is a simple and logical equation. But we’re not in this business.

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AnoStyle iPhone 5 giveaway winner announcement (and $75 off coupon for all 9to5 readers)

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 9:43 am PT

Last week, AnoStyle and 9to5Mac launched a giveaway for an AnoStyled iPhone 5, and, as promised, we have picked the winner. Congratulations to DrewXScott! For all 9to5 readers, AnoStyle has provided a $75 off coupon that expires on May 17th. Coupon code: 9TO5MACSPRING2013.

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Mailbox email app for iPhone removes reservation system following scaling improvements

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 9:26 am PT

The Mailbox for iPhone email application no longer has a reservation system, its developers announced today. The developers say that improved scaling contributed to this.

Good news! Mailbox is now available without having to wait in line. After 10 weeks of around-the-clock hard work, our engineering team has scaled the Mailbox service to deliver over 100 million messages per day (and growing). We believe we can now confidently handle new users as they sign up, so we’ve pulled down the reservation system.

It is unclear if Dropbox, the new owner of Mailbox, contributed to the new scaling efforts. The developers say that the app processes 100 million emails per day. Yesterday, Mailbox was updated with interface enhancements and new snooze options.

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Facebook for iOS gains ‘ChatHeads’, iPad app redesigned, Brichter working on Home

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 9:17 am PT

Facebook has released an updated version of its Facebook application for iOS today, bringing the iPad application more in line with the website’s recently announced redesign and adding some features from the Android-based Facebook Home software. The Verge took a hands-on look at the updated app.

The iPad application now has a more streamlined, simplified user-interface that focuses more on content such as photos…

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Apple online store updated with promotions for Mother’s Day

Mark Gurman Apr 16 2013 - 7:16 am PT

Ahead of the Mother’s Day “commercial holiday” in May, Apple has updated its online store with a Mother’s Day theme. Apple seems to be heavily promoting the iPad more than other products. Additionally, the company is promoting various accessories.

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Job postings suggest Apple to begin chip development in Orlando, Florida, near chip partners AMD and Qualcomm

Zac Hall Apr 16 2013 - 6:55 am PT

Several job postings looking for both hardware and software engineers reveal that Apple is looking to begin its own chip development in Orlando, Florida.

Last week we learned that Apple is hiring software engineers to work on fingerprint technology at Authentec in Melbourne, Florida, which is about one hour south of the future site of the company’s development labs.

The job posting are interesting as Samsung, which works with Apple to develop the custom chips used in iPhones and iPads, continues to compete with Apple in the smartphone and tablet space.

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Apple releases minor Xcode update with fixes/improvements

Mark Gurman Apr 15 2013 - 5:23 pm PT

Today, Apple has released a minor update to its Mac Xcode software development suite. The update includes various performance improvements and bug fixes. It is available on the Mac App Store as a free update. Thanks, D!

What’s New in Version 4.6.2

• Improves LLDB performance for debugging Objective-C code.
• Fixes an issue where the crash log database could grow very large.
• Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.

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Apple says small number of Apple TVs have WiFi issues, opens replacement program

Mark Gurman Apr 15 2013 - 3:56 pm PT

Apple has informed its official retail stores, AppleCare employees, and authorized resellers that a small number of third-generation Apple TV units have WiFi issues. These issues surround not being able to locate a WiFi network, unable to join a network, and dropped or intermittent connections.

Apple has determined that a very small number of Apple TV (3rd generation) products might experience one of these Wi-Fi related connectivity issues: Cannot locate network, Unable to join network, Dropped or intermittent connection.

If an Apple technician determines that an applicable Apple TV has these issues, the unit can be replaced as part of a replacement program that Apple has begun because of these WiFi issues. Apple says that replacements can be offered free of charge up to two years after the device’s purchase date.

Here are the serial number pairs that are eligible:

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Mailbox email app for iPhone updated with improved swipes, smarter snoozes

Apr 15 2013 - 1:59 pm PT

Mailbox for iPhone and iPod touch, the popular Gmail application recently acquired by Dropbox, has been updated with a couple neat enhancements. Adjustments for snooze times are now more specific, swipes are faster, and the UI has been updated with various tweaks. Additionally, bug and performance fixes are also present.

What’s New in Version 1.2.0

– smarter snoozes (adjust based on time of day and week)
– faster swipes (swipe as many items at one time as you want)
– UI improvements (e.g. double-tap a name bubble to see email address)
– bug fixes (including swipe-to-open bug) and performance improvements

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Apple Store now offers refurbed 5th-gen iPod touch starting at $249

9to5 Staff Apr 15 2013 - 1:19 pm PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

Apple is now offering the refurbished 5th Generation iPod Touch for $249 (32GB) and $349 (64GB) in a variety of colors. The 17%/$50 discounts are the lowest we’ve seen (new ones at Best Buy and other retailers have hit as low as $270).

Apple refurbished products come with one year of AppleCare just like new products.

YouTube app for iOS now offers access to Live Streams, TV queuing

Mark Gurman Apr 15 2013 - 11:55 am PT

Today, Google has updated its YouTube for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch application with a few important new enhancements. Notably, users of the application can now access Live streams directly from within the app.

Additionally, the interface has been updated for quicker access to subscriptions via the My Subscriptions feed. TV queuing, another notable addition, will allow users to create a queue of videos to watch later on their TV.

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Verizon bids for spectrum from Clearwire while Dish attempts merger with Sprint

Zac Hall Apr 15 2013 - 8:03 am PT

Verizon Wireless, which recently teamed up with telecommunications giant Comcast Corporation, is reportedly offering Clearwire Corp $1.5 billion in an effort to lease spectrum from the wireless communications company, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Dish Network has motioned toward a $25.5 billion bid to merge with Sprint, which is notable as Dish and Sprint both competed toward buying out Clearwire in January.

It seems all three major telecommunications companies are moving toward owning expanded space in mobile broadband as well as home services like cable and voice, much like AT&T’s unified package.

iPhone-controlled bionic hands allow father to hold daughter’s hand for first time since accident

Ben Lovejoy Apr 15 2013 - 6:36 am PT

A new type of prosthetic hand partly controlled by an iPhone app has allowed a father to hold his daughter’s hand for the first time since an accident four years ago in which both hands had to be amputated …
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Laurene Powell Jobs talks about husband’s legacy, immigration reform

9to5 Staff Apr 15 2013 - 12:24 am PT

A nice way to look at the legacy all around.

Apple board member Bill Campbell points to future with intimate devices like Google Glass and iWatches [Video]

Seth Weintraub Apr 13 2013 - 6:08 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFWG51nGmGA]

Businessweek covers a talk given by Apple (and former Google) board member Bill Campbell who “held court” on Friday at the Mountain View headquarters of Intuit, where he serves as chairman. Notably, he discussed former Apple execs Tony Fadell who now runs Nest and Ron Johnson who just got fired from JCPenney. Of Nest, he pre-announced new products, saying

“You would think that people would yawn at something as boring as a thermostat,” Campbell said. “So, I’ve been surprised at how it has done and is doing. It will be the first of many products that come out of that company, which has a brilliant CEO and engineering team.”

Of Ron Johnson‘s exit at JCP, he said, “You have to keep your current business going while you experiment with a new one. He didn’t do that. He just put a bullet hole in his current business.”

GOOD ADVICE.

But perhaps most interesting for those yearning for an iWatch, Campbell told the business software company
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Verizon unveils 1 year “Device Payment Plan” for yearly updaters, moves full subsidies to 24 months

9to5 Staff Apr 13 2013 - 5:32 am PT

Verizon announced a few notable changes this week, possibly in response to T-Mobile’s new ‘Uncarrier’ pricing structure.

The first change enforces 24-month contracts and restricts subsidized upgrades during that period. Customers will no longer enjoy ‘early upgrades’ after 20-months, as was previously the policy.

While the change may disappoint customers who enjoyed upgrading their devices more frequently, Verizon told The Verge that a new “Device Payment Plan” will be accompany the policy changes.

The new payment plan allows customers to upgrade their smartphone annually by paying the upgrade fee at the register and dividing the rest of the full-retail price over 12 months. This payment plan will include a $2/month finance charge through the duration of the year.

For people like us who update annually, this option is a more pragmatic approach, especially when vendors like Gazelle (as well as others) typically pay more than the subsidized cost of a new smartphone for last year’s smartphone.

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Watch our LIVE 9to5Mac Happy Hour April 12, 2013

9to5 Staff Apr 12 2013 - 2:20 pm PT

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/89600000″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Subscribe now on iTunes!

Funny Or Die Producer Allison Hord discusses making their version of a Steve Jobs biopic [Video]

9to5 Staff Apr 12 2013 - 1:54 pm PT

[ooyala code=”gyazZ3YTpgRvaWNn401pxxr_5Pfms4-y” player_id=”undefined”]

Via Bloomberg. Trailer to the movie is here.

Apple confirms another iMessage, FaceTime outage (Update: Fixed)

Zac Hall Apr 12 2013 - 8:58 am PT

Apple confirms service disruption

Update: 12:30PM ET – Apple’s status website also saying the issues are resolved

For the second time this week, Apple has confirmed that iMessage and FaceTime are experiencing hiccups, albeit nearly three hours after users first started reporting issues.

Any regular user of the service can speak for how regular of an occurrence this is, and Apple is consistently slow to confirm any service disruption.

Notably, when Apple does admit any downtime, it typically downplays the issue while our own experience and that of the good people on Twitter reflects otherwise.

Maybe Apple doesn’t know what a system status page means. Maybe it is a blog aggregation service:”lots of blogs reporting iMessage outage”

— Seth Weintraub (@llsethj) April 12, 2013

Apple: Don’t look to our laggy system status page to see if iCloud is down. Check the blogs which are an hour ahead of our reporting system.

— Seth Weintraub (@llsethj) April 12, 2013

@jlgolson The reporting tool is a bigger embarrassment than the outages themselves

— Seth Weintraub (@llsethj) April 12, 2013

Can iMessage work? That would be cool

— Adam Zarcone (@AdamZarcone) April 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/kraymoney/status/322735363418365952

https://twitter.com/JoshLongman_/status/322735363158331392

Why is iMessage screwing up again?!? 😡😡

— Amanda 🏁 (@Mandy14__) April 12, 2013

T-Mobile launches its first iPhone commercial as it officially begins selling the $99 iPhone 5

Jordan Kahn Apr 12 2013 - 6:29 am PT

We can’t say we didn’t know it was coming. T-Mobile already started accepting preorders for the iPhone 5 back on April 5, and today marks the first day of official availability for the iPhone on the carrier’s revamped “Un-carrier”, no-contract, unlimited voice and data plans.

To accompany the launch, T-Mobile is also kicking off its first iPhone ad campaign today that begins with the first TV spot above (via TMO News). Of course the ad not so surprisingly focuses on its new carrier approach more so than the device itself:

“It’s the phone that’s revolutionizing phones, make sure its running on the carrier that’s revolutionizing wireless… Only T-Mobile lets your iPhone 5 be as great as an iPhone 5.”

Earlier this month T-Mobile started rolling out a carrier update for existing unlocked iPhones on its network that brings LTE support, improved battery life, visual voicemail support and more. It also started a campaign offering users trade-in value for their old devices to make the switch to T-Mobile.

The iPhone 5 is available to purchase for $99 down with a $20 per month financing plan through T-Mobile’s website and brick-and-mortar stores. As noted by TMONews, the carrier has also started setting up its in-store displays and advertising for the iPhone (Gallery below):
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