Apple

6,154 'Apple News' stories November 2008 - April 2012

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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

Apple in talks to Stream EPIX to devices including HDTV

Jordan Kahn Apr 27 2012 - 1:30 pm PT

Reuters reported today that Apple has been in talks since earlier this year to stream films owned by premium TV channel EPIX to Apple TV set-top boxes and potentially its much-rumored upcoming HDTV product. Three major studios including Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Lionsgate back the channel:

Apple Inc began talks earlier this year to stream films owned by EPIX, which is backed by three major movie studios, on devices including a long-anticipated TV, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations… Apple is widely expected to unveil a full-fledged TV product later this year or in early 2013 to drive its next phase of growth and potentially revolutionize the industry.

According to the report, Apple’s attempts to acquire the content could run into trouble due to EPIX’s $200 million agreement with Netflix that gives the service streaming rights through September of this year.

In March, the New York Post reported Apple plans to launch a new TV streaming service in time for Christmas of this year, despite troubles signing up major content partners. The report claimed content providers had “largely balked” at Apple’s unwillingness to negotiate on pricing. It also stated Apple wanted content providers to offer their channels through iOS and Apple TV-like apps. Earlier reports from analysts indicated Apple could partner with its existing carrier partners, such as AT&T and Verizon, to take advantage of their programming for upcoming streaming services.

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Elgato releases non-Apple Thunderbolt cable

Élyse Betters Apr 27 2012 - 1:11 pm PT

Elgato entered the Thunderbolt space today with its own flavor of the tech aptly called “Elgato’s Thunderbolt Cable.”

Thunderbolt is an interface connector that pushes data between computers and peripherals at high speeds. Apple first launched its $49 trademarked-cable last June, but alternate choices have been few and far between ever since.

At $60 a pop, Elgato’s follow-up to the March release of Thunderbolt SSD is more expensive. The cable is also much shorter at just 1.6-foot compared to Apple’s 2-meter offering.

It is black, too.

The new cable will likely come down below Apple’s price once supply catches up with demand.

Fortunately, Elgato is giving a free Thunderbolt Cable included with every purchase of the Elgato Thunderbolt SSD completed through its Elgato Online Shop until May 6. Just redeem the discount code: “FREE-THUNDERBOLT-CABLE.” Amazon-lovers can also buy the cable for $59.95 USD (here), but shipping times are currently between two to three weeks.

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Samsung denies organizing anti-Apple ‘Wake Up’ campaign

Élyse Betters Apr 27 2012 - 10:14 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ldq2tNLRDwA]

Samsung just officially denied any involvement with the “Wake Up” protest held outside of an Australian Apple Store earlier this week.

According to SlashGear, the company stepped forth today and rebuffed any ties to the affair: ”Samsung Electronics Australia has nothing to do with the ‘Wake-Up Campaign’.”

For currently unknown reasons, a puzzling demonstration with anti-Apple cues occurred outside an Apple Store in Sydney April 22. A black bus boasted the phrase “WAKE UP” and a slew of paid picketers with coordinating signs paraded along George Street while chanting, “Wake up!”

The staged fuss accompanied a series of billboards posted around the city, as well as “WAKE UP” written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs’ pool, and a baffling website at wake-up-australia.com.au that features a focal point countdown. The URL is registered to ad agency New Dialogue, which underwent rebranding and now goes by the name “Tongue.”

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Apple axes Chomp for Android following acquisition

Jordan Kahn Apr 27 2012 - 8:37 am PT

We reported in February that Apple acquired discovery app Chomp and was thought to be using the company’s technology to help improve the App Store and iTunes experience. We later confirmed Chomp’s CEO Ben Keighran and CTO Cathy Edwards already started working at Apple on the iTunes teams. Today, it appears Apple has shut down Chomp for Android with Chomp’s website now only listing links to iOS versions of the app, as noted by GigaOM.

The “Download Chomp” tab in the upper right corner of the Chomp.com now leads directly to the iTunes download page and only iPhone and iPad options are available for searching online. However, when searching for apps on the website, changing the platform to “Android” in the URL still allows you to view Android apps. As we noted earlier, Chomp helps power Verizon’s Android market, so it is unclear what will happen with that partnership going forward.

[tweet https://twitter.com/#!/g_____________n/status/195900431413673985]

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$300 Chinese iMac knockoffs still blow away most PCs

Jordan Kahn Apr 27 2012 - 8:09 am PT

Much like the MacBook Air knockoff we showed you in December, the iMac clone above from Shanzhaiben (via MIC Gadget) does not actually run OS X, but it does apparently sport a “highly recyclable aluminum” enclosure and weighs as much as the 21.5-inch model from Apple. It might not be the most powerful PC you can get, but we think it is the nicest at $300 in terms of design. Here is what you will get with the 18.4-inch knockoff:

Configuration: Intel D525, processor, dual-core, four threads, clocked at 1.8GHz, 4GB DDR3 memory, 500G hard drive, 18.4-inch HD LED screen resolution of 1920 * 1080, built-in stereo speakers, support for Bluetooth, Wifi, 1.3 million pixel camera, product size 54 * 20 * 45, weight 9.3kg. Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure to comply with the ENERGY STAR Energy Star 5.2 standard, EPEAT Gold Gold certification.

iMac Touch concept incorporates a touchscreen, iOS, and Siri (9to5mac.com)

Man sues Apple over ribbed Smart Cover, makes case for throwing out patent system

Jordan Kahn Apr 27 2012 - 7:02 am PT

Apple is being sued by a man in Colorado over claims that the company’s $39 iPad Smart Covers violate a “Portable Computer Case” patent originally filed in 2003 and issued in 2005. PaidContent obtained a copy of the lawsuit.

The United States patent in question is 6,977,809. A Colorado man owns it, Jerald Bovino, who is seeking royalties for sales of Smart Covers’ using his invention. An excerpt from the patent seems to describe functionality that is quite similar to Apple’s Smart Covers—at least the ribbed design:

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New iPad launches in 9 more countries today

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 9:31 pm PT

Earlier this month Apple launched the new iPad in South Korea and 11 other countries, and today the company continues its international launch of the device with an additional nine countries. At Apple’s Q2 2012 earnings call this week, the company reported iPad sales of 11.8 million for the quarter and $6.6 billion in revenue from iPad and accessories. It also reported tremendous growth for iPhone in China, which is one country that is not included in today’s international rollout:

Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand.

New iPad launches in 12 more countries this Friday, 9 more on April 27 (9to5mac.com)

Apple frustrated with Austin incentive delays, new campus plans remain ‘in peril’

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 8:54 pm PT

The last we heard, Apple’s plan to build a new $304 million campus and add up to 3,600 new jobs in Austin, Texas was all but a done deal with city officials last month after they approved an $8.6 million incentive to be handed out over 10 years. At the time, Apple was still waiting on additional incentives from Travis County officials, but today local reports from Statesman claimed Apple is growing frustrated with delays. Senior Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Dave Porter said Apple’s deal to move into Austin is “in peril”:

“This deal is not done. It remains in peril. And Apple is frustrated… We were disappointed (the deal) wasn’t finalized this past Tuesday, but we were hopeful this next Tuesday that Apple and the county can complete the negotiation process and have that behind us… We remain hopeful that will take place and there will be a positive vote on Tuesday.”

In total, Apple would receive roughly $36 million over 10 to 15 years as part of the deal. Approximately $6.4 million is supposed to come from Travis County. The report explained the reasons behind the County delaying approval of the incentive:

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Here’s who they picked to play Woz in the Steve Jobs movie

Seth Weintraub Apr 26 2012 - 8:21 pm PT

Josh Gad, who currently stars in the Broadway play “Book of Mormon,” is in talks to play Steve Jobs’ sidekick Steve Wozniak for the Indie movie about the early years of Jobs’ career. Variety said Gad would star opposite Ashton Kutcher in the Joshua Michael Stern production called “Jobs.”

Written by Matt Whiteley, pic chronicles Steve Jobs from wayward hippie to co-founder of Apple, where he became one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of our time. Gad is making a deal to play Wozniak, who created the Apple I computer and co-created the Apple II computer in the mid-1970s.

Image Credit ABC Modern Family
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Foxconn workers in Brazil threaten strike over working conditions

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 3:11 pm PT

Following audits and a major overhaul of workers’ rights at Foxconn factories in China, a report from newspaper Jornal de Jundiai (via Evertiq) claimed 2,500 workers at a Foxconn plant in Jundiai, Brazil are threatening to strike if the company does not meet their demands by May 3. The plant in Jundiai is currently responsible for the assembly of some of Apple’s iPhone 4 and iPad 2 units:

Newspaper Jornal de Jundiai reports that workers at the plant will strike if issues surrounding severe water shortages, food, and transportation of employees are not resolved… In a statement the United Steelworkers of Jundiaí and Region said workers decided to give 10 days (from the Monday) for the company to resolve the issues raised in a meeting on Monday… According to the report by Jornal de Jundiai, a spokesman from the union said that lack of water as well as poor quality food was an issue for workers. As the number of employees at the plant grows, workers also complain that the infrastructure for transport has remained the same size, causing overcrowding in buses.
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Apple chip supplier TriQuint having ‘challenging quarter’ due to its biggest customer

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 12:15 pm PT

According to a report from The Oregonian, power amplifier specialists TriQuint Semiconductor is facing a “challenging” quarter due to a temporary drop in revenues from its biggest customer, Apple. The report noted the company’s CEO Ralph Quinsey did not mention Apple by name, but that Foxconn was responsible for 35 percent of TriQuint’s revenue during 2011:

TriQuint said sales in the current quarter will fall at least 19 percent to the lowest point in at least two years… While Quinsey wasn’t specific about where the problem lies, Apple has incorporated TriQuint chips in the last several generations of the iPhone. Apple is approaching its annual iPhone upgrade — the last upgrade took place in October — and sales tend to fall off before new products launch.

We know from teardowns that Apple included TriQuint chips in many generations of the iPhone and iPad, including the most recent iPhone 4S and third-generation iPad. When iPhone component supplier Qualcomm announced last week it was having “trouble meeting demand” for LTE chips likely to end up in a next-gen iPhone, many analysts speculated that was a clear indication of an October iPhone launch.

Quinsey said in a statement to the publication that he expects to return to normal revenue and growth numbers in the second half of this year:

“I believe this dip will be temporary and remain confident about our long term position,” Quinsey said in a written statement. “We have achieved design win success with our new products and I believe we will return to normal revenue levels and growth in the second half of 2012.”

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Netgear announces 5G 802.11ac Wi-Fi router, speeds to 1.3Gbps!

Seth Weintraub Apr 26 2012 - 11:36 am PT

We’ve talked about next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi that will be able to deliver Gigabyte Ethernet type speeds to your wireless devices.

The chips, also called “5G Wi-Fi” by Broadcom, do not correlate with 3G and 4G cellphone networks. The BCM4360, BCM4352, BCM43526 and BCM43516 chips improve Wi-Fi’s range and are significantly more efficient. Perhaps, the most tantalizing aspect is that the 5GHz-based technology has speeds beyond 1Gbps and is currently in the high-end range of consumer Ethernet.

Apple currently uses Broadcom Wi-Fi Chips in its Mac line and in its iOS devices, including iPad and iPods. The latest MacBook Airs have the Broadcom BCM4322 Intensi-fi® Single-Chip 802.11n Wi-Fi Transceiver. Maybe we will see something a little faster later this year…

Broadcom, the supplier of the first chips to support 5G Gig Wi-Fi, is not just the chip supplier for all of Apple’s iOS devices and Macs, it also provides chips to outfits like Netgear, which today announced the first 802.11AC Wi-Fi router that will be sold next month for a retail price of $199.

The R6300 will be backwardly compatible with N Wi-Fi and will be as future proof as you can get when it goes on sale next month. One has to wonder exactly how long Apple fans will have to wait in order to get this tech in their Macs. Remember…Apple was one of the first to the Wi-Fi Party with its AirPort, released in the late 1990s, and it is always near the front when it comes to Wi-Fi technology.

Press release follows:
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Kaspersky: Apple is 10 years behind Microsoft on security

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 10:59 am PT

The last time security researchers at Kaspersky checked the state of Macs infected with the Flashback malware outbreak, it estimated roughly 140,000 were still infected. At the recent Info Security Europe 2012 conference, CBR quoted CEO and co-founder Eugene Kaspersky as claiming Apple is 10 years behind Microsoft when it comes to security:

“I think they are ten years behind Microsoft in terms of security,” Kaspersky told CBR. “For many years I’ve been saying that from a security point of view there is no big difference between Mac and Windows. It’s always been possible to develop Mac malware, but this one was a bit different. For example it was asking questions about being installed on the system and, using vulnerabilities, it was able to get to the user mode without any alarms….

Cyber criminals have now recognised that Mac is an interesting area. Now we have more, it’s not just Flashback or Flashfake. Welcome to Microsoft’s world, Mac. It’s full of malware….Apple is now entering the same world as Microsoft has been in for more than 10 years: updates, security patches and so on,” he added. “We now expect to see more and more because cyber criminals learn from success and this was the first successful one…. They will understand very soon that they have the same problems Microsoft had ten or 12 years ago”

Kaspersky: 30,000 Mac users left infected with Flashback, more Mac malware on the way (9to5mac.com)

Historic Hotel Bel-Air goes 21st Century with iPads in every room

Élyse Betters Apr 26 2012 - 10:45 am PT

The lavish Los Angeles Hotel Bel-Air recently reopened with redesigned rooms and made sure to toss out its old, clunky receivers along with the outdated interior design. The 70-year-old hotel replaced the telephones with Apple’s booming iPad, so guests no longer need to use a laminated binder menu and corded handset to order their caviar and wine. Room service now occurs via the iOS tablet included in their room, and the hotel hopes to have 50 percent of orders placed through the new addition.

However, according to USAToday, 75 percent of guests are actually now ordering room service with the iPad:

[…] the 75% statistic is noteworthy because it’s an indication of how rapidly people are embracing newfangled tech offerings in their hotels – especially at a time when more hotels are undergoing renovations and considering installing new customer technology.

Some higher-end hotels already are using the iPads to replace the old-fashioned paper brochures that describe the hotel’s features such as spa offerings, restaurants and local information. A small-but-growing number, however, are taking it further. They’re letting guests conduct hotel business once done over the phone, such as requesting a special pillow or extra towels, making restaurant reservations, booking a spa treatment – and ordering room service.

“People view it as a way to make their life easier,” said Bel-Air General Manager Denise Flanders. “They put down exactly what they want. It’s the luxury of saving time.”

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Sir Jony Ive voted British Visionary Innovator for 2012

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 10:26 am PT

Apple’s design chief Sir Jonathan Ive has officially been voted British Visionary Innovator for 2012 in a contest held by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office for World IP Day. Ive took in 46.6 percent of votes, beating out Richard Branson, Tim Berners-Lee, JK Rowling, and dozens of other nominations:

Sir Jonathan Ive – Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple Inc.

After a week of voting, you have chosen Sir Jonathan Ive as your favourite British Visionary Innovator for 2012. He received 46.6% of your votes, making him the clear favourite amongst a list of other hugely talented, creative and innovative people.

Background

Sir Jonathan Ive was born in Chingford, London in 1967. A graduate of Newcastle Polytechnic, Ive showed a flair for Industrial Design which led him to work for Apple briefly in 1992, and then as a permanent fixture with Apple under the leadership of Steve Jobs in 1997.

Over the past 15 years, Ive has designed some of the most popular electronic products of all time, which have now reached iconic status. These include iMac, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and of course, the iPod.

Some of the accolades that he has had bestowed upon him include ‘Most Influential Person on British Culture’ (BBC), ‘Inventor of the decade’ (Guardian), and he was knighted in 2012.

Finally, today, you have voted him as your favourite British Visionary Innovator

FT profiles Jony Ive: transformational designer who understood the politics of Jobs (9to5mac.com)

Samsung employs protesters to ‘wake up’ Apple users?

Élyse Betters Apr 26 2012 - 10:04 am PT

UPDATE: Samsung just officially denied any involvement with the “Wake Up” protest held outside of an Australian Apple Store earlier this week. According to SlashGear, the company stepped forth Friday and denied any ties to the affair: ”Samsung Electronics Australia has nothing to do with the ‘Wake-Up Campaign’.” Read more at 9to5Mac.

Samsung reportedly hired marketing agency Tongue to lead an advertising campaign for its upcoming Galaxy S III launch, and its first demonstration occurred at an Apple Store in Australia earlier this week, but the event resembled more of a protest or call to arms, rather than a promotional stunt.

A mysterious black bus donning the phrase “WAKE UP,” coupled with hordes of chanters waving coordinating signs in the air, roamed through the streets of Sydney on April 22. The show paraded in front of George Street’s Apple store and left the entire city in confusion.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ldq2tNLRDwA]

According to Australian website mUmBRELLA, the staged fuss also boasted a series of billboards posted around the area, as well as “WAKE UP” written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs’ pool, and an equally-mystifying website at wake-up-australia.com.au. The URL is registered to ad agency New Dialogue, which underwent rebranding and now goes by the name “Tongue.”

The website allegedly counts down the Galaxy S III launch, but it is set to end at 3 p.m. May 6. The highly anticipated Android-powered smartphone is the primary rival to Apple’s iPhone, and it is unveiling May 3 in London, so circulating rumors indicate the “WAKE UP” countdown is actually the device’s landing date for Australian markets.

Samsung previously hosted a teaser website at tgeltaayehxnx.com, which is anagram for “the new galaxy,” that also contained a countdown. It redirected users to thenextgalaxy.com when the clock ran out last Monday. Samsung embedded a video on the subsequent page that promised its next Galaxy device will “stand out from everyone else” while depicting a slew of sheep in a field for the closing frame. The imagery and language is a definite jab at iPhone users, who are often mocked as “iSheep,” over speculation that they blindly follow Apple.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8NnVU8R6mAU]

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First-time Apple owners make up 25 percent of all iPad purchases

Élyse Betters Apr 26 2012 - 8:45 am PT

According to research company NPD Group, and its recent Apple Ecosystem Study based on 3,000 consumers in an online survey, about 37 million United States households own Apple products. The details specify that 69 percent of those consumers own iPods, but ownership of the iPad is growing. In fact, one-in-four iPad owners claimed the device as their first Apple product:

“iPad sales are growing much faster than any other Apple product has this soon after launch,” said Ben Arnold, director of industry analysis at NPD. “”In fact, one-in-five Apple owner households has one— nearly equivalent to the number that own an Apple computer. This demonstrates the appeal of both the new form factor and Apple’s app ecosystem.”

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook put iPad sales into context during Apple’s Q2 2012 conference call yesterday:

“Just two years after we shipped the initial iPad, we’ve sold 67 million. To put that in some context, it took us 24 years to sell that many Macs, and five years for that many iPods, and over three years for that many iPhones, and we were extremely happy with the trajectory on all of those products.”

Think about that for a moment: Apple’s two-year-old device/segment is now likely its biggest ambassador. With Macs traditionally at mid-single digit growth rates, most new Apple customers are being introduced to Apple through the iPad.

(Press release)

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Apple building off-campus cafeteria to keep competitors from overhearing employees

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 8:09 am PT

[slideshow]

Apple plans to build a new off-campus restaurant and recreation facility for employees to provide a place for discussion “without fear of competition sort of overhearing their conversations.” Mercury News reported today a planning request for the building that the Cupertino Planning Commission approved. (via TNW)

The new facility will feature 70 parking spaces, even though it is located within walking/biking distance from the main campus. The 21,468-square-foot space will not just be a cafeteria; it will also house a courtyard, meeting rooms, and recreation areas. Unlike Apple’s current on-site Caffe Macs restaurant, the new building will not be open to visitors signed in by Apple employees.

Apple’s Director of Real Estate Facilities Dan Whisenhunt explained the reasoning behind building the new cafeteria:

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Steve Jobs almost engaged in Willy Wonka fantasy but was foiled by California law

Jordan Kahn Apr 26 2012 - 6:17 am PT

Update: Ken Segall’s Insanely Simple book just landed in the iBookstore for $12.99. Full excerpt after the break.

There are a few interesting stories coming out of Ken Segall’s “Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success,” which is ~~set for release later this month~~ available now. Perhaps the most intriguing story is the one about Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs and his idea to celebrate the sale of the millionth original iMac shortly after his return to the company. Jobs’ idea was apparently to hold a Willy Wonka style competition –golden ticket and all– allowing a lucky recipient to win a behind-the-scenes trip to Cupertino and a free iMac. He also planned to dress up in the full Willy Wonka outfit to greet the winners, rockin’ a top hat, velvet blazer, and bow tie (via MacRumors):

Steve’s idea was to do a Willy Wonka with it. Just as Wonka did in the movie, Steve wanted to put a golden certificate representing the millionth iMac inside the box of one iMac, and publicize that fact. Whoever opened the lucky iMac box would be refunded the purchase price and be flown to Cupertino, where he or she (and, presumably, the accompanying family) would be taken on a tour of the Apple campus.

Steve had already instructed his internal creative group to design a prototype golden certificate, which he shared with us. But the killer was that Steve wanted to go all out on this. He wanted to meet the lucky winner in full Willy Wonka garb. Yes, complete with top hat and tails.

The idea was apparently cancelled when Apple figured out California state law required the contest to not require a purchase for entry. Apple would have had to open the contest to all, likely squashing Jobs’ idea of handing out the prize to new iMac purchasers.

Last year, CollegeHumor ran its own darker version of Charlie and the Apple factory with Jobs playing the Wonka role:
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‘Brydge’ MacBook-style iPad case with Apple quality aluminium (Update: Froaster!)

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2012 - 11:47 am PT

We told you earlier this month about the “NoteBook Case” for iPad—a bluetooth keyboard case that does a good job of turning an iPad into a MacBook-looking netbook. That case is now available in the United States and Europe through CPeel, but today we look at another impressive keyboard case currently on Kickstarter called “Brydge.”

Like the NoteBook Case, the Brydge iPad case gets much of its design cues from the MacBook Pro line. The differences include aerospace-grade aluminium, optional built-in speakers, and a patent-pending “click-in” hinge providing close to 180 degrees of positioning freedom. The hinge is made of “metal alloys and magnets, with a thermoplastic elastomer shell.” By all accounts, at first glance, this appears to be one of the better made keyboard cases we have come across.

The Kickstarter project is currently at just $2,855 in pledges from 16 backers, but it still has 39 days to reach its $90,000 funding goal. A $150 donation will get you the model without speakers, while a $180 donation earns a model with speakers. If the project reaches its funding goal, the company plans to ship the first units by October. A full gallery of close-ups and the different models is after the break.

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Sprint’s sticking with its unlimited data even if/when next iPhone has LTE

Élyse Betters Apr 25 2012 - 10:02 am PT

Sprint’s CEO Dan Hesse told CNET today that the carrier would stick with its unlimited data plan for the next iPhone whether or not it is LTE capable. Sprint already provides unlimited for other LTE smartphones, but the company’s chief said its unique offering lures new customers who would normally choose another carrier:

“Frankly, it’s a marriage made in heaven,” said Hesse to CNET regarding the iPhone and its unlimited data plan. “We’re clearly attracting customers from our competitors.”

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Apple CEO Tim Cook meets with Ferrari CEO

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2012 - 9:24 am PT

Earlier this week, during a trip to Silicon Valley, Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo gave a speech at Stanford University and met with Apple CEO Tim Cook and “heads of Google” for sit down meetings. The report comes from Ferrari’s website, which claimed Cook and Montezemolo had a “two-hour face-to-face meeting.” There is not much information about what the two chiefs talked about, but Montezemolo said the two companies share a similar passion for design and that he was impressed with Cook’s “availability and openness”:

Passion was also the golden thread at the friendly meeting with Tim Cook: ”I was impressed by his availability and openness,” Montezemolo said leaving the headquarters after a 2-hour face-to-face meeting. “We’re building cars, they build computers. But Apple and Ferrari are connected by the same passion, the same love for the product, maniacal attention to technology, but also to design.”

Tim Cook wanted to see the FF from close up, Montezemolo had used to drive to Cupertino, admiring the shapes and the interior of the 4-door 4×4 from the Prancing Horse, excited about the sound of the 12-cylinder engine. Excitement Ferrari has always been stimulating all over the world and also here in Silicon Valley.

Tim Cook didn’t visit Valve, says Valve Co-Founder (9to5mac.com)

John Browett starts new role as Apple Retail SVP

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2012 - 8:27 am PT

When we told you all about Apple’s new Retail Senior Vice President John Browett, appointed to replace J.C. Penney’s new CEO Ron Johnson in January, we knew Browett would move to Cupertino sometime in April to begin his new role. It looks like Apple has now officially welcomed Browett to the company with Apple’s investor website listing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission mandatory filings that notify investors (and the SEC) of his official joining of the company. In the filing, it is revealed that Browett was issued 100,000 shares—worth roughly $60 million—with vesting dates at various milestones.

Apple names European retail executive John Browett its Senior Vice President of Retail (9to5mac.com)
Tim Cook calls new Retail SVP John Browett ‘the best by far’ (9to5mac.com)
Apple’s new retail SVP and why he got chosen to replace Ron Johnson (9to5mac.com)
Ron Johnson: Retailing is hard, but Steve told me to trust my intuition and do the right thing (9to5mac.com)

WWDC 2012 tickets sell out in under two hours

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2012 - 7:31 am PT

Apple announced this morning that its 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place June 11 at the Moscone Convention Center, but the event’s $1600 tickets are now listed as sold out within two hours of going live. In 2010, it took roughly a week for tickets to sell out, and last year it took about half a day. Tickets were limited to one per person, or five per organization, and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

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