Products

Apple Phablet, Plastic iPhone May Be in the Works
June 14, 2013

Rumors of an iPhone with a 5-inch screen and a downscale handset targeted at emerging markets popped up once again Thursday. Specifically, Apple may introduce two big-screen phones, or "phablets," and an all-plastic model that would be offered in several colors and sell at a price that would be appealing to handset shoppers in emerging markets like China, according to a report.

Behind the WWDC Glitter
June 14, 2013

Going into WWDC I think Apple enthusiasts were so pent up for some Apple awesomeness -- myself included -- that we let the soft and low-voiced cooing of design knight Jony Ive lull us into a receptive state more akin to the wooing of a potential partner than a critical study of design principles. It's not like we had beer goggles on going into the iOS 7 portion of the WWDC keynote, but. . .

Who Will Buy Apple's Shiny New Mac Pro?
June 13, 2013

In an attempt to revive its flagging reputation for introducing innovative products, Apple unveiled a new Mac Pro at its World Wide Developers Conference, being held in San Francisco this week. "Can't innovate any more, my ass," said SVP of Product Marketing Phil Schiller as the Mac Pro made its debut. The futuristic-looking black cylindrical device stands less than 10 inches tall.

WWDC 2013: All About Managing Expectations
June 12, 2013

There was no shortage of news coming out of Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference this week, including a glimpse at the next generation of iOS. On the hardware front, meanwhile, the company revealed it will launch a new desktop computer and a refreshed MacBook Air line. Then, of course, there was its new streaming radio application.

Apple Brings Back Sexy at WWDC
June 11, 2013

While Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference focuses on developers who create applications and services around Apple's products, the company always reveals something new for everyday consumers, too. At this year's keynote address, Apple delivered a little love for everyone, including a new flat but astoundingly layered iOS 7 and the next version of Mac OS X, aka "Mavericks."

Apple Adds Sony to iRadio Playlist
June 07, 2013

Sony Music has jumped on board Apple's forthcoming streaming music service, according to reports on Friday, meaning that Apple has now secured support for its anticipated offering from each of the big three music labels. Warner Bros. and Universal reportedly reached agreements with Apple earlier in the week. An announcement is expected at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference next week.

ITC Slaps Apple in Samsung Infringement Case
June 06, 2013

The U.S. International Trade Commission has partially reversed an earlier ruling and found that Apple infringed one of Samsung's patents after all, leading it to ban the import of certain older iPhones and iPads. The ban includes such products as the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, original iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G. The iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad remain unaffected.

When Apple Whispers to Devs, Consumers Read Lips
June 06, 2013

When Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off next week in San Francisco, it won't just be application developers watching. While the company speaks to business partners and professionals who use core Apple tools every day, the rest of the Apple enthusiast world will be paying close attention. What will Apple reveal? A new iWatch? The next iPhone? No and no.

Apple to Give Pegatron a Slice of Its China Pie
May 31, 2013

Foxconn, a supplier that has occasionally embarrassed Apple, will no longer be the exclusive maker of the iPhone and iPad. More work reportedly will be funneled to another Chinese electronics firm, Pegatron. The shift of product to Pegatron began in 2011, when some iPhone business was awarded the company. Last year, Apple chose Pegatron to fill its retail channel with iPad minis.

What's Riding on Jony Ive's iOS Redesign
May 30, 2013

Jonathan Ive, the famed knight and industrial designer of the world's most admired Apple gadgets, has his work cut out for him. On the surface, he's the guy at Apple who's going to get rid of the hideous green felt that is our Game Center iOS app and the yellow lined notebook paper in the Notes app, along with other silly skeuomorphic designs in iOS.

Tim Cook's Lips Zipped on Apple's Next Big Thing
May 29, 2013

CEO Tim Cook took the stage for an interview at D11, reiterating his faith in Apple's direction without divulging any secrets or bold plans. Cook fielded questions about whether Apple has lost its touch recently, as it has been faced with a plunging stock price, increased competition from rivals, persistent patent and antitrust battles, and an investigation into its corporate tax policies.

Apple Stews in EU Pressure Cooker
May 29, 2013

The European Union reportedly is launching an antitrust investigation into Apple's iPhone sales tactics. Company CEO Tim Cook may have made it through last week's congressional hearings on the company's corporate tax policies relatively unscathed, but that doesn't mean the regulatory pressure is off for the tech giant. The EC last week sent several telecom operators a nine-page questionnaire.

Fingerprint-Recognition Flubs May Be Foiling iPhone Production
April 26, 2013

Fingerprints may do more than smudge the screen of the next iPhone. They may be holding up its production. There reportedly has been some grumbling in Apple's supply chain due to delays in getting the next iPhone on the assembly line. Production originally scheduled for June may have to be pushed back.

AirPlay to the HDTV Is More Hot Air Than Play
April 18, 2013

While screen mirroring solutions -- like Apple's AirPlay -- have reached a relatively high level of awareness, not a lot of people are actually using them, according to a new study by the NPD Group's Connected Intelligence team. What is screen mirroring? It's wirelessly projecting what you see on your smartphone or tablet to show it on a TV screen.

Apple's iRadio Could Blast Competitors Off the Air
April 08, 2013

Apple may be moving closer to launching a streaming music offering, or "iRadio," as it's known in the rumor mill. The company is reportedly on the verge of striking a deal with two major music labels and has introduced a new sweetener to the negotiations to address a sticking point: the per-stream rate Apple would pay the labels. It's been bandied about that Apple wants to pay just half of what rival service Pandora is paying.

What the iWatch Could Be if Apple Still Had Guts
April 01, 2013

Steve Jobs was a guy who took big risks. The iPod was a big risk. The iPhone was even bigger, given that the market was dominated by companies like Nokia and BlackBerry, which had locked up the carriers in many regions. The iPad was riskier still, given what a failure the Windows tablet had been. Now that Steve isn't at Apple anymore, the company's investors and folks like Steve Wozniak are losing hope for the firm.

Apple Takes the Maps Fight Inside
March 27, 2013

Apple has slammed the door on WiFiSLAM after acquiring the Android indoor location positioning developer. However, even though it has closed the startup's shop, Apple will likely use its technology to get mapping again. After last fall's humiliation over its bungled outdoor maps app, Apple's acquisition of WiFiSLAM could be an important step in the right direction.

iOS Update Locks the Gate on Evasi0n Jailbreak
March 21, 2013

Apple on Wednesday rolled out another update to its iOS operating system: 6.1.3, which clamps down on Evasi0n, one of the most popular iOS jailbreaks. "The widespread use of this latest jailbreak hack seems to have energized Apple to deliver a fix in relatively short order," said Charles King, principal at Pund-IT.

Apple's Painful Cry in the Wilderness
March 21, 2013

When I first heard about Apple's new "Why iPhone" marketing page that went live shortly after Samsung's big Galaxy S4 smartphone launch, I thought, "Uh oh, Apple's really playing defense." The page makes it clear that Apple is either worried about the rising power of Samsung, or misguided in how it can best do battle with the Korean superstar.

China's State-Run Anti-Apple Campaign Backfires
March 18, 2013

March 15 marks Consumer Rights Day in China. To honor the day, state-run CCTV runs a special program to out scams, malpractice and defective products. This year, CCTV set its crosshairs on Apple, declaring that the company downgraded post-sale customer service to Chinese consumers.