Company

The Next IBM: Companies That Could Pass the Century Mark
November 28, 2012

Today, few people are using an IBM desktop computer -- and if they are, the machine could be close to 20 years old. However, back in 1995 when IBM bought Lotus Notes, it was the world's largest software company and still made personal computers. Fast-forward, and today IBM isn't really known either for software or desktop computers.

Apple Tries Its Hand at Discounts, Refurbs
November 21, 2012

This Friday marks the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season, as many stores open early to offer some of the best deals of the season, and this year, Apple is getting in on the fun. Discounts are unusual for Apple, but it teased the Black Friday deals that only will be available Nov. 23, both online and in its retail stores. It did not say which products specifically would be discounted, or by how much.

Apple's 'You Want This' Innovation Keeps It on Top
November 14, 2012

Apple was named the nation's No. 1 innovative company for the third year in a row, according to a study from management consulting firm Booz & Co. About 80 percent of the study's participants voted the maker of the iPhone, iPad and iPod into the top spot, ahead of Google and 3M.

Canada Aims to Unmask Rioters When Protests Go Awry
November 05, 2012

The hacker group Anonymous has announced plans for worldwide protests against government surveillance for Monday, Guy Fawkes Day. Canada, however, has a plan of its own. It has imposed a ban on wearing masks during riots -- including, of course, Anonymous' famed Guy Fawkes masks. People will be allowed to wear masks during peaceful demonstrations, however.

Elevating Ive Is the Smartest Move Cook's Made Yet
November 01, 2012

When Apple announced its executive shakeup this week, there was plenty of news to chew on and make you wonder what happened behind the scenes and why. At the top of the attention list, Scott Forstall, the iOS software group leader, was fired by Apple CEO Tim Cook. What? The head of the operating system of the most wildly acclaimed smartphone of all time -- let go?

Tim Cook Prunes Apple's Tree
October 31, 2012

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced an overhaul of his executive team this week, including the departure of iOS head Scott Forstall and retail chief John Browett and additional shifting of top managers. Forstall ran the software team responsible for creating iOS 6, the latest software for the iPhone and iPad that included the highly criticized Maps app. With the iOS 6 launch, Apple ditched Google Maps and took its mapping technology in-house for the first time, but the move wasn't a smooth one.

Apple's Biggest Threat: Killer Advertising
October 25, 2012

While Apple crafts consumer gadgets of incredible beauty, built to look good on the outside and the inside -- even when Apple tries to fuse the case so the components can never be seen by mere mortals -- the hardware is not Apple's biggest weapon. The MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro with Retina display, the iMac, the iPad and new iPad mini -- not even the wildly popular iPhone is the most devastating weapon in Apple's arsenal.

iPad Mini May Be Spoiling for a School Fight
October 22, 2012

Apple fans are preparing for Tuesday's press event, when the company is expected to launch a smaller version of the iPad tablet and possibly announce refreshes to its other computer lines or even a new push to capture the education market. The company sent out invitations that teased it had "a little more" to present. An iPad mini would compete with Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire.

Apple Saves Swiss Clock Face
October 15, 2012

Apple has negotiated an agreement with Swiss railway operator SBB that will allow Apple to use the company's patented clock face design. SBB "politely complained" to Apple last month after noticing that a clock design on iOS 6 was lifted from SBB's design. SBB released a statement Friday saying that the two sides had struck a deal, but added that terms would not be divulged.

The Apple Fan's Next Dream
October 11, 2012

Only once before have I ever questioned Apple's ability to innovate and create groundbreaking products, and that was the dark days of the clones when I was considering switching to a PC. Of course, Steve Jobs then introduced the bubbly blue iMac and relit the Mac fire, and I didn't look back for years. For nearly a year after Jobs died, I believed that Apple had all the mojo that it needed to keep churning out not only powerful and delightful products, but surprising products, too.

Frustrated Workers Stop iPhone 5 Line in Foxconn Factory Rebellion
October 08, 2012

Workers at Foxconn's factory in Zhengzhou, China, went on strike on Friday after managers imposed strict production demands for the iPhone 5 without corresponding worker training, according to China Labor Watch. Frustrations mounted among the workers as they turned out products that did not meet the standards, leading the company to place even more time pressure on the workers.

Apple Puts 3rd-Party Lightning Connectors in a Bottleneck
October 05, 2012

Apple may be tightening its control over makers of devices that connect to its products. It is making significant changes in its policies governing accessories made for iPads, iPhones and iPods with its new Lightning connector. Only Apple-approved manufacturing facilities will be able to produce Lightning connector accessories.

The Next Apple TV Shouldn't Be a TV at All
October 04, 2012

Apple's entire Apple TV "hobby" has been weighing heavily on my mind. Why? There's so much potential for packed-in awesomeness that it tantalizes a guy's neurons, especially as the fall TV season kicks into high gear. And danger. Oh baby, there's a lot of potential for danger. Apple isn't immune to missteps -- nor was it even when Steve Jobs was masterfully in full command.

The 5 Features Apple Must Deliver for TV Success
September 27, 2012

As the fall television season kicks into full gear with season premieres, I've been thinking a lot about Apple's mythical Apple HDTV -- not the little hockey puck unit that attaches to any TV, but a real HDTV with a big, bright flat-panel display. As I've noted before, the Gordian Knot of content is a huge problem for Apple.

AAPL Soars Past Magic $700 Mark on iPhone 5 Frenzy
September 19, 2012

Apple's iPhone 5 is driving the stock to all-time highs, climbing past $700 per share for the first time in the tech giant's history. The company had already claimed the title of most valuable company before it surged past $700, but its close at $701.91 on Tuesday was a high point for the maker of the iPhone. The sky-high numbers came after the company announced it sold more than 2 million iPhone 5s Friday.

Foxconn Denies Exploiting Student Interns
September 12, 2012

On the eve of Apple's expected introduction of its new iPhone, one of the company's major overseas manufacturing partners, Foxconn, has been accused yet again of labor abuses. This time reports appearing in Chinese media maintain that Foxconn is forcing vocational students to work on assembly lines, some of which are used to produce iPhones. Foxconn is denying that students are being coerced to work on its assembly lines.

The Glare of the Spotlight Keeps Apple From Dazzling Us
September 06, 2012

Apple's invitation to media professionals made the date official, but September 12 has been the likely date for the company's iPhone 5 rollout event for more than a month. Did that date come from supposition or an outright leak? Doesn't matter. Industry consensus knows that Apple traditionally has an iPod and iTunes sort of announcement in September.

Don't Count on Apple to Slice Through TV's Gordian Knot
August 30, 2012

I've been an Apple product enthusiast and watcher for years, and if there's one product that I lusted after two years ago, it was a real Apple TV -- a cool HDTV with a big screen and a kickass Apple navigation system with live content and content on demand. Since then my ardor has cooled considerably.

Leaked Apple Manual Teaches the Art of Wheeling, Dealing and Empathizing
August 29, 2012

A copy of Apple's proprietary training manual for its Genius Bar was recently leaked to Gizmodo, which promptly published excerpts from it. The manual appears to be highly detailed, covering just about every tech and sales scenario that could be confronted by an Apple Genius at one of the company's retail stores.

Apple vs. Samsung: There Will Be More Blood
August 29, 2012

Apple admirers cheered when a jury in San Jose, Calif., last week found Samsung guilty of infringing on many of Cupertino's design and utility patents, a transgression for which the Galaxy smartphone maker will have to pay over $1 billion in damages. Apple's stock was given a big boost on the news. However, the battle between the two is just beginning.