iPhone

Apple Going After Alleged iOS Abuser
February 04, 2013

Apple reportedly has launched an investigation into Qihoo, a giant Chinese software company and search engine, based on concerns the app maker is violating terms of service. Apple is also concerned that Qihoo is encouraging jailbreaking iPhones by delivering apps as single file downloads compatible with unlocked Apple products.

Apple Makes Play for Even Higher-End Tablet Niche
January 30, 2013

Apple revealed a new version of its iPad Tuesday, a 128-GB version that comes with twice the storage capacity of its previous high-end tablet. The newest iPad is still under the fourth-generation iPad umbrella, and will have the same features as its predecessors, including a 9.7-inch Retina Display, an HD camera and an A6X chip.

Pentagon to Beef Up Cybersecurity Arsenal
January 28, 2013

The Pentagon's cybersecurity force reportedly will increase more than fivefold over the next several years, following the approval of a move requested by the head of the Defense Department's Cyber Command. The expansion is meant to bolster the U.S.' ability to defend critical computer systems, as well as carry out offensive campaigns against adversaries.

Apple Stock Tanks Despite Record-Busting Sales
January 24, 2013

Apple's stock fell after the company released its most recent quarterly report, despite record revenue, iPad and iPhone sales. It posted $13.1 billion, or $13.81 per share, in net income for its first fiscal quarter on revenue of $54.5 billion. Net income was flat compared with the same period a year earlier, but revenue was up 18 percent from the $46.3 billion it earned in the year-ago quarter.

Investors Rattled Ahead of Apple Earnings
January 23, 2013

Investors' eyes are on Apple as the company prepares to announce its quarterly earnings report on Wednesday. The company's recent stock market losses and several analysts' lowered expectations on iPhone sales suggest this quarter might not be as flush as some in its recent past. Investors' pessimism stems in part from the increasingly fierce competition in the smartphone market.

When Apple Met China
January 19, 2013

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently wrapped up his second trip to China in less than a year. While there, he met with regulators, declared that China would become Apple's biggest market, and talked shop with the nation's No. 1 mobile carrier, China Mobile. Apple has something of an identity crisis in China.

Amazon Makes Play for iTunes Customers
January 18, 2013

Amazon expanded its reach across Apple's music universe Thursday by enabling iOS users to purchase tunes from its MP3 store directly through the Safari Web browser. To purchase music from Amazon with an iPhone or iPod touch, users can visit the retailer's website built for the devices, browse its catalog of more than 22 million songs, and complete the buy using an Amazon account.

Facebook Rolls Out Free Voice Calling to US iPhone Users
January 17, 2013

Facebook rolled out free voice calling in the U.S. through the Facebook Messenger app for iPhone on Wednesday -- with little fanfare or formality. There was no grand announcement -- media outlets noticed the new development and after inquiries, Facebook said it was an extension of the VoIP in Messenger test it launched earlier this year in Canada.

iPhone Hysteria: Where Is Occam's Razor When You Need It?
January 17, 2013

When I saw the various reports that have been swirling around Apple create a perfect storm of stock-dropping backlash, I shrugged them off. First, Apple was rumored to have reduced its orders for iPhone screens, maybe even as much as 42 percent. Shake that with a little Apple-has-lost-its-cool hysteria, and oh boy, Apple's stock has been a roller-coaster ride.

Investors Unnerved by Apple Stock Slide
January 16, 2013

Spooked by reports that Apple is cutting its iPhone 5 orders, many investors unloaded their Apple stock this week, sending the price dipping to its lowest point in nearly a year. The company did not confirm the reports that first appeared in The Wall Street Journal, but several analysts have also cut estimates on iPhone sales for the quarter.

iPhone 5 Owners Are EU's Big Data Consumers
January 14, 2013

A study has tabbed iPhone 5 users as Europe's biggest data-gobblers, consuming -- on average -- more than four times more data than people still using the iPhone 3G. The study, released by data analysis firm Arieso, said that a single iPhone 5 user is equal to about four iPhone 3G users.

Snapguide Makes Creating a How-To a Snap
January 14, 2013

In late December, Snapguide updated its iOS app to include iPad optimization, joining the previous iPhone and website versions that somehow slipped my notice. Or maybe I did notice them months ago but walked away disinterested, which happens. I don't remember -- but now I'm interested. Apple highlighted Snapguide as a "What's Hot" selection in the iPad section of the App Store.

Cook's China Excursion Could Swell Apple's Coffers
January 11, 2013

Apple CEO Tim Cook has had a busy week in China trying to drum up more business for his company. Cook met with China's minister of industry and information on Tuesday, executives at partner China Unicom on Wednesday, and with Xi Guohua, the CEO of China Mobile -- which has more subscribers than any other carrier in the world -- on Thursday.

Apple Doesn't Do Cheap
January 10, 2013

While I really would like to see an inexpensive new iPhone model, I'm having a hard time seeing this shake out anytime soon, despite the rising tide of rumors. We've weathered rumors of a cheap iPhone model in years past -- which in retrospect seem to have been more wishful thinking than anything else.

Apple May Give Next-Gen iPhone a Splash of Color
January 02, 2013

This year will be the year of an iPhone of many colors and even different sizes, according to the latest Apple speculation by analyst Brian White at Topeka Capital Markets. Apple's newest smartphone might come in three screen sizes, White reportedly predicted in a research note.

The Coolest Cartoon Video App You've Never Noticed: ToonCamera
January 02, 2013

ToonCamera is an app that's been flirting with stardom in the iTunes App Store: I've seen it rise as high as the No. 8 paid app in the Photo & Video category, as well as claw into the Top 100 paid apps in the store. Along the way, it's boasted a high 4 or 4.5 star user review rating. ToonCamera is an iPhone or iPad app that applies a real-time cartoonish filter to photos and videos.

Apple Denies License, Prompting $139K Kickstarter Refund
December 21, 2012

Edison Junior is issuing the largest Kickstarter refund ever after it couldn't secure the use of Apple's new Lightning dock technology for its universal charging gadget. The company set out to create a portable charging station, called the "Pop." The minimalist device was supposed to support ports for multiple chargeable devices, including iPhones.

USPTO Hits Apple Where It Hurts
December 20, 2012

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Wednesday rejected all 21 claims in Apple's "pinch-to-zoom" patent in a preliminary ruling after an ex parte re-examination of the patent. The USPTO ruling is a significant blow to Apple, as the patent was among those found to have been infringed by Samsung in a case that went to trial this summer.

Apple Pushes Out WiFi Fix for iOS 6
December 19, 2012

Apple on Tuesday began pushing a fix to a WiFi bug in iOS 6 that targets the iPhone 5 and iPad mini. Apple has released very little information about the fix. Its support site simply describes the 6.0.2 update as "fixes a bug that could impact WiFi." This latest fix for iOS 6 is the second since the software was released in September.

Samsung Shows Signs of Softening in Smartphone Tug of War
December 18, 2012

Samsung said Tuesday that it will drop its pursuit of injunctions against the sale of some Apple products in Europe. Samsung wants to compete "fairly in the marketplace, rather than in the court," according to its official statement, but the move is an odd twist in the ongoing legal saga between the two consumer electronics giants.