Apple Buzz

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.

China Jumps the Gun on Cybersecurity Talks
June 06, 2013

This coming weekend's cybersecurity talks may have already started. China's state-run newspaper ran an article claiming that the government has "mountains of data" proving it has been the victim cyberespionage at the hands of the United States. The report precedes the upcoming landmark meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and President Obama; cybersecurity is expected to be a key talking point.

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 Battles E-Book Charges
June 05, 2013

Apple's trial for alleged e-book price-fixing is under way, and the tech giant has said it is not going down without a fight. The suit, brought by the U.S. Department of Justice about a year ago, claims that Apple and five other major publishers engaged in a conspiracy to fix e-book pricing. The alleged conspiracy began in 2009, when Amazon released its Kindle.

US, China to Hold Regular Cybersecurity Chats
June 03, 2013

Increasingly testy rhetoric and increasingly legitimate concerns have prompted the United States and China to announce that they will hold regular high-level talks on standards of cyberbehavior. The announcement precedes a meeting between President Obama and Chinese president Xi Jinping scheduled for Friday.

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.

European Commission Probes Apple's Tactics
May 28, 2013

The European Commission is taking a closer look at whether Apple is engaging in unfair sales practices. The EC, which is the executive branch of the European Union, sent a questionnaire last week to several European mobile network operators probing Apple's distribution terms -- specifically, whether those terms preclude rivals from offering a better sales deal.

The iWatch's Time Will Be 2014, Says Analyst
May 24, 2013

Will we see an iWatch in 2014? Ming-Chi Kuo thinks so. In a research note this week, the KGI Securities analyst predicted that Apple had too much on its plate in 2013 to introduce a smartwatch, but is readying the device for next year. The company's entry into the wearable computer market will be a device that attaches to the wrist, Kuo said, but it will not be positioned as a watch.

Senators Piling on Apple's Taxes Are Missing the Point
May 23, 2013

So is Apple a tax-dodging evil company with a dark heart? No. The answer is no. However, Apple is certainly a corporation, and all corporations are driven first and foremost by profit -- no matter what the company says about the joy of making great products. Astoundingly passionate and driven individuals, who sometimes run corporations, might be driven by the joy of creation.

Amid Threats From Anonymous, Guantanamo WiFi Shut Down
May 22, 2013

Despite cries from the Left, the Guantanamo Bay detention camp is still up and running. The same, however, can't be said for Guantanamo's WiFi. The U.S. military turned off wireless Internet service at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base amid threats from the hacker collective Anonymous. Officials have also nixed access to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, a spokesperson for the prison said.

Cook Plays Defense Against Senators Over Apple's Taxes
May 22, 2013

Apple CEO Tim Cook defended his company's tax policies in Congress Tuesday, after the Senate released a report that condemned it for tax policies that used global subsidiaries to avoid paying billions in U.S. taxes. Apple dodged taxes on as much as $44 billion in foreign income from 2009 to 2012, the report alleges.