Mobile menu toggle

Luke Dormehl - page 184

Ireland could be in trouble for ignoring Apple’s giant tax bill

By

Apple could be a $2 trillion company by end of 2021
Ireland has yet to claim its Cupertino windfall.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Ireland could receive an official rebuke from European Union authorities this week for failing to collect the $17.6 billion tax payment it is owed by Apple.

Apple was supposed to pay the money way back on January 3, but Ireland has continued to battle against the case — with the majority of the country saying it doesn’t want Apple’s money. As a result, the European Commission may issue a so-called “non-compliance action” against Ireland.

WhatsApp’s new emojis look a whole lot like Apple’s

By

emojis
Spot the difference.
Photo: Emojipedia

WhatsApp is introducing its own emoji — and, boy, do they look a whole lot like the Apple ones that it previously relied on!

The designs are not out-and-out copies, but they look very similar when the two are not placed side by side. Subtle differences include the fact that WhatsApp’s versions of the images look slightly more cartoonish in design, while incidental changes have been made — such as the switch of the water pistol from being green in color to orange.

Major League Baseball tests Apple Pay-style ticket system

By

MLB
MLB is testing some innovative new technology.
Photo: Andrei Niemimäki/Flickr CC

The Oakland Athletics are testing a new NFC ticketing system that lets Apple users scan their iPhone or Apple Watch on the ticket reader, much like they would to make an Apple Pay purchase.

The system uses the same NFC tech as Apple’s mobile payment system. It is being trialled for a six-game homestand, which started after the launch of iOS 11.

Trump tax plan would hit Apple’s overseas earnings

By

President Trump: Apple encryption could protect ‘criminal minds’
President Trump wants to stop companies shifting their profits to overseas tax havens.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC

As part of his plans for cutting business rates, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have proposed a new tax that could have a big impact on Silicon Valley tech giants including Apple.

The proposal — designed to stop companies from shifting their profits to overseas tax havens — calls for “rules to protect the U.S. tax base by taxing at a reduced rate and on a global basis the foreign profits of U.S. multinational corporations.”

Samsung reportedly makes $110 for every iPhone X Apple sells

By

So that's how you pronounce
If the iPhone X is a hit for Apple, Samsung will be very happy indeed.
Photo: Apple

Although devices like the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 are officially Samsung’s response to the Apple’s next-gen phone, the South Korean tech giant will nonetheless do quite well from the success of the iPhone X.

How well? According to a new report, Samsung will earn roughly $110 for every iPhone X that Apple manages to sell.

Apple Watch and AirPods set to be big holiday hits

By

apple watch 1
Apple is ramping up the orders ahead of Christmas.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The holiday season is always good for Apple, and this year is no exception. Along with the iPhone X’s possible record pre-orders and better-than-initially-thought iPhone 8 and 8 Plus sales, Apple’s suppliers are also enthused by rising sales for Apple’s AirPods and Apple Watches.

According to sources in Apple’s upstream supply chain, demand for both products has increased and Apple is placing more orders to match.

Apple investigating iPhone 8 Plus which burst open while charging

By

iPhone burst
Issue could be related to a possible battery fault.
Photo: BC News

Apple has confirmed that it is investigating reports of two iPhone 8 Plus handsets which reportedly burst open — one while being charged, and the other while out for delivery to its buyer.

Apple told the U.K.’s Independent newspaper that it was “looking into” these incidents, but declined further comment.

Apple shows off its amazing Portrait Lighting in new iPhone ad

By

Portrait
Apple is proud of its latest iPhone camera tech.
Photo: Apple

Apple debuted a new ad on its YouTube page over the weekend, showcasing the new Portrait Lighting feature for the iPhone X and iPhone 8 Plus.

The ad depicts a woman walking down the street, perfectly illuminated with studio-like lighting despite moving between different locations. The ad shows off all of the different Portrait Lighting settings including Studio Light, Natural Light, Contour Light, Stage Light, and Stage Light Mono.

While the Portrait Lighting is for stills rather than video, the ad still gives you a sense of what the new feature can do for your photos. Check it out below.

FBI can keep iPhone hacking details secret

By

Proposed bill could hold tech giants more accountable for child exploitation
Hacking the iPhone caused a standoff between Apple and FBI last year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

A U.S. court ruled over the weekend that the FBI won’t have to reveal to Apple exactly how it was able to hack a terrorist’s iPhone, since this could present security issues.

Federal judge Tanya Chutkan said that naming the vendor which aided the FBI, as well as the amount of money that was paid to it, could invite cyberattacks against the company. In addition, it might lead to the hacking tool which was used being stolen.

Flower, RoomScan Pro, and other awesome apps of the week

By

Awesome Apps
'App weekend, everyone!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

An ethereal, relaxing game unlike almost any other I’ve across is one of the picks for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”

In addition, we’ve selected a massive price reduction and big update of a great original Nintendo game for iOS, an app which uses ARKit to help create floor plans of your house, and a Cedars-Sinai medical app for Apple Watch. Check out our picks below:

Apple could soon build its own iPhone modems and Mac processors

By

chips
Apple is bringing more chip development in-house.
Photo: Apple

Apple is interested in developing its own in-house ARM-based processors for MacBooks, modem chips for iPhones, and a “chip that integrates touch, fingerprint and display driver functions,” claims a new report.

Doing this would allow Apple to lessen its reliance on companies on companies like Qualcomm, which Apple is currently locked in a legal battle with.

Tim Cook and Phil Schiller promote Apple’s updated privacy page

By

privacy policy
Apple's privacy policy separates it from its rivals.
Photo: Apple

Apple takes user privacy pretty darn seriously, and it’s launched an updated webpage with a new look and information to underline exactly that point.

Shared on Twitter by both Tim Cook and Phil Schiller, the webpage lays out some of Apple’s beliefs on the topic, including the fact that it considers, “privacy is a fundamental human right,” and that it doesn’t want any of your personal information — ranging from the news stories you read to your heart rate after a run — to be shared against your will.

Yay? Snapchat is ready to bring us augmented reality ads

By

This guy
Who knows? Your corporate mascot could become as popular as this guy!
Photo: Snapchat

Advertising is the life blood of many tech companies, so it’s no surprise that people are already tripping over themselves to find a good way of monetizing augmented reality, the technology Apple has brought to the masses with ARKit.

The company that’s first out of the gate with AR spam is Snapchat, which has just announced that it’s opening up its 3D World Lenses to advertisers. Ever wanted to have fun™ by interacting with a beloved corporate mascot? Well, now you can.

Why Steve Jobs’ Playboy interview was his most revealing ever

By

Jobs
This was one of the most in-depth interviews of Jobs' career.
Photo: Esther Dyson/Ann Yow-Dyson/Flickr CC

Playboy magazine may be more closely associated with bunnies than with bytes, but back in February 1985 it was home to one of the most revealing interviews of Steve Jobs’ career.

To mark the passing of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who died Wednesday at the age of 91, we revisit one of the most in-depth interviews Jobs ever gave, which was conducted at a particularly tumultuous time in his career.

Super Mario Run gets big price cut as new content arrives

By

Super Mario Run on iOS
The game is available for just $4.99 for a couple weeks.
Photo: Apple

If you’ve not tried Nintendo’s Super Mario Run game yet, the company has an offer it hopes may be able to lure you in: a half price sale, along with the addition of all-new game elements.

From today through October 12, Super Mario Run will set users back just $4.99 for every level. The update, meanwhile, adds support for a new character called Daisy, and an extra nine levels, which are playable once you’ve completed the existing stages.

All iPhones could get bezel-free screens in 2018

By

iPhone X
Apple's next LCD iPhone could look a lot more like this.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly planning on keeping LCD iPhones around for another year after the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus — but don’t expect any ordinary, regular LCD displays.

According to a new report, Apple is investigating the possible use of technology known as Full Active LCD screens, a type of advanced liquid crystal display that would allow it to create an LCD handset which looks much closer to the new OLED iPhone X.

Cedars-Sinai’s new Apple Watch app connects patients with doctors

By

Cedars Sinai Apple Watch
Cedars-Sinai's new Apple Watch app.
Photo: Cedars-Sinai

The Apple Watch may not yet be a fully FDA-approved medical device in its own right, but it’s already playing a valuable role when it comes to healthcare.

World renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has just launched an update to its existing iOS mobile app — allowing patients who own an Apple Watch to use it to find nearby hospitals and even call doctors directly.

Rare Steve Jobs-signed magazine goes up for auction next month

By

Steve_Jobs_2007
Who wouldn't want their very own Steve Jobs autograph?
Photo: Ben Stanfield/Flickr CC

Do you fancy getting your hands on some Steve Jobs memorabilia, but can’t quite stretch to the high six figure dollar mark needed to purchase a big ticket item like an original Apple-1 computer? No problem if so — because an upcoming auction for a Steve Jobs autograph may be more in your ballpark.

The autography in question is on the front cover of a Newsweek magazine from October 24, 1988, features Jobs with his NeXT computer — the first of several computers he launched during his wilderness years outside of Apple.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ to blame for iPhone X’s latest production woes

By

Juliet
Romeo and Juliet sensor components are to blame.
Photo: 20th Century Fox

The TrueDepth facial recognition 3D sensor is reportedly the latest manufacturing bottleneck when it comes to the iPhone X, and is causing Apple’s suppliers to turn out just “tens of thousands” of finished handsets per day — against possible preorders of 40-50 million.

A new report sheds a bit more light on the exact problem being faced by Apple’s suppliers. Apparently, it relates to a pair of components dubbed Romeo and Juliet, which make up the sensor in question.

Apple named world’s most valuable brand for fifth consecutive year

By

New brand ranking
That sound you hear is champagne flutes clinking in Cupertino.
Photo: Interbrand

Apple has had another great year, which is why it’s no surprise to hear that brand consultancy Interbrand has just named it the world’s most valuable brand for a highly impressive fifth year in a row.

Apple was followed by Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung, Facebook, and IBM — all of which helped technology firms dominate the top 10 list.

Only 1 in 5 people can accurately draw the Apple logo

By

logo
That's a whole lot of logo fails.
Photo: Branded in Memory

As the world’s most valuable company, with one of the most recognizable logos in corporate history, you’d think that most people would be capable of drawing the Apple symbol with some degree of accuracy. Especially since it appears on the devices that millions of us carry in our pockets every day.

In fact, a new survey called Branded in Memory shows that more people get the Apple logo wrong than get it right when sketching it out. Check out the most common mistakes below.

Apple says a fix is coming for iPhone 8’s crackling earpiece

By

iPhone
Issue only affects a small number of handsets.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 4 had Antennagate, the iPhone 6 Plus had Bendgate, and — at least according to multiple online complaints — the iPhone 8 suffers from Cracklegate.

The issue affects a small number of iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus earpieces, resulting in a distracting “crackle” or “static” noise during calls. But don’t worry — according to Apple, a fix is on the way.

iPhone 8 sales far more promising than early reports suggested

By

iPhone
Apple is expecting a 50/50 split between the iPhone 8 and iPhone X product lines.
Photo: S Marshall-McCormack/Twitter

Concerns that the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus experienced disappointing first weekend sales are overblown, claims respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors, Kuo said that reports about the new iPhone 8 have so far been “excessively negative.”

Instead, Kuo suggests that first weekend sales for the handset were relatively stable, and that Apple is expecting a roughly even split between the iPhone X and the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

Face ID sensor is latest pain point for iPhone X production

By

Face ID
iPhone X production is no walk in the park for Apple.
Photo: Apple

If you wonder why you can’t get your hands on an iPhone X until well into 2018, you may have its facial recognition 3D sensor to blame, a new report claims.

Citing two executives working for iPhone X suppliers, the report states that the new sensor’s yield rate is failing to reach a satisfactory level. As a result, just “tens of thousands” of iPhone X handsets are currently being produced daily. For a handset that could have preorders of 40-50 million that’s not good!