2016 sent Apple for a wild ride full of fantastic new products, crazy controversies and tons of extra drama with its rivals.
Tim Cook and his colleagues probably can’t wait to jump into 2017. But before we start looking toward Apple’s future, let’s take a quick look back at all the stories that made 2016 a year Apple fans will never forget.
Samsung is planning to take on Apple’s fancy new AirPods with its own wireless earbuds that will launch alongside the Galaxy S8, according to a new report.
It’s thought Samsung is unlikely to follow Apple’s decision to drop the 3.5mm headphone jack, but it will still push wireless alternatives as they become increasingly popular.
Apple CEO Tim Cook was all smiles during a brief appearance at the New York Stock Exchange this morning. While taking a quick tour of the floor with his nephew, Cook revealed that AirPods are so popular Apple can’t make them fast enough.
More iPhones and iPads were activated over the festive season than any other company’s handsets and tablets, according to data published by analytics firm Flurry.
Analyzing data about phone and app activation throughout the week leading up to Christmas day and the start of Chanukah, Flurry found that 44 percent of all new activations were for Apple devices — more than twice the number of nearest rival, Samsung.
No matter how well you take care of an Android phone, the time will come for it to count its last electric sheep. Selling a smartphone, even a functioning one, can be a hassle — and less than rewarding when dealing with the typical Android buyback program or Craigslist buyer.
If you’ve got a Samsung, LG or HTC phone, even one that’s gone completely kaput, Cult of Mac’s buyback program makes it easy to trade it in for the best price.
Google is giving iPhone users yet another easy way to switch to Android.
The latest update to its Google Drive app for iOS brings the ability to backup some of your most important data in just a few taps before migrating it all to a new Android smartphone.
Samsung may spin off its chip-making business as part of a company-wide restructuring, claims a new report.
The move would be a response to Samsung’s loss of Apple’s A-series chip orders to rival chipmaker TSMC for the iPhone 7 and, potentially, future iOS chips as well.
Samsung has decided to abandon its attempt to bring its mobile payment service to iOS after Apple rejected the company’s new Samsung Pay Mini app.
The app would have allowed users to checkout with Samsung Pay when shopping online on their iPhone, but Samsung says it will now focus exclusively on Android.
Galaxy Note 7 owners who refuse to give up their explosive device will soon have no choice but to use a different phone.
Samsung revealed today that it plans to release a software update later this month that will brick all Galaxy Note 7 units not returned during its recall.
The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to Apple Tuesday when it sided with Samsung in a smartphone patent battle that had the South Korean company staring at hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties.
In a unanimous ruling, the Court ruled a patent violator does not have to turn over all its profits from sales if the stolen design involved certain components and the not the entire device.
Samsung plans to take the “courageous” step of copying Apple next year by ditching the headphone jack on its flagship smartphone.
The Galaxy Note 7’s embarrassing tendency to catch fire might have been caused by Samsung’s decision to cram the battery too tightly into the smartphone’s body.
Fitness band maker Fitbit is said to be in the process of acquiring Pebble, the company that kickstarted the smartwatch generation. Sources say the acquisition will cost between $35 million and $40 million, and will include the entire Pebble portfolio — including its intellectual property.
Samsung Electronics has revealed that it is considering splitting itself into two separate companies, as the result of intense pressure from shareholders.
The South Korean tech giant will carry out a review to look at the implications of such a massive move, although in a statement it noted that such a review “does not indicate the management or the board’s intention one way or another.”
The iPhone 7 may cost half the average annual salary in India, but that’s not stopping it from trouncing rival Samsung when it comes to premium smartphone marketshare in the country.
While Samsung garnered just 23 percent of the Rs 30,000 and up ($437-plus) market last month, Apple almost tripled this with a 66 percent share of high-end smartphone unit sales. Google’s new Pixel smartphone slid into third place with 10 percent of the market.
Rumors continue to stack up claiming that next year’s iPhone will ship with a curved display, but The Wall Street Journal suggests that such a smartphone is just “one of more than 10 prototypes being considered.”
Samsung’s desperate to boost Galaxy S7 sales following the death of the Galaxy Note 7, so it’s turning to Apple (again) for inspiration.
The South Korean company is planning a “glossy black” version of its flagship smartphone that will take on the insanely popular jet black iPhone 7.
Samsung really dropped the ball with the Galaxy Note 7, but according to a new survey, fans haven’t lost faith in the South Korean company.
In fact, Samsung’s fans are just as loyal as Apple’s, with 91 percent saying they would buy another Samsung smartphone again.
A Canadian man says he’s lucky to still have his eyes after a Samsung Galaxy S7 exploded in his hands.
Amarjit Mann told a local news station that he felt something in his pocket getting warm while he was driving. He pulled out his Galaxy S7 and says it exploded immediately. Sparks from the blast hit him in the cheek.
Apple is being called on by the China Consumers Association (CCA) to investigate a “considerable number” of reports by users who claim their iPhone 6’s are spontaneously and permanently shutting down.
Samsung has a history of ripping off new iPhone features soon after they’re introduced by Apple, but the South Korean company is yet to adopt 3D Touch. According to new rumors, that will change next spring with the Galaxy S8.
In its biggest-ever overseas purchase, Samsung bought automotive tech company Harman International Industries for a massive $8 billion.
Samsung referred to automotive electronics as a “strategic priority” going forward, which — as with its current positioning in the smartphone industry — makes the Korean company a major rival or resource for Cupertino as it continues its own investigations into a possible Apple Car.
Analysts can’t agree whether smartwatch sales are tanking or booming.
In a new study that refutes IDC’s estimation that total smartwatch sales declined last quarter, analysts at Canalys argue that shipments actually rose 60 percent and the Apple Watch dominated.
Look alive, everyone! November is finally here, and that means Black Friday is on the way. However, you won’t have to wait until the 26th to start saving. Now that Apple has unleashed its new tech lineup, prices are falling for iMacs, and refurbished Apple products are making a comeback. Logitech is even getting a headstart on Black Friday sales with an $80 discount on their premier gaming headphones.
2016 will be a year to forget for Samsung.
The South Korean company has been forced to recall 2.8 million washing machines in the U.S. following reports that they are falling apart during use. One unlucky customer suffered a broken jaw when the top of their unit blew off.