Mobile menu toggle

Search results for: patent

Qualcomm’s battle with Apple has more twists than a pretzel

By

Qualcomm patents
This battle doesn't show any signs of ending soon.
Photo: Qualcomm

The Qualcomm vs. Apple legal battle rages on — and, boy, is it getting convoluted at this point!

In the latest legal decision in the case, Judge Lucy Koh denied a motion by plaintiffs that would have allowed them to block Qualcomm from getting the necessary permissions to block certain iPhone imports to the U.S. Got that?

Apple buys startup that builds AR headset displays

By

Apple glasses
Apple AR glasses just became more likely.
Photo: Martin Hajek

Apple just dropped a big clue that it’s planning to make a pair of augmented reality glasses with its latest acquisition.

The company confirmed this week that it purchased a Colorado-based startup called Akonia that’s focused on making lenses for wearable headset displays and it could help Apple create thin, transparent smart glass lenses with vibrant full colors.

Now you can use olloclip lenses with all your devices

By

olloclip
One mobile photography lens amount for many devices
Photo: olloclip

Rarely is a mobile phone lens attachment one-size-fits-all. But olloclip’s new Multi-Device Clip may come the closest.

Announced by the California-based company this morning, the new clip brings flush alignment of the camera and ollociip lens, even on handsets with screen protectors and thin protective cases.

Don’t even think about copying Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater

By

steve jobs theater
The Steve Jobs Theater as it appears today.
Photo: Apple

Apple is rightly proud of its Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus, and now it’s got the design patent to stop others copying it.

The attractive circular glass building gives way to a 1,000 underground auditorium — complete with hidden walls, high tech projection system, and leather chairs which set Apple back a reported $14,000 apiece.

MacBook concept ditches physical keys for a giant Touch Bar

By

MacBook sales rising
This concept takes the Touch Bar to the next level.
Photo: Apple

When Apple introduced the MacBook with Touch Bar a couple of years back, it got positive reviews — although it also seemed like a concept that Apple hadn’t pushed as far it would go.

That same criticism certainly can’t be leveled at a new concept video created by Turkish designer and Apple fan Furkan Kasap. Kasap has reimagined the MacBook keyboard as a full-on virtual keyboard built around a touch display. Check it out.

5G iPhone will cost Apple a pretty penny

By

iPhone 5G
Making the 5G iPhone is going to be a complex and expensive business.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

There’s no doubt Apple will eventually make a 5G iPhone. The high-speed standard was finalized a few months ago, and wireless service providers are building 5G networks.

The next step is for the companies that developed the technology to decide what they’ll charge Apple and other phone makers to license their patents. The total might be more than you expect.

iOS App Dock could migrate to the iPhone’s edges

By

Phone side screens.could take the place of physical buttons and switches. And there'll be app icons and notifications on the edges, too.
Phone side screens.could take the place of physical buttons and switches. And there'll be app icons and notifications on the edges, too.
Photo: Apple

Apple is considering bending an iPhone display around the sides of the device, making additional room for buttons and status notifications.

This isn’t a new concept, as rival devices have does something similar for years. But Apple filed a patent for these side-screens just 9 months ago, so it’s clearly still interested in the idea.

Siri may soon recognize different voices

By

Spanish Siri labels Bolivian president a ‘dictator’
Siri's voice is changing.
Photo: Apple

Apple engineers are preparing for the day Siri can reliably recognize voices. They’re working on how this digital assistant will respond to requests from multiple users.

This issue became important with the release of Apple’s HomePod earlier this year, as smartspeaker are used in shared spaces.

Face ID can’t stop boom in fingerprint-scanning displays

By

iPhone Touch ID
And you thought the days of fingerprint sensors were coming to an end!
Photo: Apple

Apple may have opted for Face ID over in-display Touch ID for the iPhone X, but plenty of lower cost handset makers aren’t in a position to use facial recognition in their handsets — and they’re embracing in-display fingerprint sensors as a result.

According to a new report, global shipments of in-display fingerprint sensors are expected to top 42 million units in 2018. And that number will more than double in 2019.

Magnetic connector gives new MacBooks that old MagSafe feel

By

Magtop Pro
Your USB-C connector is now safe from a sudden yank on the cord.
Photo: Magtop

MagSafe connection is no more, but Magtop Pro brings back that feature on new MacBook Pros with Type-C charging.

Magtop maybe the tiniest of Mac accessories, but there’s nothing small about its place between the end of your power cord and the Type-C socket.