Apple Inc. - page 21

Apple asks Supreme Court to reject Samsung’s ‘unexceptional’ appeal

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apple-asks-supreme-court-to-reject-samsungs-unexceptional-appeal-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201602Galaxy-S6-edge-iPhone-6s-jpg
Apple wants Supreme Court to kill Samsung lawsuit.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

In a petition to the Supreme Court, Apple says the high court shouldn’t waste its time with Samsung’s high-profile appeal in the two companies’ long legal battle over patents.

Samsung filed an appeal in December asking for the Supreme Court to take a look at how the damages were calculated, but Apple argues that even though it was awarded $548 million, the case is “legally unexceptional.”

Badgers and bats halt Apple’s Irish data center plans

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Not an Irish bat, but cute anyway.
Not an Irish bat, but cute anyway.
Photo: Anton Croos / CC Wikimedia

Apple’s plans for a new €850 million data center in Ireland have been put on hold after nearby residents appealed the recent decision to grant Apple rights to build there.

The complaint cites increased traffic and noise due to construction, but also claims that nearby bats and badgers, protected species that live in the nearby forest, will be significantly impacted.

The planning appeals board hopes to have a decision on the objections and make a final call sometime this month.

Apple Watch credited for explosive growth in wearable market

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Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Makers of wearable electronics need to thank the Apple Watch for the rapidly growing wearable market, itself poised to see even more stunning gains in the coming year.

“From 2015 through 2017, smartwatch adoption will have 48 percent growth largely due to Apple popularizing wearables as a lifestyle trend,” said Angela McIntyre, director at research firm, Gartner.

Apple is finally giving iPhone users a taste of VR

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The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
The iPhone looks good inside the View-Master VR headset.
Photo: Apple

Apple is supposedly working furiously on product ideas to enter the Virtual Reality market. There have even been reports of several prototypes of VR headsets created by a secret research team said to be comprised of hundreds of engineers.

If Apple has been mind-bogglingly quiet about VR, it did offer a sign of interest recently when the View-Master VR headset appeared for sale on Apple’s website.

Google wants its Nexus phones to be more like the iPhone

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The official Google phone is coming.
The official Google phone is coming.
Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google
Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google

Google’s flagship Nexus 6P delivered significant design improvements last year, putting its hardware on par with the best devices from rival manufacturers. But Google wants the Nexus lineup to be even more like the iPhone.

To make that happen, the company will reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturing partners like Huawei and LG and assume greater control over Nexus hardware, according to one report.

Apple has reached testing phase of dual-lens camera samples

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Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Apple is reportedly testing dual-lens cameras from three different companies.
Photo: Computerbild.de

Apple is apparently reviewing samples of dual-lens cameras that may go into a version of the iPhone 7.

A tech website based in Taiwan reported Tuesday that Largan Technology, which currently supplies Apple with the bulk of its smartphone cameras, is one of three companies to submit samples.

Here’s what photos from a dual-camera iPhone 7 might look like

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This enlarged portrait shows a difference in quality from the iPhone 5s, left, and a dual-camera system created by LinX Imaging.
This enlarged portrait shows a difference in quality from the iPhone 5s, left, and a dual-camera system created by LinX Imaging.
Photo: LinX Imaging

If the pictures “Shot on the iPhone 6” were impressive, a dual-camera iPhone 7 could have the photography world again licking its chops.

Just how much further the technical quality could go with smartphone images is a future found in the work of an Israeli company called LinX Imaging, which happened to get purchased by Apple last year.

Why doesn’t the iPhone have wireless charging already?

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fnf
Get a move on, Apple!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is finally working to bring wireless charging to iPhone, according to a recent report, but we’ll have to wait until 2017 to get it. Why? Because Apple doesn’t think the wireless charging standards we already have are good enough.

Friday-Night-Fights-bug-2Instead, the company is said to be developing a long-range alternative that means you won’t need to place your iPhone down on a special charging pad. But is this really necessary? Will the technology be worth waiting for, or should Apple just deliver wireless charging already?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we fight to the death over this very topic. It promises to be… electrifying.

Apple buys education software startup LearnSprout

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Cupertino buys the education tech company LearnSprout.
Cupertino buys the education tech company LearnSprout.
Photo: LearnSprout

Apple, which lost ground to the Google Chromebook last year in the K-12 market, has acquired the education software company LearnSprout, which develops programs for schools to track student performance.

The move could give Apple a stronger foothold in the education market because LearnSprout is in more than 2,500 schools in 42 states.

Aluminum stand puts Apple monitors on fitting pedestal

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Satechi's aluminum monitor stand is a stylish fit to your Apple work station.
Satechi's aluminum monitor stand is a stylish fit to your Apple work station.
Photo: Satechi

You already put your Apple computer on a pedestal. You might as well make that pedestal complimentary to Jony Ive’s design.

The tech accessories company Satechi on Thursday debuted a sleek aluminum monitor stand, perfect to give your iMac monitor or MacBook enough elevation to promote the good posture you otherwise ignore.

Samsung to copy iPhone Upgrade Program to stop switchers

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samsung-to-copy-iphone-upgrade-program-to-stop-switchers-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201511Galaxy-S6-cam-jpg
Samsung doesn't want you to commit to Apple. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Samsung doesn’t want you to commit to Apple. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Samsung is reportedly planning to launch its own upgrade program to give Galaxy smartphone fans an easy and more affordable route to its latest devices.

The move would be a direct response to Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, and could prevent long-time users from making the switch to iOS.

The 5 biggest takeaways from Apple’s biggest quarter ever

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It's a veritable tornado of cash!
It's a veritable tornado of cash!
Photo: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

Apple reported record revenue during its earnings call Tuesday, but Tim Cook almost sounded like he was channeling Game of Thrones characters. He didn’t actually say “winter is coming,” but he might as well have.

Revenue is high for now, but iPhone sales are slowing down, the iPad continues to underperform and — most troublesome of all — the global economy will continue to play havoc with Apple’s bottom line.

Still, Cook and Co. remain optimistic about Apple’s ability to continue its world-beating performance. Here are five of the biggest takeaways we got from Apple’s Q1 2016 earnings call today with Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri.

App Store hits record $3.3 billion in quarterly revenue

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You'll be able to disable all notifications for Live Video on Facebook soon.
Facebook had a pretty good few months in the App Store.
Photo: Thomas Ulrich/Pixabay

Whatever else we hear from Apple’s earnings call later today, we know that its App Store game is strong.

The virtual store that provides all of your favorite fart apps raked in a Scrooge McDuck-esque pile of coin with a record-setting $3.3 billion in revenue and 5.5 billion downloads during the last three months of 2015.

Apple wasn’t the only company that finished the year strong, though; Facebook also pulled in some impressive numbers.

Your boring Apple gear would look so much better dipped in 24k gold

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Goldgenie offers the iPhone 6s with a couple of additional upgrades, diamonds and gold.
Goldgenie offers the iPhone 6s with a couple of additional upgrades, diamonds and gold.
Photo: Goldgenie

Sure you can get you MacBook or iPhone in gold or rose gold colors. Or for a few bucks more – OK, several thousand dollars more – you can get your Apple products plated with real 24K gold.

Maybe the bitten Apple logo on your devices is enough status symbol for you, but Goldgenie, with offices in London and Dubai, is betting there are a few Apple fans drawn to the hypnotic shine of the precious metal.

Samsung is bringing all its best apps to iOS

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samsung-is-bringing-all-its-best-apps-to-ios-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201506apple-samsung-iphone-galaxy-patent-war1-jpg
Samsung apps are coming to iOS.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC
apple-samsung-iphone-galaxy-patent-war

Samsung and Apple have been bitter smartphone rivals for nearly a decade now, but it appears that Samsung may be ready to finally embrace iOS.

Some of Samsung’s best apps (if not all) are coming to iOS soon, according to a new report that claims the Galaxy-maker plans to pull a Microsoft and bring its apps to Apple’s platform as part of its effort to increase adoption of its connected devices.

Old iPhones could erase gloom from earnings report

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iPhone 6s
Oh dear.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Analysts with sobering certainty say Apple is set to report its first ever decline in iPhone sales. Reports of cutbacks in production and shipments, and chatter about the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus not offering enough new features to inspire a rush to upgrade all point to one bummer of an earnings report.

But they might be overlooking one indicator – sales of older iPhones.

Daimler’s CEO sounds scared of the Apple Car

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Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Apple Car might be coming, but will it be special?
Image: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

Although Steve Zadesky may be leaving Cupertino, Project Titan (the so-called Apple Car project) is apparently progressing at a fast enough rate that the German auto industry is starting to get scared.

Ask the CEO of Germany’s Daimler AG, owner of Mercedes-Benz, who says that after visiting Silicon Valley, he’s starting to get worried: companies like Apple are further along with their automobile plans than he thought.

Apple’s iPhone 5se allegedly pictured on camera next to the iPhone 5

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The iPhone 5 on the left, the iPhone 5se on the right.
The iPhone 5 on the left, the iPhone 5se on the right.
Photo: Onemorething.nl

Just a couple days ago, we heard some of the strongest evidence yet that Apple would soon release a new 4-inch iPhone, supposedly called the iPhone 5se. Now we’ve got a shot of what it allegedly looks like in direct comparison  to the iPhone 5. And surprise! The supposed iPhone 5se is plenty sexy.

Why Intel should be scared of the iPad Pro’s A9X chip

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iPad Pro
Bag a bargain iPad Pro today.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Although we’ve been skeptical of the idea of ARM-based Macs in the past, rumors have been heating up that Apple will switch to ARM processors for all Macs this year due to massive performance gains. But as great as Apple’s A-series chips are, are they really ready to power Macs?

The answer isn’t entirely clear-cut, but a new series of benchmarks suggest that Apple’s ARM chips are starting to compete with Intel’s Core M chips, which power the 12-inch Retina MacBook. If this pace keeps up, iPads might be faster than Macs in just a few generations.

Apple TV’s new ad animates the future of television

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Apps are how you get your content now on Apple TV.
Apps are how you get your content now on Apple TV.
Photo: Apple

The Apple TV future of television is apps, says Apple. Whether you’re sitting down to watch The Simpsons on Fox, Game of Thrones on HBO, or racing your buddies in Asphalt 8, these days it’s a good chance you’re using some sort of app.

You’re definitely app-ing it up if you’re using Apple’s latest hockey-puck device, which brought games and media apps to the big screen not too long ago.

The latest ad for the device, up on YouTube now, highlights all the good stuff with a cleverly animated Apple TV. Check it out.

Cherie Blair thinks Apple needs to hire more women

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Cherie Blair, women's rights advocate and wife of a former British prime minister, chides Apple for its lack of diversity.
Cherie Blair, women's rights advocate and wife of a former British prime minister, chides Apple for its lack of diversity.
Photo: HuffPostRise

Apple CEO Tim Cook continues to take fire over the company’s lack of diversity, the mostly white, male makeup of management described by one investor last year as a “bit too vanilla.”

Women’s rights activist Cherie Blair chose words Wednesday with a little more bite. The British barrister and wife of the former prime minister Tony Blair called Cook “so shortsighted” in Apple’s seemingly less-than-urgent effort to add more women to leadership.

Is iOS 9.3 Night Shift toggle coming to Control Center?

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This official Apple image might prove Night Shift will be part of Control Center.
This official Apple image might prove Night Shift will be part of Control Center.
Photo: Apple

For our money, Night Shift is one of the coolest additions to iOS 9.3 beta 1. In fact, it could be the most important UI/UX improvement iOS has added in years.

Even the guys Apple ripped off to come up with the feature are cool with it. But it could get even better before iOS 9.3 is finally released to the general public.

Price cuts pay off: Apple hits all-time high in India

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india
Apple is doing all it can to grow in India.
Illustration: Cult of Mac

Apple posted record sales in India during the final quarter of 2015, positive financial news for Cupertino amid forecasters predicting a rough start to the new year.

Apple shipped a record 800,000 devices to India from October through December, a record spurred by a wider distribution base, discounts, buybacks and installment plans.