Apple products have a reputation for retaining their value much better than rivaling devices made by other companies. The fact that the iPhone doesn't seem to depreciate nearly as much as the likes of the Samsung Galaxies and Lumias of the world means that purchasing a smartphone bearing that famous bitten-Apple logo accounts to a shrewd long-term investment. And as the cost price of an Apple iPhone can vary largely depending on whereabouts you happen to reside, the device is starting to become its very own form of currency.
iOS 7.1, the first major update since the seventh edition of Apple's mobile firmware first landed in September, has already clocked up five betas, and although we haven't really heard anything indicative of the eventual release date, it is widely assumed the that the GM and subsequent end-user roll-out isn't too far off. Now, though, 9to5Mac has come through with something a bit more concrete, citing "reliable sources" in claiming that iOS 7.1 will drop next month.
Yesterday, it emerged that Samsung, a partner of the 2014 Moscow Winter Olympics, was giving away free Galaxy Note 3 handsets in goody bags handed to each and every participating athlete. Only, instead of being a genuine gift with the hope of a little ad coverage if the Olympian was snapped using the device, it was also reported that the Korean company was trying to exercise some kind of jurisdiction over what the athlete could then use (or indeed, not use) with regards to rivaling devices during the opening ceremony. However, official correspondence from the IOC (via MacRumors) has refuted the claim, so while it did make for an entertaining (and strangely plausible) story, Samsung's give away looks a genuine, no-strings gift to the stars after all.
Apple's iOS is renowned for being among the most secure platforms out there, but even with the Cupertino company’s reputation for keeping things water-tight, security issues still frequently flare up. In the latest, it has been learned that a user can, without even needing to type in a password, disable the Find My iPhone feature, which essentially renders it useless since the device is then obscured from being tracked by iCloud.com. More details to follow.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak may no longer work at Apple, but he has acquired something of a reputation for scrutinizing products released by the company he helped to build - and not always in a good way. But while the Cupertino outfit can usually take on board the musings of the Woz with an element of seriousness, his latest suggestion will perhaps go down as the most bizarre idea Apple has ever heard. For Wozniak believes that Apple could benefit from creating a smartphone running on - wait for it - Google's very own Android OS, and while Woz's position as a co-founder means that whatever he says re Apple is going to make the headlines, it's quite staggering that he would make such a suggestion.
Samsung, as you'll likely be aware, has a colossal advertising budget, regularly throwing tens of millions into new ad campaigns. While some, like the Samsung Style dance, have left us cringing, the company has regularly taken the more traditional approach of involving itself in major sporting events, and having been a major partner in the London 2012 Summer Olympics, the company is also looking to capitalize on Moscow's 2014 Winter Games. But while its tactic of giving away a free Galaxy Note 3 to every athlete may equate to some decent coverage when the TV feeds are beamed worldwide, there's a catch, in that recipients of the free Note must obscure the Apple logo if they plan on using an iPhone during the opening ceremony.
When it comes to rumors pertaining a new iPhone, we seldom pay more than fleeting attention to what kind of camera updates may be in the pipeline. This is mainly because through the generations, the iPhone camera always gets better, and in many respects, this fact is taken for granted. The iPhone 5s was very much in-keeping with tradition thanks to its dual-LED flash and faster aperture - amid other enhancements - and now, we're hearing that the rear snapper of the iPhone 6 will benefit from similarly great gains, including improved filter and sensor of at least 10-megapixels.
The fortunes of Apple TV have completely transformed during the past year or so, with the Cupertino's set-top box having been dragged from relative obscurity to now being a serious contender in the battle for supremacy in the ever-evolving TV market. Speaking of battles, it looks like Apple TV users will have plenty to look forward to, with today's news that the World Wrestling Entertainment Network Channel will be joining its roster from the 24th of this month. Details after the break.
We hear of many unfortunate incidents where people come to harm or property is damaged when tech products spontaneously combust, but very rarely does it happen to Apple gadgets. Unfortunately, one 14-year-old girl discovered that the perceived safety and quality assurance that comes with the bitten-apple logo isn't an exact science, as the loud pop of her pocketed iPhone 5c, followed by smoke billowing from her trousers, dramatically proved. Luckily, the student was unharmed.
Apple, like most companies at the top of their game, is always seeking ways to expand its business. Recently, we've seen a concerted effort from the Cupertino-based outfit to capitalize on emerging markets like China and India, and just this week, CEO Tim Cook has been spotted sizing up some of the major shopping malls in the United Arab Emirates. As well as checking out authorized resellers such as the Virgin Megastore at Al Wahda Mall, Ciij also took a mosey on down to Jacky’s electronics store at the Dubai Mall, which has naturally fuelled speculation that the company plans to build a retail store of its own in the notably affluent region.
