Earlier on this month, Apple announced that it was closing in on a monumental 50 billion app downloads since the App Store's inception, and to commemorate the occasion, would be offering 50 lucky winners the chance to win some serious prizes.
The general consensus on the current state of iOS is that Apple's mobile operating system has stagnated somewhat, and there's certainly a considerable amount of more interest than usual with regards to what exactly Apple is cooking up this time around. In addition, several sources have suggested Apple will also be bringing a budget iPhone at some point in the very near future, and resident concept maker Martin Hajek has once again come through with another rather interesting "iPhone mini" design, which also incorporates a rather enlarged iOS interface by Dámaso Benítez.
The phenomenal, perhaps unrivalled collective achievements of both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs has made the details of their complex relationship one of the most intriguing stories in modern technology. Seemingly fitting of the old expression "best of friends, keenest of rivals," Gates was as much a recipient of compliments from the late Apple co-founder as he was his famously sharp tongue, and in a new interview with CBS, the Microsoft chairman and former CEO reflects fondly on the times he shared with his Apple adversary.
Concept videos are a dime a dozen at the best of times, but when everyone knows that a new iPhone is just a few short months away, things tend to heat up. Everyone with a passing interest in design and Apple seems to want to throw together a concept video or produce some renders that show what the next handset may or may not look like. We see them, and we move on.
The Apple iPad is the most popular tablet in the mobile industry, and has been since its inception, but while the Cupertino slate can do no wrong when it comes to helping consumers part with their money, a study by a 14-year-old Californian student has revealed that the device can potentially interfere with implanted defibrillators.
The camera of the iPhone has seen many improvements over the past few generations, and with the device regularly taking the coveted position as the most-used snapper on image enthusiast site Flickr, it's no wonder many have previously dubbed it the world's favorite camera. Things have certainly come a long way since the very first iPhone in terms of functionality, image quality and detail, and to offer some perspective on just how much the shooter of the iconic smartphone has advanced in six years and through six generations, Lisa Bettany has pieced together a very interesting comparison.
We've already heard today that the next-gen iPhone may not be called the iPhone 5S, but rather the iPhone 6, and to add even more speculation to the discussion, it looks as though the forthcoming device, whatever it shall be named, may also sport a tweaked camera design.
As has been well-documented since the announcement of the Galaxy S4, yes - it is made from plastic; that's been established, that's a given. But while the plastic exterior may place it below the likes of the iPhone 5 and HTC One in the minds of those looking for a handset of superior build quality, it doesn't necessarily make the Galaxy S4 cheaper to build. In fact, while many have accused Samsung of "scrimping" on the outer shell, the Korean company actually spends more per handset than Apple does with the iPhone 5 - a testament once again to just how much high-spec hardware is packed into the latest and greatest Galaxy S revision.
Hitherto, we have been under the impression that Apple would be offering its next smartphone release the "5S" moniker, following the same, 'tick-tock' release cycle as demonstrated over the course of the past few generations. However, new inventory listings sourced from UK carrier / retailer Vodafone suggest the device may make the jump to "iPhone 6," which, at least in theory, would bring a stronger array of changes than the "incremental" ones we had been expecting with the iPhone 5S.
Apple's products are sometimes said to sell themselves, but sometimes they need a little help along the way. Showing products in the right light can be half the battle during the early days of a product's life cycle, and that's where a good photographer comes in. Apple has one of those, and he’s great, and has been interviewed in detail. Check out the video right after the jump.

