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.
Apple executives don't often sound off or even hint at future products until they've been announced, but on Thursday, CEO Tim Cook went on record to state that his company is currently working on some "really great stuff" in the category of new products. Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, he didn't go into any specifics, but with 2014 having already been outlined as a significant year in the company's growth by the head honcho, the interest of the tech world has been well and truly piqued.
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.
Rumor has it that the iPhone 6 will benefit from - among other things - a robust, Sapphire glass display. With the shield in place, the days of shattered displays and slivers of glass catching our fingers as we swipe and tap around the cracks should be long gone, and if there was ever any doubt as to the credentials of this material, the video seen below dispels them with aplomb. The clip, which you can see after the break, shows how an iPhone 5 is able to withstand a fair amount of punishment from a concrete block thanks to a Sapphire Crystal Screen Protector by Aero-Gear.
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.
Apple's Mac range, which only recently turned thirty years old, is an integral component in the world of modern computing. Like iOS devices, Apple computers tend to run smoothly, and this can largely be attributed to the fact that Apple itself designs both hardware and software in-house. But while OS X, the company's desktop platform, can only run on Macs (save Hackintosh-like methods), there was once a point when Steve Jobs - former CEO and co-founder of the Cupertino outfit - wanted OS X to run on Sony's VAIO notebooks.
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.
Last week, it was revealed that the Apple Mac had turned thirty. Apple executive Phil Schiller was clearly buoyed by the news after tweeting about the milestone, and the celebratory mood spilled over across the company as a video was released to mark the third decade of one of the digital industry's most iconic products. Not content with that, Apple has now rolled out a video showing the magic of the Mac when combined with its partner-in-crime - the iPhone 5s. The clip is filmed on the handset, edited on the Mac, and the result - a truly organic, Apple-made movie. Check it out after the jump!
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.
Apple has teamed up with the Bank of America to help boost donations to its RED campaign in the fight against AIDS. The collaborative effort, which has also drafted in the musical tones of Irish rock band U2, sees the Bank of America pledging one dollar for every download of U2's new song "Invisible" on iTunes, and since the song is free from Apple's online music store, it should help the charity pick up some much-needed capital in the fight against one of the world's deadliest diseases.
