Apple applies, and is granted, it's fair share of patents. As with any large technology company, the iPhone maker isn't shy about asking for a patent on anything and everything it comes up with that it thinks might be of use later on, which means that just because there's a patent application for something, it isn't guaranteed to make it into a shipping product.
PayPal is used by millions as a convenient way to send money around the world. The eBay-owned company is seen as the de facto payment method for transactions through the Web's favorite auction site, but in recent times, we've seen a marked effort from PayPal to expand its range of services. As a part of this movement, PayPal has today launched its very own digital gift store, and although it plans to work with many companies and merchants in the future, the launch of the service sees Apple as its main partner.
Sony was keen to let the world know that the North American debut of the PlayStation 4 ended with record breaking results. With just north of one million units sold in the North American region in the first 24-hours alone, it was evident that Sony's next-gen console had captured the imagination of users. In the time that has followed, the PS4 has become available in a total of thirty-two different countries, with Sony officially announcing that more than 2.1 million consoles shipped during the month of November.
There are a ton of apps on the App Store which are due for an update for iOS 7, and one of those apps is WhatsApp for iPhone. After a long wait, which almost felt like an eternity, or maybe light-years for some, the famous cross-platform messaging app WhatsApp has been updated with a brand new face for iOS 7.
By the exceedingly high standards Samsung sets itself, the release of the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 this year haven't quite lived up to standards for some people. Both devices remain two of Android's most celebrated handsets, but with competitors stepping their games up and the Korean giant seeming to coast in the eyes of many, we've already heard some big promises of next year's marquee Sammy handsets pushing the envelope. Following on from some recent nuggets of info, it looks as though there could be a vastly improved 20-megapixel camera on the way with the forthcoming Galaxy smartphones, and although the number of megapixels is just a footnote in the story of a camera, Samsung's desire to impress would suggest it's more than just bluster.
Nike is renowned for its prowess in making premium sportswear, but has also showed in more recent times that it is unafraid to delve into the world of technology. Close ties with Apple have certainly helped matters, and with the FuelBand SE - the company's second-gen wrist-worn activity logger - having recently been introduced with a plethora of color options, this push shows no sign of slowing down. An interesting tidbit from the DigiTimes suggests the company could be taking things a step further, plotting a new smartwatch for release as soon as the first half of next year.
The days of Microsoft releasing one new version of its Windows OS every few years are long gone. With the introduction of mobile devices into the frame - albeit somewhat belatedly - the Redmond, Washington outfit has moved to an annual release cycle akin to Apple. With Windows 8.1 following last year's drop of Windows 8, we haven't really heard a great deal about what's coming up next, however, Mary Jo Foley - renowned for leaking information about Microsoft - has come through with the news that the forthcoming edition of the famed desktop / tablet platform is codenamed ‘Threshold’.
Windows and OS X have been competing for years in the battle of the two major desktop platforms, and although Windows has been comfortably ahead since the beginning of time, Apple's Mac operating system has certainly made some headway in more recent times. Microsoft's Windows 8.1 and OS X Mavericks 10.9 are the latest entrants to the market, and although, as noted in the headline, Windows 8.1 has just sneaked ahead of Mavericks in terms of reach, the latter's 2.42% market share has now surpassed that of each of its predecessors.
We can't lie, it's getting a little boring watching ads where companies try to get one over their competitors by simply prodding them with the biggest, spikiest stick they can find, but at least this new ad from Amazon does actually talk about the company's own tablet as well.
Apple has never been shy about supporting charities, which is why a glance through the iPad and iPhone accessories lists on the Apple Store will reveal one or two Product (RED) versions of cases and covers. The company has also been known to turn its stores red, and for the third year running selected Apple Stores in various countries have had their iconic glowing Apple logo turned red in support of World AIDS Day.
