Flappy Bird was recently pulled from the App Store and Google Play Store at the height of its popularity by developer Dong Nguyen, and although his reasons for removing the app appear to have been well-intended, folks have sought to cash in on the title's fame in a variety of ways.
It's no secret that Apple has managed to create itself a loyal following over the last ten years, and that's been built on existing loyalty that spans all the way back to the company's startup roots. The introduction of the iPhone and iPad have only strengthened what was already a strong brand for the company, and a new poll suggests that Apple has garnered a 'blind loyalty' amongst iPhone users in particular.
A new study carried out by Annalect has discovered that men prefer Microsoft over Apple. The research was devised to look closely at the 'Changing Role of Men', and found that, in terms of brands that "resonate" with the male population, Microsoft edged it over old rival Apple.
Although company executives and CEOs spend most of their public speaking time discussing affairs concerning their own business and products, it's always interesting to hear what the big names have to say about rivals. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked whether the ongoing Mac vs. Windows PC battle was in any way similar to the the rivalry between iOS and Android. This analogy is frequently used by commentators and tech fans alike, after all, but Cook completely disagrees that the two famous rivalries are comparable, and here's why.
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 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.
Apple has just rolled out iOS 7.1 beta 5 download, which carries the build number 5B103i. Details on how to update / download iOS 7.1 beta 5 on your iPhone or iPad are given below. As ever, it contains a number of fixes and general enhancements, and we've got all of the info right here.
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.
"Love is in the air" is a famous phrase, and one that you're probably going to be hearing ad nauseam as we close in in Valentine's day halfway through next month. Apple has, quite naturally, sought to latch onto this brief period of gift-buying, and with the iPad Air being among its marquee products, used that trusty old saying to its advantage. But while, as the company states on the promotional landing page, "love is in the Air" (like, the iPad Air.. geddit?), the feel-good vibe doesn't extend to any sort of price-cut for the new, and highly sought-after device. Still, there are plenty of gifts lovingly hand-picked by the fruit company, (see, we can all do bad puns), and if you feel like treating yourself (or that special someone) this Valentine's, Apple is looking to reel you in.
Apple's earnings call conferences tend to be of general interest to the wider on-looking tech community, particularly Q1, which covers the lucrative October-to-December holiday sales period. With the iPhone 5s having sold in unprecedented numbers for a new Apple smartphone (or any smartphone, for that matter), and the likes of the Retina iPad mini and iPad Air having debuted, this Q1 earnings call was always going to be impressive, and in actual fact, it was record-busting.
