Apple's Q2 FY14 earnings call on Wednesday revealed that the sales figures of certain products have not been as strong nor impressive as in previous years, with the iPad numbers in particular having faltered year-on-year. But given the growing number of competitors in both the tablet industry and the emerging "phablet" market, this is perhaps to be expected, and even the popularity of the all new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display haven't prevented sales of the Apple slab from dipping somewhat.
Over the weekend, it emerged that Nike was essentially closing off its FuelBand endeavors, laying off a large quantity of the project's workforce in the process. Given the close relationship between Nike and Apple, and with the so-called iWatch on the horizon, there was always going to be a conflict of interests, but with Nike having calmed its project down to a virtual halt, the stage looks set for the iWatch to launch. However, a new report suggests that Nike and Apple are to collaborate in the creation of an apparently separate "smart band," which will feature gesture controls and supposedly launch in the fall.
The infamous Apple Maps that the fruit company unveiled with iOS 6 has been under heavy fire during the time it has existed in the tech world, mainly for the wonderfully misleading directions that several users have reported over the course of their usage. However, are the elusive Maps going to redeem their misfortunate reputation by proving the existence of the Loch Ness Monster? Maybe so, if the images that two people discovered whilst using Apple Maps are to be believed, which show a mysterious shape in the water at the famous Loch that could be Nessie!
Apple released iOS 7.1 back in March, and with it, introduced CarPlay, iTunes Radio enhancements, and several other minor tweaks and alterations. Today, reports suggest that iOS 7.1.1 release is on its way, although it appears that said update will focus on house-keeping, with the usual spate of bug fixes and general performance enhancements.
Trials and lawsuits are always dirty affairs, since they bring out dirt that no one would want the world to find out. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), in the high-paced world of today, any information becomes public in a manner of seconds, and now, the Apple vs. Samsung patent trial has taken a rather dirty turn for the Korean company owing to the release of some confidential sales data that clearly indicates that Samsung fed false sales numbers to the media for its original Galaxy tablet, so that they tablet can be portrayed a true iPad killer, according to a new report.
Essential activities like banking, shopping and sending emails can all be achieved from the palm of our hands through a device that fits snugly in a trouser pocket. But with all that power comes an increased level of responsibility to protect ourselves and the people we communicate with online. Malicious groups that have previously attempted to target Apple ID holders through official looking phishing scams are at it again with a new "account validation" scam.
Along with the iPhone 5's release back in late 2012, Apple also took the wraps off its new EarPods earphones, which represented a marked improvement upon the previous ear buds in terms of design, audible output, and comfort. Aside from packing a mic and some basic controls, there wasn't really much else to tell about the EarPods, but a new patent filing by the Cupertino company suggests that an accelerometer and beamforming mics could be thrown in to an improved edition, allowing the peripheral to include its very own voice-recognition facility.
Apple's WWDC event has been confirmed by the company itself, and will commence from the week beginning June 2nd. Tickets will be drawn in the format of a lottery, with developers able to apply up until next Monday, 7th April via the official WWDC site. Thereafter, tickets will be randomly drawn.
In reflection of alterations in exchange rates, Apple will be making subtle changes to its iTunes App Store pricing structure in several countries. For the most part, the modifications will prompt a trivial increase, although customers in Israel and New Zealand will benefit from an equally negligible reduction in price.
Often, when hitting certain milestones, Apple likes to make a bit of fanfare about its achievements. But while the 50 billionth iTunes download prompted a countdown that resulted in some great prizes for one lucky individual, Apple recently sold its 500 million iPhone without so much as a press release.
