Tablets are doing well compared to at least one device they seem perfectly poised to replace. According to a new study by ABI Research, led by the iPad, tablet devices are now outselling netbooks by a ratio of almost two to one. Read more »
Reports about the Apple television set supposedly in the works are coming fast and furious following a quote from the Steve Jobs biography. On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that the project is spearheaded by Apple VP Jeff Robbin, who is the lead software designer for iTunes. Read more »
On Monday, China Mobile announced 10 million iPhone users on its network. It’s an impressive landmark, but far more so when you realize that China Mobile isn’t an official carrier partner for Apple’s smartphone. That’s a strong argument that hardware is more important than network speeds. Read more »
Last week, an advance quote from the Steve Jobs biography seemed to suggest that an Apple television set could be on the way, and a new investor note Monday from Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster, citing supply chain sources, lends more credence to that possibility. Read more »
The quieter-than-usual update to the MacBook Pro line wasn’t the only change on the Apple Store today. Updates were also made to the iPad Smart Cover product section. The Smart Cover is Apple’s magnetic flap/stand accessory that protects the iPad 2′s display. Read more »
In addition to the apparent acquisition of Yahoo’s former head of Global Data Center Infrastructure, Apple’s recent staff shifts apparently also include the departure of one of Siri’s co-founders. Don’t worry, though, the iPhone 4S’s personal assistant remains in good hands. Read more »
On Monday, Apple introduced new MacBook Pro updates to its online store without much fanfare. The new Pro notebooks all carry improved processors, as well as better graphics cards and storage options in some cases. Changes are light, but should make a solid computer even better. Read more »
The legal battle Apple is waging against Android could become one of Steve Jobs’ most influential legacies, and a new statement from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) supporting Apple’s stance might prove a key victory for the company in that ongoing fight. Read more »
On Friday, Zite introduced a new update to its iPad app that includes a feature called Sybil, which allows Zite to create and switch between multiple profiles on one device. Zite can now recommend uniquely tailored content to more than one individual in a single household. Read more »
In an official statement released Thursday, T-Mobile SVP of Marketing Andrew Sherrard addressed T-Mobile’s absence from the lineup of U.S. carriers offering the iPhone — a list that now includes regional carrier C Spire. Essentially, T-Mobile wants it but only if it works with the carrier’s tech. Read more »
Apple announced when it unveiled the iPhone 4S that it would reach 22 more countries by the end of October. The company opened up preorders for the device in those countries on Friday, with expected shipping times of one to two weeks. Read more »
A plant at one of Apple’s key component suppliers for the MacBook Air that had been forced to shut down will be spending $3 million in order to reopen by November, according to a new report. Catcher is responsible for most of Apple’s unibody computer enclosures. Read more »
Media reports are making a big deal about Siri being accessible from a locked device. It’s true that by default Siri works on a code-locked iPhone, but don’t fret, there’s a simple — albeit somewhat oddly placed — setting to make sure Siri doesn’t give up your info. Read more »
For iPhone 4S users out there, you probably know that Siri can search the web for keywords of your choosing. But did you also know that you can tell it on the fly which specific search engine to use to find your results? Read more »
Apple launched a new page today that announces the Tech Talk World Tour 2011 for iOS 5. These developer-focused events haven’t been put on by Apple since 2009, before the introduction of the iPad. Apple previously held Tech Talk World Tours in 2008 and 2009. Read more »
On Wednesday, I wrote about how Siri had finally convinced me to use voice commands with a phone, despite an inherent reluctance to do so. According to Google’s SVP of Mobile, Andy Rubin, however, I’m hanging out with the wrong crowd. Here’s why he’s wrong. Read more »
AT&T revealed Thursday morning that it had already activated more than 1 million iPhone 4S devices as of Tuesday, which makes this iPhone launch the most successful ever for the carrier. AT&T is the only U.S. carrier to support the new iPhone’s HSPA+ mobile broadband speeds. Read more »
Like clockwork, IHS iSuppli mercilessly tears down new iPhone models and exposes their inner works, looking to devine the secret of their manufacturing and components costs. On Thursday, the firm released its analysis of the latest and greatest, the iPhone 4S. Read more »
Despite being significantly older than most other smartphone offerings, and despite new availability on Verizon in the U.S., which began earlier in 2011, the iPhone accounted for over half of AT&T’s total smartphone sales for the quarter ending in September and nearly matched its year-ago performance. Read more »
Facebook Messenger has been around for a while now, and on Wednesday it got an update that introduces new features that could make it a more compelling competitor for other group messaging services. It also borrows a trick or two from recent Facebook web updates. Read more »
I’ve had voice-powered features on my phone for nearly a decade now, but I seldom if ever used them until Siri on the iPhone 4S. Now, I can’t stop. What is it about Apple’s new “personal assistant” that makes doing what seemed wrong feel so right? Read more »
Earlier this week, we heard that Samsung would be responsible for the production of Apple’s A6 processor, and now there’s confirmation that executives of the two companies have sat down to talk about their supply-side relationship. Both appear interested in continuing those arrangements. Read more »
A newly revealed anecdote suggests just how dedicated Steve Jobs was to Apple. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son attended the iPhone 4S announcement event, and learned from Tim Cook that Jobs wanted to talk to the new Apple CEO about the company’s “next product” that very day. Read more »
When Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs passed away on Oct. 5, Apple established an email address where fans could send their thoughts and appreciation: remembersteve@apple.com. On Wednesday, Apple created a page on its website to put some of those sentiments on display. Read more »
Reports on Tuesday claimed that Apple has ordered 7.85-inch test displays for a possible iPad mini to come with the next big hardware refresh. We’ve heard it before, and we’ve heard Apple say it isn’t happening. But things have changed since then. Read more »
Since Apple has just launched a new iPhone, it’s inevitable that reports of problems with the initial shipments are also cropping up. The iPhone 4S has garnered plenty of complaints, but here’s a quick gut check to help you determine what is and isn’t serious. Read more »
Apple launched iOS 5 last week, which introduced Newsstand. Early reports and the tale told by App Store charts suggest Newsstand could be Apple’s smartest move in terms of demonstrating the value of its in-app subscription service and growing its digital magazine sales. Read more »
Apple revealed Monday that iOS 5 was already being used by 25 million iOS device owners, and now an upcoming Localytics study finds that 1 in 3 devices capable of running iOS 5 are already doing so, not even a week after its release. Read more »
A common theme of questions I’m seeing about iOS 5 relates to how the update plays well with shared family devices and Apple ID accounts. People obviously love using iOS among family, and that will probably only become more the case with iOS 5 and iCloud. Read more »
Apple is offering special limited time pricing on select models of refurbished first-generation iPads, which can knock as much as $230 off the original purchase price. Discounted models include the 32 GB Wi-Fi + 3G version, and both 64 GB Wi-FI and Wi-Fi + 3G models. Read more »
Whether you’ve got a new iPhone 4S, an iPad 2 or on older iOS device, Instapaper is a must-have application. Now, a huge new update ups the game all around for an already great product. Here’s a first-hand look at what’s new and notable. Read more »
Apple will be keeping its processor manufacturing business with Samsung for its next-generation chip, according to a new report from the Korea Times on Monday. That’s despite an extensive legal dispute between the two companies that grows more tangled by the day. Read more »
Apple announced on Monday that it has sold more than 4 million iPhone 4S smartphones since its official debut on Oct. 14. That’s double the iPhone 4′s opening weekend, making the 4S the number one fastest selling phone ever, according to Apple’s Phil Schiller. Read more »
One big advantage of iOS 5 is the ability to use it independently of a Mac or PC. Here’s how to cut the cord if you’d rather your mobile devices and traditional computers live separate (but connected) lives. Read more »
In the Netherlands, a court on Friday dismissed injunctions against Dutch sales of the iPhone and 3G iPad requested by Samsung. The requests were denied because the court found that license offered by Samsung to Apple for the patents in question could not be considered reasonable. Read more »
Siri is a big draw for customers interested in the iPhone 4S. Apple’s promo material about Siri make it look absolutely amazing, and by most accounts, it is. But if you’re not in the U.S., you might experience a little disappointment when you fire Siri up. Read more »
The iPhone 4S is now officially available for sale at Apple retail stores in the east coast U.S., as well as at partner retail stores. Retail sales began at 8 a.m. Friday morning, but lines formed long before then, extending into the hundreds in many locations. Read more »
A hearing Thursday in California in front of U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh addressed a request from Apple to ban the sale of Samsung products, including Galaxy Tab 10.1, in the U.S. Samsung infringes on the patents, Koh said, but they may not be “valid.” Read more »
Thursday, I guest-hosted a live Q&A session at The Washington Post. The topic was upgrading to iOS 5, and also included questions about how iOS 5 and iCloud work, what features they offer, and how to transition to iCloud from other services. Read more »
Apple repair site iFixit has already managed to secure an iPhone 4S and pulled it apart. Details of what’s inside reveal a design that’s fairly similar to its predecessor, as you might expect from the outside appearance of the 4S, but also show some noteworthy changes. Read more »
