Apple

Samsung claims iPad Mini, latest iPod violate its patents

Samsung charged Wednesday that Apple's iPad Mini, fourth-generation iPad and fifth-generation iPod Touch violate its patents. The company asked a federal district court to add the products to its latest patent fight with the Cupertino, Calif., computer giant.

The Samsung complaint, which we've embedded below, alleges that Apple's latest products infringe the same patent as previous versions of its devices. Samsung essentially claims that "all Apple products including a built-in speaker and an external audio output port" infringe this particular patent, and thus argues that the newest Apple products should be included in the case. … Read more

iTunes 11 launch imminent, says music firm

Apple may be gearing up to launch the next-generation iTunes 11 software "within the next days," according to a report by MacRumors, citing a German music distribution service.

Germany-based Feiyr emailed artists to submit high-resolution imagery for the music player's new layout, saying Apple will release iTunes 11 in the coming days. "Users have the possibility to view picture and galleries to every artist in iTunes," says the email.

While the email isn't a direct communiqué from Apple, it's possible that Apple is warning music distribution firms and … Read more

Judge: Samsung gets to view Apple-HTC settlement details

Samsung will be privy to some details of a confidential settlement agreement between Apple and HTC, a California judge ruled today.

Samsung's lawyers were given the go-ahead to view confidential details of the agreement that made peace between Apple and HTC earlier this month, following an impromptu hearing ordered by Magistrate Judge Singh Grewal this morning.

That deal, announced November 10, put an end to all litigation between the two companies. Many expect the same thing to eventually happen between Apple and Samsung, but recent comments made by officials of the South Korean technology giant suggest even talks about a deal are out of the question. … Read more

Samsung exec puts Apple on notice: No phone without our patents

A jury in Northern California would say otherwise, but Samsung's mobile chief offered a pointed reminder to Apple that the patent dispute between the two companies is far from over.

"The truth never lies. Without Samsung-owned wireless patents, it's impossible for the Cupertino-based Apple to produce its handsets,'' Samsung's head of mobile and IT, Shin Jong-kyun, told reporters in Seoul, according to a report in the Korea Times. "As you know, Samsung is very strong in terms of portfolios of wireless patents."

Jong-kyun's comments came as the U.S. International Trade Commission earlier … Read more

Apple's 'spaceship' HQ now on track for mid-2016 opening

Apple's plans for building a spaceship-like headquarters have hit a bit of a rough patch, according to a new report.

The construction of Apple's new headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., may not be completed until mid-2016, Bloomberg reported today, citing an updated proposal filed with the city. An earlier proposal had Apple breaking ground this year, but the city of Cupertino likely won't complete its environmental impact survey until June, potentially pushing back the ground breaking to 2014.

Apple had hoped to start moving into its new digs in 2015.

Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs laid out plans for the new headquarters last year. … Read more

iOS 6 fixes bug that let stolen iPhones receive iMessage texts

An iMessage security hole discovered earlier this year has reportedly been patched in iOS 6.

Revealed in February, the bug allowed texts through iMessage to continue to appear even after the phone's account information had been wiped, the SIM card deactivated, or the password changed. This meant that a stolen iPhone could still receive text messages intended for the device's owner.

The Next Web reported that a source with knowledge of the matter said that the issue was resolved in iOS 6 after Apple pushed through several new checks for iMessage. One critical tweak requires users who change … Read more

AT&T; iPhone 4S now gets FaceTime over cellular

AT&T has loosened its grip on FaceTime availability.

FaceTime access has opened up to those who own the iPhone 4S and who have grandfathered unlimited data plans. Macrumors discovered the feature from users in forums.

An AT&T representative said "we're looking into it."

At one time, AT&T had banned FaceTime access via its cellular network, limiting use to Wi-Fi systems. But earlier this month the company announced that it would open it up to those who had an LTE-equipped device and a Mobile Share data plan. All others were left out. … Read more

Best Buy trims $50 off 3rd-gen iPad, kicks in $75 gift card

iPad buyers can score a decent deal on a 3rd-generation model through Best Buy, but the offer is good only for today.

The retailer is selling the 64GB Wi-Fi-only black version for $649 and the 32GB Wi-Fi black and white variants for $549. Both prices are $50 off the original retail price for the 3rd-gen model, which Apple discontinued after introducing the 4th-generation iPad.

Apple does offer refurbished editions of the third iPad, selling the 64GB Wi-Fi model for $549 and the 32GB Wi-Fi model for $469.

But Best Buy has sweetened its deal by throwing in a $75 gift … Read more

Apple turns iTunes up to 11: Software at a crossroads

Twelve years ago Apple was lagging.

Consumers with PCs were ripping music to their hard drives and creating mixes. They were even taking those mixes and burning them onto CDs for listening to in the car, or on the go. The same experience could not be had easily on a Mac.

Apple's solution was iTunes. A piece of software that promised to do all those things, but with more simplicity than rivals, and only on a Mac.

iTunes quickly became a case study in the benefits of tightly integrated hardware and software. You had to own a Mac to … Read more