Google to pay part of Samsung’s legal costs in Apple patent infringement trial

A Google lawyer confirmed on Tuesday that the company will assume some of Samsung’s legal fees and will cover damage awards if the Korean company should lose in its infringement lawsuit with Apple, reports Re/Code. Apple presented evidence from Google lawyer James Maccoun that shows Goolge will agreed to provide at least partial and possibly full indemnity for four of the patents included in the infringement case. Apple played deposition testimony from Google lawyer James Maccoun, who verified emails in which Google agreed to provide partial or full indemnity with regard to four patents as well as to take over defense of those claims. Of the four patents covered by Google, only two patents, those covering background synchronization and universal search, remain in the case. The other two were dropped before the trial began. In the early stages of the trial, Google was considered to be a sideline figure, providing only testimony on behalf of Samsung. This latest deposition testimony suggests the company is playing a more central role in Samsung’s defense. Google likely is assisting Samsung as part of its contractual obligation under the “Mobile Application Distribution Agreement”, which covers the distribution of Google applications on Samsung’s Android devices. Samsung and Apple are in the final stages of the trial with each side arguing over damages. Apple is asking for $2 billion for infringement of five of its patents, while Samsung claims it should only owe Apple $40 million if it loses the case. Continue reading →

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Apple fixes Heartbleed flaw in its Airport Base Stations

Along with its iOS and OS X updates, Apple today also released a patch for its 2013 AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule models, reports Macworld. The firmware update fixes the Heartbleed OpesSSL flaw that was discovered earlier this month and affects both websites and internet hardware like Apple’s most recent AirPort Base Station models. The AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.3 is available only for the latest AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule versions that were released in June 2013. This update fixes a flaw that impacts Airport devices that have the Back to My Mac feature enabled. The flaw does not compromise Apple ID passwords, but would allow access to router or computer login screens via a man-in-the-middle attack. The firmware update provides a fix for the recent OpenSSL vulnerability for the latest generation of 802.11ac enabled AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations (June 2013). This vulnerability only impacts recent Airport devices that have the Back to My Mac feature enabled. Customers with previous generation AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsules do not need to update their base stations. AirPort owners who have enabled the Back to My Mac feature are strongly encouraged to patch the Heartbleed flaw by running the firmware update as soon as possible. AirPort owners who own an older model or have a new model without Back to My Mac enabled are not advised to apply the update as those hardware configurations are not affected by this vulnerability. Continue reading →

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iOS 7.1.1 App Store adds “In-App Purchase” label to freemium apps

Earlier today, Apple released iOS 7.1.1 to the public with a handful of bug fixes, security enhancements and overall performance enhancements. Apple also made a few minor changes to the iOS App Store that make it clear which paid or freemium apps include in-app purchases, reports MacRumors. After a spate of high-profile in-app purchases by children made headlines a few years ago, Apple has been gradually improving its iOS ecosystem by highlighting paid content offered with apps and offering tools to minimize their accidental purchase. Several years ago, Apple required password confirmation for all in-app purchases and added parental controls that allow parents to turn off the feature for devices that land in the hands of children. The Cupertino company also recently added disclosure notices on individual apps that list the available in-app content and their purchase price. This latest feature brings the “in-app purchase” label right to the forefront of the iOS App Store by adding them to apps in the Top Charts listing, including the Free and Top Grossing lists that are dominated by these freemium titles. This disclosure also appears on category pages in the iOS App Store. iOS 7.1.1 is available over-the-air via the Software update tool in the iOS Settings app. It also can be installed by connecting your iOS device to iTunes. Besides these in-app changes, iOS 7.1.1. also includes Touch ID improvement, Safari support for top-level domains such as .photo, and a handful of bug fixes. Continue reading →

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Apple opens up OS X Beta Seed program to the public

Apple today opened its OS X Beta Seed program to the public. Starting now, anyone with an Apple ID can apply to join the program as long as they meet the minimum hardware requirements. Recently, this program was only available to developers who had a valid OS X developer account. The program allows users to download the beta versions of Apple’s desktop OS X before it is launched to the public. Once a user has signed up for the program, they can submit feedback on the OS X builds using Feedback Assistant, which sends the comments directly to Apple. Join the OS X Beta Seed Program and accept the Beta Seed and Confidentiality Agreement. Apple will provide a Beta Access Utility for your Mac, which gives you access to pre-release versions of OS X in the Mac App Store Updates panel. Users can apply to the beta program on Apple’s Appleseed Beta website. Interested parties only need to have an Apple ID and must virtually sign a non-disclosure agreement. They also must have current hardware that is capable of running Apple’s latest desktop OS. Hardware requirements include a OS X computer with OS X Mavericks 10.9 or higher already installed, 2 GB or more of memory and 8 GB or more of available space. Will you sign up for the OS X beta program? Let us know in the comments! Continue reading →

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Apple releases iOS 7.1.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Apple has released iOS 7.1.1 (build number: 11D201) for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Just like iOS 7.1, jailbreakers should avoid upgrading to iOS 7.1.1 until further notice as you will lose the jailbreak and won’t be able to jailbreak your device. Developing… Continue reading →

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Apple starts free recycling program for all its used products

Apple today confirmed that it will start offering a free recycling program for all its products, reports the Associated Press. This new initiative is part of a larger push by Apple to make its company’s operations as environmentally friendly as possible. Apple already has a program in place that offers customers gift cards when they bring in an older iPhone or iPod that is in good enough condition to be resold. Customer who bring in an older device could then use that money on a another purchase. Now all retail Apple stores will start accepting older devices that are broken or have no resale value because of their age. Customers won’t receive any money for these devices, but Apple will accept them for recycling for free. Apple is offering this program to help customers dispose of older devices in a responsible way. Will you take Apple up on its offer to recycle an old device for free? Continue reading →

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Apple video unveils ‘the best office building in the world’

Apple today posted a video of its Apple Campus 2 project on its website as part of its new “Better” environmental campaign. This video originally debuted during an Apple presentation to the Cupertino town council, but this is our first look at the video in high-definition quality. The video showcases architect Norman Foster and other Apple team members who discuss the beginnings of the forward-thinking corporate office. Forster notes that the spaceship building evolved over time as part of an intensive process. “It didn’t start as a circular building, it really grew into that,” Foster says in the video. “So the idea of one building with a great park was really borne out of a very intensive process.” Foster was brought onto the Campus 2 team directly by Steve Jobs, who called him out of the blue and said he needed Foster’s help. Foster recalls that the campus’ orchard landscape was crafted by Steve Jobs, who remembered California as the “fruit bowl of America” and wanted to bring some California back to Cupertino. Apple’s new Campus 2 building is located at the former HP campus in Cupertino, California. Apple is removing the existing buildings and parking lots that dotted the environment. The site will feature a circular, glass-encased office building with several orchards dotting the green landscape. Apple is building its new campus to the highest environmental standards with 100 percent of the Campus’ power derived from renewable energy sources. The company also takes advantage of natural ventilation, which will allow the main building to go without heat or air conditioning for 75 percent of the year. [Via MacRumors] Continue reading →

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Apple interviewing for executive positions on its mobile payments team

Apple allegedly is interviewing executives in the payments industry as part of the company’s push into mobile payments, reports Re/Code. This information was obtained from two people familiar with the process. According to the report, Apple has been meeting with applicants for two new positions that would focus on building a mobile payments system using credit cards stored in iTunes. These positions include a head of product and head of business development. This initiative into mobile payments is being headed up by Apple’s former online retail chief Jennifer Bailey, who has been moved from retail and into this new mobile payments push. Using those payment accounts as a foundation, the company is evaluating ways to make it easier for shoppers to buy physical products in apps and on the Web using their iPhones. The company is also considering how it might best help its customers make purchases in physical retail stores using only their phones and payment information stored in their iTunes accounts. “Their ambitions are very, very serious,” one of the sources told Re/Code. PayPal was rumored to be in talks with Apple about a potential partnership. Details on the discussion and what the type of partnership PayPal was proposing is not yet known. Would you be interested in a paying for items using your phone? Continue reading →

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Take Incredible Sound Anywhere with these Wireless Headphones [Deals Hub]

Imagine audio without wires. No more tangled messes of headphones that you have to undo before plugging in to listen to music. No more limited range of movement. No more running over the cord with the wheel of your office chair. That’s the world you can live in when you get the Air-Fi Matrix 2 wireless bluetooth headphones from MEElectronics. You can get them on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Even without wires, the Air-Fi Matrix 2 headphones provide top quality sound. The headphones utilize bluetooth 4.0 technology to deliver audio, which you’ll hear clearly thanks to the 40mm drivers. A built in microphone gives you control over your media and the ability to take calls. Carbon fiber styling and ComfortTouch ear pads will make it easy to wear the headphones all day, and with 22 hours of battery life–350 hours on standby–you’ll feel fine never taking them off. You can get the Air-Fi Matrix 2 wireless bluetooth headphones on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $79.99. That’s a savings of 46% off the retail price. It’s a great deal for such great headphones, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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Get Monocle, an All-In-One Boombox, Handset and Speakerphone [Deals Hub]

With music being portable as its ever been thanks to digital downloads and streaming options, we can count on our mobile devices to bring us our favorite tunes no matter where we are. But different situations call for a different way to listen. That requires multiple accessories that you have to take with you. But that doesn’t have to be the case when you have the Monocle. It’s on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Headphones, speakers, speakerphones. The Monocle is all of these things rolled into one. Plug in the Monocle into any 3.5mm audio jack and you’ll get unmatched versatility when it comes to listening to your favorite music. A 40mm driver guarantees the highest quality sound on the go, a flexible duplex enabled microphone ensures clear communication, and the nylon reinforced retro cord makes the Monocle ideal to come with you anywhere. You can get the Monocle on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $34.99. That’s a savings of 30% off the retail price. It’s a great savings for such a flexible audio option, so grab this offer today! Continue reading →

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Weekend news roundup: All the best Apple news from last week

As we close out one week and kick off another, let’s take a moment to look back at the attention-grabbing headlines from the past seven days. Some of the news you may recall, some may be new to you, but all the topics below are worthy of a second mention. below are worthy of a mention. Internal Google document reveals stark differences between Android before and after the iPhone When Google acquired Android in 2005, its aim was to launch a BlackBerry-style Java phone with a hardware keyboard, and not full touch screen devices like the iPhone. An internal Google document detailing the requirements for v1.0 of Android further highlights the stark differences between Android before and after the iPhone. Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for Apple’s Passbook Passes Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8.1 earlier this month at a developer conference, and the update is rolling out to developers starting today. The update brings a lot of features to Windows Phone devices, but one feature that went unnoticed was native support for Apple’s Passbook Passes. Alleged iPhone 6 front panel has a 5.1-inch screen with 16:9 aspect ratio A closer look at the alleged iPhone 6 front panel photo from earlier today has revealed that the display could be 5.07-inch or nearly 5.1-inches diagonally, and not 4.7-inches as we had reported. New Patented Technology from Apple Brings Accurate Positioning Indoors A new patent demonstrating accurate indoor positioning was granted to Apple on Tuesday, which could potentially bring indoor navigation to the iPhone in the relatively near future. The patent, which uses GPS, existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, and “onboard location databases,” will provide accurate indoor positioning in “nearly any environment.” Alleged iPhone 6 case with repositioned Power button, iPhone 5c-like Volume buttons French website Nowwhereelse.fr has published photos of yet another case, which their source claims are for the iPhone 6. The case features slightly rounded edges, which is in line with rumors we’ve heard so far. The case also has a cut out for the power button along the upper right hand side of the case. Marissa Mayer plans to persuade Apple to make Yahoo! the default iOS Search engine Re/code reports that Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer is working on two internal projects to improve company’s mobile search engine and monetization platform so that she can convince Apple to replace Google, and make Yahoo the default search engine on mobile Safari on the iPhone and iPad. Auxo 2 now available for iPad [Updated] Auxo 2, one of the best jailbreak tweaks for iOS 7 has just been updated to add support for iPad. Auxo 2 is an awesome replacement for the app switcher that has been completely re-imagined for iOS 7, and comes with a number of new features such as Quick Switcher, Multi-Center, Hot Corners and more. New GoogolPlex Siri Extension Makes Apple’s Voice Assistant Far More Powerful Apple’s Siri voice assistant is great, but it’s simply limited and incapable in comparison the likes of Google Now (and now, Microsoft’s Cortana). Four college kids from the University of Pennsylvania have hacked together a solution for this called GoogolPlex, which extends Siri functionality to do things like control a Nest thermostat, Philips Hue lights, and more. New iWatch concept imagines Siri, Healthbook, Maps running on a circular display Apple is widely expected to enter the hot wearables space with the launch of its iWatch smartwatch later this year. We’ve seen plenty of concepts that try to imagine what this new product might look like, but we haven’t seen many concepts with a round display. Warning: Malware discovered on Jailbroken iOS devices which steals Apple ID and passwords Security researcher Stefan Esser a.k.a i0n1c has reported a serious security issue for jailbreakers. A malware called “Unflod Baby Panda” has been discovered on jaibroken iOS devices that is sending Apple ID and password to servers based in China. iPad sales could decline in Q2 2014, iPhones to see a slight increase Analysts are reportedly pegging the iPad sales to come down a bit in Q2 2014, while the iPhones are expected to make up for it with a slight increase. They are expecting a decline in the sales of the iPad by 0.7% compared to Q2 2013. iPhone 6 renders based on case leaks show edge-to-edge design, larger screen and more Concept artist Martin Hajek has published new renderings of the iPhone 6 based on recent case leaks that show a thin, edge-to-edge design with repositioned power buttons and a 4.7 inch screen. Continue reading →

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Keep Your Devices Alive with the World’s Slimmest Backup Battery [Deals Hub]

We hate it when our portable tech die on us while we’re on the go and can’t get to an outlet for a recharge. The idea of lugging around a backup battery to give you a quick battery boost can seem like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the Bookmark backup battery, the world’s thinnest battery backup. You can pick one up on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. If you want to get the most out of your mobile devices, you need to have the ability to charge them on the go. For a full day of use and more, you can count on the Bookmark backup battery. Measuring at an ultra sleek 4.7mm thin, this battery can go with you just about anywhere that you’d take your phone or tablet. It’s packed with 2,500mAh of battery power, offering you the equivalent of 12.5 hours of video playback. You can get the Bookmark backup battery on sale from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $38.99. That’s a savings of 35% off the retail price. It’s a great price for a handy accessory to have with you, so grab this offer today! Continue reading →

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Apple offers unclaimed WWDC tickets to select developers

Apple is offering select developers a chance to buy WWDC tickets that remain unclaimed after the first round of attendees were chosen, according to 9to5mac. Developers who were offered second chance tickets were given 24 hours to purchase them at $1599 each. In previous years, Apple faced issues with a crush of developers descending on Apple’s WWDC website and trying to buy tickets all at once. Conferences were sold out immediately, leaving many disgruntled with the process. This year, Apple offered tickets on a lottery basis, giving developers several days to register before choosing attendees at random from this pool. Developers who won the lottery had until April 14th to complete their ticket purchase. If they did not checkout in time, these tickets were thrown back into the pool and offered to another round of registered developers. Now Apple is reportedly reaching out to developers who didn’t win the lottery and offering them a chance to buy unclaimed tickets. Some developers are starting to get phone calls from the company informing them that they have been randomly selected to buy one of the tickets that winners failed to claim before the 14th. @steipete same thing here, just a mail with a link to purchase my ticket. happy. — avalanched (@avalanched) April 16, 2014 It is not known how many tickets Apple made available to its conference, nor is it clear how many remained unclaimed after the 14th cutoff date. Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be held from June 2-6 at the Moscone West convention center in San Francisco, California. Continue reading →

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Web trraffic for iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 devices remains steady

Server logs from AppleInsider show that Apple internal testing of iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 remains steady, but is no longer growing as it was in late 2013. This likely means Apple is testing the OS on a select number of devices and has not expanded its internal testing beyond this select number of machines. Not surprisingly, the testing is largely an internal process with iOS and OS X showing steady usage during the week and dropping off during the weekend. This reflects the likelihood that machines running the unreleased software are being used primarily while the tester at work. Apple is expected to take the wraps off iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 in a few months at WWDC 2014. The developer event will be held in San Francisco the week of June 2, with an anticipated keynote to kick off the event. Last year, Apple used the event to unveil the major features of iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks. Are you excited to see what Apple has in store for us in iOS 8 or OS X 10.10? Continue reading →

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Facebook Paper for iOS updated with birthdays, events, photo comments, group posts and more

Paper for iOS, Facebook’s ambitious attempt to redefine the News Feed, was today updated to version 1.1 with a bunch of new features including birthday and event reminders, photo comments, group updates and more. Facebook Paper was launched in February this year with an interface very different from the usual iOS apps. There’s minimal UI chrome. Instead photos and stories take up the whole screen, and the app relies on gestures to navigate between screens. Here are the entire release notes for version 1.1: Birthdays and events: Never miss a chance to celebrate! Just tap the notifications globe and scroll down to see important dates ahead. Photo comments: When words aren’t enough, now you can add photos to comments to show how you feel. Group updates: Don’t miss posts from your favorite groups. Swipe down to open the Main Menu. Tap the More Options icon to the right of the Search box. When you see your groups, check the new unread counts to catch up on the posts you’ve missed. New story buttons: To keep up with the latest stories in a section in fullscreen view, or to catch the newest stories in the next section, tap the new story arrows when they appear. More article covers: 9 new article covers join our collection, making easier to spot your favorite sources on Paper. Keep an eye out for Fox News, Bloomberg News, Mashable, FT, kottke, Popular Science, The Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair and Hacker News. Basic accessibility: All of your sections now support basic accessibility features, and we’re working to extend accessibility throughout the app. If the app hasn’t been automatically updated, you can download the update via the Updates tab in the App Store app or use the iTunes link below. Facebook Paper is only available in the US App Store, but you can work around this restriction by following the steps in this post. Download link: ➤ Facebook Paper for iOS – free Continue reading →

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Radio Shack discounts iPhone 5s to $99

Radio Shack is trying to entice customers to purchase the iPhone 5s by offering the phone with a significant discount. Starting n Friday, the US retailer will drop the price of the 16GB iPhone 5s to $99.99 with a new two-year contract. Radio Shack’s iPhone 5s price is $100 lower than carriers and other third-party sellers who are still selling the phone for its introductory price of $199. While the price on iPhone 5c has fluctuated, the iPhone 5s has remained steady at $199. To sweeten the deal, Radio Shack is offering an additional $100 for customers who are trading in an iPhone 4s. This added bonus would make the iPhone 5s free with a new contract with Verizon, Sprint or AT&T. The deal starts tomorrow and lasts for an unknown amount of time. If you are in the market for an iPhone 5s, then this is an excellent price, especially if you have an eligible trade-in iPhone. Customers who are satisfied with their current generation iPhone may want to wait through the summer as the iPhone 6 is expected to be released in early fall. The next generation iPhone may have a larger display, faster processor, better camera and performance improvements enabled by iOS 8. Continue reading →

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Refurbished Retina iPad mini now available in Apple’s online store

Apple’s Retina iPad mini is now available as a less expensive refurbished model in Apple’s online store reports 9to5Mac. This is the first time the new iPad has been available as a refurbished model. Current inventory shows only the WiFi-only model as being in stock, but it is likely the cellular models will follow soon. Available retina models include the 16, 32 and 64GB capacities in silver and space grey. The 16GB model is discounted 15% off the list price with a lower entry-level price of $339. These refurbished devices are sold with Apple’s standard one-year warranty and are considered to be “like new” by customers who have bought other refurbished models. If you need more than a one-year warranty, you can purchase AppleCare+ , which extends the warranty to two-years and adds in accidental damage. Apple debuted the iPad Mini with Retina display late last year and faced supply constraints at launch. The tablet includes a 7.9-inch display with 2048×536 resolution, Apple’s A7 chip with M7 motion coprocessor, and 802.11n WiFi with MIMO technology. Continue reading →

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Dropbox to acquire online photo service Loom

Only days after unveiling its new photo management and viewing app Carousel, Dropbox is now acquiring photo storage and sync service Loom. Loom is an iOS and OS X exclusive with apps available for the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Loom made the announcement today on its blog and confirmed that service will be shutting down. Loom will no longer accept new users and will give existing users until May 16, 2014 to continue using the service. Loom is making it easy for its customers to switch to Dropbox, offering them incentives for switching to the service and using Dropbox’s new Carousel app. So what does this mean for Loom? As of today, we are no longer enrolling new users. Existing Loom users can continue to use our service until May 16, 2014. And don’t worry, we want to do whatever it takes to make any transition as smooth as possible. You can export your data directly to Dropbox with no interruption in service. You will receive a follow-up email with more details and instructions. And if you switch to Carousel, you will receive the same amount of free space that you had on Loom on Dropbox, forever. If you were a paid user, you will receive the same quota on Carousel/Dropbox for free, for an entire year! According to the announcement, the Dropbox acquisition allows Loom to focus on “building great features with a fantastic user experience” and not have to worry about scaling infrastructure and other issues Dropbox as already solved. Do you use Loom? Are you surprised to see the company being acquired by Dropbox? Continue reading →

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Control Cable Clutter with CableHub Two Pack [Deals Hub]

When you’re tech obsessed like we are, you can end up with more wires and cords than you know what to do with. Even in an age where we talk about wireless devices so often, we still have to plug in at some point during the day, be it to a battery charger or with our headphones. No matter the reason, you’re sure to have some tangled cords laying around. Get them in order with the help of the CableHub. You can get it on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub. Despite it’s small size, the CableHub is able to gobble up any cords that you throw at it. This amazing organizational tool can hold up to seven cords, taking on up to 12 feet of cable. Just wrap the wiring that you don’t want to be exposed around this disk of CableHub and allow it to hold on to your unwanted wires for you. You’ll never have to worry about the spaghetti-looking mess that usually awaits you with your unkept cables and cords. The CableHub Two Pack is available on sale now from the iPhone Hacks Deals Hub for just $24.99. That’s a savings of 35% off the retail price. It’s a great price for a handy organizational tool that is great to have around the house, so grab this offer today. Continue reading →

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Google’s Project Ara imagines the future of the mobile industry with modular smartphones

The smartphone industry is currently dominated by three companies, Apple, Samsung and Google, who mostly rely on you, the buyer, updating your phone every two years for their revenue. But what if you didn’t have to upgrade your phone every couple of years to get the latest and greatest hardware specs? That’s what Google’s ambitious Project Ara wants to do. The team of people at Google working on Project Ara, earlier a part of Motorola, are designing a smartphone that is made up of independent, replaceable modules, or blocks, that can be singly upgraded without having to purchase an entirely new device. Making each component of the phone independent presents a lot of challenges. The iPhone and other Android phones contain components that are tightly integrated, for various reasons like making the device as compact as possible, ensuring communication between them is fast etc. Project Ara will obviously lose out on these benefits, but Google hopes that the pros of being able to easily update to the latest-generation hardware outweigh these cons. Google designed Android with customisation in mind, giving manufacturing partners as well as users the freedom to change and customise almost every aspect of the OS, so isn’t surprising that the company wants to bring the same level of freedom to hardware too. When Project Ara was first conceptualised in this video, it seemed pretty far-fetched. But Google already has a working prototype, and is targeting a next year public release. Customisation and choice sound great in theory, but do you think practically, Project Ara smartphones will appeal to the average buyer? Let us know in the comments. [via The Verge] Continue reading →

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