Apple

Blame it on Windows 8.

Analysts this week cited "waiting for Windows 8" as one reason for flat shipments of traditional PCs.

But I would submit that's an excuse rather than a reason. Instead of waiting, consumers are buying MacBooks, iPads, Google's Nexus 7, and large-screen Android phones.

In other words, what Intel CEO Paul Otellini likes to optimistically call -- in the case of tablets -- "additive" devices, or machines people buy in addition to a PC. But I think they're what consumers actually buy instead of a PC.

Does that portend … Read more

How serious is Apple about getting a court-mandated sales ban against Samsung's Galaxy Tab and Nexus smartphone in place? Serious enough to start sending messages about it to carriers and other retailers, even before one of the injunctions was temporarily put on hold.

In a new filing in the case between the two technology giants in California, which was picked up by FOSS Patents, Samsung notes that Apple took the liberty of sending do-not-sell letters to carriers and retailers that carry Samsung's products.

Those letters include a copy of the court-ordered injunction, as well as a postscript suggesting … Read more

Apple says it's investigating an exploit that currently allows users to purchase digital goods inside of iOS apps without actually paying for them.

"The security of the App Store is incredibly important to us, and the developer community," Apple spokesperson Natalie Harrison told CNET in a prepared statement. "We take reports of fraudulent activity very seriously and we are investigating."

The company did not provide any estimate of when action would be taken. Russian technology blog i-ekb.ru, which first reported on the exploit earlier today, noted that the hosting company that currently serves the … Read more

Apple is once again a part of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool group, which rates electronics for their greenness.

Last month Apple quietly ended its participation with EPEAT. In a statement earlier this week, Apple said its products were still made to meet the Energy Star 5.2 guidelines and that it posts extensive information about its environmental efforts on its Web site.

In a new letter, Apple's soon to be outgoing hardware engineering chief, Bob Mansfield, said the company will once again have its products rated by the organization:

We've recently heard from many loyal Apple … Read more

Those who ordered one of Apple's new MacBooks with the Retina Display immediately after it was announced at WWDC last month have no doubt had theirs delivered by now. But those who might have held back a week or two were quickly faced with wait times of up to a month.

That seemingly improved overnight, with Apple today reporting ship times of two to three weeks for new orders, MacRumors notes.

The change is significant for one of Apple's notebooks, which are typically in ready supply following a product launch. The high-end machine was a different story though. … Read more

A new exploit aimed at iOS devices enables users to gain free access to paid content within applications, thereby circumventing built-in security measures.

The hack, which was detailed by a Russian programmer and picked up by 9to5mac this morning (via i-ekb.ru), uses a proxy system to send purchase requests to third-party servers where they are validated and sent back to the application as if the transaction had gone through. However before that happens, users need to install special security certificates on their device, as well as be on a Wi-Fi network.

The individual behind the effort has already created … Read more

Apple's App Store has added a new listing for Food and Drink.

When users tap over to the section, they'll find a host of applications offering everything from recipes and restaurant locators to programs from prominent companies, like Starbucks and Pizza Hut. As of this writing, Food Network in the Kitchen app is tops in the paid section, while the Starbucks app has taken top billing in the free area.

Apple has added new sections to the App Store from time to time. Back in March, for example, the company added a Catalogs section.

(Via 9to5 Mac)

There's no slowing Apple's iPad shipments, according to one analyst.

Charlie Wolf, an analyst at Needham & Company, wrote to investors today that Apple shipped 20 million iPads during the three-month period ended June, according to AppleInsider, which obtained a copy of his comments. Wolf initially said that Apple would ship 13 million iPads during the quarter.

If Apple actually shipped that many iPads last quarter, it would set a new record for the company. During the same period last year, Apple sold 9.25 million iPads. During the first quarter of the year, iPad sales hit 11.8 million. … Read more

China's Taobao e-commerce platform is home to a host of preorder opportunities for an Apple smartphone that might not even exist.

According to Reuters, several sellers on Taobao are offering preorders for Apple's long-rumored iPhone 5. One of the sellers, Reuters says, is currently accepting preorders for 1,000 yuan ($160). Another seller says that the only way to be guaranteed to get the iPhone 5 at launch will be to pay in full -- 6,999 yuan ($1,100) -- up front.

China and Taobao have long been home to sellers attempting to take advantage of the … Read more