We learned earlier today that Apple's 4.7" iPhone 6 orders are pretty much split between Foxconn and Pegatron quite evenly. Foxconn used to make all of Apple's iPhones and the drop in business has been a stress on Foxconn's bottom line. One of the ways to keep their profits up is to simply find new components of interest to Apple. One area that Foxconn is seriously looking into is supplying Apple with iPhone batteries. Yet with Apple's iPhone 6 sales being on fire of late, it's opened a possible new door for Foxconn. Today, While Foxconn CEO Terry Gou is with Apple's CEO Tim Cook checking out one of Foxconn's iPhone plants, we learn of another ambitious plan from Terry Gou. This time it's all about jumping into the display business. It's a weak point in Apple's supply chain and Foxconn wants to fill that need as quickly as they can. 

Yesterday we reported that Apple's CEO met with Vice Premier Ma Kai reportedly to exchange views on "protection of users' information" as well as "strengthening cooperation in information and communication fields." While in China, Cook made sure to get out to Foxconn and spend some time on the Foxconn factory floor to see how the iPhone 6 production was going and to meet some of the great employees who are under the gun to ramp up production.

In March of this year NVIDIA unveiled their next-gen graphics processor with 3D memory. In May, Samsung announced that they were shifting their focus to highly advanced 3D NAND flash memory chips that will also be used in future solid state drives. This is where the memory chip industry is going. It also happens to be the subject of one of Apple's latest patent applications that were published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

During Apple's latest Financial Conference Call Apple's CEO pointed out that Apple currently has 90% of the tablet market in education. Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a new Graphical User Interface for group reading environments such as the education market. The system uses an iPad (or MacBook) to allow students to follow a group reading session where teachers could grade them based on vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension, emotion, speed, fluency, prosody and so much more. Apple's patent 6a noted above illustrates a group reading session starting.

Super Hero Batman plays Super Hero Steve Jobs: Today In an interview with Bloomberg's Emily Chang, Aaron Sorkin passionately confirmed the rumors that Christian Bale will in fact be playing legendary Steve Jobs in the coming biopic of the Apple Inc. co-founder. Sorkin stated that "We needed the best actor on the board in a certain age range and that's Chris Bale." UPDATE NOV 3, 2014: Rumor has it that Christian Bale has officially dropped out.

On October 23, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals an extension of their originally granted iTime patent which we covered back in July of this year. Apple's second filing for their watch now emphasizes hand and arm gesturing in their patent claims to shore up that part of their invention that will apply to future versions of Apple Watch. One of the key patent claims protects Apple's use of gestures in relation to "notifications." In-part, this covers one aspect of the first version of Apple Watch due in early 2015. Though in the future, the use of arm and/or wrist gestures could play an extended roll in Apple Watch functionality. 

A new supply chain side rumor today states that due to higher-than-expected iPhone 6 Plus demand, Apple is rumored to be considering raising its payments to Foxconn Electronics by 20-25% to encourage the Taiwan-based EMS provider to accelerate mass production efficiency for the device.

A new supply chain report published this morning states that strong demand for Apple's iPhone 6 has boosted Pegatron Technology's orders for 2014 and the maker is expected to ship close to 25 million units before the end of 2014. Foxconn Electronics will also deliver about 25 million units during the same period, bringing iPhone 6 overall shipments to 50 million units in 2014. These estimates do not include shipments of the iPhone 6 Plus.

Note Xcode Developers: In this most recent video report from Bloomberg, Ragy Thomas, founder and CEO of Sprinklr, discussed Twitter's plans to introduce "Fabric," a tool for building mobile apps. Twitter has a special page dedicated to Xcode developers.

According to a new report published today, a patent troll by the name of GPNE has lost their patent infringement lawsuit against Apple today. Apple, who calls GPNE a patent troll, was "pleased" by the verdict handed down today.

Gmail users take note: Today, Google introduced their new email app for Gmail users called Inbox. It was designed by their Gmail team and introduces several key features that they call Bundles, Highlights, Reminders, Assists, and Snooze. Looking at their marketing, it's also being aimed at iOS 8 users.

Oops, Double Dipping Glitch: Today CNN Money's Samuel Burke discovered that "Apple Pay" has been double-charging some Bank of America customers on transactions, including himself. In the end, it should be noted that it was an "Apple Pay" problem on Apple's end and not one by the Bank.

Patently Apple has just discovered that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office has given Apple the final approval on the "Thunderbolt" trademark. While it published online today, the approval or "allowance" was officially granted last Friday.

Something's brewing: Today, in an interview with Bloomberg's Stephanie Ruhle, Nike CEO Mark Parker said that he was quite bullish on their relationship with Apple and made an interesting statement about working with Apple on wearables.

Apple is serious about protecting user privacy: Yesterday we reported on the fact that iCloud users in mainland China were under a cyber-attack that could allow access to personal data. Although the Chinese government denied any association with the attack, it's being reported by the official Xinhua news agency today that Apple's CEO Tim Cook has discussed user data security at a meeting on Wednesday with a top Chinese government official in Beijing.

A new home for the Woz: It's being reported today in Australia that Apple's co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak is set to join the University of Technology, Sydney, in December as an adjunct professor. He will become a key part of the UTS "Magic Lab", the university's centre for innovation and enterprise research, which conducts research into robotics and artificial intelligence.

Apple's not the leader in everything: Google and Facebook continued to pour millions of dollars into political lobbying in the third quarter in attempts to influence U.S. lawmakers and have legislation written in their favor. Google spent $3.94 million between July and September while Facebook spent $2.45 million, according to disclosure data published Tuesday. Considering Apple's sheer size and importance in the tech sector, it was strange to find that Apple was outspent on lobbying.

A Deal in the making: This morning Bloomberg reported from a court filing that GT Advanced Technologies has asked the court to allow Apple to have until noon Eastern time today to file additional documents because the two companies are "on the cusp of a consensual global settlement' and that 'such relief is in the best interests of creditors and the estates." UPDATE 4:10 PM MST: Apple and GTAT reach amicable agreement.

In September Apple made public "A message from Tim Cook about Apple's commitment to your privacy." In another area of Apple's website about privacy, Apple walks each visitor through their products with each one having a word about privacy specifically tailored for it. Apple makes it clear that "The moment you begin using an Apple product or service, strong privacy measures are already at work protecting your information. We build extensive safeguards into our apps and the operating systems they run on." Even in yesterday's Apple Financial Results Conference call Cook emphasized "ground breaking security." Cook firmly stated that "We've also communicated and demonstrated our commitment to respecting and protecting user's privacy with strong encryption and strict policies that govern how our data is handled." Today iCloud users in China are reportedly under attack as hackers are seeking personal data. A TED Talk presentation surfaced recently titled "Why Privacy Matters." Some tech companies like Google and Facebook would like you to think privacy doesn't matter anymore, but privacy does matter. For those who passionately believe in online privacy then our report on Glenn Greenwald's presentation is worth checking out.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Apple iCloud users in mainland China have a cyber issue on their hands as the service is hit by an attack that could allow access to personal data. The video report fills you in the details known so far.

The Good & Bad Revealed by iFixit: Today Gwendolyn Gay reviews the Mac mini that has been a long standing iFixit favorite. Will this new model live up to our repair expectations? The video tells all.

ARM loves the iPhone 6: It's being reported today that royalties at Arm Holdings have regained momentum with the UK chip designer providing an optimistic outlook for future revenues, thanks to booming sales of Apple's latest iPhones, consumers shifting to 4G mobile devices and manufacturers racing to build gadgets for the so-called internet of things.

Apple Pay is Quick & Easy to use: For those wanting to see what Apple looks like in action and how Apple Pay works, the video noted above is one the clearest I've seen so far. Below is a second and more "commercial" styled video on Apple Pay, the mobile wallet that will change the world of financial transactions.

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 44 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover vehicle geo-fencing, an iDevice e-reader mode, 3D imagery appearing on a 2D UI and Apple winning a design patent for their Shanghai Store's glass staircase. We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.

According to a new supply chain report this morning, LG will the sole provider for Apple's new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display and may have been tapped to be Apple's exclusive Apple Watch display supplier as well.

Earlier this month we reported that Apple had adjusted their iPhone order ratio to better help meet the iPhone 6 Plus demand. Today, the supply chain in Taiwan is reporting that Apple has once again adjusted their order ratio again due to higher than expected demand for the iPhone 6 Plus in China.

During Apple's live financial conference call this afternoon Apple's CEO Tim Cook stated that he wasn't concerned over iPhone subsidy cuts in China. While admitting there were some "pressures," he quickly noted that 80% of iPhones sold in China today aren't using subsidies. That was a surprising detail. I think it'll take another quarter before the full picture about subsidies is clear. But for now, Apple shows no concern over this issue in the least.

Apple just announced financial results for its fiscal 2014 third quarter ended September 27, 2014. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $42.1 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.5 billion, or $1.42 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $37.5 billion and net profit of $7.5 billion, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. 'Our fiscal 2014 was one for the record books, including the biggest iPhone launch ever with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO.

A surprising rumor has surfaced today claiming that Microsoft is gearing up to launch a wearable device within the next few weeks. The gadget is a smartwatch that will passively track a wearer's heart rate and work across different mobile platforms. The new smartwatch is reportedly to boast of a two day battery with regular use.

Both models of Apple's iPhone 6 are sweeping the globe and the South Korean press is trying to put the very best spin on it as they possibly can knowing full well that Samsung's latest smartphone models will fall short in popularity this quarter. In one report, the Korean press points out that with Apple's large screen iPhone 6 Plus now being available in China, Apple's Korean part suppliers are expected to be beneficiaries of the so-called Apple effect. Yet no matter how they attempt to spin this, a new survey reported on today points to the iPhone 6 being radically more popular than Samsung's new Note 4.

Last Friday technology analyst Christina Warren on the topic of Apple Pay stated that "it's a BFD because it's finally doing what all these payment companies, banks and retailers have been promising us for the last decade which is that it's going to bringing contactless payments to the United States on a wide scale level." It's Apple that will finally make it truly happen. Starting Today, Apple begins its bold undertaking to add a mobile wallet to its iPhones that will quickly trounce all efforts made by the Google Wallet that came to market in 2011.

In one of Microsoft's latest patent applications they note that their clip-on wearable camera invention will allow users to capture photos and/or video "hands-free," especially while they're moving. Microsoft's newly proposed camera, that is much smaller than a GoPro camera, could be very popular with active people, those at school, those at a convention or those on vacation where they simply want to be able to naturally capture their adventures and/or events hassle-free. It's like having the convenience of Google Glass without the hassle and standing out as a super geek.

On Saturday the Hong Kong Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's trademark filing for "Swift," which is an innovative new programming language for Cocoa and Cocoa Touch. Apple also filed for this trademark in Europe in addition to filing for "HomeKit," which is a framework in iOS 8 for communicating with and controlling connected accessories in a user's home. Each of Apple's trademark filings are made under specific International Classes which may shed a little light on possible future applications. UPDATE OCT 20: Apple files for HomeKit in US. UPDATE OCT 21: Apple files for Swift in US.    

It's all about the Process: A week ago today we posted a snippet of Vanity Fair's editor Graydon Carter interviewing Jonathan Ive. In that initial clip we pointed out that Ive admired Steve Jobs for his incredible focus. Vanity Fair has now released the full 25 minute interview. The focus of the interview allows Ive to talk about his love of the design process with his team in Cupertino.

Yesterday Apple introduced the "Insanely Great 27" iMac with 5K Retina Display." It will certainly be great for professionals of every stripe but less of a draw for consumers being that content in the form of movies, games or commercial apps won't be available for some time. While Apple was able to justify that major leap, they've officially decided to kill off any hope of ever seeing an iMac Touch. It's just not going to happen according to Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi. That goes for any kind of MacBook Pro with a touch screen as well.

Shortly after Apple introduced their new Apple Watch, the knives came out. One of the leading Swiss watch companies headed by Jean-Claude Biver lashed out at the Apple Watch for being too feminine amongst other things. Of course what he didn't reveal at that time was that his company was secretly racing to come up with a smartwatch that would eventually compete with Apple, if that's even possible. The two-faced Biver is now beginning to reveal his company's preliminary plans, if you can call it that. To me, it just sounds like the head of the Swiss company is simply panicking. I don't blame him.

Yes, Apple Pay is going to be a Big F%$#$g Deal: Today, Mashable Senior Tech Analyst Christina Warren caught our attention with her assessment that Apple's new Apple Pay launching on Monday is going to be a BFD. Nothing like hearing the truth put so bluntly.

CNBC reports today that in all the headlines and hype of the launch of the latest iPad models and iMac computer, there was one new member of the Apple ecosystem that analysts are calling "remarkable", wasn't even mentioned. And that's the new Apple SIM.

With Samsung's profits falling by 47% this past quarter, they're now trying to shake off the doldrums by cranking up their propaganda machine once again. Today, a new Korean report states that Samsung is going to use the octa-core Exynos 7 processor in the Galaxy S6, which is scheduled to be released early next year. The hinted twist is that the Galaxy S6 could introduce Iris recognition which supports their ongoing work on this project. The report stated that "images of the new model are being revealed." Whether the noted imagery is that which they provided and noted in our cover graphic is unknown at this time.

With most new products, snags in manufacturing are bound to arise. Over the summer there were issues with the new backlight for the iPhone 6 that halted production. Today it's being reported that the iPad Air 2's anti-reflective coating is affecting yield rates as production tries to get up to speed.