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There's a new trend emerging in computing that could breathe new life and some badly needed excitement back to the Desktop once again. The trend involves integrating advanced 3D scanners and projectors into the desktop so that artists of every stripe could unleash their creativity in ways once thought unimaginable. HP just released a next-gen desktop computer that incorporates these technologies and they call it Sprout. This week we discovered a Sony patent filing at the U.S. Patent Office that takes this HP-like concept but applies it to a next-generation video conferencing system experience. It uses a similar tower camera/scanner approach as HP's Sprout does to allow users to share documents, graphics and more in real time with a colleague having a similar system. Sony's system also differs from the HP system in that it utilizes large transparent desktop displays that add a measure of realism to the whole conferencing experience so that you'll swear that the person you're conferencing with is in the same room as you. While today's report covers the basics of Sony's patent, it's really about seeing the bigger picture of where this new trend may be going. Some really refreshing ideas are beginning to surface about the future of the desktop – and it's certainly about time.
Continue reading "New Sony Patent Shows Future Trend in Video Conferencing" »

In October Apple filed for the trademark "Swift" in the U.S., Europe and China. This week, Apple has filed for the alternative trademark "Apple Swift" in the U.S, Europe and China. Swift or "Apple Swift" is a multi-paradigm, compiled programming language created by Apple for iOS and OS X development. It was first introduced during Apple's 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference. Apple states that "Swift is an innovative new programming language for Cocoa and Cocoa Touch. Writing code is interactive and fun, the syntax is concise yet expressive, and apps run lightning-fast." UPDATE Dec. 01, 2014. Apple adds filing for Swift logo/icon.
Continue reading "Apple Files for "Apple Swift" Around the World While Abandoning their Efforts in Securing a Trademark for their Game Center Icon" »

Yesterday we reported that Apple iOS users won the Thanksgiving Day spending battle by spending about 25% more than Android owners on their Turkey Day purchases, with an average of $118.57 per order compared to $95.25, according to the most recent data from IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. Today, new stats have emerged about online holiday shopping. New York City was the leading city for online shopping over the two-day period, followed by Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. New York City shoppers spend an average of $121.91 on Black Friday. Did Apple iOS users win the battle again? Yes, of course.
Continue reading "Black Friday Online Sales had Apple's iOS Crush Android by almost 4 to 1" »

Apple took top spot in tablet sales in China in Q3 by a wide margin against the tide of all the analysts and critics that are rumbling that the iPad is bound for a hard landing in 2015. Today we learn that Apple will increase their iPad distribution in Korea beginning next week and that's just the beginning for Apple's big moves in the tablet market in 2015.
Continue reading "Korea Telecoms to Start Selling the iPad Next Week as Apple Sets their Eyes on Prosumer & Enterprise Markets in 2015 " »
In a report that we posted a month ago we covered CEO of Cheezburger Ben Huh talking about how Apple owns the market's mind share because they've become the platform for the creative class. This flies in the face of the fact that the Android operating system dwarfs iOS in pure market stats. But it's not just about "mind share" it's also about Apple customers spending more money on Apps and hardware than your average Androider does. A new report published today confirms this as fact.
Continue reading "Apple Fans Outspent Androiders by 25% on Thanksgiving" »

Yesterday we reported that Apple's iPad crushed all of their tablet competitors in China in Q3. In that report we presented a chart illustrating China's Xiaomi ranking fourth with 5.3% market share. News out of China today reveals that Xiaomi is planning a massive attack on the low-end tablet market in 2015 against the iPad mini, though it's bound to hurt Samsung even more considering that they're already struggling to get their mobile house in order.
Continue reading "Xiaomi Ready to Shake China & India Markets with $100 Tablet" »

The iPhone 6 will power into 2015: As Apple is set to ship 50 million iPhone 6's for Q4, IC design houses are reporting that Apple has started scaling back on chip orders for Q1 2015 as would be expected – Though the drop isn't as drastic as one would think after the busy holiday season.
Continue reading "Chip Orders for Apple's iPhone 6 only Drop by 10% for Q1 2015" »

Today the EU Parliament voted for the break-up of Google even though they don't have the power to do any such thing. While it's grandstanding, they want to put pressure on the European Commission to force measures on Google that will diminish their stranglehold on search engine traffic in Europe that's now standing at about 90%.
Continue reading "EU Parliament Grandstands to bring Attention to Google's Search Engine Monopoly now at 90%" »
Not So Fast! There was a rumor that surfaced just yesterday claiming that the iPhone 5C was destined for the dustbin of tech toy history and today we see a completely different story emerging that would tank that initial rumor.
Continue reading "Maker of the iPhone 5C set to Increase Shipments, not stop them" »

The iPad Champion Stands Alone: According to new report published in Taiwan today there were 5.445 million branded consumer tablets sold in the China market during the third quarter of 2014. While that marked a 1% decrease on quarter it marketed a 25.1% increase on the year. The data was provided by China-based Analysys International. Apple's iPads took top position in this category and our chart shows you how Apple crushed all of their competitors combined.
Continue reading "Apple's iPad crushes all Competitors in China for Tablets in Q3" »

Apple's Master Siri patent that we covered back in January 2012 listed Apple TV (the set top box) as one of devices that Siri could one day work with. Last month Amazon surprised the market with a device that they've branded as "Echo." It was like Siri out of iDevices and into your home via a standalone device doubling as a wireless speaker. I noted at the end of that report that having Siri voice controls for our Apple TV would be a dream machine. Well, start dreaming because Apple's European patent filing presents such a scenario and much more. There's no cryptic language in this patent about their intentions of using voice commands for Apple TV. Now it's just a matter of when. Apple's patent application focuses on the communications system that will use a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) framework.
Continue reading "A European Patent Filing from Apple Describes Voice Controls Destined for a Television and the Apple TV Set Top Box" »

Today the European Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark filing for their "Metal" icon as noted in our cover graphic (without the text). Apple's Metal is a low-level, low-overhead hardware-accelerated graphics API that debuted in iOS 8. It is intended to bring to iOS some of the performance benefits of similar APIs on other platforms, such as AMD's Mantle and Microsoft's DirectX 12. Apple states that Metal "lets developers create highly immersive console-style games on iPhone. Metal is optimized to allow the CPU and GPU to work together to deliver detailed graphics and complex visual effects."
Continue reading "Apple Seeks Trademark for "Metal" Icon" »

During Apple's iPad event in October they side-stepped their new Apple SIM feature that they knew would controversial. CNBC mentioned it the next day with one analyst calling it "remarkable." In their literature, Apple states that "The new Apple SIM is preinstalled on iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular models. The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you — with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip." Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published the patent application that's behind the new Apple SIM.
Continue reading "Patent Fulfilled: The new Apple SIM Patent Comes to Light" »

In a recent report we learned that Apple is showing more than a mild interest in 3D and virtual reality apps, they're actively listing job opportunities for those with experience in developing apps for virtual reality experiences. More specifically, Apple is looking for app developers to build user interfaces and "high performance apps that integrate with Virtual Reality systems for prototyping and user testing." While this is open to interpretation, Apple has been working on several projects related to new kinds of displays supporting 3D imagery without glasses while continuing their work on an Oculus-like device. In fact Apple was recently granted a patent for one of their headset designs. Today the US Patent and Trademark Office published yet another Apple invention related to a 3D personal display headset system that's titled "Adjusting Media Display in a Personal Display System based on Perspective." It's a patent application focusing on 3D viewing of seating arrangements in theaters and other major live events. This report also briefly covers a second Apple invention that relates to future iOS metaphors that act like real world objects based on the objects having mass that responds to real world, physical forces.
Continue reading "Apple tweaks their Inventions Relating to a 3D Personal Headset and Possible Future iOS Metaphors" »

Rumors about a 12.9 inch iPad began back in May. Apple also has several patent-pending inventions on record supporting a hybrid notebook-tablet or a tablet with a smart cover containing a built-in keyboard. Both Microsoft and HP now have tablets running with Intel Core processors doubling as notebooks with full productive software for the enterprise and students. Today, Apple's patent application clearly shows us how OS X is working on a touchscreen that could be used on an iPad or MacBook which opens the door to a hybrid keyboard, touch display device. While this year's rumors have pointed to 12.2 and/or 12.9 inch iPad Pro types of devices, you have to wonder if the display could also fit into a new kind of MacBook Air or the like that supports OS X and iOS. Maybe the rumors are about one and the same thing. While only time will tell how this plays out, today's revelations are very interesting indeed.
Continue reading "Apple Invents Multitouch Solution for OS X on Macs & iPad" »

In the blink of an eye another year has gone by and Patently Apple would like to wish our US fanbase and their families a safe, warm and very happy Thanksgiving.
Continue reading "Patently Apple Wishes our US Fanbase a Very Happy Thanksgiving " »

According to a new report, Apple's iPhone 6 was by far the best selling smartphone in Japan in September and October while still leading in November with only days to go. For the month of October Apple's iPhone 6 dominated by holding the top 6 positions for smartphone sales and in total it held 9 positions out of the top 14.
Continue reading "Apple's iPhone 6 Still the Top Smartphone in Japan" »

Earlier this month we posted a report titled "United Airlines Testing iPad's in Restaurants & Terminals." In that report we covered how United Airline's is planning to use iPads in their terminals and restaurants. We also covered what Delta Airlines has already set up at their Crust Restaurant using iPads as their menus. As many get ready to travel for Thanksgiving, we look at other airports offering iPad bars set up by OTG and point to new ones in the works.
Continue reading "Visit new iPad Bar & Restaurants at Airports this Week & Beyond" »

Well ahead of the pack, Patently Apple posted a report back in May titled "Apple Reaches Agreement with China UnionPay for iWallet." Since that time Apple's mobile wallet has been officially branded "Apple Pay." Confirmation of Apple's deal with Union Pay came to light in a press release issued in November. We noted in the latter report that adding UnionPay at the App Store was going to lead to use of Apple Pay down the road. Today that was confirmed. UnionPay will begin to accept Apple Pay starting in March 2015. The twist to the story however, is that UnionPay is planning to compete with Apple Pay.
Continue reading "China's UnionPay to Introduce AndroidPay in Late 2015 to Compete with Apple Pay" »

On November 26, 2014, the European Patent & Trademark Office published Apple's latest trademark filing for "Mail Drop." For those unfamiliar with Apple's new Mail feature for OS X called "Mail Drop" it boils down to this: When you're signed in to iCloud, Mail Drop lets you send large files like videos, presentations, even a folder of images without having to worry about your service provider's limitations. Just drag your attachments, up to 5GB total, into your mail message, and Mail Drop handles the rest. If your recipients use Mail in OS X Yosemite, they'll receive the attachment just as they do today. If they use another app or webmail, they'll receive your email with a link to download it. There's no charge to use Mail Drop. And it works no matter which email service you use, including Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft Exchange.
Continue reading "Apple Files for "Mail Drop" Trademark in Europe" »

Shares of Taiwanese sapphire manufacturers moved sharply higher Wednesday morning after Chinese media reported that Apple will use sapphire displays in the production of its next generation iPhone.
Continue reading "China Rumor Claims Next iPhone will Adopt Sapphire Display" »

On October 16 we posted a report titled "CBS 60 Minutes: Apple has the Power to Upend the Rule of Law." The report covered an interview with FBI Director James Comey who revealed his views about internet surveillance in general and in context with Apple and Google's latest encryption technology specifically. "Apple and Google will have the power to upend the rule of law. Until now, a judge could order those companies to unlock a criminal suspect's phone. But their new software makes it impossible for them to crack a code set by the user." Last week we posted a follow-up report titled "The DOJ's War with Apple & Google Heating up over Encryption," where Apple executives vehemently objected to the DOJ's new argument that Apple's new encryption could lead to a dead-child while waiting for a warrant. A new report has surfaced this evening that shows us that the government is pulling a rabbit out of their hat to overrule Apple or Google's positon on encryptioin and forcing them to allow a warrant to be exercised in order to open the smartphone.
Continue reading "The DOJ Turns to a 225 Year Old Law to Force Either Apple or Google to Unlock a Password-Protected Smartphone" »

Biometrics are coming to PCs: Intel's Kirk Skaugen, corporate vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group, noted during his keynote at CES 2013 that Intel would be bringing Biometrics to the PC. Today we learn that during an event last week Intel's Skaugen stated that Intel and McAfee will be bringing a biometric solution to better secure PC's by the end of the year.
Continue reading "Intel Bringing Biometrics to PCs for Better Security" »
The Wall Street Journal has voted Apple's iPhone 6 as the number one smartphone for 2014 to boos and hisses from Android fans which was expected. The iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 were tied for best Phablet. Joanna Stern stated that the iPhone 6 is still the most well-rounded smartphone money can buy.
Continue reading "The iPhone 6 Wins the Wall Street Journal's Top Smartphone for 2014" »

It's being reported in China today that Apple has a new campaign to grow its App business. Apple has reportedly cut its US 98 cent minimum down to 16 to 50 cents depending on the app. The new price cuts are likely to help Apple solidify its iOS ecosystem because it can help grow the number of paid users, and might encourage in-app purchases.
Continue reading "Apple Cuts App Store Pricing in China to Spur on Sales" »

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 25 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover three distinct inventions. The first is for a possible future MacBooks with Wi-Fi + Cellular capabilities that may also support a phone call app. The second invention envisioned an audio user interface like Siri as far back as 2003 that would work with a future phone, an iPod, in a vehicle (like CarPlay) and on a wearable device (like a watch), all before the iPhone ever debuted. The last invention relates to camera motion stabilization which continues to improve on the new iPhone 6. We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.
Continue reading "Apple Granted 25 Patents Today Covering Camera Stabilization, Wi-Fi + Cellular MacBook and an Audio User Interface" »
Check out the Future of Apple TV from eyeSight: With Apple acquiring PrimeSense, the company behind Microsoft's Kinect last year, we know that Apple is likely working on ways to advance Apple TV to work without a remote. Then again Apple could also be considering new advances with Siri controlling Apple TV in ways much like Amazon's new Echo works. At best, Apple advancing Apple TV may not happen until late 2015 or beyond. So in the meantime, you might want to check out eyeSight's upcoming Onecue. If you love your Apple TV, then you might want to take it to the next level with Onecue.
Continue reading "Video: Take Apple TV to the Next Level with Onecue" »

It's being reported today that Apple CarPlay is being showcased at Hyundai's area at the LA Auto Show. Two 2015 Sonata models show that CarPlay will be available. If you live in the L.A. area and happen to be an iPhone user, you may want to check it out.
Continue reading "2015 Hyundai Sonatas at L.A. Auto Show Promoting CarPlay" »
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Today, MediaMath, the creator of the TerminalOne Marketing Operating System for digital marketers, announced a first-of-its kind integration with Apple's iAd platform to offer marketers the ability to run ad campaigns within more than 250,000 apps on Apple devices across more than 100 countries.
Continue reading "L.L. Bean First to Leverage iAd with MediaMath's Marketing OS" »

It's being reported today that Samsung is considering a major leadership shake-up, according to people familiar with the matter, part of an attempt to revive its fortunes after a difficult year that has hurt its profitability, market share and stock price. In one scenario under discussion, co-chief executive and mobile head J.K. Shin who had presided over Samsung's rapid ascent, could be moved out. Earlier in the month we reported that Shin lost his $630K bonus due to lack of performance with their current line-up of Galaxy phones, tablets and watches. Samsung's massive profit downturn is rippling through the market and causing turmoil and infighting that began as early as July. Big changes are likely in the making and news of the shake-up is expected to happen in the coming weeks ahead.
Continue reading "Mayhem at Samsung May Lead to big Changes in Mobile Division" »

According to a New York Times report published this week, a particularly nasty mobile malware campaign targeting Android users has hit between four million and 4.5 million Americans since January of 2013. In a mid-January security report published by Cisco, they claimed that ninety-nine percent of all mobile malware targeted Android devices. And while security firms have tried to sully Apple's iOS reputation for not having malware with reports about the recent Masque attack, Apple responded quickly. They also noted that they "…designed OS X and iOS with built-in security safeguards to help protect customers and warn them before installing potentially malicious software." This week the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals systems and methods for a security measure that prevents unauthorized calls from being made to protected functions of software. Apple describes embedding secrets to each function that can't be hacked.
Continue reading "Apple Invents Secrets-based Security Measure Relating to the Detection of Unauthorized Calls to Software Routines" »

According to a new report published this morning, a US judge has signed off on Apple's $450 million legal deal to compensate consumers harmed by an illegal price-fixing conspiracy for electronic books. The settlement negotiated to avoid trial in the civil case brought by authorities in 33 states calls on Apple to reimburse consumers to the tune of about $400 million and then pay legal costs and fees.
Continue reading "U.S. Judge Signs Off on Apple's e-Book Conspiracy Deal" »

Tom Klein, CEO of Digital Scientists, recently moderated the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Retail Society's Panel on Location-Based Experiences featuring leaders in the field of proximity sensing / location-based technology. The first presentation at the event was made by Apple's Sr. Systems Engineer Orlando Luna on Apple's beacon technology. Our report covers the basics of this presentation and an overview of the Rately Browser for iBeacon Shopping.
Continue reading "Digital Scientists Promote Rately Browser for iBeacon Shopping" »
Microsoft has flipped in trying to compare their digital assistant Cortana with Apple's Siri as a reason to consider purchasing a Microsoft phone. The second question posed by Microsoft's digital assistant to Apple's Siri is this: "Can you tell people to leave work early based on traffic reports?" Siri's invented response was "No, I just got bigger," as in the size of the iPhone 6. Note to Microsoft: 99% of the real world would have a supervisor laugh an employee right out of their office for asking permission to leave work early based on the advice of a digital assistant. What planet does your marketing team come from?
Continue reading "Microsoft's New TV Ad Mocks Siri & Backfires for being Stupid" »

Patently Apple has discovered today that Apple filed for three trademarks in Europe this week, with one already showing up in Hong Kong's trademark database.
Continue reading "Apple Filed for Three Trademarks in Europe and China this Week" »

Don't Count Intel out Just Yet: During Intel's Investor conference held yesterday, they noted that they were on track to exceed its goal of seeing its chips used in 40 million tablets by the end of 2014. This goal first came to light during a financial conference held in April. That strategy has made Intel the second largest tablet chip supplier in the June quarter, according to market research firm Strategy Analytics. But scratching their way back to being a mobile chip player has come at steep price running in the billions of dollars in short term subsidies. But Intel stated it's a price that they were willing to pay to get back in the game.
Continue reading "Intel acknowledges that they're Still Paying the Price for Sitting on the Sidelines of the Mobile Market Too Long" »

Tickets.com, provider of state-of-the-art technology solutions to more than 1,000 sports and entertainment clients around the world, has officially announced that it has launched the first venue ticketing integration with support for Apple Pay™ mobile payments solution. It's the first entertainment venue in the world to offer this in-app payment option for ticket purchases. Update on this Apple Pay Report: Square will support Apple Pay in 2015.
Continue reading "Tickets.com has launched Apple Pay Integration" »
According to a new report this afternoon, Google has agreed to settle litigation with patent consortium Rockstar, though the terms of the deal weren't disclosed in a court filing made public this week. Rockstar, which counts Apple as an investor, outbid Google and paid $4.5 billion in 2011 for thousands of former Nortel Network Corp patents as the networking products supplier went bankrupt.
Continue reading "Google Agrees to Settle Patent Case with Rockstar Consortium" »

Today a new report out of China states that top executives from Apple and Chinese smartphone upstart Xiaomi traded light-hearted barbs on Thursday at the World Internet Conference being held in Wuzhen China – acknowledging the fierce competition between the rivals.
Continue reading "Apple Executive Takes a Shot at Xiaomi at Chinese Conference" »

Foxconn to Partner with Innolux: In late October we reported that one of the ways that Foxconn could gain more orders from Apple was to find components of interest to Apple. With Apple's iPhone 6 orders on fire, Apple has had trouble finding suppliers for their larger iPhone 6 Plus displays that are still on backorder. So Terry Gou came up with another ambitious plan for a new display plant that our report detailed Today, a second report confirms this plan. Major Report Update Nov. 21
Continue reading "Foxconn Partners with Innolux on New Display Plant for 2015" »