Launch

Apple launches cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

As expected, Apple has launched an 8GB version of its iPhone 5c this morning. The handset popped up on UK carrier O2's website a few moments ago, priced at £50 on contract. That's a little over $80 in USD, and between £50 and £100 cheaper than the 16GB model.

Apart from the smaller storage bin, the new iPhone 5c is identical in every way to the handset that Apple introduced back in October. It still has a 4-inch Retina display, the powerful A6 processor, and an 8-megapixel camera. And yes, it's still unapologetically plastic...

Samsung launches ad-free streaming radio service ‘Milk Music’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 2, 2016

In a somewhat surprising move, Samsung announced today a new streaming radio service dubbed 'Milk Music.' The service is a lot like Apple's iTunes Radio in that music is chosen based on a user's preferences, and it's platform-specific—it's only available to Galaxy device owners.

The service is powered by Slacker Radio, which would explain the absence of rumors that Samsung was working on such a project, and there are no ads. As for the app, it offers the usual features including the ability to save songs for offline listening and create custom radio stations...

Apple launches iPhone trade-in program in France

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

In August of last year, Apple introduced an official trade-in program for iPhones. The deal gives customers an affordable way to upgrade to a new handset by getting store credit based on the value of their current, working iPhone—up to $300 depending on model and condition.

Initially, Apple only accepted trade-ins in-store in the United States, but it has since expanded the program to the UK and India. And yesterday, an Apple spokesperson confirmed that the company has rolled out the popular trade-in offering to a third country this week: France...

Apple launches ‘CarPlay,’ a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

As expected, Apple has launched its iOS in the Car initiative today at the Geneva Motor Show. It's officially calling the offering 'CarPlay,' and is advertising the feature as a smarter, safer and more fun way to use your iPhone while in the car.

But looking at the press release, CarPlay will function exactly as we've been led to believe it would. Users will be able to control it through their car's native interface, or by activating Siri via the voice control button on their steering wheel...

New report claims revamped Apple TV could land ‘any week now’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

When it comes to the Apple TV, it seems like everyone agrees that a new one is coming. But just when it will get here is a different story. We've heard everything from 'as early April,' to 'before WWDC in June,' and as late as 'in the fall this year with Apple's other product refreshes.'

The latest report, which comes from The Financial Times, claims that the refreshed Apple TV is finished and could land much sooner than everyone is expecting. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says that Apple's new set-top box could land "any week now."

Apple to launch iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

Nearly a year after its introduction, it looks like Apple is finally ready to launch iOS in the Car. The Financial Times is reporting that the company plans to introduce the new feature next week with 3 major launch partners: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Oddly enough, the Times doesn't mention the project by name, but says that drivers will be able to use Apple's 'in-car operating system' to use Apple Maps, watch movies, listen to music, make phone calls and send messages using the vehicle's in-dash display...

Samsung unveils new Galaxy S5 with heart-rate monitor, fingerprint scanner and more

Cody Lee ∙ February 24, 2014

Out of all the major manufacturers presenting new products at Mobile World Congress this week, no keynote was more highly anticipated than Samsung's Unpacked 5 event. The South Korean company is the hottest name in Android right now, and it was expected to unveil its latest flagship smartphone.

And it delivered. This afternoon, Samsung introduced the new Galaxy S5 handset to a packed auditorium in Barcelona, Spain. There were no paid TV hosts or Broadway dancers this time around, just Samsung leadership up on stage talking about the smartphone they built for the year 2014 and beyond...

Nokia unveils its first-ever Android handsets: the X, X+ and XL

Cody Lee ∙ February 24, 2014

So the rumors were true. Despite being a long-time parter of Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, and despite being outright purchased by the Redmond company last fall, Nokia has been working on an Android strategy. And tonight, it unveiled that strategy to the world.

At its Mobile World Congress press event in Barcelona, the Finnish handset-maker introduced not one, but three new Android phones: the X, X+ and XL. The X and X+ both have 4-inch displays, and similar specs, and as you'd imagine the XL has a larger 5-inch display...

Apple launches iTunes Radio in Australia

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has officially launched its streaming music service iTunes Radio in Australia this morning, making it the first non-U.S. country to gain access to the service since it was introduced last fall.

It was reported in October that Apple had plans to rollout iTunes Radio to the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand in early 2014, and this appears to be the first step of that International push...

Pebble launches smartwatch app store with over 1,000 apps and watch faces

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

As promised back in December, Pebble launched its dedicated app store today. The store, which can be accessed via the official Pebble iOS app, features over 1000 apps and watch faces that can be installed on the company's line of smartwatches.

Like other app stores, the Pebble Shop pulls together all third-party apps developed for the Pebble and organizes them into categories like Fitness, Notifications and Games. This makes it easier to browse through existing apps and discover new ones...

iTunes Radio reportedly working for some UK users

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Good news for all of you folks across the pond. There have been reports coming in for the past several hours that [some] iTunes users in the UK and other countries have been able to access and listen to iTunes Radio on their iPhones.

Since its launch last fall, iTunes Radio has been limited to users in the United States. But Apple has said that it is a top priority to get the streaming music service into other countries this year, and it looks like they're preparing a roll out...

T-Mobile ventures into personal banking with new Mobile Money service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Over the past 9 months or so, T-Mobile has been calling itself the "Uncarrier." It's a marketing strategy, for sure, buts it's certainly been living up to the moniker by dropping contracts, offering free international data, and waving early termination fees for new customers.

But this morning the company announced its most un-carrier move to date: Mobile Money. That's right, T-Mobile is getting into the personal banking business with a new service that combines a branded prepaid Visa card, a smartphone app, and a no-fee checking account...