Sales

Swype keyboard is temporarily free in the App Store

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

I have a love/hate relationship with third-party keyboards. On the one hand, they theoretically provide a better way to input text on your iOS device. On the other, I've found them to actually make me waste more time than I would using the stock keyboard. But I'm not giving up yet on keyboards, especially on Swype, which has been my favorite one so far.

Normally priced at $0.99, Swype is currently available for free as Apple's App of the Week in the App Store for a limited time. If you aren't familiar with Swype, check out Lory's first look at the third-party keyboard. Since she published it, the app has also been updated with support for more languages and improved iPad layout, making it an even more solid option.

Tons of rock albums are currently on sale on iTunes

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

I don't know about you but I'm a big rock fan. From my punk rock roots to my alternative music adulthood, I've always been more attracted to loud guitars than electronic beats or vinyl disc scratches. While I listen to many different styles of music, rock & roll still is my go-to genre.

If like me you're a rock fan, or if you just like to listen to a little bit of everything, you'll sure want to have a look at this sale going on in iTunes right now on some major rock albums, all having been discounted to only $7.99.

Samsung’s troubles prove Apple knows exactly what it’s doing with its iPhone business

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 14, 2018

Samsung's co-CEO and mobile chief J.K. Shin is in the hot seat as the company posts its third straight quarter of operating-profit declines.

It's fascinating to watch how quickly things are turning for the conglomerate responsible for nearly one-fifth of South Korea's Gross domestic product.

Operating profits were down sharply, decreasing a whopping 25 percent year over year. More importantly, Samsung's favorite business metric - the market share - is under pressure, too: its worldwide share of smartphones slipped to 25 percent in the second quarter from 32 percent a year earlier.

This is bad news considering that 76 percent of the firm's profit comes from smartphones. What gives?

Apple Q3 2014 earnings: 35.2M iPhones, 13.2M iPads, $37.4B revenue

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

As expected, Apple is out with its financial report for Q3 2014 this afternoon. In a press release issued just a few moments ago, the company announced that it sold 35.2 million iPhones, 13.2 million iPads, and pulled in $37.4 billion in revenue during the three month period.

Apple beat its own guidance, and met projections on just about everything but iPad numbers. It would seem that the problems continue with the popular tablet line, as sales came in more than 1 million units less than expected. We have a full breakdown of the numbers below...

T-Mobile to begin offering accessories on installment plans this month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 8, 2017

According to a new report, T-Mobile is set to begin allowing the purchase of accessories on EIPs (or equipment installment plans) later this month. Citing a leaked internal memo from the carrier, TmoNews says that the new option will be available on July 20th.

The move will enable customers to pick up their favorite accessories, such as Beats headphones or Bluetooth speakers, without having to pay a large sum of cash up front. As it does with smartphones, T-Mobile will split up the price into small, monthly payments...

iPhone 5c outsold Galaxy S5 in the UK

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 2, 2014

I'm sick and tired of hearing armchair analysts repeatedly proclaiming Apple's unapologetically plastic iPhone 5c a failure just because sales numbers don't meet their wet dream targets.

I bought an iPhone 5c for my Mom's birthday. My friend owns one. Yes, I even see it used in public.

To this date, not a single iPhone 5c owner exhibited a case of buyer's remorse.

I mean, you never hear anyone complaining about Apple's practice of keeping past two iPhone generations on the market at reduced prices whenever a new model comes along. The strategy has served the company well and that's exactly what the iPhone 5c is - a previous-gen iPhone repackaged inside a plastic chassis, sold at a discount.

A lot of ink has been spilled to paint the iPhone 5c a dud, but time and again real world numbers simply don't corroborate this notion. A good example is a new Kantar survey proving that Apple's mid-tier handset beat Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5 in terms of sales in the United Kingdom...

Apple predicted to sell 36.5 million iPhones in June quarter

Joe Rossignol ∙ July 2, 2014

Apple is poised to have another record-breaking quarter for iPhone sales, if a new prediction proves to be true. According to Wells Fargo Securities analyst Maynard Um, the addition of new carriers and several promotions will help drive iPhone sales to 36.5 million for the June quarter. Um predicts that Apple will have quarterly revenue of $38.2 billion, beating the Wall Street prediction of $37.9 million…

Apple to launch yearly ‘Back to School’ promo tomorrow

Cody Lee ∙ June 30, 2014

MacRumors is reporting that Apple is set to launch its annual ‘Back to School’ promotion in the US and several other countries beginning tomorrow—Tuesday, July 1st. The company runs the promo at various times in different regions, depending on their respective educational calendars.

According to the site, Apple will be offering up iTunes Store/App Store gift cards to students that purchase a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Similar to last year, it sounds like students will receive a $100 App Store gift card for the purchase of a new Mac, and a $50 card for new iOS device purchases...

Walmart discounting iPhone 5s to $99, iPhone 5c to $29 tomorrow

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 26, 2014

If you are planning on purchasing a new iPhone, you will be happy to hear that Walmart is discounting the 16 GB iPhone 5s to $99 (down from $149) and 16 GB iPhone 5c to $29 (down from $49) when activated on a two-year service agreement. The new prices are effective tomorrow, making this one of the better iPhone deals available in-store in the United States…

Costco now selling iPhones and iPads for up to $120 off

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

After a four-year hiatus, Costco has began selling select iPhone and iPad models at steep discounts of up to 70% off. The big box retailer had stopped selling Apple products in 2010 following a dispute in which it was not allowed to carry the iPad, but it appears that the two companies have now reconciled their business relationship.

Costco now offers a limited selection of iPhones on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon through its online store, including the 16 GB iPhone 5s in space grey, silver or gold for just $77.99. The smartphone regularly retails for $199.99 with a new two-year contract, making this one of the better deals for an iPhone 5s you will find. The devices are not available in stores…

Target offering 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini for $199

Cody Lee ∙ June 9, 2014

Target is holding a significant sale right now in the run-up to Father's Day, and is discounting a number of its products. Among the deals, the retailer is offering the 16GB Wi-Fi model of the first generation iPad mini for $199.

That's a solid $100 off of the tablet's original price tag, and even beats out the ‘Special Limited Time’ pricing offered in the refurbished section of Apple's web store. We've got the full details on the short-term promotion below...

Apple offering limited time pricing on refurbished iPads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Folks in the market for an iPad may want to check out the refurbished section of Apple's online store. The company is currently hosting some sort of sale on its tablets, with several models showing 'Special Limited Time' pricing.

The deals start with the first generation iPad mini (16GB, Wi-Fi only), which has been discounted down to $219, and go all the way up to the iPad Air. You can get a refurbished 64GB Air, with built-in cellular support, for $699...