Joe Rossignol

Following the WWDC 2017 keynote today in San Jose, Apple invited members of the media for some hands on time with HomePod, its new Siri-enabled smart speaker and hub for controlling HomeKit accessories. CNET has shared a gallery of HomePod pictures that provides a close-up look at the speaker, which looks somewhat like a smaller Mac Pro covered in a seamless mesh fabric. It'll be available in...

Apple today introduced AppleCare+ for Mac, an extended warranty plan that provides accidental damage coverage for a service fee. AppleCare+ for Mac is available in the United States and Japan only. In other countries, the standard AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac without accidental damage coverage remains available. AppleCare+ extends a Mac's warranty coverage to three years from its...

Apple today shared the first two ads for the new iPad Pro, including the all-new 10.5-inch model just announced, on its YouTube channel. The 15-second spots are the latest in Apple's ongoing ad campaign that reads out actual Twitter complaints and then promotes the iPad Pro as a solution. In "a whole new kind of computer," Apple recommends the person purchase a new iPad Pro, which will...

Apple today released a wireless Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad priced at $129 in the United States. The wired version has been discontinued. The keyboard features an extended layout with a numeric keypad, document navigation controls for quick scrolling, and full-size arrow keys for gaming. Like the traditional Magic Keyboard, the Numeric Keypad version has a Lightning port with a...

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off today in San Jose with the traditional keynote being held for the first time in many years at the McEnery Convention Center. Just a few more hours to go, developers! We've got a big week ahead. See you at the keynote! #WWDC17 pic.twitter.com/ewnOg3dXQ5— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 5, 2017 The keynote begins at 10:00 AM Pacific...

Apple shares are trading around 1 percent lower today, just ahead of WWDC 2017, after one analyst issued a rare downgrade of the stock."We are downgrading AAPL to Sector Weight and recommend investors reduce position sizes," said Andy Hargreaves, equity research analyst at Pacific Crest Securities, in a note to clients. "We believe AAPL anticipates strong performance in the iPhone 8 cycle, while...

Getting an iPhone repaired at select Apple-authorized repair shops is about to get a lot faster for customers. Apple's proprietary iPhone calibration machine via Motherboard ComputerCare, a computer repair shop in Santa Clara, California, today announced that it has been selected as one of only three Apple Authorized Service Providers in the United States to participate in a new pilot program ...

Apple's online store has temporarily closed its virtual doors ahead of today's WWDC opening keynote at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. When clicking on the "Buy" button for any product on Apple's website, be it a MacBook or accessories, the online store currently says "we're busy updating the Apple Store for you" and advises customers to "please check back soon." During the keynote, Apple is expe...

In an effort to improve Apple Maps, which many iPhone users still consider to be inferior to Google Maps, Apple has enlisted the help of contracted freelancers to validate the accuracy of points of interest and other information, in exchange for micropayments, according to French blog iGeneration. For the past year, through a platform called TryRating, Apple has reportedly paid freelancers...

Apple today announced that Swift Playgrounds, its iPad app aimed at making learning how to code interactive and fun, will be able to program and control robots, drones, musical instruments, and other toys when the latest version of the app is released at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. Swift Playgrounds version 1.5, set to be released on June 5, will support several popular...

Apple today announced that its global developer community has earned over $70 billion since the App Store launched in 2008."People everywhere love apps and our customers are downloading them in record numbers," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Seventy billion dollars earned by developers is simply mind-blowing. We are amazed at all of the great new...

Intel today said one of its eighth-generation "Coffee Lake" processors delivered more than a 30 percent performance boost over an equivalent seventh-generation "Kaby Lake" processor in recent testing. Both generations of chips are suitable for Apple notebooks, such as the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro. "We will have more to say about the 8th Gen Intel Core processor in the future but it's...

Apple has updated its online store to indicate that 15-inch MacBook Pro orders placed today are now estimated for free delivery between June 6-8 in the United States, coinciding with its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. The delivery estimates lend credence to a report claiming Apple plans to announce new MacBook Pro and 12-inch MacBook models at the WWDC keynote on June 5. The...

Apple today shared a new "Contacts" ad on its YouTube channel as part of its ongoing "Switch to iPhone" campaign. The 15-second spot shows people jumping from "your phone" to "iPhone," with the tagline "it's that easy" and a link to Apple's new Switch website. The overhauled webpage promotes how easy it is for Android users to switch to iPhone using the free Move to iOS app on the Google...

Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared a brief message on Twitter in honor of Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States for remembering those who have died in the country's armed forces. "We honor the heroes who gave their lives for our freedom," he said. "They and their families have our eternal gratitude." We honor the heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. They and their ...

The Pokémon Company has launched a new iPhone and iPad game revolving around one of the weakest Pokémon ever, Magikarp. Magikarp Jump, available now on the App Store [Direct Link], tasks players with raising multiple generations of Magikarp by feeding and training them to increase their Jump Power and overall level. Players can then battle—try to jump higher than—other Magikarp in six...

Lauren Kern, Executive Editor at New York Magazine, has been named as the first editor-in-chief of Apple News, according to Politico. The hiring has since been confirmed by an Apple spokesperson. It's unclear what exactly the role will entail, but it suggests Apple has bigger ambitions of some kind for its News app on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Apple News is not a firsthand source of...

Intel today announced that it plans to drive large-scale mainstream adoption of Thunderbolt by releasing the protocol's specification to the industry next year under a nonexclusive, royalty-free license. The move should help expand the Thunderbolt ecosystem by making the protocol more affordable for technology companies and accessory makers alike. Intel expects third-party...

T-Mobile today introduced a limited time promotion to encourage Verizon customers with select iPhone models to switch to their network. Starting May 31, when a Verizon customer with an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, or iPhone SE brings their smartphone to T-Mobile, they'll be able to keep the device, and have any remaining monthly payments owing towards it paid off in...

Apple has enabled iTunes carrier billing in France and Turkey, according to an updated support document, expanding upon the feature's existing availability among select carriers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Italy, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The payment method enables customers to pay for iTunes content, App Store apps,...