Apple StudioPods release date, price and specs rumours

Apple is planning to launch its own brand of over-the-ear headphones to join the in-ear AirPods. In this article we look at the rumours and clarifications of Apple's plans below, including the expected price, release date and name for the new headgear. We've also got some brilliant-looking concept illustrations.The rumour first came from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who issued a research note in February 2018 saying: "Apple to have own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones with all-new design; to be as convenient as AirPods with better sound quality; shipments to begin 4Q18F at earliest."Then Apple's interest in developing the product was confirmed by Bloomberg sources in March 2018. The 'people familiar with the product's development' claimed that Apple "plans to launch the headphones as early as the end of this year [2018], but has faced development challenges that might push back the release."

Apple confirms some iPad Pros ship slightly bent, but says it’s normal

Apple has confirmed to The Verge that some of its 2018 iPad Pros are shipping with a very slight bend in the aluminum chassis. But according to the company, this is a side effect of the device’s manufacturing process and shouldn’t worsen over time or negatively affect the flagship iPad’s performance in any practical way. Apple does not consider it to be a defect.The bend is the result of a cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components during manufacturing, according to Apple. Both sizes of the new iPad Pro can exhibit it. The iPad Pro ranges in price from $799 for the base 11-inch model up to $1,899 for a fully-loaded 12.9-inch device with 1TB of storage and LTE connectivity.

Apple is at the ‘forefront of vulnerability’ to the next phase of the US-China trade war, strategist says

A trade war between the world’s two largest economies is likely to evolve into a dispute over intellectual property rights over the coming months, one analyst told CNBC Friday, with Apple set to bear the brunt of any further fallout.A long-running trade dispute between the U.S. and China has rattled financial markets in recent months, with a global stock market sell-off gathering pace in December amid escalating concerns of a possible economic slowdown.President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared a 90-day cease-fire at the start of the month, but external observers remain deeply skeptical about the chances of Washington and Beijing agreeing to a comprehensive trade pact in the proposed timeframe.

Williamson County approves $16 million incentive package for Apple

Williamson County leaders on Tuesday unanimously approved a taxpayer-funded incentive package for Apple that could be worth up to $16 million, solidifying the tech giant’s plan to invest $1 billion in a new campus in North Austin and add up to 5,000 jobs.In just 30 minutes, Williamson County commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the deal, which the county estimates could amount to about $16 million in reimbursements to Apple over the span of its 15-year term. Apple is also in line to get up to $25 million in incentives payments from the state-run Texas Enterprise Fund.

Foxconn not in settlement talks with Qualcomm in Apple battle: attorney

The conflict is but one aspect of the global legal battle between regulators, Apple and Qualcomm, which supplies modem chips that help phones connect to wireless data networks.Last week, Qualcomm secured a preliminary victory in a patent lawsuit in China that would have banned sales of some Apple iPhones there. Apple later said it believed it was already in compliance but would change its software “to address any possible concern” about its compliance.But Qualcomm was also handed a setback in an antitrust lawsuit brought against it by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission when a judge said it will not be able to mention that Apple ditched Qualcomm chips for competing ones from Intel Corp when the case goes to trial next month.

Apple to push software update in China as Qualcomm case threatens sales ban

Apple will carry out the software updates at the start of next week “to address any possible concern about our compliance with the order”, the firm said in a statement sent to Reuters.Earlier this week, Qualcomm said a Chinese court had ordered a ban on sales of some older iPhone models for violating two of its patents, though intellectual property lawyers said the ban would likely take time to enforce.“Based on the iPhone models we offer today in China, we believe we are in compliance,” Apple said.“Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case.”

Apple plans major US expansion, including a new $1 billion campus in Austin

Apple  has announced a major expansion that will see it open a new campus in North Austin and new offices in Seattle, San Diego and Los Angeles as it bids to increase its workforce in the U.S. The firm said it intends also to significantly expand its presence in Pittsburgh, New York and Boulder, Colorado over the next three years.The Austin campus alone will cost the company $1 billion, but Apple said that the 133-acre space will generate an initial 5,000 jobs across a broad range of roles, with the potential to add 10,000 more. The company claims to have 6,200 employees in Austin — its largest enclave outside of Cupertino — and it said that the addition of these new roles will make it the largest private employer in the city.

China bans most iPhone sales after granting Qualcomm an injunction against Apple

A Chinese court has banned the sale and import of most iPhone models in a stunning decision amid the trade war between the United States and China. The ban does not cover the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Plus or iPhone XR, which were not yet available when Qualcomm filed its lawsuit. The phones covered by the ban make up about 10% to 15% of current iPhone sales in China, according to Daniel Ives, analyst at Wedbush Securities. The court granted a pair of preliminary injunctions requested by Qualcomm, an American microchip maker. Qualcomm claims that Apple violates two of its patents in the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. The patents allow people to edit and resize photos on a phone and to manage apps by using a touchscreen, according to Qualcomm.

Apple Watch electrocardiogram and irregular heart rate features are available today

Today, with an update to watchOS, Apple is making its electrocardiogram (EKG) reading feature available to Apple Watch Series 4 owners. It’s also releasing an irregular rate notification feature that will be available on Apple Watches going back to Series 1. Both are a part of watchOS 5.1.2. When the Apple Watch Series 4 was announced this past September, the most significant new hardware feature besides the larger screen was probably the ability to take an EKG directly on the Watch. And while the electrodes on the digital crown and the backside of the Watch were there, the software to support them hadn’t been released. Now it’s here.

Apple shares fall after HSBC downgrade: 'Facing the reality of market saturation'

Apple shares fell Tuesday after HSBC downgraded the stock, citing too much dependence on a single product and slowing emerging markets economies. HSBC downgraded Apple to hold from buy and cut its 12-month price target to $200 from $205. Apple shares fell 1.7 percent to $181.66 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, adding to an 18 percent decline already for this quarter. HSBC also went into an in-depth analysis of whether Apple should trade at a higher earnings multiple in line with stocks that sell luxury goods. It concluded that Apple's shares are not "particularly expensive" but don't deserve a higher multiple associated with luxury brands.