Author: Phil Dzikiy

Pioneer officially announced today it will be releasing an aftermarket system for Apple CarPlay, as was previously reported. The company will make CarPlay accessible through a firmware update to its existing NEX in-dash multimedia receivers, which range in price from $700 to $1,400. Pioneer says CarPlay compatibility will be available “in early summer 2014.” To access CarPlay, users must plug a Lightning-to-USB cable into the multimedia…

LG Display will be the sole supplier of flexible displays for Apple’s upcoming iWatch, according to South Korea’s Digital Times. It’s reported that Apple plans on bringing the device to the market in September. As previously reported, the Digital Times article claims Apple will release the iWatch in two different sizes — separate models with a 1.3” and 1.5” display, respectively. A previous Korean report claimed LG…

A picture of the alleged iPhone 6 front panel was posted on Weibo. The alleged white front panel is shown next to an iPhone 5s. Indeed, it looks like a larger iPhone screen, and would belong to the rumored 4.7” model iPhone.

Additionally, a shot of alleged iPhone 6 batteries has also been leaked. The picture shows five batteries in a tray, but doesn’t offer further context. [via iPhon.fr, nowhereelse.fr]
…

Apple has updated its iWork apps — Pages, Keynote, and Numbers — at iCloud.com. The updates include new designs for the web apps, Retina display support, and the ability to share view-only documents, among other features.

Apple has said compatible updates for iOS will arrive later today. It’s notable that the updates come less than a week after Microsoft launched Office for iPad. [via 9to5Mac]
…

Apple is making its iAd Workbench advertising system available to anyone with an Apple ID starting today, Advertising Age reports. Workbench was previously available only to registered mobile developers. Customers can now add short videos to an ad unit with Workbench, which works exclusively for ads on iOS devices. The viewers of ads can also now be taken to promoted iTunes content, or a separate website, instead of only being directed to an app.…

Apple is in discussions to acquire a division of Japan’s Renesas Electronics that develops chips for smartphone displays, Nikkei Asian Review reports. The division in question, Renesas SP Drivers, is “the world’s leading producer of drivers and controllers for small and midsize LCDs.” These chips are said to “determine a display’s quality and performance,” in addition to affecting the overall energy efficiency…

Comedy Central has released an all new free app. The app features full episodes available the day after airing — generally provided that you sign in with a television provider. There are, however, a number of shows which don’t require a sign-in. Some of the network’s most popular programs, including The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, South Park, and @midnight, are all available for free viewing. The Comedy Central app also includes…

A new Apple patent for bayonet attachment mechanisms may signal the company’s interest in using an attachable camera lens system in its iOS devices. The patent describes a system that would use a bayonet mount integrated into the camera of an electronic device — lenses could be swapped in and out of the mount. Patently Apple notes how quickly the patent was approved — the patent application was only published weeks ago — speculating that…

Apple has announced on its investor webpage that it will release its Q2 fiscal year earnings on Wednesday, April 23. As usual, the earnings will be released in a conference call starting at 5 p.m. ET. The company provided guidance of Q2 revenue betwee…

Apple suppliers will start mass producing displays for the next iPhone “as early as May” for the next iPhone’s release this fall, Reuters reports. It’s reported that a 4.7” screen is “likely” to be produced first, but the rumored 5.5” version of the new iPhone could be delayed. According to a source, difficulties with in-cell production technology in the larger version of the phone prompted Apple to…

Apple announced TD-LTE models of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display are available in China, starting today. Although there were already existing iPad Air and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular models, these are the first new iPad models sold in China to support higher speeds. Prices for the TD-LTE iPad Air range from 4,488 RMB ($723) for 16GB, to 6,588 RMB ($1062) for 128 GB. TD-LTE iPad mini with Retina display prices range from 3,788 ($610)…

The questionable and increasingly strange saga of the mediocre game Flappy Bird has gotten plenty of attention lately, but the App Store has long had a one-touch flapping game that’s actually great — Frogmind’s Badland ($4). Badland now has iOS 7 game controller support in version 1.90. The update also adds a co-op multiplayer level to the game. Badland is $2 for a limited time. Documentarian Ken Burns has released his own iPad-only…

Sony is negotiating with Apple to double its supply of camera components in the iPhone, according to Nikkei Asian Review. Noting that Sony supplies Apple with most sensors for the rear-facing iSight cameras on current iPhones, the report speculates Apple will likely switch to Sony sensors for the front-facing cameras, as well. The components could be found in a new iPhone “as early as next year,” which means any iPhones introduced this…

An upcoming iPhone could feature a display with no bezel, according to The Korea Herald. A source said Apple is testing a prototype iPhone with a bezel-less screen that incorporates a fingerprint scanner, though there are still issues with mass-manufacturing the scanning component. The report notes the next iPhone is rumored to have a bigger display, as has been reported, though bezel-less screens might be overly “vulnerable to external impact”…

A federal appeals court ruled on Monday that court-appointed monitor Michael Bromwich can continue to supervise Apple’s antitrust policies, Reuters reports. Apple was given a temporary reprieve from monitor Bromwich in late January, but Bromwich will once more be able to perform his duties, which are limited to assessing compliance policies and disseminating those policies. “Today’s ruling makes abundantly clear that Apple must now…

Rita Lane, Apple vice president of iPad, Mac desktops, and Mac accessories has retired from the company, as noted by her LinkedIn profile. According to the profile, Lane has held her VP position since 2008; she was directly involved in the success of …