Lukáš Gondek iBeacon technology continues to expand, with new deployments in baseball stadiums. Apple was buying new ".guru" domains and Tim Cook visited Ireland. This happened in the fifth week of this year.
The second largest Russian operator will start selling iPhones (January 27)
Shortly after China Mobile started selling iPhones, the second largest Russian operator Megafon also announced the conclusion of a contract with Apple. Megafon has committed to buy back iPhones directly from Apple for three years. Although Megafon has been selling iPhones since 2009, it was supplied by other distributors.
Source: 9to5Mac
New video shows how "iOS in the car" will work (28/1)
iOS in the Car is Apple's long-promised feature of iOS 7. It allows iOS devices to take over the role of the on-board display in the car and through it give the driver access to several essential functions, such as Apple Maps or the music player. Developer Troughton-Smith has now released a video showing what the iOS in the Car experience looks like. He added a few notes to the video explaining that iOS in the Car will be available for displays that are controlled by touch or even hardware buttons. Drivers will only be able to enter information into it by voice. The version of iOS in the Car that Troughton-Smith works with in the video is on iOS 7.0.3 (but not accessible to regular users). According to the newly published screenshots from the iOS 7.1 beta version, however, the environment has changed slightly, more in line with the design of iOS 7.
[youtube id=”M5OZMu5u0yU” width=”620″ height=”350″]
Source: MacRumors
Apple Releases iOS 7.0.5 Fixing Network Issue in China (29/1)
The new iOS 7 update fixes the network provisioning problem in China, but it was released for iPhone 5s/5c owners not only in that country, but also in Europe and the east coast of Asia. However, this update is of no use to users living outside of China. Last update 7.0.4. released by Apple two months ago, fixing problems with the FaceTime feature.
Source: MacRumors
Apple bought several ".guru" domains (30/1)
With the launch of several new domains, such as ".bike" or ".singles", Apple, which always tries to protect domains that could be somehow related to their business, had a much harder job. Among the new domains is also ".guru", which according to Apple is too similar to its naming of Apple Genius experts. The Californian company thus registered several of these domains, for example apple.guru or iphone.guru. These domains have not yet been activated, but it can be expected that they will redirect users to either the main Apple site or the Apple Support site.
Source: MacRumors
MLB Deploys Thousands of iBeacons (30/1)
Major League Baseball will deploy thousands of iBeacon devices in its stadiums next week. Twenty stadiums across the country should be equipped with the system by the start of the season. In this case, iBeacon will work mainly with the At the Ballpark application. Features will vary from stadium to stadium, but MLB cautions that they are deploying iBeacons to improve the game experience for fans, not for financial gain. With the At the Ballpark app already providing users with storage for all their tickets, iBeacon will help sports fans find the right row and guide them to their seat. In addition to saving time, fans also get other benefits. For example, rewards for frequent visits to the stadium, in the form of free refreshments or discounts on various types of goods. MLB is sure to get the most out of iBeacon, as will the NFL. There, for the first time, they will use the iBeacon for visitors to the Superbowl.
Source: MacRumors
Tim Cook in Ireland discusses taxes and possible growth of Apple (January 31)
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Ireland at the end of the week, where he first visited his subordinates at the European headquarters of the company, which is located in Cork. Afterward, Cook headed to see Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, with whom he discussed European tax regulations and Apple's activities in the country. Together, the two men were supposed to solve the possible expansion of Apple's presence in Ireland, and there was also a tax issue that Apple had to solve last year - along with other technology companies - when it was accused by the US government of avoiding paying taxes.
Source: AppleInsider
A week in a nutshell
Carl Icahn spends millions of dollars on Apple stock practically every week in 2014. Purchase once in half a billion and the second time for half a billion dollars means that the legendary investor already has more than four billion dollars worth of Apple shares in his account.
Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), announced financial results for the last quarter. Although they were a record, a record number of iPhones were sold, but it was still not enough for analysts from Wall Street, and the price per share fell significantly shortly after the announcement. However, during a conference call, Tim Cook admitted that the demand for the iPhone 5C was not so great, as they were waiting in Cupertino. At the same time, Cook revealed that ho interested in mobile payments, taking Apple in this area could connect with PayPal.
According to the latest reports, we should expect a new Apple TV in the coming months. It also proves it the promotion of Apple TV from a "hobby" to a full-fledged product. The production of sapphire glass is also related to the new apple products, which Apple is ramping up in its new factory.
Interesting things are also happening at Apple's competitors. First Google has entered into a major patent cross-licensing deal with Samsung and then sold its Motorola Mobilty division to China's Lenovo. Two steps certainly dependent on each other. It also turns out that the eternal legal battle between Apple and Samsung it doesn't bother either party too much financially.
