Posts in March 2014

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday published an Apple patent filing describing a unique mobile device feature that can automatically request assistance if it is determined that a user is in distress. -- For more information read the original article here.

A company specializing in image processing semiconductors and software, Pixelworks, has revealed itself as an official Apple supplier through a new filing with the SEC. In 2013 Apple is said to have accounted for more than 10 percent of Pixelworks revenue. The news has sent the latter company's share price surging, boosting it by about 53 to 54 percent in Thursday trading, or more than $2.58 per share....






-- For more information read the original article here.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday assigned Apple a patent covering passive audio call screening via an off-site voicemail service, a feature that can theoretically be applied to cellphone platforms like the iPhone. -- For more information read the original article here.

Apple today announced the retirement of Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer will leave Apple in September of this year and will be succeeded by Luca Maestri, Apple's vice president of Finance and corporate controller. This change in executive leadership comes one day after Goldman Sachs announced that Oppenheimer would be joining the banking firm's board of directors.

“Peter has served as our CFO for the past decade as Apple's annual revenue grew from $8 billion to $171 billion and our global footprint expanded dramatically. His guidance, leadership and expertise have been instrumental to Apple's success, not only as our CFO but also in many areas beyond finance, as he frequently took on additional activities to assist across the company. His contributions and integrity as our CFO create a new benchmark for public company CFOs,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO. “Peter is also a dear friend I always knew I could count on. Although I am sad to see him leave, I am happy he is taking time for himself and his family. As all of us who know him would have expected, he has created a professional succession plan to ensure Apple doesn't miss a beat.”

<a class="colorbox" -- For more information read the original article here.

Facebook is reportedly in talks to buy a drone company called Titan Aerospace for $60 million, according to TechCrunch.

The idea is that Facebook could use the drones to bring Internet access to parts of the world that still need it, as part of Mark Zuckerberg's goal to bring the web to the entire world, through the Internet.org initiative.

It's similar to Google's plan to use balloons to beam Internet access to countries that don't have the infrastructure for broadband Internet. And it behooves both companies to get as many new people online as possible using their services instead of a potential rival's.

So what do we know about these drones?

The drones are covered in solar panels, which store enough energy to lift the craft 20 kilometers above sea level. The drones can stay aloft for five years before having to land or refuel.

Besides the solar panels, the drones also have internal battery banks as back up so they can launch at night.

The smaller model – the Solara 50 – is 50 meters long (picture the length of an Olympic swimming -- For more information read the original article here.

RadioShack is in a death spiral,

The retailer is closing 1,100 underperforming stores.

This old RadioShack flyer shows just how much tech has changed since the retailer's glory days.

Reddit user themacman points out that a smartphone can replace every item on the flyer.

SEE ALSO: RadioShack Plans Massive Store Closures

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Ahead of the Geneva Auto Show, Tesla has announced plans to significantly expand its footprint in Europe. And for good reason. According to the news release announcing 30 new European service centers and stores, Telsa notes that it expects the combined sales in Europe and Asia to be twice as high as sales in North America. The proposed expansion comes after a recent trip to Europe by Elon Musk who… Read More -- For more information read the original article here.