Apple

No Apple watch until late 2014, analyst says

Consumers awaiting Apple's rumored wearable, watch-like device might need to wait until next year before the gadget sees the light of day.

That's according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said Apple "may not have adequate resources" to develop a version of iOS for the device given its efforts to revamp the software as part of iOS 7.

In Kuo's note to investors, which was excerpted by AppleInsider and MacRumors, he adds that the components going into wearable devices simply haven't matured, potentially pushing manufacturing into the second half of next year. He … Read more

Most tasteless question Apple's CEO was asked in Washington

It's not easy being the boss at 1 Infinite Loophole.

Instead of traveling around the world to expand your business and inspire your troops, you go to Washington in order to expand narrow minds and perspire at the absurdity.

You even have to find a polite way to answer Sen. John McCain when he demands to know why he's always having to update his iPhone apps. … Read more

Staying at the Burj Al Arab? Enjoy a 24-karat gold iPad

It's the most golden hotel perk since gold-bar vending machines: gold iPads.

As if the Rolls Royce and helicopter services weren't enough, guests at Dubai's opulent Burj Al Arab now have access to gold-plated iPads.

The 24-karat tablets are engraved with the property's logo on the back, which also features a black Apple logo. Ironically enough, the hotel chain's slogan is "Stay different." … Read more

Cook hits back at tax critics, says Apple pays its fair share

Last updated at 10:33 a.m. PT.

After stewing in silence for a couple of hours as a parade of senators and professional experts took turns portraying his company as a tax freeloader, CEO Tim Cook offered an impassioned defense of Apple as a solid corporate citizen.

Apple has become the largest corporate income tax payer in America," Cook told the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Tuesday. He added that last year the company paid almost $6 billion in cash to the U.S. Treasury, or more than $16 million per day.

He said Apple pays "… Read more

Lawmakers lambaste Apple's tax strategy as 'an absurdity'

Apple came in for a bipartisan beating on Tuesday as senators portrayed the company as a global tax avoider which exploited loopholes in the system to escape paying its fair share.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is scheduled to appear this morning before the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. But before then, he had to listen in silence as the leading Democrat and Republican lambasted Apple for working the system in a way they said was unfair, if not unpatriotic.

Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, who is chairman of the subcommittee, said that Apple had … Read more

Apple still world's most valuable global brand, says report

Apple has again been crowned the most valuable global brand in the annual BrandZ report.

Released Tuesday, Millward Brown Optimor's 2013 BrandZ report pegs Apple with a brand value of $185 billion, up from $183 billion last year. Based on financial data and the opinions of potential and current buyers, Apple retained its top rank in spite of the thrashing suffered by its stock over the past several months.

"Despite a more competitive marketplace and other challengers nipping at its heels, Apple's ability to maintain its No.1 position demonstrates the value that having a strong brand … Read more

Here comes the thinner, lighter iPad?

A full-size iPad that gets closer to the lean design of the iPad Mini may finally be on the way.

Production of the fifth-generation iPad is slated to begin in July, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes.

The new 9.7-inch iPad will be 25 percent to 33 percent lighter than the iPad 4, Digitimes said.

The report echoes information supplied to CNET in April by NPD DisplaySearch.

Specifically, the 2,048x1,536 pixel-density Retina display (same pixel density as the iPad 4) will have thinner glass -- achieved by using new touch sensor technology -- and, most importantly, … Read more

Apple dodged paying billions in taxes, subcommittee says

On the eve of Apple CEO Tim Cook's hearing in front of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the subcommittee released a report Monday detailing how it believes the tech giant has avoided paying its fair share of U.S. taxes.

"Apple is an American success story," the report reads. "Today, Apple Inc. maintains more than $102 billion in offshore cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (cash). Apple executives told the Subcommittee that the company has no intention of returning those funds to the United States unless and until there is a more favorable environment, … Read more

Apple lays out tax plan ahead of congressional hearing

Apple on Monday posted a full testimony the company plans to present to Congress on Tuesday, detailing how and where it pays corporate taxes.

The 16-page document comes a day ahead of when Apple CEO Tim Cook is set to testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation, which is looking into various tax-avoidance strategies by technology companies.

In its testimony, Apple pitches itself as a job creator, and it notes that it was likely the largest income tax payer in the country last year, paying out "nearly" $6 billion.

"These payments account for $1 in every $… Read more

Apple testing 1.5-inch display for iWatch, claims report

Apple may be checking out displays for its much-rumored smartwatch.

The company has reportedly been examining 1.5-inch OLED screens built by Ritek subsidiary RiTdisplay, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of display panels, according to Taiwanese news source Economic Times. Apple reportedly was initially eyeing a 1.8-inch display but felt that was too large and switched to a 1.5-inch size.

CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if the company responds.

RitFast, a joint venture between Ritek and Taiwan's YoungFast, would supply the touch technology for the so-called iWatch, the Economic Times added.

Another story from … Read more