Mail.app update for OS X Mavericks for Gmail issues

Apple has released an updated Mail app for users of OS X Mavericks, it resolve the issues of users when they use the Gmail in their OS mobile in it or creates many issues following by them.

The mail app removing the issues like moving, deleting, editing, archiving messages for users with custom Gmail settings, which causes the issues for unread mail, count to be accurate. In addition to offering additional fixes that will be improve the functionality and stability of Mail, as per Apple.

To install the update, after backing up their systems, users can go to the Apple menu and click on Software Update to check for updates through the Mac App Store. Users can also download the manual update installer through the Apple Support Downloads website.

The Mavericks Mail app update was previously seeded to Apple developers and employees.

In addition to the update to the mail app, Apple has also released an update version of iBooks for Mac that fixes bugs and brings performance and stability improvements.

The iBooks app for Mac made its debut with Mavericks and enables users to download and read iBooks and iBooks Textbooks.

OS X Mavericks offers a lot of under the hood through it doesn’t feature many new user facing changes. It brings new features like Finder Tabs; Tags; enhanced multiple display support; updated native apps like Maps, iBooks, and Safari browser; and iCloud keychain, among others. It also brings under the hood changes for faster performance and longer battery life, including Timer Coalescing that groups low-level together so that the processor doesn’t use more power and battery is conserved, App Nap that saves power while working on multiple apps by slowing down the apps that are in the background, and compressed memory that frees up memory space for faster performance. 

Apple announced the public availability of OS X Mavericks on October 22, and for the first time offered it as a free download through the Mac App Store. 

Apple releases iOS 7.0.3 update

Apple is now update their running iOS 7, 7.0.1 or 7.0.2 into their latest released operating system iOS 7.0.3 for their latest devices like iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPad mini, and the iPod touch.

This new updated operating system includes and support various features for iCloud Keychain, Which Apple had initially announced when it first showcased the OS at the WWDC event in June.

This new operating system update have size 67.7MB and it can be downloaded over the air for any devices or computers for iPhones devices, it can be easily updated.

In iOS 7.0.3 which we clears in starting that it would be adds iCloud Keychain, it allows the users to easily save and sync their account user names, passwords, and credit card numbers across all their approved iOS and Mac devices in the Safari web browser.

It also gives the functionality of the Password Generator which Safari unique, hard-to-guess passwords for user’s online accounts. The update also brings back the ability to search the web and Wikipedia through Spotlight search, allowing users to search for keyword via iOS’ universal search feature.

These two features were not introduced with the initial release of iOS 7, as they need users to run OS X Mavericks on their Macs if they want to benefit from the sync feature. Mavericks was made available only on Tuesday.

A number of users complained about iOS 7's motion graphics and animations and to address these issues, Apple has enhanced the Reduce Motion setting to minimise both motion and animation in the OS UI. It also updates the Bold Text setting to change dial pad text.

The 7.0.3 update also delays the display of "slide to unlock" when Touch ID is in use, for iPhone 5s users.

In addition to new features, the iOS 7.0.3 update also brings a number of fixes to the OS. It fixes iMessages issues that were being reported by a number of users including message sending failures and activation problems.

The update also fixes an accelerometer calibration issue. It's worth pointing out that it was reported that the iPhone 5s motion sensors were not giving accurate readings. The update might be able to fix the issue.

The 7.0.3 update addresses an issue that could cause Siri and VoiceOver to use a lower quality voice and one that could cause VoiceOver input to be too sensitive. It also improves system stability when using iWork apps, following reports of the iPhone 5s crashing while using the apps.

Interestingly, there's also a security fix as Apple mentions that the update fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode.

Apple had previously released the iOS 7.0.2 update in September to fix the lock screen vulnerabilities that were discovered after the public release of iOS 7. 

Apple is believed to have cut Q4 orders for iPhone 5c

Apple Inc told manufacturer of its new iPhone 5c that it will cut orders of the smartphone for the final three months of the year, a source familiar with the supply chain situation said.

Pegatron Corp, a major manufacturer of Apple’s new phone, had 5c orders reduced by less than 20 percent, the source told Reuters on Wednesday, declining to be identified because the information is sensitive.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, Apple’s other manufacturer of the 5c, has had its orders for the same period reduced by a third, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The iPhone 5c (Review) and iPhone 5s (Review) were launched in September ahead of the year-end holiday season when sales tend to hit a peak. In the United States, the 5c is $100 cheaper than the premium 5s, which is retailer for $649 for the 16GB model. 

The cut in 5c orders will reinforce investor sentiment that the phone was overpriced and would not be well-received by consumers, some analysts say.

“This reflects failure in Apple’s pricing strategy, “said Bevan Yeh, a Taipei-based senior fund manager at Prudential Financial Securities Investments Trust. “The price differentiation between 5c and 5s is too small. It’s an iPhone 5 with plastic casing and isn’t worth the price.” 

Spokesmen at Pegatron and Hon Hai declined to comment, while Apple could not be immediately reached for comment.

In China, one of Apple’s most important markets according to Chief Executive Tim Cook, the 5c’s reception has been lukewarm. Some local bloggers say the price difference between the 5c and 5S is too narrow.

Apple said previously that sales for the 5s and 5c in the first three days of their launch in September totaled 9 million, and that demand for 5S exceeded initial supplies. I did not give separate figures for the 5c and 5s.

Prudential, which does not own Apple shares, forecasts assemblers will ship around 5c units in the final three months of this year and 10 million in the first three months of next year.

Some analysts caution against correlating the cuts to Apple’s supplier orders with poor sales, because of the complexity and opacity of the company’s supply chain.

“We’ve seen this several times. There are too many moving parts in the supply chain to draw any conclusion,” said Benedict Evans, who covers mobile and digital media at Enders Analysis, a research consultancy in London.

“We don’t know what other suppliers they use or what inventory they already have.”

New iPad, iPad mini to sport improved 8-megapixel rear camera: Report

Apple will put an improved 8-megapixel rear camera sensor on the fifth generation iPad and the second-generation iPad mini, if KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s predication is to be believed.

The analyst’s predications have been pretty accurate in the past. Kuo mentions that the new camera module will features a larger aperture, similar to the one found on the recently launched iPhone 5s. He has also indicated that the ASP (average Selling Price) of the camera lens module will increase by 10 to 20 percent due to this change.

In a note (via MacRumors) the firm said, “We predict Apple (US) will launch new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 (so called retina iPad mini) in 4Q13. As the tablet market becomes increasingly competitive, Appl could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and larger aperture. Lens modules ASP will raise 10-20 percent on this optics spec upgrade.”

Apple has not focused much on the rear cameras of its iPad tablets, at least not when compared to its focus on the iPhone’s camera. The current-generation iPad and iPad mini both sport a 5-megapixel camera without an LED flash.

It’s not clear if the other components of the next-generation iPad and iPad mini’s camera modules will also be upgraded to make them on par with the iPhone 5s camera. The iPhone 5s camera includes a True Tone Flash that features a white LED and amber LED which work with software algorithms to adjust flash intensity and colour temperature. It also offers a Slo-Mo mode to shoot slow motion video at 120 frames per second at 720p.

Kuo also mentions that the Retina display equipped iPad mini launch in the fourth quarter of 2013. Interestingly, a new report indicates that Apple will be unable to widely roll out a new versions of the iPad mini with a high-resolution “Retina” display in October, citing people who work in the company’s supply chain as a source. These people added that Apple’s supply chain is only now gearing up to make Retina displays for the iPad mini,, which means the tablets could be available in only limited quantities this year, if at all.

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPad tablets at an event in October; however, there’s no official word from the company on the same.

Windows Phone gains in Europe, iOS up in US: Survey

Windows-based smartphones are making significant inroads in Europe, while Apple’s iPhone is strengthening its position in the United States, a survey showed Monday.

Data from Kantar World panel ComTech for three month ending in August Showed Windows Phone, the mobile platform from Microsoft, has posted its highest ever sales share of 9.2 percent in the five major Europe markets.

Windows had a 12 percent share in Britain, 10.8 percent in France, 9.5 percent in Italy, 8.8 percent in Germany and 2.2 percent in Spain, the survey found.

“Windows Phone’s latest wave of growth is being driven by Nokia’s expansion into the low and mid range market with the Lumia 520 and Lumia 620 handsets,” said Kantar analyst Dominic Sunnebo.

“These models are hitting the sweet spot with 16 to 24 years-olds and 35 to 49 years-olds, two key groups that look for a balance of price and functionality in their smartphone,” he said.

Android, the Google platform used by Samsung and several other manufacturers, remains the top operating system across Europe with a 70 percent market share but it is being threatened by higher growth from Windows and Apple’s iOS, the survey found.

“After years of increasing market share, Android has now reached a point where significant growth in developed markets is becoming harder to find, “Sunnebo said.

“Android’s growth has been spearheaded by Samsung, but the manufacturer is now seeing its share of sales across the major European economic dip year as a sustained comeback from Sony, Nokia and LG begins to broaden the competitive landscape.

In the United States, Android has also seen its market share drop to 55.8 percent from 60.7 percent a year earlier, while Apple’s share was up more than five percentage points at 39.3 percent. Windows rose to 3.0 percent from 2.6 percent.

Kantar said it expects Apple’s share “to spike in the coming months with the release of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5C,” unveiled on September 20.

Apple and Android are roughly even in Japan with 48.6 percent for iOS and 47.4 percent for Android. But the agreement with Japan’s largest carrier, NTT DoCoMo, for the first time makes it likely that Apple will pull ahead of Android in this market, according to Kantar.

Apple also made strong gains in Britain, France and Spain, the survey found.

Blackberry’s woes have deepened, with the Canadian firm accounting for just 2.4 percent of sales across the five European markets and 1.8 percent in the United States, Kantar said. 

iPhone 5s costs $191 to make, cheaper than iPhone 5: IHS

While the iPhone 5s includes of new features that set it apart from Apple’s previous model, the actual cost to make the phone hasn’t changes very much, according to a new study.

An IHS Inc. teardown of the new smartphone found that the components make up a 16-gigabyte iPhone 5s (Review) cost $190.70. Manufacturing costs add another $8, bringing the total production cost to $198.70.

In comparison of iPhone 5 that will be hit the market last year ago that costs up to $197 to make.

According to a Andrew Rassaweiler, the IHS director the cost of the benchmarking service has been noted the iPhone 5s includes the extra new features that gives extra functionality to this smartphone, such are 64-bit apps processor and a finger-print identification sensor without any kind of significant jump in the costs of this iPhone.

Also the research firm also dissected a 16-gigabyte iPhone 5c (Review), a cheaper version of the 5s, and put its total production cost at $173.45, including all the manufacturing costs that are $7.

In the last press interview, Rassweiler said the 5c is basically an iPhone 5 wrapped in plastic, nothing that it has basically the same features, but benefits from typical components price drops, along with its cheaper plastic enclose.

The starting price of iPhone 5c is $549, but it will sell for $99 with a two year wireless contract. It’s Apple’s least-expensive iPhone ever and is an effort to boost sales in China and other areas where people don’t have as much money to expend on new gadgets as they do in the U.S. and Europe. But critics have said that the phone is still too expensive to sell well in emerging markets.

IHS said that while I cost substantially less to produce an iPhone 5c than it did an iPhone 5, those costs are still on the high side.

It added that in order to merit the low-end smartphone pricing of $400 that many industry observers had expected while maintaining typical Apple profit margins the company would need to reduce its 5c production to about $130.

Monday Apple reported that it sold 9 million of the two new models since their launch on Friday – its strongest iPhone launch ever – and that demand was exceeding supply.

In midday trading, shares of the Cupertino, Calif., company slipped $5.98 to $483.12.

iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner Touch ID 'hacked' by German group

A group of German hackers claimed to have cracked the iPhone fingerprint scanner on Sunday, just two days after Apple Inc launched the technology that it promises will better protect devices from criminals and snoopers seeking access.

If the claim is verified, it will be embarrassing for Apple which is betting on the scanner to set its smartphone apart from new models of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and others running the Android operating system of Google Inc .

Two prominent iPhone security experts told Reuters that they believed the German group, known as the Chaos Computing Club, or CCC, had succeeded in defeating Apple's Touch ID, though they had not personally replicated the work.

One of them, Charlie Miller, co-author of the iOS Hacker's Handbook, described the work as "a complete break" of Touch ID security. "It certainly opens up a new possibility for attackers." Apple representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

CCC, one the world's largest and most respected hacking groups, posted a video on its website that appeared to show somebody accessing an iPhone 5s (Review) with a fabricated print. The site described how members of its biometrics team had cracked the new fingerprint reader, one of the few major high-tech features added to the latest version of the iPhone.

The group said they targeted Touch ID to knock down reports about its "marvels," which suggested it would be difficult to crack. "Fingerprints should not be used to secure anything. You leave them everywhere, and it is far too easy to make fake fingers out of lifted prints," a hacker named Starbug was quoted as saying on the CCC's site.

The group said it defeated Touch ID by photographing the fingerprint of an iPhone's user, then printing it on to a transparent sheet, which it used to create a mold for a "fake finger." CCC said similar processes have been used to crack "the vast majority" of fingerprint sensors on the market. "I think it's legit," said Dino Dai Zovi," another co-author of the iOS Hacker's Handbook. "The CCC doesn't fool around or over-hype, especially when they are trying to make a political point."

Touch ID, which was only introduced on the top-of-the-line iPhone 5s, lets users unlock their devices or make purchases on iTunes by simply pressing their finger on the home button. It uses a sapphire crystal sensor embedded in the button. Data used for verification is encrypted and stored in a secure enclave of the phone's A7 processor chip.

Two security experts who sponsored an impromptu competition offering cash and other prizes to the first hackers who cracked the iPhone said they had reviewed the information posted on the CCC website, but wanted more documentation.

"We are simply awaiting a full video documentation and walk through of the process that they have claimed," said mobile security researcher Nick DePetrillo, who started the contest with another security expert, Robert Graham. "When they deliver that video we will review it."

The two of them each put up $100 toward a prize for the contest winner, then set up a website inviting others to contribute. While the booty now includes more than $13,000 in cash, it was not clear that the CCC would receive the full payout, even if DePetrillo and Graham declared them winners. A micro venture capital firm known as I/O Capital, which had offered to pay $10,000 of the prize money, issued a press release late on Sunday saying that it would make its own determination about who won the contest.

iPhone 5C packaging, documentation pictured

iPhone 5C or the low-priced iPhone has been the subject of different leaks in the past. Continuing with the series of leaks that have hit the internet before Apple’s whispered September 10 iPhone event, new pictures of Apple’s alleged 5C iPhone 5C have surfaced online.

We had seen alleged pictures of plastic of plastic retail packaging features white plastic boxes marked ‘iPhone 5C’ with the Apple logo, in July. This time, the iPhone 5C is present inside the same iPod touch-like box complete with a transparent plastic lid.

The iPhone 5C pictured inside the box, matches with the previously leaked images of the phone, and features iOS 7 with the wallpaper of the phone matching the color of its Red (Pinkish Red) back casing. The site also offers similar pictures of the White, Yellow and Blue iPhones.

The pictures, first posted on iapps.im, also ‘confirm’ that the front panel of the iPhone 5C would be Black. In addition to this low quality photo, purported images featuring some documentation that comes with the iPhone 5C and the phone’s SIM-eject tool have also appeared on Chinese micro blog Weibo. The pictures were spotted by 9 to 5Mac.

The documentation captured in the pictures features the same Black front panel that we’ve seen in previous leaks and shows the iPhone 5C running iOS 7. It also suggests a White wallpaper, colour matched with the phone’s White back. The website notes that the documentation is semi-oval shaped, to fit the semi-oval plastic box revealed in other images. 

The low-cost iPhone or iPhone 5C has leaked several times alleged pictures of the iPhone 5C have revealed a plastic polycarbonate body back panel in White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green colors, a round camera lens and LED flash, Apple logo and iPhone branding. It’s expected to be powered by a dual-core CPU, and have a  4-inch screen, just like the iPhone 5, with a resolution of 640x1136 pixels. The iPhone 5C is rumored to have 1GB of RAM, and come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage variants. It’s also likely to sport an 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2 megapixel front camera and run iOS 7 complete with Siri which would be available in English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish.

A number of rumors including some y credible publications and journalists have confirmed September 10 as the most probable date for Apple hosting a special event to announce the ne iPhone(s). Apple has not sent any invitations o announced an event officially, yet though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event, so one can expect them any time.

A number of rumours including some by credible publications and journalists have confirmed September 10 as the most probable date for Apple hosting a special event to announce the new iPhone(s). Apple has not sent any invitations or announced an event officially, yet, though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event, so one can expect them any time.

Purported press image of iPhone 5C appears online

While the purported iPhone 5C, Apple's low-cost iPhone, has made several online appearances, including in some really high resolution pictures and videos that surfaced on the Internet, a website now claims to have published the official press shots of the phone.

Romania based publication, Mobilissimo.ro, claims that a Romanian retailer sent a couple of press shots of the iPhone 5C to the website.

The press photo features the White coloured variant of the iPhone 5C running iOS 7.The front panel is also in White unlike some previous leaks, while the back of the phone features the same plastic polycarbonate body panel that appeared in recent leaks, in glossy White, complete with a round camera lens and LED flash, Apple logo and iPhone branding.

The left-hand side of the phone features the same pill shaped volume rocker and mute keys that had appeared online, in a recent leak. These are also White in colour.

In addition to the press pictures, the site has also posted images of what the Romania-based dealer claims as iPhone 5C dummies placed in shop shelves till the actual phone arrives. The dummy features a White plastic power button. At the bottom of the dummy phone, there's a small hole for the second microphone, next to the 3.5mm headset jack port, two screw holes with the Lightning connector port at the centre, and four holes for the speaker towards bottom right. This is in line with the pictures that appeared recently on Sonny Dickson's website.

It's interesting to note that the low-cost iPhone has leaked several times but the pictures were of pre-production units and did not feature cut outs for the power and volume rocker keys.

Other alleged pictures of the iPhone 5C have revealed a plastic polycarbonate body back panel in White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green colours. However, we've not heard much about the specifications of the phone till now.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5C along with the iPhone 5S, the next generation iPhone, on September 10 at an event in San Francisco. It's worth pointing out that Apple has not sent any invitations or announced an event officially, yet, though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event.

Apple new iPhone launch date is revealed

Apple shares gained ground Monday after a report saying the California tech giant was set to announce its next iPhone at an event September 10. In late morning trade, Apple shares were up 2.04 percent at $463.88.

The Dow Jones news website AllThingsD reported Sunday that Apple scheduled an event next month where it will announce its newest iPhone in an effort to regain ground lost to Samsung and other smartphone makers.

Details were not clear, but speculation has centered around whether Apple would shift its strategy to include a lower-cost handset to appeal to more consumers, especially in emerging markets.

Trip Chowdhry, analyst at Global Equities Research, said Apple appeared to be preparing "to declare thermo-nuclear war on Android," referring to the Google mobile operating system which has become dominant in the smartphone market.

Chowdhry said the launch "may be massively successful and probably one of the most successful launches."

"If Apple launches a cheaper iPhone, Apple will immediately gain market share against Android, as in many parts of the world, consumers are not well informed and are buying Android phones thinking that they are buying a cheaper iPhone," he said in a note to clients.

A recent IDC survey showed Apple's share of the global smartphone market slipped to 13.2 percent in the second quarter, from 16.6 percent a year ago, while Android's share rose to 79.3 percent.

Apple patent wins could mean US import ban for some Samsung products

Some older Samsung Electronics Co. mobile devices face a sales and import ban in the United States after a U.S. trade panel ruled for Apple Inc. in a high-profile patent infringement case.The U.S. International Trade Commission on Friday ruled that South Korea's Samsung infringes on portions of two Apple Inc patents on digital mobile devices, covering the detection of headphone jacks and operation of touchscreens.

The decision is likely to inflame passions in the long-running dispute and could spark a rebuke from South Korea.

The panel moved to prohibit Samsung from importing, selling and distributing devices in the United States that infringe on certain claims on the patents. It is unclear how many Samsung phones and devices would be subject to the ban.All exclusion orders are sent to President Barack Obama, who has 60 days to review them. If he does not veto the order, it will go into effect.

Apple was ebullient. "The ITC has joined courts around the world in Japan, Korea, Germany, Netherlands and California by standing up for innovation and rejecting Samsung's blatant copying of Apple's products," said company spokewoman Kristin Huguet.

The ruling was the latest in a patent battle between Apple and Samsung that has spread across several countries as the companies vie for market share in the lucrative mobile industry. Samsung and Apple are the Nos. 1 and 2 smartphone makers.But it comes less than a week after the Obama administration overturned an ITC decision from June that would have banned the sales of some older-model Apple iPhones and iPads in the United States for violating Samsung patents.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman vetoed the ban on Saturday, cited its "effect on competitive conditions in the U.S. economy and the effect on U.S. consumers."

That move, the first veto of an ITC ruling in decades, triggered concerns in the South Korean government and led to closer scrutiny of Friday's ruling than usual.Letting the ban on Samsung devices stand after having so recently intervened in the Apple case could spur allegations the administration is showing favoritism toward Cupertino, California's Apple.

But a key difference between the cases is that the patents Apple was said to have infringed were so-called standard essential patents, which cover technology that must be used to comply with industry standards. The patents in the latest case are considered commercial and non-essential.Four other patent infringements asserted by Apple were turned down on Friday by the ITC panel, which declared its investigation closed.

"We are disappointed that the ITC has issued an exclusion order based on two of Apple's patents. However, Apple has been stopped from trying to use its overbroad design patents to achieve a monopoly on rectangles and rounded corners," Adam Yates, a Samsung spokesman, said in a statement.

Apple had filed a complaint in mid-2011, accusing Samsung of infringing its patents in making a wide range of smartphones and tablet. Apple has alleged that Samsung's Nexus 4G and some Galaxy and Intercept devices were among those made with the infringing technology.Samsung has said its newer models incorporate features that work around disputed technology.

In a busy day in the long-running series of patent spats by the two archrivals, a U.S. appeals court earlier on wrestled with a request by Apple for a permanent injunction on sales of some phones made by Samsung for other alleged violations.

Apple is appealing a lower court ruling that rejected the iPhone maker's request that some older-model Samsung phones be permanently banned.

At stake is whether judges can permanently ban the sale of a complex device like a smartphone if a court finds that it violates a patent that covers just one of the device's hundreds of features. Samsung and other smartphone makers say a decision in favor of Apple could cripple the market.

At an hour-long hearing in Washington, U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William Bryson questioned whether Apple wanted to use the appeal to set a precedent that would allow it to seek sales bans for newer Samsung phones in an expedited fashion.The current case has dragged on for two years.

Apple lawyer William Lee acknowledged that if the iPhone maker's injunction request was granted, the company would seek a so-called contempt proceeding to go after newer Samsung phones.

Samsung's popular Galaxy smartphones and tablets run on Google's Android operating system, which Apple's late co-founder, Steve Jobs, once denounced as a "stolen product."

Apple says Samsung has infringed its patents and caused financial losses. Samsung denies it copied Apple's patented features.The appeals court is expected to issue a written opinion but did not indicate a timeline.

The case is Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Federal U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 13-1129.

Report : Apple to unveil next iPhone on September 10: Report

Apple Inc, the world's largest technology company, is expected to present its redesigned iPhone in September, according to technology blog AllThingsD.

The blog cited unnamed sources as saying that Apple will unveil its next smart phone at a special event on Sept 10.

The company was not immediately available for comment.

Apple's iPhone launches are among the most-watched events on the tech industry calendar.

Reuters reported in June that Apple is exploring launching iPhones with bigger screens, as well as cheaper models in a range of colors, over the next year, according to several sources with knowledge of the matter.

The new iPhone would hit store shelves in time for the crucial holiday season.

Apple announces trade-in program for third-party chargers

Fears of dangerous shocks caused by unsanctioned chargers for Apple gadgets prompted the company on Monday to announce a trade-in program.

Beginning on August 16, people with counterfeit or third-party power adaptors will be able to swap them for certified Apple models for the local equivalent of $10.

"Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues," Apple said in a blog post.

"While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters."

People must bring the unwanted chargers along with a corresponding iPod, iPad, or iPhone to an Apple Retail Store or to an authorized Apple service provider.

 

Apple said device serial numbers need to be valid to qualify for the adapter trade-in program, which will continue until October 18.

Last month, Apple began investigating reports that a women in China was electrocuted while using an iPhone that was charging.

Apple's may come ad-skipping feature with new TV service

Apple has long been rumoured to enter the TV space, either with a television set of its own, or a TV service with support from the big networks, or, indeed, both. While wait for the mythical Apple TV - the television - continues, a new report has disclosed some rather interesting details of Apple's TV service.

According to a report by Jessica Lessin, former reporter and editor for The Wall Street Journal, Apple's TV service will come with a feature that will allow users to skip ads. The feature will appeal to new generation of users who have grown up with DVRs that let you record content and, thus, skip ads when actually sit down to watch the show.

Naturally, the TV networks are not thrilled with the idea, but, the report claims, Apple plans to offer monetary compensation for any loss of revenue that may result from the ad-skipping. Based on the report, the initial response from networks doesn't seem to be very positive, though the negotiations are likely to continue for a while.

The report also confirms a few other murmurs we've been hearing for a while, like the discussion between Apple and the networks and cable companies have been going on for over a year now. Apple is said to be seeking rights for a service that would allow users to watch live and on-demand TV content. Apple may deliver this content via the existing Apple TV, any other set-top box, or its rumoured television set.

The report claims the discussions have been "highly secretive" and CEO Tim Cook and Senior Vice President Eddy Cue held talks with some media companies as recently as last week at a conference in Sun Valley.