Apple has quietly acquired a location-based data company, an Apple spokesman confirmed Friday. Related stories Apple Confirms iPhone 14 Pro Camera Shake Issue, Says Fix Coming Next Week How to Take iOS 16’s Most Annoying Features Off Your iPhone Apple SharePlay Makes Movie Night From Afar Easy Speaking to All Things Digital, Apple confirmed its …

A Google+ user who bought a Nexus 4 off Craigslist reportedly discovered that the device was actually running the long-rumored, but as-yet-announced Android 4.3. Jeff Williams, who claims to have purchased the Nexus 4 a couple of weeks ago from a Google employee, posted a screenshot of his Android version to Google+. That image shows Android version 4.3 and build …

The smartphone market is already huge, but things are expected to get even bigger in the coming years. By 2017, worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to hit 1.5 billion, new data from research firm IHS suggests. By the end of this year, IHS expects worldwide smartphone shipments to to reach nearly 900 million units. Related stories Qualcomm’s new X65 5G …

Lenovo’s plan to double down on the mobile space might be scuttled before it even got off the ground. The company was rumored to be working with Japan-based NEC to acquire, or at least partner, with the firm’s mobile division. However, a new report from the Nikkei on Wednesday suggests the talks between the companies have broken down. Related stories …

Sony might have something up its sleeve, if recently leaked images and specs are to be believed. Taiwan-based news site ePrice published images Tuesday of what it claims is the long-rumored Sony i1 Android-based smartphone. The device, believed to be codenamed “Honami,” has popped up in rumors from time to time and is supposedly shipping this fall as Sony’s flagship …

Samsung’s Galaxy Note might soon have a strong competitor from HTC. HTC is planning to launch a phablet in September, called the One Max, German mobile site Mobile Geeks, reported on Monday. Mobile Geeks cited individuals who claim to have knowledge of the company’s plans. The device will sport a 5.9-inch HD display and be available in early September, according …

Although Apple and Google have watched their relationship deteriorate over the last several years, the search giant’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, says things are getting better. Speaking to Reuters in an interview published on Thursday, Schmidt said that Google’s relationship with Apple has improved over the past year, and the two companies are now holding “lots and lots” of meetings …

Nokia’s Lumia 1020 is expected to make a showing at a special press event the company is holding today. But already, it’s made an appearance on the Web. Official press photos of what appears to be the Lumia 1020 have been obtained and published by The Verge. The images show a new handset from Nokia featuring different colors, a prominent …

So long, Alfred. It’s been nice knowing you. Google has informed users of its Alfred local-recommendations mobile app that the time has come for the helper to retire as of July 19. Users who have liked places that they want to take with them must request their data from Google by tomorrow. Alfred was the brainchild of developer Clever Sense. …

Google Latitude is about to enter the search giant’s junk heap. Google announced Wednesday that Latitude, its location-aware application that allows users to share where they are with others, will be retired on August 9. When that day rolls around, users will no longer be able to share their location and their friends list will be deleted. Third-party applications that …