The second largest wireless carrier–and only official iPhone carrier–in China is offering the iPhone 4S for free when customers sign up for a multiyear contract. According to a report by Bloomberg, China United Network Communications Group (China Unicom) is offering monthly rates for as low as $45 USD in an attempt to get customers locked …

Now that we have ushered in 2012, the hot topic for the next couple months will be rumored specs and release dates for Apple’s iPad 3. The latest rumor comes from editor in chief at iLounge, Jeremy Horwitz, who claims that the iPad 3 will get a high-definition, front-facing FaceTime camera. Apple Horwitz’s rumored spec for the front-facing HD camera, …

In a recent patent application uncovered by The Apple Blog, Apple has detailed a system for allowing your power adapter to become a security key for your password recovery process. Screenshot by The Apple Blog In basic terms, should you forget your password, an onscreen recovery application would prompt you to plug in your specific power adapter to confirm your …

Continuing to build its collection of core iOS patents, Apple’s latest win comes in the form of list editing. It’s yet another example of Apple gaining stronger legal ground to defend the look and feel of iOS from competitors looking to capitalize on the popularity of the mobile operating system. Patently Apple The patent, uncovered by Patently Apple, for “a …

Though the biggest gripe for most iPhone 4S users has been an abnormally short battery life, an issue that could prove to be just as frustrating is gaining vocal ground in support forums across the Web. These iPhone 4S owners are experiencing random muting during phone calls, an issue that has reportedly been ignored in the forthcoming iOS 5.1 update. …

As the holidays quickly approach and our agendas become filled with baking cookies, traveling, and last-second shopping, scammers are on the loose and have started targeting iCloud users in an attempt to acquire your log-in credentials. Don’t get phished this holiday season. Never reply to e-mails asking for your username and password. Apple These technolojerks (yes, that’s going to be …

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, in a note to investors, has laid out his predictions for Apple’s calendar year 2012. In it he expects a redesigned iPhone 5 to be released in midsummer and only one version of the iPad 3, despite other rumors that Apple could release an expanded lineup of iPad models. Apple Munster’s note, reported by AppleInsider, …

Based on a recent job posting on Apple’s corporate Web site, Apple is looking to expand its iCloud offerings with new and innovative applications to better utilize the server-based technologies it offers iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users. Apple The post, originally uncovered by AppleInsider, shows that Apple is looking for “proactive, creative-minded engineers to build the next generation of …

When iOS 5 was released alongside the iPhone 4S earlier this fall, iMessage was introduced as a new, all-encompassing messaging service that would connect all iOS device users for free using their unique Apple IDs. iMessage, however, may have a critical downfall when it comes to securely erasing access if you lose your device. Apple Since Apple released the Find …

Every now and then a particular patent application gets granted that seems obvious, especially because almost every other company that competes in that space does the same thing on their product. The latest such patent was granted to Apple and covers the ability to start and switch apps while continuing a phone call in the background. Patently Apple As soon …