Tag Archives: Apple

An Apple Milestone

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This past quarter, estimates of new iPhone sales have topped 38 million units. Adding to the total sales of 472 million units since the introduction of the device, this means that Apple has sold its 500 millionth iPhone. This milestone went unacknowledged by the Apple team, which is odd for a company who gave a $10,000 iTunes gift card to the person who downloaded the 50 billionth app from the app store.

However, even if the milestone were not celebrated, it’s very important from a business standpoint. iPhone sales continue to rise, with a first quarter total of 51 million units. That’s a lot of Flappy Bird.
The iPhone 6 is rumored to launch in the fall, which may cause sales to slow down, as many people are looking forward to upgrading to a possible bigger display.

What Sparks Our Fire: The iPhone is a triumph of design and advertising, and there is a lot we can learn from this powerhouse.

If you own an iPhone 5S, would you upgrade to an iPhone 6 in the fall?

 

iFitness

So you may have to wait on that iWatch for a while.

Apple seems to be focusing the efforts of its’ wearables on the fertile health and wellness markets. Over the past few years, Apple has hired health and wellness experts, and currently is seeking fitness app and hardware developers. In conjunction with reports that the new iPhone will support biometric readings, the next iteration of Apple products seem to be headed in a healthy direction. For instance, a design for a headphones embedded with biometric sensors was recently patented, and are able to track heart rate and body temperature.

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Therefore, it only stands to reason that Apple is going to keep the iPhone as the center of it’s mobile universe and create gadgets and accessories that enhance and specialize the existing functions of the phone.

What Sparks Our Fire:  No one needs a Google Glass yet, but everyone needs to enhance their iPhone. This may be the smartest strategy in the mobile gadget game.

What kind of fitness apps or tools would you like to see from Apple?

My Phone is Judging Me

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I really don’t want Apple to know how unhealthy I am, mostly because I don’t want to know. Also, bacon-wrapped filet mignon and I have been friends for far too long to ever stop seeing each other. However, according to recent reports, the iPhone of the future will be able to tell heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels, all on the new iOS 8, nicknamed Okemo.

iWatch Concept

This news is on the tail of rumors of the iWatch, the wearable tech rumored to support Apple technology in a way akin to other fitness-based wrist pieces like Nike+ Fuelband SE and the Fitbit Force. It is rumored to sync with iPhone app, Healthbook, a new development in fitness bands, which has not yet made the leap to smartphones.

The 5S won’t have the ability to measure most of these vitals, but new software and hardware will roll out in the coming year that will show you just where those extra double quarter-pounders are going.

What Sparks Our Fire: First the mp3 player, then the cell phone. Apple may well be on its way to revolutionizing the health wristband as well.

Would you wear an iWatch?

Lighter Than Air

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On October 22nd, Apple unveiled the newest iteration of the iPad, the iPad Air. This  offering has not generated the kind of buzz that the recent iPhone has, but the new Air is a large upgrade over the previous iPad 4. The new device is significantly thinner and lighter than the previous one, without compromising battery power or performance. In fact, the performance of the iPad has been significantly upgraded thanks to the new A7 processing chip and 64-bit architecture, making the iPad Air every bit as powerful as a desktop computer. The bezel dimensions have been reduced, making the Air as thin as the iPad Mini, accomplished via a smaller, more efficient battery. As well, Apple is quick to emphasize the durability and usability of the Air, maintaining that it is a product to be taken and used everywhere.

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What Sparks Our Fire: Modern technology that improves upon itself exponentially every six months. Also, Marc wants one.

Will you buy a new iPad Air?

Where does music take you?

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By now, iOS7 for Apple products has been released, and lots of people are talking about the benefits or detriments of the system and what it can do for you. The new system has lots of changes and improvements, but one of the most interesting is iTunes Radio. Radio is integrated directly into the music app on your iPhone or iPad, and is connected directly to the iTunes store, so you can download whatever song you’re listening to at that exact moment. It features more than 250 curated radio stations, and you can create your own as well. This new feature is married into your system, and might be a strong contender in the smartphone radio race.

What sparked our fire: Seamless integration of an established music purchasing and playing program with a radio app format.

Will this new form of iTunes supplant established radio apps like Pandora?