Apple's Cold and Blustery Crossroads

Those of us who pay attention know Apple is innovating on the things that matter -
- and ignoring the things that don't, like a major form factor update that falls out of its normal development cycle. That's why the success or failure of the iPhone 5s and 5c is so critically important. Is a major new iPhone invention really needed or not? The storm is raging around Apple.
What we're seeing from Apple right now -- and how consumers respond -- will not only determine the company's future, but also shape our love for its products. It all hinges on the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

Samsung unveils smartwatch ahead of rival Apple

BERLIN: Samsung unveiled its highly anticipated digital wristwatch Wednesday, beating Apple to what could become this year's must-have holiday gift item.

So-called smartwatches, which can perform tasks such as displaying email and Twitter messages on a device worn around the wrist, have been around for several years but have failed so far to inspire great interest among ordinary consumers. But with smartphone behemoths Samsung Electronics Co. and Apple Inc. joining the fray _ and Google pushing its Google Glass gadget _ experts see a chance of wearable computers breaking into the mainstream.

Microsoft buys Nokia phone unit to fight Apple, Google

HELSINKI: Nokia said on Tuesday it was selling its beleaguered mobile phone unit to Microsoft for 5.44 billion euros ($7.17 billion) as the US tech giant tries to fight back against rivals Apple and Google.

Investors cheered the news, as Nokia's share price soared by 45 percent in opening trading on the Helsinki stock exchange to 4.3 euros.

Nokia, once the world's leading mobile phone maker, will grant the US software giant a 10-year non-exclusive licence to its patents and will itself focus on network infrastructure and mapping services, which it called "the best path forward for Nokia and its shareholders."

Apple readying two iPhone versions for launch: report

NEW YORK: Apple has asked its Taiwan-based supplier to begin shipping two new versions of the iPhone next month, including a lower-cost model, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The Journal, citing unnamed sources, said Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision, the parent company of Foxconn in China, was readying both a standard iPhone with new upgrades and a less expensive model with fewer features.

Apple breaks $500 threshold, 1st time since January 2013

NEW YORK: Apple Inc.'s shares surged passed the $500 threshold — their highest level since January.

Wednesday's gains came a day after activist investor Carl Icahn said he thinks the iPhone maker should do more to revive its stock price.

The outspoken billionaire said in Twitter posts Tuesday that he had acquired an unspecified stake in Apple and had spoken to its CEO about boosting share repurchase plans. The stock immediately jumped, and closed at its highest level in nearly seven months.

Microsoft to bring "Age of Empires" to Apple, Android phones

SAN FRANCISCO/TOKYO: Microsoft Corp will offer its popular "Age of Empires" game for Apple Inc's iPhone and other smartphones through a tie-up with Japan's KLab Inc, seeking to capture growth in a booming mobile game market.

Microsoft's gaming business is dependent primarily on its Xbox franchise but mobile devices have been eating into the gaming industry, luring consumers away from traditional consoles.

Apple unveils music streaming service

NEW YORK (AP) Apple unveiled an Internet radio service called iTunes Radio and said the service will personalize listeners  music based on what they ve listened to and what they ve purchased on iTunes.

Apple said iTunes Radio will be available this fall in the U.S., it said Monday. It will be free with advertisements included, although subscribers of Apple s iTunes Match music-storage service will get a commercial-free version of iTunes Radio. That service costs $25 a year.