Microsoft throwing developer party at Apple's WWDC, says its iOS apps set 'gold standard'

Microsoft wants to inject its own software and services into the agenda for Apple's Worldwide Developers conference next week, hoping to lure attendees to an offsite afterparty with the promise of drinks and prizes.

Microsoft estimates WWDC 2016's opening day will conclude at about 5 p.m. Pacific next Monday, June 13, at which point the Windows maker will kick off its own afterparty, taking place at Twitter headquarters a block from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

To appeal to iOS developers, Microsoft has planned free food and drinks, as well as prizes such as an Apple Watch Sport or Xbox One console. All developers are welcome, even if they are not attending WWDC.

Engineers from Microsoft-owned Xamarin will offer one-on-one sessions with developers, offering guidance on using the Xamarin Test Cloud to guarantee the consistency of apps across platforms. 




Microsoft recently opened up the SDK for Xamarin, an iOS and Android-compatible test tool that was once priced at $999 for business users. To Joe Silverman, owner of New York Computer Help, that was a "surprising" move from the Redmond, Wash., software giant.

"If they can create lots of code, games, and programs to be sold, everyone wins in the end, including, dare I say it, Microsoft," Silverman told AppleInsider on Tuesday.

In promoting the event, Microsoft said that apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive are "setting the gold standard on iOS." The company said next week's event will showcase to developers how Microsoft is "reinventing itself on iOS."

To date, Microsoft has developed and published nearly 80 iOS apps, ranging from Word and One Drive to games based on its Halo and Age of Empires franchises. While the company's own Windows Phone platform has struggled, its call to iOS developers could help push not only adoption of the Xamarin development tools, but also integration with Microsoft's software and services ecosystem.

ITC investigates Apple & AT&T over haptic patent complaints by Immersion

On Tuesday the U.S. International Trade Commission launched an investigation into Apple and AT&T, following up on a complaint by San Jose's Immersion that various products are violating its haptic feedback patents.

The ITC is aiming to complete the investigation within 45 days, according to an official announcement. Immersion originally made the complaint on May 5, and is asking the ITC to issue cease-and-desist orders plus a limited exclusion order.

The announcement doesn't specify which products are the target of the investigation except for "smartphones and laptops." With Apple, though, that implies devices equipped with 3D Touch or Force Touch, specifically the iPhone 6s/6s Plus and recent MacBook models, excluding the MacBook Air.

The investigation is linked to a lawsuit also dating back to May 5, launched against Apple and AT&T via a Delaware district court. Immersion claimed the companies are infringing on four haptic patents via MacBooks and the iPhone 6s. A similar lawsuit and ITC complaint filed earlier in the year included the Apple Watch in accusations.

Apple made haptic feedback an important element of its 2015 product lineup. While 3D Touch and Force Touch are nominally about pressure-sensitive controls, haptic technology responds to these gestures with complex vibrations.

Deals: 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $849; 15-inch MacBook Pro for $1,600; $200 off 13-inch MacBook Pro

Apple authorized resellers this week are discounting 12.9-inch iPad Pros by up to $100, bringing the Space Gray model down to $849. Plus, score a 15-inch MacBook Pro for under $1,600 — or save $200 on the smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro with your choice of free Parallels 11 or a 1-year LoJack subscription.

128GB 12.9" iPad Pro $849

iPad Pro Coupon


For a limited time, authorized Apple reseller B&H is taking $100 off the 128GB 12.9" iPad Pro (WiFi Only) in Space Gray, bringing the price down to $849.00. Featuring Apple Pencil support, the 128GB model normally retails for $949. Plus, on top of the instant savings, B&H won't collect sales tax on orders shipped outside NY — and free expedited shipping is included.

128GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Space Gray (WiFi Only) for $849.00 ($100 off, no tax outside NY)

$50-$70 off 12.9" iPad Pros at B&H
32GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Silver (WiFi Only) for $749.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)
32GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Space Gray (WiFi Only) for $729.90 ($71 off, no tax outside NY)
32GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Gold (WiFi Only) for $749.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)
128GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Silver (WiFi + 4G LTE) for $1,029.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)
128GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Space Gray (WiFi + 4G LTE) for $999.00 ($80 off, no tax outside NY)
128GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Gold (WiFi + 4G LTE) for $1,029.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)
256GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Space Gray (WiFi Only) for $1,049.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)

$15-$20 off 12.9" iPad Pros at MacMall with exclusive coupon
256GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Silver (WiFi Only) for $1,084.00 ($15 off)
256GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Gold (WiFi Only) for $1,084.00 ($50 off, no tax outside NY)
256GB 12.9" iPad Pro in Silver (WiFi + 4G LTE) for $1,209.00 ($20 off, no tax outside NY)
Use coupon code APPLEINSIDER02 on the landing page to activate the discount.

15" MacBook Pro for $1,599.99

Apple MacBook Pro Spotlight Deal


Today's top deals also include a 15" MacBook Pro for $1,599.99 on eBay, which is $400 off MSRP and $200 cheaper than buying from an authorized reseller, according to our Mac Price Guide. In addition to the instant savings, shipping is free. This eBay Spotlight Deal is valid for a limited time only while supplies last.

15" MacBook Pro (2.2GHz, 16GB, 256GB) for $1,599.99 ($400 off)

13" MacBook Pro for $1,399


Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch savings


Also this week, B&H is slashing the price of the 3.1GHz/8GB/128GB 13" MacBook Pro by $200, bringing the price to $1,399 with free expedited shipping and your choice of a free 1-year LoJack subscription or Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (OEM). Plus, B&H won't collect tax on orders shipped outside NY. According to our Mac Price Guide, this model is $100 cheaper than at other authorized resellers.

13" MacBook Pro (3.1GHz, 8GB, 128GB) for $1399.00 ($200 off, no tax outside NY)

AppleCare for 13" MacBook Pro
You can easily tack on an AppleCare extended protection plan to these MacBooks for the discounted rate of $229 by selecting the AppleCare option immediately after you press the "Add to Cart" button on B&H's website. Or just use this link.

Apple stock currently has limited potential downside for investors, UBS says

Barring a complete meltdown of its iPhone business, shares of Apple stock have limited potential downside at their current trading price, investment firm UBS said on Tuesday.

Analyst Steven Milunovich believes that unless the iPhone sees a colossal meltdown akin to the failures of BlackBerry, Apple should not trade any lower than its current range between $95 and $105. In his view, AAPL stock has limited downside for investors at its current price.

Milunovich believes Apple's current share price reflects the outlook of "product cycle bears," who believe the iPhone could see annual declines of between 5 and 10 percent, much like the PC business. But in his view, this outlook for the iPhone business is "probably too negative."

Instead, UBS has maintained a price target of $115 for Apple stock, with a "buy" rating for investors. At that valuation, Milunovich sees Apple largely as a service-focused company.




The analyst predicts that Apple will continue to sell profitable hardware, but will pivot to becoming a service-oriented company where its customers are monetized through products like Apple Pay, Apple Music and the App Store.

For shares of Apple to really move the needle and move to $120 and beyond, Milunovich believes Apple needs to introduce new hardware and products that will resonate with consumers. Even if a new product were to achieve just 25 percent of the success of the iPhone, he believes that could push the company's stock price to a range between $130 and $150.

Milunovich's most bullish scenario for Apple sees the company hitting "another hardware home run" that achieves 50 percent of the success of the iPhone. In addition, if the company were to launch a rumored "Apple Car" around the year 2020, he said he could see shares of AAPL reaching as high as $200.

For now, however, Milunovich remains squarely in conservative territory with his outlook on Apple, and believes the company's stock could reach $115 within the next year. His forecasts call for iPhone sales to grow by 2 percent in fiscal year 2017, driven by consumers who have yet to upgrade from the 4-inch form factor to larger models.