News

At this point nearly all of the daily iPhone 6 rumors point to the phone's next incarnation having a larger display. The size of the new display is still up for debate, with estimates ranging from 4.7 to 5.5 inches, as compared to the four inch screen of the iPhone 5s and 5c. Many analysts suggest that Apple will release two different sizes. The latest projection, from UBS analyst Steve Milunovich, agrees that two different size models are likely, but may not be released at the same time.

According to Barron's, Milunovich gives Apple shares a "Buy" rating and a price target of $625 (AAPL closed today at $539.19). His optimism is based on his checks of Apple's supply chain that suggest the iPhone 6 will ship in August or September

NPR today announced that it has become the first news provider to join iTunes Radio. The 24-hour stream will include national newscasts, stories from Morning Edition and All Things Considered, plus other previously recorded programming, according to blog post.

This is the first non-music station offered by iTunes Radio, and it is unclear if Apple plans to add more talk radio stations in future. It is also unknown how Apple and NPR are going to share the revenue brought in by ads. Apple normally pays recording artists for the rights to use their music on the ad-supported streaming service.

We have already seen Apple's iBeacon technology used by several mainstream retailers, Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Now the National Basketball Association is using the technology as well.

It has always been a no-brainer among sports fans to try to sneak down to better seats, especially if you are way up in the nosebleed section and can barely see the action. Pro sports teams are aware of this and are now using iBeacon technology to offer an easy way for these fans to upgrade and actually pay for it (and thereby avoid the risk of getting thrown out of the stadium). The NBA's Golden State Warriors are the first basketball team to install iBeacons throughout their venue

OtterBox has announced that its new Symmetry case is now available for the iPhone 5/5c/5s . The mobile accessory maker is also accepting signups for the Galaxy S5 model. OtterBox did not give a specific release date for the GS5 version, but hopefully it will be available sometime in April, before the new Samsung flagship is set to be released.

The Symmetry is an ultra-thin one piece mobile phone case that is constructed from dual-material to protect from drops and bumps. It features a raised beveled edge to keep your display scratch free for when your device is set face down. It also includes a synthetic rubber interior with honeycomb coring to absorb shock, and a hard plastic exterior that guards against scratches.

This week's big stories revolved around the return of one popular app to the Apple App Store and the death of another. Flappy Bird developer Dong Nguyen, announced on Twitter that the mobile game sensation will eventually make a return to the App Store but "not soon." Meanwhile, Twitter pulled its #Music app and told current users it will only continue to work until April 18. Besides the possible rebirth of an old app, and the demise of a high-profile app, it was a slow week for App Store news and releases.

Here are this week's most noteworthy App Store and Cydia releases (03/16/14 to 03/22/14). Apple's Free App of the Week is Ridge Racer Slipstream. The game will be free on the App Store until 03/27/14.