Posts

An iOS 8 app that allowed users to create custom shortcuts and access them from a Notification Center widget has been removed from the App Store by Apple for what it calls “misuse of widgets,” the developers said in a notice posted on the app’s website. The app, called Launcher, worked by letting users enter a URL or select an application to be launched when a shortcut was tapped. The shortcuts would then be displayed in Notification Center, allowing quick access to a variety of tasks such as starting a phone or FaceTime call, creating a new text message, email, or iMessage, opening an application, or more....

Apple has requested that programming partners who will take part in the company’s upcoming television streaming service provide their own content streams, Re/Code reported today. It’s not an unreasonable request on Apple’s part—in fact, it makes a lot of sense—so it doesn’t seem like this will be a big holdup for the service’s launch. Most TV networks already provide online streams in one form or another, so giving Apple access to that content shouldn’t put too much of a burden on them, though some network executives are said to be worried about the idea of paying the streaming costs on a platform promoted by Apple, versus one solely promoted by the network itself....

At the starting of February, Apple released iOS 6.1.1 beta to developers with some major enhancements to Maps for Japan. Apple has since released both 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 to the public, but both came without the Maps enhancements and instead included fixes for bugs and performance enhancements. Apple has apparently pushed out the new Map data to users today without including it in a new update, as noted by Macotakara....

Apple has published a new app for controlling and managing its Beats Pill+ speaker. Notably, this cross-platform release is the second Android app the company has released, following up on the Move to iOS app. The app includes features that allow multiple users take control of the music playing from one speaker, or use two speakers to achieve a higher volume level than one speaker can output. Dual speakers can also be put into a stereo mode that uses one speaker as the left channel and the other as the right channel....

Two days after making the release candidate of watchOS 7.1 available, Apple has released the public version of the update to Apple Watch users. watchOS 7.1 brings ECG functionality to new countries, notifications for headphone levels that could be harmful, and fixes issues like unlocking Mac with Apple Watch and a screen issue for the wearable. Apple releases iOS 14.2 with new emoji and wallpapers, HomePod Intercom support, more watchOS 7....

Apple’s second-generation AirPods aren’t the only newly updated headphones hitting the market this spring. That’s according to CNET which has a nice scoop on upcoming Beats Powerbeats that finally cut the cord. According to David Carnoy at CNET, Powerbeats headphones will be updated in April with an all-new truly wireless version: If accurate, new Powerbeats headphones will ship just a few weeks after Apple updated the original AirPods with a second-gen version that replaces the special W1 chip with a new H1 and adds an optional wireless charging case....

Apple Pay may soon be available in another country. Following last year’s expansion to more countries in Europe, including Slovakia and Portugal, there’s now evidence that Apple’s payment service is coming to Mexico. According to some users on Twitter, it’s already possible to add cards from Mexican banks to the Wallet app by changing the iPhone region to another one that already supports Apple Pay. The cards are successfully added, but it’s not yet possible to verify them with the bank since Apple has not yet officially launched Apple Pay there....

Now-deleted code on an Apple server suggests that Apple Pay Octopus support is coming as part of iOS 13 – almost certainly with the Express Transit feature, meaning no authentication is needed. The physical Octopus transit card is used by almost everyone in Hong Kong, thanks to a combination of convenience, automatic top-up and a rewards scheme … Octopus notes that the cards can be used for more than just travel....

Apple shared which Macs will be compatible with the Pro Display XDR and very notably, the iMac Pro wasn’t on the list. However, we’ve got confirmation today that it will work, but with a limitation. In the Pro Display XDR Display’s tech specs, Apple only lists a few Macs able to drive the 32-inch 6K display(s). Those include the 2019 iMacs, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro (plus any Thunderbolt 3 Mac paired with a Blackmagic eGPU)....

Apple has released the first iOS 9.2.1 beta to developers for testing on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The new software version features build number 13D11 which compares to last week’s iOS 9.2 release at 13C75. The update is available for registered developers currently through the iOS Dev Center. The first iOS 9.2.1 update likely includes further bug fixes and performance improvements after last week’s public iOS 9.2 release. That new version included a long list of under-the-hood tweaks plus a few public facing features including more 3D Touch support in iBooks, better support for Classical music in Apple Music, Arabic Siri, and support for Apple’s Lightning to SD Card Reader adapters, both new and old....

Apple released the third beta of its iOS 7.1 software (build 11D5127c) to registered developers today. Apple released the first iOS 7.1 beta for developers in November bringing with it a handful of UI tweaks, performance improvements, and accessibility features. That release was followed by a second iOS 7.1 beta in mid-December which brought button shapes as an accessibility feature as well as a calendar design mirroring iOS 6 and prior....

Somewhat out of the blue, Apple has released a minor software update for the third-generation Apple TV. This is technically listed as iOS 7.2.1, the same version number as the previous public Apple TV operating system. However, the build number has been bumped up, indicating Apple has rolled in some minor bug fixes and improvements. The update comes as a welcome surprise for third-generation Apple TV owners, who had felt somewhat abandoned ever since Apple released the brand-new tvOS-based Apple TV 4 last fall....

All of today’s best deals are headlined by a rare discount on Apple Pencil 2 at $115. That’s alongside up to 50% off Twelve South Apple gear and the latest Anker sale from $11. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break. Apple Pencil 2 sees rare deal to $115 Redesigned for the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air, the second-generation Apple Pencil improves on the original model with wireless charging, magnetic attachment, and a refreshed form factor....

What better way to show someone you care than by presenting them with a laser-engraved iPad? Alright, there’s as many different ways to express care as there are humans standing underneath the sun, but now it seems Apple is preparing to unleash engraved iPad messages to contribute to that smorgasboard of choice. Just like those really rather popular engraved iPods, right? This report emanates from tech blog Erictric, who claim their (anonymous) source is saying Apple intends offering personalization (engraving) on demand....

Apple’s latest video series promotes an iOS 10 Photos feature called Memories that automatically builds collections of related images and videos around themes like dates, places, and people. The series includes both a full-length iPhone ad as well as a new tutorial on using the Memories feature. The iPhone commercial is one of the warmer, more sincere ads out recently as it centers around showing real memories and photos and videos kept in the Photos app to create Memories....

Apple’s 1m USB-C to Lightning Cable, which allows faster charging for compatible iPhones and iPads, has been reduced in price. When the cable debuted, the original price was $25 for the 1m version, and $35 for the 2m version. It appears that last month, Apple quietly dropped the price of the 1m USB-C to Lighting Cable by $6, going from $25 to $19. This change comes amid rumors that new iPhones will drop the USB-A-equipped Lightning to USB Cables in favor of USB-C cables that are able to facilitate faster charging....

Update: The ‘Designed By Apple In California’ book is now available to buy at Apple Stores, if you are so inclined. Both sizes, $199 small or $299 large, are shipping in one business day in the United States. Original story below … Apple has announced a new hardbound book, available for $199 or $299 online at Apple.com and Apple retail stores from tomorrow, which charts a 20-year history of Apple design from the iMac in 1998 to the Apple Pencil in 2015....

Just the week following the public release of iOS 9.1 with bug fixes and new emojis, Apple has seeded the first beta of the upcoming iOS 9.2 to developers. The new download for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is available via the Developer Center. We recently noted that internal Apple testing of iOS 9.2 has increased over the past couple of weeks. The first indications from testers are that this upgrade includes notable bug fixes and changes to how third-party apps handle embedded Safari views:...

Apple today has released the tenth developer beta of macOS Catalina. The new version of Apple’s operating system features a new Music app that replaces iTunes, Podcasts and TV apps, updates to the Photos interface, a brand new Reminders app, extended desktop in Safari, updates to Markdown, Screen Time on macOS and the new ‘Find My’ app. If you’re already running the developer beta of macOS Catalina, you can update to beta 10 through System Preferences....

Apple has released Safari 5.1.2 to users this afternoon, available by direct download or by hitting up Software Update. The update is relatively minor, but brings along bug fixes that address issues of stability, extensive memory usage, fixing webpages that were flashing white, and now allows PDFs to be displayed within web content. Go ahead and download! Safari 5.2.1 beta seeded to developers, includes PDF viewing bug fixes (9to5mac.com) Apple releases OS X 10....