Launch

Amazon launches ad-free Prime Music service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

As rumored, Amazon has launched a new streaming music service today, and it's [unsurprisingly] calling it 'Prime Music.' The service features over a million songs and hundreds of pre-made playlists, and it's free for paying subscribers of Amazon Prime.

Prime members have unlimited access to the service, and will be able to either play music from one of the aforementioned playlists, or create their own. It's completely ad-free, and comes with standard affair like mobile clients and offline playback support...

Apple launching iPads on Japan’s NTT DoCoMo next month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple just issued a press release, announcing that it will begin offering NTT DoCoMo versions of its iPad Air and Retina iPad mini in Japan next month. The carrier, which is the largest in the country, began offering the iPhone for the first time last fall.

The new iPads will be available for pre-order starting June 2, and will officially launch in retail stores a week later on June 10. Those interested in picking up one of the tablets can choose from a variety of purchase plans, some of which call for $0 down...

New report claims Apple could launch 4.7-inch iPhone 6 as early as August

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Those excited for Apple's next smartphone may not have to wait as long as originally thought to get their hands on one. Reuters passes along a new report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News this morning which claims that the iPhone 6 could be just three months away.

Citing anonymous sources in Apple's supply chain, the Daily News says that the 4.7-inch model of the new iPhone will reach stores as soon as August. The 5.5-inch model, the report says, will land a month later in September—same as the iPhone 5s and the 5 before it...

iTunes Match now available in Japan

Cody Lee ∙ May 1, 2014

Apple continues its international expansion of iTunes services this afternoon, with the launch of iTunes Match in Japan. iOS users in the country can now access the service, which first launched in the United States back in 2011.

For those unfamiliar with the service, iTunes Match allows users to 'mirror' their music libraries to the cloud. This enables them to access their songs from any compatible device, without having to spend hours uploading them...

Apple launches updated MacBook Airs with faster processors for $100 less

Cody Lee ∙ April 29, 2014

As expected, Apple launched refreshed MacBook Air models this morning. There aren't any major changes, but the new laptops feature faster versions of Intel's Haswell processors and are priced at $100 less than their predecessors.

The updated models are currently available worldwide. Unsurprisingly, there's no sign of the rumored 12-inch MacBook Air with Retina display...

New report says iWatch is set to launch in September

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

It sounds like Apple is aiming for a fall launch of its so-called iWatch project. According to a new report from DigiTimes, the Cupertino company has taken delivery of samples of flexible circuit boards for the smartwatch ahead of its September debut.

The news comes just 24 hours after Taiwan’s Economic Daily News claimed that Apple was aiming for a 3rd quarter iWatch launch. And while both outlets have somewhat sketchy track records, combined with previous intel the two reports hold weight...

‘Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft’ for iPad launches in select countries

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Back in March, Blizzard launched its digital card trading game 'Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft' on the Mac, and as promised, it has brought the game to iOS. The title soft-launched for iPad last night, and is now available in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand App Stores.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, for those unfamiliar with it, is a strategy card game set in the 'Warcraft' universe. Players compete in 1-on-1 battles—either against the computer or other users via Battle.net—in an effort to grow the size and power of their card collections...

Gameloft’s ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ now available in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

As promised last month, Gameloft has released its highly anticipated title 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' for iOS. The game is a tie-in to the upcoming Marvel movie of the same name, and is now available for download on your iPhone or iPad.

The good news is this doesn't look like your typical tie-in. The graphics sort of resemble those found in Borderlands and other comic book-style games, and we're hearing that Marvel actually co-wrote the story. Keep reading for a complete overview...

Amazon said to be launching its set-top box next week

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2014

Following reports from last week that Amazon is planning to launch its long-awaited Apple TV competitor in next month, Amazon has sent out invites for a media event scheduled for April 2nd. The invitations ask that reporters join the company for an 'update' on its video business.

And according to a new report from Recode, the e-commerce giant is going to use the event to unveil a new set-top box device. Citing sources familiar with Amazon's plans, the outlet says the device will be capable of streaming media to TV sets, competing directly with Apple and Roku...

HTC launches new ‘One (M8)’ flagship handset

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Following Samsung's unveiling of the Galaxy S5 last month, HTC today introduced its new flagship smartphone: the HTC One (M8). The handset is the direct descendent of the critically-successful HTC One, and it encapsulates the company's latest effort to boost flagging device sales.

The new One is both bigger and faster than its predecessor. While it keeps the same gorgeous all-metal body, the display has been bumped from 4.7 to 5-inches, and the quad-core processor runs at 2.3GHz. It also sports 2GB RAM, an UltraPixel camera, a 2600mAh battery and more...

Apple discontinues iPad 2, replaces with 4th-gen Retina model

Cody Lee ∙ March 18, 2014

In line with yesterday's reports, Apple has launched a new 8GB version of its iPhone 5c this morning, and has discontinued the iPad 2. Originally introduced way back in 2011, the tablet has been a mainstay for the Cupertino company in its second-tier tablet slot.

To replace the retired slate, Apple has resurrected its fourth-generation iPad, which it refers to as the 'iPad with Retina display.' The tablet features much better hardware than the iPad 2—with an A6X processor, 1GB of RAM—but will keep the same $399 price tag...

Apple launches cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

As expected, Apple has launched an 8GB version of its iPhone 5c this morning. The handset popped up on UK carrier O2's website a few moments ago, priced at £50 on contract. That's a little over $80 in USD, and between £50 and £100 cheaper than the 16GB model.

Apart from the smaller storage bin, the new iPhone 5c is identical in every way to the handset that Apple introduced back in October. It still has a 4-inch Retina display, the powerful A6 processor, and an 8-megapixel camera. And yes, it's still unapologetically plastic...