UK

32GB iPhone 6 now available in UK via EE network

A 32-gigabyte version of iPhone 6 has quietly launched in the United Kingdom on the EE network with a 24-month contract, available only in Space Grey. Apple stopped selling 16/64/128GB iPhone 6 smartphones in September 2016.

In recent months, however, the Cupertino giant quietly re-launched the phone in China, Taiwan and a few European countries in a never-before-available 32-gigabyte capacity.

Given that iPhone 6 originally debuted in 16, 64 and 128-gigabyte versions, this new 32-gigabyte storage tier is likely Apple’s solution targeting budget shoppers. Aside from the previously unavailable storage capacity, the 32GB iPhone 6 comes with iOS 10 versus iOS 8 that was pre-installed on the original iPhone 6 models.

Amazon is currently offering the device via its online store in India.

Released back in 2014, iPhone 6 was Apple's first larger-screened smartphone and as such proved a massive upgrade opportunity for the Cupertino firm. The device has a 4.7-inch LCD screen, runs Apple's in-house designed A8 chip and includes an eight-megapixel iSight camera out the back and a rather unimpressive 1.2-megapixel FaceTime selfie camera out the front.

Tim Cook visits Downing Street, talks Brexit and more with UK Prime Minister Theresa May

Hot on the heels of his days-long European tour that saw him receive an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow after visiting various locations including Marseille, Paris, Vreden and Berlin, Apple CEO Tim Cook meet the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Theresa May this morning at 10am local time. May and Cook discussed the company's presence in the country in the aftermath of Brexit.

Amazon Music Unlimited expands to UK, Germany and Austria

After making its U.S. debut last month, Amazon's $9.99 per month music-streaming service is set to expand to the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria beginning Monday, announced the online retail giant. The service was live in the United Kingdom at post time, with roll-outs in Germany and Austria following later today.

Earlier this morning, rival Google released revamped Play Music apps with machine learning-driven recommendations based on user location, activity and time of day.

Facebook halts WhatsApp data collection in UK following privacy probe

As of late-August 2016, WhatsApp has been sharing account data with Facebook in what the firm framed as an effort to improve targeted advertising on the social network. Although users can easily opt out of the WhatsApp → Facebook data sharing with just a few taps, most novice users are unaware that their WhatsApp usage data is being shared with Facebook.

In the United Kingdom, the Information Commissioner Office head Elizabeth Denham said her office had launched a probe into WhatsApp's updated Terms of Service a few weeks ago.

The new terms previously drew ire from European privacy watchdogs who expressed “serious concerns” over the policy change. As a result of the UK government probe, WhatsApp has now suspended account data collection and sharing with Facebook.

Apple Watch banned from UK government cabinet meetings over spying concerns

British newspaper The Telegraph reported yesterday that the Apple Watch has been banned from government cabinet meetings after ministers warned wearable devices could be vulnerable to hacking by state-sponsored spies. Smartphones, too, have been barred from cabinet meetings because of similar concerns, with one source saying that “the Russians are trying to hack everything.”

UK’s carrier EE to offer free six-month Apple Music subscriptions beginning September 1

Not to be outdone by Australia's Telstra and Germany's Deutsche Telekom, British telecommunications operator EE (formerly Everything Everywhere) confirmed that it, too, would soon be treating its customers to six free months of music-streaming via Apple Music and Beats 1 Radio.

To promote this offer, the carrier put together a multi-million pound ad campaign featuring actor Kevin Bacon and pop singer Britney Spears.

BBC’s iPlayer Radio hits US App Store as new BBC+ app goes live in UK

The British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) iPlayer Radio mobile app, which used to be limited to customers in the United Kingdom, has expanded stateside today, TechCrunch just announced. Now customers in the United States can download iPlayer Radio from the US App Store and tune in to BBC's high-quality radio stations and content.

Earlier in the week, BBC announced launch of a brand new personalized content portal with a new BBC+ app on the UK App Store.

Apple Store promo: sign up for Apple Pay and get $5/£5 iTunes gift card

Apple is running a new promotion in its retail stores in the United States and United Kingdom, treating anyone who'd sign up for Apple Pay this week to a free $5/£5 iTunes gift card, according to MacRumors which first caught wind of this news.

Free money is always appreciated, more so given that iTunes credit can be used for any purchase made in an Apple Store, whether purchasing an accessory, an Apple product or an iTunes/Apple Store gift card.

Check out Euro 2016 Easter egg surprise hidden on Apple’s website

Apple hid a nice Easter egg surprise on its website for fans of soccer who are currently following the 2016 UEFA European Championship. Apple websites in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe now sport an updated Choose Your Country selector with Euro 2016 country groups and schedules.

As reported on by Dutch blog iCulture, the Cupertino firm even temporarily added a few new countries that it does not have regional websites for—like Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Ukraine and Wales—to ensure that the groups and bracket are filled out properly.