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Comic book creator ‘Halftone 2’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ June 25, 2015

Apple has just named "Halftone 2 - Comic Book Creator" its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the fun comic book-style photo editor for both iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $2.

Halftone 2 makes it easy to create comic and scrap books with your images. Simply choose a page layout, apply photo filters, position your captions, add speech and thought balloons, and share your creation as an image, multi-page document, or high-definition video.

Apple could be prepping 21.5″ iMac with 4K screen & touchpad-based remote with Siri support

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

In October 2014, Apple refreshed its flagship all-in-one (my dream desktop) with an insanely sharp 5K screen, among other hardware changes. The update left seasoned watchers wondering about the fate of its smaller 21.5-inch baseline sibling, which has remained stuck with a Full HD 1,920-by-1,080 screen.

As suggested by code hooks 9to5Mac discovered in the second beta of El Capitan Developer Preview, the 21.5-incher could gain an ultra-sharp screen with a 4K resolution. In addition, it appears the Apple Remote could receive a substantial upgrade with a multi-touch surface, Bluetooth, Siri support and other perks in the works.

Beats 1 celebrity hosts to include Drake, Dr. Dre, Elton John and others

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple's Beats 1 streaming radio service will feature celebrity hosts such as Pharrell Williams, Drake and Elton John, reports The New York Times. In a profile of Apple's newly recruited D.J., Zane Lowe, the outlet says a number of well-known stars have been given spots.

Other well-known stars on the menu for Beats 1 programming include Dr. Dre, who will host a show called "The Pharmacy," teen actor Jaden Smith, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Apparently, each of them will be hosting and planning the shows themselves.

iTunes U gains homework hand-in feature, one-to-one discussions, PDF annotations and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

iTunes U, Apple's educational catalog on iTunes, has gotten a whole lot more useful with a significant update to the official iPhone and iPad app in the App Store.

As first reported Thursday by Re/code, iTunes U for iOS has gained an interesting homework hand-in feature and PDF annotations providing a timestamp when the student submits term papers, book reports and other work.

Other changes include an integrated grade book, one-to-one discussions, importing content from third-party apps, including Apple’s own Keynote, Pages and iMovie, and more.

Taylor Swift’s blockbuster album ‘1989’ will stream on Apple Music

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

Well, good PR doesn't get any better than this. Following a week of back and forth between Apple and Taylor Swift over royalty payments during Apple Music's free trial, the popular pop musician and actress said her top-selling album “1989” will stream on Apple's service, which launches next Tuesday.

“After the events of this week, I've decided to put '1989' on Apple Music,” she wrote on Twitter.

The newsworthy development bears special significance as “1989” won't be available on any streaming service, at least for the time being, with the sole exception of Apple Music.

Alto’s Adventure, Checkmark 2 and other Snowman apps are on sale right now in the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Snowman, the developers behind the beautiful endless snowboarding game Alto’s Adventure (read our review), the powerful and sleek to-do app Checkmark 2 and other fine apps for your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are having a giant sale on the App Store.

Both Alto’s Adventure and Checkmark 2 are now available with a cool 50+ percent discount while their Shifts and Circles apps have gone completely free.

As a matter of fact, Shifts has gone free for the first time since its App Store debut. Your download links and descriptions follow right below.

T-Mobile launches JUMP! On Demand letting you upgrade to a new phone three times per year

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

T-Mobile is once again looking to upend the “hopelessly broken wireless industry” with the announcement of a brand new initiative designed to give customers the freedom to upgrade to a brand spanking new handset whenever they like, up to three times a year, with no waiting period or upgrade fees and in exchange for one low monthly phone payment.

The new service, dubbed JUMP! On Demand, was announced during T-Mobile's Un-Carrier Amped event on Thursday.

Customers can trade in their existing phone for a select new device up to three times a year with no waiting period, in return for 18 monthly payments alongside the standard cost of a service plan. JUMP! On Demand launches in select stores beginning this Sunday, June 28.

Monument Valley’s ‘Ida’s Dream’ expansion goes free in a time-limited promotion

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

The limited-edition “Ida's Dream” content expansion for the gorgeous puzzler Monument Valley is now available to all players on iOS, Android and Windows free of charge. Ida's Dream is a chapter that was previously created as part of an exclusive charity promotion in Monument Valley.

Unfortunately, the RED version of Ida’s Dream will not be available unless RED wish to use it again in the future. Those who previously purchased Ida's RED Dream needn't worry as you'll still be able to play that special edition.

Apple publishes list of supported Siri voice commands for controlling HomeKit appliances

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Apple has refreshed a support article detailing setting up and using HomeKit-enabled accessories with a list of supported Siri voice commands to control your HomeKit hardware locally or remotely, through your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

After pairing a HomeKit-enabled accessory to an iOS device, you can use Siri commands to turn your home appliance on or off, adjust its settings and more, using just your voice.

Eminem will be the first guest interviewed on Beats 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

According to an image that former BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe shared on Instagram and Twitter, Beats 1—Apple's new 24/7 Internet radio—will interview hip-hop artist and music producer Eminem as its first guest. Lowe is one of the there celebrity DJs on Beats 1. Lowe will be providing live radio programming from Los Angeles, with a little help from Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenoma in London.

Spotify responds to Apple Music by extending free trial to 60 days for non-US users

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Following Apple Music ad blitz with a massive Beats 1 billboard on Times Square ahead of the service's public launch next Tuesday, the world's leading music-streaming service Spotify has decided to extend its Premium trial from 30 to 60 days for users outside the United States, as noted by Android Authority.

Like Apple Music, Spotify Premium costs $9.99 per month, but Apple's service offers a three-month free trial period before charging users' credit cards. It was also revealed this morning that Apple Music pays an industry-standard royalty rate for free users of 0.2 cents per stream, comparing roughly to Spotify's 35 percent revenue share during the trial period.

Apple Music free trial pays record labels industry-standard 0.2 cents per stream royalty rate

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Lots of ink was spilt regarding Apple's decision to not pay artists during the free trial only to reverse course after Taylor Swift raised a stink about it. Apple's said it'll pay for free users and keep the royalty a bit higher for subscribers but stopped short of specifying the exact sum paid during the free trial.

According to unnamed record label executives who spoke to The New York Times newspaper, Apple is paying an industry-average royalty rate of 0.2 cents per each streamed song during the free three-month trial, roughly on par with Spotify.