Apple

Tim Cook named recipient of Newseum’s 2017 Free Expression Award

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Thursday, Apple's chief executive Tim Cook got selected as the recipient of Newseum's 2017 Free Expression Award in the Free Speech category. The organization recognized Cook's contributions to issues like racial equality, privacy, the environment, access to education, LGBT rights and more. The Newseum, for those not in the know, is an interactive museum based in Washington, D.C. that promotes free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Outlook for iOS picks up third-party integrations with Evernote, Trello, Giphy & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Two years ago, Microsoft launched Outlook for iPhone and iPad to critical acclaim. Celebrating the milestone, the Windows maker announced it's bringing third-party integrations to your inbox with add-ins in Outlook for iOS.

Not unlike Airmail or Readdle's Sparrow, Outlook brings some of your favorite apps straight to your inbox so you can turn any email into a Trello card, save conversations in Evernote, translate messages in seconds and more.

Apple along with other tech giants working on a letter opposing Trump’s travel ban

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Uber and other technology giants, along with an unidentified consumer goods and manufacturing company, are working on a letter to formally oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban which has barred Syrian refuges and travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country.

Having obtained a draft of the letter, Recode reports that parties from other industries will also sign on in their support of immigration into U.S.

YouTube app adds Chromecast playback controls to Lock screen, Control Center & Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Google's official YouTube for iPhone and iPad app has picked up a trio of compelling new features in its most recent update on App Store. Bumped to version 12.03, the free of charge software adds handy Chromecast controls to Control Center and your iOS device's Lock screen, and to your wrist via Apple Watch. The playback controls only appear when you're streaming videos from Chromecast devices, smart TVs, game consoles or any other living room devices that run the YouTube app.

Watch live video and experience weather in real time with Yahoo’s updated Weather app

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Apple hasn't been using Yahoo for weather data in its stock app since iOS 8, but I still keep Yahoo Weather on my iPhone. That's because to me, Yahoo Weather is the most beautifully designed and most comprehensive piece of weather software I've used on mobile thus far. Today, the failed Internet pioneer has pushed a nice little update to Yahoo Weather for iPhone and iPad, which now provides real time weather data along with live video of current weather conditions for select cities.

Apple, IBM and United Airlines join forces on apps to improve your flying experience

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Apple, IBM and United Airlines said Thursday they've teamed up on a next-generation of apps for United's employees that will make their work easier while improving your flying experience. These apps will assist the carrier's front-line employees in handling peak customer demands better while enabling more effective maintenance for over 50,000 iOS and Apple Watch devices already deployed.

As part of IBM and Apple’s global partnership to redefine the way work gets done, these MobileFirst apps include real-time analytics and data insight. For instance, United's flight attendants will be able to see at any time which customers are connecting in order to assist them in finding their gates upon arrival, for example.

Google launches Chrome 56 for iOS with QR code scanning and overhauled tab switcher on iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 2, 2017

Google today updated Chrome for iPhone and iPad on App Store with a pair of new features. The first allows you to scan a QR code or barcode by selecting a new Scan QR Code option in the shortcuts menu after pressing the app's Home screen icon with 3D Touch on iPhone 6s/7 series. On older devices without 3D Touch, search for “QR” in iOS's Spotlight feature to reveal a shortcut to the browser's new barcode-scanning function.

Nintedo’s Fire Emblem Heroes is releasing on iOS and Android today across 30 countries

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Nintendo is unleashing its new smartphone game upon App Store, Fire Emblem Heroes for iPhone. The free-to-download strategy role playing game comes with non-compulsory In-App Purchases as its main revenue model, allowing impatient players to buy Orbs for real cash rather than earn them through Story Maps.

“It is possible to play the game for free, but some features require the use of Orbs,” notes Nintendo.

Various booster items along with other upgrades can be bought via the In-App Purchase mechanism as well. It's a staggered rollout so the game should first launch on the US and Canada App Store before expanding to other markets.

Bloomberg: Apple working on ARM-based Mac chip to handle low power features

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 1, 2017

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Ian King, Apple is developing a new ARM-based chip for Macs that would take on more of the low power mode functionality that's currently being handled by Intel processors.

This upcoming piece of silicon may first become available in a next-generation MacBook Pro planned for later this year. Among other things, it would help improve battery life.

Facebook working on video-focused app for Apple TV and other set-top boxes

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 1, 2017

Facebook is reportedly working on a video-focused app for media-streaming boxes such as Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. Last October, the social network launched a feature allowing users to stream videos from the mainland Facebook mobile app to their TVs via Apple TV. Tuning into television's market with a dedicated streaming app of its own would help the company tap more ad dollars.

Apple considering legal action against Trump’s executive order on immigration

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 1, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order that bars refuges and travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—from entering the United States for at least 90 days didn't sit well with Apple.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the Cupertino firm is weighing its legal options and considering challenging POTUS's executive order on immigration.

Apple updates AirPods firmware to version 3.5.1

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 1, 2017

Apple today updated the firmware on AirPods. The company did not publish the official changelog at post time so we don't know what this new firmware update provides in terms of new features aside from bug fixes and performance improvements, but we'll make sure to update the article as soon as we find out more. The new software bumps the AirPods firmware from the initial version 3.3.1 to version 3.5.1.