Apple

T-Mobile’s new ONE add-ons bring unlimited LTE tethering, daily HD passes & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

When T-Mobile announced its upcoming ONE service that'll give all customers “unlimited” 4G LTE data, eagled-eyed readers discovered in the fine print that mobile tethering is limited to sluggish 2G speeds, with 5GB of 4G LTE tethering sold as a $15 add-on. Today, the carrier clarified that ONE would include unlimited tethering at 3G speeds at no additional cost after all while unveiling ONE Plus upgrades with unlimited 4G LTE tethering, daily HD passes and more.

Claimed iPhone 7 specs detail screen resolutions, cameras, chips, batteries & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

Alleged specifications of Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus refresh were leaked this morning on the Chinese social network Weibo by an unknown source. The document appears to detail several technical aspects of the forthcoming devices, including display resolutions, next-generation cameras, chips, batteries and other features.

Amazon to take aim at Apple with $9.99 a month music service, due in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

Amazon already has a music store, but its catalog of songs is limited and streaming is only available to those subscribed to the company's $99 per year Prime service. As Re/code said, the online retail giant has also considered a bargain-priced music service that would only work on Echo hardware and be priced at $4 to $5 per month.

Monday, The Financial Times newspaper reported that Amazon has a third offering in the works, a $9.99 per month music-streaming service that would offer the full catalogue of songs that Spotify and Apple offer.

New Surface Pro 4 ad calls MacBook Air “less useful, like a hat for your cat”

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 29, 2016

Following its recent iPad Pro-dissing commercial, Microsoft today released another nicely done Surface Pro 4 ad which takes aim at the MacBook Air, calling it “less useful, like a hat for your cat”. Surface ads have successfully promoted competitive advantages of the hybrid device, which comes with a detachable keyboard, pen, touchscreen and more. And thanks to an Intel chip, it runs the full Office suite and most other Windows programs, like Photoshop.

Apple Watch 2 could offer a few hours of additional run time via a stronger 334 mAh battery

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 28, 2016

Prolific leakster @The_Malignant today republished a pair of claimed images of a purported battery pack believed to have been designed for a 42mm second-generation Apple Watch. Originally posted by an unnamed source on the Chinese social network Weibo, the tiny battery shows an increased capacity of 334 mAh. By comparison, the original Apple Watch is outfitted with a 245 mAh battery (42mm version) so it's entirely conceivable that the Apple Watch 2 could offer a few hours of additional battery life—assuming the leaked photo is genuine.

Apple also seeds tvOS 10 beta 7 to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

In addition to seeding iOS 10 beta 8 to developers and iOS 10 beta 7 to public beta testers, Apple today made available a seventh beta of tvOS to its registered developers. tvOS 10 beta 7 (build number “14T5329a”) is available as an over-the-air update via the Software Update mechanism on the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Apple issues iOS 10 beta 8 to developers & beta 7 to public beta testers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

Apple today released an eighth beta of iOS 10 (build number “14A5346a”) to members of the Apple Developer Program and the seventh beta of iOS 10 to public beta testers who are signed on the Apple Beta Software Program. It's worth repeating that iOS 10 beta 8 for developers and iOS 10 beta 7 for public beta testers contain the same features.

The devices on a prior beta can be updated in Settings → General → Software Update, but some users are reporting issues trying to update to beta 8.

Intel could begin fabricating iPhone and iPad chips as early as 2018

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Both in-house designed 'A10' and 'A11' chips for this year's iPhone 7 and 2017 iPhones/iPads, respectively, are believed to be manufactured solely by Taiwan's semiconductor foundry TSMC (sorry, Samsung).

According to Nikkei Asian Review, Intel is now perfectly poised to give TSMC a good run for its money in as little as two years because any Apple chips after the A10/A11 should be fabricated by Intel.

The recently signed licensing deal between Intel and UK-based ARM Holdings lets the former fabricate chips for smartphones based on the latter's CPU technology.

Universal wasn’t joking: Lady GaGa’s upcoming new album won’t be an Apple Music-exclusive

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

As you know, the major record label Universal Music Group is apparently done with streaming exclusives on Apple Music, Spotify and other services. Sources who spoke with HITS Daily Double caution that the repercussions stemming from the music industry's disdain for exclusives have forced Universal's label Interscope to release Lady GaGa's fifth studio album on a non-exclusive basis.

Now even the album's dance floor anthem, titled “Perfect Illusion,” would launch as an Apple Music exclusive in light of the industry kerfuffle over digital exclusives—despite the fact that a deal had been in place between Apple, Lady Gaga and Interscope.

FOX Sports Go for Apple TV lets you watch four games simultaneously at 60FPS

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

If you're subscribed to one of Fox's sports channels through your cable or satellite TV package, the newly launched FOX Sports Go tvOS app lets you watch up to four games simultaneously in split-screen mode, at a remarkably fluid 60 frames per second, via your fourth-generation Apple TV.

As first noted by MacRumors, the app's split-screen interface and underlying technology make it possible to watch baseball, basketball, football and hockey games at once, or any combination of games from MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, UEFA Champions League, UFC and more, depending on regional restrictions.

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2016

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.

iOS 9.3.5 update patches three major security vulnerabilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

The just-released iOS 9.3.5 update patches three major security vulnerabilities, reports The New York Times. Apple was alerted to the flaws just 10 days ago by security researchers Bill Marczak and John Scott Railton, and is urging users to update.

Investigators discovered that Israeli-based digital arms dealer NSO Group was using the exploits in software it sells that can track smartphones. The program can read texts and emails, track calls and location, and can record sounds and passwords.