Apple

Elgato unveils HomeKit-compatible smart devices for the connected home

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2015

Ahead of Worldwide Developers Conference which kicks off next Monday with a keynote, accessory maker Elgato has launched several smart devices for the connected home built on Apple's HomeKit platform that it previewed at CES 2015. These accessories use Bluetooth Low Energy and a special iOS app so they're battery-friendly and fully controllable through your iPhone.

As first noted by German blog iFun.de, the company's smart home sensor dubbed the Eve, along with other accessories such as the Eve Room, Eve Weather, Door & Window Eve and Eve Energy, can now be pre-ordered from Amazon.com.

These devices make a vision of the HomeKit-enabled connected home a reality by gathering data on air quality, temperature, humidity, air pressure, energy consumption and more.

Apple to live stream this year’s WWDC keynote

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It looks like Apple is going to once again be providing a live stream of its WWDC keynote this year. On Monday the company updated its Events channel on Apple TV with a new program labeled "WWDC 2015 Keynote - LIVE."

There's no word on Apple's website yet regarding streaming to other devices, but the company typically offers live video on both Macs and iOS products via its Safari web browser. It's set to begin at 10am Pacific Time on June 8.

Apple showcases seven new “Shot on iPhone 6” videos

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

As it turns out, the iPhone is pretty good at shooting video, too. To further prove its point, Apple has expanded its "Shot on iPhone 6" campaign, which it kicked off back in March.

The seven new videos, which feature various scenes and styles mated with music from iTunes, showcases the versatility of the camera built in to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Some of the videos even feature time-lapse and slow motion effects, both features of the stock Camera app in iOS 8.

Apple not expected to unveil rumored TV service at WWDC

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple won't be announcing a new subscription TV service at WWDC next week, reports Recode. According to its sources, the Cupertino company has told network executives the unveiling will be postponed until the proper licensing deals are in place.

The holdup seems to be with negotiations over financial terms and new tech that would be required for broadcasters to deliver local programming. Apple is hoping that offering local stations will differentiate its service from Dish's Sling and others.

App Store’s Games section switches from algorithmically generated to editorially curated lists

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

In an effort to better surface not-to-be-missed games in the App Store and give their creators much stronger exposure than before, Apple's adopted human curation for the App Store's Games section. The old system resorted to algorithmically generated lists like “New”, “What's Hot,” “All iPhone (Free & Paid)” and more, TechCrunch said Monday.

These old sections have now been replaced with editorially curated lists like “Best New Games” and other aptly named ones.

In some instances, Apple has maintained algorithmically generated sections, like in the case of the “More Games You Might Like” category based on your purchase history.

Apple preparing to sell Apple Watch in stores, no online reservation needed

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

The Apple Watch has not been available for walk-in customers since its April 24 launch as high demand and poor yields forced Apple to adopt an online-only reservation system with optional try-on appointments.

Now 9to5Mac is reporting that you won't need to pre-reserve your unit online as the firm will soon permit end-to-end sales in its brick-and-mortar stores.

As we reported, CEO Tim Cook told retail employees during his May 2015 trip to China that the wearable device would be available for walk-in purchases in June. In addition to buying the device in-store, customers will be allowed to reserve models not yet in stock.

Microsoft confirms Windows 10 arriving on July 29

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

Monday, software giant Microsoft announced that Windows 10, the latest and greatest upgrade for its ubiquitous operating system designed to scale from smartphones to tablets to desktop computers, will be launching on July 29 across 190 countries.

The software will be available as a free upgrade for both mobile and desktop Windows devices, with the desktop version released through a reservation system.

Apple Stores to drop AT&T iPhone subsidy, increase trade-in value of older iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

Both online and brick-and-mortar Apple Stores around the country are about to drop subsidies for iPhone models sold through carrier AT&T. Moreover, Apple is said to increase trade-in price value of older iPhone models just a little bit, according to a pair of reports Monday (here and here) by 9to5Mac.

Beginning this month, trade-in values for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s models will increase by $15, or $25 in the case of used iPhone 5s devices.

Rumor: Nintendo’s next-generation gaming console is based on Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

Nintendo's next-generation console codenamed NX, which the company is currently developing, is going to use Android if a report Monday by Nikkei, one of Japan’s largest newspapers, is anything to go by.

According to one insider who spoke with Nikkei, the Nintendo NX will supposedly be built around the Android OS, which should help “speed up getting all game developers on board.”

It would also mean that development could be expanded to smartphones, tablets and other devices, this person added.

Japanese manufacturers banding together to secure more iPhone orders

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

Though designed in California, the vast majority of Apple's products are being assembled in China using parts predominantly provided by the vast network of suppliers from Taiwan.

But that may be changing now as Japanese manufacturers are reportedly making a concerted effort to secure more iPhone orders from Apple, according to DigiTimes on Monday.

Citing industry sources, the trade publication claims that Japan-based printed circuit board manufacturer Ibiden has bolstered up its manufacturing capacity as it hopes to solicit more orders from Apple.

iTunes Radio revamp rumored to include Drake, Pharrell Williams and David Guetta as guest DJs

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 1, 2015

Apple is reportedly in talks with some more A-list names to add as gust DJs to its Beats Music revamp, including Drake, Pharrell Williams and David Guetta, The New York Post learned yesterday.

These well know names in music should join the likes of BBC Radio 1 DJ personality Zane Lowe who was recently confirmed as leaving the radio giant for a job at Apple in March.

Readdle launches Spark, gorgeous iPhone and Apple Watch email app to tame your inbox

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2015

Ukrainian developer Readdle, the maker of some of the finest productivity apps for the iPhone and iPad, today launched its most ambitious project yet, a personalized email client for the iPhone and Apple Watch conceived to help you deal with your inbox faster.

The app is called Spark, it looks neat and offers a number of compelling features, like quick replies, powerful search, fast signatures, smart notifications, attachments, cloud services support, email-to-PDF conversion, a WatchKit extension to check important messages on the wrist with an Apple Watch app and a glance, and much more.