Apple

Apple Stores expected to begin carrying Apple Watch bands this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

You may soon be able to pickup new Apple Watch bands in-store, according to 9to5Mac. Citing an internal memo sent out to employees, the outlet reports that Apple Stores will soon start carrying limited quantities of bands for the just-released wearable.

Before you get too excited, the message indicates that a majority of the stock will be made up of Sport bands. Also, it sounds like much of the inventory is reserved for customers looking to swap their pre-bundled bands, and replacing worn out demo bands.

Apple said to be planning early international rollout of streaming music service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Russia is going to be among the first countries where Apple will launch its revamped Beats Music service, according to Billboard. The publication points to a report from local outlet Vedomosti, who cites several sources claiming that the company is in negotiations with Russian record labels regarding the service.

The fact that Apple is eyeing Russia for an early streaming music launch isn't alone significant—its slowing economy and struggling ruble have deterred other services like Spotify from entering the countries—but what is interesting is that it sounds like the company is planning on a quick international rollout.

KGI predicts softened demand for Apple Watch as it may be selling much better with men

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

Demand for the Apple Watch may be softening since its April 2015 launch and the Cupertino company is likely to see less than 15 million shipments through the end of September, KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in a note issued to clients on Wednesday, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider.

By comparison, the consensus is somewhere in the range of 20 and 30 million units.

Moreover, the analyst has identified the Apple Watch's biggest problem: women don't seem to be falling in love with the device. According to his findings, demand for the smaller 38mm model is significantly lower than the 42mm units.

Flow by Outlook, Microsoft’s hybrid IM/email iPhone app, inadvertently leaked

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

Microsoft has inadvertently leaked an upcoming hybrid email and messaging app via a download webpage marked "Microsoft Confidential", ZDNet reported Wednesday.

Called 'Flow by Outlook,' the lightweight email app should release for the iPhone. It's being billed as a “great way to have rapid email conversations on your phone with the people who are important to you,” as per leaked changelog.

Apple Watch ‘San Francisco’ font reportedly making its way into iOS 9 and OS X 10.11

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 2, 2017

The San Francisco font used throughout the Apple Watch's operating system is expected to replace Helvetica Neue as the new default font in iOS 9 code-named “Monarch” and OS X 10.11 code-named “Gala,” according to sources with knowledge of the preparations who spoke to 9to5Mac.

In addition to achieving a consistent look across Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple Watch devices, it should help alleviate much of the criticism leveled against Apple over its use of thin weights of Helvetica Neue in iOS 7, iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.

Free video calling in Facebook Messenger rolling out to all users worldwide

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Facebook confirmed today that free video calling in its mobile Messenger application has begun rolling out to all users worldwide. The feature launched in select markets on April 27, 2015.

“Quick update on video calling in Messenger: we're happy to share we've now rolled out the capability globally, with the exception of a few countries we're still working on improving quality for,” David Marcus, Messaging at Facebook, wrote in a post on Facebook this morning.

SwiftKey keyboard launches theme store

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

SwiftKey, the popular gesture keyboard for iPhones, iPads ands iPods with iOS 8 or later, today launched a brand new theme store featuring a dozen themes for customizing the look and feel of its keyboard.

After debuting on Android in 2014, the built-in theme store is now available to iOS users with twelve newly designed themes, priced from 99 cents to $1.99.

Spotify rolls out podcasts, video, news, Running feature, activity-based playlists and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Spotify is determined to give Apple's vertically integrated iTunes ecosystem a run for its money. At a media event in New York City, the Swedish streaming-music startup has moved into video, as previously suspected.

The service will now host video podcasts and other types of video content like news, much like Apple's iTunes. According to TechCrunch, Spotify will also serve up playlists that are more personalized and relevant to what you’re doing at the time.

Apple-owned Beats Music also features activity-based playlists, mostly human curated, so this is another shot across Apple's bow.

Scanbot overhauls iPad UI, adds iCloud Photo Library support, per-scan settings and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

Scanbot, a freemium document scanner and QR reader for the iPhone and iPad, was bumped to version 3.8 this morning. The refreshed app adds several new features while overhauling the user interface on iPads, which now supports any orientation as well as collapsible document list.

All users now get to enjoy direct uploading to Evernote with PDF, Images or Text option available through a reworked sharing interface, the ability to delete documents after upload and apply quick per-scan settings with a touch of their finger.

New iPhone Lightning Dock requires iOS 8 for audio out via Apple headset with remote control

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 20, 2015

Apple yesterday surprised fans by releasing a $40 Lightning dock for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus which works with official Apple cases. A $10 pricier than Apple's previous docks, it can be used to listen to music and sync your device with a computer while charging your iPhone’s battery at the same time.

What the spec sheet available on the Online Apple Store doesn't tell you is that the dock requires iOS 8 or later for audio out. The requirement is listed in a support document for Apple’s Lightning docks, as noted by 9to5Mac.

Olloclip launches new telephoto and ultra wide-angle Active Lens for latest iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Joining its existing range of various lens attachments and special cases for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Olloclip on Wednesday announced a new Active Lens accessory that combines a telephoto lens with an ultra wide-angle lens.

The pocket-sized accessory requires no extra parts, can be snapped on both front and rear-facing cameras and ships with three wearable pendants to keep your lens safe and within arm’s reach.

Meet Flow, Samsung’s cool take on Apple’s Continuity and Handoff features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 have brought out a set of features dubbed Continuity which allow users to easily transition between their Macs and iOS devices without skipping a beat. Now Samsung has responded with a feature of its own.

They're calling it Flow and it's pretty cool. With Flow, you can change devices in the midst of an activity or pause an activity until you're ready.

Now available in beta as a free download from the Google Play Store, Flow currently supports select Samsung tablets and smartphones: the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Note 4, Note Edge and the Galaxy Tab S.