Apple

Hyundai confirms bringing CarPlay-enabled Display Audio infotainment system to 2016 models

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 30, 2017

South Korean car maker Hyundai on Thursday confirmed that its new Display Audio in-dash system featuring a color touchscreen and CarPlay compatibility will be built into select 2016 models which will debut in late-2015 before being rolled out to the manufacturer's entire car lineup.

In addition to CarPlay, Hyundai said that Display Audio will support Google's Android Auto platform out of the box as well. The company will show off Display Audio with CarPlay and Android Auto integration at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show.

Algoriddim launches djay Pro for Mac with 4-deck support, Spotify integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

German developer Algoriddim on Thursday completed its suite of apps for DJs by releasing djay Pro for Mac. Building on djay 2 for the iPhone and iPad, the Pro edition brings 4-deck support and the full power of Algoriddim's low-latency mixing engine.

The app has some rather advanced features such as Spotify and iTunes integration, support for professional DJ hardware, high-definition waveforms, audio effects, meta data and FX purchases from iOS versions of djay and much more.

Jump past the fold for the full overview of djay Pro for Mac.

Elcomsoft’s Phone Breaker can now help access iCloud data protected with 2-step verification

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 18, 2014

Moscow-based Elcomsoft, which produces a mobile forensic tool used by law enforcement around the world to gain access to a suspect's iOS devices, has updated its Phone Breaker application which now makes it easier to bypass Apple's two-step verification for Apple ID accounts in order to access underlying iCloud data, Engadget reported Thursday.

Not only does this include iWork documents stored in iCloud, but also data in third-party apps such as WhatsApp communications, 1Password password databases — even user dictionaries that may contain secret words and phrases — provided a user has enabled the app in question to sync data with iCloud.

Although hackers still need both your Apple ID username/password and a two-factor code sent to your trusted device (or a digital token stolen from your computer), once they do gain access to your account Phone Breaker can then create a digital token granting them permanent access to iCloud data, no two-step verification code needed — until you change your Apple ID password, that is.

Apple switching to per-country VAT across App Stores in Europe

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 18, 2014

Apple is changing its pricing scheme across European App Stores, switching from the previously same VAT rate it imposed across the entire European Union to a country-specific model, iMore reported.

Apps European customers purchase on their local App Store previously had an Irish 22 percent VAT on them. With this change taking effect soon, Apple will be now calculating app prices based on whatever VAT is used in each customer's home country.

Apple raised more than $20 million for Product Red this holiday season

Jake Smith ∙ December 17, 2014

Apple raised more than $20 million this holiday season to benefit Product Red, an organization that partners with companies to fight AIDS in Africa.

Recode obtained a copy of an email from Apple CEO Tim Cook to employees on Wednesday, congratulating them on their charitable work, which now totals $100 million total to Product Red in recent years.

Apple forming Apple Pay team in London to launch mobile payments in more countries

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple looks to be gearing up to bring its mobile payment service Apple Pay to countries in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa, after a launch in the US in October. A job listing on Wednesday revealed Apple is forming a new team focused on Apple Pay at its London office, along with hiring an "Apple Pay Site Reliability Engineer" in China.

"Apple Pay is a new and exciting area in Apple that is set to expand across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa," the company wrote.

Gameloft releases Brothers in Arms 3: Sons of War

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 17, 2014

Announced back in June, Gameloft's Brothers in Arms 3: Sons of War has arrived today in the App Store. A free-to-play download for the iPhone and iPad, this sequel to Gameloft's World War 2 series is packed to the gills with blood-pumping action and eye-candy visuals.

You’re Sergeant Wright and lead a band of highly trained brothers through World War 2.

Your brothers in arms posses a range of special abilities that, if used appropriately, can easily make all the difference in the heat of battle. Players can improve their squadmates’ skills to fight back against the enemy, upgrade their weapons and more.

Badland gains new ‘Daydream’ level pack as devs confirm ‘multiple Badland games’ for 2015

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Badland, the highly visual iPhone and iPad action adventure game with a distinctively eerie atmosphere, is celebrating 20 million players with the latest ‘Daydream’ update.

Packing in ten bizarre single player levels, ‘Daydream’ brings the number of single player levels in the game to a full hundred. You're also getting thirty new missions and five brand new achievements to keep you glued to the screen.

And in wishing its loyal fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year, developer Frogmind has decided to give the Daydream level pack for free, but for a limited time.

New Apple video goes behind the scenes of ‘The Song’ holiday ad

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 17, 2014

Earlier this week, Apple begun airing its new holiday ad titled 'The Song' which features a woman using her Apple hardware and software to record herself singing along with a recording of her grandmother from several years ago. The 30-second commercial wraps up with a scene depicting her grandmother enjoying the resulting song on an iPad.

Today, the iPhone maker via its YouTube channel released a behind-the-scenes video titled 'The story behind “The Song”' featuring the ad's musician Dana Williams and vocalist Rhiannon Giddens who explain basic concepts behind the commercial and lay out a creative workflow which involves most of Apple’s current product lineup.

Apple once again reverses decision, brings Draft’s Today widget back on App Store

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple has once again reversed its decision on removing an app's feature because of its functionality within Notification Center on iOS.

As we reported earlier this month, even though the app Drafts had already been through Apple’s approval process and downloaded by users, Apple contacted the developer Greg Pierce, saying he must re-submit the app without the buttons to create drafts or open the app. Now that's not the case.

On Wednesday, Pierce released an updated version of Drafts adding the buttons back. Can Apple not make up its mind?

Gene Munster just won’t give up on Apple TV set, says it’s now two years away

Jake Smith ∙ December 17, 2014

Famed Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster is known for his incorrect predictions on Apple's long-awaited television set. He's previously guessed 2012, late-2012, and holiday 2013 as the incorrect launch dates for the new Apple product category. In 2014 he's remained completely silent on the subject, until his latest appearance at the Business Insider conference.

In an interview published on Wednesday, Munster said he expects the Apple television is now two years away and will be launched in 2016. He's mum on specific product features, but didn't mind providing expected sales figures.

Apple says after June app updates will need to include 64-bit support

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple sent out an email to registered iOS developers on Wednesday, reminding them that beginning February 1, 2015, new apps submitted to the App Store will have to feature 64-bit support and be built on the iOS 8 software development kit.