Apple

Spotify to fix a bug in desktop app causing massive data writes that could reduce SSD lifespan

Spotify's desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux has been found to be continuously writing massive amounts of data to local storage for no apparent reason—even when the app is simply sitting idle. As noted in Spotify's support forum, on Reddit and elsewhere, users are seeing the desktop app write tens of gigabytes of data to local storage every minute or so. On systems outfitted with SSDs like most Macs, excessive data writes can reduce the lifetime of flash storage.

That's because SSDs have a finite amount of write capacity and are prone to wear and tear. A Spotify spokesperson told ArsTechnica that a fix was underway via an update that's being rolled out as we speak.

Apple screen supplier Japan Display could receive government bailout

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple supplier Japan Display could receive a bailout of around ¥75 billion ($703 million) from the government-backed fund Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ), which is its largest shareholder with a 36 percent share.

People familiar with the matter said that the display maker might receive new financing from INCJ through an issuance of subordinated bonds and may possibly get “additional support” from the fund.

Apple’s free app of the week: Perchang

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Perchang. This means that for the next 7 days, you'll be able to download the popular puzzler for free on both iPhone and iPad—a solid savings of $2.

Perchang is kind of a cross between pinball and a physics puzzler that exercises your brain and tests your coordination. Use flippers, magnets, portals, fans and other gizmos to guide tiny marbles to their goal to win each level.

Ireland is cheering in favor of Apple in EU state aid tax ruling

In August, the European Commission slammed Apple with a tax bill from hell over a sweetheart deal it received from Ireland—which, in the Commission's view, constitutes “illegal state aid”.

Dublin promptly promised to join Apple's fight against EU and it's put its money where its mouth is.

Michael Noonan, Finance Minister in the Irish government, said that Dublin today challenged the EU judgment by submitting an appeal to the European courts in a bid to block the decision, ArsTechnica reports.

Apple is increasing the size of its Siri team in Cambridge, job ads reveal

About a year ago, a certain California firm quietly snapped up VocalIQ, a UK-based startup that used machine learning to build conversational virtual assistants. Subsequent reports noted that Apple kept most of the startup's employees to work out of their unmarked Cambridge, UK office on integrating VocalIQ technology into Siri.

Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, Business Insider reports that Apple is now looking to increase the size of the Siri team in Cambridge.

Instagram update brings Boomerang features, mentions and links in Stories

You no longer need to have Instagram's standalone Boomerang app installed on your iOS device to create looping videos: thanks to the latest Instagram update that went live on the App Store today, Boomerang features are now available to you from within Instagram 9.7 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Instagram for iOS also includes other enhancements, such as support for @mentions and links in Stories.

AirPods could launch next week, according to this Apple reseller

AirPods, Apple's Bluetooth earphones featuring the company's in-house designed W1 wireless chip, may be launching next week. That's the gist of a new report Thursday from German blog Apfelpage.de. The publication cited Apple's European reseller Conrad as confirming that it'll receive stock of the delayed earphones on November 17.

Conrad will reportedly make the AirPods sellable by November 18-19. The AirPods were originally advertised with a “late October” launch date until Apple said it needed more time to work out the issues. Apple.com currently lists them tentatively as “coming soon”.

YouTube for iOS gains Dreamy filter, better search & interactive timestamp links in comments

Google today pushed a small update to the native YouTube application for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. YouTube 11.43 for iOS, a 105-megabyte download from the App Store, packs in three interesting improvements.

YouTube creators can now take advantage of a new Dreamy filter that can be tried out by uploading a video, then hit the filters icon. You also get tappable timestamps in YouTube comments and recent history/personalized recommendations in search.

ROME: Total War hits iPad as a premium $9.99 download without In-App Purchases

As promised, the iconic PC strategy game ROME: Total War today launched on the iPad as a $9.99 download from the App Store. Yes, you can now enjoy the grandeur, glory and brutality of Ancient Rome on your Apple tablet.

The game contains no IAPs and was ported to the iPad by Feral Interactive. Originally developed for PCs by The Creative Assembly and released in 2004 by Activision, it's one of the best reviewed strategy titles of all time.

Here comes Apple’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide

Yup, it's that time of year again—with the holiday shopping season just around the corner, Apple's 2016 Holiday Gift Guide recommends various gift ideas ranging from the iPhone 7, iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and Apple Watch to the fourth-generation Apple TV, 12-inch MacBook and gift cards.

The guide doesn't stop there as Apple's recommendations include a bunch of first and third-party accessories for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, as well as other popular items such as app-enabled toys, photography and music accessories and more.

Refurbished 9.7-inch iPad Pro now available in Apple’s online store

Two days after it started selling refurbished iPhones through its online store, Apple has now added the 9.7-inch iPad Pro to the Special Deals section at Apple.com. Refurbished 12.9-inch iPad Pros are available as well. Prices of refurbished 9.7-inch iPad Pros range from $509 for a 32GB Wi-Fi model, a saving of $90, to $789 for a 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular version, a $140 savings.