Apple

Viber launches Public Accounts for brands, overhauls media menus in iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

Popular messaging app Viber today launched a new account format, called Public Accounts, which allows businesses and brands to interact with users. More than a thousand Public Accounts from such brands as BBC, Mashable, The Washington Post, The Weather Channel and more were available at launch, with many more to follow in the coming days and weeks. Subscribing to Public Accounts allows users to get updates from brands they love and post messages that other followers will see.

iOS 10.2 brings Emergency SOS feature from the Apple Watch to your iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

The potentially life-saving Emergency SOS feature which debuted on the Apple Watch with the release of watchOS 3 this fall is coming soon to your iPhone via a forthcoming iOS 10.2 software update. As my colleague Cody pointed out, Emergency SOS is now available on an iPhone with iOS 10.2 beta 2. Here's a quick overview of Emergency SOS on the iPhone, how it's invoked and what happens when you use it.

WhatsApp for iPhone gains GIF search feature

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

Facebook-owned WhatsApp two days ago gained support for sending and receiving animated GIFs, as well as sending short videos or Live Photos as GIF attachments. Today the team issued a small update to WhatsApp's iPhone application in the App Store, bumping version number to 2.16.16 and adding another handy feature: a built-in option that lets you find animated GIFs to attach to your messages from within the app.

Join Microsoft’s Skype Insider initiative to beta-test upcoming features

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

Microsoft is launching a new Skype Insider initiative which invites users to download pre-release builds and test upcoming features before they're rolled out to everyone.

Microsoft already has similar programs available for Windows and the Xbox and now Skype users can sign up online at the Skype Insiders registration form. If you decide to participate in the program, you will be permitted to install pre-release builds of Skype alongside your current version of the app.

Dedicated Apple Support app soft-launches in the Netherlands

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

A year ago, screenshots and information leaked concerning Apple's dedicated iPhone app designed to consolidate users' support, repair and troubleshooting needs in the palm of their hand. Last evening, a brand new Apple Support app launched on the App Store in The Netherlands ahead of its presumed staggered rollout around the world.

With it, owners of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices can explore their support options, schedule repair appointments, manage AppleCare services and more.

This app lets you try out Touch Bar on Macs that lack a physical Touch Bar

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 9, 2016

Crafted by developers Andreas Verhoeven and Robbert Klarenbeek, a new proof-of-concept app allows you to play with the MacBook Pro's new Touch Bar via your iPad or on your Mac's screen. What the demo app does is render the Touch Bar interface on an iPad or your computer's screen that you can use to control apps and features on your Mac.

Refurbished iPhones now available on Apple’s website

Cody Lee ∙ November 8, 2016

Apple on Tuesday updated its online store to include refurbished iPhones. It's currently offering a handful of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models in a variety of color and storage combinations for 15% off.

The company has long sold refurbished Mac hardware and other products online, but this is the first time in recent memory it has offered handsets. I believe it did this briefly in the early iPhone days.

iOS 10.2 beta 2 now available to public beta testers

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2016

If you're enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, you can now download a second beta of iOS 10.2 to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Apple yesterday released iOS 10.2 beta 2 to members of the Apple Developer Program and now the software is available to public beta testers, too. In addition to this new public beta, Apple also seeded macOS Sierra 10.12.2 beta 2 to registered developers today.

Apple seeds macOS Sierra 10.12.2 beta 2 to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2016

Apple today seeded a second beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.2, a major software update being worked on. macOS Sierra 10.12.2 beta 2 (build 16C41b) is now available in Apple's portal for developers for members of the Apple Developer Program. The latest build can be installed over-the-air on computers with a prior beta using the Software Update mechanism via the Mac App Store's Updates tab.

In addition to the latest Sierra build, Apple also released iOS 10.2 beta 2 to public beta testers today following yesterday's developer-only release of iOS 10.2 beta 2.

Apple promotes exclusive holiday offers available to users of Apple Pay on the web

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 19, 2018

Apple has set up a new webpage at apple.com/apple-pay/holiday/ which provides a list of exclusive holiday offers from a number of retailers that are available with Apple Pay on the web, which recently launched with built-in support for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra devices.

“Experience the fast and secure way to shop online with Apple Pay, now on the web in Safari,” reads Apple's notice, adding that would-be shoppers receive exclusive benefits such as free rush shipping, discounts and other rewards.

Apple granted a patent for augmented reality-enhanced maps and navigation on iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 8, 2016

We know from Tim Cook's remarks that Apple dabbled in virtual reality systems before deciding that augmented reality is the way to go. As opposed to virtual reality which completely immersed you in computer-generated environments, augmented reality overlays computer imagery on live video feed of the real world, enhancing or augmenting the images of your real-life surroundings.

Apple's latest patent award for augmented reality maps that surfaced today in the database of the United States Patent & Trademark Office underscores the company's commitment to augmented reality technologies.

Vine could potentially live on as Twitter reviews multiple offers from prospective suitors

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 10, 2017

Twitter is currently entertaining multiple purchase offers from potential Vine buyers, meaning the once very popular shortform video-sharing service could live on assuming Twitter manages to sell it, according to a new report from TechCrunch. As you know, Twitter last month announced plans to phase out the video-looping social networking app. After acquiring the startup behind the Vine app, Twitter released Vine on the App Store in January 2013.