Apple

Apple will repair 2011-2013 MacBook Pros with video issues until December 31, 2016

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2016

Apple has extended a repair program to fix MacBook Pro notebooks that are plagued with video issue until December 31, 2016, reveals an updated support document on the company's website. The MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues, as it's officially referred to as, was originally scheduled to expire on February 27, 2016.

A small percentage of 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models sold between February 2011 and February 2013 may display distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen, show no video on the inbuilt screen or external display or the machine may restart unexpectedly.

iPad Air 3 and iPhone 5se will run A9X and A9 chips

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2016

A third-generation iPad Air will run an 'A9X' processor and an 'iPhone 5se' will be outfitted with Apple's 'A9' chip, according to Bloomberg Bussinessweek's profile of Johny Srouji, Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies.

“In March, Apple intends to announce an updated iPad and smaller-screen iPhone featuring the latest A9x and A9 chips, according to a person familiar with the plans, who wasn’t authorized to comment publicly,” reads a passage from the Bloomberg article.

Proof-of-concept app attempts to simulate Mac’s Finder on Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2016

Billy Ellis, a 15-year-old developer, has created a fun Apple Watch app that simulates OS X Yosemite's Finder on your wrist. The proof-of-concept software serves to demonstrate what can be achieved on the Apple Watch with a little bit of imagination and some superb coding skills. “Haven't had the time to make everything fully functional just yet,” said Ellis. “Hopefully I'll add some more to it later this week.”

Apple Pay launch in China hits a snag over sign-up issues

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 19, 2016

The official launch of Apple Pay in China didn't go as smoothly as hoped as a lot of users faced problems trying to link their credit cards to their accounts. According to local reports collected by Mashable, Apple may have underestimated the demand from China as its servers struggled to keep up with a huge rush of people trying to sign up for the service.

Apple releases minor software update to fix devices bricked by Error 53

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 18, 2016

Apple has released a revised version of iOS 9.2.1 on Thursday to fix devices that have been affected by 'Error 53,' an issue that could ‘brick’ a user’s iOS device if it received a third-party Touch ID sensor replacement instead of one of Apple’s own replacements.

How to enable ‘Show me the best tweets first’ on Twitter

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Twitter recently unveiled a new feature that lets you elect to have the service surface new and interesting content at the top of your timeline since your last visit.

Called “Show me the best tweets first,” it's a staggered release so not everyone may have it at the same time although the majority of Twitter's user base should now see this option in their settings.

This post will take you through the steps you need to take in order to enable this feature in Twitter's mobile apps and in the desktop interface, so that you never miss important updates from people you follow.

Bloomberg profiles Apple’s silicon chief, gives a peek at secret chip-testing lab in Cupertino

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2016

Bloomberg Businessweek has published an interesting profile of Johny Srouji, Apple's silicon chief (official title: Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies), who joined the company back in 2008 to lead development of the A4, the first Apple-designed system-on-a-chip that made its debut in the iPhone 4 and the original iPad.

Apple is now widely praised by critics and fans alike for taking its chip destiny in its own hands. The article tells an in-depth story of how then CEO Steve Jobs had the foresight and courage to take Apple on a risky path to make it a fabless silicon designer.

Apple-designed mobile chips went on to differentiate iPhones and iPads on the hardware level from competing devices using off-the-shelf parts. The story also gives us our very first peek at chip-durability testing at an unmarked Apple lab in Cupertino.

Apple launches new Trade Up With Installments 24-month iPhone payment plan

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

CNET is reporting that Apple is launched a new iPhone payment plan, the Trade Up With Installments program, that gives users the option of unloading their old phone to get a brand new iPhone for an outlay of less than about $35 a month.

The program, CNET explains, was designed for people who have older-generation iPhones and lets these customers hand over their old iPhone, Android or Microsoft Windows phone device in exchange for credit toward a new iPhone purchase. It's currently available in the United States through Apple's official retail stores.

Concept: dual-camera iPhone 7 Plus and pink iPhone 5se with iPhone 6-style design

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2016

The rumor-mill cannot agree whether a rumored 'iPhone 5se' is going to feature a refined iPhone 5s design or an iPhone 6-style look with smoothly rounded corners and curved screen edges.

Be that as it may, German magazine Curved.de has taken upon itself to envision what the iPhone 5se might look like should Apple streamline its handset lineup around the current iPhone 6/6s look and feel.

As a bonus, they've also done some intriguing renditions of what a next-generation 'iPhone 7' and a dual-camera 'iPhone 7 Plus' might look like, based on the rumors that have been floating around. Check out the images and tell us what you think in the comments.

Skype group video calling starts rolling out with support for up to 25 participants

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 18, 2016

As promised, Microsoft has begun rolling out free group video calling in Skype's mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, Engadget reported this morning.

According to Microsoft, this feature will allow Skype users to video chat with up to 24 other people at once in crisp 1080p resolution, and each participant can flip between the front and back camera mid-call.

Group video calling in mobile Skype apps is going to be available to users in North America and Western Europe. “We plan to be fully available worldwide in March,” said Skype.

Apple posts new iPhone 6s ads highlighting 3D Touch and Live Photos

Cody Lee ∙ February 17, 2016

Apple on Wednesday posted two new iPhone 6s ads to its YouTube channel entitled Less Time and Live Photos. As it says in the headline, each spot highlights one of two major features from the company's latest handset: 3D Touch and Live Photos.

The first video, Less Time, talks about what 3D Touch is and the many ways you can use it. Notably, actress Aubrey Plaza makes a cameo. The second clip, Live Photos, similarly shows the feature in action, and lists off some of its many benefits.

Apple Pay has officially expanded to China

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 17, 2016

In a move that could really help open up the market for Apple Pay, Apple just announced that its mobile payment service has expanded to China, the 1.33 billion people market.

“You can now support Apple Pay for your customers in China, providing an easy, secure, and private way for them to pay using their China UnionPay credit and debit cards,” reads an update on Apple's portal for developers.