Apple

Apple: much-improved Remote app with full Siri Remote functionality in the works

Apple's fours-generation Apple TV is getting a proper remote app described as a viable replacement for the bundled Siri Remote, John Paczkowski, Managing Editor with BuzzFeed News, wrote this morning.

In an interview with Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Paczkowski learned that a much-improved remote app for the Apple TV 4 is currently in the works.

Apple’s massive tablet gets its killer app: djay Pro for iPad Pro is here

The iPad Pro has just received what could be described as a killer app in the form of German developer Algoriddim's djay Pro, a brand new iPad-exclusive apps for both pro and aspiring DJs which launched this morning in the App Store.

Joining Algoriddim's existing djay Pro for Mac, djay 2 for iPhone and djay 2 for iPad apps, djay Pro for iPad replicates the productivity of its Mac counterpart with extensive support for more than 70 keyboard shortcuts and iOS 9's Split View and Slide Over multitasking modes.

More importantly, the software takes full advantage of the iPad Pro's A9X chip to deliver pristine sound quality, desktop-class performance and features like high-definition waveforms, four decks, and video mixing with 4K support—all in real-time and without ever skipping a beat.

At last, Remote app now works with Apple TV 4

Apple today released tvOS 9.1 for the fourth-generation Apple TV, the second software update for the set-top box since its October 2015 debut, and the question that has been on the Internet's collective mind since is, does it now support Apple's own Remote app?

While I haven't had a chance to install and test tvOS 9.1 yet, web reports claim that tvOS 9.1 indeed includes compatibility with the Remote app, as well as Siri search support for Apple Music, a feature that was present in tvOS betas.

But it gets even better: if you own an Apple Watch, you can use its built-in Remote app to navigate the entirety of the tvOS interface right from your wrist.

watchOS 2.1 for Apple Watch is out with new language support and bug fixes

In a flurry of software updates released today, Apple hasn't forgotten about the Apple Watch. The new watchOS 2.1 software update is available for your watch, bringing out new language support and bug fixes to improve your experience.

Available through the companion Watch app on your iPhone, the 57.1-megabyte download introduces an expanded support for system languages, adds support for right-to-left user interface, Siri dictation in Arabic and more.

Apple releases OS X 10.11.2 El Capitan update

Following an extensive testing, Apple on Tuesday released OS X 10.11.2 (build number 15C50), the second major update to El Capitan, for public consumption. In addition to improving the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac, OS X 10.11.2 improves iCloud Photo Sharing for Live Photos, as well as the reliability of Wi-Fi networking, Handoff and AirDrop.

Moreover, the software update includes fixes for Bluetooth devices disconnecting on a whim, the Mail app deleting messages in an offline Exchange account and problems with importing photos from an iPhone to a Mac using a USB cable.

Apple reportedly planning Apple Watch 2 media event in March 2016

Citing sources with knowledge of the plans, 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple is planning a media event in March of next year to unveil a second-generation Apple Watch, with the possible announcement of a rumored four-inch iPhone refresh in tow as well.

If true, the company would start shipping the second-generation watch in April, a year following the original model's debut in April of 2015.

Today’s Pixelmator for Mac update brings several new features

Pixelmator, one of the best Photoshop alternatives on any platform, has received a nice little update in the Mac App Store this morning. Bumped to version 3.4.1, the refreshed app brings half a dozen new features and refinements and packs in nearly two dozen bug fixes and stability improvements, including faster and more responsive performance on 2011 Macs with Intel's HD 3000 graphics cards.

Review: CleanMyDrive 2—stylish, lightweight app to get rid of junk cluttering your drives

MacPaw, a fresh, independent developer behind the versatile and powerful CleanMyMac application, today unleashed a major update to CleanMyDrive.

CleanMyDrive is a free-of-charge Mac utility designed to help reclaim free disk space by cleaning the junk from your internal hard drives and external storage devices such as USB thumb drives, SSDs and more

The new and much improved CleanMyDrive 2 app boasts a completely redesigned user interface that lets you check disk stats, drag-and-drop files directly to any drive, automatically clean disks after hitting the Eject button and more.

With it, cleaning hidden junk that's been clogging up your drives is easy and fun.

Tim Cook shares ‘Just Say Hi’ video message for Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Apple CEO Tim Cook has joined the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, an initiative dedicated to transforming lives for people with cerebral palsy through research, innovation and collaboration.

In an interesting video message posted to the foundation's website, Cook can be seen conversing with Siri as he invites people to 'just say hi' to those whose lives have been affected with cerebral palsy.

Sony releases PlayStation messaging app for iOS

Sony today released a brand new iPhone application in the App Store, PlayStation Messages. Conceived as a messaging app for fans of the PlayStation console, the software provides messaging capabilities that used to be part of the official PlayStation app, including availability and presence indicators, group chats with up to a hundred players, rich media in messages such as photos, voice, stickers, attachments and more.

Apple launches $99 Smart Battery Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s

Apple on Tuesday released its very first battery pack, dubbed the Smart Battery Case and designed for the iPhone 6s and the previous-generation iPhone 6.

The $99 accessory provides device protection and offers even longer battery life: up to 25 hours of talk time, eighteen hours of Internet use on LTE (ten hours without the case) and twenty hours of video playback versus eleven hours provided by the iPhone 6s.

The built-in battery rests on the backside, beneath the credit card-sized protruding bulge. Passthrough and crossover designs permit users to connect Lightning accessories whilst the case is in use and let the case charge itself and the iPhone at the same time.

This accessory joins Apple's existing lineup of $35 Silicone Cases for the iPhone 6s and the recently launched $49 iPhone Lightning Dock and is available starting today from the Apple Online Store and Apple retail stores.

Facebook pulls Slingshot, Riff and Rooms apps from App Store

Happy app removal day! After Dropbox announced plans to wind down its ill-fated Mailbox and Carousel apps, Facebook just pulled a Dropbox by confirming it, too, is shutting down a few apps of its own that have failed to gain much traction with users: Slingshot, Riff and Rooms.

In addition, the company will be closing down the Creative Labs shop, an initiative formed in January 2014 with the noble goal of giving its teams creative freedom to conceive and build apps outside the core Facebook experience.