Apple

Apple acquires mapping visualization startup Mapsense

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2016

Apple has acquired Mapsense, a San Francisco-based startup that specializes in tools for analyzing and visualizing location data, Recode reports. A spokesperson confirmed the buyout, saying "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

The deal is said to be worth anywhere between $25 million and $30 million, and it includes Mapsense's 12-person team and technology. That tech includes a cloud-based tool that allows users to manipulate graphical models of maps that hold huge sums of data, and a recently launched platform for developers.

iMovie for iOS updated with 4K video editing on iPhone 6s and much more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

At its 'Hey Siri' media event last week, Apple demonstrated how the all-new 'A9' microchip ticking inside the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus has enough oomph to edit 4K video by showing off native 4K video editing on both new iPhones and the iPad Pro with iMovie.

Today, iMovie for iOS receives a timely refresh in the App Store to bring this feature to the latest devices along with more than a dozen other enhancements for older iDevices.

Twitter: one of the first apps to embed Quick Reply within notifications on iOS 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

One of the new features of iOS 9 that Apple hasn't actively advertised has the tremendous potential to be actively used on an everyday basis by the vast majority of users: it at last permits third-party developers to implement Quick Reply functionality within banner alerts, the Notification Center and notifications shown on the Lock screen.

Twitter is one of the first applications out of the gate to have readily adopted this feature in its most recent update that just hit the App Store. And if you own an iPad with iOS 9, you can now use Twitter in iOS 9's new side-by-side multitasking mode.

People are reporting on Twitter that Quick Reply is broken in this update and a few members of our team were able to independently confirm this.

Apple releases iOS 9 user guides for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

Following the release of iOS 9 earlier today, Apple has now posted matching users guides for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad on the web. These new iPhone and iPad user guides for iOS 9 are available as free downloads from the iBooks Store.

The guides cover the basics of iOS 9 and focus on stuff like stock apps, various user interface improvements and new features such as enhanced Spotlight with Proactive search, 3D Touch on the new iPhones, the new News and iCloud Drive apps, side-by-side multitasking features on iPads and more.

What’s Wi-Fi Assist and how to use it on iPhone or iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 8, 2025

Wi-Fi Assist is a thoughtful feature on iPhone and iPad that automatically switches your device’s internet to cellular data (5G or 4G/LTE) when the connected Wi-Fi network is poor, ensuring you never have internet downtime.

iTunes 12.3 is out with support for iOS 9, El Capitan, two-factor Apple ID authentication and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2015

Following release of the free iOS 9 software update with new features and core OS enhancements for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, Apple on Wednesday also issued a matching update to iTunes for Mac and Windows PCs.

The new iTunes 12.3 introduces OS X El Capitan-friendly design while enabling support for Apple IDs protected with two-factor authentication and syncing with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with iOS 9.

Here is everything that’s new, improved and enhanced in iOS 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Following Apple's release of the free iOS 9 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, the California firm has provided an exhaustive list of improvements, new features and other tidbits that will make your mobile computing life easier and allow your devices to run faster and last longer between charges.

Apple says this update makes your iOS devices become more intelligent and proactive with enhanced search, improved Siri, better multitasking on iPads and more.

iOS 9 software update for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 7, 2024

Today, Wednesday, September 16, Apple released the iOS 9 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Provided free of charge, iOS 9 is compatible with the fifth and sixth-generation iPod touch and with any iPhone and iPad model from the iPhone 4s and iPad 2 onward, respectively.

Needless to say, folks who are jailbroken and want to keep your jailbreak are advised to stay away from iOS 9 for the time being.

Watch Apple CEO Tim Cook talk iPhone 6s and more on Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last evening to discuss several topics of interest in a ten-minute segment. Among other things, Cook pitched the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones and talked about Apple's effort to improve its supply chain conditions, his coming out as gay, social responsibility, driverless cars and more.

Apple has even created witty Siri response to Colbert's queries about what he should ask Cook, to which the personal digital assistant responded “Do me a favor. Ask him when I'm going to get a raise”. We have a video of Cook's Tonight Show appearance for you to watch in case you missed the show.

Apple Pay adds support for 46 new US banks and credit unions

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple on Tuesday added 46 new banks and credit unions to the growing list of Apple Pay-supporting issuers in the United States. With these additions, Apple Pay is now compatible with more than 500 financial institutions nationwide.

Launched in October of last year, Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to pay for goods and services using their iPhone or Apple Watch. It’s accepted at hundreds of thousands of retailers and restaurants around the country.

Snapchat brings Lenses to front camera as it starts charging to replay disappearing snaps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Snapchat today issued a refresh to its iPhone and iPod touch app in the App Store that enables a new software feature on your front-facing camera: Lenses. “Before you take a selfie, press and hold on your face for a surprise,” the startup teased.

Lenses are essentially animated effects that can be applied in real-time when taking a selfie, similar to Apple's Photo Booth app on the Mac.

One new Lens will rotate in every day.

In addition to Lenses, Snapchat also rolled out virtual Trophies and announced plans to start charging $0.99 for three Replays.

Apple is “looking at” letting consumers remove (some) unwanted stock iOS apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2015

Soon you might no longer need to put unwanted stock apps inside a junk folder on your Home screen like an animal because Apple is “looking at” letting consumers delete stock apps that come with the iPhone.

In an interview with John Paczkowski of BuzzFeed News, CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that Apple might allow customers to get rid of some stock apps like Compass, Stocks, Podcasts, Tips and more, but in the same breath cautioned that core iOS apps critical to the user experience—such as Messages, Safari or Mail—will remain irreplaceable for the time being.