Apple

AppleCare+ now covers Apple Watch batteries that retain less than 80% of their original capacity

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2015

AppleCare+ protection for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch has refreshed its terms to cover batteries that retain less than 80 percent of their original capacity within the extended warranty period. The new rules apply to Apple Watch Sport, Watch and Edition models, as discovered by MacRumors.

Previously, the extended warranty used to cover Apple Watch batteries that retained less than 50 percent of their original capacity. Apple officially guarantees the Apple Watch battery will retain up to 80 percent of its original capacity at 1,000 complete charge cycles. Assuming an average of one full charge cycle per day, the specification gives the device's battery a lifespan of about two-and-a-half to three years.

Apple shares a pair of slow-motion videos as part of ‘Shot on iPhone 6’ campaign

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

Apple's 'Shot on iPhone 6’ campaign continues with a pair of new videos shared last evening on the company's YouTube channel. Highlighting iPhone photography skills by Apple dans Willian P. and Jirasak P., the 15-second clips focus on the capabilities of the iPhone 6 camera's Slow-Mo video capture.

Since its March 2015 launch, 'Shot on iPhone 6’ thus far has featured the creativity of more than 77 iPhone photographers from 70 cities across 24 countries around the world.

Apple Watch launches in 7 new countries, hitting Netherlands, Sweden and Thailand on July 17

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2015

Keeping true to its promise, the Apple Watch world tour continues as the Cupertino firm on Friday expanded device availability to an additional seven markets around the world: Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan. Customers in the aforesaid markets can now purchase the device from the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

In addition, Apple has refreshed its website to confirm that the wearable device will launch in The Netherlands, Sweden and Thailand on Friday, July 17.

How to buy Apple Watch with in-store delivery

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 26, 2015

Earlier today, the Apple Watch hit an additional seven countries around the world, thus bringing the number of countries where the wearable gizmo officially sells to sixteen, with more markets joining Apple's party it in the coming weeks and months.

The Cupertino firm has pledged to sell “some models” in its retail stores to walk-in customers. But, you still cannot just waltz inside an Apple Store, pick up an Apple Watch and walk away—without making an online reservation first.

That's where the Apple Online Store's handy online reservation system comes into play. Called Reserve & Pickup, it lets prospective customers reserve their Apple Watch with in-store delivery for pickup in person. In this tutorial, I'm going to guide you step by step through using the Reserve & Pickup system to find an Apple Watch you'd like to buy and have it shipped to your nearest Apple Store.

Apple removing games featuring the Confederate flag from the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple has joined the likes of Amazon, eBay, Walmart and others in removing products bearing the Confederate flag, reports TouchArcade. The outlet pointed out this morning that a number of apps and games, which featured imagery of the controversial flag, have been pulled from the App Store.

Despite the fact that Apple has told developers it's only removing titles that "feature images of the Confederate flag used in offensive and mean-spirited ways," several Civil War-era games, which contain images of the Confederate flag for historical and educational context, have been pulled as well.

Apple could be prepping 21.5″ iMac with 4K screen & touchpad-based remote with Siri support

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

In October 2014, Apple refreshed its flagship all-in-one (my dream desktop) with an insanely sharp 5K screen, among other hardware changes. The update left seasoned watchers wondering about the fate of its smaller 21.5-inch baseline sibling, which has remained stuck with a Full HD 1,920-by-1,080 screen.

As suggested by code hooks 9to5Mac discovered in the second beta of El Capitan Developer Preview, the 21.5-incher could gain an ultra-sharp screen with a 4K resolution. In addition, it appears the Apple Remote could receive a substantial upgrade with a multi-touch surface, Bluetooth, Siri support and other perks in the works.

Beats 1 celebrity hosts to include Drake, Dr. Dre, Elton John and others

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple's Beats 1 streaming radio service will feature celebrity hosts such as Pharrell Williams, Drake and Elton John, reports The New York Times. In a profile of Apple's newly recruited D.J., Zane Lowe, the outlet says a number of well-known stars have been given spots.

Other well-known stars on the menu for Beats 1 programming include Dr. Dre, who will host a show called "The Pharmacy," teen actor Jaden Smith, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Apparently, each of them will be hosting and planning the shows themselves.

iTunes U gains homework hand-in feature, one-to-one discussions, PDF annotations and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

iTunes U, Apple's educational catalog on iTunes, has gotten a whole lot more useful with a significant update to the official iPhone and iPad app in the App Store.

As first reported Thursday by Re/code, iTunes U for iOS has gained an interesting homework hand-in feature and PDF annotations providing a timestamp when the student submits term papers, book reports and other work.

Other changes include an integrated grade book, one-to-one discussions, importing content from third-party apps, including Apple’s own Keynote, Pages and iMovie, and more.

Taylor Swift’s blockbuster album ‘1989’ will stream on Apple Music

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 6, 2017

Well, good PR doesn't get any better than this. Following a week of back and forth between Apple and Taylor Swift over royalty payments during Apple Music's free trial, the popular pop musician and actress said her top-selling album “1989” will stream on Apple's service, which launches next Tuesday.

“After the events of this week, I've decided to put '1989' on Apple Music,” she wrote on Twitter.

The newsworthy development bears special significance as “1989” won't be available on any streaming service, at least for the time being, with the sole exception of Apple Music.

Alto’s Adventure, Checkmark 2 and other Snowman apps are on sale right now in the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Snowman, the developers behind the beautiful endless snowboarding game Alto’s Adventure (read our review), the powerful and sleek to-do app Checkmark 2 and other fine apps for your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are having a giant sale on the App Store.

Both Alto’s Adventure and Checkmark 2 are now available with a cool 50+ percent discount while their Shifts and Circles apps have gone completely free.

As a matter of fact, Shifts has gone free for the first time since its App Store debut. Your download links and descriptions follow right below.

T-Mobile launches JUMP! On Demand letting you upgrade to a new phone three times per year

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

T-Mobile is once again looking to upend the “hopelessly broken wireless industry” with the announcement of a brand new initiative designed to give customers the freedom to upgrade to a brand spanking new handset whenever they like, up to three times a year, with no waiting period or upgrade fees and in exchange for one low monthly phone payment.

The new service, dubbed JUMP! On Demand, was announced during T-Mobile's Un-Carrier Amped event on Thursday.

Customers can trade in their existing phone for a select new device up to three times a year with no waiting period, in return for 18 monthly payments alongside the standard cost of a service plan. JUMP! On Demand launches in select stores beginning this Sunday, June 28.

Monument Valley’s ‘Ida’s Dream’ expansion goes free in a time-limited promotion

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

The limited-edition “Ida's Dream” content expansion for the gorgeous puzzler Monument Valley is now available to all players on iOS, Android and Windows free of charge. Ida's Dream is a chapter that was previously created as part of an exclusive charity promotion in Monument Valley.

Unfortunately, the RED version of Ida’s Dream will not be available unless RED wish to use it again in the future. Those who previously purchased Ida's RED Dream needn't worry as you'll still be able to play that special edition.