Apple

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.

Apple publishes list of supported Siri voice commands for controlling HomeKit appliances

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Apple has refreshed a support article detailing setting up and using HomeKit-enabled accessories with a list of supported Siri voice commands to control your HomeKit hardware locally or remotely, through your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

After pairing a HomeKit-enabled accessory to an iOS device, you can use Siri commands to turn your home appliance on or off, adjust its settings and more, using just your voice.

Eminem will be the first guest interviewed on Beats 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

According to an image that former BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe shared on Instagram and Twitter, Beats 1—Apple's new 24/7 Internet radio—will interview hip-hop artist and music producer Eminem as its first guest. Lowe is one of the there celebrity DJs on Beats 1. Lowe will be providing live radio programming from Los Angeles, with a little help from Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenoma in London.

Spotify responds to Apple Music by extending free trial to 60 days for non-US users

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Following Apple Music ad blitz with a massive Beats 1 billboard on Times Square ahead of the service's public launch next Tuesday, the world's leading music-streaming service Spotify has decided to extend its Premium trial from 30 to 60 days for users outside the United States, as noted by Android Authority.

Like Apple Music, Spotify Premium costs $9.99 per month, but Apple's service offers a three-month free trial period before charging users' credit cards. It was also revealed this morning that Apple Music pays an industry-standard royalty rate for free users of 0.2 cents per stream, comparing roughly to Spotify's 35 percent revenue share during the trial period.

Apple Music free trial pays record labels industry-standard 0.2 cents per stream royalty rate

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2015

Lots of ink was spilt regarding Apple's decision to not pay artists during the free trial only to reverse course after Taylor Swift raised a stink about it. Apple's said it'll pay for free users and keep the royalty a bit higher for subscribers but stopped short of specifying the exact sum paid during the free trial.

According to unnamed record label executives who spoke to The New York Times newspaper, Apple is paying an industry-average royalty rate of 0.2 cents per each streamed song during the free three-month trial, roughly on par with Spotify.

Apple moving to prevent developers from accessing app data for ad targeting

Cody Lee ∙ June 24, 2015

Apple is quietly moving to prevent app developers from accessing app download data for ad targeting purposes, reports The Information. The move is part of the company's recent, and very public, push for greater user privacy.

As most of you are probably aware, major apps like Facebook and Twitter will scan a user's device for information on the app's they have installed. This way, they can show users advertisements that better match their interests.

T-Mobile enforces 21GB soft cap on Simple Choice plans ahead of tomorrow’s Un-Carrier Amped event

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2015

As reported by the TMoNews blog, Deutsche Telekom-owned T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, has introduced a soft cap on data usage for its Simple Choice customers in the form of 21 gigabytes of high-speed 4G LTE cellular data. Exceeding this monthly allotment won't incur additional charges, but your speed may be throttled during periods of network congestion.

Previously, T-Mobile would specifically throttle only the three percent of its top data-hungry subscribers. With today's change, other users may see their speeds temporarily dropped after exceeding 21 GB of data usage during a billing period.

Huge Beats 1 billboard takes over Times Square

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2015

Often referred to as The Crossroads of the World, New York City's Time Square is always brightly adorned with billboards and advertisements from the world's top brands. With less than a week until June 30 Apple Music launch, the iPhone maker is now advertising Beats 1 with a massive billboard.

It's dominated by enormous Beats 1 promotional graphics accompanied by the “Worldwide. Always on” tagline and the 6.30.2015 launch date. Interestingly enough, the Apple logo is nowhere to be seen on the advertisement, perhaps indicating the Cupertino firm might be counting on Beats' brand power to push the upcoming radio service into public consciousness.

You can now sign up for Messenger with your phone number, no Facebook account needed

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2015

You no longer need a Facebook account in order to exchange instant messages with your contacts through the Facebook Messenger service. By dropping the Facebook account requirement, the social network hopes to bring in even more people under the Messenger fold.

By last count, Messenger had 700 million active users, approaching the 800 million user base of WhatsApp, a wildly popular messaging service Facebook acquired for a staggering $19 billion.

Summon dragons, smash strongholds and leave nothing but rubble behind in Gameloft’s Siegefall

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2015

Originally teased earlier in the month, Siegefall, a brand new multiplayer strategy game involving heroes, dragons and magic, is now available in the App Store for your iPhone and iPad at no charge.

Brough to you by Gameloft Montreal, the team behind the wildly praised Modern Combat shooter series, Siegefall sports gorgeous graphics with stylized art while striving to bring some innovation to the genre with wild controllable heroes and immense magical cards.

Players are challenged to build an army of heroes, summon dragons, conquer new lands, smash gates and leave nothing but rubble behind.

Pharrell William’s new single ‘Freedom’ will be an Apple Music exclusive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 3, 2016

Hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams has revealed that his upcoming single titled “Freedom” will be exclusive to Apple Music, which launches June 30 in a hundred countries across iPhones, iPads, iPods and Mac and Windows PCs, with a native Android app and Apple TV support due this fall.

The revelation of the exclusive agreement with Apple Music came in the ending credits of a teaser video for “Freedom” that was shared on Facebook and Twitter last evening.