Apple

New report details 12″ iPad with dual-app viewing mode and iOS 9 multi-user support

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

Apple is developing not one, but two new twelve-inch iPad models, codenamed “J98” and “J99”. Also, the firm's doubled down on advancing productivity aspects of iOS with a much-needed dual-app multitasking mode and support for multiple users in iOS 9, a report Thursday by 9to5Mac alleged.

The same publication originally claimed side-by-side multitasking would debut in iOS 8 with the iPad Air back in 2014 so take today's story with a grain of salt.

“Sources now say that Apple plans to show off the side-by-side feature for iOS 9 using currently available iPad models,” the article states.

Split-screen multitasking should be formally announced at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month, with multi-user support reportedly slated to arrive later this year alongside new iPads.

Shazam gains camera support for scanning QR codes and images with Shazam camera logo

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

Music identification app Shazam now lets you scan QR Codes thanks to the latest update with camera support.

Now any image that contains QR codes or the Shazam camera logo can be scanned within the app to unlock additional content, interactive experiences, special offers and other embedded content.

Asphalt 8 picks up new cars, exclusive decals, Tenerife track, widget support and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

Asphalt 8: Airborne, Gameloft's free-to-play arcade racing title for the iPhone and iPad, today received a major content update in the App Store. The game has gained a number of new cars, tracks and loads of other improvements, amongst them support for the Apple Watch and a widget for the iOS Notification Center.

Asphalt 8 was first to support Metal, Apple's new graphics framework in iOS 8 that makes graphics intensive games run smoother with more effects. Now Gameloft provides the latest Asphalt update as a 64-bit application that should run even faster on iPhones and iPads powered by Apple's A7 chip or newer.

In time for Memorial Day, Google Maps adds new traffic alerts and alternate routes

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

Memorial Day is one of the busiest driving days in the U.S. so little wonder that Google is now boosting traffic alerts on Google Maps to warn drivers of congestion on the route ahead, helping them avoid traffic jam.

“Now when you input your destination, you’ll get an explanation of upcoming traffic conditions that helps you identify the quickest route,” according to the Internet giant.

Standalone Apple Watch bands begin hitting select Apple retail stores

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Standalone bands for the Apple Watch are now available across select brick-and-mortar Apple Stores in the United States, the United Kingdom and possibly elsewhere, according to latest reports.

As reported by Twitter user AppleRadar, an Apple Store in Miami is now carrying the Classic Buckle and the Sport Band in multiple colors, with additional bands likely arriving soon.

Apple reportedly set to launch Transit service, trip-planning feature and indoor maps with iOS 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

One important piece of the Apple Maps puzzle is about to fall in place at next month's WWDC as Apple readies to announce the Transit feature within Apple Maps in iOS 9, 9to5Mac reported this morning.

The same publication ran a scoop last year reporting that the Transit feature would launch as part of the iOS 8 software update, but the rumor didn't pan out.

“Having originally planned to add a new transit directions feature to Maps last year, only to pull the feature before WWDC 2014, Apple now hopes to launch its Transit service with iOS 9,” the report, based on “sources,” reads.

Here’s what’s inside Apple Watch display retail units and how they work

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

If you visited your nearest Apple retail store since the Apple Watch's April 10 debut, you were probably delighted by the special display retail units that combine the Apple Watch and a bigger screen to provide a cool interactive experience.

Tapping any app or option on the Apple Watch instantly puts up an animated description of the feature on the second screen. It's instantaneous, fun and seamless.

Thankfully, a set of documents and images published recently by a Brazilian regulatory agency, and shared by BlogdoiPhone, gives us an in-depth look at how Apple engineered these display retail units and how they work.

KGI claims Apple will unveil new iPhones in August before making them available for sale in September

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 2, 2017

Apple usually launches new iPhones in September (and iPads in October), but this time around the company could bring the 'iPhone 6s' and 'iPhone 6s Plus' to market a bit earlier, if a new analysis by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is an indication.

In a note to clients, a copy of which was obtained by The China Post, Kuo writes that Apple will announce the new handsets in August before making them available for sale in September, the time frame that suggests the possibility of pre-orders in late August.

More than a dozen iCloud services were unavailable or responding slowly for 7 hours

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2015

According to Apple's status page, multiple iCloud services have been experiencing various issues for six hours straight. “Users may experience slower than normal response when using most iCloud services,” reads a notice on the webpage.

More than a dozen iCloud services were affected at post time, with many services going completely offline.

UPDATE: Apple said that all services were restored as of 6:30am PT, adding that the outages affected a whopping 40 percent of iCloud users.

Sunrise Calendar and Wunderlist integrate, letting you create and manage Wunderlist tasks in Sunrise

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

6Wunderkinder GmbH, the German developer behind the popular task/to-do app Wunderlist, and the team behind the cross-platform calendar application Sunrise Calendar, on Thursday announced feature-rich integration between the two apps.

The move allows fans of both services to create Wunderlist tasks directly in Sunrise, write a Wunderlist task as done and change its due date in Sunrise and more.

Apple Stores expected to begin carrying Apple Watch bands this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

You may soon be able to pickup new Apple Watch bands in-store, according to 9to5Mac. Citing an internal memo sent out to employees, the outlet reports that Apple Stores will soon start carrying limited quantities of bands for the just-released wearable.

Before you get too excited, the message indicates that a majority of the stock will be made up of Sport bands. Also, it sounds like much of the inventory is reserved for customers looking to swap their pre-bundled bands, and replacing worn out demo bands.

Apple said to be planning early international rollout of streaming music service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Russia is going to be among the first countries where Apple will launch its revamped Beats Music service, according to Billboard. The publication points to a report from local outlet Vedomosti, who cites several sources claiming that the company is in negotiations with Russian record labels regarding the service.

The fact that Apple is eyeing Russia for an early streaming music launch isn't alone significant—its slowing economy and struggling ruble have deterred other services like Spotify from entering the countries—but what is interesting is that it sounds like the company is planning on a quick international rollout.