Apple

Automatic debuts new vehicle adapter and developer SDK

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Automatic, the makers of the adapter that allows cars to talk to smartphones, debuted new hardware and third-party app support on Tuesday. The new hardware comes in the form of a second-gen Automatic adapter that supports real-time data, and third-party app support in the form of a new SDK.

More specifically, the new adapter supports dual Bluetooth data streams: one to the Automatic mobile app and one to a third-party app. This allows both apps to receive data from the adapter simultaneously over an encrypted Bluetooth connection. It also features built-in GPS, and MFi certification.

How security technology and data protection are implemented within Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In the refreshed iOS Security Guide, Apple has for the first time detailed security technologies pertaining to the Apple Watch.

As it turns out, the wrist-worn device borrows the many security features and technology built for iOS, including hardware-encrypted storage and data protection, keychain access control, protection of wireless data exchange with its paired iPhone and much more.

PCalc for Apple Watch released with Glance, Send to iPhone, tip calc, RPN support and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2015

Thanks to independent iOS and Mac developer James Thomson, you can now wear PCalc on your $400+ Apple Watch. The award-winning $9.99 calculator app for the iPhone and iPad was updated today with WatchKit support.

The app is very nicely done and feels native. It puts the full calculator with RPN Support on your wrist, along with a Glance to see the result of your most recent calculations from your watch face, a tip calculator and other goodies.

First Apple Watch software update launches with performance improvements for Siri, fitness tracking, apps and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 11, 2025

Following its April 2015 launch, the first software update for the Apple Watch is now available for download through the companion Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Release notes for Apple Watch OS 1.0.1 cite several performance improvements related to Siri, third-party apps, activity tracking and more.

In addition, the software update delivers display support for new emoji characters and more than half a dozen new languages.

Tim Cook tells employees Apple Watch will be available in stores in June

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

During Tim Cook's visit to China last week, the CEO held a meeting at Apple's headquarters in the country to give employees an update on recent happenings. Citing sources with knowledge of the assembly, 9to5Mac provides an overview of everything that was talked about, and there are some rather interesting tidbits.

For starters, Cook told attendees that "the Watch could not be going better," and that "Apple is working really hard on making more." He also seemingly confirmed reports that the company has solved some of its supply chain issues, promising that Apple stores will begin carrying Watch inventory sometime next month.

TomTom renews Apple Maps agreement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

TomTom, an Apple Maps data provider, announced Tuesday renewing its partnership with the iPhone maker “for maps and related information.”

“TomTom has renewed and extended its global agreement with Apple for maps and related information,” wrote the Amsterdam-based company in a short notice on its website. “No further details of the agreement will be provided,” they added.

How to access Apple Watch diagnostic port

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 9, 2020

Contrary to some reports, shipping Apple Watch units do feature a hidden diagnostic port inside the groove of the bottom strap connector slot. It looks a lot like Lightning I/O, bit it's not Lightning.

Featuring a six-dot brass contact, it's believed to be aimed at service technicians for diagnostics purposes, while potentially providing direct access to the Watch OS and demo software installation on demo units in Apple Stores.

This tutorial explains how you can access the 6-pin port using just a sewing needle. Before we get to it, keep in mind that doing so could impact the water resistance of your Apple Watch and might void your warranty.

Gene Munster gives up on Apple television dream

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2015

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has become something of a joke in the broader analyst community. Arguably the most vocal proponent of a fully-fledged Apple television set, he's been predicting the imminent arrival of a 50+ inch TV with the shiny Apple logo on it for years now.

He wasn't alone in his predictions. Most recently, noted activist investor Carl Icahn put much faith in the mythical Apple Ultra HD TV set in a yet another letter to Tim Cook yesterday.

But as a new report by The Wall Street Journal alleged that Apple has indeed axed the project after researching it for nearly a decade, Munster was quick to admit that he's been wrong all along.

Apple launches 15″ MacBook Pro with Force touch, refreshes 27-inch iMac while bringing down price

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2015

Apple on Tuesday launched a new 15-inch MacBook Pro model with Force Touch trackpad, Intel's faster fourth-generation Haswell chip and other features

In addition, the Cupertino firm has refreshed its 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina screen while making the system more affordable than before.

The new baseline iMac configuration has a slower 3.3GHz chip (previously 3.5GHz) and the traditional 1TB hard drive instead of the Fusion drive. More importantly, it now starts out at just $1,999, a much appreciated discount from the previous asking price of $2,499. In addition, the top-end iMac configuration is now available at a lower price of $2,299.

Spotify and Starbucks sign multi-year streaming music partnership, should Apple be worried?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

How times change. It used to be that Starbucks would partner with Apple on any relevant music-focused initiative. But as the balance of power has slowly but surely shifted from music downloads to streaming, Apple is no longer the preferred partner.

Announced Tuesday, a potentially far-reaching partnership between the U.S.-based coffeehouse chain and Spotify, the world's leading streaming-music service hailing from Sweden, will see Starbucks promote premium Spotify subscription tiers while granting Spotify users access to Starbucks' rewards program.

WSJ: Apple shelved plans to make a 4K TV set last year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple quietly shelved plans to make an ultra-HD TV set with video calling and other features last year, reports the Wall Street Journal. The report follows an open letter to Tim Cook from activist investor Carl Ichan, published earlier today, which pointed to Apple releasing a 4K TV set in 2016.

Apparently, Apple was working on a full-blown television, and had been researching the project for nearly a decade. But Apple executives didn’t feel like the product or its feature set was compelling enough to enter the cutthroat market, which offers small margins to even the largest competitors.

‘Rising Tide’ expansion for Civilization: Beyond Earth announced, arriving in fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Developer Aspyr Media, in partnership with 2K and Firaxis Games, today announced that a new expansion to Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth, titled 'Rising Tide', will be arriving on Mac, Windows and Linux later this year.

The expansion pack is currently in development for Mac and Linux operating systems and is scheduled for release in autumn 2015.

Rising Tide will enhance Beyond Earth experience with a variety of new gameplay capabilities, adding more choices and diplomatic options and providing “near limitless” ways to create a new future for humanity on an alien planet.