Apple

FTC also probing Apple’s upcoming music service over deals with record labels

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

Increasingly, Apple is finding itself in hot water with regulators over its rumored subscription-based music service. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that the United States Federal Trade Commission is now probing Apple's efforts to line up deals with record labels.

The agency is reportedly taking a closer look at the possible misuse of the iPhone maker's dominant market position as the largest seller of music downloads to put rival music services such as Spotify, Rdio, Pandora, YouTube and others at a disadvantage.

Apple’s Angela Ahrendts was highest-paid female executive in the US last year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s recently-hired senior vice president of retail and online stores, was the highest-paid female executive in the United States last year. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Ahrendts was awarded $82.6 million in 2014, including a sign-on bonus and a make-whole grant for money she left on the table at Burberry.

Coming in second on the list was Oracle’s Safra Catz, who raked in $71.2 million in fiscal 2014 for her role as chief financial officer and co-CEO. Rounding out the top 3 highest paid female executives was Yahoo!’s Marissa Mayer who, at 39-years-old, was the highest-paid female chief executive last year, with a salary of $59.1 million.

Apple working with researchers to build ResearchKit apps for gathering DNA data

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is collaborating with US researchers to launch apps that would allow iPhone owners to get their DNA tested, according to a new report from MIT's Technology Review. The apps are based on ResearchKit, a software platform Apple introduced in March that helps researchers gather data.

If true, Apple would join a growing battle for genetic information. Everyone from Google, to the government, to top universities are spending millions of dollars to amass large databases of DNA info in an effort to uncover clues that would help identify causes and possible cures for diseases.

Home Depot to become largest retailer to support Apple Pay

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Contrary to earlier reports today, Home Depot isn't disabling Apple Pay, it's instead rolling it out to all of its 2,000+ brick and mortar retail stores. As Bloomberg reports, this will make Home Depot the biggest retailer accepting Apple Pay to date.

This is huge news, and certainly a major turnaround from the reports that said otherwise early this morning. Home Depot, which has been subject to massive data breaches in the past, is clearly putting its chips in with Apple Pay, which is known for its ease of use and its security.

Apple still missing key licensing deals ahead of rumored Beats Music relaunch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is really cutting it close if it wants to relaunch Beats Music at its developer conference next month. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, Billboard reports that it is still missing a number of key licensing deals it would need to secure to unveil a new streaming music service.

"A June launch is still attainable," one source tells Billboard. "If any company can do it, they can." However, another source at a major record label tells the publication that there is no way Apple will be able to pull off a June launch for the new service, saying simply that "the deals aren't done."

Apple TV gains CBS Sports and USA NOW channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2015

As first spotted by Joe Rossignol over at MacRumors, owners of the $69 Apple TV set-top box will find two new icons on their Home screen later today: CBS Sports and USA NOW, the latter featuring content from the USA network. The channels have been added via a silent over-the-air update, without intervention on your part.

If you don't see them yet, however, simply restart your Apple TV or manually run Software Update in the Settings interface of your box. Keep in mind that the new channels should appear for everyone in the United States within the next few hours as these things typically take some time to propagate.

Apple launches ‘Made for Apple Watch’ program for third-party bands

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Apple on Monday launched an official program for companies to develop third-party bands for the Apple Watch. As noted by 9to5Mac, a website just popped up on Apple's developer portal called 'Creating Bands for Apple Watch,' and it offers up details on a new 'Made for Apple Watch' program.

On the site, Apple explains that Watch bands are "easily changed with simple release buttons and lugs that secure the band to the Apple Watch case." A set of guidelines and a lug profile are provided for those that want to create custom bands, and Apple says official Watch lugs will be available soon.

New Apple TV to feature redesigned remote with touchpad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is going to unveil a new set-top box in June with a redesigned remote control, according to The New York Times. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the publication says the new remote will feature a touchpad for scrolling, at least two physical buttons, and it will be thicker in size than the current aluminum Apple TV remote.

We've heard multiple reports now indicating that Apple is planning to release new TV-related hardware this summer. The device is expected to be introduced at the World Wide Developers Conference with an updated, slimmer design, the faster A8 chip, and an increase in storage to house an upgraded OS and App Store downloads.

Google confirms snapping up Timeful, iPhone-only time management and scheduling app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 31, 2018

The Internet giant Google today announced via the official Gmail blog that it is buying Timeful, an iPhone-exclusive productivity application designed to help you get things scheduled so you can get them done.

The nicely designed application, positioned as your calendar and to-do list with intelligent assistance to make the most of your time, is available on the App Store for the time being but its functionality will be eventually folded into Google Apps, including Gmail, Calendar and more.

Celebrate Star Wars Day with discounted games, featured books, TV shows & movies, Disney events and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Today is Star Wars Day, an unofficial annual celebration of everything Star Wars, and Apple is joining festivities with limited-time discounts on select Star Wars-themed games and In-App Purchases for the iPhone and iPad on the App Store.

In addition, the iBooks Store is running a dedicated Star Wars section highlighting books, comics, graphic novels and other Star Wars content.

But we're only getting started.

The iTunes Store has joined the big push by featuring Star Wars music, related television shows and additional iOS apps at standard prices, while Disney is pulling out all the stops with special events at its studios and resorts.

Google ends YouTube support on older Apple TVs and pre-iOS 6 hardware due to API changes

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2015

Following up on its original plan to end support for older Apple TVs, iPhones, iPods and iPads due to API changes, YouTube is no longer accessible on second-generation Apple TVs and iOS devices manufactured in 2012 and earlier, as first reported 9to5Mac.

The app has simply disappeared from the Home screen on second-generation devices, with owners of these boxes reporting inability to access the Settings menu option to hide or show it along with other channels.

Super Mario knockoff makes it into the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 31, 2018

We're not expecting this one to last long on the App Store so all you fans of retro gaming out there in search of a Super Mario Bros-like experience on your iPhone should act now before it's too late.

I'm old enough so you can trust me when I say that Super Bros! by Greek developer Papadakis Kostas (not to be confused with Greek pianist Konstantinos Papadakis) is the closest thing to the original game.

Somewhat incredibly, Super Bros! has managed to get past Apple's App Store review team and is available for download, for now. The $1.99 iPhone game is a total knockoff of the 1985 classic platform video game internally developed by Nintendo R&D4 and published by Nintendo as a pseudo-sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros.