Apple

Major Shazam update adds Counts feature, in-app player, deeper Spotify integration and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

The popular music-identification service Shazam on Wednesday issued a major update to its iOS client adding richer Spotify integration letting you listen to Spotify songs without leaving Shazam and automatically add Shazamed tracks to a specific playlist, an in-app player allowing you to quickly listen to the Shazam charts, a new Shazam Counts feature which displays how many Shazams each track has and more.

Bose products return to Online Apple Store in time for holiday shopping

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

As hinted earlier this week, Bose products have in fact returned to the Online Apple Store following their removal last month. According to some watchers, the iPhone maker pulled Beats products following an alleged patent infringement on Beats' part.

Some but not all Bose audio products can now be purchased through Apple's webstore ahead of the Christmas shopping frenzy, such as the $196 SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker, the $300 SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III and the $300 QuietComfort 20i Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones.

Poll: is your Apple ID protected with two-step verification?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Two-step verification protects your Apple ID from unauthorized access when accessing iCloud.com and the Apple ID web interface or when when making an App Store or iTunes purchase from a new device. It's an additional layer of security which combines something you know (your Apple ID password) with something you have (an iOS device).

Once enabled, it requires that you enter a four-digit code after providing your Apple ID credentials, with the code being pushed to a trusted iOS device.

You will also get a 14-character Recovery Key to regain control of your account should you ever lose access to your trusted devices or forget your password.

So, is your Apple ID protected with two-factor verification or do you still trust your digital life with the good ol' password in conjunction with security questions?

eBay revamps iPad app with exclusive deals on Apple accessories

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2018

The popular e-commerce service eBay on Tuesday launched its updated iPad client with a redesigned interface and exclusive deals on Apple accessories.

The 52.2-megabyte download improves your buying and selling functionality with the native tablet interface featuring bigger product images, better item suggestions, tabbed navigation, swiping, smarter search results, a brand new Today homepage and more.

Designed to put your products at the forefront and create an engaging shopping experience for buyers, the refreshed experience is aimed at “giving sellers the best platform to showcase their products and make it effortless for buyers to discover and engage with their inventory,” as per RJ Pittman, chief product officer at eBay.

iCloud.com’s Find My iPhone replaces Google with Apple Maps for all users

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 9, 2014

Nearly two years after supplanting the stock Google Maps iOS app with its own much-maligned service that resulted in Scott Forstall's ousting, Apple's web-based Find My iPhone service available over at iCloud.com seems to have adopted Apple Maps backend for all users, reports 9to5Mac.

Previously, using the web-based version of Find My iPhone used to rely on Google Maps data. The move could indicate plans to roll out a web-based Apple Maps accessible to anyone through a web browser, allowing the iPhone maker to better compete with Google Maps.

How losing your Apple ID Recovery Key could permanently lock you out of your account

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

With two-step verification enabled for your Apple ID, you don't need to create or remember any security questions because your identity is exclusively verified using your password, verification codes sent to your trusted devices and your Recovery Key.

The added layer of security is a tremendous convenience, but with great power comes great responsibility and I can't stress enough how crucial it is to ensure you never forget where you stored your Recovery Key. As Owen Williams of The Next Web learned the hard way, they're calling it "Key" for a good reason.

Losing your Recovery Key puts you at risk of being locked out of your Apple ID if Apple's temporarily disabled it as a security precaution because someone's tried to hack it.

Apple cannot grant you access back into your Apple ID. This is by design: the system's been engineered in such a way so that only you can regain access to it. And in order to do that, you absolutely need a Recovery Key.

Here's what to know about securing your Apple ID with two-step verification.

Apple releases iOS 8.1.2 with fix for missing ringtone bug and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 15, 2023

Apple has released iOS 8.1.2 this afternoon with a handful of bug fixes and other improvements. Specifically, the release notes say the update addresses an issue where ringtones purchased through the iTunes Store may have disappeared from users' devices.

You can access the new firmware over the air via Settings > General > Software Update, or via iTunes by connecting your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a computer. But as usual, we recommend that users who are jailbroken, or plan to jailbreak, avoid the update for now.

Cut the Rope’s Om Nom is getting its own virtual pet app next Thursday

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 9, 2014

As noted by TouchArcade, Om Nom, the cutesy protagonist of the Cut the Rope series of puzzle games, is getting its own virtual pet app soon. Developer ZeptoLabs is reportedly aiming to release the forthcoming virtual pet simulator app in the App Store as soon as next week.

You'll be expected to attend to your candy-loving monster's daily needs by playing with him, feeding him sweeties, keeping him happy and more.

Apple building massive R&D center in Japan

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 3, 2016

In addition to its existing research and development centers in Israel, Taiwan and Shanghai, Apple is now looking to build another facility in Japan, Reuters reported Tuesday. The “cutting-edge” R&D center was confirmed by Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

The facility “will be formally announced soon,” he told local media, as confirmed by the Jiji and Kyodo News.

Big media wants to make Steve Jobs deposition video public

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 9, 2014

A videotaped deposition of Steve Jobs, recorded in 2011 shortly before his passing and played during the iPod class-action lawsuit, could be made public if news organizations such as The Associated Press, CNN and Bloomberg succeed in proving that releasing the two-hour video is in public interest, CNET reported Tuesday.

And boy would it be interesting to watch Jobs make a series of snarky comments. Asked whether he had heard of Real Networks, Apple's late co-founder asked “Do they still exist?” All told, he responded 74 times with “I don’t remember,” “I don’t know” or “I don’t recall.”

Blizzard launches ‘Goblins vs Gnomes’ expansion for Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 8, 2014

Games maker Blizzard on Monday unleashed its long-expected ‘Goblins vs Gnomes’ expansion pack for the popular card trading RPG game, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft.

In addition to as many as 120 new cards and a Spectator mode allowing third-parties to watch game matches, the expansion brings out a new Mech minion type, both neutral and class-specific and allows you to control these powerful Mechs with special weapons and volatile abilities.

Bose products could be back in Apple Stores next week

Sébastien Page ∙ December 8, 2014

After removing all Bose products from both its online and physical retail stores mid-October, Apple could apparently put them back on the shelves next week. This information comes from reliable French site iGen, which cites trustworthy sources at Apple: "Bose products could make a come back in Apple Stores as soon as next week. A few stores have received Bose products to build inventory with directions to get ready for their return on shelves next week," wrote Nicolas Furno for iGen.