Apple

Some extensions not working yet in iOS 8-optimized apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

After announcing last week that iOS 8 will be released to the public on September 17th (that's tomorrow), Apple invited developers to begin submitting their apps and app-updates for the new firmware. In fact, it's already approved a number of iOS 8-optimized apps into the App Store.

But there's a problem that you've probably noticed if you're running a beta version of iOS 8 right now: extensions for many iOS 8 apps aren't working properly. According to MacRumors, the issue seems to be related to code-signing on Apple's end, and it's currently working on a fix.

Apple won’t open iPhone 6 NFC features to developers for at least a year

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The NFC chip found in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will only work with Apple Pay and won't be opened up to developers who make third-party apps, Apple confirmed on Monday.

The pair of smartphones, due to be released Friday after a record amount of pre-orders, are the first devices from Apple to feature NFC technology. Like Touch ID on the iPhone 5s, Apple is keeping a lock on the technology presumably for security purposes.

Apple: new U2 album accessed by 33 million users thus far

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple issued a statement this afternoon from Senior Vice President Eddy Cue regarding its new U2 album promotion. Cue says that over 33 million iTunes account holders have accessed "Songs of Innocence" since the promo launched last week.

Mr. Cue called the number "record-breaking," but didn't elaborate. He did, however, note that the figure includes customers who downloaded the album from their iCloud account, streamed it, or listened to it in iTunes Radio's First Play channel.

Tim Cook already being questioned about Apple Watch and privacy

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced this afternoon that he's sent a letter to Tim Cook regarding the new Apple Watch and user privacy. Jepsen wants Cook to explain what data the device will collect, how that data will be stored, and what Apple's policies are on apps that access health information.

Specifically, Jepsen asks whether Apple will allow consumers to store personal/health info on its servers, and if so. how will that information be safeguarded. He also wants to know what kind of data Apple Watch will collect from users, and how it and its developers plan to obtain consent for this collection from users.

Apple seeds Developer Preview 8, Public Beta 3 of OS X Yosemite

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Nearly two weeks after releasing the last beta, Apple has today seeded Developer Preview 8 of OS X Yosemite. The update, version 8 1.0, is available for download to users currently running DP 7 in the Mac App Store, as well as in Apple’s online developer center.

Additionally, Apple has released Public Beta 3 for OS X Yosemite. The Public Beta program began in July, and received its second update late last month. If you're a member of the program, you can find today's release in the 'Updates' tab of the Mac App Store.

Apple creates tool to remove U2’s free album from both your iTunes music library and purchase history

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 2, 2017

After taking some heat over its decision to force the free U2 album, “Songs of Innocence”, onto users' devices last Tuesday, Apple today published a support document and released a tool which removes the album from users' iTunes music library, as well as from their iCloud purchase history.

The decision to give away the Irish rock band's latest album has backfired because having added it to purchase history has automatically downloaded the album for folks with automatic music downloads enabled in Settings.

iLife and iWork apps to come pre-installed on 64/128GB iPhone 6/Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2014

Customers who've purchased a 64 or 128-gigabyte edition of either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus won't need to download Apple's iLife and iWork productivity suite when the handset hits store shelves this Friday as the apps will come pre-loaded on their device, according to an internal Apple Retail training document obtained by Dan DeSilva of 9to5Mac.

Apple since last September started providing Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, GarageBand and iTunes U apps as free downloads to every new iOS device owner.

T-Mobile to add iPhone 6 to ‘Test Drive’ program

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2014

T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, this past weekend told technology website Re/code that devices upgraded to iOS 8, including the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, will be soon available through its 'Test Drive' program. Introduced at its 'Uncarrier 5.0' event back in June, 'Test Drive' allows customers to borrow an iPhone free for a week to test out T-Mobile’s network.

Microsoft buying Minecraft maker Mojang for $2.5 billion, commits to keeping iOS game alive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Following weeks of speculation, software giant Microsoft on Monday officially confirmed it's spending a cool $2.5 billion to buy Mojang, a company behind the highly successful Minecraft video game which tasks players with building constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world.

The Stockholm-based firm is to become part of Microsoft Studios, the Windows maker has confirmed.

The deal, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review, will enable “richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools and more opportunities to connect” across the Minecraft community as the game is set to take advantage of Microsoft’s cloud and mobile technologies.

Google announces first low-cost Android One handsets launching in India, starting at just $105

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

The Internet giant Google during a Monday media event in India announced the first wave of low-cost Android handsets running the company's optimized Android One software, with prices starting as low as $105.

“The world is filled with potential: people who are ready to leave their mark and need a phone as ambitious as they are,” said the firm during the event. The Android One project has been conceived to bring stock Android experience to inexpensive mid-to-low-range handsets sold in emerging markets such as Russia, India, Brazil and China.

Apple confirms taking four million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders in 24 hours

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2014

Apple on Monday put out a press release confirming it took four million pre-orders of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in the first 24 hours, representing a twofold increase over the two million pre-order sales for the iPhone 5 in 2012.

“iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are better in every way, and we are thrilled customers love them as much as we do,” the media release quotes Apple CEO Tim Cook as saying. The four million pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 24 hours set a new record for Apple.

New Samsung ad calls iPhone 6 Plus a Galaxy Note imitation

Cody Lee ∙ September 14, 2014

Samsung began airing a new TV spot this weekend for the Galaxy Note 4—its new flagship handset that begins shipping next month. Like most of the company's recent ads, this one goes after Apple, with a specific focus on its just-announced iPhone 6 Plus.

Titled "Then and Now," the commercial points out that while Apple prepares to begin selling its first handset with a display over 5 inches, Samsung has been doing it for years with its Galaxy Note line. It essentially calls the iPhone 6 Plus a Note imitation.