Apple

Apple rolling out two-step verification for iCloud web portal

Apple has apparently begun rolling out a two-step verification system to its iCloud web portal this afternoon. The new system adds an additional layer of security to an area that offers access to web versions of stock Mac and iOS apps like Mail, Contacts and Calendar.

It's not clear if Apple is simply testing the feature with some users or plans to eventually roll it out to all iCloud.com subscribers, but it seems not everyone has access to it yet. Those who do see it, though, say it requires users to enter a special code to access their apps...

New images show alleged iPhone 6 display covers

Adding to the recent barrage of iPhone 6 part leaks and physical mockups, several photos popped up online this afternoon showing display covers that allegedly belong to the handset.

The images depict a white and black component, both of which are said to be display glass covers for the smaller (4.7) version of the two new iPhones Apple is expected to launch this fall...

Apple to release Q3 2014 financial results on July 22nd

Apple just announced via its Investor Relations portal that the company will be discussing financial results of its third fiscal quarter on July 22nd, during a conference call starting at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m ET. Based on past behavior, it is safe to assume that Apple will be publishing a press release with all relevant financial information a few minutes prior to the call's beginning.

During the conference call, Apple will discuss basic sales numbers and financials for its line of products, but don't expect them to reveal anything about future products. We will of course be on deck to report any information that might be relevant to our readers...

Apple to launch yearly ‘Back to School’ promo tomorrow

MacRumors is reporting that Apple is set to launch its annual ‘Back to School’ promotion in the US and several other countries beginning tomorrow—Tuesday, July 1st. The company runs the promo at various times in different regions, depending on their respective educational calendars.

According to the site, Apple will be offering up iTunes Store/App Store gift cards to students that purchase a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Similar to last year, it sounds like students will receive a $100 App Store gift card for the purchase of a new Mac, and a $50 card for new iOS device purchases...

Apple TV 6.2 software update also available with bug fixes

Apple today released a trio of major updates, one giving the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices improved iBeacon connectivity and the other enabling enhanced Wi-Fi performance and better reliability when waking up your Mac from sleep, among other changes.

The third update is focused on the $99 Apple TV media-streaming box. Now available in Software Update, the Apple TV 6.2 firmware brings no new features and appears to be a simple maintenance update accompanying the aforementioned iOS 7.1.2 and OS X 10.9.4 updates...

Audi CarPlay rollout: 2015 models in Europe, North American vehicles in 2016

Yesterday, luxury car maker Audi announced it'll be integrating both Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto automotive software platforms into the Multimedia Interface for its premium lineup of vehicles. Today, the German car maker shared additional details pertaining to both the feature and the roll-out timeframe.

Coming to 2015 models in Europe and to 2016 vehicles in North America, CarPlay will integrate with Audi’s built-in controls and allow drivers to access apps through the car’s native controls and switch between CarPlay and Audi's Multimedia Interface with a touch of a button...

Foundation announces complete E.O. Wilson’s Life on Earth for iPad

Following-up on Apple's announcement of the forthcoming iTunes U 2.0 update with new creation tools and discussion feature on iPads, Foundation - a non-profit behind E.O. Wilson’s "Life on Earth" - today announced launch of the complete series on iTunes U and the iBooks Store.

Provided free of charge, the first seven chapters in the 41-chapter series released today as interactive iBooks textbooks, with the remaining materials to be rolled out throughout 2014. In addition, the series is accompanied by an iTunes U course that gives learners access to course materials included in the Biology course...

iPhone 6 mockups only a rough approximation, no antenna breaks in final design

Are you worried, based on the mockups that have been floating around, at the possibility of Apple's next iPhone disappointing fans with cheap design?

If you have any doubts as to Apple's build quality, then you don't know Apple.

The crude, rapidly produced 3D-printed mockups that have been made of low quality materials do not reliably represent the final iPhone 6 design and build quality.

Those ugly, thick white-striped lines on the back, you say? Not part of the final external design, according to a new report by the Japanese business paper Nikkei. The story also notes that the iPhone 6 won't have the antenna breaks and claims the screen will have rounded edges to lay it flush with the device's round corners...

1Password with Touch ID authentication and Safari Share sheet support shown off

A big part of what makes iOS 8 so great is how Apple is finally opening up its mobile operating system to developers, more than ever before.

Take Touch ID, for example. With a little help from the iOS 8 SDK and the new Local Authentication Framework, third-party apps can tap Touch ID to authenticate a user in a safe manner as fingerprint data is protected and never accessed by iOS or apps.

Brands such as PayPal have pledged to update their apps with Touch ID authentication when iOS 8 gets released for public consumption this Fall and now a beta tester has posted screenshots and a short video of Touch ID integration in 1Password for iOS, the popular password management program by AgileBits...

Apple announces iTunes U 2.0 with new creation tools and discussion feature on iPad

Apple on Monday announced a major new version of its iTunes U educational app with a number of new creation and discussion features for iPad. The new iTunes U 2.0 app, due July 8, will enable teachers to create, edit and manage entire courses directly on iPad for the first time, while students will get to take advantage of some interesting new collaboration capabilities, including the ability to start class discussions and ask questions right from their iPad...

Apple airs new ‘Parenthood’ iPhone 5s ad

Apple has this evening posted a new TV commercial for the iPhone 5s to its YouTube channel. The ad is entitled 'Parenthood,' and it touts the handset’s ability to morph into a useful tool for parents.

Set to the tune of "Life of Dreams," by Julie Doiron, the spot showcases various iPhone apps and products for parents such as Withings' Smart Baby baby monitor and the popular Draw Animal app...

Tim Cook and Apple show support at San Francisco Pride celebration

Apple CEO and frontman Tim Cook took the streets on behalf of Apple to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride parade and celebration happening in San Francisco on Sunday.

Cook was seen in a snazzy Apple Pride t-shirt in a photo on Instagram user Daniel Soto's profile. Cook's company is one of the many corporate sponsors for the San Francisco Pride event that has taken place this weekend, and what better to have the CEO come and show support.