Apple

Amazon updates Instant Video for iOS with First Episode Free, HBO content and more

The online retail giant Amazon has issued a pretty substantial update to its free video-streaming iOS app, Instant Video. Now bumped to version 2.7, the app offers the ability to stream the first episodes of selected TV shows for free, as part of the Amazon First Episode Free feature, with advertising breaks before and during video playback.

Additionally, you'll notice all-new playback controls, the addition of HBO shows such as The Sopranos, The Wire and Deadwood and more...

iWatch said to feature blood glucose and sweat sensors

Rumors regarding the iWatch have reached a fever pitch this week. We've heard 3 reports in just the past 2 days, and we've got another one to add to the list this morning. It seems that everyone is interested in Apple's highly anticipated wearable.

Today's report comes from Chinese website Laoyaoba, which claims that Apple has finalized the design and specifications of the watch, and is now awaiting FDA approval. The site also says that the device will include blood glucose and sweat sensors...

iOS 7.1.2 coming soon with fixes for Mail, Lock Screen and iBeacon issues

Apple is preparing to release iOS 7.1.2 in the coming weeks, according to a new report from MacRumors. Citing sources familiar with the update, the site says Apple plans to use the release to address a handful of long-standing issues.

Perhaps the most prominent issue the firmware will resolve is the 'email attachment encryption bug' that surfaced last month. It also includes a fix the just-publicized Lock screen vulnerability, which could allow access to limited apps...

Apple turns to professional athletes for testing of iWatch fitness capabilities

With just four months remaining until Apple is expected to unveil its oft-rumored iWatch, a new report claims that the iPhone maker has teamed up with professional athletes to test the smartwatch's fitness capabilities in intense training environments. The report, citing a source with knowledge of the testing, adds that Apple has invited players from the MLB, NBA and NHL to its Cupertino headquarters on numerous occasions for this testing.

Apple is reportedly working with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Kings right winger Dustin Brown and at least a few other star athletes, one being an unidentified player for the Boston Red Sox. The athletes have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements that prohibit them from discussing the existence of the iWatch or their involvement in the testing process… 

Path jumps on the private messaging bus, releases new Talk for iPhone app

Path, the private social network for families and close friends, is jumping on the messaging bandwagon with launch of a new privacy-focused, standalone messaging software for the iPhone.

Available free in the App Store, Path Talk is basically a spin-off of Path's in-app messenger. For starters, your message exchanges get automatically wiped out from the servers after 24 hours.

And, Path Talk has a nice Ambient Status feature that automatically lets your friends know when you’re in transit, in the neighborhood and even low on battery, possibly helping reduce some misunderstandings in online communication...

T-Mobile confirms signing up more than 12,000 people to take home a free iPhone 5s for a week

The nation's fourth-largest wireless carrier, T-Mobile, is close to getting acquired by Japan's Softbank-owned Sprint in a deal valued at $40 billion, but that's not stopping them from solving customer pain points.

At last week's ‘Uncarrier 5.0.’ event in Washington, the Deutsche Telekom-owned company has announced a pair of new initiatives - ‘Music Freedom’ and ‘Unradio’.

More importantly, it's launched a new program called ‘Test Drive’ which borrows would-be switchers an iPhone 5s for a seven-day period to test-drive its LTE network. And believe it or not, the carrier has already seen more than 12,000 sign-ups for Text Drive ahead of June 23, when the service actually opens.

Note to Legere: call Apple for more iPhones...

Sega discounts Sonic games to 99 cents

Encouraged by strong response to April's 99-cent sale of Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Japanese games maker Sega has put in effect a massive Sonic games sale.

Valid for a limited-time only, as many as seven Sonic releases have been slashed from a few bucks to just 99 cents, including Sonic Jump, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Sonic CD, to mention a few.

Go past the fold for the full list of discounted games along with their download links...

Today only: PayPal offering $10 iTunes Gift card for $5

Last December, PayPal started selling iTunes gift cards and other digital vouchers through its new Digital Gifts Store.

It's perhaps the most convenient and hassle-free option to quickly top up your iTunes credit via PayPal, provided you're in the United States.

The problem is, every now and then other retailers discount iTunes vouchers.

Typically, 20 percent off is the best deal you can find and 30 percent or more off is pretty rare, but we've never seen a discount of 50 percent or more on iTunes Gift cards.

Good today only and while supplies last, PayPal is now offering a $10 iTunes Gift card for just five bucks...

iWatch to come in multiple designs with more than 10 sensors

Hot on the heels of a report from Reuters yesterday regarding the iWatch, The Wall Street Journal has published a scoop of its own on Apple's oft-rumored smartwatch. The outlet agrees with some previous speculation, and offers up some new details on the device.

Citing sources familiar with the project, the site says Apple is planning multiple versions of its smartwatch. It's working on different designs, and sizes, in an effort to appeal to various tastes in fashion. It also adds that the watch will feature more than 10 built-in sensors...

Apple rolls out new design for its Support Communities website

Following a report yesterday regarding incoming improvements to the AppleCare program and its customer support tools, Apple has rolled out an update to its Support Communities website that includes a fresh new design.

The new look is cleaner and more streamlined than its predecessor, which makes for easier navigation, and it extends throughout the portal. It even reaches the forums, where users congregate to resolve various problems...

Halfbrick’s Fish Out Of Water! is Apple’s latest Free App of the Week. Oh, wait…

Another Thursday, another App Store freebie - courtesy of Apple's ongoing Free App of the Week promotion. If you liked Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride - the two fun games that've really put Halfbrick on the map - chances are you'll enjoy their latest title, Fish Out Of Water!.

Available for the iPhone and iPad, the game employs an effective mechanics that involves skipping fish across waves. So throw your fish of choice into the water, watch as it flies through the clouds and skips along the waves and see how your performance scores in yet another gem from Halfbrick Studios...

Apple plans to improve AppleCare+ and iOS device support in near future

According to the well-connected blogger Mark Gurman, citing Apple employees that wish to remain anonymous, Apple Vice President of AppleCare and technical support Tara Bunch held a Town Hall meeting this week for AppleCare employees. At the meeting, several upcoming improvements to AppleCare+ and other support platforms were outlined.

Bunch hinted that AppleCare+ may be expanded to additional countries, although it is a challenging process because of the insurance and government-related legal processes that vary between countries worldwide. Bunch also told employees that Apple is testing a pilot program to expand the eligibility window for purchasing AppleCare+ to 60 days. Several other changes are incoming…