Apple

Apple opens Mac OS X betas to the public

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

Big news this afternoon as Apple has opened up its OS X beta program to the public. Before today, you needed a $99/year developer account to help test the company's upcoming Mac software updates before they were widely released, but starting this afternoon, anyone can sign up for the 'OS X Beta Seed Program.'

You can sign up here, and all you need is an Apple ID. Once enlisted, users can test out pre-release builds of Mavericks before they're launched to the public and even submit feedback to Apple to help iron out the kinks. It's not for everyone, but it's great news for early adopters and those who enjoy sneak previews...

Apple pushes OS X security update with Safari 7.0.3

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2014

After pushing iOS 7.1.1 with additional Touch ID improvements and a pair of bug fixes for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV devices, Apple has now released a minor software update containing security fixes for OS X systems and the Mac's Safari browser.

Officially titled 'Security Update 2014-002 1.0', the download comes in at eighty megabytes and includes patches for Safari vulnerabilities and bug fixes for the rest of OS X.

Apple wholeheartedly recommends this OS X update for all OS X Mavericks users because it improves compatibility, stability and security of your computer. A reboot is required after applying the software...

Apple’s Earth Day print ad pokes fun at Samsung

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple continued its Earth Day PR push this morning, taking out print ads in UK newspapers. The company has thus far painted the leaves on many of its Apple Store logos green, released a video with Tim Cook and announced a new recycling program, and today it took out full page ads to tout its environmental efforts.

The advertisements show a large image of the enormous solar farm that runs Apple's data center in North Carolina, and talk about the company's work to reduce its impact on climate change. But perhaps the most interesting about the ads is that they take a not-so-subtle jab at Samsung and their ongoing patent lawsuit...

Apple expands in-store trade-ins to include iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple's in-store Reuse & Recycling program in the United States and Canada is now available to iPad owners, too, according to a new report Tuesday.

If you have a used iPad lying around that needs getting rid of, take it to a nearby Apple Store and the company will give you a store credit, depending on its model, condition, age, physical appearance and other factors.

Apple uses a list of 22 criteria to evaluate if your device is eligible for trade. Devices that won't power on, have smashed screens, are jailbroken or use non-Apple parts won't be considered for a credit...

Apple posts iOS 7.1.1 with additional Touch ID fixes

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2014

Apple has just released iOS 7.1.1 for public consumption. A maintenance update, iOS 7.1.1 contains "improvements, bug fixes and security updates." Specifically, it makes Touch ID even more reliable than the previous iOS 7.1 update, while fixing a pair of bugs related to keyboard responsiveness and Bluetooth keyboards with VoiceOver enabled.

It's arrived just five days after iOS 7.1.1 devices located in and around Apple's Cupertino campus started exposing themselves in web logs.

Needless to say, those of you who rock a jailbroken iPhone, iPod touch or iPad are advised to hold off on upgrading to the new software until we're able to confirm it won't break your jailbreak...

Rumor: ‘very thin’ Apple phablet delayed into 2015 over battery production issues

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

The next iPhone, if swirling rumors are anything to go by - will come in two flavors. A smaller model with a 4.7-inch screen optimized for one-handed use and a larger-screened device incorporating a phablet-class display measuring 5.5 inches diagonally.

Corroborating earlier reports that the 5.5-inch model could be pushed back to 2015, a Taiwanese outlet is now claiming that the device is indeed facing a delay over production issues pertained to its supposedly very thin battery components...

Rumor: Apple, Nike developing sensor-laden fitness band that controls other devices via gestures

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

File this one under the 'Obvious' (or is it?) tab. According to a new report Tuesday by Geektime, citing sources familiar with their plans, Apple and Nike have banded together to secretly engineer a new smartband said to have been scheduled for a major announcement this Fall.

Needless to say, Geekwire doesn't have an established track record in terms of rumors so you need to take the story with a grain of salt. Of course, such a notion just makes lots of sense on many levels.

As a reminder, CNET learned last week that Nike is in the process of shuttering its wearable-hardware division that produces FuelBand-branded accessories. These things are worn on one's wrist, track one's health and fitness data and work in conjunction with a companion iPhone app.

The sportswear company reportedly let go the majority of the team responsible for the development of FuelBand hardware as it reportedly concentrates its efforts on a secretive collaboration with Apple...

1Password for Mac updated with better search, full screen mode, 1Password mini editing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

To go along with a major 1Password 4.5 update that has brought a brand new iOS 7-friendly look and feel plus a bunch of new features to the popular password-management app for the iPhone and iPad, developer AgileBits this morning unleashed an improved version of 1Password unto the Mac App Store.

Now available half price through Friday (and free to existing users), the new 1Password 4.3 for Mac includes support for the native full screen mode on OS X 10.8.4 or later, contains various search improvements, sports better URL matching, lets you edit items right in 1Password mini and more.

I've included detailed description, screenshots of the new interface and the official list of changes right after the break...

1Password revamped for iOS 7: multiple vaults and Dropbox accounts, AirDrop sharing and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Developer AgileBits today pushed a long expected update to its password-management app for iOS, 1Password. The new 1Password version 4.5 includes an all-new clean design on the iPhone and iPad created with iOS 7 in mind and a couple new features.

Billed as "our biggest free update for iOS ever", the new 1Password includes support for multiple vaults, lets you share items securely using the iOS AirDrop feature, sync vaults via multiple Dropbox accounts and more.

Moreover, you'll enjoy a new unified AutoFill tool found in the in-app browser, a streamlined search field that's always where you need it and other new features, refinements and under-the-hood changes. Existing users can pick up this update free...

Spotify picks up new Repeat One and Your Music features, bug fixes

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2014

Following up on a recent Spotify revamp that has painted it black with an all-new look, the Swedish music streaming service has issued another update to its iOS app, bringing out a better way to organize your music, a Repeat One functionality and several bug fixes for a few nasty issues that were introduced in the last release.

Spotify version 1.1 is available free in the App Store. Jump past the fold for the full changelog and additional notes...

Apple Store logos revamped with green leaves for Earth Day

Cody Lee ∙ April 21, 2014

Apple has apparently begun revamping some of its Apple Store logos with green leaves tonight, in honor of Earth Day. The annual event, which falls on April 22nd, is used to promote environmental protection and the overall improvement of the health of the environment, via demonstrations, organized events, and more.

The move shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as we already knew Apple was planning some kind of celebration for Earth Day at select retail locations. We also saw a major PR push from the company yesterday regarding its environmental efforts, including new hardware recycling options and a video with Tim Cook...

Samsung expert says Apple should only get $38M for patent infringement, not $2B

Cody Lee ∙ April 21, 2014

The court battle between Apple and Samsung raged on in California today, with Samsung calling a damages expert to the stand. Judith Chevalier, a professor of economics at the Yale University School of Management, testified that if found guilty of infringement, Samsung should only have to pay Apple $38 million.

The figure, which is actually $38.4 million, is miles away from the $2.2 billion number that Apple's damages expert called for last week. Chevalier argued that a reasonable royalty rate for Apple's patents would've been $0.35 per patent, per device, and doesn't think the company should receive damages for lost sales...