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Microsoft adds group audio calling with up to four participants to Skype for iPhone

Skype, a Microsoft-owned Voice over IP (VoIP) provider, on Thursday added another missing feature to its iPhone client after a major visual overhaul of the app in June removed a few popular capabilities.

Specifically, the new Skype 5.4 enables group audio calling with up to four participants. You can also add or remove people to an existing call and disabled users should appreciate a few improvements to the app's accessibility.

The refreshed application is now available in the App Store for free.

Apple to live stream September 9 iPhone event

Apple updated its website this afternoon to announce that it will be providing a live video stream of next week's iPhone event. On a new Live page at Apple.com, the company has posted a countdown timer that expires just before 10 am on September 9th.

We are expecting Apple to unveil two new iPhones during the event, at least one of which features NFC for a new mobile payment system. It's also believed that we'll finally see the firm's so-called iWatch, although rumor has it that it will just be a preview.

Irish newspaper claims U2 won’t be involved in iPhone 6 launch, retracts itself minutes later

There's been a flurry of speculation by fans and watchers alike that the popular Irish rock band U2 will be performing live at Apple's media event next Tuesday and even preload its new album on the forthcoming iPhone 6. Thursday morning, an Irish newspaper added to the confusion.

The band's spokesperson purportedly quashed the rumor in a statement released to Independent [Google Cache]. The story got pulled minutes later without an explanation, casting doubt on its veracity.

As Cody told you last night, The Sunday Times newspaper first started this rumor based on vague hearsay among fans and shady photographic evidence in the form of images depicting U2's secret video shoot in Dublin last week, which music promotor Stephen Browne shared on Twitter.

WSJ: NFC-enabled iWatch has ‘a role in mobile payments’, features curved OLED screen

Adding up to the ongoing conversation about Apple's purported wearable project dubbed by the media the 'iWatch', The Wall Street Journal affirmed Thursday that the fashionable gizmo will connect to the upcoming iPhone 6 via NFC and come in two sizes to appeal to both gender’s preferences.

NFC stands for Near-Field Communication, which is a short-range wireless technology required for the handset's rumored mobile payment functionality.

In their write-up behind the paywall, reporters Lorrraine Luk, Daisuke Wakabayashi and Greg Bensinger quote people familiar with the matter as saying that both iWatch sizes feature a curved organic light-emitting diode screen, or OLED.

There will be sensors to track and monitor health and fitness data, as expected. According to the Journal, Apple's use of NFC technology on the iWatch signals that it “sees a role for the device in digital payments”.

KGI on iPhone 6: no sapphire, barometric pressure sensor, programmable power button and more

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is on a roll today. After detailing his expectations for an iWatch, the analyst in a note issued to clients today also summarized his thoughts concerning the upcoming iPhone 6 devices which are expected to be unveiled next Tuesday at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California.

As per AppleInsider, which has obtained a copy of Kuo's report to clients, rumored sapphire protection won't be an option for this year's iPhone refresh. Moreover, both 4.7 and 5.5-inch models should be available in a 128-gigabyte storage flavor and will include a new barometric pressure sensor to support indoor navigation applications, as well as new health-related functions related to spirometry.

Wrapping up his report, Kuo wrote that the iPhone 6 device should also feature a programmable power button for integration “with specific applications”.

Much-improved Rdio launches with new look and features, free version coming to 20 countries

Rdio, the popular Internet radio service, on Thursday launched a major redesign of its mobile app which now aims to compete with the likes of Spotify and rival Pandora by bringing its ad-supported free Stations to 20 countries.

The new look includes your personalized Home featuring an evolving mix of music stories based on your listening history and tastes, a new Browse section which now features both genre and curated Stations, a Trending feature showing what's popular right now, the ability to favorite just about anything, from albums to artists to songs to stations, and much more.

Rdio is free in the App Store.

Rovio releases Angry Birds Stella

Rovio, the Finnish games maker which made a name for itself with the Angry Birds physics-based puzzler series, on Thursday released a brand new game set in the Angry Birds universe.

Called Angry Birds Stella and available as a freemium download in the App Store, it puts you in the shoes of the lead character Stella who joins five of her bird friends on a quest to protect Golden Island from the piggies and the greedy Bad Princess.

There are more than 120 playable levels in this initial release of Angry Birds Stella, with more to come by way of future content updates. Jump past the fold for the full reveal.

Infinity Blade III ‘Kingdom Come’ update is out with new maps, enemies and more

The highly anticipated Infinity Blade III 'Kingdom Come' update is now available in the App Store. This is not only the final content update for the popular game, but ChAIR says that it includes everything needed to bring the entire Infinity Blade trilogy to an end.

Among the additions in today's release are 6 new treasure maps, 5 new enemies to battle, and over 25 new items for both Isa and Siris to collect and sell. It also features new goals and achievements, and unlock-ability for Master Items has been raised to level 100.

U2 rumored to be on hand for Apple’s iPhone 6 event

Some interesting rumors began bouncing around the tech world earlier today regarding popular Irish rock band U2 and Apple's big media event next week. The chatter has ranged from the iPhone 6 coming preloaded with the band's new album, to it performing live after the keynote.

Much of the speculation seems to stem from U2's secret video shoot in Dublin last week. According to The Sunday Times, the group closed down Samuel Beckett Bridge for the recording and placed black sheets around the set to prevent the public from seeing what they were shooting.

People begin lining up for the iPhone 6 ahead of next week’s announcement

The iPhone 6, or whatever Apple is going to call it, has yet to be announced, but there are already people lining up for the device. CNBC notes that at least 5 customers have already set up camp outside of Apple's flagship 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York City.

It's not uncommon to see folks lining up outside of Apple retailers ahead of a major product launch—last year folks began forming lines around September 6th. But this year, campers have taken it to a new level, with some showing up before the month even began.

Sunrise for iOS gains push for Google Calendar, search and Todoist integration

Sunrise, the popular alternative to Apple’s stock iOS Calendar, today refreshed its nicely done iPhone and iPad application with push for Google Calendars, the search feature and Todoist integration, the company noted in a blog post Wednesday.

A long-overdue feature, search is finally available in Sunrise to let you sift through your past or future events by title, location and attendees.

Push is now available for Google Calendars and fans of Todoist will appreciate Sunrise's integration with this popular task manager for personal productivity.

Sunrise is available free in the App Store and Mac App Store. Against all odds, Sunrise the company has raised over a whopping $8 million in funding thus far. Not too shabby for a calendar app, wouldn't you say?

China Mobile begins taking iPhone 6 preorders

Apple's next-generation smartphone hasn't been announced yet, but that didn't stop China Mobile from putting it up for sale. China Daily is reporting that the carrier, which is the largest in the world, has opened up preorders for the so-called iPhone 6.

Since early yesterday, CM subscribers in Beijing have been able to reserve both a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone model. Details, such as prices and storage capacities are unknown, and customers are not being offered images of the handsets or release dates.