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Apple to launch ‘Back to School’ promotion this week, include iPhone for first time

Multiple sites are reporting this morning that Apple is set to launch its annual 'Back to School' promotion in the United States, and several other countries this week. In fact, the popular sale could kick off as soon as tomorrow.

Apple runs the Back to School promotion at various times in different countries, depending on their respective educational calendars. But the program launching this week is said to include the United States, Canada, and Europe...

Google Now and rich notifications spotted in Chrome browser

After being caught on the wrong foot following Apple's introduction of the Siri personal digital assistant in October 2011, the Internet giant Google responded by launching Google Now. Mostly owing to a series of missteps, controversial advertising and ongoing reliability issues with Siri, Google has managed to rapidly leapfrog Siri.

But the search monster isn't stopping there, it wants people to use Google Now no matter the device or platform. After adding Google Now features to its native Search iOS app, Google Now cards are coming to a desktop near you via the Chrome browser...

HipChat iOS app revamped as Mac client exits beta

Atlassian's cross-platform group messaging HipChat app launched in January 2010 following a one-month beta period. The Mac app, originally developed using Adobe AIR and in beta since Valentine's Day, is now finally ready for prime time.

If you hate AIR as much as I do, you'll be delighted that the team has now dropped Adobe's sluggish technology (good riddance) in favor of the native OS X experience.

And in addition to the rebuilt HipChat 2.0 for Mac, the company has also given its iOS client some much-needed love, pushing a major 2.0 update that's leaner, faster and includes many new features. Here's what's new in both HipChat for Mac and iOS...

How to make TextExpander work with OS X 10.9 Mavericks

As a huge TextExpander fan, and a person that relies on the app on a day to day basis, I freaked out a bit when I couldn't get TextExpander working on my MacBook. Yes, I'm one of the very foolish ones who decided to put a beta OS on their main work computer, but that's just how I roll.

At any rate, I needed to get this fixed ASAP, because it was hindering my ability to be productive. The problems stems from the fact that OSX 10.9 places the access to assistive devices option — an option absolutely necessary to run TextExpander — in a brand new location, under the guise of a new security setting.

So every time I received this error: "Please go to the “Universal Access” preference pane and enable access for assistive devices before using TextExpander!" TextExpander would point me to a section of the System Preferences that no longer exists.

How to fix? It's actually quite easy to do, follow me inside...

Apple posts iAd Workbench tool, eases minimum ad spend requirement

It is no secret that iAd, Apple's mobile advertising network based on its Quatro Wireless acquisition, is struggling. Originally conceived to help app makers improve their bottom line by injecting highly engaging interactive iAds into their warez, the platform has been marred with high ad rates, big brand exodus, executive reshuffling and Apple's relative inexperience in running a mobile ad network.

But Apple isn't standing still. Today, the company launched a new iAd Workbench tool that helps its registered developers better target their users, manually, automatically or both. This allows for a much finely-graded targeting criteria, down to the specific device, gender, age, location and preferences...

The 2013 Apple Design Award winners announced

Shortly after Tim Cook wrapped up Apple's big keynote yesterday, developers and other WWDC attendees made their way over to another popular event: the 2013 Apple Design Award show.

Every year, Apple hands out awards to outstanding iOS and OS X apps based on a number of factors like design, and innovation. And the winners of this year's prestigious Design Awards are...

Apple introduces new MacBook Air, previews stunning new Mac Pro

We had a feeling that Apple was going to be showing off some new Mac hardware today. And it did. After giving a preview of the new OS X Mavericks update, Craig Federighi brought up Apple's marketing head Phil Schiller to talk about some new Macs.

First up, Schiller showed off some updated MacBook Airs. As expected, they're sporting Intel's new Haswell processors and other internal improvements that Apple says give it "all-day" battery life. Details on the Air and the stunning new MacBook Pro coming up...

Apple bringing iBooks to Macs with OS X Mavericks

After 3 years of being an iOS-exclusive, Apple is finally bringing its iBooks Store (and app) to the Mac via its new desktop operating system OS X Mavericks—something that [no doubt] millions of iBooks users have been clamoring for for ages.

With the new Mac portal, users will be able to access their full iBook libraries, as well as browse the Store, all from the comfort of their computers. The bigger screen should provide a number of advantages for users—particularly students and teachers...

Apple releases iTunes 11.0.4 with improved syncing and other bug fixes

Apple has posted an update for iTunes this morning, bringing the software to version 11.0.4. The update comes just a few weeks after the big 11.0.3 release, which included a revamped mini player, support for multidisc albums, and more.

Unfortunately, today's update isn't nearly as glamorous. As you can see in the change log posted above, it's more of a maintenance release, with fixes for two well known bugs having to do with device syncing and user login requests... 

Muzzy puts an iTunes companion in your menu bar

I’m always looking for fun new features that will make my music listening experience better. Music apps are a dime-a-dozen for iOS, but there are not a whole lot of good music apps for the Mac. There are even fewer good free music apps.

Muzzy is a music-related iTunes companion for the Mac that puts an icon in your menu bar so you can see what album you are listening to without having to call up your whole iTunes window…

Analog for Mac gains Analog Camera’s filters, now half price

I recently reviewed Realmac Software's Analog Camera for the iPhone and iPod touch. With its minimalistic user interface, this app from the makers of the Clear to-do app  is probably the fastest and easiest way to take and process images on your iPhone.

Although it crops images for the square format, Analog Camera ships with eight Instagram-like filters and quick sharing options, which is ideal for impulse sharers.

Keeping true to its promise, Realmac today updated its Analog for Mac app with Analog Camera filters. And to celebrate the move, they've shaved 50 percent off its asking price in a time-limited promotion...