News

ExxonMobil expands Apple Pay support to Speedpass+ for Apple Watch app

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2017

Oil giant ExxonMobil introduced basic Apple Pay support within its mobile Speedpass+ app in March 2016, allowing customers to pay for fuel at approximately 6,000 gas stations nationwide. Yesterday, the company announced that customers can now pay for fuel and car washes using their Apple Watch and Apple Pay at over 10,000 Exxon and Mobil refueling stations across the United States.

Users must launch the Speedpass+ app on their watch and select the pump they're at to authorize it for payment. Next, press the Side button twice to invoke Apple Pay and approve the payment. You can start fueling up your vehicle.

Other new features available within the app include support for Touch ID app protection and Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 technology to easily authorize payments, making it the first fuel payment connected car app in the United States.

Ford owners can additionally use the Speedpass+ app to check how much fuel is left in the tank when they are away from their car. Customers even have the option to apply for an ExxonMobil-branded credit card issued by Citibank from inside the app.

Once your application has been approved, the card will be automatically added as a payment option within the app, and you can start using it right away. For a limited time, new accounts shall receive a savings of 20 cents per gallon for the first two months, then six cents on every gallon after that, the company said.

ExxonMobil's app now supports several payment methods, including major credit cards, debit cards, ExxonMobil Smart Cards, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

ExxonMobile Speedpass+ for iOS is available for free on App Store.

Watch Tim Cook interview with Mad Money’s Jim Cramer

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Following Apple's quarterly earnings report two days ago, CEO Tim Cook sat down with CNBC's “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer to talk business and “the bigger picture”. Marking Cook's third appearance on the show, Cramer spoke with the Apple CEO about Wall Street’s reaction to his company’s latest quarter, job creation in the United States and his views on the future of Apple.

In terms of US job creation, Cook said Apple employs about 80,000 people domestically.

Of that number, nearly 25,000 people work in research and development. Cook said Apple is now buying more parts from US-based suppliers like Corning and 3M and underscored that an additional 6,000 people are employed by his company in a facility in Austin, Texas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcxR0-ZgO5o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTOR_of39do

Apple spent $50 billion last year in the US alone, Cook said.

But is he concerned about iPhone users switching to Samsung?

Read the full quote:

No, we don’t see much of that. We don’t want to see any of that, and we try really hard to retain people by giving them an experience that they really love. That’s our objective.

But generally speaking we measure that fairly closely, and we don’t see very much of that. On the switcher side, we were very pleased that we set a record for switchers outside of China for the first six months of this fiscal year.

As you know, we start in October and we just finished the first half in March. And we set a record there and we set a record for upgraders across the world. And so this felt really good.

Cook revealed that Apple is creating an advanced manufacturing fund in the United States.

“We're initially putting $1 billion in the fund,” he added, saying the Cupertino company will be announcing the first investment for this fund later in the month of May.

Fun fact: Cook has lost 30 pounds “thanks partly to my Apple Watch”.

You can read the full transcript of the Tim Cook interview on CNBC.

The best and worst places to buy an iPhone 7

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

“If you find yourself on holiday in Turkey, Brazil, Russia or Greece, try to avoid the Apple Store as iPhones are 25-50 percent more expensive than in the United States,” cautions strategist Jim Reid. And he's right.

According to Deutsche Bank’s annual “Mapping the World’s Prices”, iPhone prices can vary wildly from one country to another but one thing has remained true: the United States is still the cheapest place to buy an iPhone.

Here's what an iPhone 7 costs in Apple Stores in the following 33 countries:

Turkey—$1,200 Brazil—$1,115 Russia—$1,086 Greece—$1,028 Poland—$1,005 Italy—$995 Czech Republic—$994 Norway—$993 Denmark—$986 Sweden—$982 Portugal—$973 Finland—$973 Ireland—$973 New Zealand—$972 France—$962 Spain—$962 Netherlands—$962 Belgium—$962 Austria—$951 Germany—$951 Mexico—$941 Australia—$926 India—$902 China—$899 United Kingdom—$898 Switzerland—$886 The Philippines—$885 Singapore—$874 Canada—$855 Malaysia—$846 Hong Kong—$821 Japan—$815 United States—$815

To be sure, the aforementioned prices are for the 128-gigabyte 4.7-inch iPhone 7 model.

Deutsche Bank has obtained the prices from official Apple websites and online retailers. “In the absence of official prices via the websites, we have used prices from online retailers and news websites,” cautions Deutsche Bank.

It's important to note that US prices exclude the sales tax because it differs from one state to another. Online prices in the United Kingdom and other countries include the sales tax so that's something to keep in mind when comparing local iPhone prices to those in the US.

I'm based in Europe, one of the worst places to buy an iPhone.

Apple likes to say that the cost of doing business in Europe is higher than in the US, which is true, but that doesn't fully explain why people in Turkey are paying nearly one and a half times as much as users in the United States. Other factors are clearly at play here, including import taxes and other regulations specific to every country.

It's interesting that Turkey has now replaced Brazil as the most expensive expensive place in the countries surveyed to buy an iPhone 7.

As Business Insider explains, that's due to the combination of political instability in the country and the big ramp in US dollar appreciation against global currencies after Donald Trump’s win smashed Turkey's Lira currency late last year.

As a result, Turkey has replaced Brazil as the most expensive place in the countries surveyed to buy an iPhone. By the way, Brazil now ranks second on the list with a 37 percent higher iPhone 7 price vs US.

With iPhone 7 said to cost north of $1,000, I'm afraid to think what

32GB iPhone 6 now available in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Denmark & elsewhere

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Apple's limited-edition iPhone 6 with 32 gigabytes of storage, dubbed “iPhone 6 (2017),” is now available in Spain via the German retailer Media Markt for €469, which works out to about $500, with a two-year warranty and a 14-day return policy.

In comparison, Apple sells the 32GB iPhone 6s in Spain though its online store for €659, or about $720.

The handset is available in other markets, too, including Chile, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Turkey (aka the worst place to buy an iPhone) and possibly elsewhere.

iPhone 6 originally launched in 16, 64 and 128-gigabyte versions and this new storage tier appears to be Apple's option for budget shoppers in select markets.

The 32GB iPhone 6 was originally relaunched in January in China.

In early-March, Taiwan Mobile began promoting the 32GB iPhone 6 in gold casing as the cheapest iPhone to be offered on its network, for the equivalent of $435 unlocked.

In mid-March, it arrived in Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia, via the i-Store retail chain, priced at the equivalent of $522 (999 Belarusian rubles).

Amazon is also offering the device via its online store in India.

The 32GB iPhone 6 (2017) is identical to the original iPhone 6 which debuted in 2014, complete with a 4.7-inch 1,334-by-750 pixel resolution screen, a 1.2-megapixel camera out the front, an eight-megapixel shooter out the back, Apple’s 64-bit A8 processor with 1GB of RAM and more.

Aside from the previously unavailable storage SKU, the phone comes with iOS 10 versus iOS 8 which came pre-installed on Apple's original iPhone 6 models.

Apple rolls out fifth developer beta of tvOS 10.2.1 for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Apple today rolled out a fifth beta of what would become a minor software update for the fourth-generation Apple TV. If you're a registered developer, tvOS 10.2.1 beta 5 (build 14W585) can be installed via the Software Update mechanism provided your set-top box runs an appropriate configuration profile obtainable through Apple’s portal for developers.

tvOS 10.2.1 beta 5 can be deployed on your Apple TV in Settings → System → Software Updates → Update Software. Apple says it includes bug fixes and security improvements.

The most recent tvOS beta follows the fourth developer-only betas of tvOS 10.2.1, iOS 10.3.2, macOS Sierra 10.12.5 and watchOS 3.2.2 that released on April 24.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRNjTVppF4I

Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTube

The most recent stable release of the Apple TV software, tvOS 10.2, released on March 27 with minor improvements, including accelerated scrolling on Siri Remote, mobile device management improvements for enterprise, the Video Toolbox framework, bug fixes and more.

Only Apple's registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program can deploy and use tvOS and watchOS betas. The general public can test-drive upcoming iOS and macOS releases via Apple's Beta Software Program.

Another claimed iPhone 8 drawing shows vertically stacked cameras and nearly full-screen face

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Prolific leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer on Thursday posted a purported image of what appears to be yet another technical drawing that may or may not relate to Apple's upcoming iPhone 8. “This is a tipped leak, which means I can't confirm if legit or not but there you have it,” he wrote on Twitter.

The image “confirms” some of the iPhone 8 rumors, namely an enhanced dual-camera system out the back with vertical rather than horizontal alignment and a nearly full-screen front face with just a tiny physical slit at the top of an OLED display for the earpiece.

As Steve himself says, he got this leak from someone who is not a trusted source yet so do take this report with a pinch of salt. The drawing depicts Apple's quad-LED True Tone flash as sitting between the two cameras. It appears to be built directly into the camera bulge.

I'm not an imaging expert, but positioning the flash LEDs between the cameras may not be smart because the placement might affect the quality of photographs. On the other hand, this could actually be a new 3D camera sensor we've been hearing about, not the actual LED flash.

Benjamin Geskin tweeted out a new image of his updated CAD model of iPhone 8.

As you're seeing above, he has edited the 3D model to match the recently leaked schematics that hinted at the possibility of a charging mat or a coil of sorts on the back of the device.

Unbox Therapy 3D printed a mockup based on the technical drawings provided by Geskin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua61ltayFNg&feature=youtu.be

To reiterate, there's really no way of telling for sure if any of these leaks are accurate or not because real-world iPhone 8 components are yet to leak out from factories in Asia.

ROUNDUP: iPhone 8 concepts and mockups—Part I

A NYU grad student, who spent six weeks working undercover in a factory in Shanghai operated by iPhone manufacturer Pegatron, has reveled that only high-level managers are permitted to bring their phones inside the facilities where future iPhones are being assembled.

“I’m not sure whether photos can get leaked by that,” he said.

Which feature are you most excited for in iPhone 8: an improved dual-lens camera, rumored augmented-reality capabilities, wireless charging, stainless steel construction, an all-new industrial design, an OLED display or something else?

Let us know in the comments!

iPhone 8 concept roundup: Part I

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Conceptual renderings and mockups of iPhone 8 have been increasingly feeding the rumor-mill in the absence of leaked components, to the point where they've become a major part of the excitement surrounding unreleased Apple products.

Taking rumors at face value, talented 3D artists and CAD addicts conceptualize what Apple's next handset might look like. More often than not their work is off the mark, but some of the concepts we've seen thus far are plausible and give us nice food for thought.

We asked our resident video editor Andrew O'Hara to create a short video summarizing some of the conceptual iPhone 8 renderings we've featured thus far here on iDownloadBlog.

Without further ado, watch our video roundup of iPhone 8 concepts and mockups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqCKdEGEPk

Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTube

The video features work by these artists and publications:

Steel Drake Techno Configurations Venlamin Geskin Imran Taylor Handy Abo Vergleich Benjamin Geskin ConceptsiPhone AlHasan Husni Vianney le Masne Computer Bild iFanr Martin Hajek

Part 2 of iPhone 8 concept roundup will explore additional iPhone 8 concepts.

On a recent conference call with Wall Street analysts and investors, Apple CEO Tim Cook has attributed what he believes to be “a pause” in iPhone purchases to the rumor-mill and leaks that have been proliferating earlier than usual this year.

“We’re seeing what we believe to be a pause in purchases on iPhone, which we believe are due to the earlier and much more frequent reports about future iPhones,” he said.

How do you like the conceptual artworks and 3D models highlighted in Andrew's video? Which is your favorite one, and why? Which one will we see, if any, come this fall?

Let us know by posting a comment below.

Apple clarifies only in-app commissions have dropped to 2.5 percent

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Apple has clarified in an email communique by its iTunes Affiliate Support team that the recently reduced affiliate rates which went into effect May 1 only apply to in-app content, not to apps linked on websites and other outlets.

The company announced a policy change last month, saying commission rates for apps and in-app content would drop from seven to just 2.5 percent. The firm now clarifies that the change applies only to affiliate links used inside apps, not the ones on websites like iDB.

“Please note that only in-app commissions have changed,” reads the message from iTunes Affiliate Support. Here are the correct new app commission levels, according to Apple itself:

iOS apps commissions: 7 percent In-app iOS commissions: 2.5 percent Mac apps commissions: 7 percent In-app macOS commissions: 2.5 percent

Several website owners and bloggers linking to App Store and Mac App Store apps have reported that the seven percent commission for apps has in fact remained unchanged.

MacGamerHQ provides the following screenshots of Apple's email to iTunes Affiliate members.

Apple originally said about two weeks ago that beginning May 1, 2017 commissions for all apps and in-app content would get slashed from seven percent to just 2.5 percent globally. The poor wording of the message has been blamed for the misunderstanding.

“We will also continue to pay affiliate commissions on Apple Music memberships so there are many ways to earn commissions with the program,” Apple said two weeks ago.

Aside from slashing commissions for in-app content, items like music, movies, books and TV subscriptions remain subjected to the seven percent commission rate across all markets.

iTunes Affiliate Program lets website owners and developers claim a small percentage of the proceeds from linked apps and content.

The company's Affiliate Resources webpage offers a Getting Started guide on becoming an affiliate partner, an updated Program Overview section providing information on the commission raters, reporting, creating links and other useful resources.

Snapchat launching original TV shows lasting between 3-5 minutes long

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Snap Inc. is gearing up to launch original TV shows on the service that would last between three and five minutes long. As per the Wall Street Journal today, the company has partnered with a bunch of content owners on the initiative, including NBCUniversal, Turner, A+E Networks, Discovery, BBC, ABC, ESPN, Vice Media, Vertical Networks, NFL and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Snap is aiming to air between two and three new episodes of original TV shows per day by the end of 2017. The company is looking for scripted dramas, daily news shows, horror, documentaries, animated shows and more.

Snap is also in discussions with CBS and Fox, said people familiar with the matter.

They could soon reach a deal with Scripps Networks Interactive, which owns Food Network and HGTV. According to the report, HGTV could produce offshoots of its current TV shows for Snap, including House Hunters and Chopped.

TV companies “are flocking” to create original shows for Snap because its executives “embrace certain old media values” like scarcity and promoting a select group of premium content above user-generated fare.

“I don't want to be a TV killer,” said a former News Corp. executive who works for Snap.

Here's an excerpt from the article:

To this extent, Snapchat might change some fundamental aspects of the social network in order to encourage binging and catching up with its shows, instead of sticking to its ephemeral content strategy which removed some past shows from the service after 48 hours.

For the new slate of TV shows, it's still unclear when exactly Snapchat plans to begin the launch, but users can at least expect them to begin debuting by the end of the year.

TV shows will be provided in the Stories tab of the mobile Snapchat app.

Snap has now launched an interactive audition experience akin to “The Voice” in its mobile app.

NBC's “Saturday Night Live” has already created original shows for Snapchat, like an episode pictured top of post where a couple tries to boycott all things related to Donald.

Windows are being installed along the outside of the main Apple Park building

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Following recent aerial footage of Apple Park from videographer Matthew Roberts, drone pilot Duncan Sinfield has now released his birds-eye video of Apple's upcoming 175-acre campus. Like Matthew's clip from two days ago, Sinfield's video reveals that the Cupertino company is continuing to put the final touches on the main ring-shaped building.

You can tell they're doubling down on landscaping work, which involves planting mature trees around the site. The massive pile of the earth continues to shrink on a daily basis, but don't expect it to disappear completely until all that dirt has been reused for landscaping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OS1d06QWqk

The solar panel roof looks complete and windows are now being installed alongside the outside of the main building. We can also see progress being made at the Steve Jobs Theater, a 1,000-seat underground auditorium named after Apple's late co-founder.

Other structures, including parking garages, secure research and development facilities, a fitness center for employees and a visitor kiosk, seem to be nearing completion—especially R&D centers that have appeared fully functional for several weeks now.

First employees supposedly began moving in last month, but it's going to take a while until Apple Park becomes a new home for a total of 13,000 employees.

“Closer to home, we're excited about moving into our new corporate headquarters, Apple Park, our new center for innovation,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier in the week on a conference call discussing his company's latest quarterly results with analysts and investors.

“The main building on Apple Park is designed to house 13,000 employees under one roof in an environment that fosters even greater collaboration among our incredibly talented team.”

Apple’s social video editing app Clips gains new feature in first update since launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Apple yesterday pushed the first update to Clips for iPhone and iPad following the software's debut on App Store nearly a month ago. Bumped to version 1.0.1, Clips packs in improvements to the Live Title feature that lets you create animated captions and titles in 36 different languages using your voice.

Apple says you can now tap on Live Title text while playing or paused to edit it manually in case Siri misheard you. Additionally, when you share your edited video to a contact who has multiple messaging addresses in your address book, the app will now suggest the most frequently used address.

Lastly, the stability and reliability when capturing and sharing videos that contain certain posters have been improved in this edition of the app.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2dfeWpwfyk

Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTube

Clips is compatible with iPhone 5s and later, 9.7-inch iPad (2017), all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad mini 2 and later and sixth-generation iPod touch.

The app requires iOS 10.3 or later and does not work on 32-bit devices.

For more on Clips, check out our walkthrough video included above. Clips was introduced as part of a flurry of Apple's Spring product refreshes in March.

Download Clips for iOS for free via App Store.

Delta Beta 4: iOS emulator gains Game Boy Color support

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ May 4, 2017

You may have heard Sebastien and I discussing Delta on Let's Talk Jailbreak, mentioning that more frequent updates had been promised with the last beta, and speculating on whether we would see anything big coming soon to the emulator. Perhaps developer Riley Testut heard us, but more likely an instance of pure dumb luck has meant that Delta Beta 4 was released to press testers, along with some exciting news.