News

Steve Wozniak to share untold stories about Apple at Startup World Cup next month

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

The Startup World Cup, a global conference and competition that brings together the best startups, venture capitalists, top entrepreneurs and world-class technology CEOs, is scheduled to kick off on March 27, 2016 and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has been announced as one of its grand finale speakers. The Woz will share more “untold stories of Apple” at the one-day conference, which will take place at the Marriott Marquis hotel in San Francisco.

References to next-generation MacBook Pros with Kaby Lake chips found in Sierra code

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

A developer-only preview of what would become the macOS Sierra 10.12.4 software update references a total of eight next-generation MacBook Pro models with the latest Kaby Lake processors from Intel. First discovered by the Apple-centric blog named Pike’s Universum, the code strings in question point to unused IDs for three motherboard identifiers. Aside from other improvements, the Kaby Lake platform enables lower power consumption while possibly bringing support for 32GB RAM.

Facebook Messenger testing iOS 10 Messages-like chat interface redesign

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

Facebook is testing a redesign of the chat interface in Messenger for iPhone, which in some aspects resembles Apple's overhauled iOS 10 Messages app. The enhanced chat UI is currently being tested with a small subset of Messenger's user base, but there's no telling when, or if it might launch for everyone. I spotted Messenger's upcoming chat UI refresh on a friend's device. At the time of this writing, the Messenger app on App Store had version 103.0.

BeatsX earphones will be available to buy this Friday, two new colors added

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

Corroborating yesterday's report, CNET today said that the upcoming BeatsX earphones with the Apple W1 wireless chip and a new neckband design will be launching this Friday, February 10, in the United States. The earbuds will be available to purchase from Apple.com and company-owned retail stores. Aside from the existing Black and White color options, CNET has learned that the $150 accessory will be available in two additional finishes, Gray and Blue, following this Friday's launch.

YouTube creators with 10,000+ subscribers can now stream live on mobile

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

Google-owned YouTube announced on Tuesday that creators who have more than 10,000 subscribers can now stream live video on mobile. This feature has been built directly into YouTube's mobile app for iOS and Android. If you're a YouTube creator with 10,000 subscribers, launch the app and hit the capture button to start streaming instantly. Streamed videos have all the same features as regular YouTube videos, meaning they can be searched for, found via recommendations or playlists and protected from unauthorized use.

Truphone rolls out global data plans with Apple SIM in 40 countries

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

Truphone today announced that its 4G data plans aimed at cellular iPads with Apple SIM are now available in 40 countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France and Germany. Truphone's pay-as-you-go roaming plans start at €8 (about $8.5) for 500 megabytes of cellular data over 30 days and go all the way up to €20 (about $21.3) for 3 gigabytes of high-speed 4G cellular data over 30 days. They'll also treat first-time customers to 100 megabytes of data at no charge.

Apple taps an old plug to ease connectivity and adapter woes with Lightning headphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

Apple will soon allow vendors who design MFi-certified accessories to build support for an obscure but already-existent port in order to ease some of the connectivity and adapter woes associated with Lightning-based headphones. 9to5Mac reported that the company might market UAC, an intermediary in headphone cables, as “Ultra Accessory Connector” (UAC).

Citing sources at Apple, The Verge adds that UAC is an old plug you might have seen with your Nikon DSLR camera rather than a proprietary new connector type from Apple. Apple's ultimate goal with UAC, The Verge claims, is making Lightning and USB-C work better together rather than replacing them with a brand new I/O port.

Apple’s 2017 Back to School promo launches in Australia, New Zealand & Japan

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

Apple today kicked off its annual Back to School promotion across Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Advertised under the “Back to Uni” tagline, these deals offer students, teachers and university staff members an Apple Store credit in exchange for a qualified iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook/Air/Pro or iPad Pro purchase made from February 7 to March 16.

The promotion is combinable with educational pricing discounts on Macs, iPads and AppleCare products. Built-to-order Mac models qualify for these deals as well, but refurbished devices and lower-cost computers like Mac mini do not.

Transit directions for New Orleans launch on Apple Maps ahead of Mardi Gras

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

As first noted by MacRumors, Apple's Maps service has rolled out transit directions in New Orleans ahead of Mardi Gras. With the update, customers who live in the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area can now get directions using public transportation options such as RTA buses and streetcars, Jefferson Transit buses and Amtrak trains and busses. Apple Maps is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch and Mac. Just a week ago, Apple Maps rolled out transit directions for the Houston, Texas metropolitan area ahead of Super Bowl.

BeatsX earphones briefly showed as in stock in select Apple Stores ahead of launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

Following a recent delay of Beats X Bluetooth earphones with Apple-designed W1 wireless chip, they briefly showed as in stock in select Apple Stores this morning suggesting either an imminent launch (not very likely) or limited availability later this week (more likely). The earbuds use a flexible cord that lets them hang around your neck when not in use. Announced at the September 2016 iPhone 7 event, the accessory sports 8-hour battery life, a Siri-compatible RemoteTalk with built-in playback controls and a Lightning port for charging.

And with Fast Fuel technology, BeatsX customers will be able to get approximately two hours of playback time with a quick five-minute charge.

Apple and other tech giants file legal brief opposing Trump’s immigration order

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial executive order that would bar Syrian refuges and travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country is being formally challenged by Apple and 96 other companies, Bloomberg said Monday.

Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel, Airbnb Netflix, Snap, Uber, Zynga, Levi Strauss, Chobani along with many other companies have all signed an amicus brief, which is a legal filing that lets outside parties offer non-binding opinions to the court.

Apple renews efforts to sell used iPhones in India

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2017

Apple is planning to kick off local iPhone production in India by the summer. While a final decision has yet to be made regarding a number of concessions Apple is seeking from the government before setting up a production plant in the country, the company is now said to be reviving efforts to sell used iPhones in the massive 1.25 billion people country.

As per Bloomberg, Apple's previous proposal regarding selling refurbished iPhones was met with heavy resistance so the firm's put back its request on the table, ensuring government officials that used devices would be compliant with quality standards.