Rumors

Bloomberg: Twitter plans to stop counting photos and links within the 140-character limit

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 16, 2016

Twitter's legendary 140-character limit per tweet (which mirrors limits on SMS messages) may not be going away anytime soon even though it was recently lifted from Direct Messages, but that doesn't mean the company isn't plotting new ways to help users squeeze more words into tweets.

As reported by Bloomberg, citing a person familiar with the matter, by not counting photos and links in tweets Twitter aims to make it easier to compose posts without losing 23 characters, or more, to these links—even after Twitter automatically shortens them.

Apple could terminate iTunes music downloads within two years [updated]

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple is preparing to completely terminate music downloads in the iTunes Store, reports Digital Music News. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet says an aggressive, two-year timetable to switch completely to streaming music is gaining traction within the company.

Hedging on its claim, the site also says other shutdown plans are being considered, including one that would see the iPhone-maker offer music downloads for another 3-4 years. Regardless, executives have agreed that keeping downloads running forever is no longer on the table.

Leaked screenshots show off minor design changes in upcoming iTunes 12.4 update

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 7, 2016

Apple is working on a minor update for desktop iTunes and MacRumors was able to obtain screenshots which show off several design improvements in tow for the app. This isn't the top-to-bottom overhaul we've been all waiting for though the changes in iTunes 12.4 should make this infamous Mac and Windows app a bit easier to use.

As per the leaked screenshots, iTunes 12.4 packs in a redesigned media picker, a persistent sidebar for quick access to different sections of your iTunes library, a slightly reworked mini player and a tad simpler menus.

Overhauled Apple Music to integrate lyrics, offer a new Browse section and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2016

9to5Mac's Mark Gurman has added some color to Bloomberg's report this morning which described an upcoming overhaul of Apple Music in broad strokes. According to Gurman's sources, the new-look Apple Music section within the stock Music app will be part of the overall iOS 10 refresh and include, among other things, lyrics integration.

The end-to-end overhaul includes ditching the colorful look in favor of a simpler, black and white design which emphasizes text. For example, the appearance of the albums view will no longer change based on the color of a particular album’s art.

iPhone 7 may come outfitted with a slightly stronger battery than iPhone 6s

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 2, 2016

According to a post on the Chinese social network Sina Weibo, Apple's next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones may come outfitted with slightly larger batteries than the current-generation iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models. Based on a claimed spy shot of purported battery packages for the upcoming devices, the iPhone 7 should have a one percent stronger battery than the iPhone 6s while the iPhone 7 Plus should pack in a more than two percent stronger battery versus its iPhone 6s Plus counterpart.

Japanese magazine shares detailed ‘iPhone 7 Pro’ design schematics

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 27, 2016

In its June 2016 edition, Japanese monthly Mac Fan brings purported design schematics of Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 Plus model, which they refer to as an 'iPhone 7 Pro’. The drawings reaffirm upcoming features such as the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, a dual-lens camera on the back and roughly the same dimensions as the current-generation iPhone 6s Plus model.

Apple slowing down recruiting efforts, report says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple in the past few weeks has been dismissing all of its contract recruiters, reports VentureBeat. Citing a source familiar with the matter, the outlet says the Cupertino company has begun cutting full-time recruiter as well.

These moves are part of a broader plan to slow down recruiting efforts across the board, the report says, as Apple looks to reevaluate. At least 100 people are expected to be cut, and there are no new job postings for recruiters.

Analyst talks iPhone 8: OLED screen with no Home button, wireless charging and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2016

Apple will be launching new iPhones this fall, likely to be marketed as 'iPhone 7' and 'iPhone 7 Plus'.

Should the company stick to its established S-upgrade cycle, and there's no reason to believe it won't, then we should see an 'iPhone 7s' and 'iPhone 7s Plus' in 2017, right? That's what conventional wisdom has taught us, but one analyst's turned that conventional wisdom on its head.

Citing industry sources, Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz recently wrote a lot of nice things about Apple's 2017 iPhone, which he called a “mega cycle” upgrade that will feature a bunch of significant hardware advances that should help increase Apple's iPhone sales by as much as 10.3 percent.

Apple meeting with top talent to develop original programming

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple has been secretly meeting with top entertainment talent, reports Fast Company. In a lengthy article detailing the streaming ambitions of various tech giants, the outlet says the iPhone-maker has its sights set on building a lineup of original programming.

According to sources, the company quietly set up shop at the Imperial Hotel in Utah during this year's Sundance Film Festival. There, it hosted a series of private events, known as the "iTunes Lounge," where it discussed content deals with actors and filmmakers.

Apple’s environmental webpage hints at ‘MacOS’ name change

Cody Lee ∙ April 14, 2016

More evidence that Apple is planning to rebrand OS X to MacOS in the near future has been discovered on Apple's environmental webpage. First spotted by 9to5Mac, the recently updated page specifically refers to "MacOS" devices.

The news follows a March report that pointed to a MacOS reference hidden inside OS X code. And of course the change has long been speculated about, as it would bring the desktop OS branding in line with Apple's other platforms.

Apple working on paid search results and other App Store changes

Cody Lee ∙ April 14, 2016

Apple has a "secret team" exploring various changes to the App Store, reports Bloomberg. Citing people familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says among the ideas being pursued is paid search results, where developers pay to have their apps more prominently displayed.

Such a move would drastically impact search results, as a developer with a word puzzle game in the App Store could essentially pay to have their game listed among the top search results—similar to Google.com. It would also give Apple a new way to make money from the App Store.

Everything we expect from Apple’s ‘Let us loop you in’ event on Monday

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2016

As you know, Apple has scheduled a media event on its Cupertino campus on this coming Monday, March 21. Earlier this month, the company sent out its predictably cryptic invites with the “Let us loop you in” tagline to select members of the press.

It looks to be a pretty significant event.

On top of an all-new four-inch iPhone model, we're expecting other announcements like a smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro, new Apple Watch bands—including a black edition of the Milanese Loop—and a bunch of enhancements for Apple's operating systems.