Update

Apple releases iTunes 12.4 with minor design changes

Continuing with its string of update releases today, Apple has pushed out a new version of iTunes. Labeled as iTunes 12.4, the update confirms screenshot leaks we saw earlier this month depicting minor design and interface changes that make for a more streamlined experience in the desktop app.

Apple says 12.4 allows you to enjoy your media in a new, "simpler" design that features revamped navigation, better use of back and forward buttons, and a new media picker. Sidebar has also been refreshed, with new Library views and the ability to easily drag and drop songs into custom Playlists.

Apple releases OS X 10.11.5, watchOS 2.2.1 and tvOS 9.2.1

In addition to iOS 9.3.2, Apple on Monday released OS X 10.11.5, watchOS 2.2.1 and tvOS 9.2.1 to the public. You can find the updates in the Mac App Store, in the iOS Watch app, and by navigating to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software on your fourth generation Apple TV.

From what we saw in the various developer and public betas for the above updates, none of them are going to include any significant user-facing changes. They're mostly maintenance releases, featuring bug fixes and other improvements aimed at ironing issues noticed in previous software versions.

Apple releases iOS 9.3.2 with bug fixes and other improvements

Apple on Monday seeded iOS 9.3.2 to the public. The official release follows 4 developer and public betas, and comes about a month and a half after iOS 9.3.1. Those looking to update can do so by navigating to the Settings app > General > Software Update > Install Now, or you can find the full version on our Downloads page.

As we saw in the betas, iOS 9.3.2 doesn't contain a lot of new features. It's mostly bug fixes—iPhone SE owners will be glad to hear that this update fixes the Bluetooth accessory issue—and other improvements. One thing users may notice is the ability to use Low Power Mode and Night Shift at the same time. Full change log below.

New Tweetbot update makes tweetstorming easier

The Tapbots on Friday issued an update for their popular iOS Twitter client Tweetbot 4, bringing the app to version 4.3. The update includes a number of improvements, and a brand new feature called Topics that promises to make tweetstorming easier.

A Topic is a way to let you quickly Tweet a group of related Tweets without having to manually reply to yourself and/or add the same hashtags over and over. You can activate Topics by tapping the gear menu in the Compose screen, and they sync via iCloud.

iOS 9.3 jailbreak status: what we know so far

It’s been several months since Apple killed off the iOS 9.0.x jailbreak, and since then the state of the jailbreak has been very unstable. True, a new version of the Pangu Tool came out in March, for iOS 9.1, but by then most folks had already updated to 9.2 or the 9.3 beta. So as you can imagine, we’ve received a lot of questions regarding the current status of the jailbreak. Here is what we know so far.

What to do if music, videos, and other content disappear after an iTunes update

It's not that uncommon for the music, videos, and other content in your iTunes folder to disappear after updating iTunes. It doesn't seem to happen to everyone, but as many internet stories will tell you, it does occur to a number of users on some occasions.

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to get your iTunes music, videos, and more back when you notice it has gone missing after installing an iTunes app update.

Apple updates iMovie for Mac with various visual and speed improvements

Apple on Thursday pushed out a solid update for iMovie for Mac, bringing the popular video-editing software to version 10.1.2. The release brings about several improvements, including faster project creation, easier clip selection and more.

The focus of the update seems to be visual cues and speed. Apple added a New Project button in the Projects Browser and Larger project thumbnails on the visual side, and the ability to begin editing a project with a single click on the speed side.

A look at the brand new Philips Hue app

For decades it was a thing of science fiction. Books and movies have long depicted their protagonists speaking commands to inanimate objects and having orders carried out instantly. I think it's safe to say that most everyone, including myself, used to daydream of being able to control lights simply by giving a voice command from anywhere in the room, no longer having to get up and walk over to flip a light switch on or off.

Then Philips introduced their Hue lightbulbs and companion API, moving traditional light switches a step closer to obsoleteness by introducing the ability to turn lights on and off with a smartphone app, bringing us one step closer to making voice controlled lights a reality. When the second generation Hue bridge was introduced with HomeKit support, Siri gained the ability to control Hue peripherals, creating the ultimate ease-of-use scenario.

There's almost a magical property surrounding Philips Hue lights. A room can be lit or darkened by a spoken word, its walls repainted in an instant, or the atmosphere changed to anything from a tropical sunset to an Arctic aurora. There's really no limit to what one can do with a few Hue lights and some creative inspiration.

Ulysses brings its elegant writing environment to iPhone

As a writer, I'm always on the lookout for new apps that will help with the creative process and enable me to get work done more quickly and efficiently. I've gone through a variety of different apps on both Mac and iOS that provide their unique and not-so-unique feature sets in search of the ultimate writing tool.

With the power of iOS 9 on iPad, my goal has been to find a solid app that would give me the freedom of mobility while still syncing my thoughts and work to my Mac for those articles that only a physical keyboard could conquer. Today, I have found a solution that meets these goals in the form of Ulysses.

Apple Store app gains 3D Touch support, now available in more countries

Apple on Thursday pushed out an update for its Apple Store iOS client, bringing the app to version 3.7. The update brings about new 3D Touch features on compatible devices, and makes the app available in new countries.

As for 3D Touch support, iPhone 6s users have long been able to utilize Quick Actions on the app icon, but now the Apple Store app supports Peek and Pop. So force-pressing on a link within the app now opens up previews.

Instagram updates Explore feature with video channels

Instagram announced on Thursday that it's going to be rolling out a new look for Explore featuring video channels. The Facebook-owned social network says that it hopes the move will make it easier for users to discover video content they'll enjoy.

Starting today, iOS and Android users will begin seeing a personalized channel in the Explore tab of the Instagram app called "Videos you Might Like." The channel will feature videos collected from across the world in a seamless viewing experience.

GarageBand for Mac updated with Music Memos support, new Apple Loops and more

Apple on Thursday pushed out an update for GarageBand for Mac, bringing the software to version 10.1.1. The release brings about several improvements, including improved compatibility with GarageBand for iOS and Live Loops projects.

The update also brings about support for Logic Remote on the iPhone and iPad Pro, 2,600 new Apple Loops and sounds, and support for Music Memos—the app Apple released earlier this year to help musicians and songwriters capture ideas.