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Apple's iOS 8.3 update brings wireless CarPlay to your iPhone
Apple's busy today -- on top of finally releasing Photos, it's rolling out the long-expected iOS 8.3 update. It's not as huge as 8.2 was, but you'll likely appreciate it if you're a tech-savvy driver. The upgrade brings wireless CarPlay in supporting vehicles, so you don't have to plug in your iPhone just to get directions or music on your car's center display. You'll also find more diverse emoji (as in OS X), the option to download free apps without a password and a much easier way of signing into Google accounts when you use two-factor authentication. There's a whole bunch of app performance and interface fixes on top of this, so you'll definitely want to grab the 8.3 patch when you get the chance.
Here's how accessories will use your iPhone's Lightning port
Apple already lets accessory makers use the Lightning port on iOS devices for headphones. However, it's reportedly close to opening the floodgates to more devices. And if 9to5Mac's leaked specs are accurate, the company will let these peripherals do more than you might expect. Lightning lets the iPhone send power and data to everything from game controllers to speakers, but it should also let you pass through other accessories at the same time. A dock could charge and sync your iPhone while you listen to music without needing a mess of extra cables, for instance. The connector should also charge battery-powered gear faster than the standard USB cables you use today.
Apple's iOS 8 is now available for you to download
Apple's iOS 8 may not look too different from the version that preceded it, but trust us: There are plenty of new bits and bobs to get familiar with once you start poking around. Now that you've had some time to dig into our full review, you can take iOS 8 for a spin yourself -- Apple has just pushed the update live, so check your iDevice's settings to see if it's your time to shine. Just keep a few things in mind before you enter the breach: The update will only install on the iPhone 4s and newer, the iPad 2 and newer and the fifth-generation iPod touch. Oh, and it looks like Apple is having some HealthKit trouble at the moment, so all HealthKit compatible apps have been temporarily removed from the App Store. According to tweets from Carrot Fit developer Brian Mueller, Apple has been saying that a fix is in the works, but there's no ETA on when it'll actually take effect. Nothing like a few hiccups to kick off a massive software launch, no? Photos by Will Lipman.
Here's how doctors will test Apple's new patient tracking features
Apple briefly hinted last week that hospitals would soon try out HealthKit's patient tracking technology, and we now know how those experiments are going to work. According to Reuters, both Duke University and Stanford University are weeks away from launching trial programs that will let doctors monitor vital stats with patients' permission. In the Stanford test, young Type 1 diabetes sufferers will carry both an iPod touch and a smart glucose meter to keep tabs on their blood sugar levels. There are fewer details surrounding Duke's pilot, but it will track the blood pressure and weight of those with cancer or heart disease.
iPod touch price cuts and new 16GB model with rear camera hit the UK
A few days ago, Apple killed off the stripped-down 16GB version of its iPod touch as quietly as it was introduced last year. In its place, a new 16GB model emerged with the same 5-megapixel iSight camera and color selection as its counterparts with higher storage capacities. Best of all, the new configuration is actually cheaper than its predecessor despite an improvement in hardware. It launched immediately in the US, and now it's available from Apple in the UK for £159, down from £199 for the previous, camera-less model. And, if 16GB just doesn't cut it, there's never been a better time to spring for the 32GB or 64GB models, given they've also received a favourable discount. Originally £249, the 32GB iPod touch is now £199, while the 64GB version that used to be £329 has dropped to £249.
Talkcast tonight, 7pm PT, 10pm ET: Whirled Cup Edition!
New dial-in experience! Set up Fuze Meeting before the show if you want to join in live. Having absorbed the information (among other things) that WWDC has to offer, we're ready to give you the highlights on this week's TUAW Talkcast! This week we have new iPods to talk about, and we'll be doing so with Mac Observer editor and friend of the show, Jeff Gamet. Reminder on new-style talkcasting: With some help from the fine folks at Fuze, we're using a new system to record the show. This should let everyone listen in live -- and, if you want, raise your hand as you would in the Talkshoe room to get unmuted and chime in. You can join the call in progress (meeting # is 20099010) at 10 pm ET from any computer via this link; if you download the Mac or Windows Fuze clients ahead of time, you'll get better audio and a slicker experience, but browser-only will work fine. Just click the phone icon to join the audio once you're in. Using an iPhone or iPad? Grab the native clients from the App Store and get busy. (Even Android users can join the party.) Still feel like using the conventional phone dial-in? Just call 201-479-4595 and enter the meeting number 20099010, then press #. While the Fuze web and native clients have a chat channel, we'd like to reserve that for host participants, requests to talk and other real-time alerts... so the full-on chat for the show will appear in this very post at 10 pm tonight. You'll need Twitter, Facebook or Chatroll credentials to participate in the chat. We'll remind everyone to check back in at that time.
Apple reveals iOS 8 at WWDC, available for free this fall
We all knew it was coming, and now it's here. Apple CEO Tim Cook just put months of breathless speculation to rest by pulling back the curtain on iOS 8 during the company's WWDC 2014 keynote address in San Francisco. It doesn't look like the sort of quantum leap that iOS 7 was, but Apple's head honcho assures us that it interacts in some fantastic ways with the new version of OS X and that it pairs great end user features with great developer features. Well, we'll be the judges of that. The big keynote just wrapped up -- here's what we know and what it means for you. First things first. There's a lot to dig into, but you'll get iOS 8 as a free update sometime this fall for the iPhone 4s and newer, the fifth-gen iPod touch and the iPad 2 and newer. If you're a developer though, you'll be able to access the iOS 8 beta and SDK today.
iRing adds gesture-control capability to iOS music apps (video)
This year's CES has introduced us to a number of devices that cater to specific people. That includes IK Multimedia's iRing accessory, designed for aspiring DJs who'd like to control their iOS music apps with gestures... and a dash of showmanship. So long as a user's wearing the iRing, the iDevice's front camera picks the gesture controls up, and the peripheral's accompanying app translates them to commands music software can understand. According to the company (the same one responsible for a few other music accessories for iOS), the iRing's capable of controlling not only basic music apps, but also advanced ones designed for those who mix their own tunes. It also comes with a couple of its own music-editing apps that one can use to add effects and create non-stop loops. Those who prefer waving their hands in the air over poking at on-screen controls can get the iRing in various music and electronic retailers worldwide for $25. Update: We've just gone hands-on with the iRing at CES and gave it a whirl with iRing Music Maker, one of two apps (the other is FX Controller) that it can take advantage of at launch. The iRing setup consists of two plastic "rings," which have an array of three dots on each side. One end of the plastic peripheral has the specks ordered into a triangle, while the other side has them in a line. An iOS device's camera recognizes the dot formation and controls the mapped function. Push one hand in and out to cycle through music effects or use your other paw to vary intensity. It works as promised, but we wouldn't consider it terribly useful -- unless, of course, you're a DJ only interested showmanship.
Cydia update courts iOS 7 jailbreakers with a new interface (video)
The availability of an iOS 7 jailbreak may have caught the Cydia team off-guard, but not for long. Jay Freeman and fellow developers have just updated their unofficial app platform to match Apple's minimalist look. It's more than just a cosmetic upgrade, too, as it includes iOS 7's swipe-based navigation and appears to run faster. Individual app writers will still have to update their code for everything to run smoothly, but jailbreak users who've just been waiting for an OS-native Cydia will want to check for the update today. [Image credit: iOS Hacker]
iOS 7 gets its first complete jailbreak, with a big catch
You've mostly been out of luck if you've wanted to jailbreak iOS 7 so far; what options have existed have been incomplete at best. Cracking the code just got a lot easier, though, as evasi0n 7 has just arrived. The untethered jailbreak lets Mac and Windows users freely modify iOS 7 on any device that can run the software in the first place, including newer gadgets like the iPad Air and iPhone 5s. Just be prepared for a rough experience, at least with early versions. In addition to the usual risks associated with unofficial OS tweaks, Saurik (Jay Freeman) warns that he hasn't had a real chance to test Cydia's app distribution platform with the new evasi0n release; you're using it at your own risk. Still, those who just have to venture beyond Apple's prescribed boundaries can start downloading the jailbreak at the source link. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple says 74 percent of App Store users are running iOS 7
Two can play the OS statistics game, it seems. Just a couple of days after Google noted that 1.1 percent of Android devices visiting Google Play are running KitKat, Apple has revealed that 74 percent of recent App Store customers are using iOS 7. That's a healthy 10-point improvement over what we saw in October, when 64 percent were running Cupertino's newest platform. The differences in OS adoption rates aren't totally surprising, mind you. Apple is targeting a narrower pool of hardware, doesn't have to wait for third-party approvals and recently launched two new iPads that could easily boost iOS 7 adoption. Android by its nature targets a wider range of devices and software interfaces that won't always receive updates at the same time. We wouldn't expect a big spike in KitKat use until larger phone makers like HTC and Samsung throw their full weight behind Google's latest platform.
Target previews Black Friday promotion with great deals on iPads and iPhones
Target on Monday posted to its website a preview of the Black Friday promotions it'll be running from November 28 through November 30. If you scroll through to page five, you'll see a number of really incredible deals on a range of Apple products. Here's what holiday shoppers will have to look forward to. First, the base model iPad Air will retail for US$479, a respectable $20 discount from its usual retail price. But what's really cool is that any purchase of a full-sized iPad (sorry iPad Mini fans) will also come with a $100 Target gift card. That essentially works out to an iPad Air for just $379, an absolutely incredible deal. Second, 16 GB models of the iPhone 5s will also be discounted by $20 and will be available for $179. iPhone 5s buyers will receive a $30 Target gift card. Not too shabby. Third, the original iPad Mini will sell for $299 and will come with a pretty solid $75 Target gift card. Fourth, Apple's favorite hobby -- the Apple TV -- will be available for $89, a $10 discount off the typical retail price. The Apple TV will not come with any gift cards. Fifth, you might have forgotten that Apple still sells iPods. Well, they mostly sell the iPod touch, but that's an entirely different topic. Getting down to business, Apple's 16 GB fifth-gen iPod Touch will sell for $229. That's not a discounted price, but iPod touch buyers will receive a $50 Target gift card. And last but not least, Black Friday shoppers at Target will be able to pick up $60 worth of iTunes gift cards for just $50. Each deal notes that quantities are limited, so if any of the above deals are attractive enough to catch your attention, you might find yourself waiting in line come Thanksgiving night.
Tweetbot 3.1 for iPhone brings back classic features, adds quick actions
When Tapbots released Tweetbot 3 for the iPhone last month, it took two steps forward and one step back -- a slew of older features didn't make the cut. The developer is quickly making amends with its 3.1 update, however. The refreshed Twitter app restores the option to set list as the active timeline, as well as OS-independent text size controls. There's also something truly new -- a quick action shortcut lets power users trigger definable tasks with a shorter-than-usual swipe. While there's still no corresponding iPad update, iPhone- and iPod-toting socialites can grab 3.1 now from the source link.
Apple releases iOS 7.0.3 update with iCloud Keychain support, bug fixes aplenty
Turns out it's not just Macs getting an OS update today. Apple has now also released version 7.0.3 of iOS -- a decidedly less major upgrade, but one that will no doubt be welcome to anyone having technical issues since updating to iOS 7. It's not all bug fixes, though. The update also brings with it support for iCloud Keychain to let you share passwords and credit card info across your various devices, along with a new password generator for Safari that will help you choose more secure passwords. You can find a rundown of all the promised fixes at the link below.
iOS 7 video tip: Making FaceTime audio calls
One of the relatively unsung features of iOS 7 is the addition of audio-only calling to FaceTime. Why would you want to use FaceTime to make audio-only calls instead of using the full video/audio capability? Well, maybe you just woke up and look like something the cat dragged in, and you don't want the person on the receiving end of the call to die of fright. Or perhaps you're using a weak Wi-Fi connection with your non-GSM iPad mini or iPod touch in an internet café overseas and don't want to risk not being able to make a FaceTime call at all. Either way, audio-only FaceTime calling is easy to do, and today's video tip will show you how.
iOS 7: Weather app is easy on the eyes, still lacking features
Another app that received a major overhaul in iOS 7 was the Weather app. The card-style design of the app has been stripped away, leaving in its place a lovely translucent UI with weather images in the background. It's about time Apple updated Weather, as the basic, boxy design has been around since the first iPhone debuted in 2007. UI The Weather app is now a full-screen app that allows Apple to fit additional weather data on the screen without making everything cluttered. The background is dynamic and changes based on the time of day and the weather conditions. It's a subdued background that is attractive on your screen and doesn't scream "look at me." To me, this is a good thing as it's the weather data that I want, not some vibrant pictures. The Weather app resembles the Yahoo Weather app, which is delightfully ironic as Yahoo provides the weather data for Apple. Features When the app launches, the first thing you see are the current weather conditions and the temperature, which occupy the top third of the screen (as shown above). The rest of the screen is split between the hourly forecast, the weekly forecast and the settings at the bottom. This isn't all there is to the app. Tapping or swiping on the weather data brings up additional information. For example, you can tap on the current temperature and view other weather parameters like humidity, chance of rain, wind speed and direction and the "feels like" temperature. Like its predecessors, the app supports multiple locations (shown above), which are added by tapping on the settings icon in the bottom-right corner, hitting the "+" button and then typing in the location information. Conclusion The new Weather app looks great and performs great, but its feature set lags behind its competitors. Notably absent are niceties like radar, photos and webcams. Don't get me wrong -- I love what Apple did here, and I use the Weather app in a pinch, but I still prefer apps such as WeatherBug and the new Perfect Weather.
Apple adds $59 AppleCare+ for iPod classic and iPod touch
Apple has quietly added a US$59 AppleCare+ plan for the iPod classic and iPod touch. Like other products eligible for AppleCare+ plans, the iPod classic and iPod touch can now get an additional year of warranty coverage, a total of two years of phone support and two incidents of repair or replacement due to accidental damage (with an additional $29 fee to cover accidental damage when it occurs). Previously all iPods were only covered by the standard AppleCare plans, which don't offer accidental damage protection. Apple has also launched the AppleCare+ plan in Italy, France and the UK.
Apple adds new 'Space Gray' color option for iPod Touch, nano and shuffle
Apple has added a "space gray" color option to the iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod shuffle. The new color option for the iPods was first noticed by MacRumors. The fact that Apple quietly did this probably means that no iPod refresh is set to come this year, as Apple would have likely held off on introducing the new color if iPods were to be refreshed before the holidays. The space gray option replaces black on the current iPod lineup. All prices on iPods remain the same.
Happy anniversary to the venerable iPod touch
The iPod touch was introduced on this date way back in 2007 at an Apple music event. Steve Jobs gave the keynote address at that event (video below), but it's hard to imagine that the first generation (pictured above) didn't even have a proper speaker. While I wonder if anyone at Apple worried that the iTouch, as some call it, would scuttle iPhone sales, I'd say that hasn't proven to be the case at all. As of May 2013, Apple has sold about 100 million of these things. iPhones, meanwhile, have sold hundreds of millions, although Apple likes to lump iOS devices together to say that over 500 million iOS devices have been sold. Traditionally the company is loathe to break out iPod touch numbers, but suffice it to say the touch is a smaller share -- by far -- than the iPad or iPhone. Still, the touch is a great device. Today's fifth-generation touch has the 4-inch screen that the iPhone 5 has, a great camera and it comes in colors like the iPod nano. I bought my kids a couple of fourth-generation devices during the last Christmas season they were available, and since then, we've logged hours on FaceTime, and they've probably spent a hundred bucks or more on apps. As an entry-level iOS device, the iPod touch is still fantastic. There are frequently rumors of the iPod touch being discontinued, but consider that Apple released a cheaper version without a camera recently. I think the touch is useful in cases where a cellular radio is impractical or makes no sense. Plus, you never have to hassle with a cellphone contract (ah, the joys of the US telecommunications industry), which makes it ideal for kids or anyone who doesn't need a phone with apps. Do you have an iPod touch? Do you think Apple should discontinue it?
Engadget's iPhone app has been completely rebuilt, and it's available to download now!
We've heard you, and we agree -- our iPhone app has needed a re-envisioning, and we're thrilled to announce that the fruits of a lot of behind-the-scenes labor can now be seen in the App Store. Engadget's iPhone app has been completely rebuilt from the ground-up, with an all-new design taking center stage. Behind the new visuals, you'll find plenty of new functionality. Here's a quick breakdown on what's new and what has changed: Left and right slide-in rails have replaced the five buttons along the bottom, providing a cleaner view and the ability to slot new tools into those bars The left rail provides scrollable, adjustable navigation, while the right rail houses media such as podcasts and videos Within an article, you'll find one-tap access to comments and sharing options right at the top Within the Share icon, you'll also be able to save an article to Instapaper, Evernote, Pocket or into the app's Read Later section Added the ability to save all of the day's stories for offline reading with a single tap. Font size adjustment slider One-tap access to send Engadget editors a news tip, and to send feedback to our developers Support for Events (including Expand!) and recurring Buyer's Guides Our devs are also working hard right now to implement additional features (yes, beyond just tweaks and fixes) later this year. As for our loyal readers that rely on Android and Windows Phone, be assured that we're overhauling those builds as well in order to elevate our entire stable to a new standard. Our hope is to have those platforms served with a redesigned app before the year's end. Give it a download right here, and be sure to submit any issues to our support staff within the app itself (pull up the right rail -> Send Feedback). We'll be poring over each submission in a bid to make things even better as we go. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
