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iPhone 5s and 5c get a £100 price drop
Not really interested in Apple's new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus? How about a smaller iPhone with an even smaller price tag? That's exactly what's on the table after Apple cut the price of an unlocked iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c by £100 each following yesterday's event. That means can now pick up a 16GB or 32GB iPhone 5s for £459 or £499 respectively, while the price of the more colourful iPhone 5c (8GB) has dropped to £319. Although the Apple Watch won't be available until the new year, the company has said iPhones from the 5c up will support the new wearable, meaning you won't miss out if you decide later that you want a smaller screen on your wrist.
Yes, Martha, the Apple Store is down until after the event
So it shall forever be, the Apple Store is down in advance of Apple's latest event. An event the company calls "historic," no less! We can't wait to see what's in the box. Join us here for live coverage.
Apple Store app updated with new design, shopping sync feature
Apple today updated its Apple Store app to version 3.0, overhauling the look of the universal app on the iPhone and adding the ability to make One to One reservations on the iPad. Apple has spruced up the Apple Store app, externally changing the application icon from a shopping cart to a shopping bag. Inside the app, the most notable change is the row of new icons on the bottom bar, which now includes Featured, Shop, Stores, Account and Cart. Besides the visual changes, Apple also removed the "More" button from the bottom and replaced it with an "Account" link. Other modifications include an improved "Stores" tab that now shows upcoming event information for the local Apple retail store and a new syncing feature that allows a user to start shopping on one device and pick up on another device. The full list of changes found in the release notes are as follows: Now start shopping on one device and finish on another, or even on your Mac or PC. Find out about upcoming events and workshops at nearby Apple Retail Stores using the new Stores tab on your iPhone. On iPhone and iPod touch, there's an all-new design with more refined navigation and imagery. On iPad, you can now make One to One reservations. Apple's updated Apple Store app is available for free from the iOS App Store.
World's largest Apple retail store may soon be built in Dubai
Edgar Daily reports that an upcoming Apple retail store planned for the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai may prove to be Apple's largest yet. After regional media picked up on UAE-based job advertisements by the Californian company, we have insider knowledge that the Majid Al Futtaim owned mall will become home to Apple's first flagship in the Middle East. Our undisclosed source said that the store – which will be the biggest Apple has ever built – was originally planned to replace the current cinema complex. The timing of the recent job adverts suggest the store could have a planned opening for the first quarter of 2015. While it remains to be seen what the final store looks like, there are a few pieces of circumstantial evidence worth pointing out. As mentioned above, Apple last week posted a number of UAE-based positions for its retail unit. According to iFoAppleStore -- a site that tends to have its finger on the pulse of Apple retail -- hiring schedules on Apple's job board point to a possible Feburary 2015 unveiling. What's more, you might remember that Tim Cook this past February traveled to the United Arab Emirates where he met with UAE Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In a statement on the matter provided to Business Insider, an Apple spokesperson said: The United Arab Emirates is an important country for Apple. We launched the Apple Online Store, UAE in 2011 and it's one of our fastest growing markets around the world. We look forward to opening a physical store in the region and sharing Apple's unique shopping experience and services that have been incredibly popular around the world in the near future.
Apple to open third Netherlands retail store this weekend
Apple has announced that it will be opening another Apple Store in the Netherlands this coming Saturday, August 9. The store will be located at The Hague's Passage mall, and joins the company's other stores in Haarlem and Amsterdam. This is the third store Apple has opened in the Netherlands since 2012. If you'd like to attend the grand opening, and presumably get a free t-shirt, the store's address is Passage 39, 2511 AB Den Haag. Here's footage from the opening of the Amsterdam store in 2012.
Apple news bites for Tuesday, August 5, 2014
It's been very, very quiet in the world of Apple the past few weeks, but that doesn't mean that there's nothing happening out there. Here are a few little snack-sized bits of news that we've picked up this morning: Did you break the screen on your iPhone 5s? Just walk into your local Apple Store soon and you will be able to have it repaired on-site. AppleInsider reports that as of yesterday, Apple Stores are doing iPhone 5s screen replacements in as little as one hour. Previously, damaged screens meant that your iPhone 5s would need to be sent offsite for servicing, a process that could take up to five full days. Dutch Apple fans who live in Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands can attend the grand opening of the new Apple Store in that city this upcoming Saturday (August 9) at 10 AM local time. Grab me a t-shirt if you go to the opening, OK? The Apple website lists the address of the new store as Passage 39, 2511 AB Den Haag. Apple has been granted more patents ... totally unsurprising considering the number of patents that are applied for each year by the company. There's a patent for a "magnetic resonance power system" that could eliminate the need for batteries in keyboards and mice, another for a "microwave frequency communication system covering a wireless disposable wristband," and one for "backside iPad gaming controls." As usual, none of these patents may ever see the light of day in a future Apple product. UK Virgin Media users who are also subscribers to Sky Movies or Sky Sports can now watch those channels on their iPhones and iPads via the Sky Movies and Sky Sports apps. The Sky Sports app provides "second screen" capabilities when you're watching football games, cricket matches, or Formula 1 races on the big screen, while the Sky Movies subscription lets you watch all 11 channels or over 800 on-demand films on the go. The Mac Observer's Jeff Gamet reports that Apple has a social media secret weapon in the form of Musa Tariq. Mr. Tariq was hired as Apple's retail Digital Marketing Director, coming from Burberry (where he was a marketing director working with new Apple retail VP Angela Ahrendts) and Nike, where he was the social media director.
A second Apple Store in the works for Istanbul
The second Apple Store in Turkey is set to open later this year in Istanbul's Akasya Shopping Center, according to the ElmaDergisi ("Apple Magazine") website. The website posted photos (one of which is shown above) detailing the installation of the standard flooring and wooden display tables, with the usual glass front and glowing white Apple logo at the front of the store. The first store in Turkey opened April 5th at Istanbul's luxury Zorlu Shopping Center. That standalone store features a glass cube design with an Apple logo on the roof, very iconic for the first Turkish Apple retail outlet. Gary Allen of ifoAppleStore.com believes that the store may open in September, based on information received from blogger Mehmet Terziler of ElmaDergisi. Other future store locations are rumored for Ankara and Izmir. Apple executives met with Turkish president Abdullah Gül and prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2013 to discuss putting iPads into Turkish schools, although nothing concrete appears to have come out of those meetings. Photo from Elmadergisi.com, Batuhan Hikmet Gürhan
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for July 24, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. Be sure that your podcast software is set up to subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Apple pushes further into Chinese retail with 12th Apple Store, opening August 2
Apple may not have gone for the bargain-basement iPhone many were theorizing the company would offer for the Chinese market, but you can't say the company isn't taking its new effort in China seriously. On August 2, the company will open its twelfth retail location, which will mark the second new store opening in as many weeks, following a new store in the southwest city of Chongqing which will open its doors on July 26. The Center 66 mall in Wuxi, China will play host to the new Apple location. Going by Apple's official listing of the new store, it appears to be a standard Apple store in all respects. A full slate of knowledge classes is available starting the day after the opening, on August 3, and the majority of the sessions are already full. It's important to note that Apple and the iPhone are dealing with a bit of drama in China right now, with a state-run news agency calling out the smartphone as a potential security threat. Apple has refuted the claims, and there's clearly plenty of love for Apple products in China, but there seems to be a layer of subtle animosity from the government -- or at least certain government agencies or officials -- that Apple could do without. [via AppleInsider] [Photo via Hang Lung Properties]
When Ron Johnson told Steve Jobs the Apple Store design was all wrong
You may know Ron Johnson as the man who helped mold Target into the retailer it is today, or perhaps as the Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Apple from 2000 through 2011. Maybe you know him from his recent work trying to turn JCPenney around before he was ousted in April of this year. Despite his recent setback, Johnson has been an important part of the retail world for decades, driving change and innovation. Stanford Business put together a fascinating look at the former CEO, republished by Inc.com, that looks at his successes and failures in business, and includes an interesting story about his time at Apple. The company was just about to open its first retail store, massive amounts of money had been spent, and Johnson told Steve Jobs they needed to change everything. Before Apple opened its first store in May 2001, Johnson was riding with Steve Jobs to a weekly planning meeting. "We've organized it like a retail store around products, but if Apple's going to organize around activities like music and movies, well, the store should be organized around music and movies and things you do,'" Johnson confessed. Jobs turned to him and said, "Do you know how big a change that is? I don't have time to redesign the store." Ten minutes later, Jobs walked into the meeting and said, "Well, Ron thinks our store is all wrong. And he's right, so I'm going to leave now. And Ron, you work with the team and design the store." That lesson of doing things well "carried through to so many things I've done," recalls Johnson. "It's not about speed to market. It's really about doing your level best." The move led to the Apple Stores we know today, which encourage exploration of what the products can do rather than simply having product available to browse. Sometimes starting over can be the best place to begin. You just have to trust the people in your organization to know when a new direction is necessary.
iTunes Pass spreads to U.S., U.K., and more
For anyone without a credit or debit card, adding money to an iTunes or App Store account usually means picking up a gift card from a retail store. iTunes Pass, which originally launched its test run in Japan, is now available in several additional regions and offers another way to buy content from Apple's digital marketplaces. With iTunes Pass, you can go into an Apple Store and load up your iTunes/App Store account with funds by bringing up the iTunes Pass card in Passbook and having an Apple representative scan it. The money can then be used immediately. At the moment, it appears the new option is live in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and is likely rolling out to others as well, though Apple hasn't yet revealed a full list of supported regions. It's a feature most of us will never really care about, but for parents who prefer to pre-pay their kids' iTunes accounts rather than link their accounts to a credit card, it could be a fantastic tool. Of course, the fact that it will also increase foot traffic to Apple retail locations wouldn't hurt either, which I'm sure is something Apple has thought about as well. [via iMore]
Smappee's £169 energy monitor can keep tabs on every device in your home
Sure, our homes are getting smarter and allowing us to be greener than before, but the cost of energy has continued to climb. Energy companies have encouraged us keep tabs on our consumption, but it's hard to identify which appliances are responsible for driving up your fuel bill every month. That's where Smappee's smart energy monitor comes in, having just launched in the UK: Instead of just telling you how much current your home is consuming, this little box can identify individual devices and appliances in your home, letting you shut the offending devices down.
Apple trims max iPhone trade-in value in US, Canada
Last August, Apple launched its iPhone trade-in program in Apple Stores across the United States, offering up to $250 of trade-in credit for top of the line devices. Now, with the impending release of the iPhone 6 this fall, prices have dropped. iPhone Canada noticed that the maximum trade-in value for an iPhone has fallen from $250 to $225. However, it's important to check online before making your choice. Using Apple's online Reuse and Recycle option we were able to find an offer of $255 for a 64 GB black iPhone 5 on Verizon. The same phone on ATT only offered up $205. There's large amount of variation between carriers and models, so do your research before you make your final decision. As current models of the iPhone age they decrease in value, but there are still other options available for people looking to get top dollar for their old iPhone. Gazelle and eBay both regularly fetch higher prices for old iPhones than Apple's official trade-in program. It may not be as convenient as dropping into the Apple Store and trading in your device for store credit, but you'll get more money. Apple recently expanded its trade-in program to Italy.
New Apple Store graphics and other news highlights
It's the first day of July and the second half of 2014, and the beginning of Apple's fourth fiscal quarter of the year. While we'll need to wait a few weeks (see the third item below for details!) to hear how the past three months fared in the world of Apple, there's still plenty of news about our favorite fruit company: New graphics at Apple Stores. Those beautiful, big wall graphics at Apple Stores used to highlight the company's products against a stark white background. Now the images are beginning to show people using devices like the iPhone 5s and iPad. The graphics are more colorful, but darker, and somewhat mirror Apple's recent advertising campaigns including the "Your Verse" iPad ads and the new "Parenthood" ad. AppleCare+ purchase window extended. The standard (without accidental damage coverage) AppleCare plan is being discontinued today in the US, Canada and Japan. Previously, AppleCare+ had to be purchased within 30 days of buying an iPhone or iPad. Beginning today, that purchase window is extended to 60 days so that customers can decide whether or not they need the extended support provided by the plan. Apple's Q3 2014 Earnings Call is scheduled for July 22, 2014 at 5 PM ET. As usual, TUAW will host a liveblog of the event covering the highlights and the humorous attempts by Wall Street analysts to get Apple execs to spill the beans on new products. The new upgraded, lower-priced 16GB iPod touch rolls out around the world. Remember the new iPod touch that debuted last week? It's now available in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries worldwide. The new device includes a 5-megapixel iSight camera and new color choices for US$199.
Apple TV price slashed to £79 in the UK
Apple today introduced a new, cheaper iMac, but that wasn't the only update it made to its online store. In a move that will do nothing to dampen speculation of a new Apple TV, the company has slashed £20/€10 off the cost of its streaming set-top box in the UK and Europe. That means you can now pick up an Apple TV for £79 in the UK and €99 elsewhere on the continent. The reduction brings Apple's Store in line with prices we'd seen from third-party retailers like Amazon but also rival streamers like the Roku 3.
Apple adds affordable $1099 model to its iMac lineup
The Apple Store went down last night and returned today with a new, affordable 21.5-inch iMac model with a US$1099 price tag. The new entry-level iMac features a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive and Intel HD Graphics 5000. You can check out the full specs at Apple's website and order one online now via Apple's online store. Standard iMac models also are available for immediate purchase at your local Apple retail store. Show full PR text Apple Introduces New Entry Level 21.5-inch iMac World's Leading All-In-One Desktop Now Starts at $1,099 CUPERTINO, California-June 18, 2014-Apple® today introduced a new 21.5-inch iMac® starting at just $1,099, making the world's leading all-in-one desktop even more affordable. Featuring a stunning ultra-thin design, brilliant display, Core i5 processors and the world's most advanced operating system, the new iMac is the perfect entry-level Mac® desktop. The new 21.5-inch iMac features a 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost Speeds up to 2.7 GHz, Intel HD 5000 graphics, 8GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive. All iMac models include next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and two Thunderbolt ports and four USB 3.0 ports for excellent expandability and support for high-performance peripherals. iLife® and iWork® come free with every new Mac. iLife lets you edit your favorite videos with iMovie®, create new music or learn to play piano or guitar with GarageBand®, and organize, edit and share your best shots with iPhoto®. iWork productivity apps, Pages®, Numbers® and Keynote®, make it easy to create, edit and share stunning documents, spreadsheets and presentations. iWork for iCloud® beta lets you create your document on iPad®, edit it on your Mac and collaborate with friends, even if they're on a PC. Every Mac comes with OS X®, the world's most advanced operating system, designed for ease of use while taking full advantage of the powerful technologies built into every Mac. Earlier this month, Apple announced OS X Yosemite, a powerful new version of OS X redesigned and refined with a fresh, modern look, powerful new apps and amazing new continuity features that make working across your Mac and iOS devices more fluid than ever. The final version of OS X Yosemite will be available for free from the Mac App Store℠ this fall. Pricing & Availability The new 21.5-inch iMac is available today through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Starting at $1,099 (US), the new iMac features a 1.4 GHz processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 8GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive. Configure-to-order options include a 1TB hard drive, a 1TB Fusion Drive, and up to 256GB flash storage. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.
Apple settles ebooks price-fixing claim and other news for June 17, 2014
We've got three top stories for you this morning. Apple settles its eBook price-fixing claim out of court, new kids camps are set for Apple Stores this summer and FiftyThree teases a new goodie for Pencil owners. Let's get to it. Apple has settled the eBook price-fixing claim out of court. The details have not been made public, but Attorney Steve Berman, representing the plaintiffs, believed Apple should pay $840 million. Apple announces filmmaking, iBooks Author camps for kids. I'd love to send my kids to one of these camps. Apple has announced that it will host filmmaking and iBooks Author camps for kids ages 8 to 12 in Apple Stores this summer. The 90-minute classes will run for three days. Sessions begin in mid-July and wrap up in August. FiftyThree will add natural 'Pencil' stylus to 'Paper' with iOS 8. FiftyThree has given us another reason to get excited for iOS 8. A new Surface Pressure feature will let those using the FiftyThree Pencil (US$49.99) to angle the tip and the eraser to produce broader strokes.
Apple video shows off Tokyo Apple Store and more news for June 12, 2014
Apple has posted a nice, quick video promoting Tokyo's newest Apple Store. As ifoAppleStore points out, this video is unique in that it's the first to show a retail store being set up. Employees are show assembling the displays and filling the shelves with product. Rovio launches Angry Birds RPG "Angry Birds Epic." Just when you though the birds and pigs were fading from memory, they're back in an "epic" RPG. It features battles, weapon upgrades, treasure...all the stuff you'd expect from an RPG. Starbucks to roll out 100,000 wireless smartphone chargers. The company has teamed up with Duracell to install Powermats at locations across the country. The program has begun in select San Francisco and Boston locations, and those involved expect to expand significantly over the next year or so. Of course, you'll need a compatible case to use the charging stations. Apple expands European App store curation. Specifically, the productivity, photo & video, sport, music, lifestyle, health and travel categories now feature selections gathered by Apple's App Store editors.
World of Tanks Blitz coming to iOS on June 26th
World of Tanks Blitz, the mobile version of the popular online tank title, will be hitting the Apple app store on June 26th. Wargaming said that World of Tanks Blitz will be exclusive to newer iPad and iPhone owners. The game's been in a closed beta and soft launch in various regions, but will officially release later this month. In it, players will choose from 90 armored vehicles from USA, Germany, and USSR to fight in 7v7 matches.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for June 10, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
