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Apple will pay $18 million to settle broken FaceTime suit
Apple has agreed to pay $18 million to settle a case accusing the company of intentionally breaking FaceTime on iOS 6.
Get daily inspiration with BrainyQuote
Pretty much everyone would enjoy a thoughtful quotation displayed against a vast natural panorama. Now, iPhone users can create their very own inspirational image and share it via social media, text, or email with BrainyQuote. This free app is available for iOS 7.1 or later and is optimized for iPhone 5, 6, and 6 Plus. The app is extremely straightforward and simple. Upon opening it, the quote of the day atop a nature scene is displayed. Then, using that quote or one of the several thousand from the in-app library organized by topic, users can create inspirational backgrounds for their iPhones, or post them to social media such as Facebook. Users can also scroll through past quotes of the day by tapping on the arrow on the left-hand side of the screen. If they tap on the "explore" feature at the bottom of the screen, they can pick from a list of topics-everything from age to dating to religion to wisdom-as well as search by author's name. They can then flip through each quote, displayed on its own background, which can be swapped for another background by tapping the photo option immediately below. Once the desired quote and image are matched, the user can upload their jot of inspiration to different social media outlets, text it, email it, save it to their camera roll to use as a background or lock screen. Users can also open the BrainyQuote website, where they can get more information on the author, find related authors, and even link to their published works (if they have any) on Amazon. This is a fun little app with stunning naturescapes and thoughtful quotes. One of the interesting things about having so many quotations in so many categories is that they cover almost every perspective imaginable. This means that there will be something here for everyone, and of course new ones are being added every day. (If they so desire, users can have a daily notification at the same time letting them know what the daily quote is. The set time is 8 am but this can be changed in-app.) There isn't really anything negative to say about this app, as it does precisely what it was advertised to do. Naturally, this makes it somewhat limited in scope by nature, but it is refreshing to find an app that is streamlined, uncomplicated, and delivers exactly what was promised. The only thing I could think of to add might be a way for users to import their own quotes. While there are a good number stored within the app, particularly perceptive or thoughtful users might have one that is very special to them which isn't there. Perhaps in future updates this kind of feature will be added. Overall, the BrainyQuote app provides users with an aesthetic and user-friendly means to put a small dose of thoughtful inspiration into their day. Given how often most of us look at our phones, this kind of a reminder would not be a bad thing at all.
iOS 8 adoption nears 50% after slow start
Despite getting off to a bit of a slow start -- perhaps thanks to a larger-than-ever-before space requirement -- iOS 8 seems to be doing just fine its its quest to conquer every iDevice it can. Apple has put iOS 8 adoption at 46% as of September 21st, according to iClarified. That's a solid figure considering most estimates suggested the update had reached less than ten percent of compatible iDevices after the first 24 hours. iOS has always been great about fighting against fragmentation, and an overwhelming majority of users are always on the latest version of the mobile operating system. This makes the job of developers and Apple itself a small bit easier, knowing that they don't have to worry about a user base made up of a bunch of different versions of the platform, and it seems to be continuing with iOS 8 as well.
An edge-case perspective of Apple
Throughout the last decade, reading rumors about Apple products gave me an edge-case perspective of Apple. With each new rumor, I have an internal discussion that determines the validity with a "yes" or a "no." In the past couple years, the dialogue changed from "yeah, that would be cool" to "please, no." Unfortunately for me, my objections often go unaddressed as Apple heads in a direction I find unappealing. So why did that happen? Apple changed, but more realistically... I changed. Let's start with how I changed. Ten years ago, I was only eighteen and in the military. I bought an iPod Photo with my first credit card. I loved music and basked in it while studying for my military knowledge tests. A company called Apple filled this stressed out teenager's need for simplification with a portable music collection that I could fit in my pocket. I was impressed and kept watching Apple. Moving forward a few years, I was tired of carrying around my iPod and my LG flip phone. There was a short period where I tried the Motorola ROKR, but that was a terrible device with very little storage. Again, Apple stepped in and filled a need for simplification by introducing iPhone. During this era, I also picked up a Mac and fell in love with the creativity it allowed; for the first time, it seemed like the software stepped out of the way and I could just create. About the same time, Apple introduced the Apple TV, then the iPod touch, and finally iPad. None of those devices really filled a need for me. Sure, there's some convenience to having every Apple product in existence... but there's really no need for it. I have an Apple TV, an iPad, and an iPod touch now, but my iPhone and my Mac receive 90 percent of my daily attention. As I've aged, my needs changed, and my desire for new technology products has dwindled. (I'm more interested in seeing developers push the limits of our software, but that's not the point of this piece.) I'm constantly using my Mac for work, and my iPhone handles my free-time interactions. I bought my iPad mainly for reading, but I largely prefer a real book when given a choice. I bought my Apple TV for media sharing, but I don't have a cable or Netflix subscription so some of the built-in capabilities are useless to me. I bought my iPod touch for... well, I didn't actually buy it; one of my customers didn't want to fix it so I bartered other work and fixed it for myself. I haven't used it much. I apologize if I sound elitist here – in fact, most of my Apple devices are hand-me-downs from my repair company customers. For work, I have to stay well educated in the world of Apple; having a wide range of devices is crucial to my success as an Apple consultant. I always say that I know too much about Apple and how it thinks because there's no sense of mystery left for me. My friends call me "The Apple Guy" and often ask to chat about what they read on rumor sites. That would be awesome if I were more interested in the choices Apple makes. Examining Apple hardware Let's switch gears and talk about how Apple changed our hardware over the last ten years. They started with the iPod, its so-called halo effect, and increased Mac adoption. Shortly thereafter, they introduced the iPhone (and another halo effect for the Mac). I would consider all of these products revolutionary. Sure, the iMac in 1998 was amazing, but it really took the halo effect, Justin Long, and the switch to Intel processors to push the Mac back into the mind of the consumer. Since then, everything appears evolutionary to me. I do not discount the amazing progress we've seen in the capabilities of these devices, but they remain largely unchanged in scope. One can argue that the iPad was revolutionary – for a lot of people it was – but it only accounts for 10 percent of my usage. If you ask my wife, it's about fifty-fifty between iPad and iPhone; she doesn't use a computer outside of work. For some people, the iPad serves as their primary device. I think Apple's really targeting that demographic at this point. More on that thought in a bit. Examining Apple software Let's stop talking about hardware and address the software changes Apple introduced in the last ten years. The evolution of OS X is ongoing. In my industry, I cannot look at new software like candy and eat it immediately. Every recent dot release had major issues that hurt a lot of my customers... and I haven't seen it get better over the years. It's not worth discussing specifics here: they are irrelevant to this article, and they were very different depending on customer needs. The same things happen with major iOS updates; the biggest complaint is always battery life. Forget about the OS for a minute and think about the app updates released in the last few years. Apple consistently removes features from apps to help define the difference between consumer and prosumer or to create feature parity between Mac and iOS versions. iMovie and GarageBand seem largely worthless at this point because Apple wants you to upgrade to Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X. Aperture is dead in favor of an unreleased Photos app that assuredly focuses on consumers. iWork only recently updated to a usable app after Apple nerfed it last year; it's still not the powerhouse of old. The built-in creative capabilities of a brand new Apple device fail to exceed (they don't even compete with) those of my first generation MacBook. Instead, you have to rely on third-party – usually paid – software to fill in the gaps. Whether from Apple, Adobe, or another third-party developer, paid software is a must for anyone wanting to do something beyond the most rudimentary functions of the default software. However, most people would never notice the lack of creativity. I'm convinced that Apple knows this and changed its entire business model to reflect it. Realizing I'm not the focus Ultimately, I am an edge case. I want my devices to function in ways the average user would not. I want Apple to move into categories where their market research doesn't see profitability. Apple does not, and likely cannot, consider an edge case like me. My edge-case perspective of Apple doesn't align with its target demographic at this point. The first time I realized I was no longer Apple's primary focus was the introduction of Lion and its Server app. It crippled much of my business-related Mac use. I eventually switched to Ubuntu for most server-related activities, and I couldn't be happier. Still, Apple forced my hand by releasing terrible server software; that left a bad taste in my mouth. More recently, iOS 7 confirmed my suspicions that I wanted a different product than Apple wanted to create. Apparently, Apple's market research suggested that people wanted a freshly updated interface. In six years, we hadn't seen a major refresh to the iOS interface design. Some developers, like Tapbots, were taking strides to refresh the interface but Apple felt like it had to do something drastic to keep consumers interested in their products. During this time, we saw executive turmoil at Apple as Jony Ive took over interface design from Scott Forstall. I'm not arguing that skeuomorphic, minimalist, or flat design is better, but I will say that rushing a major redesign seems negligent. I still believe that iOS 7 was a regression in design and usability mostly because Apple pushed it out too quickly and left many consumers scratching their heads. Remember how bad the calendar app was in the initial release? It left many people scrambling to find an alternative like Fantastical. Yes, it's great for third-party developers, but doesn't this sound eerily familiar to the Mac app situation I mentioned earlier? Is the built-in value of Apple devices diminishing? The future looks edgy I'm afraid that Apple is pushing OS X 10.10 Yosemite in a similar direction. I know better than to criticize an unfinished product. I will however express concern about the timing of the release: I'm not sure Apple has enough time to fix all of the interface issues before the public release this fall. It feels rushed at this point. I want it to feel polished; I'm hoping they make the upgrade exciting instead of regrettable. From an iOS perspective, I'm excited for iOS 8 and the added APIs that will push the evolution of iOS forward. I can't wait for a TextExpander keyboard and a 1Password Safari extension. I still don't agree with some of the user interface choices, but it already seems more polished than iOS 7 ever did. The software coming to my truck looks appealing too. My CarPlay-compatible stereo is already installed and awaiting a firmware update from Pioneer and Apple. The upcoming Apple TV software update looks like an improvement, but it's still a far cry from what it should be. I often remind myself that the living room revolution is largely dependent on the cooperation of the television and movie industry. Without their support, Apple can't do much more in the living room... unless it produces a gaming console. Unfortunately, I think the company hopes to continue using the horsepower of your iPhone or iPad to generate large screen gaming. Desiring revolutionary products If Apple wants to revolutionize how we interact with our technology, CarPlay and Apple TV are where I wish they'd spend their time. I believe Apple could easily disrupt those industries with a little more effort, but I'm just an edge case. If rumors prove to be true, Apple seems more concerned with larger phones and smart watches at this point; that doesn't excite me. As I mentioned earlier, my favorite Apple products filled a need in my life. iPod, iPhone, Mac – those products simplified something for me. I'd really like to see Apple focus on filling a need we all share. Is a bigger screen on an iPhone going to do that? I don't think so; I'm not interested in a bigger screen. Can a smart watch fill a common need? I don't think so; I see too many drawbacks in a largely unproven category to consider it worthwhile. Biometric monitoring could certainly change lives, but that seems more like an edge case than a general need... at least to me. I also want to comment on the possible inclusion of sapphire glass in the next generation iPhone. It will be great for Apple, but it's terrible for clumsy phone users everywhere. Most people think the hardness of a material makes it less breakable. That's actually not true; sapphire is more scratch-resistant than gorilla glass, but it's also more brittle. Check out this video if you don't believe me. Ultimately, I want to eat these words on September 9th. I hope that whatever Apple introduces excites me as much as the first iPod or the first iPhone. Historically, Apple has seldom been first to market: MP3 players, smartphones, and tablets – those categories existed before Apple stepped in and obliterated the competition. Whatever they introduce on Tuesday, I want it to be more disruptive than their recent, evolutionary products. Continued Apple dominance Either way, Apple isn't doomed. Analysts and consumers seemed pacified after the release of iOS 7 simply because it was different. Apple shares are near an all-time high, no other company can touch their market cap, and the company has a ridiculous amount of money in the bank. My jaded perception of Apple's recent products hasn't meant a thing to its success because people keep buying them. If you share my sentiments, keep reminding yourself that the edge case rarely receives attention. Apple's target demographic doesn't mind having U2 at the keynote, likes bigger screens because the text is too small, and thinks watches are cool. I'm very far removed from that demographic at this point. Maybe someday my edge-case perspective will shift back into the mainstream. It would be nice to get excited again, wouldn't it?
Monitor your Twitter mojo with Merlo
Can you tweet more effectively? Merlo, a new iOS app, might help you to do just that (but only if you can make out the tiny graphic displays-more on that below). Merlo requires iOS 7.1 or later, is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and is priced at $1.99. The majority of Twitter users, like me, tweet about things that interest us and move on to the next thing. Businesses and organizations use Twitter differently. More and more businesses and organizations are coming to understand just how important Twitter can be, especially as a part of PR and communications. Organizations need to know a lot about the effect of their efforts online. And there are big, complex and expensive social media management tools available that can help with this gargantuan task. The idea of having a social media analysis tool right there in the palm of your hand is intriguing. That's where Merlo comes in. Merlo is a iOS app designed to provide basic info to Twitter users about the effect of their tweets. In particular it displays information about gained and lost followers, the number of retweets and favorites, historical tweets and other basic trends. Setup is easy, but does require a 24 hour wait for a full report display. You can also import Twitter backups, but the process is cumbersome. The app can only track a single Twitter ID. I'm not sure who this app is really for. Organizational users need more robust tools, tools that can handle multiple Twitter IDs and sophisticated message tracking. Casual Twitter users don't need any tracking or analysis at all. For someone like me the data and reports that Merlo provides is mildly interesting at best. The one piece of information that I did gain from the Merlo reports is that I might improve retweets by releasing the daily post on my own site at 9 AM Eastern time rather than 8 AM as I currently do. It's worth experimenting with. That alone might have been worth the $1.99 app price. The real bone to pick with this app is its design. The designer aspires to "beautiful infographics," but what he ended up with is an app that is very hard to read. The report displays don't look too bad as screen shots as you'll see displayed here, but viewing them on a iPhone makes my aging eyes tear up. There's just too much data to display in such tiny charts. The choice of that particular shade of blue increases the difficulty in reading (Note: I did not test on an iPad). I also found some odd navigation in selecting "View More Stats" from the Statistics display. This selection forced a change in orientation, from portrait to landscape (the app's main displays are only portrait). These additional reports are larger and easier to read, but require you to close the view to return to the regular app display. I was also a bit chagrined that one of the four main displays in the app was primarily taken up with pleas to follow, rate, or promote the app (along with a short tutorial on how to import Twitter backups). This section might have been better used for the oddly placed "View More Stats" display. There was nothing about Merlo that really excited me. And the design of the app made it difficult to use and view. Merlo strives for "beautiful minimalistic design," but it ends up being very difficult to read and does not provide much info of value. Save your two bucks.
How to see the names, passwords, and credit cards Safari saves
Safari makes it very easy for you to store usernames, passwords, and credit cards that you've entered into websites on your Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks or iOS 7 device. If you use iCloud Keychain syncing, you can even share that information between your different Apple devices. Personally, I don't store credit card info or important passwords there because I am one paranoid person, but I do use Safari and iCloud Keychain to keep track of usernames and passwords for non-critical sites and services. Here's how to review what you've asked Safari to store for you. On a Mac running OS X 10.9 Mavericks On the Mac, launch Safari and then select Preferences from the Safari menu. Click on the Autofill button -- unsurprisingly, that button looks like a pencil hovering over an empty form. Click on the Edit button next to User names and passwords, and a long list of passwords that you've let Safari store for you appears. The list shows the website you visited, the User Name you used to log in, and the password is shown as a series of dots. You can also go directly to this list from the Passwords button (looks like a key). If you've forgotten a password and want to see what it is, click on a website to select it, then check the "Show passwords for selected websites" box at the bottom of the Passwords pane. You'll be asked to enter your admin password, after which the password will be displayed. If you've stored a credit card number and other information, you'll need to go back to that Autofill button and then click the Edit button next to Credit Cards. You can add credit cards in this dialog -- simply click the Add button and type in the card name, number, cardholder name, and the expiration date. It doesn't save the CVV number ... yet. On an iOS 7 device iOS 7 does this a bit differently. Tap Settings > Safari > Passwords & Autofill, and a screen similar to the one seen below appears: To look at saved passwords and credit cards, you'll be asked to enter your passcode. This is one place where Touch ID does not come in handy. Once the passcode is entered, you'll see a list of website addresses and the username used to log into each site. Tap the arrow on the right side of the listed website, and the detailed information including the password is displayed. For credit cards, you can not only enter new cards into the stored list, but actually have your iOS device capture the cardholder name and card number by using the camera. You'll still have to enter the expiration date and a description, but most of the hard work is done for you as it automatically enters the name and number.
Using the iPhone Compass app to hang pictures straight
Most people don't even seem to know that an iPhone with iOS 7 comes with a built-in Compass app. Although that app could use some help in terms of accuracy, it also has a feature that works pretty well -- a bubble level. Just launch the Compass app (or tell Siri to "Launch Compass" if you don't remember where you hid it), calibrate it by rolling the little red ball around by tilting the iPhone in all sorts of directions, then look down at the bottom of the display underneath where your latitude and longitude are. Two little white dots indicate that there's another screen that you're not seeing in the Compass app. Swipe the compass to the left, and the level appears! If your iPhone is in a flat orientation, it acts as a 3D bubble level -- perfect for determining if a table or other surface is precisely level. Hold the iPhone up in either a portrait or landscape orientation, and it's a 2D bubble level. Just put the iPhone on top of a picture frame, and you can quickly adjust a photo or painting until your obsessive-compulsive need to have it exactly straight is fulfilled. When the level is perfectly flat or exactly level, it will turn green -- a quick visual validation that you've tweaked the painting just enough to get it straight. If it's even just the slightest amount off, the level will be black and will display the exact angle at which the picture is skewed. What's the strangest thing you've ever done with the level in the iOS Compass app? Let us know in the comments.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for July 14, 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.
iPhone 101: Control Center getting in the way? Here's how to disable it
Apple introduced Control Center in iOS 7, making it easier for users to access commonly changed settings such as WiFi, brightness, volume and more. You can open the Control Center drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, and you can close it by swiping down. Though incredibly easy to use, Control Center can be an annoyance when it interferes with apps, especially games that use a similar swipe-up gesture. If you find yourself accidentally pulling up the Control Center drawer when you mean to swipe in for a kill, then you should take a few minutes and learn how to disable Control Center when you want it out of the way and enable it when you want to restore the feature. Open the Settings app. Scroll and then tap on Control Center. Click the toggle to enable or disable "Access Within Apps." If the toggle is green, then the feature is enabled. While you are in the settings, you also can decide whether you want Control Center on your lock screen. (I leave it enabled because I often use the flashlight feature and don't want to unlock my phone just to turn on the light.) Keep in mind that this method removes Control Center from opening when you are working in an app. The feature is still available when you are viewing your home screen.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for May 5, 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.
A Siri-controlled Apple TV may be on the way
Soon you might be able to simply ask your Apple TV to start playing 'House of Cards' rather than fumbling through a series menus. Code found in iOS 7.1's software development kit indicates that Siri is one its way to a new device, likely Apple's set-top box. In the operating system's documentation, the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are represented by "1" and "2." The most recent files also include a new device indicated by a "3." For our non-developer friends following along at home, that means the digital assistant is headed to a different product. While the 3 could potentially represent something entirely new (like the fabled iWatch), Apple has previously used the number to represent its TV product in code. It's also currently being used in several iOS-based Apple TV apps.
Viber's first major redesign makes it look right at home on the iPhone
Internet calling and messaging service Viber does a solid job of constantly bringing new features to its apps, regardless of the platform. Now, some seven months after iOS 7 was released, Viber is finally changing the looks of its iPhone app to match that flat, minimalist appearance of Apple's OS. Aside from overhauling the UI, the Viber application now also lets you create a list of numbers you'd like to block and send longer video messages to people. The company's CEO, Talmon Marco, tells us this update isn't just about iOS 7, however. "This is the first time we are introducing a new look and feel for Viber. Our goal was to create a simple and friendly interface but at the same time establish a solid foundation for future updates," Marco stated. In other words, don't be surprised when you see some of these design cues make their way to other Viber apps, like those on Windows Phone 8 and Android. Furthermore, Viber has also released an app for BlackBerry 10, complete with all the voice and messaging features that have made it popular on other devices. By doing this, Viber is now well covered within BlackBerry's ecosystem, since it already offers an application on older BB handsets. "Our BlackBerry 10 app is a beautiful twist on our design delivering the most up to date experience for our users," said Marco about the new app.
Firefox OS is starting to look very, very familiar
I don't use the term "ripoff" lightly -- it's a mean, scathing word that suggests a lack of creativity and imagination -- but I can't come up with another way to describe the upcoming 2.0 update of Firefox OS. To say that the OS, which Mozilla is grooming to be a competitor in the mobile space, appears to be inspired by iOS would be a massive understatement. I'll let you decide whether I'm being harsh or not: [via Engadget]
iPhone 101: How to easily dismiss banner notifications in iOS 7
Apple's notification system in iOS is wonderful for letting you know when you've received a new email or text message, but the banners can be annoying when they appear at the top of a screen and overlay buttons or other important content while you are in another app. Most people wait for the banner to disappear before resuming their business, but you can quickly dismiss the alerts by tapping on the banner as shown above and swiping it up and off the screen. You temporarily activate notification center with this gesture, but it is worth it to get rid of those pesky alerts.
Can we just stop with the lame iPhone and OS X concepts already?
There's a bad tendency for websites to label any and all Apple related concepts as "epic" or "unbelievably cool." And sure, concepts for future devices can be damn interesting, but things lately have really gotten out of hand. Recently, there seems to be an abundance of unimaginative iPhone and OS X concepts that offer nothing compelling. For instance, I recently stumbled across these iPhone 6 concepts inspired by the design of the iPod Nano. Does anyone really think the concept device on the left is anything to write home about? Aren't iPhone concepts supposed to be intriguing? This is just flat-out ugly. Equally uninspiring are the slew of concepts showcasing OS X with an iOS 7 style design. Is this really a step forward in design? And here's what a redesign of OS X's Mail app would look like, inspired of course by iOS 7. To me, this looks entirely too much like Windows. Going for a universal "flat" aesthetic is a direction I certainly hope Apple avoids or, at the very least, applies judiciously. An iOS 7 inspired Finder is no better. It's drowning in grey!
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for March 25, 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.
iOS 7 adoption rate hits 85 percent
Apple this week updated its developer page with a chart indicating that 85 percent of iOS devices are now running iOS 7. By way of contrast, the number of iOS devices using iOS 7 back in December of 2013 was 74 percent. In addition to iOS 6 users eventually making the upgrade, the increase is also the result of new iOS devices -- with iOS 7 already pre-installed -- being sold by the millions. Naturally, the uptick in devices running iOS 7 has also resulted in a marked decrease in iOS 6 usage. In the last four months alone, iOS 6 usage has dropped from 22 percent to 12 percent. By all accounts, the adoption rate of iOS 7 appears to be much higher and faster than it's been for any other major iOS release. Measured against Android, note that just 2.5 percent of Android devices are currently running KitKat, the most recent iteration of Android. Indeed, most Android devices today are now running variants of Jelly Bean, which was initially released back in July of 2012.
Does your iPhone crash less often now? This and other news from March 19, 2014
While some users are reporting a plethora of issues with iOS 7.1, Crittercism has found that app crash rates have gone down with the update. The number of app crashes, the site states, is lower for iOS 7.1 than it is on Apple devices running iOS 6 and 6.1. Do you find this is true for you? Let us know in the comments. Other news from Wednesday afternoon includes: Burger King is releasing a new app that will allow people to pay for food at their US restaurants using iPhones. (Not iPhones as currency or via barter, mind you.) Speaking of food-based apps, did you remember to update your Starbucks app? EA has told The Verge that it is investigating a claim that a hack utilizing the EA website is trying to nab unsuspecting users' Apple IDs. Pandora is raising its subscription fees to $4.99 per month starting in May. The company also is doing away with its annual subscription option. And kick back with these features: Flappy Bird is coming back eventually, here's what we hope they add this time Eddy Cue calls accuracy of "Haunted Empire" into question Crowdfunded Project News: A few hot picks and some real stinkers Steve Jobs sobbed in the wake of Antennagate How to auto-import your iPhone photos using OS X's Image Capture
iOS gets a bump up to version 7.1 and other news from March 10, 2014
iOS 7.1 came out on Monday, and if you haven't updated it yet, here's a taste of what you might find: iOS 7.1 adds Auto HDR feature to the Camera app iOS 7.1's new shift key icons are rad Apple's iOS 7.1 changes the Caps Lock key again Other news from Monday afternoon includes: Apple's Remote app received an update on Tuesday that allows for control of iTunes Radio through the Apple TV and browse purchased movies and TV shows through the app and play them on the Apple TV. iTunes Radio control through the Mac and PC was added in December. An update to the Podcasts app resolves an issue with the skip button. Electronista reports that Apple's Loyalty Program for volume buyers has new benefits including steeper discounts and access to unlocked iPhones and the Apple TV with those discounts. A new study has found that Apple's iTunes Radio is now the third most popular radio streaming service in the country behind Pandora and iHeartRadio. And kick back with these features: If you have lots of rubbing alcohol, Lick app may just improve your love life Why what you think about that "new category" thing may be all wrong Steve Jobs on mouse design and how the Apple Pro Mouse was conceived by happenstance Apple would have made Forrest Gump a multi-billionaire Rumor Roundup: Assumes facts most definitely not in evidence
Why what you think about that "new category" thing may be all wrong
Spectacle. We love it. That moment when technology changes and our minds are blown. It's easy to forget that many "one more thing" things were actually pretty boring: the iPod mini, Safari for Windows, the Power Mac G5. Our current obsession with "new categories" derives from the heroin-like highs of the iPhone and iPad. While every year, Apple's laptop and desktop lines iteratively improve in user features and hardware, it's hard to get past that rush of newness that iOS delivered. Even iPod, the consumer device that more or less revolutionized Apple's marketplace in 2001, didn't produce the kind of magical expectations that iOS mobile did. Is Apple still innovating? Is the Tim Cook catholic...er...in the woods...um...wait, I'm pretty sure there's a metaphor here that means "yes". Yes, Apple is still innovating. Since we haven't had our next holycrapdoodle moment, I'm going to guess that none of these internally developed products have been suitable or mature enough to bring to market yet. There's the whole wearables thing... If you're willing to strap your iPhone 5S to your forehead, it's already here with its new-fangled motion chip supported by literally several apps! It's not what everyone was expecting, but it kind of positions Apple. There's also Apple TV, which keeps getting better but still doesn't "rule the living room" in any meaningful way. And then there's that car thing, which, *shrug*. Back in reality, there are lots of hints in iOS 7 about possible future directions. The latest OS now supports hardware keyboards including control keys, and alt keys, and stuff like that. There's also massively expanded support for document containers like RTF. It all could potentially hint at a toasterfridge merging of iOS and OS X -- or not. The problem is that two major innovations do not a corporate trend make. They were amazing but they may not have been defining as in specifically "Apple is the company whose new products always produce paradigm shift". Sure, we want more amazing but it's not something that it's reasonable to expect on a regular, scheduled basis. You know the meme. Meth, not even once.
