Apple will introduce new Macs at an event that's set to take place on Thursday, October 27, reports Recode. The event will be held "at or near" Apple's Cupertino campus instead of in San Francisco, suggesting it will perhaps be at the company's Town Hall conference center.
Recode does not detail which Macs will receive a refresh at the event, but Apple's entire Mac lineup, aside from the Retina MacBook, is in need of a refresh.
New MacBook Pro models will likely headline the event, as rumors suggest a major update is in the works. The new MacBook Pro is said to include a redesigned, thinner body with a flatter MacBook-style keyboard, an OLED touch panel that replaces the physical function keys at the top of the keyboard, and Touch ID support.
It is expected to do away with the USB-A port, HDMI port, and SD card slot, featuring just four USB-C ports based on part leaks, and it is said to include support for USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3.
A recent rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple will also be introducing a new 13-inch MacBook Air, also featuring USB-C and Thunderbolt 3. Other products that could potentially see refreshes include the iMac, the Mac Pro, and the Mac mini.
With an event set to take place on October 27, media invites should be going out later this week.
Back in August, Instagram introduced a new "Instagram Stories" feature, allowing Instagram users to post temporary images and videos to their profile. Content expires after 24 hours, giving users a chance to share more casual posts that won't be permanently available on Instagram.
Prior to today, Instagram users have only been able to see Stories from people they follow, but Instagram has added Stories to the "Explore" tab in the app, which will let users find interesting and popular story content from around the world.
A selection of Stories are now available at the top of the Explore page, denoted by small circles and a user name, which can be tapped to display the image and video content.
According to Instagram, the new Stories feature is personalized to each user's interests, much like the rest of the Explore tab.
While full-device skins can be a good solution for iPhone owners looking for scratch protection without using a full case, those with Jet Black models should exercise caution when applying or removing the plastic wrap.
A small number of iPhone 7 Plus owners with Jet Black models have noticed the text printed on the back of the device, such as "Designed by Apple in California," becomes transposed onto the skin upon being removed from the device.
MacRumors forum member ksyu found out the hard way when he removed a full-device skin from his iPhone 7 Plus and noticed the letters transferred onto the plastic. Under bright light, all of the rear markings, including "iPhone" and the required regulatory labels, are easily distinguishable.
"I had a normal protector on for about 1 minute and took it off," he said. "The writing peels right off."
The writing actually came off onto the clear Slickwraps just like pulling silly putty off of a newspaper comic strip. If you're one of the people hoping to keep their phone in brand new out of the box condition this might cause a problem for you. I don't know if the writing came off because the wrap is sticky or because it was a wet install meaning getting your phone wet then drying the phone could lead to the writing rubbing off.
The fine print does not completely come off the iPhone, but it does become faded. This type of issue has not affected previous iPhone models, nor does it appear to affect Black, Gold, Rose Gold, or Silver colors.
Apple says the high-gloss Jet Black finish is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process, but it remains unclear why the letters are rubbing off for some users. Fortunately, the problem does not appear to be widespread, but full-skin aficionados should be extra careful.
A conversation thread on Github between a few developers and Spotify project leader Samuel Erdtman has confirmed that the streaming music company isn't looking into developing an app for Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV "anytime soon" (via AppAdvice).
In the thread, which began as a feature request for the Spotify SDK to support tvOS, Erdtman eventually closed out the comments saying that building support for Spotify on Apple TV has been "down prioritized." That might not be an official confirmation that Spotify will never arrive on Apple's set-top box, but Erdtman's wording hints that it's far from Spotify's top priority at the moment.
To support tvOS has been down prioritized, You should not expect a release supporting it any time soon. I'm sorry about that.
Although Spotify users might like to take advantage of a tvOS app for Spotify, it's not entirely surprising that the two companies may never reach an agreement on how such an experience would work. Over the summer, Spotify and Apple quarreled over the 30 percent cut that Apple now takes from iOS App Store subscriptions, which has caused Spotify to charge $12.99 for subscriptions purchased through the App Store, a $3 premium over subscriptions purchased on the web and $3 more than the price of Apple Music.
A potential Spotify tvOS app would likely be a free download users could use as a companion app to stream their music, but with so much bad blood between the two companies, it still seems likely that Spotify will simply avoid creating an app for tvOS at all. Amazon is also refraining from launching an Amazon Prime Video app on Apple TV, reportedly until Apple presents it with "acceptable business terms."
For Spotify users frustrated with the news, Apple's AirPlay feature can still be used to stream music from Spotify on an iPhone or iPad through a connected Apple TV.
Update: As several readers have pointed out, Erdtman's comment pertains specifically to the SDK that allows third-party developers to incorporate Spotify functionality into their apps. Spotify is apparently not prioritizing Apple TV support for that SDK, but that does not necessarily mean the company has no plans for an Apple TV app of its own.
Hunter Fan Company has introduced a new Wi-Fi-connected and HomeKit-enabled ceiling fan called Apache, available now for $429 on its website. The 54-inch ceiling fan features curved propeller-like plastic blades with a bronze and oak finish.
The fan has what Hunter Fan calls a WhisperWind motor, which it says provides powerful air movement with whisper-quiet performance. The motor is reversible, allowing homeowners to change the direction of the fan from downdraft mode during the summer to updraft mode during the winter.
Apache has an integrated LED light, covered with Clear Holophane glass, eliminating the need for bulb replacement. A remote control is included for controlling the fan and light, including dimming the bulbs.
Like its two other HomeKit-enabled fans, the Signal and Symphony, iPhone users can control Apache with voice commands or the Home app on iOS 10.
A three-position mounting system allows for standard, angled, or low ceiling mounting, and a 5-inch downrod is included to ensure proper distance from the ceiling and optimized air movement.
Hunter Fan said the Symphony, a cheaper version of its Signal with white blades, will launch in late November for $329. Signal is available now for $379.
CBS has ordered mobile gaming app Candy Crush Saga to series as a one-hour, live action game show from executive producer Matt Kunitz, who's also been behind shows like Wipeout and Fear Factor. Images or an official debut for the show have yet to be announced by CBS or Candy Crush Saga developer King.
A few details hint that the game at the center of the adaptation will feature teams of two individuals who must use mental strategy and physicality "to compete on enormous, interactive game boards featuring next generation technology." The winning teams will "be crowned as champions," but prizes -- monetary or otherwise -- have also yet to be divulged.
“We are huge fans of Candy Crush and, like so many others, we know the ‘rush’ of advancing to the next level of the game,” said Glenn Geller, President, CBS Entertainment. “We’re excited to work with Lionsgate and King to adapt one of the world’s most popular and entertaining game franchises for television and make it available to its massive, passionate fan base who can watch and play along at home.”
Kunitz mentioned that the Candy Crush franchise "lends itself perfectly to the kind of larger-than-life, physical game shows that I love to produce." CBS and King are working closely with the interactive team at Lionsgate to oversee the transition of the Candy Crush IP from mobile game to television show, which Lionsgate Interactive Ventures and Games President Peter Levin calls "an exciting, visual switcher game with great characters" that should translate nicely into CBS's unscripted television division.
Although Pokémon Gorecently bestedCandy Crush Saga's daily active user records, King's game is now back at the top of the United States App Store top grossing charts. As of September 2016, 18 billion rounds of the game are played every month around the world. For the new game show, CBS said that more information, including who will host the series, is coming "at a later date."
Sprint has introduced a new unlimited data plan for tablets for $20 per month, but with some caveats to consider.
The fine print: video is optimized to 480p resolution, music streams at up to 500kbps, and online gaming streams are limited to up to 2Mbps. Data deprioritization also applies during times of network congestion.
iPad and other tablet users can choose to add HD video streaming at up to 1080p+ and HD music streaming at up to 1.5Mbps, and online gaming at up to 8Mbps for an additional $20/line/month.
To be eligible, customers must enroll in AutoPay automatic billing and have at least one active phone line on their account. The plan is available without an existing phone line for an additional $50/line/month.
The tablet must be purchased from Sprint's selection of available tablets, which includes the iPad lineup.
Following the launch of "Instagram Stories" in August, Facebook is now preparing to ape Snapchat in its own Messenger app, with a feature called "Messenger Day." Originally launched to users in Poland, Messenger Day is now expanding and gaining attention with Facebook users in Australia (via Mashable).
With the new feature in the Facebook Messenger iOS and Android apps, Messenger Day lets users post ephemeral updates to their friends, which last 24 hours before expiring, with the ability to doodle and add stickers to posts. Friend updates can be found atop the normal Facebook Messenger home page, and the interface is visually similar to the layout of Instagram Stories with a horizontal row of reverse-chronological updates.
"We know that people come to Messenger to share everyday moments with friends and family. In Poland we are running a small test of new ways for people to share those updates visually," a Messenger spokesperson told Mashable at the time.
For those who have used Messenger Day, the user interface and features have yet to impress, with one user mentioning that "(The user interface) is really poor, on every level — nothing like Instagram Stories." Most of the criticism so far seems to be focused on the simple fact that as companies introduce more of the same features into their mobile apps, it leaves users to choose only one service, which is still Snapchat for most, and ignore the rest.
Snapchat's growing popularity has resulted in other social networks (namely Facebook, which owns Instagram) attempting to combat its 24-hour posts with similar features. Although it's yet to introduce a time-locked post feature, Twitter has faced troubles recently as more and more younger users opt to check in with Snapchat and Instagram over Twitter.
WikiLeaks has leaked yet another email from Hillary Clinton presidential campaign chairman John Podesta that reveals Apple CEO Tim Cook was among a list of candidates for Vice President of the United States, alongside Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, and dozens of others.
In August, Cook hosted a fundraising event for the Hillary Victory Fund, a committee that contributes to the Clinton campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and 38 state parties. Cook, along with Apple environmental chief Lisa Jackson, acted as private citizens, not as representatives of Apple. Cook has demonstrated support for both Democrats and Republicans.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Misfit today debuted its latest product, a new Phase hybrid smart watch that, like the company's line of fitness trackers, is compatible with the iPhone. The Misfit Phase combines a round, analog-style watch with a range of smart features.
It's able to track steps, distance, and sleep duration with a built-in accelerometer, and it delivers iPhone notifications and other information like activity and alarms using a combination of the watch hands, a small color window on the watch face, and vibrations.
Made of polished stainless steel covered by satin aluminum in several different shades, Misfit's Phase is waterproof up to 50 meters and includes a 6-month battery that does not need charging. It works with any field-style 20mm watch band, including many Misfit-designed bands.
The Misfit Phase can also be used as a remote for controlling music, snapping iPhone photos, advancing slides in a presentation, and more, functionality that's also found in the company's Ray and Shine activity trackers.
Misfit will begin selling the Misfit Phase on its website on November 7. Prices will start at $175.
Facebook recently announced that users are now able to select the "initial view" for 360-degree photos when uploading pictures to the iOS, Android, and Chrome for Desktop Facebook apps. Prior to the update, Facebook would randomly choose a section of the 360-degree photo to showcase on the service, so now users can personally select the best section to show their friends and family (via The Next Web).
To do this, before posting users simply have to drag around the photo on mobile, or select "Edit" on desktop, to find the area of the picture they want to be the initial viewpoint for anyone scrolling through their Facebook feed. Whenever the initial view is clicked on, the full 360-degree photo will be showcased with more detail.
"In the coming weeks," the company will also rollout album support for 360-degree photos, as well as the ability to post them into multimedia status updates, "i.e. when you want to post a combination of 360 photos, regular photos, 360 videos and regular videos at once."
We've heard you loud and clear and we're excited to roll out the ability to set the initial field of view on your 360 photo on iOS, Android and Chrome for desktop. To change the view, simply upload a 360 photo, then, before posting, move your photo around by dragging with your finger or select Edit on desktop and move the mouse until you've reached the desired view. Your friends will now see this angle of your photo when you post to Facebook. Please note, we have not enabled zoom with this feature.
Additionally, it was recently reported that the social network is running a beta test for a "data saver" feature on its separate Facebook Messenger app. When a user is on cellular data, and data saver is turned on, the mode acts as a barrier between the user and unwanted media downloads within messages by letting them tap and select every photo and video they want to download, and ignore the ones they don't.
Ordinary text messages are unaffected by the mode, which also includes a setting that tells the user how much data is being saved. Normally, Facebook Messenger downloads all content within a message without user consent, so Facebook hopes data saver could be a way for users on low-data plans to avoid going over their rates. Right now, data saver is being tested on Android, but the feature is expected to eventually make it to iOS as well.
A new Beats By Dre advertisement shared online recently depicts a group of celebrities wearing the company's new Solo3, BeatsX, and Powerbeats3 Wireless headphones. All three devices were announced during Apple's September 7 iPhone event, and are positioned as compatible options for users looking to purchase wireless headsets due to the iPhone 7's lack of a 3.5mm headphone port.
In the ad, celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Amber Rose, Rebel Wilson, Juno Temple, Steve Buscemi, and more, all sing along to "I've Got No Strings" from Disney's Pinocchio. Most of the people in the commercial are seen sporting the company's newer model, the BeatsX, which it aims as a more mobile and everyday pair of headphones. That's in contrast to the over-the-head Solo3 and activity-focused Powerbeats3.
All three Beats devices include Apple's W1 chip, which allows the new headphones -- like Apple's new AirPods -- to take advantage of easy, instant pairing to an iPhone. They also come with Fast Fuel, a fast-charging solution that can deliver more power with 5 minutes of charging. 5 minutes of charging delivers 3 hours of playback for the Solo3, 2 hours of playback for the BeatsX and an hour of playback for the Powerbeats3.
The Solo3 has been available to purchase for $299 on Apple.com since the September 7 event, but the Powerbeats3 ($199) and BeatsX ($149) won't be coming out until sometime later in the year, likely to coincide with the holiday shopping season.
Samsung has coordinated with aviation officials around the world to set up exchange booths in "high traffic" airport terminals for owners of recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphones (via The Verge).
The booths first appeared in South Korean airports, with similar exchange sites set to open across Australia and the U.S. for travelers to hand in the potentially dangerous devices.
According to one reporter, a Samsung exchange desk manned by the company's staff is already operational at San Francisco's international airport.
It's now a federal crime to board a flight with a Note 7 phone, following two global recalls by Samsung that failed to stem reports of the devices setting on fire, which caused property damage and injuries. Anyone caught with a Note 7 on a plane risks facing fines and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Samsung is said to have cut its third quarter operating profit by $2.3 billion and adjusted profit expectations from $6.9 billion to $4.6 billion, following its discontinuation of the ill-fated Note 7.
Samsung has a team of representatives at SFO to help customers with the Note7 phone. It's banned from US flights. pic.twitter.com/2IiEcg6hsU
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) October 17, 2016
The company is set to overhaul its mobile strategy next year to ensure product quality, according to one report. A supply source told the Korea Herald that the company is likely to scrap its annual two-flagship models strategy in favor of focusing on a single device.
Speculation suggests that would be the Galaxy S8, expected to launch in late February 2017, although Samsung will probably shake up its marketing strategy before then, meaning the new phone could be rebranded.
Netflix has reported surprisingly strong third quarter results, sending the company's share prices soaring 20 percent in late trade (via Reuters).
The streaming content company added over 50 percent more subscribers than expected, owing to original shows like Stranger Things and Narcos drawing significant numbers of new international viewers and retaining U.S. customers despite a price hike. The news led to a share price rise to $119.82 in extended trade from a close of $99.80.
The company's performance signaled a distinct turnaround from its previous quarter, which indicated largely disappointing subscription growth. Netflix said it was on course to start collecting yields on its global profits next year, even though it was increasing spending on original programming.
Netflix said it had added about 3.2 million subscribers in Q3, far higher than a 2 million average estimate. In the U.S., the company added 370,000 subscribers, also above analysts' estimate of 309,000.
Netflix has expanded into more than 130 markets worldwide, including most major countries, except China. It said on Monday it was temporarily dropping plans to launch a service in China in the near term, opting instead to license its shows for "modest" revenue.
The company plans to increase spending on original TV shows and movies from last year by $1 billion, for a total of $6 billion earmarked for 2017.
Netflix's shares have surged in the past few years, thanks to rapid growth as the company achieved a significant shift in television watching habits. However, stock was down 12.7 percent this year as investors worried about slowing growth in the U.S. market and increasing competition from the likes of HBO Now, Amazon Video, and Hulu.
Amazon today launched a new Prime Photos feature called "Family Vault", which extends the unlimited photo storage that Amazon Prime subscribers get to their friends and family members (via TechCrunch).
For those unfamiliar with Amazon Prime, a $99 per year subscription includes free two-day shipping, unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows and music, and unlimited photo storage, among other benefits. With the arrival of Family Vault, Prime subscribers can now invite up to five family members or friends to join their online account, where they can combine photos and each get another 5GB of storage for uploading videos and other files.
The thinking behind Family Vault is to allow close friends and families to see each other's photos and videos in a single location, and be able to access them on their own devices, at no cost to those added by the Prime account holder.
The Family Plan announcement also ushers in some new search technology for Prime Photos users, including keyword-related searches for photos with a specific theme or subject (e.g. cat, wedding, beach, and so on) and a face-finding feature called "People".
Amazon is also formally announcing a new low-cost photo printing service, with prints starting at 9 cents, with free shipping for Prime members.
Further details of all of the company's newly announced features can be found on Amazon's Photos minisite or through the Amazon Photos mobile app.
Angela Ahrendts, Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail, was the opening speaker for Fortune's annual Most Powerful Women Summit, speaking a little about the next-generation Apple retail stores, her vision for Apple's physical presence and more.
Ahrendts started the evening by talking about her background and how Apple CEO Tim Cook recruited her, mentioning that she originally tried to convince Cook she wasn't right for the job. Ahrendts said that her big pitch for Apple was to integrate Apple's retail and online stores and turn the company's physical prescence into a bigger part of the communities they operate it. Cook, much to her surprise, loved the idea.
She said that she believes that "the bigger the company, the bigger the obligation" of that company to do something other than rake in profits. One of the things on her agenda was education, so Ahrendts planned on a next-generation of Apple retail stores that could function as something more than retail stores.
The new next-generation store designs are the culmination of that vision, featuring a town square concept that's focused less on selling things and more on enriching lives. She notes that the retail side of the company tries to hire candidates based on their empathy and compassion so that they can enrich lives rather than salesmanship. For instance, Apple wants to teach kids things they can't learn in school, which is why the retail stores will start hosting Swift programming lessons for kids, teachers, and parents.
The lessons, which are currently available for teachers at Apple Union Square in San Francisco, will slowly roll out to next-generation stores by next year. Kids, teachers, and parents will be able to attend Apple retail stores and learn to code for free three times a day. Currently, Apple provides educational camps for kids during the summer.
Another driving force behind the next-generation stores was making the retail spaces represent the products better. "How do we make it so the best of Apple can come together in one place?" Ahrendts said they asked as they designed the new stores. Their solution was to map out everything people did on their devices and integrate them into the stores, which meant a larger focus on the liberal arts.
Ahrendts said that she's always been in a believer of Steve Jobs' "technology married with the liberal arts" philosophy, and that she wanted to increase the presence of liberal arts in the stores. She explained the new Creative Pro position at Apple retail locations is the liberal arts equivalent of the Genius, and that the two are equal in terms of importance. Creative Pros are supposed to help you figure out what to do with your Apple product, which could range from photography lessons to coding to learning how to make movies or music.
Another way of integrating the liberal arts with the retail stores is turning the stores into community centers. "On the weekend you'll see an artist sketching things or a guy playing a guitar," Ahrendts said. The goal is to help foster human experiences that draw people out of their digital bubbles. The town square concept also extends to naming. The accessory-laden "avenues" represent avenues bordering a town square, while the giant screens are called "forums" because they act as a hub for many activities.
Finally, Ahrendts said she considers the retail store the biggest product Apple has. Employee retention is also strong, with Ahrendts saying they have an 87 percent retention rate, better than the average retail retention rate of 20 percent. The company plans to have 95 next-generation Apple stores open by the end of the year.
Ahrendts has been the head of Apple's retail efforts since 2014, when she left her job as CEO of Burberry to join the Cupertino company. Earlier this month, Ahrendts had her title shortened from Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores to just Senior Vice President of Retail, reflecting Apple's new vision of tightly integrating its online and retail efforts. Similarly, Apple dropped the "Stores" from Apple store branding in August, reflecting a more singular experience as well as Apple's efforts to turn the store into more than retail outfit.
Apple still plans to announce its new MacBook Pro "in the month" with shipments to begin at the end of October, according to new information shared by Japanese site Mac Otakara.
Citing a "reliable Chinese supplier," the site says that Apple will launch both 13 and 15-inch models, continuing to offer the machine in the same sizes available today. Apple is also expected to launch a new 13-inch MacBook Air, but will not debut a new 11-inch MacBook Air machine.
Both the new MacBook Pro models, which will replace existing models, and the new 13-inch MacBook Air are said to include USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 3 support.
Previous rumors and part leaks have suggested the upcoming MacBook Pro will include four USB-C ports, doing away with an SD card slot, an HDMI port, USB-A ports, and a MagSafe connection.
It is also expected to feature a redesigned, thinner body with a flatter keyboard, an OLED display touch panel that replaces the physical function keys at the top of the keyboard, and Touch ID support.
Mac Otakara often shares accurate information sourced from the Asian supply chain, but the site does not have a flawless track record and has gotten some details wrong in the past. Other more reliable rumors have also pointed towards an October launch date, however.
With the month coming to an end in just two weeks, it is unclear if there will be an event to announce the new machines. There have been no hints of an event and no invites have been sent out, so it's possible Apple will debut the machines more quietly, with just a press release.
References to a mysterious "Apple Watch Victory" have shown up on Apple's website in the United Arab Emirates, hinting at an alternate name the company may have considered for the Apple Watch Nike+.
An AppleCare+ support page for the United Arab Emirates, shared by 9to5Mac, mentions AppleCare+ options for the "Apple Watch" and "Apple Watch Victory," a product that does not exist.
On a similar page for Canada, the "Apple Watch" and the "Apple Watch Nike+" are listed in the same text, suggesting Apple perhaps planned to call the Apple Watch Nike+ the Apple Watch Victory at some point before changing the name to something more brand oriented.
United Arab Emirates AppleCare+ support page on top, Canadian AppleCare+ support page on bottom
It's possible "Apple Watch Victory" is an unreleased product, a scrapped product or an alternate name for a different version of the Apple Watch, but given the evidence of the two similar AppleCare+ pages, it seems most likely "Apple Watch Victory" was a code name or an alternate name considered for the Apple Watch Apple designed in collaboration with Nike.
Apple's AppleCare+ support page for the Apple Watch in the United States is worded differently, referring only to the Apple Watch without a mention of specific models in the section in question.
While inconsequential, it's always interesting to get an inside look at the changes that a product goes through before release and a glimpse at one of the names that Apple used as a code name or considered using for the Apple Watch Nike line.
The Apple Watch Nike+, which is an Apple Watch Sport model with Nike branding, Nike software, and a unique perforated Sport Band, officially launches on Friday, October 28. 38mm models are priced at $369 and 42mm models are priced at $399.
Update: The "Apple Watch Victory" mention has been removed from Apple's website.
Back in August, Instagram
"In the coming weeks," the company will also rollout album support for 360-degree photos, as well as the ability to post them into multimedia status updates, "i.e. when you want to post a combination of 360 photos, regular photos, 360 videos and regular videos at once."
Netflix has reported surprisingly strong third quarter results, sending the company's share prices soaring 20 percent in late trade (via 
