MacRumors

Yesterday, Apple announced a special edition (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, to go with its current (PRODUCT)RED line-up that Apple promotes as a way for customers to support HIV/AIDS charity (RED).

The red handset, which launches on Friday, is the first time Apple has included its flagship phone in the promotional line-up, but the PRODUCT(RED) iPhone branding does not apply across all regions.

As noted by TechCrunch, internet users have spotted that the (PRODUCT)RED branding is missing on the regional China website, but all other details including launch date and time remain identical, indicating that Apple is promoting the red iPhone in the country simply as an additional colorway.

Sex remains a controversial issue in China, where traditional values frequently clash with more liberal Western attitudes as the country's economic boom increasingly opens it to outside influence. In the past, AIDS and HIV have been characterized in China as a consequence of contact with the West, but recent legislation has been more progressive and a lot more successful in treating the AIDS/HIV problem in the country.

Despite the gradual change in attitudes, it's likely Apple took the decision to drop the (PRODUCT)RED affiliation in order to avoid possible tension with the Chinese government, following recent incidents in which the company has fallen foul of China's restrictive internet policies.

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.

Amazon has added a long-awaited Pocket-style read-it-later feature to its Kindle iOS app that allows users browsing the web to send articles to their Kindle device for offline reading.

Amazon has offered desktop Chrome and Firefox browser extensions to feed into its Send to Kindle feature for some time, but the company had not offered a Safari-compatible iOS solution until now.

The new feature works as a Send to Kindle extension in Safari's Share Sheet. After updating the Kindle app, users can add the extension by scrolling to the end of the first row of icons in Share Sheet, tapping the More button, and enabling it in the app list.

Users can find saved articles at the top of their library in the Kindle app as well as any Kindle devices associated with their Amazon account.

Articles are saved in Kindle format, meaning users can adjust their look in the usual way via the text, font, page color, and line spacing options. The articles are also compatible with Kindle features like dictionary lookup, translations, Wikipedia search, bookmarking, text highlighting, and annotations.

The read-it-later feature is included in the latest version of Kindle for iOS, which is a free download on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Flexible writing platform Bear Notes received its first major update on Tuesday, bringing a number of highly requested features to the popular Mac/iOS app.

Perhaps top of the list is the new ability to infinitely nest tags. Previously, users could organize their notes by structuring tags in simple hierarchies, so a parent tag could have one child tag. Now, nested tags can go infinitely deep, allowing for more nuanced note organization.

A handful of other general updates include the ability to bulk delete and rename tags, change the note list font, a new way to exclude search terms, additional support to import from other apps such as Day One, code syntax highlighting in exported documents, and better Word exports.

There's also a new High Contrast theme ideal for visually impaired users, three additional font choices, new shortcuts, expanded support for programming language syntax highlighting, and the ability to undo completed tasks.

Meanwhile, a raft of Mac and iOS specific enhancements have also been made to the writing platform.

On the Mac side, Bear introduces Touch Bar support, tag drag and drop, multiple note merging, Quadro app support, QuickLook preview support, and a new Firefox extension.

For iOS users comes the ability to Peek and Pop notes in the notes list via 3D Touch, enhanced formatting options for importing web pages via the Bear Notes extension, haptic feedback options for multiple actions, and the ability to ask Siri to read Bear notes.

The full list of updates and enhancements can be found on the Bear Notes blog.

The core version of Bear Notes v1.1 is a free download for Mac and iOS. Bear Pro is offered as a $1.49 monthly or $14.99 yearly subscription, and enables syncing between devices, exporting notes, and switching themes.

Amazon today updated its Amazon Music app for iOS devices to version 6.4.0, adding a small but important new feature: support for CarPlay.

With the latest version of the Amazon Music app, Amazon Music subscribers who own a vehicle equipped with CarPlay can access their music directly through the CarPlay interface when an iPhone is connected to the car.

Amazon Music is available to Amazon Prime subscribers, with two million songs, playlists, and stations included in a membership.

Separate Amazon Music Unlimited subscriptions are also available for on-demand listening to "tens of millions" of songs, with pricing starting at $7.99 for Prime members ($9.99 without a Prime subscription). A lower-cost Echo-only plan is also available for $3.99 per month.

Amazon Music can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Logitech today announced a new series of accessories made for schools using the just-announced 9.7-inch iPad, or any iPad with a similar form factor. The "Rugged Combo" includes both a case for the iPad as well as a detachable keyboard, and when both are connected Logitech said they combine to become "the ultimate classroom solution" for taking notes, tests, going on field trips, and studying.

The Rugged Combo protects the iPad from drops as high as six feet and includes a kickstand with mechanical hinges that ensure the device remains sturdy at any angle. Logitech is specifically targeting grade school classrooms that use iPads in their curriculum, with advantages including a transparent window on the back of the case that provides an easy glance for asset tagging to scan and mark the school-owned property before and after students use the iPad.

“iPad is changing the way teachers teach and students learn, and the Logitech Rugged Combo for the new 9.7-inch iPad is built from the ground up with personalized-learning in mind,” said Michele Hermann, vice president of mobility at Logitech. “We worked with Apple to design the Rugged Combo to be incredibly durable and protect iPad while bringing a secure keyboard connection that’s approved for testing, so teachers and students can focus on expanding what’s possible inside the classroom and beyond.”

According to Logitech, the detachable keyboard has "laptop like typing" and provides a secure data entry point if teachers decide to submit tests to students on the iPad. The secure connection between the keyboard and case is provided through Logitech's proprietary secure connector, which functions similarly to Apple's Smart Connector.

Logitech will sell the Rugged Combo, which includes the case and keyboard, as well as just the Rugged Case for schools not interested in the keyboard. Additionally, the Add-On Keyboard for Rugged Case will be up for purchase. Schools and school districts in the United States and Canada will be able to buy Logitech's new iPad accessories from Apple's education store later this week.

Apple today discontinued the iPad mini 2, which launched in November 2013 and was most recently sold for $269 in the United States. Apple's cheapest tablet is now the new 9.7-inch iPad, which starts at $329, while those preferring the 7.9-inch size can purchase the iPad mini 4 with 128GB of storage for $399.

Apple's tablet lineup has now been narrowed down to the iPad Pro in 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad, and the iPad mini 4. Rumors suggest Apple is also readying a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro with a narrow bezel design, which could be unveiled at a future Spring event, WWDC 2017, or even later.

Apple this morning made its iPhone 7 silicone and leather cases available in a handful of new colors.

The colors of the new silicone cases (above, left to right) are described as Azure, Camellia, and Pebble, priced at $35 for iPhone 7 models and $39 for iPhone 7 Plus.

Elsewhere, the leather case options have expanded to include shades of Sapphire, Taupe, and Berry, costing $45 for iPhone 7 and $49 for iPhone 7 Plus.

In addition to the iPhone 7 cases, a new iPhone SE leather case in Saddle Brown is available for $39. All of the cases can be ordered on Apple's online store as of this morning.

As has been expected, Apple today debuted a new Spring 2017 lineup of Apple Watch bands that introduces all-new options like Striped Woven Nylon, sold-separately Nike Sport bands, and new colors for Hermès. Every band is available to order today on Apple.com.

Striped Woven Nylon bands now come in Berry, Tahoe Blue, Orange, Red, and Pollen. There's also an all-new Midnight Blue Woven Nylon band, but it lacks the new stripe pattern.

New Sport band colors include Pebble, Azure and Camellia, and the Classic Buckle has gotten a small buckle redesign and now comes in Sapphire, Berry, and Taupe.

Users can also finally buy the Nike Sport Band separately in Anthracite/Black, Pure Platinum/White, and Volt/Black. The company is introducing new collections of Nike Bands as well, including a 38mm and 42mm Space Grey Aluminum Case with Anthracite/Black Sport Band and 38mm and 42mm Silver Aluminum Case with Pure Platinum/White Sport Band.

Apple Watch Hermès is gaining new colors: 38mm Double Tour in Bleu Zéphyr Epsom leather, 38mm Double Buckle Cuff in Fauve Barenia leather, 42mm Single Tour in Lime Epsom leather, and 42mm Single Tour in Colvert Swift leather. One new addition to the Hermès collections has been made and it includes the Apple Watch Series 2 with the 38mm Double Buckle Cuff in Fauve Barenia calfskin leather.

For first time Apple Watch owners, Apple has simplified collections down to bundles that only include Sport Bands, Nike Sport Bands, and the Milanese Loop. This means that bundles including Woven Nylon, Link Bracelet, and Classic Buckle options will no longer be offered, and anyone who wants these bands will have to purchase them separately after they have their Apple Watch.

Pricing for all the bands has not changed with today's announcement: Sport Bands and Woven Nylon cost $49, Classic Buckles cost $149, and the Hermès Bands run for $339 (Single Tour), $489 (Double Tour), and $689 (Double Buckle Cuff). All can be ordered on the Apple Store today.

Apple has announced that it will soon offer the iPhone SE in 32GB and 128GB storage capacities for $399 and $499 respectively.

iPhone SE was previously available in 16GB and 64GB storage capacities for $399 and $449 respectively. The 64GB model was initially $499, but it received a price cut following the iPhone 7 launch. The 4-inch smartphone will remain available in four colors: Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, and Space Gray.

Apple said the new iPhone SE models, which have the same tech specs, will be available online and in stores on Friday, March 24.

Among announcements of a new 9.7-inch iPad and red iPhone 7, Apple today has unveiled a new first-party video creation app called "Clips." According to the company, with Clips users will be able to "create expressive videos" with ease on both an iPhone and iPad.

The app lets users combine videos, images, and music into one seamless video that can then be shared through iMessages, and on other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Users will be able to create animated captions called "Live Titles" using only their voice, and apply effects including comic book filters, speech bubbles, shapes and full-screen animated posters.

“Clips gives iPhone and iPad users a new way to express themselves through video, and it’s incredibly easy to use,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “The effects, filters and amazing new Live Titles we’ve designed for Clips let anyone make great-looking, easily sharable videos with just a few taps.”

Users can record content directly within Clips, or add in video and photos from the Photo Album. Clips isn't out just yet, but users will be able to get their hands on Apple's new app beginning this April on iOS devices running iOS 10.3.

Last summer, it was rumored that Apple was working on a new video-sharing social network app which would include shooting, editing, and uploading videos "in less than one minute." With today's reveal of Clips, it appears that Apple decided to nix the social network side of that app and focus instead on tools to fuel user creativity that can be shared elsewhere.

Apple today announced that its Swift Playgrounds app for iPad is now available in five additional languages, including Simplified Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Latin American Spanish. The app, which was introduced at WWDC 2016, was previously only available in English.

Swift Playgrounds is an iPad app aimed at teaching both children and adults how to code through simple interactive coding exercises. It's meant to make learning to code "easy and fun" for everyone.

Swift Playgrounds is free on the App Store [Direct Link] for the iPad Pro, iPad Air and later, iPad mini 2 and later, and the new 9.7-inch iPad.

Chinese phone dealer and ecommerce site Taobao has posted a teasing picture to a Weibo account that suggests a red color option could be appearing imminently for the iPhone 7 and/or iPhone 7 Plus.

As spotted by French tech blog igen.fr, the image very clearly plays on the possibility, with red dots like marching ants outlining a blank handset among a throng of iPhone 7 Plus devices and the word "Ready?" underneath with the letters r, e, and d highlighted in red.

Japanese blog Mac Otakara has claimed Apple will host a March event to debut its new iPad Pro lineup, an iPhone SE with 128GB storage, new Apple Watch bands, and a red color option for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. While an event now looks unlikely, it's possible the red color could appear alongside other new products when Apple's online store comes back up within the next couple of hours.

(Thanks, Anna!)