Satechi today announced an expansion of its Type-C accessory line, introducing the new Slim 4K Multi-Port USB-C Adapter. The Slim Multi-Port Adapter is designed to add multiple extra port connections to a laptop or desktop along with 4K support.
The adapter, which has a sleek aluminum design and comes in colors to match Apple's MacBook line (Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, and Space Gray), features a 4K HDMI port able to output video from a computer to a 4K monitor.
The Slim 4K Multi-Port Adapter also includes two standard USB-A ports and it supports passthrough charging, so multiple devices can be connected to a 12-inch MacBook while it is also charging.
Apple today notified developers about some upcoming changes to the App Store, which are designed to make it easier for customers to find high-quality app content.
Starting on September 7, Apple will begin removing old, outdated apps that have not received compatibility updates, do not comply with current review guidelines, or that no longer function as intended. This will see the elimination of many older apps that have been long abandoned.
Quality is extremely important to us. We know that many of you work hard to build innovative apps and update your apps on the App Store with new content and features. However, there are also apps on the App Store that no longer function as intended or follow current review guidelines, and others which have not been supported with compatibility updates for a long time. We are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps for these issues, notifying their developers, and removing problematic and abandoned apps from the App Store.
Apps across all categories will be subject to Apple's new review process this September. Developers with problematic apps will be notified and will have 30 days to make changes to their app to prevent it from being removed from the App Store. Apps that crash on launch will, however, be removed from the App Store immediately.
Apple also plans to limit the number of characters that can be used in an app name, preventing some developers from using excessively long app names to influence search results. Beginning on September 7, app names submitted in iTunes Connect for both new apps and app updates will be limited to a maximum of 50 characters.
Search is one of the most frequently used methods for customers to discover and download apps from the App Store. In hopes of influencing search results, some developers have used extremely long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app. These long names are not fully displayed on the App Store and provide no user value. App names you submit in iTunes Connect for new apps and updates will now be limited to no longer than 50 characters.
Over the course of the last few months, Apple has been dedicating resources to improving the App Store. In June, Apple announced plans to open up app subscriptions to all product categories, offer more favorable subscription revenue splits, improve sharing tools, and introduce ads to App Store search results to give developers new ways to promote their apps.
Update: Apple has also released updated App Store guidelines that cover new features in iOS 10 like SiriKit, sticker packs, Messages App Store, the new subscription policies, and more.
Zagg today announced the launch of its two newest screen protectors for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, introducing the InvisibleShield Sapphire Defense and the InvisibleShield Glass+.
The Sapphire Defense InvisibleShield is a hybrid glass screen protector infused with sapphire to give it superior scratch resistance. According to Zagg, the Sapphire Defense combines sapphire, glass, and traditional screen protection for a "virtually indestructible" screen protector that offers 7x better impact protection compared to an unprotected screen.
It also features smudge resistance, a self-healing surface to mask minor scratches, and the smooth feel and clarity of traditional glass screen protectors from Zagg.
"Almost everyone can relate to the fear associated with accidentally dropping your smartphone onto a hard surface," said Brian Stech, president of ZAGG. "As mobile devices have become the epicenter of our lives, we believe your screen should look as good today as the day you first purchased your device. This mentality drives us to work tirelessly to ensure mobile users can charge through life free from the fear of a damaged screen, confident to know the world's most advanced screen protection and lifetime warranty are protecting them."
The InvisibleShield Glass+ is a less expensive tempered glass screen protector which Zagg says features advanced impact protection, scratch resistance, and reinforced edges. It's constructed from several layers to protect against scratches and it offers 2x more impact protection than an unprotected screen.
The InvisibleShield Sapphire Defense is priced at $49.99 while the InvisibleShield Glass+ is priced at $39.99. Both new screen protectors can be purchased from the Zagg website, with the Glass+ coming in early September and the Sapphire Defense coming in early October.
Fiat Chrysler today announced the debut of its fourth-generation UConnect infotainment system, which includes support for both CarPlay and Android Auto, reports Fiat Chrysler Authority.
The revamped infotainment system features an updated 8.4-inch touchscreen with faster startup times, improved processing power, and a sharper display. It will be introduced initially in 2017 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger models, bringing CarPlay to those vehicles for the first time.
Fiat Chrysler previously previewed its fourth-generation UConnect infotainment system at CES in January and confirmed it would be released in select Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models in 2016.
For older Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles, Fiat Chrysler introduced a free software update in April that brought Siri Eyes Free support to many properly equipped 2013 to 2015 models. Siri Eyes Free is a precursor to CarPlay, designed to minimize driver distraction by using Siri to allow drivers to interact with an iPhone.
CarPlay was first announced in 2013, but it took several years for vehicle manufacturers to adopt the new system. Since late 2015, CarPlay adoption has picked up and the feature is now available in more than 100 vehicles from dozens of manufacturers.
Apple maintains an official master list of all CarPlay vehicles available in the United States and other countries. It is updated on a regular basis, but may not include new CarPlay vehicles as soon as they are announced.
Apple today released Security Update 2016-001 for OS X El Capitan users, introducing important security fixes to the operating system. Apple has also also introduced Security Update 2016-005 for OS X Yosemite users.
The Security Updates are available to all OS X Yosemite and El Capitan users and can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. Apple recommends all users install the update, and a full list of what's fixed can be found in the accompanying support document.
Most security updates are generally built into OS X updates as they are released, with separate security-only updates only being introduced when standard updates to the operating system are not expected. The release of a Security Update for OS X El Capitan suggests we may not see any new versions of the operating system ahead of the launch of macOS Sierra.
Update: Today’s security update fixes a series of critical kernel vulnerabilities that were recently patched in iOS with the release of iOS 9.3.5. On iOS devices, the vulnerabilities were part of a sophisticated jailbreak and malware attack that gave access to all of the functionality of an iPhone or iPad.
Citizen Lab and Lookout, who discovered the vulnerabilities on OS X and iOS, are credited with the fix.
Update 2: There's also a Safari 9.1.3 update to fix vulnerabilities in the Safari browser.
Following reports of exploding batteries in its latest smartphone, Samsung is expected to announce an "unprecedented" recall of the Galaxy 7 Note less than a month after it first debuted.
According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, an unnamed Samsung official says the company is conducting an investigation and is expected to announce the results this weekend or early next week. Samsung has indeed traced the explosions to the battery of the device and is in talks with Verizon and other U.S. business partners to figure out how to deal with the issue.
Samsung's solution may be to recall all Galaxy Note 7 devices that have been sold thus far, as the company has no plans to hide the result of its investigation.
"The most important thing is the safety of our customers and we don't want to disappoint our loyal customers," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. [...]
"Products installed with the problematic battery account for less than 0.1 percent of the entire volume sold. The problem can be simply resolved by changing the battery, but we'll come up with convincing measures for our consumers," said the official.
The Galaxy Note 7 went on sale on August 19 and shortly after, reports began circulating about devices that exploded or caught on fire while charging. Images and videos of damaged Galaxy Note 7 devices have been circulating around the internet and have already led Samsung to delay shipments of the device. No injuries have been reported thus far.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 features a 2,560×1,440 Super AMOLED dual curved display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad-core 64-bit 14nm processor, 4GB of RAM, 12-megapixel Dual Pixel rear-facing camera, wireless charging, an iris scanner, IP68-rated waterproofing, and a 3,500 mAh battery.
Update: Samsung has officially stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7 and issued a voluntary recall for existing devices.
In yet another deeper push into video, Facebook today is rolling out a new update to its Messenger app [Direct Link] that adds a new live video button into every chat window. When used, Facebook users will begin live streaming in a small pop-up window with sound turned off by default, allowing them to keep texting with the person on the other end while sharing visual details of their location that might be easier through video rather than simple text.
Facebook is calling the new feature "Instant Video," and says it represents "a reflection of the ubiquity of video" that's expected in most messaging apps nowadays. Rather than a full-on video chatting experience, the social network hopes for Instant Video to be a companion to traditional texting.
Instant Video is a reflection of the ubiquity of video — we simply expect to have that ability in real-time, all the time. With Instant Video, you can bring your conversations to life in the most authentic way — seamlessly and instantly. It’s perfect for sharing quick moments with friends who aren’t right by your side or making your conversations richer by seeing each other face-to-face when you are messaging.
Sometimes you want to ask a friend’s opinion on a pair of shoes you want to buy, weigh in on what ice cream flavor they should bring home, or just want to see your BFF’s reaction to your witty message when you’re in a place where you can’t actually talk live.
To start an Instant Video conversation, there will be a new video icon in the top right corner of each Messenger conversation. This will bring up the live stream of real-time video, and the app supports both the front-facing and rear-facing cameras of a smartphone. On the other side of the conversation, a friend can continue watching the live stream and turn on audio, or respond with a stream of their own camera for you to see.
Facebook sees the new update as another example of its attempt "to solve real problems for real people." Over the past few weeks, the company has tested autoplay videos with sound in its iOS app, launched a video-focused app for teenagers, and began a slow implementation of MSQRD in select countries. Although Instant Video is only for Messenger, it'll have a large install base to test it out since the separate instant messaging app celebrated a milestone of one billion monthly active users over the summer.
Nokia-owned Withings today announced the launch of its newest activity tracker, debuting the Withings Steel HR analog fitness tracking watch with a built-in heart rate monitor. Like the Apple Watch, it uses green LED lights to detect variation in the level of the blood in the wrist, a technology known as photoplethysmography.
Available in two sizes -- 36mm and 40mm -- the Withings Steel HR uses the same design language as the company's previous fitness tracker, the Activité. It features a simple and stylish analog watch face with unobtrusive digital meters for tracking heart rate and movement over the course of the day.
It has a stainless steel casing, chrome hands, and comfortable silicone straps. The 36mm watch (available in black or white) comes with an 18mm band while the 40mm watch (black only) comes with a 20mm band. When worn, the Steel HR measures continuous heart rate during workouts, average heart rate during the day, and resting heart rate when sleeping.
"Whether you're an athlete or simply trying to lose a few pounds and get a better handle on your health, knowing your heart rate can help you better understand your overall health and reach your fitness goals," said Cédric Hutchings, VP of Digital Health, Nokia Technologies. "With the wealth of insights it provides and the extended battery life for a health watch of its type, Steel HR truly is the first of its kind."
A sub-dial on the Steel HR tracks the percentage of a user's daily activity goal that's been achieved, while an added digital screen displays health data like heart rate and notifications from a connected smartphone. The data that's displayed can be changed using a navigational button on the side of the watch.
The Steel HR features a rechargeable battery that lasts 25 days per charge and it has a backup power save mode that offers an additional 20 days of battery life. In power save mode, heart rate tracking is disabled, but it continues to monitor basic activity. The Steel HR is water resistant and can be used when swimming.
Withings will begin selling the Withings Steel HR at the end of October. The 36mm version will be priced at $179.95 and the 40mm version will be priced at $199.95.
Misfit today announced expanded color options available for its Shine 2 activity tracker, debuting four new Shine 2 colors accompanied by 14 new Sport Band options and four new Field Bands in woven nylon and leather.
According to Misfit, the new colors have been inspired by the "nostalgia of picturesque summer landscapes" with bold brights, muted pastels, and neutral colors to match all tastes. The company's Sport Bands have also been re-engineered to make them more comfortable and secure.
Misfit's line of activity trackers are now available in hundreds of color and style combinations, giving Misfit buyers a wide range of customization options (the Ray was updated with new color options in July). Misfit says there are now 80 ways to wear the Shine 2 tracker and 150 combinations for wearing the Ray.
Both the Shine 2 and the Misfit Ray are simple activity and fitness trackers that keep tally of metrics like steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, sleep duration, and sleep quality, and they have built in notification features for incoming calls and texts.
Misfit will begin selling its new Shine 2 accessories starting this fall and they'll be available for purchase from the Misfit website. The Ray Fitness and Sleep Tracker will also be coming to Apple Stores in the fall in exclusive colors like Space Gray and Rose Gold, which are designed to match Apple devices.
Apple has added a banner on its homepage to promote the new song #WHERESTHELOVE, a reworked version of the 2003 smash hit "Where is the Love?" by The Black Eyed Peas. All proceeds raised from the song, which became available today on iTunes, will go to artist will.i.am's i.am.angel foundation, which funds educational programs and college scholarships in the United States.
“I remember when the attack in Paris happened,” he says. “People would say, ‘We need Where Is The Love again,'” he says.
“And then Belgium happened, and then Turkey, and then Orlando, and then Philando, and Alto before him, and then Dallas. Everyone was calling on us, like, ‘We need that song again.'”
William Adams, known as will.i.am, tweeted that he and Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts will be at Apple Union Square in San Francisco tonight at 7:00 p.m. local time to discuss #WHERESTHELOVE and College Track, a college completion nonprofit that empowers students from underserved communities to graduate from college.
In related charitable news, Apple is now accepting Red Cross donations via iTunes to support relief efforts in central Italy following a magnitude 4.6 earthquake on August 24. Donation tiers available include $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200. All proceeds from donations are sent to the American Red Cross and split with ongoing Louisiana flooding relief efforts.
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.
In preparation for the opening of Apple Santa Fe, the company has begun decorating the location's construction site with new, colorful artwork that lets passersby know "we have much to celebrate." The store will be located in Mexico City's Centro Santa Fe, the largest shopping mall in Latin America, on the second floor of the mall's upscale wing of shops.
Up until yesterday, the Santa Fe location was covered with a plain black barrier. Other Apple locations have had construction barricades with thematic artwork related to their respective countries, including one in Brussels, Belgium and another in Hangzhou, China that showcased artwork by calligrapher Wang Dongling.
(Thanks, Daniel!)
Update: Apple has added the Santa Fe location to its website, and listed it as "coming soon."
Photos: Apple Watch 2 parts on left, original Apple Watch parts on right
The Apple Watch 2 display looks slightly thinner than the original Apple Watch display when placed side by side, although the second-generation Apple Watch could very well have the same overall thickness as the original model due to the rumored inclusions of a GPS, barometer, and thicker battery.
The battery shown is rated for 1.28 watt-hours, which is identical to the battery that surfaced last week. If accurate, that means the 42mm Apple Watch 2 will have a 334 mAh battery that is 35.7% larger than the 246 mAh battery in the original 42mm model. The battery for the 38mm model has yet to be leaked.
Also shown is the alleged Force Touch gasket for the Apple Watch 2, which appears to have a new chip alignment but otherwise no discernible differences.
A week after announcing the "Osmo+" handheld gimbal with integrated zoom, DJI today is debuting another member of the Osmo line, called the Osmo Mobile, which acts as a stabilization system for compatible smartphones "that turns them into intelligent, precision camera systems." As with previous products, the iPhone will work with the Osmo Mobile, including the iPhone 5, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Like in previous Osmo models, the Osmo Mobile uses the company's three-axis gimbal stabilization to increase precision down to 0.03 degrees of accuracy. Combined with its "SmoothTrack" technology to smooth out any shaking, the Osmo Mobile produces clearer and higher-quality shots compared to using a smartphone by itself.
“DJI continues to revolutionize the way we capture and share memories,” said Frank Wang, DJI CEO and founder. “The Osmo Mobile combines the best of DJI’s beloved Osmo smart stabilization technology with the robust DJI GO app. This is a breakthrough, allowing smartphone users unprecedented control of and creative possibilities for their devices.”
Used in conjunction with the DJI GO app [Direct Link], users can live stream and instantly share photos and videos on social media. Within the app, "ActiveTrack" lets users tap a subject on the smartphone's screen, which the Osmo Mobile will then intelligently follow and record without any further input needed from the camera holder. ActiveTrack can be used on the front-facing camera as well.
The Osmo Mobile comes in cheaper than the $649.00 Osmo+, which includes a full-featured camera with zoom capabilities, so anyone interested can get the new gimbal system for $299.00. There's also a collection of Osmo accessories, like an external battery and tripod, to add onto the camera system.
Just six days before Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 7 without a headphone jack, Libratone has introduced new Q Adapt in-ear noise-cancelling headphones with a Lightning connector in lieu of a standard 3.5mm audio jack.
The headphones feature a battery-free design with four levels of active noise cancellation, drawing power from the iPhone or iPad they are connected to through the Lightning connector.
The pair have in-line controls for volume, playback, phone calls, and Siri, and one for the four active noise cancellation settings and talk-through.
The earbuds have a fabric-covered cable available in four colors: elegant nude, cloudy white, stormy black, and rose pink. They also are equipped with three sizes of interchangeable rubber earpieces.
Apple introduced new MFi Program specifications in June 2014 that allow third-party manufacturers to create headphones that connect to iOS devices via a Lightning cable, with features such as passthrough power and active noise cancellation.
Libratone says the Q Adapt headphones will be available in mid-September for $179 and will ship to customers at the beginning of October.
Other Lightning-equipped headphones released to date include, among others, the Philips Fidelio M2L and Fidelio NC1L.
Personal media collection app Plex today announced a new bonus for users subscribed to its "Plex Pass" service, introducing a DVR function that can record shows on free digital broadcast channels. The company calls DVR an expansion of its footprint in streaming media, and hopes it makes the premium tiers more enticing for its customers who might be unsure of upgrading from the free service.
To work properly, Plex DVR requires a digital antenna and an HDHomeRun digital tuner, giving users access to free over-the-air channels with "86 of the 100 most popular shows in the United States in 2016." In addition to major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and The CW, users will also be able to tune into and record local stations, news, and sports.
“We’ve put a lot of time into this release, and the result is a really elegant DVR, which takes advantage of all the power and intelligence of Plex,” said Scott Olechowski, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Plex.
“Plex rounds out the cord cutting experience with a beautifully organized, easy-to-navigate interface that makes all your content available wherever you go. Now you can view TV in a living room or on your phone, using a streaming stick in a hotel, or even on a plane when you’re offline. The addition of DVR allows our customers to make Plex the heart of their media experience. No other solution comes close.”
Thanks to Plex's multitude of apps, users will be able to record and watch their shows from any device they have Plex downloaded on, including OS X, iOS, and Apple TV. Plex will continue to populate shows with artwork and plot descriptions, but the new DVR can also gather information on show descriptions, episode synopses, and season information.
Plex DVR also supports offline viewing, upgradable functions with the chance to add more tuners (to record more shows at once) or additional storage, and picture quality that "far surpasses the picture quality of cable and satellite." Over time, the Plex DVR will begin recommending shows for users to watch based on the series they've viewed and recorded most.
Plex Pass can be subscribed to for $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $149.99 for a lifetime subscription. The cost for DVR features comes in addition to the price of the tuner and antenna needed for the service to work properly. Current Plex Pass subscribers can join in on the beta for the DVR feature right now, but the company didn't mention when it will launch to a wider audience.
The licensing group behind the HDMI interface has introduced a new HDMI Alternate Mode that will allow for USB-C devices like the 12-inch MacBook, smartphones, and tablets to connect to HDMI-enabled 4K displays and TVs over a single cable, with no adapters or dongles required.
The new specification will lead to the release of simple HDMI to USB-C cables that support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features, including 3D, Ethernet, and CEC. Connecting an HDMI-enabled 4K display or TV to a 12-inch MacBook currently requires using Apple's $79 USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
Thunderbolt remains the more popular I/O protocol for connecting 4K displays and TVs to Macs, since existing models are unable to drive 4K displays or TVs at 60Hz over HDMI by default. HDMI-enabled 4K displays and TVs connected to a 12-inch MacBook via adapter, for example, only support a 30Hz refresh rate.
In addition to the 12-inch MacBook, Apple is rumored to release updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models featuring USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 as early as October. Those notebooks would support HDMI to USB-C cables, providing Mac users with another option for connecting 4K displays and TVs.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today spoke with Paschal Sheehy, the host of Irish radio show Morning Ireland, providing more commentary on the situation with the European Commission and its decision to make Apple pay 13 billion euros in back taxes from a period between 2003 and 2014.
Cook's stance falls in line with his open letter on the situation from earlier in the week, first providing backstory about Apple's history in Ireland and then remaining hopeful that the ruling will ultimately be overturned. His wording -- calling the ruling "political crap" -- also echoes an interview from late last year surrounding a similar tax evasion topic.
The radio show marks the first interview Cook has made since the European Commission's ruling earlier in the week. He calls the decision "wrongheaded," and specifically refers to the 0.005 percent tax rate claim as a "false number." In its ruling, the EC stated that Apple paid only a 0.005 percent tax on its European profits, but Cook affirmed that Apple is "subject to the statutory rate in Ireland of 12.5 percent," and that the company "paid $400m in taxes in 2014."
When asked directly how he feels when Apple is painted as gaining an "illegal" advantage over tax benefits, Cook mentioned his frustrations over the ruling, and compared it to the company's reaction to the FBI drama earlier in the year, saying Apple never chooses the "easy thing" over the "right thing." In this vein, responding to the question of whether Apple has anything to apologize for or if it did anything wrong, Cook said succinctly "no, we haven't done anything wrong."
"It's maddening, it's disappointing. It's clear that this comes from a political place and has no basis in fact or law. Unfortunately it's one of those things we have to work through. When you're accused of doing something that is so foreign to your values, it brings out an outrage in you and that's how we feel. Apple has always been about doing the right thing, never the easy thing.
Most of the rest of the interview emphasizes the "37-year-old marriage" between Apple and Ireland, a union that's "great for the community" of the country as it is for Apple and the people it employs there. Cook said that Apple will continue to focus on building a presence in the country, which includes being able to finally construct a huge data center in Galway County over the next 10-15 years.
Ultimately, Cook has "faith in humanity" and "faith in what is just and right will occur," retaining the positive outlook from his open letter that the ruling will be overturned. Regarding Apple's plan to appeal, alongside the Irish government, Cook said that "the decision is wrong, and it's not based on law or facts, it's based on politics. And I think it's very important that we stand up and say that very loudly."
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.
Logitech released its Logi Circle home monitoring camera last September, but up until now, it has offered only 24 hours of storage, leaving users with no way to store multiple days of footage.
That's set to change with the debut of the new Logitech "Circle Safe" subscription-based video storage plan that will let users keep and replay video footage beyond 24 hours.
Circle Safe will allow Logi Circle owners to store and access video footage for a full 31 days, keeping important moments available for a much longer period of time.
Alongside Circle Safe, Logitech is debuting improvements to Day Briefs, so subscribers will be able to create time lapse videos for the past day, week, or month. It also supports the creation of Day Briefs for specific user-inputted time frames.
Pricing for Circle Safe starts at $9.99 per account per month, and Logitech is providing all Logi Circle owners with a free 31-day trial. Introductory pricing options are also available.
Logitech's Logi Circle home camera, which includes features like night vision, activity alerts, battery support, and two-way communication, is priced at $199.99 and can be purchased from the Logitech website.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Apple today 
Apple today released 
