MacRumors

Apple has sent an email to its Developer Program members encouraging them to find out how their iOS apps can take advantage of 3D Touch on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, signaling that the company would like to increase App Store adoption of the all-new pressure-sensitive feature.

3D Touch is a pressure-sensitive display technology that enables iPhone users to make "Peek" and "Pop" gestures to access Quick Action shortcut menus, preview content within apps or animate Live Photos. The feature is one of the biggest new additions to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus released in September.

Nevertheless, nearly three months later, a number of developers are only now beginning to update their apps with 3D Touch support. 3D Touch is also not as natural of an experience as multi-touch for some iPhone users, and it could take some time before the new feature becomes registered in muscle memory.

MacRumors shared a poll with our Twitter followers asking if they use 3D Touch, and the results are expectedly mixed. The poll, which has received nearly 4,000 votes and counting, will be live until December 17 at around 10:30 AM Pacific, so be sure to participate if you own an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.

Recently, a number of popular iPhone apps were updated with 3D Touch support, including Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Evernote, Facebook Messenger and Spotify. Other popular apps using 3D Touch are listed below, and more can be tracked on our sister website AppShopper by searching for "3D Touch."

The list above will be periodically updated with other popular 3D Touch apps.

A couple of popular iOS apps have been getting updates for 3D Touch over the past few days, introducing the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus feature into experiences like Facebook Messenger, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and Evernote.

Most recently, Facebook Messenger updated its iOS app with 3D Touch, letting users choose from a quick-select menu and jump directly into a message thread with the three most recent contacts that they have been chatting with, or create a new thread entirely. Along with a streamlined tweaking to contacts and some winter-themed stickers, that was the extent of Facebook Messenger's 52.0 update. Evernote's version update earlier in the week was similarly 3D Touch-focused, with Peek and Pop introduced on note lists and search results within the note-taking app.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for iPhone had a much larger spruce-up, with a new update that grants users direct access to the app's camera thanks to 3D Touch. Adobe further expanded 3D Touch's abilities to the inside of the app, granting users access to Peek and Pop when browsing their camera roll's grid view. The 2.1.0 update also brought about various usability improvements, iPad Pro support, and even a new Notification Center widget.

Recent reports in the 3D Touch field have suggested that Apple is working on a scalable version of the tech to fit screens as large as the iPad Pro, but it still may not make it to the iPad Air 3. The feature was one of the selling points of October's iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, granting users the first new input alternative since the original iPhone and fueling new software innovations like Live Photos.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for iPhone [Direct Link], Messenger [Direct Link], and Evernote [Direct Link] are all available on the App Store for free.

IBM today announced that it has released its 100th MobileFirst for iOS app, fulfilling its goal set in partnership with Apple. The made-for-business apps are used by enterprise customers across 14 industries and 65 individual professions, including wealth advisors, flight attendants, first responders, nurses, retail buyers and more.

MobileFirst for iOS apps include Advisor Alerts, Asset Care, Hospital RN, Passenger+, Sales Assist, Sales Consult, Train Tickets, Traveler Care and dozens others, used by clients such as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Air Canada, AXA, Bosch, Coca-Cola Amatil, Japan Post, Rimac, SAS and Vodafone Netherlands.

IBM also said it is developing MobileFirst for iOS apps for iPad Pro, which will take advantage of the 12.9-inch tablet's expanded power, performance, larger screen size and iOS 9 multitasking features. Apple Pencil's precision and functionality will enable enterprise users to design and layout a room, log transactions or annotate maintenance logs.

Apple and IBM announced an enterprise partnership in 2014, released the first ten MobileFirst for iOS apps at yearend and have launched new apps periodically since. MobileFirst for iOS apps are designed in a secure environment, and can easily be deployed, managed and upgraded through IBM cloud services.

Apple and IBM list all of the MobileFirst for iOS apps on their websites.

Last month Pandora announced that it acquired "key assets" and employees from Rdio for $75 million. Tonight, Rdio began emailing its users to let them know that it would officially shut down on December 22, 2015 at 5 p.m. PST.

Rdio will also let its former subscribers download an archive of their favorite music and playlists in various formats so that they can import them into their new music streaming service of choice. The service also created a timeline that allows users to see their "life on Rdio", including a user's most played song and album and the first playlist they created.

The streaming service also shared its own timeline. Rdio revealed that its first subscriber signed up on August 3, 2010, that the first played song was Katy Perry's "California Girls", the most played album was Drake's "Nothing Was The Same", the most played song was Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man", the most popular playlist was Dave Novak's "1000 (April 2015)" and the company's favorite comment was "Very touching tribute to turning things down for reasons we forget," regarding DJ Snake and Lil Jon's "Turn Down For What."

On its export page, Rdio says the files it's allowing users to download are metadata that'll make it easier for users to restore their collections in their next music streaming service. It also points users to Soundiiz and StAMP, two services that allow users to directly transfer their collections to their next music streaming service. Finally, Rdio warns that it doesn't know when its exporting website will go down, so users should download their collections as soon as possible.

Rdio subscribers can download their collection and view their timeline at Rdio's farewell page.

As noted by IT professional and writer Tom Bridge on Twitter, public transit information for Los Angeles has started to go live in Apple Maps on both iOS and El Capitan. The rollout adds another major city to a feature that launched as part of iOS 9.

Transit information may still be rolling out to users. Support will include train, light rail and bus services in addition to transit directions. In October, Apple added transit directions for both Sydney and Boston. Apple has not yet added Los Angeles to the transit section of its iOS 9 feature page.

Two years after being purchased by Apple for $200 million, social analytics firm Topsy today announced the end of its service. On Twitter, the company tweeted that it has "searched [its] last tweet." Additionally, its website redirects to an Apple support page on using Search on iPhone.

Topsy partnered with Twitter to maintain an index of tweets going back to 2006. However, the company also made products to search and analyze social networks. It's likely Apple has used Topsy's talent and technology to imbue its products with enhanced search features. iOS 9, for example, debuted a new Proactive feature that uses data from Siri, Calendar, third-party apps and more to deliver more relevant search results to users.

Now that HomeKit's been available for several months, more and more HomeKit-enabled products are popping up. When HomeKit first launched in June, there was only one smart plug available (the Elgato Eve), but now there are a handful to choose from. ConnectSense is the latest company to develop a HomeKit-enabled plug, debuting its Smart Outlet in October.

I went hands-on with the new ConnectSense Smart Outlet to see how it measures up to similar HomeKit products that are available for purchase.

Design

Unlike the other intelligent HomeKit-compatible plugs on the market, the Smart Outlet from ConnectSense combines two outlets in one simple device, with an additional USB charging port for charging an iPhone or iPad. To connect to the iPhone and other HomeKit devices, the Smart Outlet uses Wi-Fi and connects to a home Wi-Fi network.

The Smart Outlet plugs into any traditional outlet in the home, fitting into either the bottom or the top socket. Plugged into the top socket, it fits neatly over an in-the-wall outlet, and while it sticks out about an inch, it's largely unobtrusive thanks to a simple design. It can also be plugged into the bottom socket of a standard wall socket, but its shape does not allow it to leave the top socket free for use, so there's no real reason to use it that way.

Made of a smooth white plastic with curved edges, the Smart Outlet has an attractive no-frills design and a decent build quality, but I'm not entirely sure it feels like an $80 product.

Each socket in the Smart Outlet is treated as an individual HomeKit product, so devices plugged into the Outlet can be controlled separately. On the left side, there's also a USB port for charging iPads and iPhones, but this port can't be controlled via Siri or through the app.

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Pebble today announced new software updates for its line of Pebble smart watches, bringing the timeline feature to Pebble Classic and Steel and introducing a new Pebble Health feature for the Pebble Time lineup.

According to Pebble, Pebble Health was created through a collaboration with researchers at Stanford University. Pebble Health is able to track daily activity and automatically detect sleep phases, displaying stats and insights right on the wrist. Pebble Health brings the Pebble Time in line with the Apple Watch and other activity trackers with a first-party solution that eliminates the need for third-party fitness tracking apps on the device.

Since you are your best motivator, Pebble Health focuses on personal success. Instead of striving for an arbitrary step count, your daily progress is measured against your own personal average. At night, Pebble Health tracks how long and well you sleep, helping you make better sleep decisions. Weekly graphs of both step and sleep stats make it easy to see trends over time.

Pebble Health is compatible with Apple HealthKit and in the future, Pebble plans to launch a Pebble Health API that will allow developers to build apps and watchfaces around the new feature.

Pebble Time, Time Steel, and Time Round owners will get access to Pebble Health after updating the Pebble smartphone app and the watch to the latest version of the software. Pebble Health is not available on earlier Pebble watches.

OtterBox today announced the debut of new protective cases designed for the iPad Pro, the iPad mini 4, and the iPad Air 2. The Defender Series is being updated with cases for the iPad Pro, the Profile Series is being updated with cases for the iPad Air 2, and a new Symmetry Series Folio is available for the iPad mini 4.

The Defender Series for iPad Pro, priced at $129.95, includes a built-in screen protector to keep the tablet's display free from scratches, and like other cases in the Defender Series, its three-layer design protects the iPad from drops and dust. It also includes a shield stand for use when watching videos. Unique to the iPad Pro is a slot that holds the Apple Pencil.

OtterBox's Symmetry Series Folio for the iPad mini 4 is priced at $59.95 and offers full coverage with a protective back shell and a wrap-around faux leather or fabric cover. The Folio cover converts into a multi-position stand with 360-degree rotation for use in both landscape and portrait mode.

The Profile Series for the iPad Air 2 is an inexpensive, simple folio case that's priced at $49.95. It includes a protective rear shell that keeps the iPad Air 2 safe from drops and scratches, plus a wrap-around folio-style cover that doubles as a single-position stand.

OtterBox's new cases for Apple's iPad lineup are available from the OtterBox website and are currently discounted by 25 percent. Cases for the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 4 will ship by Christmas with free express shipping, but the iPad Pro Defender Series Case won't be in stock until January.

For the past week MacRumors editors and writers have been sharing gift guides featuring hand-picked items for the holidays. Thus far, we've seen gift guides from Juli, Joe, Mitchel, Marianne, Eric, Matt and one featuring your holiday suggestions. Today, I end our series of gift guides with my own.

This gift guide was written by me, Husain Sumra, and it's filled with items that I either really love and use frequently or items that I'm lusting for in the hope that they make my day easier.

Anker PowerCore+ mini - $9.99

While there are a lot of small external batteries, there are none that I enjoy using more than the Anker PowerCore+ mini. It comes in a small, lipstick-sized package that has plenty of power for my iPhone 6.

It's small enough to slip into your pocket or purse, but it also has a premium metal finish that's oddly fun to hold. It feels sturdy and solid rather than a cheap toy, which makes it a nice companion to the iPhone if you care about the feel of your products.

The best feature of the PowerCore+ mini though is its price, which gives it a huge advantage over similar external batteries on the market.

Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection - $89.99

With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening on December 18, there's no better time to revisit the complete Star Wars collection. Yes, even the prequels.

While The Digital Movie Collection doesn't include the unedited original trilogy, it is the most convenient way to watch these movies. Not only can you watch them on your Apple TV or Mac, but you can watch them on your iPad Pro or iPhone, too. Furthermore, you can use Disney Movies Anywhere to watch five of the six movies on non-Apple devices. The only exception to this is A New Hope due to rights issues with 20th Century Fox. They also come with brand new behind-the-scenes bonus features giving even the biggest Star Wars fan new insight into the creation of some of the most loved movies of all time.

If you, or someone you know, likes to watch their media on multiple devices there's no better way to watch the incredible highs and lows of the complete Star Wars saga.

Shure MOTIV MV88 Digital Stereo Microphone - $149.00

I use my iPhone for recording interviews and quick podcasts a lot, but my iPhone 6's microphone is fairly basic and tends to produce a more hollow sound. So I've been lusting for a small, easy-to-use mic that I can use on the go and the one I've centered on is the Shure MOTIV MV88.

It's the one mic I've found that seems to fall into the perfect mixture of size, audio quality and price. It also comes with a simple app that allows you to adjust your mic's settings, letting you see exactly how it'll affect the sound. Those settings transfer over to any recordings you do with GarageBand or other third-party audio and video-recording apps.

HBO Now - $14.99/Month

There is no content provider I turn to more often than HBO. Whether it be hit shows like Game of Thrones, smaller dramas like The Leftovers, documentary series like The Jinx or weekly shows like Last Week Tonight, there is no one I trust more to provide me with great content.

With HBO Now, you don't have to subscribe to an expensive cable or satellite subscription either. You can get all of their content on your own terms for $14.99, making cutting the cord easier than ever if you don't care about live sports.

iPad Air Smart Cover - $39.00

Whenever I purchase a new device, whether it be an iPhone, iPad or Macbook, I usually opt to not purchase any kind of case or protection. I find the vast majority of cases aesthetically unpleasant compared to the device's natural look, and most cases hamper the feel of the product in my hand.

However, I make an exception for the Smart Cover line by Apple. Not only does it allow my iPad Air's aesthetic and feel to shine, but it's actually got some versatility outside of protecting the display when it's not in use. It can fold itself up, allowing the iPad to stand. Additionally, the soft material on the inside of the cover is a good way to quickly wipe off any dust or fingerprints on the display.

AirPort Extreme - $199.00

The AirPort Extreme isn't the most fully featured or complex router available on the market, but it is the one I'd recommend to the vast majority of people.

I've owned Apple's previous AirPort Extreme in addition to the newest one, and I've never had a problem with either. In fact, the last time I even looked at my AirPort Extreme is when I went through the very simple setup process. The AirPort Extreme has provided a reliable and strong Wi-Fi signal in my home with absolutely no problems, and there's no better option for people who want a no-hassle solution for their networking needs.

The new version of the AirPort Extreme provides 3 times the speed of the previous model and transmits at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time, allowing your device to connect to the fastest connection it can at most times. It can also transmit further than the previous model, as I found I've been able to hold a viable connection from around 30 yards away from my home.

MoviePass - From $30/Month

As a huge movie buff, I tend to visit movie theaters a lot to check out the latest new releases. However, watching at least one movie in theaters a week quickly becomes a very expensive hobby, so I was very pleased to subscribe to MoviePass, a subscription service for watching movies in theaters.

The subscription starts at $30 a month, though it can rise to $49 a month depending on your area (you can check how much a subscription costs in your area at MoviePass' website). You're allowed to see a new release, non-3D movie in theaters every 24 hours. Since I see at least a film a week, and sometimes two or three a week during the summer and fall, I've found that MoviePass actually saves me money and has been a good value overall.

To use the service, you must download the MoviePass app and check-in to a movie at the theater of your choice. Once you've checked in, you take your MoviePass card to the box office and request the movie you've checked into. The cashier then slides the card and you receive your movie ticket.

Correction: An earlier version of this gift guide indicated that the Anker PowerCore+ mini could provide two full charges for an iPhone 6. As pointed out by readers, it cannot.

Twelve South today expanded its HiRise lineup, launching a new stand designed to match the rose gold iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. Twelve South's HiRise Deluxe stands for iPhone and iPad are some of its most popular products, and with the addition of the rose gold color, there's a finish to match every iOS device.

"There is something special about the new Rose Gold iPhone. It has captured the imagination of millions of people who want anything but basic black or standard silver when it comes to the iPhone they use everyday." said Andrew Green of Twelve South. "HiRise Deluxe is already the most functional and flexible stand available, but with a version that now perfectly matches the hue of our customers' Rose Gold iPhones, their experience will be complete."

For those unfamiliar with the HiRise Deluxe, it's an angled aluminum pedestal that's designed to function as a stand for FaceTime sessions, video watching, and more, all while keeping an iPhone charged with a Lightning cable. The HiRise Deluxe ships with Lightning and micro-USB cables, and it's adjustable, so it's able to accommodate most iPhone cases.

According to Twelve South, when not in use charging an iPhone, the HiRise can also be used to charge the Siri Remote for the Apple TV, the Apple Pencil, the Magic Mouse, the SteelSeries Nimbus controller, and other Apple accessories that charge via Lightning.

The new HiRise Deluxe in Rose Gold is available from the Twelve South website for $59.99 starting today. It's also available in Silver, Black, and Gold.

Enjoy today announced the introduction of the Apple TV, iPad, and AirPort to its free delivery and installation product lineup. The online marketplace and delivery service sends an Enjoy Expert to each customer's house to deliver their ordered product in under four hours and even provide easy setup.

Founded by former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson, the company seeks to make the purchasing of new technology easy and hassle-free for those maybe not as familiar with certain functionalities of products like the new Apple TV.

In terms of Apple merchandise, the company now sells the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, AirPort, and fourth-generation Apple TV. Enjoy noted that the setup process of the Apple TV includes:

Hand delivery and unboxing: We’ll will plug it in and connect to your wifi. We’ll even bring an extra HDMI cable (just in case).

Connect all your devices: We’ll get all of your accounts and Apple devices talking to each other. You can now think of the TV as the hub for all of your family entertainment.

Meet the new Siri remote: We’ll introduce you to the new Touch Surface remote and walk you through all of the gestures and voice commands. We know that you and Siri will get along just fine.

Explore the App Store: Apps are the future of TV. We’ll set you up with the ones you love, and introduce you to some great new ones.

Once a user orders something off of Enjoy's online store, they can receive the delivery in "as fast as four hours," with up to an hour of personalized installation and instruction on how the product works courtesy of an Enjoy Expert. Shipping and home support are all free, but the Enjoy service is currently only available in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Enjoy also allows customers to purchase a hand-delivered iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus to their home in a partnership with AT&T. Other than the newly-introduced Apple products, the company offers at-home delivery and tutorials on products like the DJI Phantom 3 drone, Xbox One, and even fitness devices like the Specialized Turbo bicycle.