As of October, Foursquare has become one of the companies that contribute data to Apple's Maps app, providing information on "Business listings data." This likely includes details on restaurants, retail stores, and other venues, given Foursquare's focus on unearthing the "best places to eat, drink, shop, or visit in any city in the world.
Rumors about a data sharing deal between Foursquare and Apple first surfaced in 2012, but Apple Maps Marketing, a site that keeps an eye on Apple's Maps partners, notes that Foursquare was not added as a partner until October 22.
For those unfamiliar with Foursquare, it's essentially a Yelp competitor that helps people find nearby venues. Several years ago, Foursquare was popular as it had a built-in check-in feature that let people share the places they'd visited, but Foursquare has always had trouble securing revenue.
In 2014, Foursquare split its app into Foursquare, for local listings, and Swarm, its check-in app, which ended up being an unpopular decision. Since then, Foursquare has struggled to find its niche among competitors, so this data sharing deal with Apple could be a huge boon for the company.
A growing number of users on the Apple Support Communities, MacRumors discussion forums and social media have reported issues with the iPad Pro becoming unresponsive after being charged for a lengthy amount of time, forcing affected users to perform a hard restart to turn the device back on.
MacRumors forum member "BizzaroClark" claims that, on multiple occasions, his iPad Pro has "appeared frozen" and "will not wake" after being charged. After hard resetting the iPad Pro, he said the device has 100% battery life. Dozens of users have shared similar experiences over the past five days.
At least twice I have left my iPad Pro plugged in, once over night, and once during work. When I returned to my iPad it appeared frozen. Black screen, screen will not wake. I had to do a hard reset twice to get the thing to work again. After the hard reset the battery was 100%.
Apple blog Mac Kung Fu pointed us towards Apple Support Communities and Reddit topics about the issue with nearly 5,000 views and 200 comments combined, indicating the problem is rather widespread. iPad Pro user "darkfire.shadows" shared his experience in the Apple Support Communities:
At night it was down to 40% so I charged it and went to bed. When I woke up it was "dead". It wouldn't wake up. I needed to perform a hard reset to get it to come to life. Worked on it for a couple of hours and had to run an errand. Plugged it back in as I was going to need a full charge later that day. Came back to it, same thing. Dead.
MacRumors confirmed the issue has affected one of our iPad Pros since last Wednesday.
The issue has affected both 32GB and 128GB iPad Pros on iOS 9.1, including Wi-Fi and LTE models. It remains unclear if the problem is rooted in hardware or software, but some users speculate that restoring from an iCloud backup during setup may be contributing to the freezing issues.
Apple's support team has provided customers with mixed solutions, ranging from restoring the iPad to factory settings using iTunes to force restarting the device by holding down the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons simultaneously for at least ten seconds, until an Apple logo appears on the screen.
Last month, we reported that some iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 6 users have experienced similar issues with their smartphones randomly powering off, even when left unattended and with sufficient battery power, indicating this could be a broader iOS 9 issue. Apple has not officially commented on the matter.
IHS Technology research director Kevin Wang, who previously said a new 4-inch iPhone would launch by the end of 2015, has now changed his prediction to mid 2016 on Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo (via GforGames), corroborating information shared by reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Wang did not provide any new details about Apple's oft-rumored 4-inch iPhone, beyond confirming the smaller screen size, but Kuo recently said the device will "resemble an upgraded iPhone 5s," including a metal design with an A9 processor, and launch in the first quarter of 2016.
As there is still demand for a 4-inch iPhone, we believe Apple will upgrade this product line. Because the iPhone 5s is more popular than the iPhone 5c, we think Apple is likely to launch an upgraded iPhone 5s. We predict Apple will mass-produce this new 4-inch iPhone in 1H16 with metal casings. In order to make the current iOS 9 or next-generation iOS 10 run smoothly, Apple may adopt an A9 chip for this new phone.
Kuo believes the so-called "iPhone 6c" will not feature 3D Touch to differentiate it from Apple's flagship iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Foxconn is expected to be the primary manufacturer of the 4-inch smartphone, with 20-30 million shipments projected through the end of 2016.
Given his recent track record, Wang's new prediction should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt, but it does corroborate multiple rumors suggesting Apple will release a new 4-inch smartphone in 2016. The so-called "iPhone 6c" was originally rumored to launch in 2015, but those plans were reportedly scrapped.
Adding to its lineup of Activité-branded watch-style activity trackers, Withings today announced the Activité Steel. The Activité Steel is designed to fit in between the expensive original Activité and the more affordable Activité Pop.
Like the other Activité activity trackers, the Activité Steel is designed to look more like a traditional wrist watch than a fitness device. It features a stainless steel case, chrome hands, and a sub-dial that was inspired by a tachymeter. According to Withings, the Activité Steel was designed to have a "distinctive masculine feel."
"While the tracker market is booming we see growing demand from health conscious people who are not willing to compromise their style," says Cédric Hutchings, CEO of Withings. "Steel is the perfect Christmas gift for those demanding trendsetters."
The Activité Steel keeps track of steps taken, showing progress towards a daily goal on the small sub-dial on the watch face. It is also able to automatically detect several activities, including running and swimming, and at night, it's able to monitor sleep length and quality.
There's a standard watch battery inside so there's no need to charge the Activité Steel, but the battery will need to be replaced approximately every eight months. As it does not charge, the Activité Steel is water-resistant up to 50 meters like the other two Activité watches.
All of the information gathered by the Activité Steel can be viewed in the accompanying Withings Health Mate application, which lets users insert activity goals, keep track of food consumed, and interact with friends to reach fitness goals.
The Activité Steel, initially available in classic black, can be ordered from the Withings website for $169.95.
While the iPad Pro further bridges the gap between iOS and OS X, and notebooks and tablets as a whole, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently told the Irish Independent that Apple is not interested in creating a "converged Mac and iPad."
“We feel strongly that customers are not really looking for a converged Mac and iPad,” said Cook. “Because what that would wind up doing, or what we’re worried would happen, is that neither experience would be as good as the customer wants. So we want to make the best tablet in the world and the best Mac in the world. And putting those two together would not achieve either. You’d begin to compromise in different ways.”
Instead, Cook said Apple wants to create the best possible Mac and iPad, suggesting that both products have a strong future. The chief executive is "bullish" about the reverse of declining iPad sales in recent quarters.
“It’s true that the difference between the X86 [personal computer] and the A-series [Apple iPad architecture] is much less than it’s ever been,” says Cook. “That said, what we’ve tried to do is to recognize that people use both iOS and Mac devices. So we’ve taken certain features and made them more seamless across the devices. So with things like Handoff we just made it really simple to work on one of our products and pick it up and work on the next product.”
Last week, Cook rhetorically questioned why anyone would buy a PC anymore -- excluding the Mac, which he says is not the "same" -- and said the iPad Pro will serve as a replacement for a notebook or desktop computer for "many, many people."
"I think if you're looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one?" [...]
"Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people. They will start using it and conclude they no longer need to use anything else, other than their phones."
Many early iPad Pro reviews described the tablet as a powerful creative canvas, but not quite a true PC replacement. Benchmarks found the iPad Pro delivers MacBook Air-class CPU performance and MacBook Pro-class GPU performance.
MacStories editor Federico Viticci, as someone who uses iOS as his main computing platform, felt otherwise. "I don't see myself using a Mac as my primary computer ever again," he wrote in his iPad Pro review.
Cook also provided a non-comment about Apple's rumored electric vehicle plans, emphasizing "a need for a focus on user interface."
“I don’t have anything to announce about our plans,” he says. “But I think there’s some significant changes in the automobile industry over the next several years with electrification and autonomous driving. And there’s a need for a focus on user interface. And so I think there’s a lot of changes that will go on there.”
Follow our iPad Pro and Apple Car roundups for the latest news about each topic.
Apple Pay is expected to expand to its third market this week, launching in Canada this Tuesday, November, 17, reports iPhone in Canada. As previously announced, Apple Pay will be launching through an exclusive partnership with American Express, initially limiting the reach of Apple's payments service in the country.
According to American Express, the service is set to launch this Tuesday, November 17, 2015. Customer service representatives we spoke with confirmed the date over the phone numerous times, and is in line with what you’ve told us as well.
As reported by The Globe and Mail last month, sources indicate Apple partnered with American Express in order to expedite the Apple Pay launch in the country, as discussions with the major Canadian banks and other credit card companies had been "dragging."
Beyond Canada, Apple is also partnering with American Express to bring Apple Pay to Australia by the end of the year and to Spain, Singapore, and Hong Kong next year. Apple Pay launched in the United States alongside iOS 8 in September 2014 and expanded to the United Kingdom in July of this year.
Apple today announced a deal to move all of its operations in Singapore to 100 percent renewable energy, working with partner Sunseap Group to take advantage of rooftops in the densely populated city-state for solar power generation, reports Reuters.
Starting in January, solar energy developer Sunseap Group will provide Apple with 100 percent renewable electricity from its portfolio of solar energy systems built atop more than 800 buildings in Singapore.
The deal will make Apple the first company in Singapore to run exclusively on renewable energy and marks a significant step in its bid to power 100 percent of its facilities and operations worldwide with clean fuel.
The Sunseap project, made possible through financing from Apple, will generate a total of 50 megawatts of solar power from rooftops, with approximately 33 megawatts going to Apple and the remainder being used for other customers including public housing.
As part of today's announcement, Apple also confirmed it is working toward opening its first retail store in Singapore, although it did not provide a timeframe for the store's opening.
Word of an Apple store in Singapore surfaced last month when fitness chain Pure Fitness announced its location in the Knightsbridge shopping center will be closing next month to make way for an Apple store planned to open in late 2016. Four other stores in the center are also moving out to help make room for Apple. The company began hiring for one or more retail stores in Singapore late last week.
Back in mid-September, Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand rolled out the UE Boom 2, an upgraded version of its popular mid-level Bluetooth portable speaker. With Apple adding the new speaker to its online store and retail locations a few weeks ago, we decided to take a look at the new and improved speaker.
Priced at $200, the UE Boom 2 isn't the cheapest Bluetooth speaker on the market, but its feature set will be appealing to many. The rugged, waterproof design is extremely portable, puts out a lot of sound, and keeps things simple for those who want to just toss a speaker in a bag and go. It's roughly the size of a water bottle, so you can also easily put it in a cup holder or water bottle holder when you're out and about.
Aside from the speaker grille wrapping nearly entirely around the cylindrical body of the UE Boom 2, the dominating feature of the device is its pair of oversized buttons along a rubber strip on the side that make it easy to adjust the volume with a quick grab.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Case Logic to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a backpack, satchel, or attaché from the company's new LoDo collection. For those unfamiliar with Case Logic, it's a popular brand that specializes in bags and backpacks for MacBooks and other electronic devices.
The LoDo collection includes a series of pocket-laden commuter bags to hold a MacBook and other gear. The entire LoDo lineup is made from high quality cotton canvas, with padding for delicate electronics and padded straps to make carrying a lot of gear more comfortable. All of the bags come in gray, navy blue, or olive green.
There are two backpacks, both of which include a laptop compartment for up to a 15-inch MacBook, an iPad compartment, a phone pocket, and pockets for accessories and other gear. The larger size has leather accents while the smaller size has two exterior water bottle pockets.
The LoDo Laptop Satchel is able to fit a 15-inch MacBook Pro in its padded laptop compartment, along with an iPad Pro and tons of other gear. There are two exterior pockets for accessories and two exterior water bottle pockets, along with a two internal water bottle pockets that can also be used for general storage.
Along with the satchel, the LoDo collection also includes two Laptop Attachés, sized to hold a 13 or 15-inch MacBook. The Attachés are slimmer than the satchel, but are still able to safely house a laptop and its necessary accessories.
The LoDo collection is priced between $69.99 and $99.99, but one MacRumors reader will win either a backpack, attaché, or satchel, in the size and color of their choice. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.
You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter.
The contest will run from today (November 13) at 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time through 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time on November 20. The winner will be chosen randomly on November 20 and will be contacted by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen. The prize will be shipped to the winner for free.
Apple appears to have made some significant improvements to the way App Store searches work in recent weeks, returning more relevant, intelligent results whenever a keyword search for an app is conducted, reports TechCrunch.
Several developers, including Tapbots' Paul Haddad and Contrast's David Barnard began noticing changes to App Store search results starting in early November, with a major algorithm update occurring on November 12.
App rankings for search results now appear to take into account factors that go beyond simple keyword listings, like partial keyword matches and competitor brand names, somewhat de-emphasizing the keywords that developers enter manually. As an example, a search for "Twitter" now brings up relevant apps like Tweetbot, something that didn't happen before the shift.
It's also the first time the App Store has ranked apps for keywords that are not in the title or the "keyword," slot, we understand.
For developers searching against their own app name, what this change means is that they'll now see a number of competing apps that didn't show up before, and an overall expanded list of matches.
AppFigures CEO Ariel Michaeli told TechCrunch the App Store uses a new suggestion function that takes into account the "essence of the app" and puts more emphasis on on-page components.
Apple is constantly making changes to the way apps come up in charts and through search, in an effort to improve app discovery. The recent search algorithm changes appear to be bringing up much more useful results, but as TechCrunch points out, Apple could make further improvements by utilizing metrics like whether an app was featured, positive reviews and press mentions from the web, and its overall usage.
Earlier this week, a group of black teenagers were asked to leave an Apple Store in Australia by employees who were concerned about theft. The exchange was caught on video and has since gone viral, leading to a series of apologies, from the store's senior manager and from Apple.
Apple has released two statements on the matter, one from Apple CEO Tim Cook who said he wants "every customer visiting our stores or calling for support to feel welcome," and a second general statement clarifying Apple's core values.
"Inclusion and diversity are among Apple's core values. We believe in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
That applies throughout our company, around the world with no exceptions. We've looked into the details of the situation and we apologize to the customers involved. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure all our customers are treated the way they should be."
Following the public apology, Tim Cook has now sent an internal memo to its employees, which has been shared by BuzzFeed. In the letter, Cook calls what happened "unacceptable" and says the video "does not represent our values."
He goes on to remind employees that "Apple is open" to people from "all walks of life" regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, income, language, or point of view.
I'm sure you are all aware of the unacceptable incident which took place at our store at the Highpoint shopping center in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday. Several young men, who are students at a nearby school, had been asked by a security guard to leave the store. In an attempt to address the situation, one of our store employees gave an answer which shocked many of us.
What people have seen and heard from watching the video on the web does not represent our values. It is not a message we would ever want to deliver to a customer or hear ourselves. Our employee immediately expressed his regret and apologized to the students.
None of us are happy with the way this was handled. But we can all be proud of Kate, one of the senior managers at the Highpoint store.
On Wednesday, she greeted the same group of students to express a heartfelt apology on behalf of our store and our company. She reassured these young men that they and their fellow classmates would always be welcome at our store. The school's principal later told a reporter that she delivered her message "with good grace," and one of the students said, "It feels like we have justice now."
Her words that day echoed a message you've heard many times from me and from Angela. It's a simple pledge we all make to our customers and to ourselves:
Apple is open.
Our stores and our hearts are open to people from all walks of life, regardless of race or religion, gender or sexual orientation, age, disability, income, language or point of view. All across our company, being inclusive and embracing our differences makes our products better and our stores stronger.
The Apple Store Highpoint is staffed by people who share these values and illustrate our commitment to diversity. The team is made up of coworkers from Australia, as well as Egypt, Italy, India and five other nations. Collectively they speak 15 languages, including Urdu, Portuguese, Arabic and Mandarin.
While I firmly believe that this was an isolated incident rather than a symptom of a broader problem in our stores, we will use this moment as an opportunity to learn and grow. Our store leadership teams around the world, starting in Australia, will be refreshing their training on inclusion and customer engagement. These are concepts and practices they know well, but can always stand to reinforce.
Respect for our customers is the foundation of everything we do at Apple. It's the reason we put so much care into the design of our products. It's the reason we make our stores beautiful and inviting, and extend their reach to benefit the communities around them. It's the reason we commit ourselves to enriching people's lives.
Thank you all for your dedication to Apple, to our values, and to the customers we are so very fortunate to serve.
Following the incident, the senior manager at the Apple Store where the teens were ousted invited them back along with their school principal to make a formal apology and to make it clear they are welcome in the store any time. Following the apology, one of the teens said "She apologized to us and told us that we are welcome here anytime. It feels like we have justice now."
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.
Verizon Wireless is the only major carrier in the United States that has not introduced Wi-Fi calling, but it appears that could change in the near future as the FCC today approved the company's request for an FCC waiver [PDF] that will allow it to move ahead with its plans.
Like AT&T, Verizon applied for an FCC waiver to delay implementing a teletypewriter (TTY) service for deaf and hard-of-hearing people until December 31, 2017. Verizon plans to use real-time text (RTT) as an alternative and the waiver will allow it to avoid offering a TTY service until its RTT technology is deployed and operational.
On its website, Verizon says it plans to support Wi-Fi calling "in the future," but has not specified when Wi-Fi calling could be implemented. When AT&T was approved for Wi-Fi calling, the feature was turned on within days of receiving the go ahead from the FCC.
Wi-Fi calling will allow Verizon customers to make phone calls over Wi-Fi in situations where their cellular signal is low, automatically transitioning between Wi-Fi and a cellular connection as needed. AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have all already implemented Wi-Fi calling, but Sprint and T-Mobile have done so without obtaining the necessary waivers from the FCC.
Quanta Computer is reportedly working with Apple on development of the next-generation Apple Watch, according to Chinese-language website United Daily News [Google Translate].
The report is based on recent comments made by Quanta Computer chairman Barry Lam, who allegedly said development of Apple's next wearable device is underway. Quanta assembles the current Apple Watch.
UDN claims the new Apple Watch will launch late in the second quarter of 2016, with volume shipments beginning in the third quarter.
If the rumored timeline is correct, the next-generation Apple Watch could launch by June 2016, with increased production towards mid- to late-2016. The current Apple Watch was announced in September 2014 and released last April.
A few months ago, Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri claimed the second-generation Apple Watch will launch in mid- to late-2016 and be thinner than current models. Few details are known about the upcoming device beyond a June report that said it will feature a FaceTime video camera and expanded Wi-Fi capabilities.
While a next-generation Apple Watch launching next year is realistic, UDN's report is questionable and should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt.
Apple has posted a holiday gift guide on its website featuring the new Apple TV, iPad Pro, iPhone 6s, Apple Watch, Retina MacBook, iTunes gift cards, apps, accessories and more. The buying guide is split into six categories: gaming, photography, music, fitness, learning and travel.
The gaming section is centered upon the new Apple TV, iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2, iPod touch, and related apps and accessories available for each device, including the SteelSeries Nimbus and Gamevice controllers, Guitar Hero Live, Beats Studio wireless headphones and more. Apple also features a trio of drones by Parrot and Sphero.
The photography section features the iPhone 6s, iPad Pro, Retina MacBook and accessories like the Olloclip Active Lens, JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Video tripod, MeFOTO Sidekick360 adapter, Shure MOTIV MV5 microphone and HISY Camera Remote. Featured apps include Darkroom, VSCO, Instagram and iMovie.
The music section features the iPhone 6s, Retina MacBook, Apple Music on Apple TV, Apogee MiC microphone, IK Multimedia iRig Pads music controller, Beats Studio wireless headphones, Beats Pill+ speakers, B&O BeoPlay A2 speakers, Apple Music gift cards, GarageBand and more.
The fitness section features the Apple Watch Sport, iPhone 6s and accessories like the Wahoo Fitness KICKR SNAP cycling trainer, Beats Powerbeats2 earphones, Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor, Apple EarPods, Incase iPhone 6s armband and more. Featured apps include Strava and Nike+ Running.
The learning section highlights the iPad Air 2, Apple TV, Retina MacBook and iPod touch, and educational apps such as the iWork suite, Star Walk Kids and Plants by Tinybop. Featured accessories include the Sphero SPRK, Osmo Genius Kit, Twelve South BookArc stand, LaCie Fuel external hard drive and more.
The travel section features the Apple Watch, iPad mini 4, new Apple TV and accessories.
Apple is now offering free shipping in the U.S., Canada, Europe and several other regions during the holidays.
As the new iPad Pro makes its way into the hands of customers, Apple has debuted two new featured sections in the App Store to highlight apps and games that are either enhanced for the device or take advantage of its larger screen.
The first section, "Amazing Apps for iPad Pro", is split into five subcategories: Enhanced for Apple Pencil, Desktop-Class Apps, Powerful Multitasking, Unleash Your Creativity, Bigger with a Bigger Screen and Immersive Experiences. Apple says the section includes Apple's favorite apps "that take advantage of its expansive Retina display and astounding experiences."
The second section, "Great Games for iPad Pro", is split into three subcategories: Gorgeous Games, Fantastic Sounds and Big Screen, Big Fun. Apple says the section will help iPad Pro owners "get started with games whose breathtaking graphics, spectacular sound, and immersive features create incredible experiences."
Limited quantities of the iPad Pro are available at Apple Retail Stores in multiple countries with Personal Pickup available in U.S. locations. Online, 32 GB variants in any color are available for delivery on Monday while other configurations are available for delivery in late November. Smart Covers and Silicone Cases are well stocked in Apple Stores, but the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard are out of stock or in very limited quantities in stores and are a 4 - 5 week wait online.
MacRumors' sister-site AppShopper also has a running list of all the apps updated with iPad Pro support.
Apple, continuing its aggressive retail expansion in China, has announced that it will be opening its 26th retail store in the country in Chengdu, a major city in Sichuan Province, on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM local time. The new store is slated to open less than a month after the grand opening of the 25th Apple Store in China in the major port city of Dalian on October 24.
Taikoo Li shops in Chengdu, China, where an Apple Store will open November 21
The new Chengdu store will be located in the upscale Taikoo Li shopping plaza at 8 Middle Shamao Street in the Jinjiang District, where several high-end retailers such as Gucci, Omega and Zara are located. The store will be open 10 AM-10 PM local time everyday and offer traditional Apple Store services, including the Genius Bar, Workshops, JointVenture, events and seminars.
Apple is now hiring for its first retail store in Singapore, expected to open in 2016
Apple has also posted new job listings for its first retail store in Singapore, which is rumored to open in late 2016 at the Knightsbridge four-story luxury shopping center. The company is looking for Specialists, Geniuses, Creatives, Business Specialists and other traditional Apple Store positions.
Apple does not currently have an official retail presence in Singapore, a large city-state and country south of Malaysia in Southeast Asia, but the Apple Online Store and dozens of Apple Authorized Resellers operate in the region. The closest physical Apple Stores are located several hours away by plane in Australia and Hong Kong.
Apple's former Beats Music streaming service will be officially shuttered on November 30, 2015, according to a new support document posted today on the Beats Music support site. All existing Beats Music subscriptions will be canceled at that time, with any remaining customers being encouraged to switch over to Apple Music.
Beats Music ends on November 30. Your subscription will be cancelled, but you can move your picks and preferences over to Apple Music right now.
All the pros that curated music for you are still crafting more amazing experiences. Plus, on Apple Music, you'll get even better recommendations based on music you already listen to and love, 24/7 global radio with Beats 1, exciting material from your favorite artist, and more.
Sonos is also sending out emails to customers letting them know the Beats Music service is ending on November 30. Apple Music currently does not work with the Sonos system, but support is in the works and slated to launch before the end of 2015. Sonos is advising its users to move their Beats Music accounts to Apple Music to save their playlists.
Beats Music subscribers on iOS were largely transitioned to Apple Music when the Apple Music service first launched, and with the launch of the Apple Music app for Android devices, Android users can also transition to a fully functional Apple Music app.
The final closure of Beats Music comes as no surprise now that it's been folded into Apple Music. The Beats Music service has not accepted new subscribers since Apple Music launched in June.
First Alert has created the first HomeKit-enabled smoke alarm, today introducing the Onelink Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with HomeKit integration (via The Verge). Similar to the Nest Protect, the Onelink Smoke Alarm is able to detect smoke and carbon monoxide, sending alerts to a user's iPhone.
Through the iPhone app, the Onelink Smoke Alarm is able to test the viability of a smoke detector, notify users when an alarm goes off while they're away, and silence alarms that have been set off accidentally. It's also able to toggle a built-in nightlight (hardwire version only) on and off and each connected alarm will go off whenever one detects something harmful, directing users towards the problem with voice alerts.
With HomeKit integration, users can ask Siri to dim the nightlight or check for smoke or carbon monoxide alerts. The Onelink Smoke Alarm comes with a built-in battery that cannot be replaced and lasts for 10 years, putting an end to low battery alerts in home smoke alarms. There's also a hardwire version with a battery backup.
The Onelink Smoke Alarm works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and does not require a central hub. According to The Verge, First Alert will be introducing additional HomeKit-enabled devices in 2016, including a safe and a combo carbon monoxide, temperature, and humidity sensor.
The battery-powered Onelink Smoke Alarm is priced at $109 and does not include a nightlight feature, while the hardwired version with a nightlight is priced at $119. The Onelink Smoke Alarm can currently be purchased from the Lowe's website and will later be available on Amazon and in Apple retail stores.
As of October, Foursquare has become one of the companies that contribute data to Apple's Maps app, providing information on "Business listings data." This likely includes details on restaurants, retail stores, and other venues, given Foursquare's focus on unearthing the "best places to eat, drink, shop, or visit in any city in the world.
Quanta Computer is reportedly working with Apple on development of the next-generation Apple Watch, according to Chinese-language website 
The Onelink Smoke Alarm works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and does not require a central hub. According to The Verge, First Alert will be introducing additional HomeKit-enabled devices in 2016, including a safe and a combo carbon monoxide, temperature, and humidity sensor.
