MacRumors

It's September 25 in Australia, which means the first customers who pre-ordered the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are now beginning to receive their shipments or are getting home from purchasing one at an Apple Store. Australians and those who went to Australia to receive their phones have now taken to YouTube to show off the device in unboxing videos, drop tests and more.


YouTube user Lachlan Likes A Thing unboxes a Rose Gold iPhone 6. The video was a part of Lachlan's live stream of iPhone 6s coverage, and features him answering questions from his viewers. He also shows off the standard in-box iPhone accessories, which include the EarPods, wall charger and Lightning cable. Lachlan also unboxes a pink iPhone 6s silicone case, showing off what the phone looks like in the case.


YouTube channel TechSmartt got their hands on both the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and subjected them to drop tests on a marble floor. The drop tests occur at three levels: from pocket height, from around 6 feet and from around 10 feet. Both phones hold up well, with host Keaton Keller noting the new 7000 series aluminum only suffered minor scratches. However, the iPhone 6s had its display shatter when it landed display down. The iPhone 6s Plus, which also fell on its display, did not shatter.


Franz Pirkl, another YouTube user, unboxed his Space Gray iPhone 6s and then proceeded to do a video teardown of the device. While the video doesn't provide in-depth explanation of the insides of the new device, it does provide a look inside the device as well as individual parts like the new Taptic Engine.


Update: TechSmartt also conducted a water test with the iPhone 6s Plus, pitting it against the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Both phones are placed in water to see how long they last, with Keller noting the 6s Plus lasts far longer than the previous iPhone.

Related Forum: iPhone

Netflix today announced that it's adding the ability for users to subscribe to the video streaming service within its iPhone and iPad apps. The announcement was made in a new ad featuring two characters from Netflix show Orange is the New Black who discover and talk to Siri.


Like Hulu, Netflix is opting to not raise its subscription price for in-app subscribers to make up for the App Store's 30/70 revenue split, with Apple getting 30 percent and developers getting 70. Other streaming services, like Spotify, pass the loss onto subscribers, raising the price for their service within the app.

However, it was reported in June that Apple was considering changing the 30/70 revenue split to benefit streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Instead, Apple would discuss new commercial terms with media companies. On Apple TV, Apple is offering a more generous revenue split, with the Cupertino company taking 15 percent of revenue generated from HBO Now and other Apple TV apps.

Netflix is a universal app that's available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

In response to low-cost yearly upgrade programs from T-Mobile and Sprint, Verizon this afternoon announced a new program that will let iPhone customers upgrade to a new iPhone each year provided half of the device cost has been paid and the old device is traded in.

News of Verizon's program was shared by Re/code, and the site says Verizon's program will be available to all Verizon customers who purchase an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus and pay for their phone in installments. This includes customers who have already pre-ordered their devices.

verizonlogo
According to Verizon, its new plan is superior to those offered by competitors because there is an option to pay off the phone over 24 months or pay half and trade it in each year.

"If you're not interested in upgrading, you still have the option to pay your phone off in 24 low monthly payments," Verizon said in a statement. "That's a better option than those "lease plans" offered by other companies, which can include surprise balloon payments just 18 months into your agreement, or ask you to turn over your phone without getting anything for it."

Earlier this week, T-Mobile introduced a JUMP! On Demand promotion that offers the iPhone 6s for as little as $5 per month with a qualifying smartphone trade in. Under the JUMP! On Demand program, customers can upgrade to a new phone as many as three times a year with device trade-ins.

Following the announcement of T-Mobile's promotional pricing, Sprint this morning announced limited time lower prices for its iPhone Forever program, letting customers get an iPhone 6s for as little as $1 per month with the trade-in of an iPhone 6.

With both programs, pricing varies based on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus capacity and the smartphone being traded in.

applestorenewiconApple today updated its Apple Store app for iOS devices to version 3.5, adding support for the new iPhone 6s and the iOS 9 operating system. Apple's release notes for the update are vague, so there are no details on what new features the app might have for iOS 9 and the iPhone 6s.

It's possible the Apple Store app update adds support for the 3D Touch feature built into the new iPhones, enabling Quick Actions that can be accessed directly from the Home screen, but it's also possible this is a simple compatibility update that makes sure the app works properly with the new devices. We'll update this post when we learn more about what's new in today's update.

What's New in Version 3.5
- iOS compatibility update
- Adds support for iPhone 6s

The Apple Store app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Update: Today's update does indeed add 3D Touch Quick Actions to the Apple Store app. A force press from the Home screen on the app icon will bring up options to open the app directly to the store, a list of retail stores, or orders placed.

applestorequickactions

It's just after 8:30 a.m. in New Zealand, which means the first customers who pre-ordered an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus are now beginning to receive their shipments. Soon, customers in Australia will begin getting their iPhones, and the first Apple retail stores in the country will open for in-store sales. New Zealanders have started sharing photos of their new devices on social networks like Instagram and Twitter.

iphone6snz

Image via Instagram user Gyuriels

As September 25 hits around the world, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK, and the United States. Retail stores in those countries will be opening at 8:00 a.m. local time, letting customers pick up reserved devices and purchase a new phone via walk-in.


Walk-in purchases will not be available in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Oregon, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska, to discourage purchases by scalpers. In these locations, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be available only by reservation. Reservations are not currently available, but will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26.

A photo posted by @dianelee209 on


Customers who ordered an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus for home delivery will also begin receiving their devices around 8:00 a.m. local time through couriers like UPS and FedEx. U.S. customers in New York and Pennsylvania should be aware of shipping delays that will prevent iPhone pre-orders from arriving on launch day in certain zip codes.

Related Forum: iPhone

Schlage today announced that its HomeKit-compatible Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt will be available for purchase beginning in November, with pre-orders that are kicking off today. Priced at $229, the Schlage Sense was previewed earlier this year at CES and is the first door lock that works with Apple's HomeKit home automation service.

With HomeKit integration, the Schlage Sense will allow homeowners to control their door lock with Siri voice commands, and it has the built-in end-to-end encryption that Apple requires of all HomeKit-compatible products.

schlagesense
The Schlage Sense is able to manage as many as 30 access codes through its accompanying app, which will let users create and delete codes at will, check the lock status, and view in-and-out activity. Unlocking the deadbolt can be done via the iPhone app, through Siri, or through a built-in touchscreen, and installing it can be done without professional help.

"We are thrilled to announce the release of the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt into retail. This launch has been highly anticipated, as we continue to reimagine and develop innovative keyless solutions that integrate smart-home technology," said Steve Down, Allegion residential leader. "As a leader in technology and innovation, the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt is the newest offering in our suite of electronic products designed to offer consumers the strength, style and convenience that they expect from our brand, and now that also includes support for Apple HomeKit technology."

Schlage is selling the Sense Smart Deadbolt in two of its iconic styles, Camelot and Century, and it will be available in several finishes including Matte Black, Satin Nickel, and Aged Bronze, to match a range of home styles.

schlagesense2
The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com, HomeDepot.com, and Build.com for $229. It will ship out in November.

Update: Schlage announced at CES 2016 that a Schlage Sense app for Apple Watch and support for Android devices will launch in 2016.

With watchOS 2, Apple introduced a new feature called Nightstand mode, which lets the Apple Watch be used as a nighttime clock and morning alarm when it’s attached to the charger. Nightstand mode only works while the Apple Watch is placed in landscape mode on its side, rendering a lot of early Apple Watch docks and stands less useful.

Going forward, accessory makers will likely focus on making products that work with the new Nightstand feature, but small Apple Watch dock maker Schuttenworks has already developed a simple, high-quality watchOS 2-compatible Apple Watch charging stand called the Ripple.

rippleassembled
I’ve been using the Ripple on my night table for several weeks now, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It’s an attractive, low-profile stand that works with all Apple Watch models and all bands, both closed and open-loop, and at $54, it’s not a bad value.

ripplewithapplewatchsportband
Like its predecessor the Wave, which we reviewed earlier this year, the Ripple uses a clever split design and magnet system to lock the Apple Watch charger in place and keep the cord out of sight.

➜ Click here to read more...

With less than one day until the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus launch in twelve countries, customers have begun forming lines at Apple Stores around the world to purchase one of the new devices. The size of the lineups vary depending on the location and will undoubtedly grow longer as we get closer to 8:00 am local time on Friday in each country.

Longer lines have formed at two Apple Stores in the German cities of Hamburg and Munich on the evening prior to the iPhone launch, while there are shorter queues in U.S. cities such as Chicago and San Francisco. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australia, a media executive has a robot holding her place in line.

Birmingham, U.K.

Birmingham-iPhone6s

Birmingham customers have the benefit of lining up indoors (via Benjamin Mason)

Chicago, U.S.

Chicago-iPhone6s

A short line has formed at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue (Thanks, Marc!)

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg-iPhone6s

A large crowd has formed at the Apple Store in Hamburg (via Daniel Knott)

Munich, Germany

Munich-iPhone6s

Apple Store in Munich has one of the longest iPhone lines so far (via Martin Gollwitzer)

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple today released a version of iOS 9.0.1 designed for its newest devices, the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. iOS 9.0.1 was initially seeded to the public yesterday, but that version of the software did not include support for the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus.

Customers who receive an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus tomorrow will need to update to the new operating system after unboxing their devices, as they will presumably ship with iOS 9.0 installed.

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iOS 9.0.1 is a minor software update that was released one week after the public launch of iOS 9. It includes several bug fixes, including a fix for an issue that prevented some users from upgrading their iPhones to iOS 9 because of an unresponsive "Slide to Upgrade" dialog.

There are just a few hours to go until the iPhone 6s launch kicks off in New Zealand. Once 8:00 a.m. rolls around in the country, iPhone 6s pre-order deliveries will begin. The first Apple Store sales will begin a couple hours later as 8:00 a.m. hits in Australia. In the United States, retail stores will open at 8:00 a.m. local time and pre-order deliveries will start at 9:00 a.m.

Related Forum: iPhone

ios_9_iconApple today seeded the second iOS 9.1 beta to public beta testers, two weeks after seeding the first beta a day after its "Hey Siri" fall media event. Today's beta is the same as the second iOS 9.1 beta seeded to developers yesterday.

Public beta testers who already have iOS 9.1 installed can get the second beta as an over-the-air update, and those interested in getting early release software from Apple can sign up to participate in Apple's Beta Software Program.

iOS 9.1 is an update mainly designed for the iPad Pro, adding support for accessories like the Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil, both of which require deep integration with iOS 9. It will also include support for the new Apple TV.

The update also includes support for Unicode 8, introducing new emoji like taco, burrito, hot dog, popcorn, turkey, cheese wedge, and more, and it includes a new Siri setting that lets users give voice examples for the "Hey Siri" feature that can be activated whenever the iPhone is connected to power. With the new iPhone 6s, the new feature will be essential because "Hey Siri" can be used even when an iPhone is not plugged in.

Tag: iOS 9.1
Related Forum: iOS 9

Apple Music DJ Zane Lowe has recently begun discussing the upcoming shows for a few artists on the Beats 1 radio service, including hour-long series centering around Haim, Major Lazer, and Eric Prydz. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Lowe discussed how difficult it was to essentially build an entire radio station from the ground up in just a few months, along with the challenge he and his team faced in gathering enough talent to fill his idea for weekly shows.

zane_lowe_press1

“[And] I’ve spent so much time trying to elicit information from musicians,” he continues. “Knocking on doors and hoping for 30 minutes or an hour. That’s hard! That’s really hard! So we thought, ‘What would happen if we convinced them, the artists, to invest in it and create their own platform? What road might that take us down?’ And now, 70-80% of what goes to air is made by people who make music.”

“We knew a lot of the people were only available for a short amount of time. So we were immediately thinking about how it was going to end, which got us to the idea of doing it all in seasons. Once we decided to do that, as challenging as that can be, it created a far more exciting prospect.”

The original programming blocks put into rotation after Apple Music's launch included shows from Elton John, Pharrell, and Dr. Dre. Today's announcement confirms that users will be able to look forward to a new slate of shows coming this fall, with Major Lazer's "Lazer Sound" launching on Friday, October 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern.

A week later, Eric Prydz's show will debut and alternate Friday's with "Lazer Sound." The slot for the band Haim -- which is composed of a trio of sisters from southern California -- has yet to be announced, but Lowe hinted at a show filled with the group's brand of "infectious" music coupled with personal stories about their upbringing. Ultimately, Lowe plans to keep Apple Music and Beats 1 on a path of unique diversity among its music offerings and programmed shows, and thinks that's what ultimately makes the service unique for its users.

“You’re either going to get this really intimate, closed door experience (Homme, St. Vincent), or a very genuine depiction of the banality and craziness of being in different hotel rooms and bus stops (WRTJ),” Lowe says. “I love that. There doesn’t have to be a barrier between us and artists, it can be just as creative of a pursuit as designing your stage set or t-shirt design. Seeing how people have used that has been really, really cool. It’s like, let’s give people all the options, so they can choose. Let’s give them the best, easiest place to hear what they love and maybe find out a thing or two.”

When Apple Music launched over the summer, it was met with a somewhat mixed reaction, balancing praises of its convenience and robust offerings but hampered by its UI and layout, among other launch issues. Many of those who initially signed up for Apple Music and received its three-month-long free trial will soon have to decide whether to commit to paying its $9.99 per month charge or cease using Apple's new streaming music service.

A report from August suggests many of the service's initial users have already begun to stop using it even before their free trial ended. Fortunately for those interested in the radio aspect of Apple Music, Beats 1 and its upcoming shows are available without a subscription.

Sprint today announced a new offer as part of its iPhone Forever program, where customers can get the new 16GB version of the iPhone 6s for $1 per month and the iPhone 6s Plus for $5 per month, with the trade-in of an iPhone 6. The carrier noted that the new offer is a "limited time" deal for those users visiting Sprint's retail locations, with the official launch of the program coinciding with the new iPhone debut on Friday morning.

iPhone-6s-Front
Just like T-Mobile's offering, the price required to pay each month will vary depending on the exact type of iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus model you purchase, and the quality of the iPhone 6 that is traded in. With that in mind, customers can expect to pay around $5.77/month (64GB) or $10.53 (128GB) when purchasing an iPhone 6s, and $9.77/month (64GB) or $14.53 (128GB) when buying an iPhone 6s Plus.

“Once again it is clear that the best place to get the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is Sprint,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. “New and existing customers who trade in their current iPhone 6 can now get a device for only $1/month, making it the best way to get the iPhone – and a yearly upgrade is included in this charge. We are certain that more people will continue to switch to Sprint because of the great service and value we offer.”

Those who trade in an iPhone 5s will also be able to participate in the offer, but can expect slightly higher monthly rates due to the older model of the iPhone. Preparations have begun for the launch of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The smartphones will officially go on sale tomorrow, September 25 in first-wave launch countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK, and the United States.

Tag: Sprint
Related Forum: iPhone

Less than ten hours before the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus launch in Japan, at least one Apple Store in the country has begun setting up display models for customers to view. The new iPhones will go on sale in Japan at 8:00 AM local time on Friday just a few hours after the smartphones launch in Australia and New Zealand.

Apple-Store-Tokyo-iPhone6s
MacRumors reader Shawn DaSilva sent us a trio of photos and a video showing Apple retail employees installing the new iPhones at an Apple Store in Omotesando, Tokyo on Thursday evening. The new iPhones are also advertised on a digital banner spanning the length of the store.

AppleStore-Tokyo-iPhone6s
Apple is no longer accepting pre-orders or in-store reservations in time for September 25, leaving lining up at an Apple Store as one of the only options to get a new iPhone on launch day. Apple is not allowing walk-in sales in China, Hong Kong, Japan and four tax-free U.S. states: Oregon, Delaware, New Hampshire and Alaska.


If you plan on waiting it out at an Apple Store, it is highly recommended that you reschedule any important plans tomorrow, as it can take several hours before you reach the front of the queue. In some cases, in-store stock of new iPhones may run out completely before you get a chance to buy one.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple has updated its XcodeGhost FAQ on its Chinese website with a list of the top 25 most popular App Store apps that were compromised by the malware. The list includes some notable apps such as WeChat, Heroes of Order & Chaos and a localized version of Angry Birds 2.

25-XcodeGhost-Apps
Apple advises that users should update the affected apps to fix the issue, noting that if a listed app is available on the App Store right now, it has already been updated. Apps with an asterisk are currently not available on the App Store, but Apple says they should be updated very soon.

  • WeChat

  • DiDi Taxi

  • 58 Classified - Job, Used Cars, Rent

  • Gaode Map - Driving and Public Transportation

  • Railroad 12306

  • Flush

  • China Unicom Customer Service (Official Version)*

  • CarrotFantasy 2: Daily Battle*

  • Miraculous Warmth

  • Call Me MT 2 - Multi-server version

  • Angry Birds 2 - Yifeng Li’s Favorite*

  • Baidu Music - Music Player with Downloads, Ringtones, Music Videos, Radio & Karaoke

  • DuoDuo Ringtone

  • NetEase Music - An Essential for Radio and Song Download

  • Foreign Harbor - The Hottest Platform for Oversea Shopping*

  • Battle of Freedom (The MOBA mobile game)

  • One Piece - Embark (Officially Authorized)*

  • Let’s Cook - Receipes

  • Heroes of Order & Chaos - Multiplayer Online Game*

  • Dark Dawn - Under the Icing City (the first mobile game sponsored by Fan BingBing)*

  • I Like Being With You*

  • Himalaya FM (Audio Book Community)

  • CarrotFantasy*

  • Flush HD

  • Encounter - Local Chatting Tool

    Apple has been working to remove all apps compromised by XcodeGhost from the App Store, but some affected apps may remain available for download. Apple has also outlined steps for developers to validate Xcode and said it would alert users to let them know if they have downloaded apps that could have been compromised.

    XcodeGhost is a new iOS malware that arose from malicious versions of Xcode, Apple's official tool for developing iOS and OS X apps, downloaded by some developers in China. Chinese developers then unknowingly compiled iOS apps using the modified Xcode IDE and distributed those infected apps through the App Store.

    MacRumors posted a detailed XcodeGhost FAQ over the weekend that explains more about the malware, who is affected and how to keep yourself protected, although Apple has since downplayed the severity of XcodeGhost compared to what some security firms initially reported.

    We have no information to suggest that the malware has been used to do anything malicious or that this exploit would have delivered any personally identifiable information had it been used.

    We’re not aware of personally identifiable customer data being impacted and the code also did not have the ability to request customer credentials to gain iCloud and other service passwords.

    Chinese developers initially disclosed XcodeGhost on microblogging service Sina Weibo last Wednesday.

  • Apple today updated its lineup of Solo2 Wireless, Tour2, and Powerbeats 2 Wireless headphones, adding a trio of new colors as part of a new "Active Collection." The Beats Tour2 In-Ear Headphones, Solo2 Wireless Headphones, and Powerbeats2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones are now available in simple primary shades of Blue, Yellow, and Red.


    There are no changes to the hardware or the pricing of the three sets of headphones, and the Active Collection joins the existing range of color options for each product. Apple will likely begin offering the new Active Collection in its retail stores in the near future, and each of the three products is available immediately from the online store.

    beatsactivecollection
    Both the Active Collection Solo2 Wireless Headphones and the Powerbeats2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones will ship out to customers immediately with next day shipping, but the Tour2 In-Ear Headphones lists a delivery date of Tuesday, September 29.

    Pricing for the Active Collection starts at $129.95 for the Tour2, with the PowerBeats2 priced at $199.95 and the Solo2 priced at $299.95.

    Apple has designed a keyboard for its larger-screened 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but for other iPads, such as the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 4, customers looking for a keyboard solution will need to stick with keyboards created by third-party manufacturers.

    Zagg is often a popular choice among iPad users who need a keyboard, so we went hands-on with the Zagg Folio Keyboard Case for the iPad Air 2 in our latest video review. The Folio is a thin case that has a built-in keyboard, turning the iPad into a mini laptop.

    Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

    We weren't fans of the construction of the case. It's made of plastic, with a leather texture added to the top and bottom, but its plastic design makes it fragile. We ended up cracking our review unit when attempting to get the iPad in and out of the case. While Zagg has a replacement program in place for faulty products, we wish this case was made of better materials.

    The Folio allows the iPad to be angled into several different viewing positions, and it leaves all of the ports on iPad accessible. It includes a keyboard with backlighting, and while the keyboard is not full-sized, it doesn't take long to adjust to the smaller keys. The keys felt similar to the keys on a MacBook Pro keyboard and weren't too mushy or too clicky.

    The Zagg Folio Keyboard Case for the iPad Air 2 can be purchased from the Zagg website for $99.

    Note: MacRumors received no compensation for this review.

    Pebble today updated its smart watch lineup with its first-ever smart watch that includes a round face, the Pebble Time Round. The new watch is an iteration of its existing Pebble Time device, which first debuted on Kickstarter earlier this year.

    Pebble says its new round smart watch is the "thinnest and lightest smart watch in the world," measuring in at 7.5mm thick and weighing 28 grams. Comparatively, the Apple Watch is 10.5mm thick with weights between 25 grams (38mm Apple Watch Sport) and 69 grams (Gold Edition Apple Watch).


    The Pebble Time Round is available in Black, Silver, and for the first time, Rose Gold, with band sizes of 20mm or 14mm. Pebble plans to sell several quick-change leather bands for the watch, with metal band options to come later in 2015.

    While the Pebble Time's battery lasted for seven days and the Pebble Time Steel had a 10 day battery life, the small size of the Pebble Time Round means more frequent charging is required. Battery life is around two days, but there is a quick-charge battery option that gives a day of power in 15 minutes.

    Like all of the Pebble watches, the Pebble Time Round includes an e-paper screen, but it does not offer full water resistance, with Pebble instead stating that it's able to withstand splashes.

    Customers who ordered a Pebble Time Steel have an option to purchase a Pebble Time Round at a $50 discount. Customers can keep both watches or use the Pebble Time Round on a trial basis, returning one of the two watches at the end of 30 days for a full refund.

    The Pebble Time Round can be pre-ordered from Pebble.com beginning today for $249. It will ship out in the United States in early November, expanding to the UK later in 2015 and other EU retailers in early 2016.

    Apple today released iOS 9.0.1, a minor update that introduces several bug fixes for iOS 9. The iOS 9.0.1 update comes just one week after iOS 9 was released to the public on September 16.

    ios901
    iOS 9.0.1 is available to all iOS 9 users as an over-the-air update.

    iOS 9.0.1 is a minor update that introduces bug fixes and performance enhancements to iOS 9. iOS 9 is Apple's latest operating system, which focuses on proactivity and intelligence with updates to Siri and Search. It also includes a split-screen multitasking feature for the iPad and updates to several Apple-branded apps.

    Today's iOS 9.0.1 release precedes iOS 9.1, which will mark the first significant update to iOS 9. iOS 9.1 includes new emoji and settings for acclimating the "Hey Siri" activation feature to an individual user's voice.

    Related Forum: iOS 9