MacRumors

Following a report from The Information yesterday claiming that Apple is building hardware to work with the new HomeKit home automation standard announced for iOS 8, a follow-up report from 9to5Mac is making similar claims.

Details on the devices under consideration are scant, although the company is said to be beyond the exploratory stage of product development. Apple already sells one household product in the form of the Apple TV, which Macworld's Chris Breen argues is the logical hub for HomeKit, but Apple's smart home ambitions allegedly extend beyond the living room.

The sources say that Apple is unlikely to move forward with devices to compete directly with Google’s Nest as the Cupertino-company feels it can build products that can gain usage wider than that of thermostats and smoke detectors. It is likely that Apple is building advanced speaker systems or control panels for homes, the sources say. It is possible that Apple’s recent acquisition of Beats Electronics and the audio company’s existing speaker systems play into this vision.

While Apple is expected to expand its product lineup with the iWatch, perhaps a 12-inch Retina MacBook Air and possibly a revamped Apple TV this year, the company's HomeKit-integrated hardware is thought to be further down the roadmap in Apple's future product lineup.

The third beta release of iOS 8 will not occur until Tuesday, July 8, according to a report from BGR. That timeframe would mark a three-week interval following the release of the second beta last week.

Apple commonly begins seeding versions of its major new iOS versions on roughly two-week intervals, moving to three-week intervals later in the testing period as work progresses. For example, with iOS 7 last year, the second and third betas arrived two weeks after their predecessors with the fourth beta shifting to a three-week interval. Apple did, however, then follow that with several intervals of around a week as it pushed out an urgent bug fix.

iOS 6 followed a similar pattern without the interim bug fix, seeing a two-week interval leading up to the second beta before quickly shifting to three-week intervals for the third and fourth betas.

BGR has a good, but not perfect, track record in predicting iOS beta releases, so it seems likely that there will be no iOS 8 beta release next week.

Japenese blog Mac Otakara today published a video showing what is claimed to be the rear shell from a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 alongside the iPhone 5s and several iPhone 6 mockups. Similar to earlier photos, the Mac Otakara shell includes a complex internal structure and cutouts for the camera, flash and Apple logo.

In line with previous rumors, the shell is significantly thinner than the iPhone 5s and has all of the anticipated cutouts for the iPhone 6, including a mute switch and elongated volume buttons similar to those on the current iPod touch. The shell also houses a cutout for a SIM card tray and possibly the power button, which may be moved from to the top edge to the side to make it more accessible when using the larger phone single-handed.

Apple may unveil both the 5.5-inch and the 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 simultaneously, with September 19 as a possible launch date. Based on Apple's past releases, a media event to introduce the new hardware would come roughly a week and a half prior to that date. Both models are said to include a faster A8 processor and new camera options that may see the 4.7-inch version ship with an advanced lens and the 5.5-inch version exclusively use optical image stabilization to improve photo quality.

Following our report from earlier today, Apple has launched its new entry-level 16 GB fifth-generation iPod touch, while also cutting the price on the current 32/64 GB iPod touch, offering them for $249 and $299, respectively. The new iPod touch is available in six different colors with a rear camera and a lower price tag of $199.

The 16 GB model now offers the same features as the larger capacity models, although the Loop wrist strap is sold separately on the 16 GB model and included with 32 and 64 GB models.

The fifth-generation iPod touch originally debuted in October of 2012 with a $299 price tag, but Apple expanded the lineup with a lower-cost, silver-only 16GB model that shipped without a rear camera and lower price point of $229. This new $199 16GB model replaces the $229 model in Apple's iPod touch lineup.

Update: Apple has issued a press release announcing the update.

Apple appears to be planning on launching a new 16GB fifth-generation iPod touch, according to a source that spoke to MacRumors. The new iPod touch would be a 16GB version of the current 32/64GB iPod touch, coming in six different colors with a rear camera and a lower price tag of $199. Separately, iGen.fr reports that they have heard that a new iPod touch will indeed be launching on Tuesday of next week. Their source did not directly corroborate the pricing and specs, but did say it was a single model only, and not a revision of the entire iPod touch line.

Apple initially launched the 32/64GB fifth-generation iPod touch in October of 2012 with a $299 price tag, but later added a lower-cost silver-only 16GB iPod touch that stripped key features like a rear camera to lower the cost to $229.

As time passes and technology advances, component prices often drop, which may be why Apple is planning to bring feature parity to its iPod touch lineup nearly two years after the original launch of the fifth-generation iPod touch.

Apple's fifth-generation iPod touch has been lauded for its ultrathin design and its bright colors, but spec wise, the product is inferior to the current iPhone 5s, with only an A5 chip and a 5-megapixel iSight camera, which may be another reason Apple is launching a lower-cost version of the device.

It is unclear what will happen to the existing 16GB iPod touch, but Apple could choose to lower the price of that device even further or discontinue it in favor of the new version with a rear camera.

Earlier today it was reported that the iPhone 6 would launch in 32 GB and 64 GB variants, indicating that Apple may not launch a 16 GB variant of the next iPhone and leaving many wondering whether Apple would introduce a third 128 GB variant. Now Chinese site Wei Feng [Google Translate] is reporting that Apple may introduce a 128 GB variant only for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6.

The site says that the storage size difference would act as a major differentiator between the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models other than display size, allowing people to get a true "phablet" experience with lots of storage space to save various documents and data. This would partly mirror Apple's iPad models, which allow for up to 128 GB of storage while iPhones only allow up to 64 GB of storage.

However, if Apple abandons the 16 GB model and introduces a 128 GB variant for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 only, it would mean the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 only has two storage size variants, going against Apple's trend of releasing iOS devices with at least three different storage size options.

In addition to a larger display, the iPhone 6 is expected to launch this September with a thinner design, a faster processor, and an improved camera. The larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 is also rumored to exclusively have optical image stabilization to also differentiate it from the smaller iPhone 6, which will instead have an advanced lens module.

Apple's (Product) RED contributions towards the fight against AIDS now total $75 million, according to a blog post on the (RED) website. The post, which thanks Apple for its generous contributions, notes that the company is (Product) RED's biggest partner.

(RED) also addresses commentary from U2 frontman Bono, who leads the charity. At the Cannes Lions festival earlier this week, Bono and Apple design chief Jony Ive gave an interview where Bono commented on Apple's reluctance to use heavy (RED) branding, calling it "modesty run amok."

According to the (RED) blog post, Bono was simply teasing Ive and Apple about its reluctance to "take credit for its charitable work," going on to say that his humor was taken out of context and confirming that both Bono and (RED) are "so grateful" to Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and the rest of Apple's employees

In a reminder that humor doesn't always travel out of context, some of Bono's teasing and faux outrage at Apple's modesty were reported as actual criticism of the company. Nothing could be further from the truth of course. Bono has been one of Apple's biggest supporters, pushing back publicly on those who have made negative assumptions about the company's charitable work, simply because they don't shout it from the rooftops. That modesty is their right, and in many ways admirable.

According to The Loop's Shawn King, Apple may be planning to increase support for (RED) in the coming months. Following Bono's interview, King posted the following: "Great to see Bono calling Apple out on their "understated" approach to this issue. But you'll see that change within six months," clarifying in the comments that Apple will boost exposure for (RED).

It is unclear how Apple will boost exposure, but in the past, the company has released several different (RED) branded products, including iPod nanos and shuffles, iPad Smart Covers, iPhone Bumpers, and more, with a portion of the purchase price going directly to the charity. It has also decorated its Apple retail locations with red logos for World AIDS day and last year, Ive teamed up with designer Marc Newson to create a range of one-of-a-kind products that were auctioned off by Sotheby's, with the proceeds going to (RED).

In total, with all of its partners, which includes Apple, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and others, (Product) RED has raised more than $250 million to fight AIDS since it was founded in 2006.

At its Google I/O developer's conference in San Francisco, Google today announced Android Auto, its answer to Apple's CarPlay. Much like CarPlay, Android Auto is designed to bring the Android experience to a car's in-dash infotainment system.

As described by Google, Android Auto is contextually aware and puts the apps that users need front and center on the car's dashboard. Google stressed that Android Auto is "completely voice enabled," relying on Google Now much the way CarPlay relies on Siri for voice commands. Google also noted that it's able to offer a completely personalized experience that is mobile, working with any Android Auto compatible car as it is reliant on an Android phone.

Android Auto integrates deeply with Google Maps, providing drivers with access to all Google Maps features like local search, personalized suggestions, live traffic information, and turn-by-turn navigation.

On stage, Android Auto was demoed planning a trip to the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco. Android Auto was first asked how late the museum was open, providing a response, before it was ordered to navigate to the location, where it offered turn-by-turn directions. It was also demoed composing and sending messages entirely via voice.

Like CarPlay, Android Auto integrates with several different app partners to provide music and other audio, such as MLB at Bat, Pandora, Spotify, Songza, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and more.

Google also announced 40 new partners for its Open Automotive Alliance, which is a group of "technology and auto industry leaders" that are committed to bringing Android to cars in 2014. The goal of the alliance is to make "technology in the car safer, more seamless, and more intuitive for everyone."

According to Google, Android Auto will be available in 25 different car brands, with the first cars rolling off dealer lots before the end of the year. Google is also releasing an Android Auto SDK in the coming weeks so developers can create apps for the platform. Apple's CarPlay is also expected to be available in several different cars before the end of the year.

At today's Google I/O event in San Francisco, Google demoed its Android Wear platform and announced availability of the first Android Wear devices. First announced in March, Android Wear is designed to bring the Android platform to a range of wearable devices from several of Google's manufacturing partners.

As described on stage, Google has designed Android Wear with many of the features and functions that rumors have suggested Apple's own iWatch might include. Android Wear supports screens of multiple sizes and styles, including both square and circular. With its always-on display and card-based UI, it displays information like notifications and location-based reminders.

Largely controlled by voice via Google Now integration, Android Wear also supports contextual apps that display information at a glance and it also integrates with several sensors, such as those that monitor steps taken and even heart rate on supported devices. It includes Google Maps support, offering turn-by-turn directions on the wrist and it can be used to control other devices, such as speakers.

Android Wear devices are reliant on a connected smartphone, much like the iWatch is expected to be reliant on the iPhone. Apps that are downloaded from the Google Play Store are able to include a wearable portion, which is automatically installed on a compatible Android Wear device when downloaded on a smartphone, extending available app functionality to the wrist.

On stage, demonstrations of Android Wear gave a clear idea of what we might expect from other wearables in the future, including the iWatch. A Lyft car was ordered via a simple voice command, with the watch automatically detecting a location. Ordering the car, payment, and update notifications on the driver's location were all displayed directly on wrist, without the need to access a smartphone.

Google announced the release of the full Android Wear SDK, along with the launch of the first devices supporting Android Wear. The LG G Watch is available for order today, as is the Samsung Gear Live, a new Samsung watch that supports Android. The platform's first circular watch taking advantage of the round UI, the Moto 360, will be available later this summer, and additional devices are in development by various partners.

By focusing on a platform rather than a device of its own, Google has managed to get Android onto wrists several months ahead of Apple. According to the most recent rumors, Apple's much-rumored smart watch won't launch until later this year, possibly at an October event. The iWatch expected to have a strong focus on health and fitness, with more than ten sensors to collect various types of data.

Apple's proposed acquisition of Beats Electronics is facing its first regulatory hurdle after the Cupertino company announced the deal last month. As reported by Reuters, European Union's Antitrust Commission is expected to make a decision on the purchase by July 30.

The EU regulators can approve the deal unconditionally, demand concessions if they have anti-competitive concerns or order a full investigation if they need more convincing that the acquisition will be a benefit and not a detriment to competition.

The pending $3 billion deal includes both Beats Electronics, which offers headphones and speakers, and Beats Music, a streaming music subscription service. Under the deal, Beats executives Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre will join Apple, giving the company a significant boost to its music industry connections.

Besides the EU, regulators in the United States also must examine the deal and determine whether there are any concerns with competition. Barring any unforeseen regulatory issues, Apple expects the transaction to close sometime next quarter.

Apple will look to launch the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 on Friday, September 19, according to a new report from Chinese web portal Tencent (Google Translate, via GforGames) citing inside sources. The news comes after German carrier Deutsche Telekom was reported to be informing customers of a similar release date for the device.

The report also notes that Apple will launch 32GB and 64GB capacities of the phone for 5,288 yuan ($846) and 6,288 yuan ($1008), indicating that Apple may launch the iPhone 6 without a 16GB model. Notably, 5,288 yuan is the current price for the 16GB iPhone 5s in China, while the 32GB iPhone 5s is listed at 6,088 yuan.

A September launch would be consistent with the past two iPhone launches, as Apple also typically launches new products on a Friday. A report from Bloomberg earlier this week also claimed that Apple may launch the larger 5.5-inch version of the iPhone 6 and the 4.7-inch version simultaneously, with previous reports indicating that issues with battery and display technology would hold up the larger device's launch.

In addition to a larger display, the iPhone 6 is expected to feature a thinner design, a faster A8 processor, and more. The iPhone 6 is also expected to feature an improved camera, with the larger 5.5-inch version exclusively utilizing optical image stabilization and the smaller device featuring an advanced lens module.

Rumors have suggested Apple's next-generation iPhone may include camera improvements in the form of optical image stabilization with modules produced by sensor company InvenSense, but according to a new prediction from Pacific Crest Securities analysts John Vinh and Kevin Chen, optical image stabilization may be a feature limited to just the larger 5.5-inch iPhone.

Citing a cost premium of $4 to $5 for optical image stabilization over traditional auto focus solutions, the two analysts believe that Apple will use the feature as a differentiating factor between the 4.7-inch iPhone and the more premium 5.5-inch iPhone.

We believe the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 smartphone camera will support optical image stabilization (OIS) and anticipate that it will represent one of several opportunities at Apple that will benefit InvenSense. In our analysis, we believe Apple chose to only include OIS camera technology in the larger iPhone 6 given that there is still a significant cost premium ($4 to $5) over standard auto focus solutions and that it provides a point of differentiation between the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the step-up model (5.5-inch)

Optical image stabilization (OIS) is designed to reduce shake and stabilize photos and videos using either a lens with built-in stabilization or a separate sensor. In the past, this has been limited to traditional digital cameras, but recently, cell phone manufacturers like Google, HTC, Nokia have been incorporating OIS systems in order to improve photo quality. Currently, the iPhone 5s uses software-based image stabilization techniques, which are seen as inferior to OIS.

Apple aims to improve photo quality with each iteration of the iPhone, so new image stabilization techniques make sense for the next-generation phone. The company also has a history of limiting features to its flagship offering, such as Touch ID for the iPhone 5s, and it appears that the 5.5-inch iPhone may be the higher-end 2014 model. Rumors have suggested that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 might include a $100 price premium over the 4.7-inch version and that it might be the only model to receive a sapphire crystal screen.

Along with optical image stabilization for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone, Chen and Vinh are also "increasingly confident" that the iPhone 6 will support NFC, based on supply chain conversations. This is in line with previous rumors that have suggested NFC may finally be deployed in the iPhone 6 ahead of an upcoming mobile payment solution.

While it was initially thought that Apple's 4.7-inch iPhone 6 would launch first due to manufacturing issues with the 5.5-inch version, it seems Apple may have solved those problems. A report from Bloomberg earlier this week has suggested both the 5.5-inch and 4.7-inch iPhones may launch simultaneously later this year.

Update 5:15 PM PT: KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is also predicting the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will be the only model to offer optical image stabilization due to supply constraints.

Differing from market consensus, we don't expect the main camera of the 4.7" iPhone 6 to use OIS VCM due to production capacity restraint at iPhone 6 VCM suppliers Mitsumi (JP) and Alps (JP). Rather, we predict it will use a middle-mount type of open-loop VCM updated from the one used in the existing iPhone 5S. The 5.5" iPhone 6 is more likely to be equipped with OIS VCM due to lower estimated shipments and the need for more product features to differentiate itself from the 4.7" iPhone 6

The smaller 4.7-inch iPhone is expected to feature a lens module that will offer faster focusing speeds and power efficiency than the module being used in the iPhone 5s, however, which Kuo suggests "will lead its rivals."

Earlier this month, Apple began cracking down on some of the methods developers use to monetize their apps, rejecting some apps that offered rewards for viewing videos and sharing content on social networks.

Developers were understandably upset about this policy change, as offering opt-in ads in the form of rewards for video watching provided a way to generate revenue without significantly disrupting gameplay. Providing in-game currency, extra lives, or another incentive for watching an advertisement has become common in freemium games.

Apple now appears to have reversed course on its decision to reject apps for using these promotional methods, with TechCrunch noting that Apple has ceased rejecting apps for using incentivized ads and has changed its opinion on some previously rejected apps.

Now we're hearing that things have changed.

Sources in the video ad industry have reported that app rejections related to this matter have now declined, indicating the policy is being rolled back.

We're also hearing that some of the initial, and more worrisome, rejections are being undone -- that is, the apps are being allowed back in the App Store.

While Apple is allowing developers to continue to offer an in-app reward for users who watch a video or post about an app on social media, the company is still rejecting apps that offer incentives to users for reviewing an app, rating an app, or downloading another app, as reviews and ratings can affect an app's position on the Top Charts.

Manipulating the App Store charts is explicitly forbidden in Apple's app guidelines under rule 3.10, which states that developers who attempt to "manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews or any other inappropriate methods" can be removed from the Developer program. Thus, under Apple's new rules, developers appear to be able to allow users to watch ads for other apps, but are unable to encourage users to download those apps.

Basically, developers are fine to reward viewing video ads, whether for their own apps, those belonging to others, or brand ads, but they can't reward anything that also has a direct download piece to it.

This change will likely be a relief to developers who rely on such incentives to promote their apps to a wider audience. iOS 8 is will also bring several changes to the App Store that will help increase app discovery, including an improved App Store search algorithm, an "Explore" feature that makes it easier to find apps, and app bundles that offer several apps together for a discounted price.