Paul McCartney today announced the addition of five of his classic albums to the iOS App store as iPad apps, reports The Guardian. McCartney is following in the footsteps of other musicians such as Lady Gaga and Björk, who also used the tablet device to further the reach of their music.
McCartney's iPad apps feature some of the musician's most popular albums -- Band on the Run, McCartney, McCartney II, RAM and Wings over America. Each iPad app contains premium content such as remastered audio tracks, archival video footage, interviews, photos and more. They are priced at $7.99, which makes them attractive to music fans who may prefer the discounted iPad apps over the more expensive music-only album versions.
McCartney may be the most long-standing successful musicians to adopt the iPad, but Björk holds the title as one of the first musicians to effectively promote an album using Apple's iOS ecosystem. Björk made headlines in 2011 for her groundbreaking Biophilia iPad app that merged music from the album with mini-games and interactive art tools. The title was recently inducted as the first app in New York's Museum of Modern Art permanent collection. The app also has been used to develop the Biophilia Educational Programme, which is being used as curriculum in several European schools.
As iOS 8 proceeds through development and testing, the fourth beta version will be seeded to developers on Monday, July 21, according to BGR. A release on that date would mark a two-week interval since the release of the third beta on July 7, down from a roughly three-week interval between the second and third betas.
BGR regularly publishes reports predicting future release dates for iOS betas, and while the predictions are sometimes off by a day or two as was the case with beta 3, they are usually close to the actual date barring any last-minute schedule changes by Apple. As a result, it is reasonable to believe the fourth beta should arrive early next week rather than the following week.
Nowhereelese.fr (Google Translate) shares some new photos of an alleged Touch ID fingerprint sensor said to be for the iPhone 6. The component appears to be mostly similar in design to the Touch ID component used for the iPhone 5s, aside from relocated screw holes that line up with the metal housing of the device.
iPhone 5s Touch ID sensor (top) and alleged iPhone 6 Touch ID component (bottom)
Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is said to have provided the first batch of fingerprint sensors for the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 in May. A report last month noted that these newer Touch ID units would be more durable than the ones currently found in the iPhone 5s thanks to an updated manufacturing process that uses tin.
Higher shipments for Touch ID components would likely help launch supplies for the iPhone 6, as low yield rates of the component were reportedly to blame for the limited supplies of the iPhone 5s last year. The iPhone 6 will likely be announced and launched this September, and is expected to come in two sizes of 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches. However, a recent report suggested that the company is running into production issues with the device, which may lead to the 5.5-inch version launching after October or in early 2015.
Back in May, Logitech announced its new Case+ product for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, which contained a metal case and multiple magnetic attachments for different uses. Today, the company unveiled two new products inspired by the line: the new Protection+ case for iPhone 5s/5 and the +Trip accessory for mounting an iPhone to a car's air vents for easy viewing.
Logitech's Protection+ case
The Protection+ case for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 features a slim design with a protective outer shell and internal impact-resistant materials. The case's corners each hold impact resistant polymers to minimize forces of impact, while the accessory's insides feature a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) layer to absorb energy from drops. Logitech's Protection+ case also comes with a raised bezel edge to protect the iPhone's touch screen and is tested for drops from up to 1.8 meters (about 6 feet) in height.
Logitech's +Trip car mount
Logitech's +Trip car mount is also being sold alongside the original +Drive accessory that attaches to a car's dashboard or windshield and came with the original Case+ system. The Protection+ case as well as the +Trip and +Drive mounts also all contain magnetic mounts to support the other Case+ attachments.
The Protection+ case will launch next month for $34.99, and will come in colors of Winter White, Gunmetal Black, Scarlett Plum, and Pacific Blue. The +Trip and +Drive accessories will also be released next month and sell for $29.99 and $49.99, respectively. Interested customers can pre-order all three now on Logitech's official website.
Apple and IBM today announced plans for an exclusive partnership that will see them teaming up to "transform enterprise mobility" through a series of new business apps and services for iOS devices that will undoubtedly skyrocket Apple's enterprise sales.
IBM will begin selling iOS devices to its corporate customers and will also create more than 100 industry-specific native apps that are built from the ground up for the iPhone and the iPad. IBM will provide cloud services optimized for iOS as well, with capabilities like device management, security, analytics, and mobile integration.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and IBM CEO Virginia Rometty (Apple/Paul Sakuma)
"iPhone and iPad are the best mobile devices in the world and have transformed the way people work with over 98 percent of the Fortune 500 and over 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business today," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "For the first time ever we're putting IBM's renowned big data analytics at iOS users' fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple. This is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver."
As part of the deal, Apple also has plans to offer a new AppleCare service that will be tailored to meet specific enterprise needs. IT departments and end users will both have access to 24/7 support assistance from Apple and on-site service via IBM.
Tim Cook and IBM CEO Virginia Rometty appeared on CNBC to discuss the news, where Cook said the partnership is about "transforming enterprise" and delivering on "the promise of mobile in a big way."
According to Cook, Apple began speaking with IBM a couple of years ago about possible partnerships, and the enterprise arena is where the two companies felt they could come together. "It takes the best of Apple and the best of IBM and it puts those together," he said. "There's no overlap, no competition, they're totally complementary, and more than anything, it focuses on the enterprise customer."
Rometty also commented on the deal, saying it's all about "unlocking mobility in the enterprise." IBM is committed to addressing issues that have inhibited enterprise expansion on mobile devices, including security, and the two companies have several goals to reach, according to Rometty: "One is growth for both our companies, but the second thing is this idea that-- we have both-- Tim and I talked often about remaking business and re-envisioning, reimagining professions."
Following Apple's announcement, Cook sent a memo on the new partnership to Apple employees (via 9to5Mac) noting that the deal brings together Apple's "legendary ease-of-use and integrated hardware and software" with IBM's "unmatched industry depth, enterprise software, and expertise in big data analytics."
It also builds on the incredible momentum in Apple’s enterprise business. iPhone and iPad can be found in 98% of the Fortune 500. People love to use iOS devices and Apple delivers the things companies need most—security and scalable deployment along with a powerful platform for apps. With this announcement, we’re now putting IBM‘s renowned big data analytics at iOS users‘ fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple.
Apple has also updated its iPad in business site with new details on the deal between the two companies and a link to IBM's own Mobile First website designed for enterprise customers interested in iOS devices.
IBM's first apps, tailored specifically to various industries like retail, healthcare, banking, travel, transportation, and more, will be coming this fall, with additional apps following in 2015. The company also has plans to roll out its MobileFirst Platform for iOS, with benefits like analytics, cloud storage, fleet-scale device management, a private app catalog, and data and transaction security services.
Prior to the launch of a new iOS device, accessory manufacturers often create cases months in advance in an attempt to gain publicity and score pre-orders from users eager to protect their new devices. These cases are often created based on leaked schematics and the manufacturers themselves rarely have any information on the devices they're creating cases for beyond what's seen on rumor sites.
While third-party cases for the iPhone 6 have been available for purchase for months, several different cases from popular accessory manufacturer Spigen have been generating a growing amount of interest on Amazon.com.
Spigen has listed multiple cases, both for the 4.7-inch iPhone and the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6, which it has taken to calling the "iPhone Air." MacRumors has been contacted several times in regard to these cases, which many readers believe offer legitimate details on the iPhone 6 because they're coming from a "reputable" source.
Spigen uses photoshopped iPhone 5s images with curved edges to fit into its iPhone 6 cases, which are undoubtedly based on leaked schematics that have been circulating around the Internet for months. The images do not offer any insight into the next-generation iPhone's appearance and Spigen's "iPhone Air" moniker for the 5.5-inch iPhone is a mere guess, based on a term bandied about by Chinese media reports. Spigen's September 30 release date also delivers no inside information about the iPhone 6, as it is a safe date in line with rumors pointing towards an early September introduction.
Along with the cases posted on Amazon by Spigen, Amazon Japan also made headlines last week when an iPhone 6 listing appeared with specific details on the iPhone 6, including a 4.7-inch display, dimensions of 13 x 6.5 x 0.7cm, and a weight of 113 grams.
Many sites reported on the listing as a leak directly from Amazon.com, but in fact, it was listed by a third-party seller who used images taken from MacRumors and coupled them with details derived solely from rumors. The listing was later removed by Amazon.
As we draw closer to the launch of the iPhone 6, similar "leaks" will undoubtedly pop up from seemingly reliable sources taking advantage of the iPhone 6 frenzy, but it is important to note that accessory makers and third-party vendors are unlikely to have insider information sourced directly from Apple.
Google recently implemented a feature that warns iPhone users when search results include websites that use Adobe Flash, as Flash is not supported by the iPhone.
When searching for a site, pages that primarily use Flash are clearly marked by Google with a warning that the site may not work on a particular device.
A common annoyance for web users is when websites require browser technologies that are not supported by their device. When users access such pages, they may see nothing but a blank space or miss out a large portion of the page's contents.
Starting today, we will indicate to searchers when our algorithms detect pages that may not work on their devices.
Google goes on to recommend that websites use the universally supported HTML5 and provides both Web Fundamentals and a Web Starter Kit for website developers.
Apple received a good bit of criticism when the iPhone was first released for not supporting Flash as it was used often back then, but interest in Flash has since been dying out in favor of mobile-friendly solutions.
Following reports earlier this year that suppliers' struggles to produce an adequate volume of wafer-thin batteries for the rumored 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may contribute to an early 2015 launch for the device rather than a late 2014 launch alongside the smaller 4.7-inch model, a new report from Chinese media sources (via GforGames) suggests the problem may have been solved as Apple has found a new supplier capable of meeting demand.
iPhone 5s with physical mockups of 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6
The report claims that Dynapack has been pushed to sidelines of Apple's supply chain as Simplo and Desai become the main suppliers of batteries for the rumored iPhone 6. While Desai reportedly is struggling to work within Apple's design constraints, Simplo supposedly has designed a workaround that allows it to produce mass quantities of the thin, but efficient battery module. If this report is accurate, then battery supply may not be an issue for Apple going forward.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 at a media event around its usual September timeframe. The next-generation iPhone is rumored to feature a larger display, thinner design, improved camera optics, enhanced Touch ID sensor and a new, faster A8 processor.
Slated to arrive sometime next month, Kickstarter-funded iStick will allow iPhone and iPad owners to easily transfer files between their computers and iOS devices that are equipped with a Lightning connector.
The thumb drive, which raised $1.1 million on Kickstarter, features a slider that allows users to switch between a standard USB connector and a Lightning connector that plugs into an iPhone 5/5s or a recent iPad model. Inside the plastic housing is a flash memory module offering 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of storage space.
While the iStick is automatically recognized by computers as a USB storage device, the iOS file system requires users to install an app to manage files. On the iOS side, you can use the USB stick to transfer files or play them directly from the connected thumb drive.
Recode's Walt Mossberg recently tested a pre-production model and found that device transfer files as advertised, but it is not as easy to use as a basic USB thumb drive.
In my tests, iStick file transfers worked between a variety of devices, including an iPhone 5s, an iPad mini, an iPad Air, a Mac and a Windows laptop. I was able to move and use files ranging from pictures, songs and videos to Microsoft Office files and PDFs — in both directions. [...]
The cumbersome part comes in when you want to use a file transferred to the iStick local storage area with another app on your iOS device, and it’s due to the way iOS manages files, not an issue with the iStick itself. Unlike on a computer, iOS devices don’t have a visible, system-wide file system. Instead, files that can be used by an app can only be fully used, beyond just viewing them, via that app.
The iStick is made by Sanho, which also produces the popular Hyper charging accessories. When it is available for retail sale, pricing for the iStick will start at $129 for the 8GB model and climb to $399 for 128GB, although Kickstarter backers who got in early were able to receive significant discounts on that pricing. The relatively high pricing is said to be related to Apple's Lightning licensing fees and its strict quality requirements.
According to a new report [Google Translate] from Taiwan's Economic Daily News (via G for Games), Apple is planning to launch three versions of the iWatch in the third quarter of this year. The lineup is said to include a model with a 1.6-inch display and two models with 1.8-inch displays, with the high-end version of the larger size coming with a sapphire display cover for durability.
The display range of 1.6-1.8 inches has been the focus of most rumors dating back many months, but last month Reuters claimed the device's display will be as large as 2.5 inches.
The launch timeframe for the iWatch has also been the subject of much discussion, with the reliable Re/code claiming last month that Apple has been aiming for an October introduction of its "first wearable device", presumed to be the iWatch. That report did, however, note that Apple's plans could change over time.
A fresh report from relatively reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the complexity of the iWatch makes it likely that mass production on the device will not begin until November of this year. The two claims are not necessarily in conflict, as with the iWatch being a new product category Apple could make an announcement in October and not launch the device until several months later without impacting sales of its current products. Apple used a similar tactic with the iPhone and iPad, waiting several months between announcement and launch.
Today's report is set in the context of Apple adopting new touch technologies from TPK, with sources also claiming Apple's rumored "iPad Pro" with a display of 12.9 inches will finally be made official later this year. The subject of a number of rumors over the past year, Apple's 12.9-inch iPad was most recently reported to be looking at a 2015 launch or perhaps on hold entirely.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied Apple's trademark application for the "Touch ID" name used for its fingerprint recognition technology, citing a similar trademark owned by Kronos Technology. The USPTO rejection letter was sent to Apple in May 2014, according to Patently Apple, which recently uncovered the communication.
In its letter to Apple, the USPTO said Apple's trademark for Touch ID was too similar to U.S. Registration number 2735480, which was issued to Kronos in 2003 and protects the term "Kronos Touch ID." Apple has until November 2014 to change the nomenclature of its trademark application, which would require the company to rename its fingerprint scanning technology. Alternatively, Apple can seek to acquire or license the trademark from Kronos.
Apple faced a similar situation with its iPhone name, which was trademarked by Cisco. Apple and Cisco negotiated a deal that allowed Apple to license the trademark following an infringement lawsuit filed by Cisco shortly after the iPhone debuted. In recent years, Apple also settled an iPhone trademark infringement case with Brazilian company IGB and an iPad name dispute Chinese company Proview Technology.
Apple today debuted its new iTunes Pass service in its Japanese retail stores, allowing customers to purchase iTunes Store credit directly without the need for physical gift cards, reports9to5Mac.
To use the service, customers add a new iTunes Pass inside of the existing Passbook application found in iOS, and then locate a Specialist inside an Apple Retail Store. Once the iTunes Pass is presented to the Specialist, the customer can say how much money they want added, which is then instantly transferred to an iTunes account.
It is not known when the new service will be rolled out to Apple Retail Stores worldwide, however it is likely that the company is testing the program in Japan ahead of a larger rollout. In 2012, Apple enabled users to store Apple Store gift cards in Passbook, and also allowed users to email Passbook enabled gift card to friends through the app.
Earlier this year, it was also reported that Apple was working on its own mobile payments service, which could be similar to iTunes Pass. According to that report, the company's mobile payment solution would be integrated directly into iOS, allowing people to use their devices to purchase physical goods on the web and in physical retail stores.
Update 1:52 AM: As spotted by iGeneration, the bottom of Apple's Japanese iTunes Gifts page (Google Translate) says that iTunes Pass is not available in Brazil, China, and Turkey. This may indicate that the service may be set up to launch worldwide shortly.
Apple is actively looking for retail employees that are "passionate photography enthusiasts" to test the upcoming Photos app for OS X, reports9to5Mac.
We are seeking a technical and passionate photography enthusiast to join our Quality Assurance team working on Photos for OS X. You will be part of a fast moving team of specialists tasked with delivering the next generation of photography tools for Apple.
Photos for OS X was briefly introduced at WWDC 2014, as Apple will launch the software early next year. It was also reported last month that the new Photos app will be replacing Apple's existing iPhoto and Aperture programs. Apple revealed that Photos would feature a number of professional-grade features, including image search, editing, effects, and support for third-party extensions.
Apple's iOS 7 adoption rate continues to grow, even as the release of iOS 8 approaches. As of yesterday, 90 percent of devices connected to the App Store are running iOS 7, according to new numbers posted on Apple's App Store developer support page.
The new milestone, which comes 10 months after the operating system's original release, is a three percent increase from installation numbers of 87 percent back in April.
As adoption of iOS 7 has climbed, iOS 6 installation rates have dropped slightly, going from 11 percent in April to 9 percent on July 13. Earlier operating systems continue to run on two percent of devices.
Apple's mobile operating systems have traditionally seen quick adoption rates due to the company's easy over-the-air updates, and just three months after being released, iOS 7 was on 74 percent of devices. iOS 8, coming this fall, will undoubtedly see a similarly rapid adoption rate, overtaking iOS 7 in a matter of weeks.
iOS 8 includes a number of new features that will be highly appealing to consumers, including interactive notifications, third-party keyboard support, and several new Continuity features that allow an unprecedented level of integration between iOS devices and Macs.
Apple today expanded its iPhone and iPad trade-in program to Australia, giving customers who trade in an older device credit towards the purchase of a new device. Users who trade in an iPhone can earn up to A$250, while users who trade in an iPad can get up to A$215.
According to Apple, its latest models, including the iPhone 5s, 5c, and iPad Air are not eligible for the credit, nor are first-generation devices like the iPhone 3GS or the original iPad. All other devices are eligible, however, and Apple will still recycle original models for free.
Apple's trade-in program first debuted in the United States prior to the launch of the iPhone 5s/5c, and expanded to the U.K. a few months later. It has also been brought to several other countries, including Germany, France, Canada, and Italy.
In addition to its in-store recycling program, Apple has a similar online mail-in program that requires users to send in their old iPhones before receiving credit. While the mail-in program often offers a greater value for a used iPhone, Apple's in-store program is more convenient for many customers.
Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is one of the candidates being considered to replace Katie Cotton as Apple's new PR head, reports Re/code. In a piece on Uber, Re/code's Kara Swisher suggests that Carney's name is "being bandied about" for the position.
Carney served as White House Press Secretary from 2011 until June of 2014, when he officially resigned. Prior to that, Carney served as director of communications for Vice President Joe Biden and before that, he was the Washington bureau chief for Time magazine.
Katie Cotton, who was Apple's VP of worldwide corporate communications before retiring back in May, served for more than 20 years under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. Cotton was known for being fiercely protective of Apple executives, serving as the gatekeeper for media access and keeping a tight rein on the company's PR operations.
Since Cotton's retirement, Apple has been actively searching for her replacement. Tim Cook is reportedly overseeing the search and hoping to find an external candidate with a "friendly, more approachable face" to replace Cotton as the company strives for greater openness under its new leadership.
Update July 15, 8:35 AM: According to The Loop's Jim Dalrymple, Carney is not under consideration for Apple's PR chief role, and has never even met Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Update July 19, 1:43 PM: : Bloomberg is now reporting that Carney is discussing the PR job with Apple, citing a friend of the former White House press secretary. The source also notes that Carney "hasn't made up his mind."
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.
Shazam today updated both its free and paid iOS apps to version 7.7.0, adding Rdio integration. When a Shazam user identifies a song with the app, the recognized song can then be played directly within the Shazam app via Rdio.
While it was previously possible to listen to songs identified within Shazam in the Rdio app, users are now able to listen to songs from Rdio without having to switch apps.
What's new
This release brings full track playback in Shazam, powered by Rdio. Once you’re connected, you can play any track and carry on listening to the music as you discover more in the app. Shazam a song to get started.
Songs identified within Shazam can be added to the playlist of a user's choice or an automatic playlist of all Shazamed songs within the Rdio app. Taking advantage of Rdio integration within Shazam requires the Rdio app to be installed and it also requires a Rdio account to be set up.
Shazam has been long known as one of the major song recognition apps and as of iOS 8, its song identifying capabilities are built directly into Apple's operating system.
Apple may be planning to part ways with longtime ad agency TBWA/Media Arts Lab, according to a new report from The New York Post. Citing industry buzz, the report suggests that Apple is ready to put its entire advertising account "up for grabs."
The Cupertino company is also said to be planning to leverage Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine to bolster its marketing efforts. Beats is well-known for its aggressive marketing tactics and clever advertising campaigns that have skyrocketed its headphones to popularity. Most recently, Beats launched a "The Game Before The Game" advertisement for the World Cup, featuring key players wearing Beats headphones.
Beats' most recent advertisement
What's more, the industry is buzzing that Apple will look to music maestro Jimmy Iovine, the boss of newly acquired Beats headphones and its sister music-streaming service, to help it regain its marketing mojo.
"Apple bought Beats for a lot of reasons," said one new business executive at a top agency. "They think they're marketing geniuses. It is safe to assume Beats would be part of an assessment of all [Apple] partners."
Apple's troubles with advertising agency TBWA began back in 2013, after Apple's Phil Schiller sent a tense email to the agency following a line of highly popular Samsung commercials with the tagline "The next big thing is already here."
Despite continuing a relationship with TBWA, Apple has pitted its in-house team against its longtime partner and it has also invited outside agencies to offer pitches on major projects, suggesting tension between the two companies has been ongoing.
Apple has plans to hire 1,000 employees for its in-house team, which may end up replacing outside agencies altogether when complete. Most recently, Apple's in-house team created "Strength," the company's newest advertisement that takes advantage of the "Chicken Fat" song and focuses on fitness.
According to a 
Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is one of the candidates being considered to 
Shazam today updated both its free and paid iOS apps to version 7.7.0, 
