MacRumors

Apple has updated its Apple Store for iOS app, adding push notifications for order shipment and delivery as well as new notifications for when an iPhone is eligible for upgrade pricing.

What's New in Version 2.6

- Choose to receive notifications that let you know exactly when you’re eligible for upgrade pricing on a new iPhone. And since all you need to complete the order is your Apple ID and password, buying your new iPhone is fast and easy (US only).

- Stay on top of your delivery with notifications. We’ll let you know when your order ships, keep you informed of any updates, and notify you when it’s delivered.

Apple Store is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

FocusTwist, from developer Arqball, is an app that allows iPhone users to take pictures with variable focus points. Photographs captured with the app use multi-image functionality to refocus specific areas in the snapshot, producing an end result that is similar to the refocusable images that can be created with the Lytro Light Field Camera.

To create a refocusable photograph, FocusTwist takes several different images of an object at once, each with a different focal point. Because the camera is capturing multiple photographs, the app requires a steady hand or a tripod to produce accurate results.

Capture and share images that can be refocused later!

Add a cool and fun dimension to your photographs and impress your friends and family.

Twists are great for food, toys, fashion, nature, architecture - any scene with multiple elements to focus on.

The developers suggest composing scenes with an object that is three to four inches away from the iPhone's camera and another object that is positioned further in the background for optimal results.

With multiple images captured, users can click through images to choose different focus points after an image has been taken. Focus shifting is done through the company's servers (which also compensate for shaking) and finished images can be shared with a link.

FocusTwist for the iPhone can be downloaded from the App Store for $1.99. [Direct Link]

Two new Apple retail stores will open on Saturday, April 27 in Melbourne, Australia and Quebec, Canada.

Apple's new Melbourne store will be located in the Highpoint Shopping Centre, a large indoor mall with more than 500 stores. This will mark the fifth Apple retail location in the Melbourne area.

The Quebec Apple Store, a large 7,000 square foot retail location, will be located at Quartier Dix30 in Brossard, adjacent to the Holt Renfrew HR2 clothing store. Quartier Dix30, located near Montreal, is a large outdoor shopping center with over 200 stores.

At store openings, Apple typically hands out commemorative T-shirts to the first 1,000 customers to visit. Both stores are set to open at 10 a.m. and have begun accepting reservations for workshops and Genius bar appointments.

Tweetbot has been updated to version 2.8, notably adding a new media view to the iPhone and iPad apps.

The media view, which can be accessed by scrolling to the top of a timeline and then tapping the square next to the search button, offers up an in-line view of photos and videos that have been tweeted. Tweets themselves serve as captions, offering context to images.

Tweetbot's image viewer has been redesigned as well, with significant speed improvements and a new image opening animation that is similar to the Mac version of Tweetbot. The tweet detail view has also been updated to display a live count of favorites and retweets.

-New media timeline. Scroll to the top of a timeline and switch to the new media view (next to the search box). This view displays only supported image and video tweets.
-Completely redesigned image viewer
-Tweet/status detail view now displays the number of Favs and Retweets
-Fixed Instagram Previews
-Various other bug fixes

Both versions of Tweetbot can be downloaded from the App Store for $2.99.

-Tweetbot for iPad [Direct Link]
-Tweetbot for iPhone [Direct Link]

Logitech has released a new $150 folio-style keyboard case for the iPad, featuring a fabric or leather skin that comes in a range of bright colors including red, black, blue, and yellow.

Specifically for the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, we developed the industry's first tablet keyboard that's fused directly into its interior fabric. Through integrating the keyboard with its bold interior fabric, it creates a cohesive look and protects your iPad with the added benefit of a comfortable keyboard when you need it.

The folio case, which offers complete protection for the iPad, utilizes a magnetic stand to hold the tablet in place when typing or watching videos. A magnetic clasp keeps the case closed when the keyboard is not in use and both the interior and the exterior feature a liquid repellant coating.

Because the keyboard is integrated directly into the fabric, the entire case is thin, with a depth of just 20mm. Logitech's FabricSkin Keyboard Folio can be preordered for $150.

FedEx has updated its iOS app with a number of new features to make life easier for customers receiving packages. Previously, the app focused more on shippers rather than parcel recipients.

Customers can use the app to track shipments, receive shipment history, forward tracking results and more, while U.S. residential FedEx customers can now use the app to:

Sign-up and use FedEx® Delivery Manager to customize deliveries to your home. You can request to:

- Schedule the delivery
- Deliver to another address
- Provide delivery instructions
- Sign for a package
- Schedule a vacation hold
- Hold your package at a FedEx location

FedEx Mobile is a free download for the iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

The first responders to the iPhone 4 antenna class action lawsuit are receiving their $15 settlement checks, reports to 9to5Mac.

 Image via 9to5Mac

The settlement, which came about in February 2012, is limited to people who experienced antenna issues with their iPhone 4 but were unable to return their device and opted not to receive a free bumper case from Apple.

Apple will provide a $15 cash payment to Class Members who send in a valid claim form. The claim form will require you to declare that you: (a) experienced antenna or reception issues with your iPhone 4; (b) were unable to return your iPhone 4 without incurring any costs; (c) were unwilling to use a case or free bumper for your iPhone 4; and (d) completed certain troubleshooting steps or are unable to complete the troubleshooting steps because you no longer own your iPhone 4.

The first checks were issued on April 17, 2013 and are void after July 16. Apple accepted claims until August 28 of 2012.

Apple has dropped the price on some of its refurbished iPads, offering an additional $50 discount on the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G and the third generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular.

Earlier this month, the entry level iPad 2 with 3G capabilities was priced at $399, but now the tablet can be purchased for $349, a total savings of $180. The entry level third generation cellular iPad was previously priced at $459, but can now be purchased for $409, a total savings of $170.

The price drop applies to all refurbished second and third generation iPads with cellular capabilities, regardless of storage capacity. With 32GB and 64GB of storage, the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G is priced at $429 and $529, while the 32GB and 64GB versions of the 3rd generation iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular cost $499 and $579.

Apple is not offering further discounts on the Wi-Fi only versions of the second and third generation iPads, which remain priced at $319 and $379 for 16GB, respectively.

As always, the availability of refurbished products from Apple's online store is subject to rapid change. Refurbished units include the same one-year warranty as standard products, plus a new battery and outer shell.

Thanks, Phil!

Apple has won a small victory in its long standing case against Google's Motorola, reports Bloomberg, after the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) upheld an earlier invalidation of a patent that threatened imports of the iPhone 4 into the U.S.

The decision marks the latest instance in which neither Cupertino, California-based Apple nor Google has been able to strike a decisive blow against its competitor in a squabble that began more than two years ago. Each has claimed the other is infringing patents, and Apple accused Motorola Mobility of breaching obligations to license some of its most widely used technology on fair terms.

Patent No. 6,246,862 references a "sensor controlled user interface for portable communication device," or the sensor in the iPhone that prevents the phone from being activated when close to a user's face.

The dispute between Motorola and Apple began in 2010 after Motorola filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the Cupertino-based company infringed on eighteen of Motorola's patents. After being acquired by Google, Motorola expanded its charges against Apple, stating that the company violated six patents having to do with iCloud.

The patent that was invalidated today is the final patent in the above mentioned case, with all other charges against Apple previously cleared by the ITC. Google will likely appeal the decision, thus further extending the litigation between the two companies.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Scola chastised Apple and Google for their patent disagreements, stating that the two had "no interest in efficiently and expeditiously resolving this dispute." He gave the companies four months to streamline the case before it would be put on hold.

Netflix announced today that it is rolling out a number of family friendly features in the coming months, designed to make it easier for families with multiple Netflix users to use the service.

First, the company is introducing a new $12/month streaming plan that offers four simultaneous streams of video, meant for members with large families that run into Netflix's two-simultaneous stream limit. The normal Netflix subscription is $8/month.

Second, the company is introducing a new feature to allow different family members to log their own viewing habits and get recommendations based on what shows they like. Currently, all viewer activity -- parents and kids -- are combined into one stream. As a result, recommendations for kids shows and adult movies are shown next to each other.

Netflix reported today that it has 29.2 million U.S. streaming subscribers, with shares up close to 25 precent after hours.