How Apple’s stock apps will use the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro [Gallery]
The Touch Bar in the new MacBook Pro replaces the physical function keys on the keyboard with a touchscreen panel, allowing apps to display custom, unique and contextual interfaces like buttons, sliders, tabs and other controls. We’ve already covered some general details about how the Touch Bar works and what developers can do with the API, but it will take some time for third-party developers to add integration.
Apple is leading the charge, however, adding extensive Touch Bar support to many macOS apps with 10.12.1. Using the Xcode developer tools, we’ve gathered screenshots from all of Apple’s apps that already include Touch Bar features. See our roundup of the 23 compatible apps after the jump …
Filed under: Apple
India buying Cellebrite tech used to hack iPhone for FBI, will help law enforcement agencies globally
The Indian government has struck a deal to buy the technology Israel-based Cellebrite used to gain access to the iPhone in the San Bernardino shooting case, reports the Economic Times. The FBI was reported to have paid Cellebrite close to $1M to access the phone in the high-profile case resulting in a court battle with Apple and a Congressional hearing.
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Steve Ballmer explains laughing at the iPhone; Microsoft prototyped a Touch Bar in 2009 [Video]
In the list of moments you’re never going to live down, literally laughing at Apple’s launch of the iPhone has to be right there at the very top. Nine years on, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has told Bloomberg that Apple made it work thanks to a smarter business model.
“I wish I’d thought about the model of subsidizing phones through the operators,” he said. “You know, people like to point to this quote where I said iPhones will never sell, because the price at $600 or $700 was too high. And there was business model innovation by Apple to get it essentially built into the monthly cell phone bill.”
Microsoft was very late to move into the hardware business, despite creating a number of prototypes over the years – including something remarkably similar to Apple’s new Touch Bar, created back in 2009 …
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9to5Mac readers narrowly in favor of all-USB-C ports on new MacBook Pro
With much heated debate on Apple’s decision to go all-out on USB-C ports on the new MacBook Pro, removing everything else bar the headphone socket, we thought it was time to get some hard data on whether there was a consensus view on the issue.
Our poll, attracting more than 25,000 votes, showed that there isn’t. There was close to an even split, though those who consider it a positive development did narrowly outweigh those who think it a bad move …
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Apple’s $1B Irish data center faces High Court appeal as locals march in support
The never-ending saga over Apple’s European data center in Ireland appeared to be over when ‘final’ planning approval was granted back in August, but no: three residents have filed a new appeal that will now go all the way to the High Court.
One resident, however, wants to demonstrate that these objections represent a minority view, with most locals glad of the jobs and money the center will bring to the area. He is organizing a march in support of Apple …
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Apple iPhone captures 103.6% of smartphone industry profits in Q3, according to analyst estimates
Apple has recorded an insane mobile phone profit share in the third quarter, according to analysts at BMO Capital Markets. They estimate Apple captured 103.6% of total smartphone industry profits, with Samsung trailing far behind at just 0.9%. The reason Apple can take more than 100% of profits is because the majority of vendors lost money and recorded losses on their smartphone division, such as LG and HTC.
On a units basis, Samsung led with 21.7% of smartphones sold with Apple placing second at 13.2% share. This is the first time Apple has recorded industry profits in excess of 100% thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 recall blunders and strong demand for iPhone 7.
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Single Sign-On feature for paid-TV apps arrives on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad
Single Sign-On for paid-TV apps was one of the major features for the big software update for the new Apple TV, then tvOS 10 was released without delay back in September except Single Sign-On was nowhere to be found. Apple’s website changed to say that Single Sign-On was coming soon without any specific date being promised.
Great news for Apple TV users who hate signing in to dozens of different paid-TV apps with the same cable credentials: SSO is now available as Apple has quietly activated the service.
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Comment: How the 12-inch MacBook prepared us for new MacBook Pros
It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge fan of Apple’s 12-inch MacBook. Last year, I wrote that it was the product that excited me the most about Apple’s future, noting of its design, new trackpad and keyboard technology, and overall daily impact on my workflow. A year and a half after the device was announced, we’re now seeing Apple take much of what made the 12-inch MacBook so great and apply it to the MacBook Pro lineup.
While there has been some skepticism surrounding the new MacBook Pros, I am incredibly excited for mine to arrive. And that’s partly because of my love for the 12-inch model.
Filed under: Apple
Power 2 brings iPhone battery status complication and Time Travel predictions to Apple Watch [Video]
Power 2 is a brand new Apple Watch app that adds a handy iPhone battery life complication to the watch face. The app’s battery complication allows you to monitor the status of the paired iPhone’s battery without pulling it out of your pocket or purse.
While the original Power was based on glances, Power 2 is all about complications. The app also brings a new Time Travel-based battery life prediction function to the table. By enabling Time Travel and moving the Digital Crown, users gain access to an estimate of what iPhone battery life might be in the future. more…
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2016 MacBook Pros may not be compatible with currently available Thunderbolt 3 devices
After a battery of tests with their current lineup of USB-C and Thunderbolt products, Plugable learned that Apple’s newest MacBook Pros may not be compatible with currently available Thunderbolt 3 devices. This issue seems to specifically stem from the use of Texas Instruments controller chips in the Thunderbolt 3 devices. If true, this means that has Apple potentially shut out early adopters of the new technology.
Filed under: Apple