Strategy Analytics paints a grim picture for Apple on the Indian Subcontinent. The world’s 3rd largest smartphone market after China and the US is not taking to the iPhone in meaningful numbers and in fact dropped very significantly in Q2 2016 35% to just 800,000 iPhones sold vs. 1.2M in the year ago quarter.  Clearly the launch of the cheapest iPhone ever, the iPhone SE, wasn’t a big winner in India.

Meanwhile, smartphone shipments grew 19 percent annually to reach 31 million units in India during the second quarter of 2016 with over 97% of those devices being Android.

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As expected, Apple today announced via Twitter the launch of Apple Music in Korea following the launch of the Israeli store just yesterday.  more…

Filed under: Apple

Apple hasn’t made an appearance at Black Hat hacker conference in its history but this year Cupertino is Thinking Different™ about security.  Head of Apple security, Ivan Krstic, today said the company would pay huge (up to $200K) bug bounties to researchers who find and report vulnerabilities in certain Apple software.

A quick breakdown of max. payments::

• Secure Boot firmware: $200,00
• Extraction of confidential material protected by the Secure Enclave Processor: $100,000
• Execution of arbitrary code w/kernel privs: $50,000
• Unauthorized access to iCloud account data on Apple Servers: $50,000
• Access from a sandboxed process to user data outside of that sandbox: $25,000

Earlier this year, the FBI paid out under $1M to extract the data from the San Bernadino terrorist’s iPhone. Perhaps Apple is trying to eliminate these lucritive back doors into its crown jewel software.  more…

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Following the discovery in June that Apple set up an energy subsidiary, ‘Apple Energy’ LLC, with plans to sell off its excess renewable energy, SiliconBeat reports that the company today received approval to begin doing so.

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While Apple’s effort to create a digital TV service seems to have stalled, the company is still chasing a better way to find and watch content on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad. Recode reports that Apple is currently talking to “TV programmers and other video companies” over a potential universal guide that could show what TV shows and movies are available from streaming video channels.

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Apple has released a new version of its Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad with a new app icon included. Features include recommendations based on which Apple devices you own, better in-store alerts, and when favorited products are available in stores you’re visiting.

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We covered Otterbox’s new modular uniVERSE iPhone case platform when launched back in May. The company teamed up with third-party accessory makers that each made a module or two to add additional functionality to the case— battery packs, tripods and stands, speakers and extra flash storage, to name a few. Today, Goal Zero is launching two new accessories for uniVERSE that let you add a battery pack and optional solar charging to uniVERSE.

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It turns out iOS 9.3.3 won’t be the last update to iPhones and iPads before iOS 10 is released this fall. Apple today has released iOS 9.3.4 for iPhone and iPad.

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Injustice: Gods Among Us, the popular iOS fighting game, today gets an update that adds characters and content from the new movie Suicide Squad making its debut in theaters this week. 

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Bring wireless charging to your iPhone 6/s with this mophie battery case setup for $85 shipped (Reg. $100)

iPhone 6/s/Plus & Apple Watch cases starting from $3.50 Prime shipped (Reg. $13+)

‘Creed’ is the ‘Rocky’ spinoff that you need to see! Now you can rent it for only $1

Introducing the 9to5Mac Academy: Tech, business, and software improvement courses at great prices

Fantastical 2 Calendar and Reminders just hit its all-time low on Mac + up to 50% off iOS versions from $3

App Store Free App of the Week: Power Hover goes free for the very first time (Reg. $4)

Carmageddon iOS death racer goes free for the first time in over a year (Reg. $1)

The best headphone stands & hangers to keep your desk/office nice and tidy

Here are our top-picks for your backpack this school year to stay organized and powered up

How-To: Quickly (and safely!) clean your HDTV using only a few basic items

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

 

• Vantrue Quick Charge USB Car Charger w/ micro USB Cable $3 (Reg. $10), more
• The Jawbone Up Bluetooth Activity monitor for $10 shipped (Reg. $25+)
• Canon B&W Laser Printer w/ AirPrint $75, more
• Games/Apps: Yoshi’s Woolly World amiibo Bundle $40, freebies, more
• Back-to-School/Office Supplies: 3-pack Five Star Notebooks $9, more
• A trove of Nintendo Power back issues is now available online for free

MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:

Your choice of stylish felt sleeves and carrying cases for MacBook from $4 Prime shipped

Logitech 2.1-Ch. speaker system: $100 shipped (Reg. $130)

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