While solar panels and wind turbines are the two best-known methods of generating renewable energy, they aren’t the only approaches. The day after we learned that Apple has become a power company, we hear that it has just been given the go-ahead to employ a particularly cool method.

Landfill gas utilization traps the methane gas given off from landfill sites and either converts it into pipeline-grade gas or uses it to generate electricity. It’s doubly environmentally friendly, generating power from waste but also preventing the release of methane – a greenhouse gas – into the atmosphere …

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple Energy, electricity, Energy, North Carolina, power, Renewable energy

Apple’s announcement that developers will be able to keep 85% of subscription revenue after the first year seemed to leave some questions unanswered. In particular, Phil Schiller’s examples appeared to contradict descriptions on Apple’s own website.

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apps, developers, iOS, Subscription apps

Thieves dressed as Apple Store staff have stolen a total of $66,000’s worth of iPhones in two separate thefts at retail stores in New York. Apple’s Upper West Side store was targeted back in March, when 67 iPhones worth almost $50k were stolen, followed by the theft of 19 phones worth $16k from the SoHo store last week.

Police now believe that the same thieves may be responsible for both. The criminals seemed to have done their research well, notes Gizmodo …

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple Store, Apple Store stolen iPhones, Apple Store thefts, Apple Stores, Robbery, Theft, thief, thieves

According to Macotakara, Apple has plans to cut out the Space Gray version of the iPhone 7 this time around and replace it with a deep blue iPhone color. From my point of view, Apple has played so fast and loose with the term “space gray” that this deep blue might be an evolution of the color.

no antenna bands!

Seriously though. Apple has a blue iPod Touch (remember those things #TBT) which could serve as a base point for a deep blue iPhone but in reality I’m not putting a lot of hope in this one becoming real.

Rough Google translation and the 50 shades of Apple’s Space Gray shown below: more…

Filed under: iOS Devices

A KGI analyst report from two weeks ago broke the news that a new Apple MacBook, due later in the year, would debut a new OLED touch screen technology above the keyboard that will replace the function row keys. A leaked shell of a MacBook days later seemed to at least confirm the report along with showing 2 USB-C ports on the sides and a huge touchpad. The MacBook OLED bar rumor has been a controversial one for us and many of you generating lots of opinions.

However, one of our readers Cameron did a mockup that changed all of that for me and many others. Taking a look at the possibilities with Siri, many of our readers came up with excellent ideas for apps that would use the bar. 3D designer Martin Hajek has done a few better with some amazing renders that take the OLED display from gimmick to “TAKE MY MONEY.”

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Filed under: iOS Devices, Mac Tagged: MacBook, mockup, OLED, USB-C

According to a report from MacDailyNews, Apple will announce that iMessage is coming to Android at Monday’s upcoming WWDC 2016 keynote.

Such an announcement, which MacDailyNews claims to have obtained from “a source familiar with the company’s thinking,” would go a long way towards making it easier for users to shift between the two competing platforms. But what would be Apple’s motivation for doing this?

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Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple rumors, iMessage, WWDC 2016

Following news of incoming changes to Apple’s App Store that will benefit developers with a new subscription revenue split and paid search result ads, Spotify today outlined to The Verge why the improvements don’t address their issues with Apple’s policies.

Specifically, a Spotify representative noted the company’s inability to offer special deals to customers and lack of access to data into “why customers churn — or who even qualifies as a long-term subscriber.”

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Filed under: Apps Tagged: 85/15, App Store, discounts, Revenue, revenue split, Spotify, subscriptions

Apple has updated Logic Pro X for Mac to version 10.2.3 and added new audio features and design improvements to the pro audio editing software. The update also has a focus on Chinese instruments much like recent GarageBand updates. Retina display users will appreciate hi-res support for seven more plug-ins, and the update delivers the usual performance improvements as well.

As for the Chinese focus, Logic Pro X now includes three new Chinese instrument patches: pipa, erhu, and percussion. Like GarageBand, Logic also includes more than 300 Chinese instrument loops for dropping into your own mixes.

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Filed under: Apps Tagged: Logic Pro X

Apple has released a special ‘Shot on iPhone’ TV commercial for European markets called ‘The beautiful game’. It features iPhone photography of football stadiums, goalposts and players. The ad will likely air during the UEFA European Football Championship games, which kicks off tomorrow … more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: commercial, Football, iPhone ad, shot on iphone, UEFA

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:

The ecobee3 Smarter Wi-Fi Thermostat brings HomeKit to your AC this summer: $199 shipped (Reg. $250)

FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for iOS & Android has more uses than you’d imagine: $199 (Reg. $250)

Amazon’s best-selling Brother laser printer has AirPrint and is on sale for $80 shipped (Reg. $100)

Upgrade to Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB for $1,600 shipped (Reg. $1,999)

Best Buy is taking up to $200 off Apple Watch Stainless Steel: 38mm from $349, 42mm starts at $399

Pebble Steel Smartwatch for iOS and Android $80 shipped, Apple Watches up to $200 off, more

Start your week with a $100 discount on iPad mini 4 & Air 2, priced from $300 shipped

Apple’s 12.9″ 128GB iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular is all the way down to $800 (Reg. $1,079)

Get a $100 iTunes Gift Card with email delivery from PayPal for just $85 (15% off)

Rovio’s Bad Piggies for iPhone/iPad goes free for the first time in years (Reg. $1)

App Store Free App of the Week: Sago Mini Road Trip goes free for the first time in over a year ($3 value)

Here are our favorite Father’s Day gifts for the outdoorsman, chef and car aficionado in your life

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Easily enhance your HDTV audio by adding VIZIO’s Bluetooth Soundstage (refurb): $69 shipped (Orig. $250)

• Olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens for iPhone 5/5s/SE: $20 shipped (Reg. $30), more
• Daily Deals: Delonghi Automatic Espresso Machine $500, more
• Get a $25 Amazon credit for spending $50 on men’s grooming products
• Snag a free MP3 Download of Led Zeppelin II: Remastered, more
• Get a $10 credit to spend at Nordstrom’s next big sale for signing up as a Rewards Member
• Games/Apps: best-selling Razer DeathAdder mouse $50, iOS freebies, more
• Upgrade your old toaster w/ stainless steel Cuisinart for $33 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Here’s a 9.7-inch iPad Pro folio-style case in multiple colors on sale for $7 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)

Amazon’s best-selling high-power, super-thin 50-mile amplified HDTV Antenna is somehow just $17 shipped

Indoor HDTV 25-mile Antenna w/17-ft cable: $8 Prime shipped (24″ Vizio HDTV for $90)

• Hook Dad up w/ a smartphone-connected car diagnostic system: $70 (Reg. $100)
• Save $50 on Amazon’s  Kindle Fire HD 10 tablet: 16GB $180 shipped, more
• JBL Pulse Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Refurb) $60 (Orig. $200), more
• Here’s how you can secure a free two-month membership to Audible
• Philips Sonicare Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush: $30 (Orig. $70), more
• Etekcity’s handy LEDs double as a nightlight and flashlight: two-pack on sale for $24
• Grab a refurb Bosch 15-Amp Circular Saw at about half the price: $55 (Orig. $120), more
• Best Buy and T-Mobile are bundling in freebies with the purchase of an iPhone 6/s/Plus
• Square Enix brings human augmentations and hacking to iOS with the new Deus Ex Go
• Get a 1-yr. Forbes Magazine subscription (or renewal) for just $5 shipped (Reg. $20+)
• Green Deals: Toro 24-inch 24V Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer from $70, more
• Two UE BOOM 2 Bluetooth speakers: $300 shipped ($150/ea, save $100)
• Cover your iPhone 6/s Plus with OtterBox’s Alpha screen protector for $11.50 (Orig. $40)
• You’re already doing all your shopping at Amazon, you might as well save an extra 5%
• Perfect for summer! Grab a JBL Go Bluetooth Speaker in eight colors for $20 shipped (Reg. $30+)
• Kick back and enjoy a free HD download of ‘The Croods’ (Reg. $15)
• Send Dad the gift of wine w/ Amazon’s latest sale: buy 3 bottles get 25% off + 1 cent shipping
• This ASUS Chromebook w/ a 16GB SSD will have you surfing the web for just $180 (Orig. $220)
• This gorgeous desk clock is made with vintage Soviet Union Nixie tubes
• Green Deals: WORX Cordless Mower $315, Panasonic eneloop Rechargeable Battery $32, more
• Take your music to the shower w/ this Omaker Bluetooth Speaker: $18 Prime shipped (Reg. $27)
• You can now buy HTC’s $799 Vive VR headset w/ shipping this week
• Put an extra 256GB of storage in your MacBook Air for $125 shipped (Reg. $155)
• Raspberry Pi 3 bundle has everything you need to get started: $70 shipped (Reg. $90)
• Control your outlets and track energy use w/ TP-LINK’s Smart Plug for $30 (Reg. $40)
• Gift Cards up to 20% off: Michael’s, AMC, Regal, Petco, Cabela’s, many more
• Give Dad the gift of Sous Vide: Anova Wi-Fi Precision Cooker $169 (Reg. $199)
• Google Nexus 5X 32GB $275 shipped or $300 shipped w/ $30 GC (Reg. $399)
• Get that delicious wood-chip flavor right on your BBQ for $8 (Reg. up to $15)
• T-Mobile’s Uncarrier 11: Free stock, gifts every Tuesday, & inflight Wi-Fi with Gogo
• Grab a free Kindle eBook download of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Reg. up to $6)
• Refresh your old workout mat w/ BalanceFrom’s highly-rated GoYoga: $16 (Reg. $20+)
• Here’s how nurses can get BOGO meals at Chipotle next week just for being awesome!
• Google Nexus 6P 32GB w/ $50 GC: $419 ($549 value) or 128GB: $500 (Reg. $649)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Suunto’s latest fitness tracker has a thoughtful design, lacks one crucial feature

• This gorgeous desk clock is made with vintage Soviet Union Nixie tubes
• Forget drones, this GoPro-enabled submarine takes you on a VR tour underwater
• The Super 73 Electric Bike has an old-school design and hits speeds up to 30mph
• Segway returns with the smartphone-connected miniPRO electric transporter
• The Star Wars Ultimate Collection brings incredible recreations of movie props to your home
• SodaStream gets tipsy with its new Beer Bar homebrew beverage maker
• This gorgeous $1,100 SmartBike cannot be stolen according to its creators
• iDevices’ latest creation brings HomeKit control to nearly any lightbulb in your house
• This record player has Don Draper-style, AirPlay connectivity and a secret bar
• Olympus wants you to beat the hell out of its new Tough TG-Tracker 4K Action Camera
• Grado Labs latest Brooklyn-made set of headphones blend mahogany & maple woods

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, AirPrint, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, best-selling Brother laser printer, Daily Deals, Ecobee3, FLIR ONE Thermal Imager, free apps, Gold Box, homekit, iTunes Gift Card, video games, Wi-Fi thermostat