Jason Snell has written an interesting piece at Macworld, berating Google for using its Material Design user-interface in iOS apps. In other words, Google ignores all the iOS conventions and instead makes its iPhone and iPad apps look exactly like Android ones. This can be seen in everything from the ‘white card on gray background’ overall design all the way down to small details like using vertical rather than horizontal dots as a menu icon.

He argues that Google is acting like Microsoft did back in the early 90s, suddenly making its Mac apps look and behave like Windows ones. It is, he suggests, arrogant …

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Filed under: Opinion Tagged: Android, comment, Google, iOS apps, material design, Opinion

Apple has responded to environmental objections to its planned $950M data center, arguing that the proposed development is necessary, would meet projected demand for the next 10-15 years, and would pose no risk to the local environment.

Although Apple was initially given the go-ahead for the center, construction had to be delayed when appeals against the decision were filed. The planning body, An Bord Pleanála, asked Apple to respond to five concerns, and Business Insider has now seen a transcript of the company’s oral response …

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple data center, Apple Data center Ireland, Data center, Ireland, Irish data center

The billion dollar AAPL investment Warren Buffett’s conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway disclosed in an SEC filing a fortnight ago seems to have gone a long way toward restoring investor confidence. Fortune reports that the stock has climbed 9% since the disclosure, taking it back above the $100 mark.

Buffett tends to have that effect on stocks—for example, when the company disclosed a stake in Kinder Morgan in February, shares shot up 11%. Apple’s rise in the past few weeks is no doubt partially the cause of Berkshire Hathaway’s disclosure.

AAPL’s share price dropped sharply after the company’s Q2 earnings report revealing a substantial year-on-year fall in iPhone sales. Sales of 51.1M iPhones were 18% lower than the 61.1M sold in the same quarter the previous year …

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Filed under: iOS Devices

Following the expanded launch of Apple Pay in Singapore this week, TechCrunch spoke with Apple VP Jennifer Bailey about Apple Pay’s roadmap. The Apple executive said the company wants to bring Apple Pay to every significant market in which it operates with particular focus on rapid expansion in Europe and Asia. Apple Pay is currently available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Singapore and Australia. Apple has already said the mobile payments service will reach Hong Kong soon …

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Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple Pay, iOS, iOS Devices Tagged: App Store, Apple pay, devices, iOS, iPhone, Users

NBC Universal today announced that it is bringing a trio of new apps to the fourth-gen Apple TV. Starting today, those with a cable login can now watch content via the Syfy, E!, and Bravo applications with their Apple TV. Subscribers will have access to full seasons of the networks’ most popular series, including current and past episodes.

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Filed under: Apple TV Tagged: Apple TV, NBC

Earlier this week a new report surfaced claiming Apple’s long-awaited Siri SDK could appear at this year’s WWDC, adding that Apple has been working on a dedicated Siri speaker similar to Amazon Echo or Google Home. Today VentureBeat reports that a source has indicated that a new version of the Apple TV actually may be Apple’s Amazon Echo and Google Home competitor.

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Filed under: Apple TV Tagged: Apple TV, Siri, Siri SDK, WWDC

As we approach Apple’s WWDC 2016 developer conference scheduled for June 13-17, there are more than a few reported in-development features and fixes that are likely candidates for stage time. An Apple Music revamp, Apple Pay updates, improvements for the App Store, and new features for HomeKit, Siri, and Apple News are just a few possibilities for Apple’s event next month. Below we roundup those features and much more as we take a look at the most likely new iPhone and iPad features in the works for iOS 10:

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Filed under: Developers, iOS, iOS Devices Tagged: App Store, Apple Music, Apple pay, iOS 10, iPhone 7, new features, SDK, Siri, Touch ID, WWDC

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:

Apple 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (latest version) from $650 shipped w/ .edu (Reg. $899)

Daily Deals: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Pro Studio Headphones (Refurb) $90, more

Philips Smart Lighting: Hue Go Portable LED $80, Wireless Hue Tap Switch $50

Pay what you want for 26.5 hours of photography tutorials and 100 stock images

Get 83 hours of coding tutorials with the Comprehensive Android Development Bundle: $40 (Orig. $727)

Many acclaimed Bose speakers & headphones now on sale, SoundLink Mini II $179 shipped (Reg. $199)

WWE 2K on iOS and Android now on sale for just $1 (Reg. $8)

Get ready for Memorial Day weekend parties with djay 2 for iOS: $1 (Reg. up to $10)

KAMI paper puzzle game goes free on iOS for the very first time today (Reg. $2)

Halo Spartan Strike action-shooter for iOS drops to its lowest price yet: $1 (Reg. $6)

App Store Free App of the Week: Pull My Tongue goes free for the first time ($1 value)

Review: We flew DJI’s impressive Phantom 4 drone towards a wall at 20MPH and nothing happened

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Mackie Studio Speakers: 5-inch w/ Bluetooth $200 (Reg. $250), 6.5-inch $160 (Reg. $200)

• Smartphone Accessories: 3-Pack of PNY 2600mAh USB Power banks $10 (Reg. $20), more
• Load up on discounted Toms shoes, accessories & more with this up to 75% off Surprise Sale
• OLALA’s 13000mAh portable iPhone charger packs a lot of juice for just $28
• Goat Simulator heads to outer space in its latest must-see iOS release [Video]
• Games/Apps: One w/ $75 Best Buy GC + free game from $350, more
• LEGO Games for Android on sale for $1 (Reg. $5): Batman, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Get SSD speed and size for $50 w/ Lexar 256GB S75 USB 3 Jumpdrive retractable Flash Drive (150mb/s read)

Samsung’s SmartThings home automation lineup now 20% off, get the 2nd gen Hub for $79

• 1byone 50-mile invisible HDTV Antenna $22 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
• Gift Cards up to 20% off: Staples, CVS, Jiffy Lube, more
• LG 55-inch 4K Smart Ultra HDTV + 320W 2.1-Ch. Sound Bar: $849 ($1,200+ value)
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40X Headphones + FiiO A1 Amp: $79 (~$160+ value)
• Grab a 10,000 BTU LG Portable AirCon w/remote for $279 Shipped
• CaseCrown gear 50% off: iPhone 6/s/Plus cases $3 each, iPad Mini 3 cases $8, more
• Wenger Backpack for MacBooks up to 15-inches: $35 Prime shipped (Reg. $50+)
• Keep the kids busy this summer w/ these Minecraft LEGO deals from $14 Prime shipped
• mophie 32GB Space Pack for iPhone 5/s/SE: $40 shipped (Reg. $110)
• mophie’s juice pack reserve case for $40 Prime shipped (Reg. $60)
• Jaybird X2 Bluetooth Sport Headphones $89 shipped (Orig. $180), more
• The latest entry in the popular Lifeline text-adventure series hits iPhone and iPad today
• Get a million dollar smile for $100 w/ Oral-B’s Bluetooth Electric Toothbrush (Reg. $150)
• Acer 11.6-inch Touchscreen Convertible 1.6GHz/2GB/32GB Refurb: $180 shipped
• Green Deals: 3-pack Etekcity Wireless Remote Control Outlet Switch $15 Prime shipped, more
• Glasslock Oven Safe 14-piece Food Storage Set $24 Prime shipped (Reg. $30+), more
• Cuisinart’s highly-rated 5-in-1 Grill & Panini Press for $65 shipped (Orig. $105)
• Bruntmor 34-oz. French Press w/ two extra glass cups: $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $34)
• 50-inch Panasonic 4K Smart LED Ultra HDTV for $500 shipped, 65-inch $1,000, more
• Here’s your chance to finally save on SONOS, all speakers now come w/ a free gift card
• Green Deals: Philips Hue Lux A19 LED Light Starter Kit $40, more
• Treat yourself w/ all-time low prices on Bowers & Wilkins headphones, speakers
• Staples gift card $150 for $130 with free email delivery (14% off)
• Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 announced alongside all-new fitness tracking 3G Pebble Core
• Media: 75% off Google Play Rentals including Deadpool + Sleeping w/ Other People $1, more
• Aukey display adapters with Prime shipping: USB-C to HDMI $14 or VGA $13, VGA to HDMI $9
• Free Xbox Live Gold Games for June: Goat Simulator, The Crew, Super Meat Boy, more
• URPOWER 2-in-1 Solar Waterproof LED Outdoor Lighting Kit $18 (Reg. $25), more
• J. Crew Factory: 50% off summer styles + extra 20% off $100 or more – men’s shorts from $21
• Get summer styles up to 75% off at the Kate Spade surprise sale- deals start at $10
• Lifetime Portable Tetherball System w/ soft ball $88 shipped (Reg. $130+)
• Cuisinart 15-Piece Stainless Steel Hollow Knife Block Set $43 shipped (Orig. $80)
• Dell 28″ 4K Monitor w/ dual USB/HDMI inputs: $400 shipped (Reg. $500)
• Sony PlayStation Vita with Wi-Fi for $140 shipped (Orig. $200)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

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

Xiaomi’s first drone records 4K video, lasts 27mins, costs $460

• LG’s new OLED 4K Ultra HDTVs are still lustworthy, just as expensive
• Jaybird’s new Freedom Bluetooth earbuds have an Apple-inspired metal design
• The second generation Boosted electric skateboard promises longer range
• National Streaming Day: I finally cut the cord and haven’t looked back, here’s how I pulled it off…
• Roboterra’s K’NEX-like coding system aims to empower young engineers
• TRNTBL is a modern day vinyl-lovers dream w/ built-in AirPlay, SONOS and Bluetooth
• Black + Decker launches app-connected Bluetooth batteries w/ USB port
• Garmin’s new vívosmart HR+ opts for GPS-tracking and heart rate monitoring over battery life
• The Tap Bluetooth wearable turns nearly any surface into a functioning Bluetooth keyboard
• The Vuze Camera brings an affordable point-and-shoot design to virtual reality
• Review: Samsung’s KS9500 65-Inch curved 4K TV is pretty amazing [Video]
• The newest Garmin Fitness Tracker delivers a ‘Suffer Score’ after each of your workouts
• The Thin Ice wearable cools your body in hopes of burning an additional 1,000 calories per day

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, ATH-M50x, audio-technica, Best Buy, Daily Deals, free apps, Gold Box, headphones Phillips Hue Go, MacBook Air, video games

Apple today debuted a new Arabic version of Apple.com, bringing the language to its website and online store for the first time alongside a new font right-to-left text.

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple, apple.com, Arabic, Font, language, online, right-to-left, store, uae, United Arab Emirates

There are a pair of new iPhone 7 schematics circling the Internet today, depicting the 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch SKUs of Apple’s next-generation flagship phone. The 4.7 inch iPhone 7 drawing appears pretty much as expected, resembling the iPhone 6s by and large with repositioned (and larger) rear camera and redesigned antenna lines. Similar three dimensional schematics surfaced two weeks ago.

The measurements listed indicate the 7 will be a tad thicker at 7.2mm excluding the camera bump, compared to 7.1 mm for the iPhone 6s, but a 0.1mm difference is effectively nothing and effectively impossible to notice by humans. (Sadly, these schematics show that the new iPhone 7 camera will indeed protrude from the rest of the casing). The drawings reiterate the point that Apple will remove the headphone jack, re-using the space as a second speaker grille.

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Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Device, iOS, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 plus