Earlier this year, we reported that Mac OS X 10.12 would bring Siri support as one of the tentpole features. Apple is likely to introduce the next big update to OS X in just a few weeks at its annual WWDC event, and now we’re learning a bit more about what the company has in store. A new report today brings to light the possibility that Apple could add Touch ID support to OS X with 10.12, as well.

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Filed under: Mac Tagged: Apple, Mac, OS X 10.12, Touch ID

Earlier this year, rumors started circulating that Apple would switch to a glass design for the 2017 iPhone lineup, somewhat reminiscent of that of the iPhone 4. Now Carter Technology chief executive Allen Horng says that only one model of the 2017 iPhone lineup will adopt that glass design. Carter Technology is a key iPhone casing supplier.

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Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple, iPhone 8

Two weeks ago, Tweetbot for iOS received an update introducing Topics to the Twitter client. Topics allows users to link tweets together, with an optional hashtag, making following a tweet conversation or tweet storm significantly easier. Today, Tweetbot for Mac receives its 2.4 update bringing Topics to the desktop, alongside a multitude of bug fixes.

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Filed under: Apps, Mac Tagged: Tweetbot for Mac 2.4

Shipments of Chromebooks outpaced Macs in the US for the first time in Q1 2016, that’s according to data from IDC shared during a session at Google’s I/O developer conference today.

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Filed under: Mac, Tech Industry Tagged: Chrome OS, Chromebooks, estimates, IDC, Mac, OS X, sales

Apple and its retail chief Angela Ahrendts today previewed the company’s brand new San Francisco retail store at Union Square ahead of an official grand opening this weekend.

“Fifteen years ago today Apple opened its first two stores and we’re thrilled to mark the occasion with the opening of Apple Union Square in San Francisco,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail and Online Stores. “We are not just evolving our store design, but its purpose and greater role in the community as we educate and entertain visitors and serve our network of local entrepreneurs.”

The images above and below were shared online today by @harrymcracken, @panzer and others attending the preview event for press. The new store features a number of new design elements, including changes to the layout for its Genius Bar that will be known as “Genius Grove” at the new store, and a number of new specialized areas throughout. 

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Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple Store, boardroom, creative pros, gallery, genius grove, stools, the avenue, Union Square

Earlier this week we saw Apple Pay add another 30 banks across the United States, and today Apple’s digital wallet gains support for online bank Chime. Similar to Ally and Simple, Chime has no physical banks and instead relies on its website and mobile apps for supporting customers. Chime’s support for Apple Pay works through bank issued Visa debit cards. After setting up Apple Pay with Chime, customers can use supported iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches to make payments in stores and in apps when available.

While Chime is new to the Apple Pay scene, launch partner Chase is promoting Apple’s digital wallet with a free iTunes album giveaway for one day only.

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Filed under: Apple Car Tagged: Apple pay

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off in just a few weeks on June 13th in San Francisco, but high demand and limited venue space means Apple can’t accommodate every developer who wants to attend. This year Apple is responding positively by promoting other developer community events taking place in San Francisco during the week of WWDC.

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Filed under: Developers Tagged: WWDC

I don’t use as many third-party apps on my 12.9″ iPad Pro as I do on my iPhone, but the few that I do use I’ve grown to love. And while I appreciate what the Apple Pencil can do, I’m not an artist, and prefer typing over handwriting. With that said, I tend to use my iPad Pro in the more traditional way.

The great thing about the iPad Pro is that it’s a flexible device that can adapt to a variety of workflows. Here’s a look at five of my favorite apps for Apple’s extra large tablet. more…

Filed under: Apps Tagged: 2Do, App Store app, best apps, GarageBand, iPad Pro, iPad Pro apps, Spark, top apps, Tweetbot, Ulysses

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’s most powerful standard config MacBook Pro gets a big price drop: $1,940 shipped (Reg. $2499)

Save $399 on Apple’s 15-inch 256GB Retina MacBook Pro, now $1,600 w/ free shipping

Boost your iPhone’s battery w/ mophie’s juice pack reserve case for $40 Prime shipped (Reg. $60)

Make the leap to 4K w/ Dell’s 27-inch LED Ultra HD Monitor for $450 shipped (Reg. $500+)

Best Buy hands Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro its first significant discount, 128GB model now $650

Apple 12-inch MacBook 1.1GHz/8GB/256GB (2015): $899.99 shipped (Orig. $1,299)

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/8GB/128GB (newest model): $850 shipped (Reg. $999)

iTunes $50 Gift Card for $42.50 shipped – save 15% on games, apps, subscriptions, more

Awesome Note 2 task/calendar app for iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad: $2 (Reg. $4)

App Store Free App of the Week: King Rabbit goes free for the first time (Reg. $1)

Adventure/platformer Swordigo goes free on iOS for the first time in over a year (Reg. $3)

Grand Theft Auto iOS Sale: Liberty City Stories $3, China Town Wars $3, San Andreas $4, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Treat yourself w/ all-time low prices on Bowers & Wilkins headphones, speakers

• Daily Deals: JBL Synchros Headphones $130, Pebble Smartwatch (Refurb) $72, more
• Add Wi-Fi to your outlets w/ TP-LINK’s Smart Plug for $20 shipped (Reg. $30)
• Amazon Gold Box – Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Download: $75 (Reg. $120)
• Portable folding Camco deluxe grilling table for $48 Prime shipped (Reg. $75)
• Aukey’s LED Lamps from $28 Prime shipped
• Games/Apps: BioShock Infinite for Mac $10, iOS freebies, more
• Workout Stability/Balance Balls from $10 (Reg. up to $20), more
• Take a look at LEGO’s new 2-foot tall Big Ben Creator Expert set in all its glory

Belkin WeMo Wi-Fi-enabled Switch with Alexa support for $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40) wp.me/p1xTlR-RJM https://t.co/K0Jda6ECRz

—
9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 19, 2016

Back in stock! Protect your MacBooks w/ these stylish cases/sleeves from $4 Prime shipped wp.me/p1xTlR-RhT https://t.co/iODxK3WdJ2

—
9to5Toys (@9to5toys) May 19, 2016

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Outfit your new iPhone SE or iPad Pro with one of these stylish cases from just $3 shipped

It’s time to go 4K w/ these Samsung UHDTVs: 60″ w/ 3 HDMI inputs $999 (Reg. $1,400), 48″ 3D $925 (Reg. $1,200), more

• LifeProof FRĒ Waterproof Case for iPhone 6 (Various Colors) $30 shipped (Reg. $60)
• Canvas Messenger Bags for MacBooks from $25 Prime shipped (Reg. $50+)
• Vantrue 2K LCD Dashboard Cam+ 32GB SD card $100 shipped (Orig. $160), more
• Smartphone Accessories: LG Music Flow P7 Bluetooth Speaker $43 (Orig. $150), more
• Get a $100 Sears Gift Card for only $85 shipped (15% off)
• Prima has now made some of its official digital game guides available to download for free
• Get fast delivery  w/ Google Express: 6-mo. membership + $20 credit for $5 (~$80 value)
• Aukey USB Accessories w/ Prime shipping: 4-port hub $10, aluminum 4-Port hub $11, more
• Garmin Vivosmart Wireless Activity Wristband w/ HRM $69 (Reg. $94+), more
• Two weeks of SiriusXM Satellite Radio for free starting today!
• Blizzard handing out in-game items & free copies of World of Warcraft
• Try an Amazon Sample Beauty Box for $15 and get a $15 credit (Prime only)
• Smartphone Accessories: Kmashi 10000mAh Dual-USB Power Bank $9 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
• Amazon’s Fire TV will gain Alexa voice-activated features in the coming weeks
• Amazon offers snack bar/energy drink sample boxes from $5 w/ free $5 credit (Prime only)
• BenQ 1080p dual HDMI home theater projector: $630 shipped (Reg. $749)
• Green Deals: GRDE 10000mAh Solar Dual-USB Power Bank $13 Prime shipped (Reg. $19), more
• Beat germs in your home w/ the Purell Everywhere Starter Kit: $10 Prime shipped
• Eco Vessel Boulder TriMax Triple Insulated Water Bottle $20 shipped (Reg. $25+)
• Cuisinart 17-Piece Artiste Collection Cutlery Knife Block Set for $50 shipped (Orig. $90)
• Dyson AM06 Air Multiplier Table Fan with Remote (multiple colors) $200 shipped (Orig. $300)
• The 2016 Roku Streaming Stick receives its first discount: $40 Prime shipped (Reg. $50)
• Motorola’s SURFBoard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem (Cert. refurb) $40 (Orig. $100), more
• Full 1080p HD 27-inch Displays: LG Ultra-Thin Bezel $160 (Reg. $250+), more
• Smartphone Accessories: JBL Synchros Over-Ear Headphones $99 (Reg. $300), more
• Acesori 3-in-1 Smartphone Camera Lens Kit: $10 (Orig. $50)
• TarDisk adds 64GB of integrated storage to your Macbook Air: $100 (Orig. $149)
• LEGO Deals: City Racing Bikes + Transporter $15, Police Hovercraft $28, more
• RAVPower’s 4-port 40W 8A USB Power Station: $11 Prime shipped (Reg. $17)
• Add a 40-inch Samsung 1080p Smart HDTV to your bedroom or den for $280 (Reg. $400)
• Green Deals: Snap-On 1600PSI Electric Power Washer $90 shipped (Reg. $120+), more
• Philips Friends of Hue Bloom Wireless LED Bulb $45 shipped (Reg. $60)
• iTunes $0.99 HD Rentals (Reg. $5): Sicario, Prometheus, much more
• Sprint’s 40GB/mo Better Choice XXL plan now includes 12 free months of Amazon Prime

Roundup: The best power strips w/ USB ports to quickly (and safely!) charge all of your devices

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

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
• This Hybrid Tube Amp system for Raspberry Pi is ideal for DIY Audiophiles
• Vans and Nintendo team up for epic new line of NES-themed sneakers
• NERF’s upcoming Terrascout RC Drone Blaster is going to be a menace in your home
• Straight out of Chicago, this mid-century modern Bluetooth stereo cabinet is beautiful
• Garmin goes classy with its new smartphone-connected vívomove fitness tracker

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, free apps, Gold Box, MacBook Pro, Mophie Juice Pack, reserve case, video games

We’ve covered Infuse a few times — a slick media player for iOS devices and as of late last year the new Apple TV. Today the apps are getting updates to version 4.2, bringing a handful of notable features to both the iOS and tvOS apps.

The highlights include a new Library View with Smart Filters on Apple TV and Spotlight search on iPhones and iPads, but there is a long list of other new features and improvements for both.

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Filed under: Apple TV, Apps Tagged: 4.2, Apple TV, infuse, iOS, iPhone, library view, media player, spotlight search, tvOS, update